The headline on Drudge, FOX News, OMSNBC, CNN, you name it, even the AP ...
"McCain: I'll whip Obama's you-know-what in this debate".
The byline should read:
"Steve: what the you-know-what took so long?"
Seriously, the one thing this week I liked the most ... was Barry pointing out "he didn't say it to my face". No, he didn't Barry. Which is why you're up 7 in the Daily Gallop, up 4 in the Zogby.
(Both down 4 from where you were after the debate).
Here's hoping that Wednesday night, John McCain points out the obvious: Barack Obama will raise taxes on folks who pay 82% of the taxpayers in this country. Ignore his ridiculous 95% won't see an increase statistic. He can only use that stat ... because the top 5% of wage-earners pay 82% of the taxes in this country! That isn't progressive taxation, that's robbery!
Here's hoping that Wednesday night, John McCain points out that Barack Obama wants to turn a full 1/7th of the US Economy over to the exclusive control of the government by nationalizing health care. While I agree, health INSURANCE needs reform ... if you can name me a single government agency that has ever operated within budget paramaters and hasn't grown exponentially out of control, then maybe I'll consider Barry for President.
But most of all, here's hoping John McCain states the obvious. Barack Obama is the 2nd largest recipient of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae payments in Senate history ... and he's been there for 144 days of service. Barack Obama employs as his economic advisor Franklin Raines, who made off with $90 million of Fannie Mae's cash as it was going under. Barack Obama employed as his VP coordinator Freddie Mac's former head. And have I mentioned lately that Barack Obama launched his political career in the living room of a man who bombed the Pentagon?
I plan to live blog the debate for as long as I can stomach Barry's lies and outright misstatements. (Namely, until my bashing the television in the computer room makes it stop working). Until then, those of you who know me and my mom, let this one sink in:
We're both backing the same candidate for President. For the first time since I started caring about politics. My mom will never be accused of being a loony liberal. I will never be accused of being a social conservative. And yet, pulling into her driveway this weekend and seeing the McCain / Palin sign proudly planted in the front yard, I only had one thought:
How do I steal this bad boy for myself and not have her notice it's gone?
(I have voted Clinton / Gore / Bush / and will vote McCain, for those interested. Yes, my party has left me ...)
How refreshing to think that thought, and not have it be in a saboteur, "Mole"-ish kind of way ...
(Vote McCain! 23 days! YES WE CAN (defeat Barry)!!!)
Showing posts with label mccain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mccain. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
my friends ...
Its really very simple.
As President Bush noted in the one great speech of his life, following 9/11 ... either you are with us, or you are against us.
Either you vote McCain ... or you return to 40% marginal tax rates that will be the final nail in the economic coffin.
Either you vote McCain ... or you unleash the holy hell that "universal health care" is upon the nation. (Ask the Brits and Canadians what they think of it).
And while you're at it, ask Barry how he's gonna finance it. In Canada, its through a massive fuel tax. You think you're paying a lot at the pump now? Elect Barry. You'll dream of the days $2.87 / gallon was reasonable.
Either you vote McCain ... or we will surrender in Iraq. And if we surrender in Iraq, say hello to a nuclear armed Iran.
Either you vote McCain ... or you vote for a man whose political career was launched in the living room of a man who attempted to blow up the Pentagon! Hello! This isn't rumor, this isn't speculation, its f*cking fact! And Barry can deny the ties all he wants, the bottom line is that Barry wrote the freaking forward for Ayers' book! You don't write a forward for someone's rantings on paper ... UNLESS YOU AGREE WITH WHAT IS BEING WRITTEN!
Agh!
Predictably, the OKC Star (and that's not "Oklahoma City"), so in the tank for Barry that OMSNBC is jealous, wrote their opinion that Obama "continued his momentum", which no reasonable person could conclude from watching this thing.
(On the other hand, Obama's gone from up 7 to up 1.9 percent in 4 days in the Zogby daily tracking. Let's pray he did "continue his momentum"?)
the link: http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/831722.html
Some of their hysterically clueless comments include:
"The GOP candidate gained no ground on a surging Barack Obama". First of all, McCain's cut the lead from 7 to less than 2 in the last 4 days. So how is Barry surging? And secondly, how the f*ck would the Star know if McCain failed to gain ground? It won't be until mid morning before the latest tracking polls are out! Jesus, OKC Star, if you're going to lie, at least make it SOMEWHAT believable.
"McCain claimed that problems at mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were the match that started this forest fire". I'll agree with the Star here; McCain did oversimplify this. But that doesn't change the fact that one of these two employs BOTH former heads of those agencies, one of who, Franklin Raines, made off with $90 million in a golden parachute less than 18 months ago! And it ain't McCain! (peter griffin voice) Jesus Christ. Unbelievable.
This one is my favorite though: "Obama also came out on top in the discussion over health care reform, clearly laying out his proposals as well as recalling his mother’s struggles with insurance coverage as she was dying of cancer."
Can someone explain to me how "recalling his mother's struggles" is going to help solve the health care crisis? Look it, I don't wish ill on anyone, other than those affiliated with the denver broncos, and come Indy 500 time, those affiliated with michael andretti. But seriously. Telling a sob story about your mom now counts as competent policy?!?! What the f*ck has happened to common sense in this country?
I wonder, if McCain had countered with a story about how his (God love ya) 96 year old mom struggles to find decent coverage and insurance at her advanced age, would the OKC Star have highlighted her courageous fight? Hell no!
And when, if EVER, has Barry "clearly laid out his proposals" about ANYTHING?!?! Other than returning the top marginal tax rate to 39.6%?
The OKC Star also notes that "McCain claimed that he did not support tax cuts for the wealthy. That’s playing a rhetorical game; he supports legislation that would reduce taxes for the wealthy below what they would otherwise be.)
Uuh, OKC Star? The top 1% of wage earners in this country pay 51% of the taxes. The top 5% of wage earners in this country pay an astronomical 82% of the taxes. These aren't figments of the imagination, those are "facts", as confirmed by IRS data easily available to any American taxpayer.
When Barry claims his plans won't hurt 95% of the American tax paying public, he's right. BECAUSE 95% OF THE PUBLIC ISN'T PAYING A GODDAMNED THING!
If paying taxes is "patriotic", as our good friend Joe Biden asserts, then why aren't you calling on ALL Americans to do their "patriotic duty" and fork over even more of the non-indexed-to-inflation wages they earn to the government? Surely ALL Americans want to do their patriotic duty right, Barry?
I'm so f*cking done with my party. Congratulations, Dems. You were so desperate, so resolute, on "ridding" yourself of the Clintons ... that you nominated the biggest f*cking idiot to ever seek the highest office of the land. (Save for maybe Dennis Kucinich). And the reward you get?
Barry "continues his momentum" today in all likelihood, losing another point or two in the only poll that got 2004 right, Zogby's daily tracking. McCain gains ground in Ohio, Florida, and Virginia. And 27 days from now, when McCain rolls to a 350 electoral vote victory, guess what guys?
The Hillary in 2012 campaign begins.
