"none of the above" ballot idea from Jesse Ventura
this ideal has potential.
if the voter doesn't like either of the 2 current parties they would
now have an option.
Monday, April 07, 2008
PRESIDENT BUSH SELECTIVE PARDONS
Congressional Record: April 2, 2008 (House)
Page H1944
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr02ap08-128]
PRESIDENT BUSH INSULTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH HIS SELECTIVE PARDONS
AND COMMUTATIONS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, on March 25, President Bush pardoned 15
people and granted one commutation to crimes that ranged from
falsifying records, conspiracy, bank embezzlement, dealing in firearms,
distributing marijuana, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud,
heroin importation, selling migratory bird parts in violation of the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, aiding and abetting the escape of a
prisoner, distributing more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, and a
variety of other crimes.
This brings to about 157 the number of pardons and/or commutations
that President Bush has distributed in his administration in his term
in office. And although that number is fewer than other presidents, it
in fact is reflective of something that I consider to be a serious
problem, and that is this, that although the President has been
compassionate or for whatever reason chosen to commute or pardon 157
people up to this point in time, he leaves two Border Patrol agents in
jail today because I believe of the misbehavior of the U.S. Attorney in
that particular district. And this is unconscionable.
This House actually voted last session unanimously to in fact deny
funding to the Department of Justice to continue to hold Border Patrol
agents Ramos and Compean in the Federal prison where they have been
incarcerated now for well over a year. And their terms are for 11 and
12 years. This is because they have been sentenced because of the
testimony of a known drug smuggler by the name of Osvaldo Aldrete-
Davila, who was given immunity from prosecution by U.S. Attorney
Sutton.
The SUV that Aldrete was driving was found to contain 743 pounds of
marijuana. The jury in the Ramos-Compean trial was never told of
Aldrete's criminal background. They were led to believe that Aldrete
was a one-time smuggler trying to make money to help a sick relative.
In fact, he was a professional drug smuggler, and his history was known
to the DEA and to Johnny Sutton, who was the prosecuting attorney, at
the time of the trial, but this history was kept from the jury.
It has been revealed in documents since the trial that U.S. Attorney
Johnny Sutton deliberately delayed the arrest of Aldrete for a
subsequent drug smuggling incident that occurred while Aldrete was
under the grant of immunity but before the trial date. All of this
information, of course, was withheld because it would have revealed
Aldrete as a professional smuggler, not an innocent victim of the
Border Patrol agents. This is a flagrant abuse of prosecutorial
discretion.
These mistakes were compounded by asking for a mandatory 10-year
sentence for Ramos and Compean for the use of a firearm in the
commission of a ``crime.'' The law was never intended to apply to law
officers who use their weapons in the performance of their jobs.
The key question at the trial was whether the drug smuggler Aldrete
had a weapon and had pointed it at one of the Border Patrol agents. Mr.
Aldrete denied having such a weapon. It was his word against the
testimony of the Border Patrol agents, so the credibility of each
witness was critical to the jury's evaluation of the incident, yet the
jury was kept in the dark about Aldrete's other arrests and his history
as a drug smuggler.
The mistakes made by Ramos and Compean in trying to apprehend Mr.
Aldrete should have been handled as a violation of agency rules, the
failure to write and file a report of an incident involving Aldrete,
and punished by a 5-day suspension, not by criminal prosecution. For
that reason alone, this conduct rises to the level of reprehensible,
the conduct I believe of the U.S. Attorney in this case and of the
President of the United States.
To compound the injustice in this case, it is widely known that the
U.S. Attorney is a friend of the President, going back to his days as
Governor. But Bush's refusal to issue a pardon or a commutation amounts
to a coverup I believe of this misconduct in this trial.
Ramos and Compean have appealed their conviction to the U.S. Circuit
Court and a decision on that appeal is due shortly. At the very least
they deserve a new trial. President Bush has it within his power to end
this injustice now by issuing a pardon or a commutation. I sincerely
hope that he takes that responsibility seriously and offers this to Mr.
Ramos and Mr. Compean, who are languishing in prison for literally no
good reason.
Page H1944
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr02ap08-128]
PRESIDENT BUSH INSULTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH HIS SELECTIVE PARDONS
AND COMMUTATIONS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, on March 25, President Bush pardoned 15
people and granted one commutation to crimes that ranged from
falsifying records, conspiracy, bank embezzlement, dealing in firearms,
distributing marijuana, conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud,
heroin importation, selling migratory bird parts in violation of the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, aiding and abetting the escape of a
prisoner, distributing more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, and a
variety of other crimes.
This brings to about 157 the number of pardons and/or commutations
that President Bush has distributed in his administration in his term
in office. And although that number is fewer than other presidents, it
in fact is reflective of something that I consider to be a serious
problem, and that is this, that although the President has been
compassionate or for whatever reason chosen to commute or pardon 157
people up to this point in time, he leaves two Border Patrol agents in
jail today because I believe of the misbehavior of the U.S. Attorney in
that particular district. And this is unconscionable.
This House actually voted last session unanimously to in fact deny
funding to the Department of Justice to continue to hold Border Patrol
agents Ramos and Compean in the Federal prison where they have been
incarcerated now for well over a year. And their terms are for 11 and
12 years. This is because they have been sentenced because of the
testimony of a known drug smuggler by the name of Osvaldo Aldrete-
Davila, who was given immunity from prosecution by U.S. Attorney
Sutton.
The SUV that Aldrete was driving was found to contain 743 pounds of
marijuana. The jury in the Ramos-Compean trial was never told of
Aldrete's criminal background. They were led to believe that Aldrete
was a one-time smuggler trying to make money to help a sick relative.
In fact, he was a professional drug smuggler, and his history was known
to the DEA and to Johnny Sutton, who was the prosecuting attorney, at
the time of the trial, but this history was kept from the jury.
It has been revealed in documents since the trial that U.S. Attorney
Johnny Sutton deliberately delayed the arrest of Aldrete for a
subsequent drug smuggling incident that occurred while Aldrete was
under the grant of immunity but before the trial date. All of this
information, of course, was withheld because it would have revealed
Aldrete as a professional smuggler, not an innocent victim of the
Border Patrol agents. This is a flagrant abuse of prosecutorial
discretion.
