Thursday, November 6, 2008

Bittersweet for Gay Americans

The election of Barack Obama brought hope to many Americans across the country. Unfortunately, Gay Americans weren't able to celebrate for too long as many ballot measures to ban gay marriage were passed in California, Arizona and Florida. Voters approved constitutional amendments recognizing marriage only as a union between one man and one woman. In Arkansas, a ballot measure to ban gay couple from adopting was also passed.

Ellen Degeneres said in a a statement Wednesday to The Associated Press that she, "like millions of Americans, felt like we had taken a giant step toward equality" by electing Barack Obama as president. DeGeneres says that with the passage of California's Proposition 8, "we took a giant step away."

Arizona Proposition 102: YES 1,063,937 56%
Ban on Gay Marriage NO 820,654 44%

Arkansas Initiative 1: YES 579,695 57%
Ban on Gay Couples              NO       437,720       43%
Adopting Children

California Proposition 8: YES 5,424,916 52%
Ban on Gay Marriage NO 4,932,086 48%

Florida Amendment 2: YES 4,745,322 62%
Ban on Gay Marriage NO 2,903,562 38%

Obama's Win Brings Optimism to People Around the World

The world's reaction to Obama's win is truly amazing. Many say it has renewed their faith in our country and some see it as a sign of a new America.

Here are some quotes from people around the world:

"Everyone wants to be an American, to share a little bit of the dream." - Government Minister in France

"Barack Obama has resurrected the American Dream." - German Newspaper

"I think the American people did the right thing." -Woman in Egypt

"Now I feel that my belief, my faith in America is my faith in Obama." Woman in Cuba

"We're always searching for a savior, maybe Obama can deliver peace." Palestinian Atist

"Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place" - Nelson Mandela to Obama



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Condi "Especially Proud" of Obama Win

Condoleezza Rice didn't openly endorse McCain, but had hinted that she would support him by repeatedly stressing that she is a Republican. Still, she's proud of the Obama victory and pledged a smooth transition. Teary eyed, she spoke to reporters during a briefing at the State Department.

"This was an exercise in American democracy of which Americans across the political spectrum are justifiably proud," she said.

"As an African-American, I'm especially proud, because this is a country that's been through a long journey, in terms of overcoming wounds and making race" less of a factor in life. "That work is not done, but yesterday was obviously an extraordinary step forward."

"One of the great things about representing this country is that it continues to surprise. It continues to renew itself. It continues to beat all odds and expectations."


Fox News: Palin Didn't Know Africa Is A Continent

Dear America,

Thank you for not electing this woman.

From The Huffington Post:

According to Fox News Chief Political Correspondent Carl Cameron, there was great concern within the McCain campaign that Palin lacked "a degree of knowledgeability necessary to be a running mate, a vice president, a heartbeat away from the presidency," in part because she didn't know which countries were in NAFTA, and she "didn't understand that Africa was a continent, rather than a series, a country just in itself."

Update--Watch Cameron on The O'Reilly Factor with more on the story.


Signs of Hope & Change: Election Night

I'm still reeling from the Grant Park rally.It was memorable on so many levels. Historic, Inspiring, Hope, Diversity, Unity, Change...I know it's cliche but all those words decribe last night's victory rally.

Before the First Family took stage last night,they showed a moving video called "Signs of Hope & Change." Watch the video below.



Below is video of Obama's victory speech in its entirety.

Yes We Did!

Barack Obama Elected President -- When those words flashed on the jumbotron at Obama's Grant Park rally, I, and many others, cried. The news is reporting that over 125,000 people crowded Grant Park. It seemed like at least a million. I'm not complaining, quite the opposite. The energy of the crowd was electrifying and the diversity, my god the diversity. White, black, hispanic, asian, disabled, young and old all came together to support and celebrate our next president of the United States. I'm so grateful to have witnessed such a historic event. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

My Last Volunteer Effort for Obama

Election Day is finally here. I already cast my vote last Thursday for Barack Obama. I just called my mom with one last attempt to sway her vote. Sure it's just one vote, but her one vote can make all the difference because she lives in Las Vegas. We all know that Nevada is a battleground state and if I can just get my parents to vote for Obama, well then I've done my part for the future of our country. They've voted Republican for over thirty years. They love George Bush and would have sadly voted for him again if he was running. My mom openly admits that John McCain does nothing for her. And don't get her started on Sarah Palin. She, like many others, thinks McCain's choice was stupid. Sure I've used dirty tricks... "Mom, if you really love me you'll vote for Obama." But strangely, I didn't have to sell Obama to her too hard. I think she sees that Obama will bring our country hope. I do believe my mom will "Barack" the vote.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Highlights from Campaign 2008

I can't believe this election is coming to an end. Rachel Maddow looked back at some of the funniest, weirdest and craziest moments of the "best campaign ever." Oh Hillary, you'll always be in my heart.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A Dating Site for Married People?!?!?!

ESPN just aired a commerical for a dating site called AshleyMadison.com. It's for married people to cheat on their spouses. And no, it's not a SNL skit.

Watch the commercial below.


411 on Tuesday Night Obama Rally

Everyone here in Chicago knows to steer clear of downtown Tuesday due to Obama's election night rally. Mayor Daley is expecting an estimated 1 million people to show up. The Obama campaign's permit said there would be 65,000 ticketed guests and 7,500 media people and campaign workers at the official fenced area. The Chicago Tribune has a guide for those willing to brave the crowd.

Q. When will people arrive at Grant Park on Tuesday?

A. It's anyone's guess. The gates at the rally site don't open until 8:30 p.m., but crowds are likely to form many hours before that. A Loop business group urged offices to send workers home at 3 p.m. to avoid the growing crowds.

