Talk About Race Returns To The Campaign

Politico: It's The Discussion Obama Didn't Want, And Not One McCain Wants Either

(The Politico)  This column was written by Avi Zenilman and Ben Smith.

---

When the Democratic primary descended into a charged debate about black and white and Sen. Barack Obama's racially polarizing pastor last spring, Obama took the stage to address the question of race head-on.

"Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now," Obama told those assembled at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center and a nationally televised audience in March.

His campaign, though, didn’t follow his lead.

Instead, his aides have steered clear of any explicit discussion of racial inequality or of his pioneering campaign as they try to woo swing voters, some of whom may be discomfited by the notion of the first black president.

"The best time for a national conversation on race is when he's president," Bill Perkins, a New York state senator from Harlem and early Obama supporter, said Saturday, expressing a widely held view among Democrats.

But the national conversation appears to have arrived. Racial considerations that have long been palpable in southern Ohio and other crucial regions are again in the foreground. A new poll that accompanied a much buzzed-about Associated Press article on Saturday appears to starkly quantify the cost of racism to Obama: 6 percentage points in the polls.

And Friday's debate will bring the campaign to the Deep South and offer the symbolism of an integrated debate at Ole Miss, the scene of a brutal battle over integration a generation ago. That conversation creates a moment with risks for both candidates - though perhaps greater risks for Obama.

Many Democrats see the explicit discussion of race and politics as almost unambiguously negative for Obama, a reminder to voters of fraught questions of identity and a distraction from the economic troubles that have dominated the headlines in recent days and could bury Obama's rival, Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee.

"From [former Los Angeles mayor] Tom Bradley to [L.A. Mayor] Antonio Villaraigosa to [Massachusetts Gov.] Deval Patrick, non-white candidates have historically been successful reaching broader electorates when they've steered clear of identity politics," said Sean Clegg, who until recently was the top political adviser to Villaraigosa.

That's exactly the model followed by Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, who has made a career of electing executives of color. The campaigns he has run for mayor in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, and for governor of Massachusetts have, like Obama's, relied on combining a group's quiet pride in its favorite son with a determinedly post-racial message of hope and unity.

Axelrod’s outlook was manifest at the Democratic National Convention, where Martin Luther King Jr.’s son addressed the crowd, but Obama's speech accepting his party’s nomination, delivered on the 45th anniversary of the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, never mentioned the slain civil rights icon by name.

A Republican strategist, Todd Harris, also suggested the country's economic woes could intensify racial tensions in key states. "The tragic irony is that the more the economic crisis helps Obama among some voters, it could cost him as much as it helps in some key states because of heightened racism sparked by tough times," he said.

But if Democrats hope to muffle a discussion of race, which polling and reporting have long suggested is a crucial factor in swing states, discussion of it also carries risks for the Republican nominee. McCain has largely steered clear of anything that could be interpreted as race-baiting, and the Republican Party earlier this year warned its officials to stay on message on the sensitive topic. "They're going to face an avalanche of criticism if they touch the race issue with a 1,000-foot pole," said Clegg.

More subtly, the recent survey findings carry the risk that McCain’ candidacy could be cast as relying on racism. His supporters have objected vociferously to lines of analysis like that of a recent Slate article headlined, "Racism is the only reason McCain might beat [Obama]."

Even the suggestion that McCain's campaign is reliant on racism could alienate some voters.

"There are a lot of suburban moderates who want to turn the page in the biggest possible way from [President] Bush, and voting for Obama gives them a chance to not only make history, but to prove something to themselves about their own evolved feelings on race," said Harris.

Aides to Obama and McCain declined to discuss the impact of the race conversation Saturday, a mark of its sensitivity. And virtually everyone involved recognizes that the impact of race is difficult to predict.

"Some Americans out there will vote for Barack Obama, even though they disagree with him, because they would like to see America move beyond this," said veteran Republican strategist Alex Castellanos. "And there are some Americans who have not moved beyond this."

The campaigns came closest to an open debate over race in late July after Obama predicted the GOP's attack plan would use it. "What they're going to try to do is make you scared of me," he told a crowd in Missouri. "You know, he doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."

The McCain campaign swiftly rejected any suggestion that it was mining racial resentment and blamed Obama for bringing up the topic.

"Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck," campaign manager Rick Davis said in a statement. "It's divisive, negative, shameful and wrong."

