• Day By Day,  John McCain

    Day By Day by Chris Muir October 30, 2008 – RINO Virus

    October 30, 2008 /
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    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    From Rich Lowry at National Review:

    McCain earned his chops as the media’s favorite Republican senator by being a maverick, or in a less exalted formulation, a gadfly. He pursued pet causes inimical to his party, such as campaign-finance reform, and made it his role to tell fellow Republicans what he considered hard truths.

    None of this endeared him to Republican primary voters. He won the nomination anyway on the basis of his admirable support for the surge (adopted when he was in typical gadfly mode) and a few stock lines. He became the Republican nominee by default, without an organization or fundraising operation to speak of, and soon enough lost the press, too.

    McCain’s rapport with the media depended on snarky banter about his own party and about himself. That couldn’t continue in the general election, so McCain’s campaign cut him off. His lifeline to his former admirers denied to him, McCain became a demonstrably unhappy warrior.

    Rich like Chris Muir’s political cartoon above is absolutely RIGHT. McCain was never the favorite of conservatives or even the GOP base for the Republican Party Presidential nomination. Rudy Giuliani’s personal baggage sunk his candidacy while Mitt Romney’s flip-flops did him in. Mike Huckabee was never a serious contender but a spoiler for the Mormon Romney. Fred Thompson did not have the energy to mount a strong campaign.

    McCain became the easy default candidate.

    McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin has energized the vast right-wing conspiracy base and is a portent for the coming renewal of the Republican Party. New, accomplished and younger GOP candidates will burst upon the scene in the next few years while the “old soldier” candidates fade away.

    A new generation of candidates who will support the Republican Party and not be gadflies will lead the party from the wilderness of 2006 and 2008.

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  • Del.icio.us Links

    Flap’s Quick Links for October 30, 2008

    October 30, 2008 /

    • The Columbus Dispatch : Checks on ‘Joe’ more extensive than first acknowledged

      A state agency has revealed that its checks of computer systems for potential information on “Joe the Plumber” were more extensive than it first acknowledged. Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, disclosed today that computer inquiries on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were not restricted to a child-support system. The agency also checked Wurzelbacher in its computer systems to determine whether he was receiving welfare assistance or owed unemployment compensation taxes, she wrote. Jones-Kelley made the revelations in a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, who demanded answers on why state officials checked out Wurzelbacher. Harris called the multiple records checks “questionable” and said he awaits more answers. “It’s kind of like Big Brother is looking in your pocket,” he said. 

    • ++++++ Big Brother? – just wait until the Obama Administration, brother.

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    • West Hollywood Sarah Palin effigy taken down | Los Angeles Times

      A California couple who hung a controversial effigy of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin from a noose off the side of their house have removed the display under pressure from city officials. ChadMichael Morrisette, the man who constructed the mannequin as part of a Halloween display, told The Times that he decided to remove the Palin mannequin on Wednesday after meeting with West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang. Originally he’d vowed to keep the display up until Saturday. Earlier in the day, about half a dozen of Morrisette’s neighbors had protested the display and tried to block it from the view of passing motorists, according to Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
    • ++++++++ Did they take it down because of California Proposition 8 and the attention it was bringing to West Hollywood’s Gay Carnaval on Friday. Too late, morons.

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    • Found in a rundown Boston estate: Barack Obama’s aunt Zeituni Onyango – Times Online

      Barack Obama has lived one version of the American Dream that has taken him to the steps of the White House. But a few miles from where the Democratic presidential candidate studied at Harvard, his Kenyan aunt and uncle, immigrants living in modest circumstances in Boston, have a contrasting American story. Zeituni Onyango, the aunt so affectionately described in Mr Obama’s best-selling memoir Dreams from My Father, lives in a disabled-access flat on a rundown public housing estate in South Boston.
    • +++++++ Nice and a contributor as well.Hey Barry how about sharing the wealth for your own family…

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    • Palin Stumps with Joe the Plumber, Mocks the LA Times – Washingtonpost.com

