A: They're all landmark Supreme Court decisions that Sarah Palin can't name.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. After all, the video has yet to be released. (Note to CBS: RELEASE IT!)
However, when asked about Supreme Court decisions, Palin apparently couldn't discussa single decision besides Roe v. Wade*. (The list I included in the title is far from exhaustive, seeing as she couldn't name ONE other case.)
ABC News blog repeats lie created by right-wing wackos, but has since corrected the report when confronted with facts:
It was meant as a sign of respect, but now conservatives are saying
Sen. Barack Obama's invocation of his "hero bracelet" bearing the name
of a fallen soldier is being done against the family's wishes.
Based on comments the mother of the family gave to the Associated Press today, however, that does not appear to be true. [. . . .]
Conservatives are now criticizing Obama for exploiting a fallen
soldier whose mother has asked him to stop wearing the bracelet or
mentioning her son's name.
I wasn't able to get through to Tracy Jopek, but she spoke to a reporter at the Associated Press
today. She confirmed her ex-husband's recollection that she'd emailed
the campaign to ask them to request that the senator not mention her
son on the stump.
But she said she was "ecstatic" that Obama mentioned her son's hero
bracelet during Friday's debate. That's because he was responding to
McCain citing a different griveing mother's hero bracelet as a way to
back his political views of the war in Iraq and citing the bracelet
she'd given Obama was a good and appropriate way to remind people there
are different views on this issue.
CAFFERTY: There's a reason the McCain campaign keeps Governor Sarah
Palin away from the press. I want to play an excerpt from an interview
that Palin did with the "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric where
she was asked about the bailout package. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KATIE COURIC, "CBS EVENING NEWS": Why isn't it better, Governor Palin,
to spend $700 billion helping middle class families who are struggling
with health care, housing, gas and groceries, allow them to spend more
and put more money into the economy, instead of helping these big
financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?
GOV. SARAH PALIN (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That's why I say I,
like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position
that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out.
But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned
about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our
economy, helping -- Oh, it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring
up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health care
reform and reducing taxes, and reining in spending has got to accompany
tax reductions and tax relief for Americans.
And trade, we've
got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But
one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today.
We've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under
the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CAFFERTY: [stares at camera for a few withering seconds in silence]
Did you get that? If John McCain wins, this woman will be one
72-year-old's heartbeat away from being president of the United States.
And if that doesn't scare the hell out of you, it should. [. . . .]
I'm 65 and have been covering politics, as have you, for a long time.
That is one of the most pathetic pieces of tape I have ever seen for
someone aspiring to one of the highest offices in this country.
[shrugs] That's
all I have to say.
BLITZER: Yeah, but she's cramming a lot of information --
CAFFERTY: There's no excuse for that. She's supposed to know a little bit of this. You know, don't make excuses for her. That's pathetic.
BLITZER: It was not her best answer. I agree with you on that.
Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be
vice president. She is a feisty, charismatic politician who has done
some good things in Alaska. But she has never spent a day thinking
about any important national or international issue, and this is a hell
of a time to start. [. . . .]
In these times, for John McCain
to have chosen this person to be his running mate is fundamentally
irresponsible. McCain says that he always puts country first. In this
important case, it is simply not true.
Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker of The National Review:
Palin’s recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now
Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident
candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League.
No one hates
saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I’ve been pulling for
Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I’ve
also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an
anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets
too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is
exhausted. [. . . .]
Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She
can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend
more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts
her family first.
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, with Amy Poehler as Katie Couric:
POEHLER AS COURIC: "On foreign policy, I want to give you one more
chance to explain your claim that you have foreign policy experience
based on Alaska's proximity to Russia. What did you mean by that?"
FEY AS PALIN: "Well, Alaska and Russia are only separated by a
narrow maritime border. (using her hands to illustrate) You got Alaska
here, this right here is water, and this is Russia. So, we keep an eye
on them."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "And how do you do that exactly?"
FEY AS PALIN: "Every morning, when Alaskans wake up, one of
the first things they do, is look outside to see if there are any
Russians hanging around. And if there are, you gotta go up to them and
ask, 'What are you doing here?' and if they can't give you a good
reason, it's our responsibility to say, you know, 'Shoo! Get back over
there!'
POEHLER AS COURIC: "Senator McCain attempted to shut down his
political campaign this week in order to deal with the economic crisis.
What's your opinion of this potential 700 billion dollar bailout?"
FEY AS PALIN: "Like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill
about this. We're saying, 'Hey, why bail out Fanny and Freddie and not
me?' But ultimately what the bailout does is, help those that are
concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up
our economy to help...uh...it's gotta be all about job creation, too.