These mistakes were compounded by asking for a mandatory 10-year
sentence for Ramos and Compean for the use of a firearm in the
commission of a ``crime.'' The law was never intended to apply to law
officers who use their weapons in the performance of their jobs.
The key question at the trial was whether the drug smuggler Aldrete
had a weapon and had pointed it at one of the Border Patrol agents. Mr.
Aldrete denied having such a weapon. It was his word against the
testimony of the Border Patrol agents, so the credibility of each
witness was critical to the jury's evaluation of the incident, yet the
jury was kept in the dark about Aldrete's other arrests and his history
as a drug smuggler.
The mistakes made by Ramos and Compean in trying to apprehend Mr.
Aldrete should have been handled as a violation of agency rules, the
failure to write and file a report of an incident involving Aldrete,
and punished by a 5-day suspension, not by criminal prosecution. For
that reason alone, this conduct rises to the level of reprehensible,
the conduct I believe of the U.S. Attorney in this case and of the
President of the United States.
To compound the injustice in this case, it is widely known that the
U.S. Attorney is a friend of the President, going back to his days as
Governor. But Bush's refusal to issue a pardon or a commutation amounts
to a coverup I believe of this misconduct in this trial.
Ramos and Compean have appealed their conviction to the U.S. Circuit
Court and a decision on that appeal is due shortly. At the very least
they deserve a new trial. President Bush has it within his power to end
this injustice now by issuing a pardon or a commutation. I sincerely
hope that he takes that responsibility seriously and offers this to Mr.
Ramos and Mr. Compean, who are languishing in prison for literally no
good reason.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
REMEMBER JOHN McCAIN?
REMEMBER JOHN McCAIN?
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Published on FOXNews.com on April 4, 2008.
He’s the guy who was running for president before all the national attention shifted to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Now, McCain seems to be only an afterthought, at best, or an anachronism, at worst. He has got to get back into the game, otherwise he will never be in contention.
Forget that he leads in the polls. That means nothing. His lead is only the consequence of the division among Democrats. Supporters of Hillary are quite incapable of uttering the “O” word to a pollster and Obama backers won’t admit that they’d ever back Hillary. But once the they settle on a nominee — provided there is no super delegate larceny involved — Democrats will be Democrats and McCain’s lead will vanish. He has got to use this period, when he is not under attack, to flesh out his image and begin his campaign.
To do that, he can’t wait on the sidelines and only put out carefully controlled stories — like his biographical tour which he has just begun. He has to wade into the midst of current controversy, carve out his message, demonstrate his relevance, and make the headlines he needs to become a center of attention and interest.
What should be his message? Populism. Many will urge that he fortify his base. But with Republican Party identification at an all time low, there isn’t enough base out there to win. He needs to attract swing voters. Not by going to the left of the Democrats, but by transcending their liberalism by attacking the forces of privilege their party is bent on protecting.
Here are a few choice targets:
• McCain should go after those who have caused the subprime crisis and demand justice. He should press for recapture of the fees and commissions they made by making loans they knew were no good. He should demand that their licenses be ended, their institutions closed, and their ill gotten gains confiscated.
• He should attack credit card companies for their abuse of consumers through usurious interest rates, high penalty fees imposed at the drop of a hat, and interchange fees that add to the cost of everything we buy.
• McCain should take up the case against Congressional perks, building on his efforts to curtail earmarks, cracking down on Congressional ethics, and taking aim at the day to day practices (as opposed to the speeches) of his two fellow senators who are running for office.
• He should go after regulators who don’t regulate, beginning with those who let unsafe toys into the U.S. He should condemn the FAA for its weaknesses. He should go after the Fed and other regulators for their laxity in the face of the emerging credit crisis.
• McCain should blast China for its abuse of Tibet. While governments are cowed into silence, McCain should speak out for human liberty and against the repressive tactics of Beijing even as China wants us to celebrate their Olympic games.
Strong, vigorous, populist advocacy can bring the spotlight back to McCain, draw attention to the integrity and strength which has always made him a unique public figure.
As he sought the GOP nomination, this muckraking McCain had to be bottled up inside a national security conservative façade. But no matter how deeply McCain believes in national security, it is his populism that has earned him the plaudits that got him to where he is today.
It’s time for the bleached out McCain to exit and for the hearty, embattled, opponent of falsity and privilege to take center stage. And, to show the Democrats how to do it.
Go To DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Published on FOXNews.com on April 4, 2008.
He’s the guy who was running for president before all the national attention shifted to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Now, McCain seems to be only an afterthought, at best, or an anachronism, at worst. He has got to get back into the game, otherwise he will never be in contention.
Forget that he leads in the polls. That means nothing. His lead is only the consequence of the division among Democrats. Supporters of Hillary are quite incapable of uttering the “O” word to a pollster and Obama backers won’t admit that they’d ever back Hillary. But once the they settle on a nominee — provided there is no super delegate larceny involved — Democrats will be Democrats and McCain’s lead will vanish. He has got to use this period, when he is not under attack, to flesh out his image and begin his campaign.
To do that, he can’t wait on the sidelines and only put out carefully controlled stories — like his biographical tour which he has just begun. He has to wade into the midst of current controversy, carve out his message, demonstrate his relevance, and make the headlines he needs to become a center of attention and interest.
What should be his message? Populism. Many will urge that he fortify his base. But with Republican Party identification at an all time low, there isn’t enough base out there to win. He needs to attract swing voters. Not by going to the left of the Democrats, but by transcending their liberalism by attacking the forces of privilege their party is bent on protecting.
Here are a few choice targets:
• McCain should go after those who have caused the subprime crisis and demand justice. He should press for recapture of the fees and commissions they made by making loans they knew were no good. He should demand that their licenses be ended, their institutions closed, and their ill gotten gains confiscated.
• He should attack credit card companies for their abuse of consumers through usurious interest rates, high penalty fees imposed at the drop of a hat, and interchange fees that add to the cost of everything we buy.
• McCain should take up the case against Congressional perks, building on his efforts to curtail earmarks, cracking down on Congressional ethics, and taking aim at the day to day practices (as opposed to the speeches) of his two fellow senators who are running for office.
• He should go after regulators who don’t regulate, beginning with those who let unsafe toys into the U.S. He should condemn the FAA for its weaknesses. He should go after the Fed and other regulators for their laxity in the face of the emerging credit crisis.