Q. Where will people congregate outside the official area?

A. Presumably, in the rest of Grant Park. But the city has not officially designated areas for the overflow crowd and has not ruled out turning people away if the park seems too crowded.

Q. What time will Obama give his victory or concession speech?

A. Probably not before the polls close in California at 10 p.m. Chicago time. Perhaps hours later.

Q. What happens if the electionoutcome is in doubt late into the night?

A. The permit application said "amplified sound" was planned until 1 a.m. Officials were mum on whether they would allow the crowd to wait past that hour. At this point, Metra is scheduled to end service at 1 a.m., and the CTA will run "until everyone has gotten home."

Q. What will security be like downtown?

A. Heavy. The Chicago Police Department has canceled days off for all officers, and Chicago firefighters have been asked to have their personal equipment with them at home. Even the U.S. Coast Guard will patrol in Burnham Harbor and on Lake Michigan.


Q. When will people who applied for tickets find out whether they got them? And when will those tickets arrive by e-mail?

A. The campaign has said they will arrive by e-mail on Monday.

Q. If I have a ticket, do I need a photo ID?

A. Yes. Your guest should bring one too, even though the directions from the obama campaign aren't clear on the matter yet.

Q. Do I need a photo ID if I don't have a ticket and am not guest heading for the ticketed portion of the rally?

A. The city hasn't required anyone outside the ticketed area to have a photo ID, and so far has said restrictions on bags, folding chairs and other items are "recommended," but not required.

Q. Can rally attendees bring a sign or banner?

A. Not in the fenced area. Also banned inside the main area are bags, chairs and strollers.

Q. Will there be concession stands?

A. Pizza and hot dogs will be sold in the secure area. Alcohol will not. The organizers' permit application said vendors would sell hot chocolate—a beverage chosen when no one could anticipate the 64-degree forecast at the rally's start.

Q. What's the weather report for Election night?

A. Here's the latest on what you can expect from WGN-TV's Tom Skilling: Sunny, windy and mild. Temperatures start out in the 50s and warm into the 70s by afternoon. Gusty south-southwest winds 15 to 25 m.p.h.

Obamapalooza and the VIP Guest List

Barack Obama is planning his election night rally in Chicago's Grant Park. It is a ticket only event and I'm one of the lucky ones to have scored one. 65,000 people are expected to be in attendance, along with 7,500 media people and campaign workers. Believe or not, I wasn't going to go to the rally due to safety reasons and my hate for huge crowds. But then I came to my senses and knew I would regret not going to such a historic event. Not to mention that I've obsessively followed this election for months now. 

Many in the media are calling the Obama rally "Obamapalooza." It's being held at Hutchinson Field, which also hosted Lollapalooza, and it's been reported that the Texas concert promoterswho put on Lollapalooza will be staging the rally.

Many have been wondering if Oprah Winfrey will be in attendance Tuesday night. Chicago is her hometown and she's been quite vocal for her support for Obama. Well CBS 2 has confirmed that she will be there, along with Samuel L. Jackson, Senator Dick Durbin, Mayor Dailey and host of local political figures.

Watch the CBS 2's report below:





Palin's Advice to Tina Fey

Sarah Palin kicked off a rally in Ohio this afternoon with a zing at Tina Fey, who has brilliantly played Palin with on Saturday Night Live for the last two months.

“Speaking of great performances, did anyone catch John McCain on ‘SNL’ last night?” Ms. Palin said, drawing cheers.“A little advice to Tina Fey,” Palin said. “I want to make sure she’s holding on to that Sarah outfit. Because she’s gonna need it in the next four years.”

According to an aide, Palin boarded her charter plane at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, just on time to watch the show, but the audio on her television wasn’t working.



The Plumber Won't Go Away

Joe the Plumber can't be muzzled. He was on Fox News questioning Obama's loyalty to America. This is the same guy who John McCain has called his "mentor," "an American Hero" and promises to bring him to Washington. You know McCain's desperate when he has this guy campaigning for him.


McCain and Palin (Fey) Do QVC

John McCain and his wife appeared on Saturday Night Live tonight. It was hilarious! McCain is actually a really funny guy. I'm quite surprised McCain approved the skit. Tina Fey as Palin was of course fantastic.

Dick Cheney Gives Obama an Early Christmas Gift

To the delight of Barack Obama, Dick Cheney has endorsed John McCain. 

"In three days we'll choose a new steward for the presidency and begin a new chapter in our history," the Vice President said Saturday morning. "It's the biggest decision that we make together as Americans. A lot turns on the outcome. I believe the right leader for this moment in history is Senator John McCain."

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Now why would Dick Cheney endorse McCain so close to election day? I don't see how this helps McCain, especially since he has tried so hard to differentiate himself from President George W. Bush. 

Obama was all over this endorsement.

According to prepared remarks for a rally in Pueblo, Colorado:

I'd like to congratulate Senator McCain on this endorsement because he really earned it. That endorsement didn't come easy. Senator McCain had to vote 90 percent of the time with George Bush and Dick Cheney to get it. He served as Washington's biggest cheerleader for going to war in Iraq, and supports economic policies that are no different from the last eight years. So Senator McCain worked hard to get Dick Cheney's support.

But here's my question for you, Colorado: do you think Dick Cheney is delighted to support John McCain because he thinks John McCain's going to bring change? Do you think John McCain and Dick Cheney have been talking about how to shake things up, and get rid of the lobbyists and the old boys club in Washington?


McCain Supporter Refuses to Give Halloween Candy To Children of Obama Supporters

This is not a joke... Kids in a Detroit suburb were upset after a McCain supporter refused to give them candy because they were the children of Obama supporters. Can't we put politics aside in the spirit of Halloween? They're just kids!