Last night for me sealed any final doubts I had. Whatever you think of McCain ... not even the OKC Star's "fact check" could find a single lie he told. They found three outright lies of Barry. And they aren't even focusing on what really counts, namely that Barry employs former heads of these bankrupt institutions who looted them while in charge. That Barry's tax hikes would cripple whatever last credit markets are still open.
Oh. And that Barry launched his political career in the f*cking living room of a man who attempted to BLOW UP THE PENTAGON!
As the RNC noted yesterday, "what do Barack Obama and Osama bin Ladin have in common? They both associate with people who tried to blow up the Pentagon". They not only need to run ads highlighting this FACT, they need to mass mail it to every voter out there in every key swing state.
(Which this year, includes me. For the first time ever, I live in a state where my vote matters! Up until now, save for the 3rd District Congressional race and any race involving Phill Kline, I'm in the 30% minority. Now? My crazy old koot opinion matters! (kazoo voice) !!!!!!!!! I am officially registered as of yesterday. So whatever alleged .7% margin Obama had as a lead, just dropped by 1 vote ...)
Its obvious folks. If you vote Obama, you're retarded. Don't visit my site anymore if you're voting for an unelectable tool who can't think on his feet (as was OBVIOUS last night), who has NO real change for America outside of "well, let's bankrupt ourselves like Europe has by implementing socialism", who would LOSE a winnable war in Iraq because a couple kook fringe loons actually think we can negotiate with people whose base line position is "death to America".
You're voting for a man who launched his political career in the living room of a man who attempted to blow up the Pentagon. Of a man who sat for 20 years in a church whose pastor screamed "not God Bless America, God Damn America", and noted after 9/11 that "America's chickens have come home to roost". Barry didn't leave after EITHER of those outrageous remarks. He hung in there for another 6 1/2 years!
Even Oprah Winfrey, (God love ya), even she left Rev. Wright's church after the first comment. If Oprah has more common sense and intelligence than the Democratic nominee for President ...
And have I mentioned Tony Rezko? You know, the Chicago slumlord who Barry financed his house through? Who currently is awaiting sentencing on federal bribery and corruption charges, and who is about to spill the beans on what he knows to try to beat prison? Tony Rezko, Barry's neighbor (literally)?
This man ...
Sorry to rant. But I'll close with this.
Seeing Barack Obama as my party's nominee ... I have never been more embarrassed to have a D on my voter card.
Vote McCain if you give a sh*t about this country. Vote Obama if you don't.
As President Bush noted in the one great speech of his life, following 9/11 ... either you are with us, or you are against us.
Either you vote McCain ... or you return to 40% marginal tax rates that will be the final nail in the economic coffin.
Either you vote McCain ... or you unleash the holy hell that "universal health care" is upon the nation. (Ask the Brits and Canadians what they think of it).
And while you're at it, ask Barry how he's gonna finance it. In Canada, its through a massive fuel tax. You think you're paying a lot at the pump now? Elect Barry. You'll dream of the days $2.87 / gallon was reasonable.
Either you vote McCain ... or we will surrender in Iraq. And if we surrender in Iraq, say hello to a nuclear armed Iran.
Either you vote McCain ... or you vote for a man whose political career was launched in the living room of a man who attempted to blow up the Pentagon! Hello! This isn't rumor, this isn't speculation, its f*cking fact! And Barry can deny the ties all he wants, the bottom line is that Barry wrote the freaking forward for Ayers' book! You don't write a forward for someone's rantings on paper ... UNLESS YOU AGREE WITH WHAT IS BEING WRITTEN!
Agh!
Predictably, the OKC Star (and that's not "Oklahoma City"), so in the tank for Barry that OMSNBC is jealous, wrote their opinion that Obama "continued his momentum", which no reasonable person could conclude from watching this thing.
(On the other hand, Obama's gone from up 7 to up 1.9 percent in 4 days in the Zogby daily tracking. Let's pray he did "continue his momentum"?)
the link: http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/831722.html
Some of their hysterically clueless comments include:
"The GOP candidate gained no ground on a surging Barack Obama". First of all, McCain's cut the lead from 7 to less than 2 in the last 4 days. So how is Barry surging? And secondly, how the f*ck would the Star know if McCain failed to gain ground? It won't be until mid morning before the latest tracking polls are out! Jesus, OKC Star, if you're going to lie, at least make it SOMEWHAT believable.
"McCain claimed that problems at mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were the match that started this forest fire". I'll agree with the Star here; McCain did oversimplify this. But that doesn't change the fact that one of these two employs BOTH former heads of those agencies, one of who, Franklin Raines, made off with $90 million in a golden parachute less than 18 months ago! And it ain't McCain! (peter griffin voice) Jesus Christ. Unbelievable.
This one is my favorite though: "Obama also came out on top in the discussion over health care reform, clearly laying out his proposals as well as recalling his mother’s struggles with insurance coverage as she was dying of cancer."
Can someone explain to me how "recalling his mother's struggles" is going to help solve the health care crisis? Look it, I don't wish ill on anyone, other than those affiliated with the denver broncos, and come Indy 500 time, those affiliated with michael andretti. But seriously. Telling a sob story about your mom now counts as competent policy?!?! What the f*ck has happened to common sense in this country?
I wonder, if McCain had countered with a story about how his (God love ya) 96 year old mom struggles to find decent coverage and insurance at her advanced age, would the OKC Star have highlighted her courageous fight? Hell no!
And when, if EVER, has Barry "clearly laid out his proposals" about ANYTHING?!?! Other than returning the top marginal tax rate to 39.6%?
The OKC Star also notes that "McCain claimed that he did not support tax cuts for the wealthy. That’s playing a rhetorical game; he supports legislation that would reduce taxes for the wealthy below what they would otherwise be.)
Uuh, OKC Star? The top 1% of wage earners in this country pay 51% of the taxes. The top 5% of wage earners in this country pay an astronomical 82% of the taxes. These aren't figments of the imagination, those are "facts", as confirmed by IRS data easily available to any American taxpayer.
When Barry claims his plans won't hurt 95% of the American tax paying public, he's right. BECAUSE 95% OF THE PUBLIC ISN'T PAYING A GODDAMNED THING!
If paying taxes is "patriotic", as our good friend Joe Biden asserts, then why aren't you calling on ALL Americans to do their "patriotic duty" and fork over even more of the non-indexed-to-inflation wages they earn to the government? Surely ALL Americans want to do their patriotic duty right, Barry?
I'm so f*cking done with my party. Congratulations, Dems. You were so desperate, so resolute, on "ridding" yourself of the Clintons ... that you nominated the biggest f*cking idiot to ever seek the highest office of the land. (Save for maybe Dennis Kucinich). And the reward you get?
Barry "continues his momentum" today in all likelihood, losing another point or two in the only poll that got 2004 right, Zogby's daily tracking. McCain gains ground in Ohio, Florida, and Virginia. And 27 days from now, when McCain rolls to a 350 electoral vote victory, guess what guys?
The Hillary in 2012 campaign begins.
Last night for me sealed any final doubts I had. Whatever you think of McCain ... not even the OKC Star's "fact check" could find a single lie he told. They found three outright lies of Barry. And they aren't even focusing on what really counts, namely that Barry employs former heads of these bankrupt institutions who looted them while in charge. That Barry's tax hikes would cripple whatever last credit markets are still open.