Obama may have stated his feelings, or at least his intentions, most plainly last year in New Hampshire, in the placid waters of the Democratic primary. Then, Time magazine reported, an "aging hippie" asked Obama if he would launch another "national conversation about race."

Obama responded in the negative.

"I'm less interested in a conversation about race in the abstract," he said. "All the self-flagellation, it's not useful. African-Americans get all riled up, and whites get defensive."

Jonathan Martin contributed to this story.

[toby2957]

At the end of Bill Clinton''s presidency we had the highest budget surplus in our nation''s history. Now, eight years of near total Republican rule and we have an economy in the toilet, and endless war, spiraling debt, home values evaporating, record fuel, food and heating costs, massive financial institutions failing and collapsing and then being paid for by corporate welfare through taxpayer funds, and the neocons STILL try to blame the democrats. These are the facts. It''s just so incredibly pathetic.

McSame/Palin''s platform is the radical right wing agenda. McSame is no longer McCain, he''s completely reverted to type, and Palin is scary beyond all belief. She''ll be rolling around on the oval office floor speaking in "tongues". It is quite simply not possible to be patriotic American and vote for McSame. The ONLY reason anyone might want to vote for McSame is if they hate minorities and/or want to advance a radical religious agenda (Much like Iraq has done in their government).

Stop the hate. Be a patriot. Vote Obama/Biden 2008!

[ajmarine111]

"There are a lot of suburban moderates who want to turn the page in the biggest possible way from [President] Bush, and voting for Obama gives them a chance to not only make history, but to prove something to themselves about their own evolved feelings on race," said Harris.

Aides to Obama and McCain declined to discuss the impact of the race conversation Saturday, a mark of its sensitivity. And virtually everyone involved recognizes that the impact of race is difficult to predict.

"Some Americans out there will vote for Barack Obama, even though they disagree with him, because they would like to see America move beyond this," said veteran Republican strategist Alex Castellanos. "And there are some Americans who have not moved beyond this."




If Obama IS elected, will this rid white Americans of their feelings of guilty and show we have taken a big step in racial equilty?

I fear that if Obama loses, and if it is a close election, there will be rioting and everyone saying he lost because of racism. We could go backwards, instead of forwards in this area.

[p5e0428]

Obama and his camp will not let the race issue die. They want the undecided and the non supporters of Obamas to feel that their racist if they don''t vote for him. This is how he and his supporters have been trying to run this campaign Its a bully strategy. Lets see if it works during election time.

[p5e0428]

If Obama losses and if there is rioting that would be a slap in the face to Obama. If people are trying to really move pass race and hate issues they should be able to deal regardless of the outcome. We shouldn''t let fear and these bully tactics scare us into a president whose not fit to lead.

[apostasyusa]

"Not all McCain supporters are racists.
But all racists are McCain supporters."

Posted by jh6379


Enough said about that.

[lalabradle]

Well racism goes both ways. Black people have lived in a racist America their whole lives, so their feelings about racism in America is no myth. White people are the problem when it comes to race. I''m not saying all whites are racist, but for those who are not, racism has been a way of life for minorities. People should not feel pressured to vote for anyone based on race or not vote for them based on race. Exercise your right to vote for who you want and don''t be bullied by the white or black racists in this country. Period!!!!!

[lalabradle]

I am not shocked, because I am black. But the ugly face of racism is blatant and rising to the occasion. Even with the racists, they are afraid that all the decades of control by whites will actually become an equal opportunity for other than whites. The white superiority complex has ruled this country with an iron fist. When Obama becomes president and is able to do things that the Bush administration could not do, and make improvements instead of keeping things the same, it''s going to embarass the white elites.

[pawprints54]

How DARE you tell me the only reason I would vote for Mjoh McCain is racism. That is a sample of the Obama campaign''s dirty politics. Use the race card, or whatever it takes, to win.

I will vot for John McCain because he is an American hero, and because he (unlike Obama) did not speak out AGAINST affording human rights to newborns who survive brutal and gruesome abortion attempts.

Do not try to dictate MY choice in this election by try to label me and bully me.

Not everyone buys your lies. We have eyes and ears - and we know that John McCain is not George Bush. And even George Bush is better than your spineless candidate who will not take a stand against partial birth abortion.

