I loved the articles. I spent this first year of my retirement glued to the TV watching all the cable news shows including Fox News. I don't agree with taking any of the Fox 'news' people off the air. To paraphrase: 'keep your friends close and those that aren't your friends closer so you will know what they are up to.' Fox News provides an invaluable service: they move more people to the center where most of us already are. Let them keep on serving up those 20th century talking points to the dwindling numbers on the far right. "VPC the Retired"
The Final Days
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Posted By: VPC the Retired @ 11/07/2008 7:56:29 PM
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Posted By: VPC the Retired @ 11/07/2008 7:52:12 PM
I loved the articles. I spent this first year of my retirement glued to the TV watching all the cable news shows including Fox News. I don't agree with taking any of the Fox 'news' people off the air. To paraphrase: 'keep your friends close and those that aren't your friends closer so you will know what they are up to.' Fox News provides an invaluable service: they move more people to the center where most of us already are. Let them keep on serving up those 20th century talking points to the dwindling numbers on the far right. "VPC the Retired"
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Posted By: ernst08 @ 11/07/2008 4:44:02 PM
It clearly shows that both are not qualified. McCain making the first major decision in selecting unqualitied Palin as VP.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 6:59:05 PM
She was his 3rd choice. She was shoved down his throat by the Rovian-wing of the party.
If McCain had picked Hagel of Nebraska, Collins of Maine, heck... dozens of qualified non-ideologues with solid credentials, Mr. McCain would be the 44th President of the United States.
I also volunteer for my States Democratic party in every election. I am just giving my loyal opposition a heads up on what I believe was the flaw.-
Posted By: Fireword @ 11/07/2008 7:09:55 PM
Had he chosen Lieberman or Pawlenty, he would have lost almost all of the Republican "base." (Would someone please actually describe, honestly, who they're referring to with that term?) On the other hand, if he wants to be president, he should have the stones not to be force fed anything, by Rove or anyone else.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 7:39:06 PM
The base would have had to choose between a moderate R and Moderate R or two Liberals.
If they are an actual base, they would have chosen R.
I am not nearly as liberal as my parties candidates, but chose them over McCain and Palin.
The 'base' that the GOP has left is not where the election could have been won. Rove drove enough into my party with his "Republican in Name Only RINO" stuff. They maintained discipline over ideas. They cronied up. None of that leads to what Rove promised, a 100 year majority. In fact, Blue made gains across the nation in turnout and races. Wins in the House and Senate will be difficult to recover from.
That "Base" needs to turn out the lights, they are the 35%-45% depending on state that will self identify with the GOP. The numbers of Independents are growing.
McCain settled on Palin as a 3rd choice and she answered the celebrity question with a rolling train-wreck performance. People will show up to see a train wreck. They will not buy train tickets.
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Posted By: midwesternwoman @ 11/07/2008 6:57:58 PM
Thank you to a Republican for a thoughtful reply, from a Democrat
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Posted By: RockyMountainHigh @ 11/07/2008 7:33:41 PM
The hate-spewers on the right really disturb me. I didn't vote for W (a thing I've grown inreasingly prouder of as time has gone by) but I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt when he first took office and we all rallied around him after 9/11. He earned his low approval ratings, though, along with the contempt of thinking people everywhere. The G.O.P., on the other hand, won't even wait until Obama takes office before they start laying into him. For all those who claim they love this country, especially those who call themselves "Christians," why not try a little Christian charity and gived our new President a chance?
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Posted By: ademeyer @ 11/07/2008 12:18:26 PM
These articles pretty much confirmed what I sensed watching the campaign. It's amazing how incompetent the Republicans were, considering they had all that time during the democratic primary season to get their act together. And, Hillary wasn't much better, which was exactly what I sensed, and the reason why I caucused for Obama.
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Posted By: jamaal @ 11/07/2008 4:39:03 PM
The Republicans are eating their dessert of failure and incompetence. I hate them all. We should never let them get in office again even if we have to "stuff" the boxes. Obama rules. He is a great new American Superstar who will show the World that a black man can rule effectively. I hope he crams tons of legislation down the throats of the Republicans.
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Posted By: onegemini77 @ 11/07/2008 7:30:03 PM
Hi jamaal. I will not go as far as some other comments calling you an idiot. You have your opinions and are entitled to them. Please keep in mind though, that republicans are just as American as you or I. I do not agree with their policies and I certainly am glad we have President-Elect Obama. I have found a reason to be proud of my country once more (Always love my country, but the last 8 years have been shameful).
Anyway, we should never resort to cheating (stuffing boxes). That is against the very morale fiber that many of us are trying to protect, the high road is not the easy road and we can only lead by example. The Rovian tactics will not go away and negativity in campaigns will always be there, but President-Elect Obama has proven that a well planned and thoughtful campaign can persevere.