Watch the video below.



Saturday, November 1, 2008

Those funny Canadians

Montreal comedy duo Marc-Antoine Audette and Sebastien Trudel prank called Sarah Palin and convinced her she was talking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. 

The AP reports that Audette, posing as Sarkozy, speaks in an exaggerated French accent and drops ample hints that the conversation is a joke. But Palin seemingly does not pick up on them.

He tells Palin one of his favorite pastimes is hunting, also a passion of the 44-year-old Alaska governor.

"I just love killing those animals. Mmm, mmm, take away life, that is so fun," the fake Sarkozy says.

He proposes they go hunting together by helicopter, something he says he has never done.

"Well, I think we could have a lot of fun together while we're getting work done," Palin counters. "We can kill two birds with one stone that way."

The comedian jokes that they shouldn't bring Cheney along on the hunt, referring to the 2006 incident in which the vice-president shot and injured a friend while hunting quail.

"I'll be a careful shot," responds Palin.

When Audette refers to Canadian singer Steph Carse as Canada's prime minister, Palin replies: "Well, he's doing fine and yeah, when you come into a position underestimated it gives you an opportunity to prove the pundits and the critics wrong. You work that much harder." Canada's prime minister is Stephen Harper.

You can listen to the prank below. The call is set to air Monday on a Quebec radio station.



Palin campaign spokesman Tracy Schmitt confirmed the  prank call. 

"Governor Palin was mildly amused to learn that she had joined the ranks of heads of state, including President Sarkozy and other celebrities, in being targeted by these pranksters. C'est la vie," she said.

Obama's campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs, commenting on the prank, said: "I'm glad we check out our calls before we hand the phone to Barack Obama."

Oprah Does Early-Voting, Has a Voting Booth Meltdown

From The Huffington Post:

Oprah Winfrey announced on her live show Friday that she took advantage of Illinois' early-voting laws and voted Thursday in Chicago — but not without a voting booth scare and near emotional meltdown.

"I was worried that there's gonna be such long lines, and I have a live show," Winfrey said, justifying her decision to vote early.

She waited 72 minutes to vote, only to have a near-meltdown in the booth.

"When I voted yesterday electronically, the first vote that you vote for on the ballot is the presidential candidate. It was my first time doing electronic, so I didn't mark the X strong enough, or I held down too long. Because then when I went back to check it, it had not recorded my presidential vote," she said.

She then simulated her meltdown, shaking and breathing heavily while stuttering out the words, "It didn't record my presidential vote."

Watch the video here.

This Has Got To Hurt

John McCain has always said that one of his heroes is President Ronald Reagan. Unfortunately, a former Reagan adviser has endorsed Barack Obama.

From CNN.com:

Former Reagan chief of staff Ken Duberstein told CNN's Fareed Zakaria this week he intends to vote for Democrat Barack Obama on Tuesday.

Duberstein said he was influenced by another prominent Reagan official - Colin Powell - in his decision.

"Well let's put it this way - I think Colin Powell's decision is in fact the good housekeeping seal of approval on Barack Obama."

Powell served as national security advisor to Reagan during Duberstein's tenure as chief of staff.


To put more salt in the wound, Reagan's son Ron has also endorsed Barack Obama.

Friday, October 31, 2008

GOP Senator Warns Palin Supporters That Obama Wants Judges Who Empathize With "The Gay"

At a Sarah Palin rally yesterday in Rush Limbaugh’s hometown, Senator Kit Bond (R-Missouri) fired up the crowd by warning them about Barack Obama’s judicial philosophy.

“Just this past week, we saw what Barack Obama said about judges,” Bond said. “He said, ‘I’m tired of these judges who want to follow what the Founding Fathers said and the Constitution. I want judges who have a heart, have an empathy for the teenage mom, the minority, the gay, the disabled. We want them to show empathy. We want them to show compassion.’

So what's Senator Bond's point? Is he really using this to attack Obama? And isn't Sarah Palin's daughter a teenage mom?

You can read more on this here.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

4 HOURS...

That's how long I had to wait to cast my early vote in Chicago.

Another Bad Day for McCain

It looks like today was a bust for McCain. Not only did McCain's camp bus in 4,000 kids to fill his rally, but Joe the Plumber also stood him up.

MSNBC reported:

A local school district official confirmed after the event that of the 6,000 people estimated by the fire marshal to be in attendance this morning, more than 4,000 were bused in from schools in the area. The entire 2,500-student Defiance School District was in attendance, the official said, in addition to at least three other schools from neighboring districts, one of which sent 14 buses.

On top of that, McCain couldn't find Joe the Plumber.

While riffing on a common line from his stump speech about Obama's desire to "spread the wealth," McCain confidently proclaimed, "Joe's with us today. Joe where are ya? Where is Joe? Is Joe here with us today? Joe, I thought you were here today."

Then the senator covered up for Joe's absence by saying, "All right, well you're all Joe the Plumber. So all of ya stand up ,and say I thank you." McCain went on to say that he had seen Joe on TV this morning, and he asked the crowd to "give him a round of applause for what he's done for America.


Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Joe the Plumber now a Country Singer with a Book Deal???

Yup, Joe the Plumber a.k.a Samual Wurlzbacher is stretching his 15 minutes of fame as much as he can.

According to Politico.com, Wurlzbacher is being pursued for a major record deal and could come out with a country album as early as Inauguration Day. He just signed with a Nashville PR firm to handle interview requests and media appearances, as well as create new career opportunities, includin, including a shift out of the plumbing trade into stage and studio performances.

That's not all. According to Keith Olbermann, Wurlzbacher is also seeking a book deal to write about his campaign experience. Only in America.