Oh. And that Barry launched his political career in the f*cking living room of a man who attempted to BLOW UP THE PENTAGON!
As the RNC noted yesterday, "what do Barack Obama and Osama bin Ladin have in common? They both associate with people who tried to blow up the Pentagon". They not only need to run ads highlighting this FACT, they need to mass mail it to every voter out there in every key swing state.
(Which this year, includes me. For the first time ever, I live in a state where my vote matters! Up until now, save for the 3rd District Congressional race and any race involving Phill Kline, I'm in the 30% minority. Now? My crazy old koot opinion matters! (kazoo voice) !!!!!!!!! I am officially registered as of yesterday. So whatever alleged .7% margin Obama had as a lead, just dropped by 1 vote ...)
Its obvious folks. If you vote Obama, you're retarded. Don't visit my site anymore if you're voting for an unelectable tool who can't think on his feet (as was OBVIOUS last night), who has NO real change for America outside of "well, let's bankrupt ourselves like Europe has by implementing socialism", who would LOSE a winnable war in Iraq because a couple kook fringe loons actually think we can negotiate with people whose base line position is "death to America".
You're voting for a man who launched his political career in the living room of a man who attempted to blow up the Pentagon. Of a man who sat for 20 years in a church whose pastor screamed "not God Bless America, God Damn America", and noted after 9/11 that "America's chickens have come home to roost". Barry didn't leave after EITHER of those outrageous remarks. He hung in there for another 6 1/2 years!
Even Oprah Winfrey, (God love ya), even she left Rev. Wright's church after the first comment. If Oprah has more common sense and intelligence than the Democratic nominee for President ...
And have I mentioned Tony Rezko? You know, the Chicago slumlord who Barry financed his house through? Who currently is awaiting sentencing on federal bribery and corruption charges, and who is about to spill the beans on what he knows to try to beat prison? Tony Rezko, Barry's neighbor (literally)?
This man ...
Sorry to rant. But I'll close with this.
Seeing Barack Obama as my party's nominee ... I have never been more embarrassed to have a D on my voter card.
Vote McCain if you give a sh*t about this country. Vote Obama if you don't.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
mccain! obama (boo! get off the effing field!) live blog ...
I debated all day whether to do this.
Then, reading the news today, reading what Governor Palin has been saying, what (finally!) the freaking nominee himself is saying, its obvious something happened over the weekend.
I'm guessing Hillary loaned her good friend her pair ... because he's apparently finally in it, to win it.
My wish tonight ... is that McCain hits him early, often, repeatedly. Only one candidate in this race launched his political career in the living room of someone who tried to blow up the Pentagon. He's bin Ladin without the turban.
Hit him Johnny.
I'll be back closer to 8 to really get going. As someone who still has the D on the voter card, the election is rough, but as Ronald Reagan once noted, "my party left me, I didn't leave it".
NBC's Tom Brokaw is your moderator tonight. Here's hoping Johnny lays into Barry tonight. If only to see NBC yank the plug on a debate the face of their network is moderating ...
I'm already logged into Windows Live Messenger as teamtito15@yahoo.com. Hope you'll join in for what some think is McCain's last gasp ... and what I think will permanently turn this election in the direction it needs to head ...
Back by 8 ... probably 4 vodka tonics in ...
7:40pm: and I'm back. Tonight's drinking game: take a swig every time the ridiculous bailout is mentioned. Double fist it every time Obama denies he cut and run like a scared bitch when the going got tough two weeks ago ...
New poll is up. I'm still trying to figure out what idiot voted "steve scores!" last week. Please. We all know Biden's gonna heal a quadrapalegic before I have a chick in my bed.
I'm still undecided on this week's poll. I freaking LOVED this week's episode, it was beyond classic. But the restaurant episode from last year ... and I didn't even mention two other classics from last year, when Peter has the stroke after losing his mustache in the McBurgertown fire, and when Brian finally makes his move on Lois. Jesus, there's just way too many good episodes to choose from.
(Having said that ... have you heard? Well the bird, bird, bird! The bird is the word!)
I'll be on ABC for this, because they're the last even semi objective network left covering this thing. (That, and to date, Stephanopoulus is still the only debate moderator, at any point in time, to point out that Barry has some "shady connections" in his past).
(peter griffin) look at these men! such grace! such class! Lois, that settles it, I'm growing a mustache!
(brian griffin) gay!
(peter griffin) that is NOT gay! If having a mustache is gay, then Freddie Mercury was gay!
(brian griffin) (spitting out his martini) Freddy Mercury?!?! From Queen?!?! He was incredibly gay!
(peter griffin) no he wasn't Brian! He had a mustache!
This show never, ever, ever gets old ...
FOX News reporting Barry is "adapting" his economic gameplan after this debate. Uuh Barry? We just added 11% to the national debt last week to attempt to stave off an economic collapse. Call me crazy ... but I think your tax hike, your universal health care, uuh ... (rodney hampton wave ...) buh bye ...
I'm slowly yet surely heading down to ABC. I'll stop off at OMSNBC shortly.
Brokaw takes the stage on CSPAN. The last bastion of sanity at ONBC News.
(RIP Mr. Russert).
Oh Christ, we're on "Countdown".
Olbermann and Matthews are tonight's "number one". I might have to gut this one out. They pretty much hate each other ...
(Allow me to take a moment here for a moment of personal pleaing. If that's a word. Mark Cuban. I love you man. Your team was so much fun to watch the last few years. I pray you get to buy the Cubs and bring some fun to MLB ownership. And you play in what is BEYOND question the single best arena in America. But Mark, buddy, please. Give us Dan Rather LIVE! on HDNet on Election Night. I don't ask much in life. Cold tonic water. Semi-potent vodka. And Dan Rather. Live. On Election Night. Please, Mr. Cuban, please. Give us Dan Unplugged ...)
T Boone Pickens running an ad on OMSNBC. He's a moron. The only way to IMMEDIATELY reduce foreign oil dependency is to f*cking drill now!
Here we go. Olbermann. Matthews. 5:51 to kickoff in Nashville ...
Wow this townhall stage looks exactly like Bush / Gore's did.
Matthews looks furious to be on Olbermann's show.
Olbermann just called McCain a "coward" for "not looking Obama in the eye". (steve bashing head on desk over utter insanity of the far left ...)
Matthews questioning if McCain will emphasize Obama's middle name tonight. (steve continuing to bash head on desk over utter insanity of the far left ...)
Matthews just said McCain wants to make Obama look like a "sleeper cell", a "part of the enemy camp". I'd keep bashing my head, but vodka works better.
Let McCain go on the attack! Barry! Is! A! F*CKING! Disaster! He! Is! UNFIT! For! Command! (And did I mention he launched his political career in the living room of a mother f*cking terrorist who is PROUD he tried to blow up the Pentagon)?
I have no idea what Matthews is saying, but he used the phrase "ginned up". Hey, anytime booze is involved?