I would caution you Jamaal not to stoop to the lows I have seen from many here who post thoughtless comments out ignorance. I have friends who are republicans and though I disagree with their politics, they are still my friends. I can understand your frustration, especially after 8 years of republican leadership. Yet we lived through it, just like republicans will live through the next 4 years of Democratic leadership (Looking forward to 8 years too).
I found this article to be very interesting. It simply confirmed many of the things I thought about the McCain campaign. I can not understand some people's fascination with Palin, The McCain campaign should have dropped her from the ticket. It may have been late in the campaign to do so, but they probably would have had a better chance.
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Posted By: DummieHater @ 11/07/2008 7:04:38 PM
Grow up, People. Does everyone know every aspect of everyone in the family ? If you say yes, that makes you either a person with a family of two or a liar. There are married couples where one spouse keeps secrets from the other. Maybe, just maybe, she kept her immigration status silent because she honored his future aspirations. Do people run for office in a vacuum, Dummie? If he was not born in the US, the FBI or CIA would have discovered it. Your level og ignorance is simply astounding. A sealed file is under no circumstance a deterrent for a backgrond check for someone runnign. It's people like you who make me ashamed to be an American!
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 7:28:22 PM
I'd sponsor Obama's aunt for citizenship. After what the R's did with H1 Visas, I'd sponsor her just to nanny my kids. The Obama family all seems decent to me. I also have lived in Kenya amongst Kikuyu people and was very very well treated. A very honorable and noble folk.
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Posted By: a moderate Republican @ 11/07/2008 4:48:05 PM
A few thoughts. Both Obama and Palin were unqualified, but both will gain experience in the coming years. That is what good advisers are for. Biden made the most gaffes, but was ignored by the media which was in the tank for Obama. That said, I do wish Obama great success. Maybe he'll successfully govern like Clinton (who moved to the center, and who I actually voted for in 1996). Bush was an embarrassment for us Republicans. I regret the truly bipartisan McCain didn't win in 2000 (slimed by Bush). I dislike the partisans on both sides who want the other side to fail just so that they'll do better in the next election. It's good to "clean house" every few years on both the presidential and congressional levels - both sides let power corrupt. One benefit of Obama's election is that it lifts the spirit of blacks, who certainly have gotten the short end of the stick (going back to slavery, but unfair treatment continues today). We need to have one America. Let's get to work.
Re: the sliming of Palin. I would be greatly disappointed in her if the rumors of her clothing spending sprees were true. But I sincerely doubt that she (the least wealthy among Obama, McCain, Biden, and Palin) would even know how to spend all that money, or even have the time to shop. Why not ask the Secret Service to clear this up (just like they denied hearing anyone yell "Kill Obama" at one of her rallies). They had been at her side during her entire campaign.-
Posted By: midwesternwoman @ 11/07/2008 6:56:35 PM
From a
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Posted By: DummieHater @ 11/07/2008 7:27:45 PM
I really thank you for the comments. If there were more Republicans such as yourself, I believe that many more minorities would be drawn to your party. I think it a shame that JC Watts was not given more of a role in the campaign. As for Obama, I think he's savvy enough to move to the center. He has too many Clinton people not to. Also, there are rumblings that he is going to appoint a Republican or two to his cabinet. How do you feel about that? With regard to Palin, she may gain the knowlede but she will nver be polished enough to be taken too seriously. Yo be held back as a vice predidial candidate is one thing. To take the lead is quite another.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 6:56:04 PM
Leave the Secret Service completely out of the equation, please. You can get reciepts and do an audit.
The Protection Function is only possible if they have complete access and trust of the candidates.
Once there is a new Administration, start pumping out FOIA's to the Federal Election Comission.
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Posted By: DummieHater @ 11/07/2008 7:14:35 PM
I say this. I am an independent who would have voted for McCain if he hadn't gone so negative. One could see that he was out of his element resorting to those tactics. I could even overlook that but his choice of Palin was a deal breaker for me. It seemed that she was chosen to gain the support of the angry Hillary supporters. It's just a shame. John McCain is a very descent man who strayed from his strength. If America had seen more of the man that gave the classy concession speak, he may have won the race.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 7:25:42 PM
Randy Schunemann, screwed McCain right out of the White House with his Neo Con stuff, from the "There will be wars and more wars" to his handling of Palin. Schunemann was a registered foreign lobbyist for Georgian President Saakashvili and Represented Achmed Chalabi prior to the Iraq war. That guy sells wars for Profit and saw Palin as a ready customer and McCain a fellow traveler.
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Posted By: jlgab @ 11/07/2008 6:56:54 PM
It is a bit disturbing that McCain got as many votes as he did. McCain can't say he is going to be CHANGE after he voted for and supported Bush's stupid and corrupt decisions.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 7:17:52 PM
I suspect that he did not get nearly as many actual votes as has been tabulted for him.
Until all of the election equipment is completely auditable right down to the final tabulating process, elections can and will be stolen.