Rachel Maddow a "Chirpy Gay Liberal"

The Financial Times recently discussed the shift in the U.S. media towards the Democratic party.

There was one excerpt in the article that bothered me:

This shift leftwards online has been matched on cable television, where Fox News, the rightwing news channel, has increasingly faced its mirror image at MSNBC. The latter’s leftish talk-show hosts, Keith Olbermann and now Rachel Maddow, a chirpy gay liberal, dish out scorn about Republicans in opposition to Bill O’Reilly and others at Fox.

Now why is Maddow's sexuality relevant? They couldn't find other adjectives to describe her? Are they trying to equate being gay to being radically liberal? A person's sexuality shouldn't define a person, just as a person's skin color shouldn't matter.

*Update - The FT Times author who wrote this article explains his use of "chirpy gay liberal."

A Message to Obama Supporters

Barack Obama is worried that his supporters are taking it easy. His campaign has put out a new ad with this message: "We can't afford to slip up in the final days. Volunteer this weekend and into Election Day, November 4th, 2008."

A hilarious ad and a smart move by Obama.

Obama-mericial

If you didn't have a chance to check out Obama's half-hour polticial ad, you can watch it below. It was moving, inspiring and I balled like a baby.


McCain Grumpy with a 13-yr-old Reporter

The Concord Reporter recently interviewed an eighth-grader about her experiences covering the presidential candidates in New Hampshire for Scholastic News.

Which candidates have you met? I've spoken with John McCain four, five or six times. During the primary I met Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney . . . I met John Edwards, and most recently (Joe) Biden. I saw Obama in Manchester in September. I worked so hard, begged and begged the staff people and ended up getting a one-on-one, awesome sit-down interview with Obama.

Whom do you like most? It was exciting to meet Obama and McCain, though I interviewed McCain so many times he starts to notice my red shirt, because I have a uniform, and says "I've answered her questions before." It's almost like he's a little grumpy with me now.

What did you ask Obama? I said, "You're a tough guy, I'm a tough girl living in a tough world. What advice do you have for tough people like me to make a difference in the world?" I also created five fun facts where I give two choices and he picks one. . . . For Red Sox or Cubs, he goes "neither." All his staff people cracked up laughing.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Part Two: Palin's True Political Colors?

As I previously reported in my post Palin's True Political Colors?, Palin has a history of backstabbing and lying in her political career. Jake Tapper of ABC News has compiled a list of "friends" Palin has screwed over for political gain.

* Former Wasilla Mayor John Stein says he mentored Palin during her 1994 run for City Council. Then she decided to challenge him and run for Mayor. “Things got very ugly,’ Naomi Tigner, a friend of the Steins, told Salon.com. “Sarah became very mean-spirited.” Palin allies suggested she would he “Wasilla's first Christian mayor,” even though Stein is Protestant. Palin allies also whispered that Stein and his wife – who hadn’t taken his name - were not legally wed. “We actually had to produce our marriage certificate,’ Stein said. His wife died in 2005 without ever reconciling with Palin. “I had a hand in creating Sarah, but in the end she blew me out of the water,” Stein told Salon. “Sarah's on a mission, she's an opportunist.”

* Former City Councilman Nick Carney also helped mentor Palin in her first city council run. They later had a falling out when Palin accused him of corruptly advocating that the city use his trash hauling business. “The episode might serve as a compelling, if small-bore, example of Palin's reformer instincts,” the New Republic reported. :Except that, according to those who were present, Carney wasn't quite the crooked trash magnate Palin makes him out to be. For one thing, Carney couldn't have proposed the ordinance because he'd recused himself from the matter. The council, in fact, had asked him to appear as a kind of expert witness on the relevant rules and regulations.” Carney endorsed Stein in the 1996 mayoral race against Palin, and news reports say she subsequently as mayor refused to call on him. Carney told Salon that Palin – without council authorization -- spent more than $50,000 in city funds to redecorate her office. “I braced her about it,” he said. “I told her it was against the law to make such a large expenditure without the council taking a vote. She said, 'I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.”

* State Senate President Lyda Green from Wasilla, is a fellow conservative and was an ally of Palin’s throughout the 1990s. “If you had looked at our résumés, as far as being pro-life, pro-N.R.A., pro-family, pro-parental control, saving taxpayer dollars, keeping government out of our lives, we would have been identical,” Green told the New Yorker. “She traces the chill in their relationship to her decision not to endorse Palin in her 2006 gubernatorial primary. (She stayed neutral.)…

“The animosity became public last January, when Palin turned up on an Anchorage shock-jock radio program, ‘The Bob and Mark Show.’ Bob Lester said that he knew Palin believed Green was ‘a bitch’ and ‘a cancer.’ Palin laughed at the comments. ‘Sarah can be heard in the background tittering, hee-heeing,’ Green said, ‘never saying, ‘That’s not appropriate, let’s not talk like that, let’s change the subject,’ or anything.’ Green was devastated. ‘I worked through it,’ she said. ‘The difficult thing about it was when my children read about it online. They were dumbfounded, because they had known Sarah. I had breast cancer in ’97 and had a radical mastectomy. Sarah certainly knew I had breast cancer, because she sent me flowers when I was ill.’”

* Former Gov. Frank Murkowski made Palin the chair of a state commission overseeing oil and gas drilling. Four years later she challenged him – and beat him – for governor.

* Prominent Alaska conservative talk radio host Dan Fagan was a longtime friend. But he found himself on the outs after he criticized her for raising taxes on oil companies. “He found himself branded a ‘hater,’” the New York Times reported. “It is part of a pattern, Mr. Fagan said, in which Ms. Palin characterizes critics as ‘bad people who are anti-Alaska.’”