Olbermann: "There is one rule here we have to abide by (not wishing death for a President) ..." Uuh, Keith? Buddy? (joe biden voice) You might want to read the transcripts of your show there pal! (rimshot!) Thank you very, very much.
To ABC I quickly flee ...
1,987 days since "Mission Accomplished". And yet Speaker Pelosi refused to move on Impeachment. (steve resuming head bashing on desk ...)
"Stand Up Chuck" Gibson in Bowling Green. Diane in NYC. Stephy in the debate site.
Really, why doesn't ABC have its own news network? Its the one legitimate, credible, not completely insane for one side or the other network left!
Brokaw looks blitzed.
Anyone else remember the "Dana Carvey plays Tom Brokaw pre-taping Gerald Ford's death" classic SNL sketch?
Unlike their first debate, they have the color of tie right. Barry in blue, Johnny in red.
Brokaw does NOT sound good. He sounds worse than me right now. I feel for you buddy. Allergies f*cking suck.
5 uum's in Barry's first sentence. Jesus Christ, just go away already.
Wow, we're one sentence in and I'm already dropping the Jesus blast. That ain't good. (steve reaching for more vodka to keep this going ...)
Uuh, Barry? YOU EMPLOY THE LAST TWO HEADS OF FREDDIE MAC AND FANNIE MAY ON YOUR F*CKING ECONOMIC TEAM! How about you FIRE THEM FIRST! You mother f*cking tool!
(wow, I am in rare, rare form tonight ...)
I freely admit I'm biased ... but McCain is KILLING on this first question.
Wait. McCain is supporting the legislation my party tried to pass in the first bailout bill?!?! I'm confused ...
Not a single "uum" in his response. Take that Steve Bono! (I mean, Barack Obama ...)
Buffett, Meg Whitman, both decent options. I'd argue we need to haul Bob Rubin out of retirement to head Treasury.
Obama just dodged the follow up. He refuses to say who he'd consider! (Probably because two guys he'd consider ... bankrupted Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae ...)
You can't CUT taxes on 95% of Americans because 53% of Americans pay 95% of the taxes Barry! The IRS numbers don't lie!
Brokaw wearing the Livestrong bracelet.
Wow, this guy, Oliver Hall? (arby's commercial voice) I'm thinking "Dusty" ...
FINALLY! McCain takes the mother f*cking gloves off! Obama employs BOTH former heads of Fannie and Freddie on his staff!
Now NAME NAMES!
Jesus Christ, I am melting down right now! FINALLY! Someone on the side I want to win is TELLING THE F*CKING TRUTH!
(steve going for vodka tonic number 5 ...)
At least McCain has INTRODUCED a piece of legislation, Barry. A step ahead of your sad ass.
I literally just broke the stand the keyboard is on from hitting it so hard at Barry's retarded response. It'll be a moment to, uuh, recover.
A Section F question for Barry. Fitting.
But she's rockin' the pearls. Awesome.
Horrible question ... and Barry's no doubt thinking "how the hell did Brokaw pick this chick?!?!"
You want to know why the national debt has doubled Barry? I'll give you two f*cking number.
9.
11.
You have to fight to survive.
I literally am ready to hurl things at the TV listening to Barry. (steve submitting resume to FOX News and "The Sean Hannity Show" ...)
Dusty has left the main room and retreated to his bedroom. I think I'm scaring him ... although in his defense, I'm scaring myself ...
I LOVE how McCain is looking the questioner in the eye and speaking right to them. Highly effective.
Although "my friends" isn't nearly as funny as calling everyone "pal". Oh. God Love ya! What am I talking about?!?!
Jesus, Gregg and I are totally on the same wave length. I posted the "9/11" excuse as he replied in the chat the same thing ... and now we're both channeling the great Joe Biden. Thanks, pal.
I LOVE how McCain is emphasizing that he reaches across the aisle. Because Barry never has.
Whoa, gas is still 3.80 in Nashville?!?! I paid $2.89 this morning in south KC ...
Sorry, Dusty just screamed "2.87! 2.87!" Nice to see I pay attention to what the hell hits my card ...
Gregg: "any candidate who asks what the word is, will get my vote". I literally started crying from laughing at that. BIRD BIRD BIRD, THE BIRD IS THE WORD!!!
Bush talking about Wall Street getting "drunk". Please, stop me before I start ...
"like nailing Jello to the wall" MONEY SHOT!
Barry looks clueless. He looks ... he looks like "Sur" William Callahan a year ago in Lawrence ...
Brokaw just SHOT Barry down. Awesome.
I gotta be honest, I'm too p*ssed off to keep going. Barry is LYING through his teeth.
The government did NOT invent the computer Senator Obama. They invented the, uuh, internet. Via Interpol.
You are so mother f*cking stupid, I literally just threw an empty Vitamin water bottle at the television. I am beyond embarrassed that this man is my party's nominee. He's too goddamned stupid to answer a simple question.
I'm done watching this crap. If you're dumb enough to vote for Obama, you deserve what's coming.
Heath checks in! Not surprisingly, he simply listened to my venting.
I'm not a fan of McCain's health care plan. But its not worse than what we have now.
The moment of the campaign. "Hair transplants". Eff you Joey!
"Hair transplants". As much as I love Joe Biden ... beyond awesome.
Obama praising Delaware's loose regulations. Uuh ... Barry? Might want to remember Joey's from Delaware ...
McCain with a GREAT cheap shot.
How any sane, competent, certified "rational" person can vote for Barry after this ... well, you must be as mentally retarded as the folks I spent the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with.
"We don't have time for on the job training". Awesome.
I apologize, I literally just broke the TV by pounding it over obama's response on Iraq and Darfur.
I've hit my I'm done moment. I'll recap my thoughts later. But suffice it to say ... if you vote for Obama, you're "Petarded" (to channel another classic "Family Guy" ...)
Then, reading the news today, reading what Governor Palin has been saying, what (finally!) the freaking nominee himself is saying, its obvious something happened over the weekend.
I'm guessing Hillary loaned her good friend her pair ... because he's apparently finally in it, to win it.
My wish tonight ... is that McCain hits him early, often, repeatedly. Only one candidate in this race launched his political career in the living room of someone who tried to blow up the Pentagon. He's bin Ladin without the turban.
Hit him Johnny.
I'll be back closer to 8 to really get going. As someone who still has the D on the voter card, the election is rough, but as Ronald Reagan once noted, "my party left me, I didn't leave it".
NBC's Tom Brokaw is your moderator tonight. Here's hoping Johnny lays into Barry tonight. If only to see NBC yank the plug on a debate the face of their network is moderating ...
I'm already logged into Windows Live Messenger as teamtito15@yahoo.com. Hope you'll join in for what some think is McCain's last gasp ... and what I think will permanently turn this election in the direction it needs to head ...
Back by 8 ... probably 4 vodka tonics in ...
7:40pm: and I'm back. Tonight's drinking game: take a swig every time the ridiculous bailout is mentioned. Double fist it every time Obama denies he cut and run like a scared bitch when the going got tough two weeks ago ...
New poll is up. I'm still trying to figure out what idiot voted "steve scores!" last week. Please. We all know Biden's gonna heal a quadrapalegic before I have a chick in my bed.