• McCain should blast China for its abuse of Tibet. While governments are cowed into silence, McCain should speak out for human liberty and against the repressive tactics of Beijing even as China wants us to celebrate their Olympic games.
Strong, vigorous, populist advocacy can bring the spotlight back to McCain, draw attention to the integrity and strength which has always made him a unique public figure.
As he sought the GOP nomination, this muckraking McCain had to be bottled up inside a national security conservative façade. But no matter how deeply McCain believes in national security, it is his populism that has earned him the plaudits that got him to where he is today.
It’s time for the bleached out McCain to exit and for the hearty, embattled, opponent of falsity and privilege to take center stage. And, to show the Democrats how to do it.
Go To DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!
Help Bring the SAVE Act to the House Floor!
Help Bring the SAVE Act to the House Floor!
Call Your Representatives Now!
For over five months, House Leaders have ignored the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088), an important piece of enforcement-only legislation introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). Even though the legislation has 149 co-sponsors from both parties, House Leaders refuse to give it a hearing in the Judiciary Committee!
The reason the SAVE Act has such wide support in Congress is because it both provides more resources to secure the border and contains critical interior enforcement measures. These include:
Mandating that all employers use the E-Verify electronic employment verification program mandatory within 4 years of enactment (SAVE Act §201);
Requiring employers who receive no-match letters to inform employees that they must correct the no-match within 10 days or be terminated. (SAVE Act §202(a)); and
Prohibiting employers from deducting wages paid to illegal aliens. (SAVE Act §211).
To learn more about the SAVE Act, click here.
Now, a growing group of Representatives who support enforcement of our immigration laws are trying to force a vote on the SAVE Act by using a discharge petition filed by Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R-VA). Under House rules, if a discharge petition receives at least 218 signatures, the bill will bypass the normal committee process and go directly to the floor.
Currently the SAVE Act discharge petition has 185 signatures—meaning only 33 more are needed to bring the bill to the floor! To see if your Representative has signed the discharge petition, click here.
Please call your Representatives now and urge them to bring the SAVE Act to the floor immediately!!!!
If your Representative has signed the discharge petition, please thank him/her and let them know you will be watching its progress.
If your Representative has not signed the discharge petition, tell him/her you want enforcement first and that Congress must pass, fund, and implement enforcement legislation before entertaining guest worker amnesty legislation that rewards special interest groups.
Call Your Representatives Now!
For over five months, House Leaders have ignored the SAVE Act (H.R. 4088), an important piece of enforcement-only legislation introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC). Even though the legislation has 149 co-sponsors from both parties, House Leaders refuse to give it a hearing in the Judiciary Committee!
The reason the SAVE Act has such wide support in Congress is because it both provides more resources to secure the border and contains critical interior enforcement measures. These include:
Mandating that all employers use the E-Verify electronic employment verification program mandatory within 4 years of enactment (SAVE Act §201);
Requiring employers who receive no-match letters to inform employees that they must correct the no-match within 10 days or be terminated. (SAVE Act §202(a)); and
Prohibiting employers from deducting wages paid to illegal aliens. (SAVE Act §211).
To learn more about the SAVE Act, click here.
Now, a growing group of Representatives who support enforcement of our immigration laws are trying to force a vote on the SAVE Act by using a discharge petition filed by Congresswoman Thelma Drake (R-VA). Under House rules, if a discharge petition receives at least 218 signatures, the bill will bypass the normal committee process and go directly to the floor.
Currently the SAVE Act discharge petition has 185 signatures—meaning only 33 more are needed to bring the bill to the floor! To see if your Representative has signed the discharge petition, click here.
Please call your Representatives now and urge them to bring the SAVE Act to the floor immediately!!!!
If your Representative has signed the discharge petition, please thank him/her and let them know you will be watching its progress.
If your Representative has not signed the discharge petition, tell him/her you want enforcement first and that Congress must pass, fund, and implement enforcement legislation before entertaining guest worker amnesty legislation that rewards special interest groups.
San Francisco launches outreach for illegals
San Francisco launches outreach for illegals
From: Grassfire.org (alert@grassfire.net)
From the Desk of:Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is launching an $83,000outreach campaign designed to attract illegal aliens. Using television, radio, posters and brochuresin five different languages, Newsom says, "We'regoing to spend resources, time and energy to doPSA's, to do campaign outreach into community clinics,into public schools, into our police stations tolet people know what a sanctuary city is all about... Newsom says illegal aliens answering his call need not feardeportation. "We are doing the right thing," he said. ed, this arrogant thumbing of the nose by SF Cityofficials to the established laws of our land and the blatantdisrespect for those citizens who will be required to footthe bill for these illegals is reprehensible, and demandsa strong reaction! That's why I'm asking ALL members of our Grassfire team to takea few minutes to contact Mayor Gavin Newsom and City SupervisorTom Ammiano.
Action Item--Contact SF City Leadership Mayor Gavin Newsomphone: 415-554-6141Email: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org Tom Ammiano, City Supervisorphone: 415-554-5144Email: tom.ammiano@sfgov.org Please contact both of these city leaders and express youroutrage over their public outreach effort welcoming illegal aliens. Let them know that their plan is a "ringing dinner bell" thatwill attract even more illegals--increasing the burden forthose living in San Francisco legally! Urge them to do the right thing by enforcing our laws.
++Action Item #2--Alert your friends Forward this message to 30-40 friends and familymembers urging them to follow your lead bycalling city officials as well. Also encourage them to sign our national petitionto secure our borders by clicking here: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=5796&PID=16048556 Thank you for taking immediate action. Steve ++Help Grassfire Secure the Border: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5793&CID=242&RID=16048556 + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
(Note: Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail message. Thise-mail address is not designed to receive your personal messages.To contact Grassfire.org with comments, questions or to changeyour status, see link at the end.)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Feedback or comments on this update? Go to FireSociety.com and post your comments so that the Grassfirestaff along with thousands of citizens can benefit from yourthoughts and opinions: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5794&RID=16048556 + + Technical questions only: For technical questions regarding this email, go here:(Not for comments/feedback on this update) http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5795&CID=242&RID=16048556
From: Grassfire.org (alert@grassfire.net)
From the Desk of:Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is launching an $83,000outreach campaign designed to attract illegal aliens. Using television, radio, posters and brochuresin five different languages, Newsom says, "We'regoing to spend resources, time and energy to doPSA's, to do campaign outreach into community clinics,into public schools, into our police stations tolet people know what a sanctuary city is all about... Newsom says illegal aliens answering his call need not feardeportation. "We are doing the right thing," he said. ed, this arrogant thumbing of the nose by SF Cityofficials to the established laws of our land and the blatantdisrespect for those citizens who will be required to footthe bill for these illegals is reprehensible, and demandsa strong reaction! That's why I'm asking ALL members of our Grassfire team to takea few minutes to contact Mayor Gavin Newsom and City SupervisorTom Ammiano.