**

"McCannibals" First Victim

Jake Tapper of ABC News reports that allies of Sarah Palin are now trying to throw McCain aide Nicolle Wallace under the proverbial bus.

Palin is blaming the $1500,000 clothes incident on her “handlers,” presumably meaning McCain's senior advisor Nicole Wallace

McCain allies say that Palin allies talked to Fox News' Fred Barnes to further throw Wallace under the bus. Barnes yesterday said, “the person who went and bought the clothes and, as I understand it put the clothes on her credit card, went to Saks and Neiman Marcus...the staffer who did that has been a coward” for not coming forward and accepting the blame for the $150,000 shopping spree. Barnes clarified that he was talking about Wallace.



According to Politico.com Wallace fired back:

There's obviously an organized campaign to lay blame for things at my feet and I’m not going to engage before the campaign ends. I have a very long relationship with Fox News and the notion that someone would call me a coward on the air and accuse me of putting $150,000 on my credit card without a single person calling and checking with me suggests that something is going on.

Obama Toughs Out Rain, McCain Cancels

Barack Obama and John McCain were in a rainy and windy Philadelphia today. John McCain canceled his morning rally in the Philly suburb Quakertown due to the rain. The rain, however, did not stop Obama. He appeared at the Philadelphia rally with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

Is this telling of the two campaigns?

An Obama rally attendee said it perfectly:

"Philadelphia Phillies fans waited hours in the rain for the third game of the World Series. McCain either doesn't know much about the people in this area or doesn't have much faith in his supporters."

"The passion and persistence of Obama and the crowd that turned out to hear and see him despite the weather speaks volumes," said McGrady. "It's a telling contrast to the fair-weather attitude of the McCain campaign, which threw in the towel at the first drop of rain." She went on to add that John McCain and Sarah Palin went ahead with an indoor rally today in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which caused McGrady to comment wryly: "$150,000 for clothes and they apparently didn't buy her a raincoat."

McGrady felt the Pennsylvania cancellation was indicative of the entire McCain campaign, adding: "What a washout his campaign has been, in more ways than one."

Fox News Anchor Frustrated with Joe the Plumber

Fox New's Shepherd Smith was clearly upset over Joe the Plumber's view that a "vote for Barack Obama is a vote for the death of Israel." Smith addressed the comment in a phone interview with Joe the Plumber today. Immediately after the segment, Smith felt compelled to issue a disclaimer pushing back on any notion that Obama would mean the "death of Israel," saying:

"I just want to make this 100 percent perfectly clear -- Barack Obama has said repeatedly and demonstrated repeatedly that Israel will always be a friend of the United States, no matter what happens once he becomes President of the United States. His words." Smith later added, "The rest of it -- man...some things -- it just gets frightening sometimes. We'll be right back."

Watch the Clip



(Transcript below courtesy of The Huffington Post.)

SMITH: Do you think John McCain agrees with you?

PLUMBER: No, that is just my personal opinion that I've come up with by looking into different facts and what I think. That is what my message has been about. I haven't been telling people to go out and vote. Listen, you don't want my opinion on foreign policy. I know just enough about foreign policy to probably be dangerous.

SMITH: That is what I was wondering. I wonder if you think it is dangerous at all for people to say that a vote for Barack Obama is the same as a vote for Israel, if you think that is dangerous for people to start believing. What happens if the polls are right and he becomes President of the United States and people start thinking that this means the death of Israel. Are you worried about what people might do if they actually believe something like that?

PLUMBER: That goes back to what I just got done saying. Some people believe it wholeheartedly. This gentleman I spoke to is Middle America. Therefore...it is very important to him -- important to me, but especially important to this gentleman. He is Middle America and he was able to get on there and make his point, and I agreed with him. I have no idea where John McCain's position is on that. John McCain is his own person, just like I am.

SMITH: Do you think a lot of that has to do with some hateful things that spread all over the internet? After all, Barack Obama has said repeatedly time after time that there is nothing more important that the United States friendship with Israel-- and the United States will back up Israel every moment of every day if and when he becomes President of the United States. He could not have been clearer about it in his positions in speeches, and I just wonder what it is that makes you think he is lying about that.

PLUMBER: [illegible] Actions...I have heard words. I hear words from politicians all the time, but actions [crosstalk] the action that I see is offering to meet with certain enemies of the United States on no uncertain terms --

SMITH: Meeting with Ahmadinejad? That is what the campaign said. Let's put the statement on the screen. This is what the McCain campaign released after you said that at the campaign event today. So that is what they put out. "While he's clearly his own man, so far Joe has offered some penetrating and clear analysis that cuts to the core of many of the concerns that people have with Barack Obama's statements and policies. Whether it is Obama's willingness to sit down unconditionally with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or his plans to redistribute the paychecks of hardworking Americans, there is good reason to question the judgement that Obama would bring to the Oval Office." So that's what they put out, so I guess the fact that he has said it he would meet with Ahmadinejad is something that you have taken to believe would be the death of Israel?

PLUMBER: It definitely does not help the situation. I'm not trying to be dancing around this. I honestly want people to go out and find their own reasons. I tell people not to listen to everyone else's opinion. I'm not going to have them start listening to mine. Go out and get informed.

SMITH: Joe Wurzelbacher on the line with us after a GOP stop, a number of them today.

I just want to make this 100 percent perfectly clear -- Barack Obama has said and demonstrated repeatedly that Israel will always be a friend of the United States, no matter what happens once he becomes President of the United States. His words. The rest of it -- man...some things--it just gets frightening sometimes. We'll be right back

Sooo, McCain's camp has a guy out on the trail who openly admits that he knows "just enough about foreign policy to probably be dangerous???" Really? Hmm, maybe this is what they wanted. Joe the Plumber could talk as much bullshit he wants since he's his "own man" and technically doesn't represent McCain's views. That's really low, yet kinda smart. First they had Palin spreading hateful lies, now it's Joe the Plumber. Pretty soon we'll have Cindy McCain calling Obama a Commie Bastard.