I'm still undecided on this week's poll. I freaking LOVED this week's episode, it was beyond classic. But the restaurant episode from last year ... and I didn't even mention two other classics from last year, when Peter has the stroke after losing his mustache in the McBurgertown fire, and when Brian finally makes his move on Lois. Jesus, there's just way too many good episodes to choose from.
(Having said that ... have you heard? Well the bird, bird, bird! The bird is the word!)
I'll be on ABC for this, because they're the last even semi objective network left covering this thing. (That, and to date, Stephanopoulus is still the only debate moderator, at any point in time, to point out that Barry has some "shady connections" in his past).
(peter griffin) look at these men! such grace! such class! Lois, that settles it, I'm growing a mustache!
(brian griffin) gay!
(peter griffin) that is NOT gay! If having a mustache is gay, then Freddie Mercury was gay!
(brian griffin) (spitting out his martini) Freddy Mercury?!?! From Queen?!?! He was incredibly gay!
(peter griffin) no he wasn't Brian! He had a mustache!
This show never, ever, ever gets old ...
FOX News reporting Barry is "adapting" his economic gameplan after this debate. Uuh Barry? We just added 11% to the national debt last week to attempt to stave off an economic collapse. Call me crazy ... but I think your tax hike, your universal health care, uuh ... (rodney hampton wave ...) buh bye ...
I'm slowly yet surely heading down to ABC. I'll stop off at OMSNBC shortly.
Brokaw takes the stage on CSPAN. The last bastion of sanity at ONBC News.
(RIP Mr. Russert).
Oh Christ, we're on "Countdown".
Olbermann and Matthews are tonight's "number one". I might have to gut this one out. They pretty much hate each other ...
(Allow me to take a moment here for a moment of personal pleaing. If that's a word. Mark Cuban. I love you man. Your team was so much fun to watch the last few years. I pray you get to buy the Cubs and bring some fun to MLB ownership. And you play in what is BEYOND question the single best arena in America. But Mark, buddy, please. Give us Dan Rather LIVE! on HDNet on Election Night. I don't ask much in life. Cold tonic water. Semi-potent vodka. And Dan Rather. Live. On Election Night. Please, Mr. Cuban, please. Give us Dan Unplugged ...)
T Boone Pickens running an ad on OMSNBC. He's a moron. The only way to IMMEDIATELY reduce foreign oil dependency is to f*cking drill now!
Here we go. Olbermann. Matthews. 5:51 to kickoff in Nashville ...
Wow this townhall stage looks exactly like Bush / Gore's did.
Matthews looks furious to be on Olbermann's show.
Olbermann just called McCain a "coward" for "not looking Obama in the eye". (steve bashing head on desk over utter insanity of the far left ...)
Matthews questioning if McCain will emphasize Obama's middle name tonight. (steve continuing to bash head on desk over utter insanity of the far left ...)
Matthews just said McCain wants to make Obama look like a "sleeper cell", a "part of the enemy camp". I'd keep bashing my head, but vodka works better.
Let McCain go on the attack! Barry! Is! A! F*CKING! Disaster! He! Is! UNFIT! For! Command! (And did I mention he launched his political career in the living room of a mother f*cking terrorist who is PROUD he tried to blow up the Pentagon)?
I have no idea what Matthews is saying, but he used the phrase "ginned up". Hey, anytime booze is involved?
Olbermann: "There is one rule here we have to abide by (not wishing death for a President) ..." Uuh, Keith? Buddy? (joe biden voice) You might want to read the transcripts of your show there pal! (rimshot!) Thank you very, very much.
To ABC I quickly flee ...
1,987 days since "Mission Accomplished". And yet Speaker Pelosi refused to move on Impeachment. (steve resuming head bashing on desk ...)
"Stand Up Chuck" Gibson in Bowling Green. Diane in NYC. Stephy in the debate site.
Really, why doesn't ABC have its own news network? Its the one legitimate, credible, not completely insane for one side or the other network left!
Brokaw looks blitzed.
Anyone else remember the "Dana Carvey plays Tom Brokaw pre-taping Gerald Ford's death" classic SNL sketch?
Unlike their first debate, they have the color of tie right. Barry in blue, Johnny in red.
Brokaw does NOT sound good. He sounds worse than me right now. I feel for you buddy. Allergies f*cking suck.
5 uum's in Barry's first sentence. Jesus Christ, just go away already.
Wow, we're one sentence in and I'm already dropping the Jesus blast. That ain't good. (steve reaching for more vodka to keep this going ...)
Uuh, Barry? YOU EMPLOY THE LAST TWO HEADS OF FREDDIE MAC AND FANNIE MAY ON YOUR F*CKING ECONOMIC TEAM! How about you FIRE THEM FIRST! You mother f*cking tool!
(wow, I am in rare, rare form tonight ...)
I freely admit I'm biased ... but McCain is KILLING on this first question.
Wait. McCain is supporting the legislation my party tried to pass in the first bailout bill?!?! I'm confused ...
Not a single "uum" in his response. Take that Steve Bono! (I mean, Barack Obama ...)
Buffett, Meg Whitman, both decent options. I'd argue we need to haul Bob Rubin out of retirement to head Treasury.
Obama just dodged the follow up. He refuses to say who he'd consider! (Probably because two guys he'd consider ... bankrupted Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae ...)
You can't CUT taxes on 95% of Americans because 53% of Americans pay 95% of the taxes Barry! The IRS numbers don't lie!
Brokaw wearing the Livestrong bracelet.
Wow, this guy, Oliver Hall? (arby's commercial voice) I'm thinking "Dusty" ...
FINALLY! McCain takes the mother f*cking gloves off! Obama employs BOTH former heads of Fannie and Freddie on his staff!
Now NAME NAMES!
Jesus Christ, I am melting down right now! FINALLY! Someone on the side I want to win is TELLING THE F*CKING TRUTH!
(steve going for vodka tonic number 5 ...)
At least McCain has INTRODUCED a piece of legislation, Barry. A step ahead of your sad ass.
I literally just broke the stand the keyboard is on from hitting it so hard at Barry's retarded response. It'll be a moment to, uuh, recover.
A Section F question for Barry. Fitting.
But she's rockin' the pearls. Awesome.
Horrible question ... and Barry's no doubt thinking "how the hell did Brokaw pick this chick?!?!"
You want to know why the national debt has doubled Barry? I'll give you two f*cking number.
9.
11.
You have to fight to survive.
I literally am ready to hurl things at the TV listening to Barry. (steve submitting resume to FOX News and "The Sean Hannity Show" ...)
Dusty has left the main room and retreated to his bedroom. I think I'm scaring him ... although in his defense, I'm scaring myself ...
I LOVE how McCain is looking the questioner in the eye and speaking right to them. Highly effective.
Although "my friends" isn't nearly as funny as calling everyone "pal". Oh. God Love ya! What am I talking about?!?!
Jesus, Gregg and I are totally on the same wave length. I posted the "9/11" excuse as he replied in the chat the same thing ... and now we're both channeling the great Joe Biden. Thanks, pal.