Action Item--Contact SF City Leadership Mayor Gavin Newsomphone: 415-554-6141Email: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org Tom Ammiano, City Supervisorphone: 415-554-5144Email: tom.ammiano@sfgov.org Please contact both of these city leaders and express youroutrage over their public outreach effort welcoming illegal aliens. Let them know that their plan is a "ringing dinner bell" thatwill attract even more illegals--increasing the burden forthose living in San Francisco legally! Urge them to do the right thing by enforcing our laws.
++Action Item #2--Alert your friends Forward this message to 30-40 friends and familymembers urging them to follow your lead bycalling city officials as well. Also encourage them to sign our national petitionto secure our borders by clicking here: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=5796&PID=16048556 Thank you for taking immediate action. Steve ++Help Grassfire Secure the Border: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5793&CID=242&RID=16048556 + + + + + + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
(Note: Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail message. Thise-mail address is not designed to receive your personal messages.To contact Grassfire.org with comments, questions or to changeyour status, see link at the end.)
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Feedback or comments on this update? Go to FireSociety.com and post your comments so that the Grassfirestaff along with thousands of citizens can benefit from yourthoughts and opinions: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5794&RID=16048556 + + Technical questions only: For technical questions regarding this email, go here:(Not for comments/feedback on this update) http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?U=5795&CID=242&RID=16048556
10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't
10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out—forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/?id=12407-3006548-q2Trs2&t=232
Thank you for all you do.
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."9
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.10
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out—forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/?id=12407-3006548-q2Trs2&t=232
Thank you for all you do.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
heads up: If dems get a look at senator John Mccain record as a pilot...
heads up: If dems get a look at senator John Mccain record as a pilot...
I think Mccain could crash and burn the whole Republican party this November.
He gets a lot of passes because he was a pow, but his nickname from fellow naval flyers was "crash".
He did trash 5 planes in total, but daddy was a admiral.
www.mccainalert.com
I think Mccain could crash and burn the whole Republican party this November.
He gets a lot of passes because he was a pow, but his nickname from fellow naval flyers was "crash".
He did trash 5 planes in total, but daddy was a admiral.
www.mccainalert.com
Thursday, April 03, 2008
John "crash" McCain returns to Jacksonville,please keep him away from the planes!
John "crash" McCain returns to Jacksonville,please keep him away from the planes!
I think Mccain crashed his 1st plane off of Florida, this was the 1st of 5 planes lost.
I think Dems will focus on his military performance or lack of it. should be some interesting 527 tv ads based upon Mccain military career.
www.mccainalert.com
see more commentary on Mccain lack luster military performance
I think Mccain crashed his 1st plane off of Florida, this was the 1st of 5 planes lost.
I think Dems will focus on his military performance or lack of it. should be some interesting 527 tv ads based upon Mccain military career.
www.mccainalert.com
see more commentary on Mccain lack luster military performance
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Homeland Security Releases Revised "No-Match" Rules
Homeland Security Releases Revised "No-Match" Rules
On Friday, March 21, the Department Homeland Security (DHS) released revised rules for employers who receive "no-match" letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Homeland Security issued the revised rules in response to a federal court injunction that stopped an earlier version from taking effect. No-match letters are notices sent by the SSA to employers, warning them that an employee's name and social security number do not match the Administration's records.
In August 2007, DHS first promulgated no-match letters requiring that employers who receive them take affirmative steps to have the employee resolve the no-match or terminate the employee. The rule was barely in place when several organizations, including the ACLU, the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, challenged them and persuaded the federal district court in San Francisco to issue an injunction, barring the rules from taking effect. That federal court decision determined that Homeland Security has the authority to require employers to ensure that listed employees are not illegal aliens, but held that the agency had made several technical errors in promulgating the rule. These three errors identified by the court were that Homeland Security:
Failed to adequately explain its change of position on "no-match" letters;
Established anti-discrimination standards outside of its authority; and
Failed to review and determine the impact of the new regulations on small businesses.
After this ruling, DHS announced it would comply with the court injunction, but also intended to revise the regulations to meet the court's objections.
On Friday, March 21, the Department Homeland Security (DHS) released revised rules for employers who receive "no-match" letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Homeland Security issued the revised rules in response to a federal court injunction that stopped an earlier version from taking effect. No-match letters are notices sent by the SSA to employers, warning them that an employee's name and social security number do not match the Administration's records.
In August 2007, DHS first promulgated no-match letters requiring that employers who receive them take affirmative steps to have the employee resolve the no-match or terminate the employee. The rule was barely in place when several organizations, including the ACLU, the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, challenged them and persuaded the federal district court in San Francisco to issue an injunction, barring the rules from taking effect. That federal court decision determined that Homeland Security has the authority to require employers to ensure that listed employees are not illegal aliens, but held that the agency had made several technical errors in promulgating the rule. These three errors identified by the court were that Homeland Security:
Failed to adequately explain its change of position on "no-match" letters;
Established anti-discrimination standards outside of its authority; and
Failed to review and determine the impact of the new regulations on small businesses.
After this ruling, DHS announced it would comply with the court injunction, but also intended to revise the regulations to meet the court's objections.
Dan Stein on Immigration Enforcement Methods
Dan Stein on Immigration Enforcement Methods
Dan Stein Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Immigration Enforcement Methods
The modest increase in interior immigration enforcement over the past 18 months has led to the expected protests from the illegal alien advocacy network. Alleging isolated instances in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been heavy-handed in its enforcement efforts, these groups are seeking to limit interior enforcement. The lack of any meaningful form of interior immigration enforcement contributed mightily to the growth of America’s illegal population, as people knew that once they entered the country, little or no effort would be made to find them and remove them.