Joe the Plumber Thinks Obama Will Bring Death to Israel

Just a couple of weeks ago, John McCain was blaming Obama for Joe the Plumber's unwanted media attention. So it's funny that Joe the Plumber was out on the trail on behalf of John McCain today. That's not all. Apparently Joe the Plumber, who's real name is Samuel Wurzelbacher, is now a foreign policy expert. At a McCain rally in Columbus, Wurzelbacher twice agreed "that a vote for Barack Obama is a vote for death to Israel."

A self-identified Jewish senior citizen told Wurzelbacher that he was concerned with Obama's associations and "It's my belief that a vote for Obama is a vote for the death to Israel."

Wurzelbacher responded , "I do know that."

The audience member went on to knock Obama's tax policies and reiterated his Israel comment.

"Well, you know what, I'll actually go ahead and agree with you on that one," Wurzelbacher said.



Of course McCain's aides quickly put out a statement regarding Joe the Plumber's comments and told FOX News that McCain does not share Wurzelbacher's opinion on Obama's view toward Israel.

It's sad and scary that John McCain would have someone like that reprensent him.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Hard to Watch: McCain on MTP

John McCain was on Meet the Press yesterday. He was defensive, combative and forgetful. In response to Colin Powell's endorsement, McCain brags that five former Secretaries of State have endorsed him. Unfortunately he has trouble naming them all.

Palin Ignores the $150,000 Story By Talking About Her Accessories

At the same rally Elisabeth Hasselbeck attended in Tampa yesterday, Palin voluntarily addressed the $150,000 in clothing and accessories that was spent on her by the Republican National Committee.

"This whole thing with the wardrobe, you know I have tried to just ignore it because it is so ridiculous, but I am glad now that Elisabeth brought it up, cause it gives me an opportunity without the filter of the media to get to tell you the whole clothes thing," she said.

"Those clothes, they are not my property. Just like the lighting and the staging and everything else that the RNC purchased, I'm not taking them with me. I am back to wearing my own clothes from my favorite consignment shop in Anchorage, Alaska. You'd think — not that I would even have to address the issue because, as Elisabeth is suggesting, the double standard here it's — gosh, we don't even want to waste our time."

Palin doesn't stop there. She continues on to describe what she's wearing in detail.

"I am glad, though, that she brought up accessories also. Let me tell you a little bit about a couple of accessories, didn't think that we would be talking about it, but my earrings — I see a Native Americans for Palin poster," she said. "These are beaded earrings from Todd's mom who is a Yupik Eskimo up in Alaska, Native American, Native Alaskan.

"And my wedding ring, it's in Todd's pocket, 'cause it hurts sometimes when I shake hands and it gets squished," she continued. "A $35 wedding ring from Hawaii that I bought myself and 'cause I always thought with my ring it's not what it's made of, it's what it represents, and 20 years later, happy to wear it. And then finally the other accessory, you bet I'm a gold — I'm a blue star mom. I'm wearing this in honor of my son who is fighting over in Iraq right now defending all of you."


I have no doubt the media is going to fact check every detail of what she just said. Why in the world would McCain's camp have Palin say all this when the media has already stopped covering the story? Because Palin strayed from the script and ignored McCain's advisors. According to CNN, a senior adviser to McCain told them that the comments about her wardrobe "were not the remarks we sent to her plane this morning." That can't be good.

Hasselbeck Screams Sexism, Has a Hard Time Not Being "Sassy"

At a Sarah Palin rally in Tampa yesterday, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of The View, went after the media for its coverage of the $150,000 in clothing and accessories spent on Palin by the Republican National Committee.

"Instead of the issues, they are focused, fixated on her wardrobe," said Hasselbeck. "Now, with everything going on in the world, seems a bit odd. But let me tell you, this is deliberately sexist."

Hasselbeck then goes on to "clarify" things by talking about Palin's accessories???

"I'm actually personally most impressed by her accessories. You know, like the flag pin that she wears in honor of her son and our military men and women fighting abroad... Now they didn't list that accessory in its value in their reports did they. You know why? Because they know it's priceless."

Warning: This video may cause your blood pressure to rise.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Best Thing Ever: Fred Armisen Shows off His Interactive Mega Map

"Ok, let's take a look at Oregon and let's move it out to the ocean. It's going to be surrounded by water and that's very, very dangerous."

Inconsistincies in McCain Supporter's Claim That She Was Attacked

A Pittsburgh woman has claimed that she was robbed and attacked at an ATM machine because of her political views. According to the woman, a tall black man approached her at an ATM and put a knife to her throat. The attacker took $60 from her and then became angry when he saw a McCain bumper sticker on her car. The attacker then punched and kicked her, before using a dull knife to scratch the letter "B" into her face.


Well it looks like the police have found some inconsistencies in the woman's story.

One red flag: The "B" on her face is backwards, similar to how it would be if someone looked into a mirror and did it to their own face. Did the alleged attacker straddle her upside down while doing it?

*Update- The racist idiot confessed to making up the story.