I LOVE how McCain is emphasizing that he reaches across the aisle. Because Barry never has.
Whoa, gas is still 3.80 in Nashville?!?! I paid $2.89 this morning in south KC ...
Sorry, Dusty just screamed "2.87! 2.87!" Nice to see I pay attention to what the hell hits my card ...
Gregg: "any candidate who asks what the word is, will get my vote". I literally started crying from laughing at that. BIRD BIRD BIRD, THE BIRD IS THE WORD!!!
Bush talking about Wall Street getting "drunk". Please, stop me before I start ...
"like nailing Jello to the wall" MONEY SHOT!
Barry looks clueless. He looks ... he looks like "Sur" William Callahan a year ago in Lawrence ...
Brokaw just SHOT Barry down. Awesome.
I gotta be honest, I'm too p*ssed off to keep going. Barry is LYING through his teeth.
The government did NOT invent the computer Senator Obama. They invented the, uuh, internet. Via Interpol.
You are so mother f*cking stupid, I literally just threw an empty Vitamin water bottle at the television. I am beyond embarrassed that this man is my party's nominee. He's too goddamned stupid to answer a simple question.
I'm done watching this crap. If you're dumb enough to vote for Obama, you deserve what's coming.
Heath checks in! Not surprisingly, he simply listened to my venting.
I'm not a fan of McCain's health care plan. But its not worse than what we have now.
The moment of the campaign. "Hair transplants". Eff you Joey!
"Hair transplants". As much as I love Joe Biden ... beyond awesome.
Obama praising Delaware's loose regulations. Uuh ... Barry? Might want to remember Joey's from Delaware ...
McCain with a GREAT cheap shot.
How any sane, competent, certified "rational" person can vote for Barry after this ... well, you must be as mentally retarded as the folks I spent the Saturday of Labor Day weekend with.
"We don't have time for on the job training". Awesome.
I apologize, I literally just broke the TV by pounding it over obama's response on Iraq and Darfur.
I've hit my I'm done moment. I'll recap my thoughts later. But suffice it to say ... if you vote for Obama, you're "Petarded" (to channel another classic "Family Guy" ...)
Friday, September 5, 2008
we have an endorsement ...
For the speech, I reposition myself from computer room to the main room. Dusty is passed out on the couch (shocking) ... but he's sleeping on the remote. So I'm stuck with ONBC coverage until he wakes up.
On the bright side ... well there is no bright side here. ONBC is biased. Dusty passed out means I can't get as into this as I'd like to. I'll be reduced to fist pumps and raised fingers instead of crazy cheers and boos. So I guess its like being a deaf mute? Wait, just a mute, I can still hear this.
Fred Thomspon voice introduction. His speech Tuesday was great.
Reminds me, I got an email from an old friend, very conservative chick, yesterday praising Palin's speech. I liked it for different reasons, but suffice it to say, if her remarks are on target (and they almost always are, she was our class valedictorian ...), McCain's got the base locked up.
Name of the speech is "Change is Coming".
I am leaning McCain. Especially after last night. But still undecided. For at least another hour or so.
"Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans, the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for President of the United States". Guess he's in it to win it.
First protestor interruption. Crowd covers kook up with USA! chant.
"In my life, no success has come without a good fight".
"I'm grateful to the President of the United States for leading us in these dark days following the worst attack in American history". I don't mean to demean 9/11 ... but Pearl Harbor? Washington burned to the ground in the War of 1812? Seem worse to me.
Ditto Fort Sumter.
Second protestor interruption. More USA! chants.
Shout out to Laura Bush. And Bush 41 and Barbara.
Quick side rant, what the hell was up with the backdrop at this point. A corn field?!?! Huh?!?! Just did not look good.
Praise for Cindy and the kids.
Praise for his mom, rocking the pearls at 96 years young.
"To all of you who stood by me when the odds were long, I promise you, I won't let you down."
"To Americans who have yet to decide who to vote for, thank you for the consideration and the opportunity to win your trust. I intend to earn it". Thank you, Senator. I appreciate it.
I thought it was pure class to praise Obama's historic nomination. McCain has more class in his flag lapel pin than Barry has in his entire being.
"There is more that united us than divides us, it is what makes us Americans, and that (designation) means more to me than any other". Class.
"We're dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal ..." Unless you're gay.
Nowhere near the excitement on the floor tonight as last night.
3rd protest interruption. Seriously, how p*ss poor was security last night? Say what you want about the DNC, we kept our kooks on the streets.
And at the podium.
McCain trying to restore order.
"Please don't be diverted by the ground noise and the static". Great comeback.
Interruption number four. Whoever headed security last night better be unemployed this morning. Seriously, this is ridiculous.
Huge applause for Governor Palin. Huge. Loudest applause of the night so far.
"She stands up for what's right, and doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down". Solid line.
Dusty still passed out. I'm starting to get frustrated at my inability to get into this properly ...
"I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington". Solid line.
"Let me issue this warning to the do nothing, me first Washington crowd -- change is coming!" Huge applause. Only fist pumps in south KC. Grrrrrrrr ...
"When we tell you we're going to Washington and stop leaving our country's problems for some other generation to fix, you can believe it". I stood and fist pumped for that line.
"I don't work for a party, I don't work for a special interest. I work for you". Solid line.
"The first big pork spending bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it! I will veto it and I will make them (the authors) famous! You will know their names!" Tremendous applause. More standing fist pumps in south KC. Not sure I can hold off making noise much longer ...
"I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't the popular thing to do". Huge applause. USA! chants flying across the floor.
"And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war". More applause. More USA! chants. More fist pumps.
"And thanks to the leadership of a brilliant general, David Petraeus, and the bravery of the tremendous men and women he has the honor to command (huge applause) ... that strategy succeeded and it rescued us from a defeat that would have meant a demoralizing defeat, risked a wider war, and threatened all Americans". And with that, in south KC, the silence is broken. Tremendous thundering applause on the floor, and in the main room. A visibly angry Dusty wakes up and leaves the room.
A visibly relieved Steve grabs the remote and flips off biased ONBC up to ABC. Mission accomplished.
The applause still going.
"I don't mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life, but I've learned an important lesson along the way. It doesn't matter that you can fight, what you fight for is the real test". Tremendous line. And applause.
McCain channeling Al Gore's speech in 2000 now, using individual stories to illustrate what he'd do as President. It was highly effective for Gore. I thought it worked for McCain as well.
More USA! chants as McCain honors a fallen soldier.
"We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us."
Whoa, taking on Big Oil?!?! Am I watching the RNC?
The crowd is not enjoying this segment of the speech. Limited applause.
"The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics!" Huge applause. Camera pans to Lieberman, Guiliani and Fred Thompson eating it up.
"We believe in faith, work, service. And a culture of life". Huge applause.
Ugh, here we go again with the "don't legislate from the bench" crap. The floor is loving it. I need more vodka.
"Government that doesn't make choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices for myself". Great line.
Going into differences between him and Barry. The floor booing Barry. Good stuff.
Huge boos for Barry's health care ideas.
"We're going to help workers who've lost a job that won't come back, find a new one that won't go away". Great line.
