Obama's Celebrity Cred

Boehner calls on Dems to buck Pelosi
Politico The Crypt By Martin Kady Aug. 05, 2008

House Republicans can't take this energy debate anywhere without the help of a few Democrats, so they're targeting the most vulnerable Democrats out there: the freshmen.

Responding to today's Politico story suggesting that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is letting some of her freshmen in tough districts off the hook on drilling, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has called on Democrats to sign a discharge petition that would force the speaker to bring up the Republican energy bill.

"My message to Democratic lawmakers is this: if you???re really for increased American energy production, then prove it by putting it in writing," Boehner said. "Sign the discharge petitions House Republicans are circulating that will force votes on energy legislation Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring to the floor. "

Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) and Don Cazayoux (D-La.) have both asked Democratic leaders to consider new oil drilling legislation, but Pelosi seems unwilling to allow a major energy package to move before the election.

Freedom's Watch Criticizes Dems' 'Summer Vacation' in New Web Ad
The Hill by Walter Alarkon Aug. 05, 2008

A new Web ad by conservative advocacy group Freedom's Watch lambastes Democrats in Congress for failing to tackle rising energy prices.

The ad, called "Son of a Beach" begins by describing the plight of the average working American who must pay a mortgage and and for fuel.

"What do the liberals in Congress have on their mind? Summer Vacation," the ad's narrator states. "They're taking the rest of the summer off."

Set to a 1960s-style surf rock tune, the ad mocks the Democrats' decision to go on recess without a vote on lifting the ban on offshore drilling. It features prominent Democratic senators and congressmen rollerblading, playing volleyball, reading on the beach and playing golf.

The ad ends with a narrator urging viewers to "Call the Do Nothing Democrats in Congress and tell them to get back to work on the important issues."

McCain Has Slight Leads Over Obama in Two National Polls
The Hill by Walter Alarkon Aug. 05, 2008

John McCain holds statistically insignificant leads over Barack Obama in two prominent national presidential polls.

McCain is up on Obama, 42 percent to 41 percent, in the latest Zogby poll, released Monday. Zogby???s most recent numbers represent a significant turnaround from last month, when Obama led McCain 46-36.

Zogby???s release also noted that McCain appeared to be eroding Obama???s level of support within some of the Democrat???s most important demographic groups.

Among voters aged 18-29, McCain gained 20 percentage points from last month, while Obama dropped 16 points. Among women, McCain slashed Obama???s lead to 43-38, a margin down 10 points from last month. And among independents, the two candidates are now tied; Obama held an 11-point lead last month.

???The McCain camp seems to have turned lemons into lemonade,??? said pollster John Zobgy in a statement. ???Huge crowds and mostly favorable press reviews of Obama???s overseas trip have been trumped by McCain???s attacks on Obama.???

???Loss of support for Obama among young voters may also be due to his perceived reversals on issues they care about, such as the war and government eavesdropping,??? Zogby added.

For the second straight day, McCain also leads Obama in Rasmussen???s daily presidential tracking poll, 47 percent to 46 percent, including ???leaners.???

While the past two days represent the first time McCain has led Obama since the Illinois senator wrapped up the Democratic nomination June 3, Rasmussen???s numbers have consistently indicated a tight race most of the summer. Obama has not held a lead greater than 7 percentage points during the same period.

Bush rips Democrats for opposing offshore drilling
MyWay By H. Josef Hebert Aug. 02, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush chastised Democrats on Saturday for refusing to allow a vote on whether to lift the federal ban on offshore oil drilling before lawmakers departed for their summer recess.

"To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at home," Bush said in his weekly radio address. It was the fourth time this week that he has called for Congress to end the drilling restrictions off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Some of the drilling moratoriums have been in place since 1981 for environmental reasons and concerns that energy development might harm coastal tourist industries.

Bush acknowledged it would be years before any of the oil beneath the offshore waters could be pumped, but he said "lifting the ban would create new opportunities for American workers and businessmen."