McCain Hates Rats, Palin Loves Them

Last night on her show, Rachel Maddow discussed the trash talking and backstabbing going on in the McCain/Palin Camp. LAT columnist Rosa Brooks likened the McCain Camp to an episode of survivor. Here's her hilarious take on it:

"The republican ticket is sort of degenerating into a really savage version of a reality tv show. Where everyone pretends they’re on the same team but in fact they’re all trying to undermine each other in these subtle ways that are getting less and less subtle…Sarah Palin is just waiting for McCain to get voted off the island so it’ll be her turn. "

Using the same reality show analogy, Brooks points out that the desperation and craziness coming out of the McCain camp "is equivalent to where everyone starts eating rats to survive and the problem for John McCain is he doesn't actually like to eat rats and it shows. He eats a rat and makes these robocalls, he brings up Bill Ayers during the debate and he looks like he's sick to his stomach because it doesn't come naturally. The problem is Sarah Palin loves to eat rats, she's eating more rats, she's saying 'Here John, have another rat.' He gets queasier and quiser and she gets stronger and stronger..."


Apparently "Hipsters" Hate Gay Marriage

Radar's Choire Sicha has compiled a collection of ridiculous ads in favor of Proposition 8, a California ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in the state. Can you believe not all "hipsters" are open-minded? Some even advocate discrimination against gays! But you know that's ok because one of their best friends is gay. Here is Sicha's hilarious take on these idiotic ads.



This. Is. Hilarious. And also sad. The ads for Proposition 8, the voter initiative in California that'll undo the state's gay marriages, are out of control. Take the poor blonde in this ad: "You know as well as anyone I love Richard! He's one of my best friends! But just because he's gay doesn't mean I have to support gay marriage!" Then she can't even figure out how to convince her boyfriend and she's all "Just look at the website and you'll understand because everything on it is true!"



Here is another guy with gay friends! But, you know, FUCK THEM! "For me Prop 8 is about the family, and protecting the family, what the family means, and strengthening that." Um... I don't actually know what he means.



This ad is the most idiotic of all. Apparently promoting acceptance of others is just a form of "schoolyard bullying" and intimidation. And don't forget Jesus is about love and acceptance...so please vote to discriminate.

Newt Gingrich: SNL Skits Slander and Worthy of a Lawsuit

Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke with Greta Van Sustren Wednesday night about Sarah Palin being unfairly attacked by the media.



Gingrich thinks that Saturday Night Live's skits of Sarah Palin "were slander and worthy of a lawsuit." He goes on to say that "the elite media on the left is so desperate to elect Barack Obama that the view they're giving you of Sarah Palin is fundamentally a falsehood." Riiight, because Fox News is so "fair and balanced."

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Hitting the Campaign Trail with Sarah Palin

Elisabeth Hasselbeck of The View announced that she'll be campaigning with Sarah Palin this weekend. I'm so glad Palin picked a reputable republican supporter like Hasselbeck. See some of Hasselbeck's "views."







Thursday, October 23, 2008

I Want to Get Drunk With...

Many people are crazily obsessed/ in love with celebrities. I just want to get drunk with a few of them. Below are the top 5 celebrities/musicians I want to get drunk with. They are so damn funny and smart.

1) Amy Poehler & Tina Fey - I've always found them funny, but when they are together it's pee your pants funny. Their portrayal of Sarah Palin and Katie Couric is hilarious.



2) Tegan and Sara - They are talented musicians I've been following for years now. They have hilarious banter and the funniest anecdotes at their shows. I'm sure they say funny shit all the time. I'm sure they are even funnier with a few beers in them.



3) Amy Sedaris - I loved her show Strangers with Candy. Her book "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence" is hilarious.



4) Rachel Maddow - She's so damn smart and says the wittiest things. I'd love to sit down with her over beer and talk politics.



5) Ingrid Michaelson - Another talented musician who tells the funniest stories at her shows. Her last show I went to she had her "lower-region" talking into the mic (not the video below). I guess you had to be there.

Palin: Oh Wait, Aren't They Mules?

At a rally, Sarah Palin was sporting a scarf with donkeys and the word vote all over it. Is she secretly working for Obama?


Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images

*Update - Newsweek.com is reporting that Palin didn't have the scarf on during her speech. Supposedly she got it from someone in the crowd during her meet-and-greet. Who cares when she got it, she still put it on!

"I Don't Want to Get All Katie Couric on You"

Will Ferrell and Tina Fey returned to SNL and of course hilarity ensued.

Douchebag of the Day: The GOP Strategist Outraged That Obama is Taking Campaign Plane to Visit (SICK) Grandma

The Douchebag of the Day award goes to GOP strategist Brad Blakeman for his response to a question about how John McCain could square his opposition to wasteful spending with the RNC spending over $150,000 on clothes and accessories for Palin. Blakeman said that the real outrage is Barack Obama "taking a 767 campaign plane to go visit Grandma." [Sidenote: Obama's grandma, who raised him, is gravely ill.] The GOP strategist continued, "Forget about the energy that is wasted, what about the hundreds of thousands of dollars to take a private trip when this guy should be humping his bags on a commercial plane or taking a smaller plane. Taking a 767 of campaign money from people who could least afford it is more of an outrage in my opinion."

Seriously? Wow. My favorite part of the video is David Schuster laughing at the insensitive tool.

Palin Needed Clothes!

Here's another doozy from McCain in response to the RNC spending $150,000 on Palin's clothes...

From The Huffington Post:

"She needed clothes at the time. They'll be donated at end of this campaign. They'll be donated to charity," McCain told reporters on his campaign bus between Florida rallies.

Asked for details on how they'll be donated, McCain said, "It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity."

Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."

RNC drops $150,000 on Palin's wardrobe

Politico.com reported that the Republican National Committee has spent over $150,000 on clothes and accessories for Sarah Palin AND her family.