      “This associate, Rashid Khalidi, he — in addition being a political ally of Barack Obama — is a former spokesperson for Palestinian Liberation Organization,” Palin continued, brushing aside Khalidi’s denial that he was ever a PLO spokesman. “The twist here is there’s a videotape of a party for this person. A celebration of him. Barack was there. Some very derogatory things were said there of Israel and America’s support for that great nation. Among other things, Israel was described there as the perpetrator of terrorism rather than the victim. What we don’t know is how Barack Obama responded to these slurs on a country that he professes to support, and the reason we don’t know is the newspaper that has this tape, the Los Angeles Times, refuses to release it.” Then, the Alaska governor openly mocked the L.A. Times as pandering to Obama (the paper has said it cannot release the tape because it received it from a source on condition that it not be published and intends to honor that com

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    • Tip: Two quotes from the Obama-Khalidi videotape

      Saw a clip from the tape. Reason we can’t release it is because statements Obama said to rile audience up during toast. He congratulates Khalidi for his work saying “Israel has no God-given right to occupy Palestine” plus there’s been “genocide against the Palestinian people by Israelis.” It would be really controversial if it got out. Tha’s why they will not even let a transcript get out.

    • +++++++ Will someone at the LA Times sneek the video out?

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    • Hidin’ Biden: Reining In a Voluble No. 2 – TIME

      It would have been nice to ask that question of Biden himself, but a campaign spokesman told me the Senator was suffering from a cold that made it a strain to give interviews. (I didn’t glean evidence of any symptoms during the four speeches that I watched him give over two days.) The spokesman also said Biden would consider it “presumptuous” to talk about how he would perform the job for which he is running. Or maybe it simply wasn’t in the script.

    • +++++++ Hiding the GAFFE machine……

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    • John Murtha is running scared; new internal poll shows virtual dead heat – Michelle Malkin

      The momentum has shifted. National media and politicos are paying attention. Veterans are standing up against the troop-slandering incumbent. The polls are tightening. (A new one posted at GrassrootsPA shows a virtual dead heat: MURTHA 45.5% RUSSELL 43.7%.) And John Murtha is squealing like the pig he is. Here he is cursing his head off and attacking Russell as a carpetbagger. House Democrats have pitched in funds to try and bail him out of his self-created mess.

    • ++++++ Should California Proposition 8 fail, the Homosexual lobby will begin the push for more forced relgious re-education. Watch Catholic services end adoption services in California.

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    • Is This Much-Touted Democratic Wave Skipping Certain Districts? – Geraghty

      Patrick Ruffini echoes the theme of this post — that for what’s supposed to be a terrible cycle for Republicans, they’re poised to knock off some Democratic incumbents, something they couldn’t do at all in 2006 — and points to another House races where the GOP is overperforming. In Georgia, Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott is only up by 5 percent, and is way below 50 percent. A couple readers responded to yesterday’s post by pointing to anecdotal evidence that their Democratic congressman is in trouble. In most cases, I’ll believe it when I see it, but it’s interesting that we’re being told that it’s a Democratic wave election, but the wave isn’t showing up in certain districts — and these are districts in swing states like Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Florida. Ruffini is right — “If you’re a no name challenger who gets 40 to 45 percent next Tuesday, you’re in excellent position to come back in 2010.”

    • ++++++ Indeed GOP losses have started to bottom out in this cycle.

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  • President 2012,  Sarah Palin

    Sarah Palin – “Not Doing This For Nuttin'”

    October 29, 2008 /

    Actually, the quote from Sarah Palin on 2012 was “I’m not doing this for naught.” Here is Wolf Blitzer on CNN mis-reading the Palin interview over at ABC News with Elizabeth Vargas.

    Here is the quote that is that is creating a FLAP, apparently within Team McCain.

    ELIZABETH VARGAS: If it doesn’t go your way on Tuesday … 2012?