"What good is access to a failed school? We need to empower parents with choice ..." Ugh, another kook idea that won't work.
"Attract and reward good teachers ... and help bad teachers find another line of work!" Good luck getting the NEA to sign off on that one.
Parents already have a choice in the education of their children sir! We don't need vouchers!
Promising energy independence. Huge applause. Hu-yuge. With me as well. Drill now! Drill now! Drill now!
Amen! Drill now! chants getting started.
Yes we can! chants going. Awesome.
"My friends, its an ambitions plan, but Americans are ambitious by nature. Its time for us to show the world again how Americans lead!" Huge applause. He's starting to hit his stride ...
Going into foreign policy threats now.
The brave people of Georgia also need our support, not just solidarity and prayers.
"We face many threats in this dangerous world. But I'm not afraid of them. I'm prepared for them". Great line.
"I know how the world works. I know the good -- and evil -- in it". Sadly, that line is very true.
Now getting into his military experience.
"I hate war. Its terrible beyond imagination."
"I will reach out my hand to anyone to help get this country moving again". Good line.
"My friends, I have that record, and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not." Big applause line. The holding out his arms to note that he can't really raise them was very effective.
"Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides ... this amazing country can do anything we put our minds to!"
The floor didn't like the idea of Dems and independents in the administration.
"My friends, I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years, but I've been a servant first, last, and always. I've never lived a day in good times or bad that I didn't thank God for the priviliege". Amen, Senator. Amen.
"I was blessed by misfortune. I mean that sincerely." Going into how he became a POW.
"and an angry crowd waiting to greet me". Good line.
There is not a sound anywhere other than McCain's voice. This story is riveting. Inspiring. And tear-inducing.
Huge applause for his fellow POWs. Huge. Both in St Paul and south KC.
more applause. Hero! chants starting up in the back.
McCain is choking up. As am I.
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's".
"I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's". Another great line. Huge applause. We're at the 20 second and still going mark.
"I'm not running for President because I think I'm blessed with such greatness that history has anointed me to save our country at its hour of need." Great line, and more applause.
"I will fight for her so long as I draw breath, so help me God!" Huge applause. Biggest of the night. USA! chants flying.
"Nothing can make you happier than to serve a cause greater than yourself". More USA! chants.
"With hard work, strong faith, and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me! Fight for what's right with our country!" Huge applause. He's got the delegates into it now.
Cheering through these closing lines. "Nothing is inevitable here! We're Americans! We never give up! We never quit! We never hide from history, we make history!" My hands are starting to hurt from clapping.
Great, great finish. Tremendous finish.
So ...
It wasn't a great speech. It fell flat at times. But to me, it was good enough.
I'm in. McCain / Palin. Officially endorsed by me. And as such, I'll do my part. 60 days to get 'em elected. 60 days to save this country from the utter catastrophe that Barack Obama would be as President. 60 days to avoid massive tax increases that will cripple the economy. 60 days to avoid do nothing energy policies. 60 days to ensure that victory in Iraq can be secured, that the threat in Iran will be dealt with, that the focus stays on taking it to the enemy, rather than withdrawing and waiting for them to come hit us.
60 days to say thanks but no thanks to the single most unqualified, unprepared candidate I have ever seen seek the highest office in the land.
60 days folks. We've got 60 days to defeat Barack Obama. I can't believe I'm going to close out this way, but ... (dick vermeil voice) Offense? Gotta go to work! Defense? Gotta go to work! Special teams? Gotta go to work!
Gotta go to work! McCain! Palin! 60 days! Let's do it!
On the bright side ... well there is no bright side here. ONBC is biased. Dusty passed out means I can't get as into this as I'd like to. I'll be reduced to fist pumps and raised fingers instead of crazy cheers and boos. So I guess its like being a deaf mute? Wait, just a mute, I can still hear this.
Fred Thomspon voice introduction. His speech Tuesday was great.
Reminds me, I got an email from an old friend, very conservative chick, yesterday praising Palin's speech. I liked it for different reasons, but suffice it to say, if her remarks are on target (and they almost always are, she was our class valedictorian ...), McCain's got the base locked up.
Name of the speech is "Change is Coming".
I am leaning McCain. Especially after last night. But still undecided. For at least another hour or so.
"Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans, the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for President of the United States". Guess he's in it to win it.
First protestor interruption. Crowd covers kook up with USA! chant.
"In my life, no success has come without a good fight".
"I'm grateful to the President of the United States for leading us in these dark days following the worst attack in American history". I don't mean to demean 9/11 ... but Pearl Harbor? Washington burned to the ground in the War of 1812? Seem worse to me.
Ditto Fort Sumter.
Second protestor interruption. More USA! chants.
Shout out to Laura Bush. And Bush 41 and Barbara.
Quick side rant, what the hell was up with the backdrop at this point. A corn field?!?! Huh?!?! Just did not look good.
Praise for Cindy and the kids.
Praise for his mom, rocking the pearls at 96 years young.
"To all of you who stood by me when the odds were long, I promise you, I won't let you down."
"To Americans who have yet to decide who to vote for, thank you for the consideration and the opportunity to win your trust. I intend to earn it". Thank you, Senator. I appreciate it.
I thought it was pure class to praise Obama's historic nomination. McCain has more class in his flag lapel pin than Barry has in his entire being.
"There is more that united us than divides us, it is what makes us Americans, and that (designation) means more to me than any other". Class.
"We're dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal ..." Unless you're gay.
Nowhere near the excitement on the floor tonight as last night.
3rd protest interruption. Seriously, how p*ss poor was security last night? Say what you want about the DNC, we kept our kooks on the streets.
And at the podium.
McCain trying to restore order.
"Please don't be diverted by the ground noise and the static". Great comeback.
Interruption number four. Whoever headed security last night better be unemployed this morning. Seriously, this is ridiculous.
Huge applause for Governor Palin. Huge. Loudest applause of the night so far.
"She stands up for what's right, and doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down". Solid line.
Dusty still passed out. I'm starting to get frustrated at my inability to get into this properly ...
"I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington". Solid line.
"Let me issue this warning to the do nothing, me first Washington crowd -- change is coming!" Huge applause. Only fist pumps in south KC. Grrrrrrrr ...
"When we tell you we're going to Washington and stop leaving our country's problems for some other generation to fix, you can believe it". I stood and fist pumped for that line.
"I don't work for a party, I don't work for a special interest. I work for you". Solid line.
"The first big pork spending bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it! I will veto it and I will make them (the authors) famous! You will know their names!" Tremendous applause. More standing fist pumps in south KC. Not sure I can hold off making noise much longer ...
"I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn't the popular thing to do". Huge applause. USA! chants flying across the floor.
"And when the pundits said my campaign was finished, I said I'd rather lose an election than see my country lose a war". More applause. More USA! chants. More fist pumps.
"And thanks to the leadership of a brilliant general, David Petraeus, and the bravery of the tremendous men and women he has the honor to command (huge applause) ... that strategy succeeded and it rescued us from a defeat that would have meant a demoralizing defeat, risked a wider war, and threatened all Americans". And with that, in south KC, the silence is broken. Tremendous thundering applause on the floor, and in the main room. A visibly angry Dusty wakes up and leaves the room.