Here is a breakdown in numbers:

$49,425.74 was spent at Saks Fifth Avenue in St.Louis and New York
$75,062.63
was spent at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis
$4,716.49
was spent on hair and makeup
$789.72
was spent at Barney's New York
$5,102.71
was spent at Bloomingdale's New York
$9,447.71
was spent at Macy's in Minneapolis
$196.00
was spent at Pacifier (a top-notch baby store)
$4,902.45
was spent at Atelier (a high-class store for men)

Check out a slideshow at The Huffington Post. And yes, there is a picture of her 7-yr-old daughter carrying a Louis Vuitton bag.

Now many people are saying that the Liberal media is making a big deal out of nothing and that we need to focus on the economy. Even Campbell Brown, who I admire, is saying that this scrutiny shows a double standard. I do see their point, but this does deserve scrutiny. Why? Because Palin is trying to brand herself as a small town pro-America Hockey Mom/Joe Six-pack/Joe the Plumber. I don't know of any small town hockey mom's shopping at Saks and Neiman Marcus. The McCain/Palin camp has also been attacking Obama for being an elitist. I swear hypocrisy is all I see from the McCain/Palin camp. Isn't it McCain who has 13 cars while Obama has one?! And just last week there was story of how McCain had cell towers put up near one of his EIGHT houses. RNC spending $150,000 on clothing for a vp candidate claiming to be "one of us" is definitely a newsworthy story to me.

Monday, October 20, 2008

And the Real Sarah Palin Comes Out

ThinkProgress.org is reporting that in an interview with CBN, Palin is in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment, which is inconsistent with McCain's views.

Palin: [I]n my own, state, I have voted along with the vast majority of Alaskans who had the opportunity to vote to amend our Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. I wish on a federal level that that’s where we would go because I don’t support gay marriage. I’m not going to be out there judging individuals, sitting in a seat of judgment telling what they can and can’t do, should and should not do.

Watch the video here.

According to ABCnews.com, McCain told the Washington Blade, a gay newspaper, that he continues to oppose such an amendment today because he thinks the definition of marriage should be a state matter and not one for the federal government "as long as no state is forced to adopt some other state's standard."

Palin's position also differs from what she told Katie Couric last month. When Palin was asked why she considered Roe v. Wade a bad decision, Palin said she believed states and not the federal government should decide the legality of the issue. She goes on to say, "I'm in that sense, a federalist, where I believe that states should have more say in the laws of their lands and individual areas. And I believe that individual states can best handle what the people within the different constituencies in the 50 states would like to see their will ushered in an issue like that."

How will the McCain/Palin camp spin this? Maybe Palin got confused on the definition of a federalist.

Muslim McCain Fans Confront Intolerance At Rally

I know I've been putting up a lot of negative stories about McCain/Palin supporters. I honestly do not believe that all McCain/Palin supporters are hateful people. American News Project has a video showing the good and the bad when Muslim McCain fans confront intolerance at a rally.

From the American News Project:

At a John McCain rally in Woodbridge, Virginia, three people handed out "Obama for Change" bumper stickers with the Communist sickle and hammer and the Islamic crescent, saying Obama was a socialist with ties to radical Islam. Several moderate McCain supporters, Muslim and Christian alike, struck back - relentlessly bombarding the group distributing the flyers until they left the premises.

This is Just Wrong

According to Christina Bellantoni of The Washington Times, McCain supporters in North Carolina are heckling early voters and calling them cheaters. Why? Because many of the early voters are for Obama.

Obama's campaign has been reaching out to his supporters encouraging them to vote early. After Obama's rally in North Carolina, his campaign gave supporters lists of early voting sites with the hours and locations. Bellantoni and a photographer went to one of the sites and came across protestors who were mainly in support for McCain. I'm not sure if this matters but Bellantoni pointed out that nearly all the protestors were white and nearly all the voters were black. In the video below, one man explains why he's protesting and accuses the voters of cheating.



This news really angers me. Why can't people vote in peace? Everyone has a right in this country to vote they way they choose and to intimidate people at polling places is just wrong.

Absolutely Moving

Here is a video of two little North Carolina girls explaining why they support Barack Obama.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Another Glimpse of McCain/Palin Supporters

Racism in Politics

Racism in politics is alive and strong. Responsible for the examples below are official staffers of The Republican party:

A California county's Republican Party Web site encouraged readers to "Waterboard Barack Obama" and compared Obama to Osama Bin Laden (image below).


The October newsletter by the Chaffey Community Republican Women depicts Barack Obama surrounded by a watermelon, ribs and a bucket of fried chicken (image below). It says if Obama is elected his image will appear on food stamps -- instead of dollar bills like other presidents. The statement is followed by an illustration of "Obama Bucks" -- a phony $10 bill featuring Obama's face on a donkey's body, labeled "United States Food Stamps."



Next isn't from an official republican staffer, but it's just as disturbing. ThinkProgress.org reported that at the Values Voter Summit, vendors sold an item called Obama Waffles featuring a racist cartoon of Obama on the box front — with “popping eyes and big, thick lips” — and another image of him wearing an Arab-like headdress on its top flap (image below). Its creators, Mark Whitlock and Bob DeMoss, said it was meant as “political satire,” and sold the box for $10 from a booth at the Family Research Council event.




McCain's Greatest Hits

Gawker has a video of McCain's "greatest hits." Check it out!

Negativity Still a Central Part of McCain's Campaign

The NYT is reporting that "voters in at least 10 swing states are receiving hundreds of thousands of automated telephone calls — uniformly negative and sometimes misleading — that the Republican Party and the McCain campaign are financing." One of the calls brings up Ayers and another claims Obama puts Hollywood above America. McCain has denounced these types of calls in the past. There has even been bipartisan criticism for the calls. According to The Huffington Post, "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, and Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, made separate appeals to McCain on Friday."
 

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