    GOV SARAH PALIN: I’m just … thinkin’ that it’s gonna go our way on Tuesday, November 4. I truly believe that the wisdom of … of the people will be revealed on that day. As they enter that voting booth, they will understand the stark contrast between the two tickets. …

    VARGAS: But the point being that you haven’t been so bruised by some of the double standard, the sexism on the campaign trail, to say, “I’ve had it. I’m going back to Alaska.”

    PALIN: Absolutely not. I think that, if I were to give up and wave a white flag of surrender against some of the political shots that we’ve taken, that … that would … bring this whole … I’m not doin’ this for naught.

    Frankly, any observer of American politics can read Palin’s statement as one of stead fast defiance (the ‘Cuda) of the harsh treatment she and her family has received or one of future ambition.

    Flap has already written about Palin’s future ambition and her future is bright. This will likely be John McCain’s last campaign win or lose on Tuesday.

    So, what is the surprise at Team McCain? The media has been twisting and misconstruing McCain-Palin statements the entire cycle. Flap thinks they are a bit too sensitive.

    Sarah Palin was talking about not giving up and slinking back home to Alaska. In other words she was saying: illegitimi non carborundum. Now, if you want to construe an ambitious meaning to her statement…..

    OK.

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  • Gavin Newsom,  Gay Marriage

    Yes On California Proposition 8 Blogger Conference Call – Status of the Race

    October 29, 2008 /
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    ProtectMarriage.com

    Flap just got off a telephone blogger conference call with ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8 campaign manager Frank Schubert.

    Status of the race:

    Polling indicates the race has a 97 % awareness level among California voters. When these voters are asked how they will vote it is:

    • 44 % – Yes
    • 44 % – No

    When you read the voters the ballot label language the result is:

    • 48 % – Yes
    • 48 % No

    So, the race is DEAD EVEN on both ways of counting which is a good position the Yes campaign feels to be in.

    Frank Schubert:”If we are tied on Monday night then Yes on 8 will win by 4-8 points.”

    Why?

    For a couple of reasons:

    1. The history of polling on this issue suggests there is a percentage of people who do not accurately report they support traditional marriage. They do not want to say something that may be perceived as not politically correct. Historically, that polling percentage has averaged about 7 % if you look at all of the states where marriage has been on the ballot. “I don’t think it will be 7 per cent this time, more like 4 or 5 per cent bump that we will get…”
    2. Another reason why if Yes is tied or behind by a couple of points on Monday night is the ground operation that the Yes on 8 campaign has. We have a truly Presidential GOTV operation (Get Out The Vote). There are over 100,000 people who have committed to walk door to door to distribute targeted literature and doorknob hangers throughout the weekend and Monday and on Monday we will have as many as 5 people per precinct working to get the vote out – both going door to door or phoning voters who either have not voted or will be voting. This is a GOTV effort that has never been done in California before for a proposition.

    Oh Yeah on Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell within fifteen minutes of the challenge offered up to debate the gay marriage issue, he delined. Shocker, isn’t it?

    And, for the San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom fans, Newsom will make a repeat performance this weekend on television for the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.

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  • Barack Obama,  Iran,  Israel,  John McCain

    Video: Will Barack Obama Accept Iran’s Demands?

    October 29, 2008 /
    The latest wb video from McCain-Palin: Preconditions

    What will Barack Obama do?

    Talk, negotiate or send former President Clinton to pave the way to a withdrawal from the Middle East?

    The Script:

    JOHN MCCAIN: I’m John McCain and I approve this message.

    ANNCR: Remember when Barack Obama said he’d sit down and talk with Iran without preconditions?

    YOUTUBE QUESTIONER: Would you be willing to meet separately without precondition within the first year of your administration in Washington or anywhere else with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea?

    CNN’S ANDERSON COOPER: Senator Obama?

    BARACK OBAMA: I would.

    ANNCR: Maybe Obama doesn’t have preconditions but Iran does.

    Iran, whose President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said “Israel must be wiped off the map.”