[lalabradle]

Here we go again. Oh, the blacks are going to riot if Obama loses. That''s dumb white people mentality, belive me. Nobody will riot. Rodney King''s rights were terribly abused, it was worth a riot because had a riot not made a difference the police could be doing that to black men and boys and getting away with it even on video. It was worth a riot. The presidency is the people''s choice, black people will accept that choice and keep it moving. They thought blacks were going to riot over OJ Simpson, nobody cared about OJ, OJ forgot he was black until he got in trouble. It was the whit jurors who let him go because once again they didn''t give blacks credit for having common sense.

[jefflz-2009]

Despite the McCain''s self-serving distortion of the facts and the extensive criticism he has received Obama does has an impressive record of highly relevant experience:

3 highly successful years as a community organizer

first black President of the Harvard Law Review,

12 years as a Constitutional Law professor,

8 addtional years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, chairman of the state Senate''''s Health and Human Services committee

nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran''''s Affairs committees

voted for by 18 million people (far more than McCain has ever had) and leads a presidential campaign in 50 states that employs 2500 people raising hundreds of millions of dollars from private individuals defeating powerful and highly respected primary opponents

Some may say he is inexperienced to cover for their prejudice. We can only hope that for these people common sense will prevail and they will vote for Obama because he is by far the best qualified candidate for their country. Neither his race nor his exceptional intelligence will drive away any but the true bigot.

[tsdc7]

I don''t really see race being injected into the campaign by either party. What I see is news companies that have lost their journalistic integrity and attempt to fan flames so they have something to report. These same organizations present opinions from opposing viewpoints rather than facts. It''s petty and annoying.

That''s not to say that CBS could not report on a meaningful race-related story, but they should research some facts rather than just trying to get by with a bunch of quotes from parties with conflicting interests.

Of course, the quotes out of West Virginia during the primaries did seem to indicate some racism and xenophobia. There''s sufficient stupidity on both sides.

[aj4321-2009]

bgmusic at 06:25 PM : Sep 22, 2008
-------------

Why don''t you start telling us what you do? Are you still living your mom''s basement?

Obama said "You bet there are some WHITE people who won''t vote for me because of race", and I say "You bet there are some BLACK people who will vote for Obama just because of race". Why don''t you hear the MSM talk about that? I won''t vote for Obama because of his judgment for staying in Rev Wrights Church and his judgment when he overlooked Hillary for VP. I won''t vote for Obama for many reasons to numerous to mention, but the fact that he is black is not one of them. What a good excuse he and the Democrats will have when he looses.

[aj4321-2009]

bgmusic

-----------
How many troll points did you get today?

Or did you not get some lovin from your lover?

[aj4321-2009]

Posted by bgmusic at 06:56 PM : Sep 22, 2008
-------------

Wow, you don''t really have a heart (or a head for that matter) - I guess this is a common problem with repugs - mock the disabled Kennedy.

[aj4321-2009]

Posted by bgmusic at 06:58 PM : Sep 22, 2008
-------------

Weren''t you the one sucking someone''s di** in the front of the parade?

[aj4321-2009]

bgmusic
--------------

How was the group facial session afterwards? Did you enjoy it?

[kansas1946]

If there are only six percent of folks that are racist, then I would say we are doing pretty well. If you listened to other countries opinions of the US on race for the last coupld of decades, the percetion in those countryies was that about 90pct of Americans were racist. If we only have a six percent idiocy rate, then that means 94pct of us are thoughtful and voting on issues, character, etc., not what color a person was born. In most schools, 94pct is an "A." Good going America.

[aj4321-2009]

bgmusic

------------

At least Obama isn''t the one pretending to care for people while driving 13 cars and living in 8 houses with butlers and poolboys.

[justaperson1]

Come on down to Memphis.. Please Obama - see how you are going to keep the RACE card out of it here. AM990 is PREACHING and feeding people hate here. They are full OF HATE IN MEMPHIS AND OUTRIGHT SAY THEY WILL DO "SOMETHING" IF OBAMA LOSES. More and more I want to leave this country to escape all of this. I fear for my life here.

[mbskoczen]

Obama has no I repeat no experience among many other short comings and if you don''t think he will make a good president you''re a racist..

Frankly I don''t like Obama because you can''t believe a word he says.

[cdfoxtrot3]

Bush has set a new record for a disapproval rating, in the past week - with 68 per cent of people disapproving of him. Given how close McCain is tied to Bush and Bush''s policies, there is only one conclusion if Obama fails to win in November, and that is that the US continues to be a racist society.