Testifying before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, on February 13, FAIR’s president, Dan Stein, urged Congress to take corrective action when and if ICE does not follow proper procedure. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining a vigorous interior enforcement effort. FAIR has long argued that border security the first line of defense against illegal immigration cannot be the only line of defense. Stein rejected the idea that the remedy for the alleged isolated excesses by ICE should be curtailment of serious interior enforcement efforts.
Speaking on behalf of FAIR, Stein encouraged the subcommittee to continue to add detention facilities for illegal aliens apprehended by ICE and ending the so-called “catch and release” policy. Lacking adequate detention facilities to hold illegal aliens they have already apprehended, ICE has been forced to turn people loose with an order to appear for a hearing at some future date. An audit by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found that over a three-year period ending in 2006, 280,987 deportable aliens were released due to lack of detention beds, and that some 600,000 aliens who had been ordered deported had absconded.
Stein also called upon “Congress and the national political leadership of this nation to demonstrate the political will to dramatically increase the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws in a manner consistent with credible deterrence.” Increasing the likelihood of apprehension and detention would deter many potential illegal immigrants from making the expensive and often dangerous journey to the U.S., Stein told the subcommittee.
Dan Stein Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Immigration Enforcement Methods
The modest increase in interior immigration enforcement over the past 18 months has led to the expected protests from the illegal alien advocacy network. Alleging isolated instances in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been heavy-handed in its enforcement efforts, these groups are seeking to limit interior enforcement. The lack of any meaningful form of interior immigration enforcement contributed mightily to the growth of America’s illegal population, as people knew that once they entered the country, little or no effort would be made to find them and remove them.
Testifying before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, on February 13, FAIR’s president, Dan Stein, urged Congress to take corrective action when and if ICE does not follow proper procedure. However, he stressed the importance of maintaining a vigorous interior enforcement effort. FAIR has long argued that border security the first line of defense against illegal immigration cannot be the only line of defense. Stein rejected the idea that the remedy for the alleged isolated excesses by ICE should be curtailment of serious interior enforcement efforts.
Speaking on behalf of FAIR, Stein encouraged the subcommittee to continue to add detention facilities for illegal aliens apprehended by ICE and ending the so-called “catch and release” policy. Lacking adequate detention facilities to hold illegal aliens they have already apprehended, ICE has been forced to turn people loose with an order to appear for a hearing at some future date. An audit by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found that over a three-year period ending in 2006, 280,987 deportable aliens were released due to lack of detention beds, and that some 600,000 aliens who had been ordered deported had absconded.
Stein also called upon “Congress and the national political leadership of this nation to demonstrate the political will to dramatically increase the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws in a manner consistent with credible deterrence.” Increasing the likelihood of apprehension and detention would deter many potential illegal immigrants from making the expensive and often dangerous journey to the U.S., Stein told the subcommittee.
Al GORE ROLE REMAINS A MYSTERY TO ALL BUT AL
GORE ROLE REMAINS A MYSTERY TO ALL BUT AL
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Even as the rest of the Democratic Party around him takes sides in the epic struggle of Clinton vs. Obama, Al Gore remains inscrutable, silent, above the battle.
His gigantic but unspoken presence is raising rumors and fueling speculation. Joe Klein, writing in Time Magazine, even suggested a scenario where a deadlocked convention turns its lonely eyes to Al.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson comes out for Obama, and so do Ted Kennedy and Bill Bradley. Govs. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Jon Corzine of New Jersey back Hillary. Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while avoiding an endorsement, speaks out to ask superdelegates to respect the will of the voters.
But barely a peep from Big Al, except to say, "I think it's going to resolve itself. We'll see."
What's his game?
A source close to him confirms that he does not plan to make any endorsement until after the primaries are over on June 3. And then? All they'll say is "stay tuned."
For what? Our guess is that Al is keeping his powder dry to lead the superdelegates in accepting the will of the voters. Perhaps in concert with a Gang of Five that might include former president Jimmy Carter, Pelosi, Party Chairman Howard Dean and former candidate John Edwards, Gore may act as the elder statesman in the party, stepping in after all the voters have spoken, asking the Clintons to accept the will of the people and give way.
He might quell the credentials battles, giving Florida and Michigan some representation in return for a recognition that Obama should be the nominee.
He could be the one who brings closure to what could be an open-ended summer bloodbath.
What about the chances that Al would go the other way and urge a Hillary nomination?
Seeing himself as the victim of one stolen election, we don't think Gore will be anxious to switch sides and help the Clintons steal this one.
He knows that all hell would break lose if the nomination goes to Hillary after the voters give Obama a lead of over 100 votes among elected delegates, and he realizes that the Democratic Party might never recover from the resulting bitterness.
But if Al acts as the honest broker, he can have a great influence and earn the everlasting gratitude of his party for leading the way in avoiding a civil war.
Go To DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!
By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN
Even as the rest of the Democratic Party around him takes sides in the epic struggle of Clinton vs. Obama, Al Gore remains inscrutable, silent, above the battle.
His gigantic but unspoken presence is raising rumors and fueling speculation. Joe Klein, writing in Time Magazine, even suggested a scenario where a deadlocked convention turns its lonely eyes to Al.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson comes out for Obama, and so do Ted Kennedy and Bill Bradley. Govs. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Jon Corzine of New Jersey back Hillary. Even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while avoiding an endorsement, speaks out to ask superdelegates to respect the will of the voters.
But barely a peep from Big Al, except to say, "I think it's going to resolve itself. We'll see."
What's his game?
A source close to him confirms that he does not plan to make any endorsement until after the primaries are over on June 3. And then? All they'll say is "stay tuned."
For what? Our guess is that Al is keeping his powder dry to lead the superdelegates in accepting the will of the voters. Perhaps in concert with a Gang of Five that might include former president Jimmy Carter, Pelosi, Party Chairman Howard Dean and former candidate John Edwards, Gore may act as the elder statesman in the party, stepping in after all the voters have spoken, asking the Clintons to accept the will of the people and give way.
He might quell the credentials battles, giving Florida and Michigan some representation in return for a recognition that Obama should be the nominee.
He could be the one who brings closure to what could be an open-ended summer bloodbath.
What about the chances that Al would go the other way and urge a Hillary nomination?
Seeing himself as the victim of one stolen election, we don't think Gore will be anxious to switch sides and help the Clintons steal this one.