"But the leaders of the Democratic Congress have refused to allow a vote" on whether the drilling moratoriums should be lifted, Bush complained.


My Commentary:

If, as the Democrats maintain, that approval for exploration and drilling in offshore locations would not affect the price of oil, and would not increase the supply of oil for several years (often touted as the magic number 10 years), why not grant approval now to test that theory, and provide several thousands of well-paying jobs to stimulate the economy?

Do Democrats actually fear that their rigid assertions would be proven to be false?

Pelosi: At-risk Dems back drilling
by Martin Kady II & Patrick O???Connor Politico 8/5/08

California: Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet ??? but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans apply more and more rhetorical muscle.

But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she???s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill.

Pelosi???s gambit rests on one big assumption: that Democrats will own Washington after the election and will be able to craft a sweeping energy policy that is heavy on conservation and fuel alternatives while allowing for some new oil drilling. Democrats see no need to make major concessions on energy policy with a party poised to lose seats in both chambers in just three months ??? even if recess-averse Republicans continue to pound away on the issue.

McCain visiting motorcycle rally, nuke power plant
by GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Yahoo News Mon. Aug. 4, 2008

STURGIS, S.D. - Thousands of motorcyclists greeted Republican presidential candidate John McCain with an approving roar Monday as he sought blue-collar and heartland support by visiting a giant motorcycle rally.

"As you may know, not long ago a couple hundred thousand Berliners made a lot of noise for my opponent. I'll take the roar of 50,000 Harleys any day," McCain said, referring to Democrat Barack Obama's recent visit to the German capital.

Billed as the largest event of its kind in the world, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has become something of an annual bikers' Woodstock during the past 70 years. It features nine nights of entertainment, with bands including Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon.

McCain played to a crowd that paused for a veterans salute. He criticized Obama for supporting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq while opposing efforts to reduce record-high energy prices.

"My opponent wants to set a date to come home. I want us to come home with victory and honor so we will never go back again," the Arizona senator said.

McCain also criticized Congress for adjourning for a five-week recess without approving a new energy plan.
"Tell em' to come back and get to work," McCain said, yelling into the microphone. "When I'm president of the United States, I'm not going to let them go on vacation. They're gonna become energy independent."

McCain was accompanied by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who has been mentioned as a potential running mate. He had warned the McCain campaign that a politician might receive an unfriendly welcome, but McCain relished the warm embrace.

His wife, Cindy, also paid tribute to the crowd, saying: "I'd like to thank all of you for your support of our troops, and here's why: I'm many things in my life, and one thing I'd like to be is your first lady. But more importantly, I'm Jack McCain's mother and Jimmy McCain's mother, one in the U.S. Navy and another one in the Marine Corps, an Iraqi vet."

Rasmussen Reports
Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
Sunday, August 03, 2008

Obama - 44%
McCain - 43%

With leaners:

Obama - 47%
McCain - 46%


69 % of voters have seen or heard news coverage of McCains ad including Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Just 22% believe the Spears/Hilton ad was racist.

Most say OBAMAS COMMENT about not looking like other Presidents on the dollar bill WAS RACIST.

McCain is currently viewed favorably by 56% of voters.
Obama is currently viewed favorably by 54%.of voters.

McCain earns positive reviews from 85% of Republicans.
Obama earns positive reviews from 83% of Democrats.

Among UNAFFILIATED voters, 61% have a favorable opinion of McCain.
Among UNAFFILIATED voters, 47% have a favorable opinion of Obama.

Cindy McCain is viewed favorably by 50% of American voters.
Michelle Obama is viewed favorably by 46% of American voters.

INTERVIEW with author of new book called THE OBAMA NATION by Dr. Jerome Corsi, Ph.d

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdFs6hjPnyw

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgaGFITnTAQ

Is this McCain's idea of taking the high road? What a loser.