[mbskoczen]

The issues on which McCain and Bush differ are legion:
McCain fought for campaign finance reform %u2014 McCain-Feingold %u2014 that Bush fought and ultimately signed because he had no choice.
McCain led the battle to restrict interrogation techniques of terror suspects and to ban torture.
McCain went with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on a tough measure to curb climate change, something Bush denies is going on.
McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts when they passed.
McCain urged the Iraq surge, a posture Bush rejected for years before conceding its wisdom.
McCain favors FDA regulation of tobacco and sponsored legislation to that effect, a position all but a handful of Republican Senators oppose.
McCain''s energy bill, also with Lieberman, is a virtual blueprint for energy independence and development of alternate sources.
After the Enron scandal, McCain introduced sweeping reforms in corporate governance and legislation to guarantee pensions and prohibit golden parachutes for executives. Bush opposed McCain''s changes and the watered-down Sarbanes-Oxley bill eventuated.
McCain has been harshly critical of congressional overspending, particularly of budgetary earmarks, a position Bush only lately adopted (after the Democrats took over Congress).

[mbskoczen]

" New evidence has emerged that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was closely associated as early as age 25 to a key adviser to a Saudi billionaire who had mentored the founding members of the Black Panthers.

In a videotaped interview this year on New York%u2019s all news cable channel NY1, a prominent African-American businessman and political figure made the curious disclosures about Obama."

[mbskoczen]

The only racist in this race is Barrack Obama...

[mbskoczen]

Obama today%u2026

%u201CI love this country too much%u2026%u201D

Too sit in church for 20 TWENTY years and listen to not God Bless America but *******- AMERICA%u2026

That much love..

I never bought into the phony that is Barack Obama and I%u2019m sure glad America has seen the lie that is Obama%u2026



Here is a little know fact about Obama%u2026%u2026%u2026

At all of Obama%u2019s town hall type meeting he has Teleprompters that flash up key talking points concerning the question just asked. He gets the question then hews and haws a bit until the talking points come up and then he use them to frame his answers. There is an assistant off stage who hears the questions accesses an answer database and posts the talking points on the Telepromters.

[mbskoczen]

All Obama has done is tear this country apart.

[seafang]

A work colleague told me the Repbublican convention was a sea of white faces (he''s non white). Evidently there were 65 black delegates at the Republican convention. Nationwide polls consistently say that 95% of Black Registered voters say they will vote for Obama.
See it''s not about race; only 5% of black voters vote Republican.

And as far as the American Black ethos, Obama is entirely remote from that, having no slave history ancestry whatsoever; well unless his Arab ancestors happened to be slave traders; and we have no knowledeg of that.

Maybe Black american voters like the idea of having a Sol alinsky Marxist dictator rule this country, enforced by his "brownshirt" civilian police that he wants to install.

Read his tow books, and then read Mein Kampf, and then bone up on the history of the Nuremburg Rallies.

Those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to relive them.

[barrylies]

Obama wont even help his brother who lives in a shack on $1.00 per month (I''m sure MEchelle won''t let him)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html

Will you help a brother out?

http://www.helpobamasbrother.org/

[slayrre007]

Lets be honest about this issue. If we are going talk about REAL RACISM in this election....we have start with the 97% of the black vote going to Obama. Right... the color of a person''s skin shouldn''t determine how we vote...? Why doesn''t the media focus on the 97% phenomenon instead of looking to criticize white people. The hypocrisy of the media is never ending!

[mandalay-bay]

Palin is taking ALL of the week off to study for the debate. Biden is ready to debate now.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mr22581 at 07:38 PM : Sep 22, 2008

Fixed.

[slayrre007]

Speaking of Obama...the man is simply an empty suit elitist who has no history of change to support the BS coming out of his mouth. Amazing how this country can screw up for the 3rd straight election by voting for a fraud like Obama. I may not like everything about McCain but while John was receiving a hard earned education as a prisoner of war, Barack was getting his 20 year education from Rev. Wright. So...who do you trust to put American first...? A man who refused to sell out his country while being beaten every day or a man who adopted an anti-American racist as his personal mentor...?