    Iran demands:

    That the U.S. must cease its support of Israel.

    And that all U.S. military forces must leave the Middle East.

    Meaning we abandon Iraq, Turkey and Kuwait.

    What will Obama do?

    Will he admit he was wrong or will he accept Iran’s demands?

    Tough question.

    Team McCain must take this message to Jewish voters particularly in Pennsylvania and Florida. The Jews there must ask Obama what he would do.

    But, they won’t.

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  • Gay Marriage

    California Proposition 8 Video: Have You Thought What Same Sex Marriage Means?

    October 29, 2008 /
    The latest Television Ad for Yes on California Proposition 8 to protect traditional marriage

    No word on whether California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell is going to debate Proposition 8 this weekend yet.

    But, Flap has been invited to a blogger conference call at 2 PM (Pacific time) this afternoon.

    In the meantime, this new ad is up on California airwaves. Flap understands the Yes on 8 committee is really pushing the measure in California’s Hispanic Catholic and Evangelical community.

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  • Hannah-Beth Jackson,  Tony Strickland

    Santa Barbara News-Press Endorses Tony Strickland for California State Senate

    October 29, 2008 /
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    Santa Barbara’s largest circulation newspaper has endorsed former California Assemblyman Tony Strickland for California State Senate.

    Opinion: Tony Strickland for state Senate

    October 28, 2008 12:00 AM

    The right choice to represent the state Senate’s 19th District couldn’t be more clear.

    Do you want a candidate known for extreme partisan politics — one who’s distorted her resume, alienated many Santa Barbarans and plotted to hold the state’s budget hostage for political gain?

    Or do you want a stable hand in Sacramento during this time of economic uncertainty?

    As Senate candidate Tony Strickland has noted:

    “Our financial markets are unstable and our economy is in shambles. Californians are frustrated, suspicious and angry because they feel deceived by partisan politicians who offer no solutions. They are worried about losing their retirement savings, the equity they have in their homes and, in some cases, their jobs.”

    We have faith that Mr. Strickland will do his best to hold the line against tax hikes and fee increases that your family can’t afford. Too many state lawmakers are out of touch with the challenges facing California households. Their way of dealing with the state’s budget problem consists of either trying to find new ways to take money from you, or papering it over and pushing it off to future generations.

    Mr. Strickland says, “Let me fight for you.”

    If one looks at the record of his opponent, her motto might as well be “let me fight against you.”

    Vote for Tony Strickland on Nov. 4.

    Tony Strickland

    Indeed.

    Tony Strickland’s Democrat opponent, Hannah-Beth Jackson didn’t get the name “Taxin’ Jackson” for nothing.

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  • Gay Marriage,  Jack O'Connell

    California Superintendent Jack O’Connell Challenged to Gay Marriage Debate

    October 29, 2008 /
    In this television ad: California Superintendent of Schools Jack states” Our schools aren’t required to teach anything about marriage.”

    The Yes on California Proposition 8 – Protect Traditional Marriage Committee has challenged California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell to a “LIVE” and “TELEVISED”debate this weekend.

    The Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8 campaign today challenged Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and the No on 8 campaign to a live, televised debate this weekend so voters can learn the truth about the issue of gay marriage being taught in California public schools.  The Yes on 8 Campaign, in a letter from Campaign Manager Frank Schubert to No on 8 Campaign Manager Steve Smith, said the more substantive forum will settle the issue once and for all and prove that gay marriage will be taught in public schools if Proposition 8 fails.

    “The No on Proposition 8 campaign has been airing television and radio ads featuring Jack O’Connell accusing us of running a ‘shameful’ campaign,” said Ron Prentice, chairman of Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8. “There is nothing shameful about telling the truth. This is the most critical issue of the campaign. Voters deserve an opportunity to hear for themselves what will happen, and indeed what is already happening, if we do not restore traditional marriage in California on Election Day. Given his strong statements, I’m sure O’Connell will have no problem accepting.”