He knows that all hell would break lose if the nomination goes to Hillary after the voters give Obama a lead of over 100 votes among elected delegates, and he realizes that the Democratic Party might never recover from the resulting bitterness.
But if Al acts as the honest broker, he can have a great influence and earn the everlasting gratitude of his party for leading the way in avoiding a civil war.
Go To DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!
GAO Finds Real Holes in the Virtual Fence
GAO Finds Real Holes in the Virtual Fence
Ever since Congress and the Bush administration agreed to construct hundreds of miles of security fencing along our southern border, immigration enforcement opponents have worked diligently to ensure that it gets built as slowly as possible, if at all. Earlier this year, we reported about provisions in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill that will hamper further construction. There has also been talk from some congressional leaders of substituting “virtual fencing” for the actual fencing called for in the 2006 legislation.
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that virtual fencing may be virtually useless in our efforts to stop real illegal aliens and, potentially, real terrorists who attempt to enter our country. Moreover, the GAO concluded that $20.6 million spent to construct virtual fencing along the Arizona border has turned out to be an actual waste of taxpayer money. Because of problems with the first 28-mile segment, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that completion of the first phase of the technological initiative to secure the border will be delayed from late 2008 until 2011.
The Boeing Corporation was contracted in 2006 to implement a series of nine security towers equipped with night vision cameras, radar and sensors, along with a variety of communications systems and software to monitor activities along large stretches of the border. The technology was supposed to have been in place by June 2007, but the software system failed to distribute the information gathered by the detection devices. In December, Boeing submitted plans to CBP that were supposed to fix these problems. CBP accepted these “fixes” and began training personnel on the system’s use on February 22, just five days before the GAO reported that the virtual fence did not work.
In response, the CBP conceded that they do not expect the virtual fence to substantially improve the Border Patrol’s ability to capture illegal border crossers. Rather — in the virtual reality that exists only inside the Beltway — the value of the failed project is expected to be a lesson learned. The GAO was a little more blunt about the lessons learned. The virtual fence “was never what [the Border Patrol] wanted, it never will be. They’re going to have to replace all the equipment,” Richard Stana, GAO’s director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues told Congress.
In his testimony before Congress in March, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff argued that the GAO’s conclusions about the virtual fence were overstated. Chertoff assured Congress and the public that Boeing would be absorbing the costs associated with the system’s defects.
FAIR has supported the use of technology that has been proven to work to help monitor activities in more remote areas of the border. However, we have long contended that technology should complement, not replace, actual fencing and manpower. Real fencing, where it is in place along our borders, has proven to be highly effective in controlling illegal entries. But even when technology works as it is supposed to, it is useless without adequate manpower and equipment to apprehend illegal border crossers when they are detected.
Ever since Congress and the Bush administration agreed to construct hundreds of miles of security fencing along our southern border, immigration enforcement opponents have worked diligently to ensure that it gets built as slowly as possible, if at all. Earlier this year, we reported about provisions in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill that will hamper further construction. There has also been talk from some congressional leaders of substituting “virtual fencing” for the actual fencing called for in the 2006 legislation.
A new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that virtual fencing may be virtually useless in our efforts to stop real illegal aliens and, potentially, real terrorists who attempt to enter our country. Moreover, the GAO concluded that $20.6 million spent to construct virtual fencing along the Arizona border has turned out to be an actual waste of taxpayer money. Because of problems with the first 28-mile segment, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that completion of the first phase of the technological initiative to secure the border will be delayed from late 2008 until 2011.
The Boeing Corporation was contracted in 2006 to implement a series of nine security towers equipped with night vision cameras, radar and sensors, along with a variety of communications systems and software to monitor activities along large stretches of the border. The technology was supposed to have been in place by June 2007, but the software system failed to distribute the information gathered by the detection devices. In December, Boeing submitted plans to CBP that were supposed to fix these problems. CBP accepted these “fixes” and began training personnel on the system’s use on February 22, just five days before the GAO reported that the virtual fence did not work.
In response, the CBP conceded that they do not expect the virtual fence to substantially improve the Border Patrol’s ability to capture illegal border crossers. Rather — in the virtual reality that exists only inside the Beltway — the value of the failed project is expected to be a lesson learned. The GAO was a little more blunt about the lessons learned. The virtual fence “was never what [the Border Patrol] wanted, it never will be. They’re going to have to replace all the equipment,” Richard Stana, GAO’s director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues told Congress.
In his testimony before Congress in March, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff argued that the GAO’s conclusions about the virtual fence were overstated. Chertoff assured Congress and the public that Boeing would be absorbing the costs associated with the system’s defects.
FAIR has supported the use of technology that has been proven to work to help monitor activities in more remote areas of the border. However, we have long contended that technology should complement, not replace, actual fencing and manpower. Real fencing, where it is in place along our borders, has proven to be highly effective in controlling illegal entries. But even when technology works as it is supposed to, it is useless without adequate manpower and equipment to apprehend illegal border crossers when they are detected.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Chelsea: if you to get a "head" in the world of politics, its helps
Chelsea: if you want to get a "head" in the world of politics, its helps answering the questions.
Hillary is got Chelsea working the public...
www.mccainalert.com
Hillary is got Chelsea working the public...
www.mccainalert.com
Robert D. Novak on Mccain
McCain's Payroll Prize By Robert D. Novak
A major strategist in John McCain's campaign was asked privately this week whether his candidate might propose cutting the payroll tax. "Yes," came the reply. "No problem. Not a big deal." He was wrong on both scores. Cutting the payroll tax, which funds Social Security, is not easy but offers a rich economic prize in this lean Republican year.
Republicans have been wary of touching the Social Security third rail of politics, ever since a re-elected President George W. Bush abandoned his reform under withering Democratic fire. Moreover, Republicans talk about offsetting payroll tax revenue loss by cutting future Social Security benefits, which contains seeds of electoral catastrophe.
Neither McCain nor his advisers seem to realize the value of the political prize that they can grasp. The regressive payroll tax oppresses most Americans, especially young men and women, and burdens small businesses that must match the tax that their employees pay. With dogma-bound Democrats unable to remedy this, the GOP has an opportunity to reach out beyond top-bracket taxpayers, big business and high finance.