[mandalay-bay]

Lets be honest about this issue. If we are going talk about REAL RACISM in this election....we have start with the 97% of the black vote going to Obama. Right... the color of a person''''s skin shouldn''''t determine how we vote...? Why doesn''''t the media focus on the 97% phenomenon instead of looking to criticize white people. The hypocrisy of the media is never ending!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by slayrre007 at 07:53 PM : Sep 22, 2008

Beacuse 92% of blacks voted for bill clinton. And he''s white. So your point is irrelevant now. Goodbye.

[sallievoter]

How racism works

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama were a member of the "Keating 5"?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

[ajmarine111]

Why doesn''''t the media focus on the 97% phenomenon instead of looking to criticize white people.

Posted by slayrre007 at 07:53 PM : Sep 22, 2008



Because,........everyone knows that the only racists in the USA are white.

[mandalay-bay]

Palin was in PA. today.Looked like 100,000 people were there.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by mr22581 at 07:57 PM : Sep 22, 2008

They didn''t take any wide shots...it was actually 300 people.

[seafang]

" What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?
Posted by sallievoter at 07:56 PM : Sep 22, 2008. "

And what if Obama''s Teleprompter failed at 3 AM due to his energy policies.

And what if McCain''s only Executive experience, was working with the Weather Underground and SDS members of ACORN to recruit for the Communist Party, from disadvantaged out of work citizens ?

What if McCain had studied the Sol Alinski "Rules for Radicals" before he became a prisoner in VietNam ?

[concerned222]

Yes, I think Obama has split the country. And I think that neither Obama or McCain can speak without a teleprompter. I''m not sure either one has a personal though without the party officials telling them what to say.
With the last 8 years to reflect upon, the buck stops at the top. Vetos are used lots. No one works with another except to divide the country more. It has to be either democrat or republican and frankly both parties are out of date and out of touch.
I do think that the majority of the American people don''t want what we''ve had for the past 8 years, but I don''t think that Obama is the answer either.
The US is in real trouble, no matter who is elected.

[sallievoter]

palins "rallies"----divide by 4 to get the actual attendance.

[sallievoter]

proof, repugs, you need proof for your space alien UFO lies.

and if you can prove any of this absurd stuff you spewabout OBAMA , call the National Enquirer and they''ll pay you $1 million---no kidding. So why on earth can''t you prove your trash talk? because you tell lies, of coursse. Republican 101---lie lie lie, and then lie some more.

Go PROVE IT YOU MORONS. BUT NOW YOU''LL SCREAM ABOUT THE MEDIA AND HOW THEY SHOULD PROVE IT. UM, THEY WOULD LOVE TO GET AN EXCLUSIVE HUGE STORY that smashes Obama, BUT IT JUST ISN''T TRUE, SO NO GO.

SCREAM, YOU SIMPLETONS, ALL YOU WANT.....

but you have zero proof. Liars.

[concerned222]

And no, not all white people are racists. I''ve seen many black people who display this trait and often. To say that all white people are racist is a racist statement.

[dburfears]

Sure. Let''s talk about race and lipstick.

This is why America is in trouble. Americans can''t grasp that running this country is more than who can play the game better, or who they want to have a beer with. Americans are afraid to elect someone smarter than they are. Many just want someone they can "relate to". No wonder the Republicans want to see education less accessible. A stupid population is easier to manipulate.

This country is in trouble if Americans don''t wake up and stop thinking of politics as little more than "American Idol".

[dburfears]

palins "rallies"----divide by 4 to get the actual attendance.

Posted by sallievoter at 08:07 PM : Sep 22, 2008
--------

Problem: 70% of Palin voters can''t divide. They just think she''s "nice" and that''s good enough for them.

[ajmarine111]

And no, not all white people are racists. I''''ve seen many black people who display this trait and often. To say that all white people are racist is a racist statement.


Posted by concerned222 at 08:12 PM : Sep 22, 2008




I was being sarcastic.

[sallievoter]

ok, this is only for the smart people, so feel free to sit this one out if you don''t qualify. From an insightful article in Newsweek -----
"The problem, as far as our political process is concerned, is that half the electorate revels in Palin''s lack of intellectual qualifications. When it comes to politics, there is a mad love of mediocrity in this country. "They think they''re better than you!" is the refrain that (highly competent and cynical) Republican strategists have set loose among the crowd, and the crowd has grown drunk on it once again. "Sarah Palin is an ordinary person!" Yes, all too ordinary.