Also, too, shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddy back on
the right track and so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and
reigning in spending...'cause Barack Obama, y'know...has got to
accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans, also, having a
dollar value meal at restaurants. That's gonna help. But one in five
jobs being created today under the umbrella of job creation. That, you
know...Also..."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "What lessons have you learned from Iraq and how specifically, would you spread democracy abroad?"
FEY AS PALIN: "Specifically, we would make every effort possible to spread democracy abroad to those who want it."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "Yes, but specifically what would you do?"
FEY AS PALIN: "We're gonna promote freedom. Usher in democratic values and ideals. And fight terror-loving terrorists."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "But again, and not to belabor the point. One specific thing."
(several seconds of FEY and POEHLER staring at each other)
FEY AS PALIN: "Katie, I'd like to use one of my lifelines."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "I'm sorry?"
FEY AS PALIN: "I want to phone a friend."
POEHLER AS COURIC: "You don't have any lifelines."
FEY AS PALIN: "Well in that case I'm gonna just have to get back to you!"
Sarah Palin as Sarah Palin, with Katie Couric as Katie Couric:
On Alaska being next to Russia, and therefore somehow having something to do with national security: see this post.
On the economic crisis, and inexplicably, several other issues:
Tina Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin is either really funny because it was so close to Palin's actual interview, or it was really terrifying because the sketch and the actual interview were nearly identical.
Obviously, I think Palin is a terrible choice for VP, especially considering that she'd be the next in line after McCain (age 72 with a history of recurring cancer). Even putting that aside, this interview is phenomenally bad.
I actually started to feel sorry for Palin. She's in waaay over her head. Maybe if she had another 5-10 years, she'd be ready to run on a national ticket, but this came much too early for her.
COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?
PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--
COURIC: Mock?
PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.
COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.
PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--
COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.
So McCain freaked out today and decided that he wants to postpone/cancel the first presidential debate (potentially causing $5.5 million in economic ramifications) ...and postpone or cancel the VP debate....ostensibly because there's economic turmoil on Wall Street.
So, because there's a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take
90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world,
including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and
possibly die.
Wow. Troops would sure love that luxury.
Unfortunately, though, insurgents in Iraq don't stop shooting at us,
or setting IEDs, because our Commander in Chief needs a breather to
figure out Wall Street.
McCain also postpones his campaign (whatever THAT means), cancels his appearance
on David Letterman tonight by claiming that he had to get to DC right
away, and then goes over to Katie Couric's studio (in NYC) and films a
live interview. Dave wasn't too happy about that.
In COMPLETELY UNRELATED news:
McCain is behind Obama by 9 points in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, by 3 points in the latest Gallup poll, and by 6 points (45-39) in the latest Fox News poll. (Oops! Edited to add latest Time/CNN poll, which shows Obama making signficant ground in swing states.)
Again, that's COMPLETELY UNRELATED.
Laura Bush says Palin doesn't have foreign policy experience (direct quote: "Of course she doesn't have that.")
Frankly I have had it, and I know a lot of other women out there who
are with me on this. I have had enough of the sexist treatment of Sarah
Palin. It has to end.
She was in New York on Tuesday meeting with world leaders at the U.N. And what did the McCain campaign do?
They tried to ban reporters from covering those meetings. And they did ban reporters from asking Gov. Palin any questions.
I call upon the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower who will wilt at any moment.
This woman is from Alaska for crying out loud. She is strong, she is
tough, she is confident. And you claim she is ready to be one heartbeat
away from the presidency. If that is the case, then end this
chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff.
Allow her to face down those pesky reporters just like Barack Obama did today, just like John McCain did today. Just like Joe Biden has done on numerous occasions. Let her have a real news conference with real questions.
By treating Sarah Palin differently from other candidates in this race, you are not showing her the respect she deserves.
Free Sarah Palin.
Free her from the chauvinistic chains you are binding her with.
Sexism in this campaign must come to an end. Sarah Palin has as much a
right to be a real candidate in this race as the men do.
Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way
Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations
of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more
example of his leading the charge for more oversight?
Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with
his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's
paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and
representatives did for us.
Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been
chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always
sided with less regulation, not more.
Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots
from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party.
Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the
need to reform government.
Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples?
Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action.
Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly
taking a stand on this?
Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain
has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his
leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.
Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to
belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for
more regulation.
Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.
(Shouldn't she be able to answer that question? God, this was a painful interview -- even worse than the one she did with Charlie Gibson. Yeah.)
In summary -- not a good week for McCain . . . and that's only through Wednesday.
In the current Weekly Standard, Steven Hayward argues that the nation’s founders wanted uncertified citizens to hold the highest offices in the land. They did not believe in a separate class of professional executives. They wanted rough and rooted people like Palin.
I would have more sympathy for this view if I hadn’t just lived through the last eight years. For if the Bush administration was anything, it was the anti-establishment attitude put into executive practice.