About 41 percent of Americans have no income tax liability or do not file a return. But every wage-earner is hit by the payroll tax, amounting to more than they pay in income taxes for 86 percent of them. Young people are stunned when they find out how much is withheld from their first paycheck, labeled FICA. As they marry, have children and earn more money, they hate the 6.2 percent taken out of their first $97,500. In 1990, then-Sen. Robert Kasten, R-Wis., wrote, "These excessive taxes have struck at the heart of the American family."
A major strategist in John McCain's campaign was asked privately this week whether his candidate might propose cutting the payroll tax. "Yes," came the reply. "No problem. Not a big deal." He was wrong on both scores. Cutting the payroll tax, which funds Social Security, is not easy but offers a rich economic prize in this lean Republican year.
Republicans have been wary of touching the Social Security third rail of politics, ever since a re-elected President George W. Bush abandoned his reform under withering Democratic fire. Moreover, Republicans talk about offsetting payroll tax revenue loss by cutting future Social Security benefits, which contains seeds of electoral catastrophe.
Neither McCain nor his advisers seem to realize the value of the political prize that they can grasp. The regressive payroll tax oppresses most Americans, especially young men and women, and burdens small businesses that must match the tax that their employees pay. With dogma-bound Democrats unable to remedy this, the GOP has an opportunity to reach out beyond top-bracket taxpayers, big business and high finance.
About 41 percent of Americans have no income tax liability or do not file a return. But every wage-earner is hit by the payroll tax, amounting to more than they pay in income taxes for 86 percent of them. Young people are stunned when they find out how much is withheld from their first paycheck, labeled FICA. As they marry, have children and earn more money, they hate the 6.2 percent taken out of their first $97,500. In 1990, then-Sen. Robert Kasten, R-Wis., wrote, "These excessive taxes have struck at the heart of the American family."
Jesse Ventura Running for President?
Jesse Ventura Running for President?
reat ideal vs a wimp and a vagina ?
Jesse Ventura could be a sleeper ?
www.mccainalert.com
reat ideal vs a wimp and a vagina ?
Jesse Ventura could be a sleeper ?
www.mccainalert.com
Penn's Catholic Vote Critical
Catholic Vote Critical for Dems in Pa.
Understanding Pennsylvania's rich Catholic tradition and responding to it is an article of faith for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the April 22 primary looms in the still unsettled and intense Democratic presidential race.
It's a way of life -- and of thinking -- well-known to the people of Scranton, a working-class city nestled in northeast Pennsylvania where earlier generations worked in the factories, mills and coal mines -- and kneeled in prayer in Catholic church pews on Sunday morning.
Understanding Pennsylvania's rich Catholic tradition and responding to it is an article of faith for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama as the April 22 primary looms in the still unsettled and intense Democratic presidential race.
It's a way of life -- and of thinking -- well-known to the people of Scranton, a working-class city nestled in northeast Pennsylvania where earlier generations worked in the factories, mills and coal mines -- and kneeled in prayer in Catholic church pews on Sunday morning.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
HILLARY'S LIST OF LIES
HILLARY'S LIST OF LIES
By DICK MORRIS
Published on TheHill.com on March 25, 2008.
The USA Today/Gallup survey clearly explains why Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is losing. Asked whether the candidates were “honest and trustworthy,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won with 67 percent, with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) right behind him at 63. Hillary scored only 44 percent, the lowest rating for any candidate for any attribute in the poll.
Hillary simply cannot tell the truth. Here's her scorecard:
Admitted Lies
• Chelsea was jogging around the Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (She was in bed watching it on TV.)
• Hillary was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. (She admitted she was wrong. He climbed Mt. Everest five years after her birth.)
• She was under sniper fire in Bosnia. (A girl presented her with flowers at the foot of the ramp.)
• She learned in The Wall Street Journal how to make a killing in the futures market. (It didn't cover the market back then.)
Whoppers She Won't Confess To
• She didn't know about the FALN pardons.
• She didn't know that her brothers were being paid to get pardons that Clinton granted.
• Taking the White House gifts was a clerical error.
• She didn't know that her staff would fire the travel office staff after she told them to do so.
• She didn't know that the Peter Paul fundraiser in Hollywood in 2000 cost $700,000 more than she reported it had.
• She opposed NAFTA at the time.
• She was instrumental in the Irish peace process.
• She urged Bill to intervene in Rwanda.
• She played a role in the '90s economic recovery.
• The billing records showed up on their own.
• She thought Bill was innocent when the Monica scandal broke.
• She was always a Yankees fan.
• She had nothing to do with the New Square Hasidic pardons (after they voted for her 1,400-12 and she attended a meeting at the White House about the pardons).
• She negotiated for the release of refugees in Macedonia (who were released the day before she got there).
With a record like that, is it any wonder that we suspect her of being less than honest and straightforward?
Why has McCain jumped out to a nine-point lead over Obama and a seven-point lead over Hillary in the latest Rasmussen poll? OK, Obama has had the Rev. Wright mess on his hands. And Hillary has come in for her share of negatives, like the Richardson endorsement of Obama and the denouement of her latest lie — that she endured sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia. But why has McCain gained so much in so short a period of time? Most polls had the general election tied two weeks ago.
McCain's virtues require a contrast in order to stand out. His strength, integrity, solidity and dependability all are essentially passive virtues, which shine only by contrast with others. Now that Obama and Hillary are offering images that are much weaker, less honest, and less solid and dependable, good old John McCain looks that much better as he tours Iraq and Israel while the Democrats rip one another apart.
It took Nixon for us to appreciate Jimmy Carter's simple honesty. It took Clinton and Monica for us to value George W. Bush's personal character. And it takes the unseemly battle among the Democrats for us to give John McCain his due.
When Obama faces McCain in the general election (not if but when) the legacy of the Wright scandal will not be to question Obama's patriotism or love of America. It will be to ask if he has the right stuff (pardon the pun).
The largest gap between McCain and Obama in the most recent USA Today/Gallup Poll was on the trait of leadership. Asked if each man was a “strong, decisive leader,” 69 percent felt that the description fit McCain while only 56 percent thought it would apply to Obama. (61 percent said it of Hillary.) Obama has looked weak handling the Rev. Wright controversy. His labored explanation of why he attacks the sin but loves the sinner comes across as elegant but, at the same time, feeble. Obama's reluctance to trade punches with his opponents makes us wonder if he could trade them with bin Laden or Ahmadinejad. We have no doubt that McCain would gladly come to blows and would represent us well, but about Obama we are not so sure.