    The deadline for acceptance by O’Connell is within the hour.

    Don’t hold your breath.

    The ONLY reason Jack cut those television commercials is because he is termed out and wants to run for Governor in 2010. The Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom started the gay marriage push in California a few years ago and owns the San Francisco gay community support for his race for California Governor.

    But, Newsom was ridiculed with an earlier television commercial and Jack thought he could obtain some collateral support from the gay community.

    Today, Mayor Newsom is sponsoring another fundraising event for the No on 8 Committee and is barnstorming the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

    Too much risk and NO reward for Jack.

    Update:

    Timm Herdt of the Ventura County Star seems to think the invitation is because the TV ad featuring O’Connell may be scoring points.

    Timm has it wrong.

    The more publicity Yes on 8 receives the better the measure will do. And, what better theater than to watch two liberal Democrat politicians (O’Connell and Newsom) flaunt their gay marriage cred to the highest homosexual lobby bidder.

    Do you really think there is ANY chance O’Connell will debate?

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  • Bobby Jindal,  GOP,  Sarah Palin

    Is Sarah Palin the Future of the GOP?

    October 29, 2008 /
    Sarah singing along to the Gretchen Wilson song “Redneck Woman” at the 10/26/08 Asheville, NC rally

    This Presidential election cycle is winding down and the pundits are already discussing the future of the Republican Party. Flap did yesterday.

    Whether the Republican presidential ticket wins or loses on Tuesday, a group of prominent conservatives are planning to meet the next day to discuss the way forward, and whatever the outcome, Gov. Sarah Palin will be high on the agenda.

    Ms. Palin, of Alaska, has had a rocky time since being named as Senator John McCain’s running mate, but to many conservatives her future remains bright. If Mr. McCain wins, she will give the social conservative movement a seat inside the White House. If he loses, she could emerge as a standard bearer for the movement and a potential presidential candidate in 2012, albeit one who will need to address her considerable political damage.

    Her prospects, in or out of government, are the subject of intensive conversations among conservative leaders, including the group that will meet next Wednesday in rural Virginia to weigh social, foreign policy and economic issues, as well as the political landscape and the next presidential election.

    Sarah Palin’s future will be determined as she develops as a candidate and governs Alaska. She must do both well and win re-election in 2010. Palin must NOT ignore Alaska as she expands her presence in the lower 48.

    Flap agrees with Matthew Dowd in that Palin must strengthen her weaknesses in foreign policy and become more than a good speech. 

    Matthew Dowd, a former Bush strategist, said Ms. Palin’s challenge was to show substance.

    “She’s an attractive woman who can give a great speech, but the American public doesn’t view her much beyond that,” Mr. Dowd said. “She’s vastly unpopular among moderate and independent voters, and while she could be in a position to be popular among an increasingly smaller Republican Party, she’s got to figure out a way to extend that and figure out a way to strengthen her weaknesses.”

    Some pundits are not so optimistic on Sarah Palin’s great expectations.

    Others are higher on Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

    But, for now the GOP is “The Sarah Party” and what Palin makes of it will be the subject of many posts the next two years.

    As the heir apparent of the GOP, it is Palin’s to lose.

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    Sarah Palin Preparing for 2012? You Betcha

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  • Day By Day,  John McCain

    Day By Day by Chris Muir October 29, 2008 – Shelf Life

    October 29, 2008 /
    Day By Day 102908

    Day By Day by Chris Muir

    John McCain made his name in national politics by being the “MAVERICK” to his own Republican party. However, McCain is being hoisted up by his own petard in this Presidential race.

    It is much easier being a “MAVERICK” than to actually work with your party and stand for something. Hence, Obama’s lead in the polls – among other things.

    Flap reflects that should of , could of, would of Rudy Giuliani come clean about his personal baggage and had the economy been more of an issue, Giuliani would have won the New Hampshire primary and gone on to be the GOP nominee. Rudy would have been a far more credible candidate on the economy and domestic policy.

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    The Day By Day Archive

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