And the problem with this attitude is that, especially in his first term, it made Bush inept at governance. It turns out that governance, the creation and execution of policy, is hard. It requires acquired skills. Most of all, it requires prudence.
Ouch. I certainly wasn't expecting that from David Brooks, but kudos to him for valuing the truth over party loyalty.
Following his loss to George W. Bush in the 2000 South Carolina primary, John McCain did something extraordinary: He confessed to lying about how he felt about the Confederate battle flag, which he actually abhorred. "I broke my promise to always tell the truth," McCain said. Now he has broken that promise so completely that the John McCain of old is unrecognizable. He has become the sort of politician he once despised. [. . . .]
I am one of the journalists accused over the years of being in the tank for McCain. Guilty.
[. . . .]
What impressed me most about McCain was the effect he had on his audiences, particularly young people. When he talked about service to a cause greater than oneself, he struck a chord. He expressed his message in words, but he packaged it in the McCain story -- that man, beaten to a pulp, who chose honor over freedom. This had nothing to do with access. It had to do with integrity.
McCain has soiled all that.
I guess Cohen doesn't plan on attending any more of McCain's legendary BBQ cookouts for the press. Then again, I doubt that he'd be invited again.
To top it all off, McCain himself got McSnarky with Mika Brzezinski on today's Morning Joe.
Sam Stein at the Huffington Post writes about the exchange here:
Most glaringly, McCain openly sparred with Brzezinski, whom he accused of being an open supporter of Obama. Asked by the host to assess whether an ad attacking him on the economy was out of bounds, McCain replied:
"I'll leave that for the American people to decide. I still say to you, and I know you are a supporter of Senator Obama, if you would urge him to come and do town all meetings with me as I have asked him to do time after time the whole tenor of the campaign would change."
The charge created an awkward and tense environment for the rest of the segment, with Brzezinski forced to note (as she has done in the past) that one of her brothers works for the McCain campaign (another brother works for Obama, and her father was once an adviser).
"Senator," she said, "as a characterized Barack Obama supporter, I take objection. I'll just say, take care of my brother working at the campaign."
"Thanks," replied McCain, "that was a cheap shot."
Because if they are, these videos should make an impact:
On Bloomburg News:
And on This Week:
Before the right-wing spin machine tries to deflect the impact of this statement by saying that Greenspan is some kind of "liberal elitist" (yeah, we all know that's BS, but so is everything else they're saying), remember this: Greenspan endorsed McCain in April. His exact words: "I'm Republican and I support John McCain, who I know very well and who I respect a lot."
Just for fun, here's a clip of McCain talking about Alan Greenspan last October:
UPDATE: Sorry, I forgot to add this handy-dandy graphic from The Washington Post which shows how McCain's and Obama's tax plans compare. Sounds good to me . . . I could use an extra $1K+ . . . how about you? (Click to enlarge the graphic.)
(I'm showing some major self-restraint here, because what I really want to do is scream obscenities and throw things.)
You have got to be FRICKIN' kidding me.
I get up this morning to find that McCain just can't lay off the lies with his newest smear ad against Obama. Guess he can't quit cold-turkey, even though everyone and their brother are calling him out for his vile, offensive, deceitful ads.
This newest ad (find it on your own -- I don't want to sully my blog with such garbage), like all of his previous ads of late, has absolutely NOTHING substantial in it. Instead of talking about REAL ISSUES, this ad spends the entire 30 seconds accusing Obama and Biden of attacking Palin -- which they haven't done, of course. The ad uses quotes taken COMPLETELY out of context to bolster their claim lies.
The ad says "they said she was doing 'what she was told.' " But the Obama adviser who's being quoted didn't accuse Palin of meekly following orders. What he actually said is that she made a false claim about Obama's legislative record and added, "maybe that's what she was told."
It says "they lashed out at Sarah Palin; dismissed her as 'good looking,' " But "they" didn't lash out at all. Obama – who is the one pictured – didn't say anything like that. The only one the McCain campaign quotes is Obama's running mate, Biden, and he actually offered the remark as a compliment. Biden said the "obvious" difference between Palin and himself is "she's good looking."
The ad says Obama was "disrespectful" when he accused Palin of "lying" about her record. But the truth is Palin's claim to have "said no" to the "bridge to nowhere" is indeed a dubious one, as we and many have pointed out.
ENOUGH!!!
As an American citizen, you need to view this video RIGHT NOW. Take the 3 minutes and 31 seconds to watch how McCain's lies and "distortions" match up side-by-side with the TRUE quotes in context.
Finally, some TRUTH.
Pass this video along to everyone you know.
The McCain campaign is using these reprehensible smear tactics to manipulate Americans. We, the people, deserve to hear the TRUTH.