By DICK MORRIS
Published on TheHill.com on March 25, 2008.
The USA Today/Gallup survey clearly explains why Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is losing. Asked whether the candidates were “honest and trustworthy,” Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won with 67 percent, with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) right behind him at 63. Hillary scored only 44 percent, the lowest rating for any candidate for any attribute in the poll.
Hillary simply cannot tell the truth. Here's her scorecard:
Admitted Lies
• Chelsea was jogging around the Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (She was in bed watching it on TV.)
• Hillary was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. (She admitted she was wrong. He climbed Mt. Everest five years after her birth.)
• She was under sniper fire in Bosnia. (A girl presented her with flowers at the foot of the ramp.)
• She learned in The Wall Street Journal how to make a killing in the futures market. (It didn't cover the market back then.)
Whoppers She Won't Confess To
• She didn't know about the FALN pardons.
• She didn't know that her brothers were being paid to get pardons that Clinton granted.
• Taking the White House gifts was a clerical error.
• She didn't know that her staff would fire the travel office staff after she told them to do so.
• She didn't know that the Peter Paul fundraiser in Hollywood in 2000 cost $700,000 more than she reported it had.
• She opposed NAFTA at the time.
• She was instrumental in the Irish peace process.
• She urged Bill to intervene in Rwanda.
• She played a role in the '90s economic recovery.
• The billing records showed up on their own.
• She thought Bill was innocent when the Monica scandal broke.
• She was always a Yankees fan.
• She had nothing to do with the New Square Hasidic pardons (after they voted for her 1,400-12 and she attended a meeting at the White House about the pardons).
• She negotiated for the release of refugees in Macedonia (who were released the day before she got there).
With a record like that, is it any wonder that we suspect her of being less than honest and straightforward?
Why has McCain jumped out to a nine-point lead over Obama and a seven-point lead over Hillary in the latest Rasmussen poll? OK, Obama has had the Rev. Wright mess on his hands. And Hillary has come in for her share of negatives, like the Richardson endorsement of Obama and the denouement of her latest lie — that she endured sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia. But why has McCain gained so much in so short a period of time? Most polls had the general election tied two weeks ago.
McCain's virtues require a contrast in order to stand out. His strength, integrity, solidity and dependability all are essentially passive virtues, which shine only by contrast with others. Now that Obama and Hillary are offering images that are much weaker, less honest, and less solid and dependable, good old John McCain looks that much better as he tours Iraq and Israel while the Democrats rip one another apart.
It took Nixon for us to appreciate Jimmy Carter's simple honesty. It took Clinton and Monica for us to value George W. Bush's personal character. And it takes the unseemly battle among the Democrats for us to give John McCain his due.
When Obama faces McCain in the general election (not if but when) the legacy of the Wright scandal will not be to question Obama's patriotism or love of America. It will be to ask if he has the right stuff (pardon the pun).
The largest gap between McCain and Obama in the most recent USA Today/Gallup Poll was on the trait of leadership. Asked if each man was a “strong, decisive leader,” 69 percent felt that the description fit McCain while only 56 percent thought it would apply to Obama. (61 percent said it of Hillary.) Obama has looked weak handling the Rev. Wright controversy. His labored explanation of why he attacks the sin but loves the sinner comes across as elegant but, at the same time, feeble. Obama's reluctance to trade punches with his opponents makes us wonder if he could trade them with bin Laden or Ahmadinejad. We have no doubt that McCain would gladly come to blows and would represent us well, but about Obama we are not so sure.
McCain: Collaborate More With Allies
McCain: Collaborate More With Allies
Republican John McCain on Wednesday called anew for the United States to work more collegially with democratic allies and live up to its duties as a world leader, drawing a sharp contrast to the past eight years under President Bush.
''Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed,'' the likely presidential nominee said in a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. ''We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies,'' McCain added.
Coming days after his trip to the Middle East and Europe, McCain's speech was intended to signal to leaders abroad -- and voters at home -- that he would end an era of what critics have called Bush's cowboy diplomacy. McCain never mentioned Bush's name, though he evoked former Democratic Presidents Truman and Kennedy.
Republican John McCain on Wednesday called anew for the United States to work more collegially with democratic allies and live up to its duties as a world leader, drawing a sharp contrast to the past eight years under President Bush.
''Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed,'' the likely presidential nominee said in a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. ''We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies,'' McCain added.
Coming days after his trip to the Middle East and Europe, McCain's speech was intended to signal to leaders abroad -- and voters at home -- that he would end an era of what critics have called Bush's cowboy diplomacy. McCain never mentioned Bush's name, though he evoked former Democratic Presidents Truman and Kennedy.
overdosed on all the Clinton bullshit ?
overdosed on all the Clinton bullshit ?
I feel that the public may have overdosed on all the Hillary and Bill bullshit.
everything from
I never had sexual relations...........
I was under sniper fire...........
it's non of your business from Chelsa( while out pimping her mother)
www.mccainalert.com
more news and comment s at mccainalert.com
I feel that the public may have overdosed on all the Hillary and Bill bullshit.
everything from
I never had sexual relations...........
I was under sniper fire...........
it's non of your business from Chelsa( while out pimping her mother)
www.mccainalert.com
more news and comment s at mccainalert.com
Friday, March 28, 2008
Senator John Mccain wants to legalize hookers?
John Mccain wants to legalize hookers?
Mccain wants to legalize hookers?
is Mccain suggesting legalization of prostitution ?
did you hear the voice on the new Mccain TV spots?
it's the voice of the pimp in the HBO's Deadwood series.
Powers Boothe is the actor who played role on pimp/inn keeper
business man in the Deadwood series
sounds pretty scary to me........
yet another presidential race.
see more thoughts on senator John Mccain
Senator John Mccain wants to legalize hookers?
Mccain wants to legalize hookers?
is Mccain suggesting legalization of prostitution ?
did you hear the voice on the new Mccain TV spots?
it's the voice of the pimp in the HBO's Deadwood series.
Powers Boothe is the actor who played role on pimp/inn keeper
business man in the Deadwood series
sounds pretty scary to me........
yet another presidential race.
see more thoughts on senator John Mccain
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