See "Hacking Democracy" on HBO Documentaries on demand.
I do not believe Bachmann in Minnesota or Franken in Minnesota got honest counts or results.
The ghosts are in the machines.
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Posted By: willow207 @ 11/07/2008 7:14:15 PM
Someone tell Palin to
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Posted By: RockyMountainHigh @ 11/07/2008 7:08:50 PM
Actually, the candidate who wasn't born in the U.S. was John McCain. His dad was stationed overseas when he was born, but he was born on an American military base to American parents. If you have one American parent that gives you the right to full citizenship. Which is an entirely moot point in Obama's case, because he was born in the United States. Hawaii, in case nobody noticed, is part of the United States!
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Posted By: a moderate Republican @ 11/07/2008 4:21:52 PM
Surprisingly, the "youth vote" turn-out was actually only slightly higher than in 2004. However, the Republican voter turn-out was down.
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Posted By: Braes @ 11/07/2008 7:00:47 PM
The only thing that would actually create a youth vote of any proportion is compulsory national service.
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Posted By: jlgab @ 11/07/2008 6:52:05 PM
A gracious concession speech by McCain. Alas, it was not his time, his time was in 2000. McCain sold his soul when he aligned himself with the very people who caused him to lose the GOP nominee in 2000 by using dirty underhanded tactics. McCain's # 1 problem-BUSH, his second biggest problem-Palin.
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Posted By: jlgab @ 11/07/2008 6:50:26 PM
FINALLY, a positive future to look forward to. Thank Goodness - what a glorious, happy, encouraging, and hopeful time! Maybe now tolerance can be taught instead of hatred. I only pray the Lord watches over and protects Obama for his safety. The fact that most of the world agrees with the PEOPLE'S choice of this election should tell us something - the MAJORITY of us know what that is.
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Posted By: mcmere @ 11/07/2008 6:39:50 PM
Where are your copy editors? Robert Jordan is the lead character in For Whom The Bell Tolls, not A Farewell to Arms.
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Posted By: PWilly @ 11/07/2008 6:07:11 PM
The McCain speech by Salter was one of the best I've ever heard by anyone. I really came to a different opinion of McCain just by the sincerity of that speech. It was elegant, gracious, and spoken from a true American patriot. That speech will be remembered by many forever.
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Posted By: TLJinAZ @ 11/07/2008 6:27:59 PM
McCain's concession speech seemed like the first time during the entire presidential run that he was able to be himself. It was dignified, courageous and honorable.
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Posted By: TLJinAZ @ 11/07/2008 6:25:13 PM
Who really wrote Chapter 7? It was not as engaging as the others but served a purpose. Chapters 1-6 added four new words to my vocabulary. I enjoyed reading the article. Now that I have learned more about the real McCain, he seems a lot less scary and mean-spirited. It would be great if McCain were to work on some real positive change here in AZ. Obama has a lot of fixing up to do from the White House. I look forward to the change. As Americans, we made a collective choice by our individual votes. Moving forward as individuals, President-Elect Obama, what can we do to continue to help you help us?
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Posted By: @Maria@ @ 11/07/2008 4:40:16 PM
Great. It was interesting to see a face of Mc Cain that the media does not show. the one of true honor and courage. As an Obamaite, I surprise myself by thinking that the campaign's circumstances weren't fair to Mc Cain. He didn't have a chance to show who he really was and talk about the many sacrifices he has made for this country. Thank you.
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Posted By: Snorkeldorf @ 11/07/2008 6:20:17 PM
I disagree. Sen. McCain had plenty of opportunity to show his true colors - whatever they might be - he was, after all, "the maverick," right? I think he succumbed to bad advice from his handlers who knew nothing else but the "win-at-all-cost" slimeball tactics that had served Bush so well. This time, however, the electorate had had enough of that.
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Posted By: blackpope @ 11/07/2008 2:46:53 PM
I want more!!!! Three days of going to work and not working...best series i have read in a long time....I want more!!!!
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Posted By: ptandco @ 11/07/2008 6:11:01 PM
Me too! I printed these all out and place between work paper and just started reading. Great article. I liked John McCain in 2000 but deplored him in 2008 - now I just think it is all so sad that he wasn't strong enough to follow his own instincts and be the man he always was. So the outcome was the best - Obama will surround himself with smart advisers and make smart but tough decisions. I really don't know how in the world he is going to give middle class working Americans a tax break - we just owe way too much to foreign countries - Thank you President Bush.
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Posted By: CallmeKong @ 11/07/2008 6:03:49 PM
You are kidding about Palin for 2012 right? It make me laugh so hard when i heard something about she is planning to run for president in 2012. 70% American people are scare to death of her to become a vice president, so what make you think she has a chance in 2012? Just like you wanna Jeff Bush running for president in 2012!!!! My god, she didnt even know Africa is a continent instead she thought Africa is a country.
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