We have all now witnessed apparently sentient human beings, once provoked by a reporter''s microphone, saying things like, "I''m voting for Sarah because she''s a mom. She knows what it''s like to be a mom." Such sentiments suggest an uncanny (and, one fears, especially American) detachment from the real problems of today. The next administration must immediately confront issues like nuclear proliferation, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (and covert wars elsewhere), global climate change, a convulsing economy, Russian belligerence, the rise of China, emerging epidemics, Islamism on a hundred fronts, a defunct United Nations, the deterioration of American schools, failures of energy, infrastructure and Internet security %u2026 the list is long, and Sarah Palin does not seem competent even to rank these items in order of importance, much less address any one of them."

[dburfears]

Bg. Your lies are useless. You know what you say is untrue, but you spread your garbage anyway.

Obama challenged Chicago politics. You say the opposite because it sounds good.

You claim Palin is capable. She can''t even tie her shoes without the McCain campaign doing it for her.

Palin fails at an interview. Says war with Russia is not too bad of an idea. You say she can see Russia from her front door.

Bush doctrine? You say it''s a media trick.

Your people say the media is against them, but they just want to shut the media down because they are showing McCain and Palin for what they are- empty vessels for the elitist right and the ignorant Far Right talk types like you.

LIES LIES LIES

bg is nothing but a parrot for the far right talking points he/she/it has no other knowledge of.

You type well for a monkey. too bad everything you type is just what Rush shoves up your azz. You like it too much to question why .

[dburfears]

Here ARE some researched FACTS


McCain CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS took MILLIONS from Failed Financial Companies to FIGHT REGULATION OF THE FINANCE INDUSTRY.

Senator John McCain%u2019s campaign manager, Rick Davis, was paid more than $30,000 a MONTH for five years (almost $2 MILLION) as president of an advocacy group set up by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to defend them against stricter regulations, current and former officials say.

"The value that Rick Davis brought to the (lobbying firm) was his close access to John McCain", said a number of former associates.

McCain has recently begun campaigning as a critic of the two companies and the lobbying army that helped them evade greater regulation. Incensed by the advertisements, several current and former executives of the companies came forward to discuss the role that Rick Davis, Mr. McCain%u2019s campaign manager and longtime adviser, played in helping Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac beat back regulatory challenges when he served as president of their advocacy group, the Homeownership Alliance, formed in the summer of 2000. Some who came forward were Democrats, but Republicans, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed their descriptions.

[dburfears]

McCAIN WANTS TO SHUT DOWN ANY MEDIA THAT DOES NOT SIMPLY PRINT THEIR LIES and PROPAGANDA.

The United States under McCain will continue to head toward GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF MEDIA. Why? Because the media is not easily fooled. the Republicans love their authoritarian leaders. People who believe they are above the law and who believe they can shut down oversight or transparency.

McCain Campaign Principles have been borrowed from their historical brethern.

"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."
-- Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler''s propaganda minister

Palin and McCain has raised the art of the BIG LIE to a new level. They lie, cheat and steal from the American people to fund their massive corporate welfare and to preserve their power. Then they simply ignore the law an thumb their nose at lawful subpoenas. They truly believe, like the Nazis, that they can do as they please so long as they can keep the truth from the People.

Shame.

[sallievoter]

Well, yes, we are smart. And not ashamed to admit it.
Education is an American value, in case you forgot. It is a cornerstone of this country. Ignorance is not. So whether you agree on the same candidate or not, don''t keep spouting the same absurd lies unless you can give a valid source. It just makes you look stupid and shallow and stubborn, and makes your opinion therefore look moronic.

If you wnat to rant in support of a beauty queen (fact) that you had never even heard of a month ago, go ahead. But don''t be mad when people laugh or ignore you All of the campaign rhetoric cannot make her into something she is not....smart.
Peace, peeps.

[dburfears]

Distortion:
Obama voted "present, and therefore the implication is that he is "Lazy" and cannot make a decision.

LIES. But typical of the kind of simpletons who absorb the far right talking points and spew them forth.

The parrots KNOW this is a complete distortion, BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD. So they throw it out, like monkeys throwing their sh*t at zoo visitors.

Obama voted present 6% of the time in the Illinois legislature. This is a widely used technique that allows the legislator to exercise parliamentary moves later when amendments are brought up, or to delay passage until more negotiating can be done. It is a technique used by ALL legislators in the Illinois legislature.

But this does not matter to the liars on this board who simply want to make sh*t up- or heard it from the Rush up their azz.