A visibly relieved Steve grabs the remote and flips off biased ONBC up to ABC. Mission accomplished.
The applause still going.
"I don't mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life, but I've learned an important lesson along the way. It doesn't matter that you can fight, what you fight for is the real test". Tremendous line. And applause.
McCain channeling Al Gore's speech in 2000 now, using individual stories to illustrate what he'd do as President. It was highly effective for Gore. I thought it worked for McCain as well.
More USA! chants as McCain honors a fallen soldier.
"We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us."
Whoa, taking on Big Oil?!?! Am I watching the RNC?
The crowd is not enjoying this segment of the speech. Limited applause.
"The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics!" Huge applause. Camera pans to Lieberman, Guiliani and Fred Thompson eating it up.
"We believe in faith, work, service. And a culture of life". Huge applause.
Ugh, here we go again with the "don't legislate from the bench" crap. The floor is loving it. I need more vodka.
"Government that doesn't make choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices for myself". Great line.
Going into differences between him and Barry. The floor booing Barry. Good stuff.
Huge boos for Barry's health care ideas.
"We're going to help workers who've lost a job that won't come back, find a new one that won't go away". Great line.
"What good is access to a failed school? We need to empower parents with choice ..." Ugh, another kook idea that won't work.
"Attract and reward good teachers ... and help bad teachers find another line of work!" Good luck getting the NEA to sign off on that one.
Parents already have a choice in the education of their children sir! We don't need vouchers!
Promising energy independence. Huge applause. Hu-yuge. With me as well. Drill now! Drill now! Drill now!
Amen! Drill now! chants getting started.
Yes we can! chants going. Awesome.
"My friends, its an ambitions plan, but Americans are ambitious by nature. Its time for us to show the world again how Americans lead!" Huge applause. He's starting to hit his stride ...
Going into foreign policy threats now.
The brave people of Georgia also need our support, not just solidarity and prayers.
"We face many threats in this dangerous world. But I'm not afraid of them. I'm prepared for them". Great line.
"I know how the world works. I know the good -- and evil -- in it". Sadly, that line is very true.
Now getting into his military experience.
"I hate war. Its terrible beyond imagination."
"I will reach out my hand to anyone to help get this country moving again". Good line.
"My friends, I have that record, and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not." Big applause line. The holding out his arms to note that he can't really raise them was very effective.
"Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides ... this amazing country can do anything we put our minds to!"
The floor didn't like the idea of Dems and independents in the administration.
"My friends, I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years, but I've been a servant first, last, and always. I've never lived a day in good times or bad that I didn't thank God for the priviliege". Amen, Senator. Amen.
"I was blessed by misfortune. I mean that sincerely." Going into how he became a POW.
"and an angry crowd waiting to greet me". Good line.
There is not a sound anywhere other than McCain's voice. This story is riveting. Inspiring. And tear-inducing.
Huge applause for his fellow POWs. Huge. Both in St Paul and south KC.
more applause. Hero! chants starting up in the back.
McCain is choking up. As am I.
"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's".
"I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's". Another great line. Huge applause. We're at the 20 second and still going mark.
"I'm not running for President because I think I'm blessed with such greatness that history has anointed me to save our country at its hour of need." Great line, and more applause.
"I will fight for her so long as I draw breath, so help me God!" Huge applause. Biggest of the night. USA! chants flying.
"Nothing can make you happier than to serve a cause greater than yourself". More USA! chants.
"With hard work, strong faith, and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me! Fight for what's right with our country!" Huge applause. He's got the delegates into it now.
Cheering through these closing lines. "Nothing is inevitable here! We're Americans! We never give up! We never quit! We never hide from history, we make history!" My hands are starting to hurt from clapping.
Great, great finish. Tremendous finish.
So ...
It wasn't a great speech. It fell flat at times. But to me, it was good enough.
I'm in. McCain / Palin. Officially endorsed by me. And as such, I'll do my part. 60 days to get 'em elected. 60 days to save this country from the utter catastrophe that Barack Obama would be as President. 60 days to avoid massive tax increases that will cripple the economy. 60 days to avoid do nothing energy policies. 60 days to ensure that victory in Iraq can be secured, that the threat in Iran will be dealt with, that the focus stays on taking it to the enemy, rather than withdrawing and waiting for them to come hit us.
60 days to say thanks but no thanks to the single most unqualified, unprepared candidate I have ever seen seek the highest office in the land.
60 days folks. We've got 60 days to defeat Barack Obama. I can't believe I'm going to close out this way, but ... (dick vermeil voice) Offense? Gotta go to work! Defense? Gotta go to work! Special teams? Gotta go to work!
Gotta go to work! McCain! Palin! 60 days! Let's do it!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
the rnc: night four ... live blog
Yup, I'll be at it tonight. Plan to start around 6ish and go for a while, although I probably won't cover McCain's speech, I'll watch that live and then recap it later. Hope you join in, I'll be logged into Yahoo! IM as well at teamtito15 if you want to interact.
5:40pm: and we're underway. Starting on OMSNBC, a riveting debate between the director of an anti-abortion organization and the NOW President. The NOW President is lying through her teeth about Governor Palin, and David Gregory just called her on it and put up the proof. I don't know what's more surprising: the fact that the President of NOW is lying on TV thinking she can get away with it ... or that OMSNBC actually pointed out the lie.
(I'm going with the latter).
Speaking of OMSNBC, a great look at the coward of all cowards, Keith Olbermann, who apparently is scared of Republican delegates to the degree that he refused to go to St Paul. (tmq voice) brawk brawk!
Sorry, the link: http://www.unclebarky.com/reviews_files/b00278f9a0b29815d6641596a7f1cdcf-490.html
Supposed to get underway shortly, so I'm heading up to CSPAN, the last bastion of unbiased coverage in this nation. (Because they have no commentators).
7 minutes until we're live. Trace Atkins doing the Anthem tonight, I heard it during his walk through today while listening to OMSNBC at work, and it's gonna be good.
Major speakers tonight: former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, (gag me) Senator Sam Brownback, Cindy McCain, and of course, the nominee himself.
Yes! the balloons are set to go! 100,000 falling after the speech! Plus 200 lbs of confetti! Its not quite as magical as hearing Gomer Pyle sing about "the moonlight on the Wabash" as the balloons fly at Indy, but hey, you take what you can get.
CSPAN going nowhere fast, up to CNN.
Whoops they're previewing McCain's speech. Like last night, I don't want to hear anything about it beforehand. I entered this week an undecided, determined not to decide until I'd heard from both sides. Night one, the Dems won. (Of course there was no Rep night one). Night two I thought was a draw, both Hillary (who should have been our nominee, got the most votes, and won every damned key state we need in November, stupid DNC ...) and Fred Thompson were great. Night three I give to the Republicans. I loved Biden's speech ... but man, how do you top Palin last night? How? That might have been the single best speech I've ever sat and listened to. And I am not a conservative Republican, but my Lord. Unreal.
Let's see what Johnny can do tonight, because Barry was solid on Night Four last week. Not great, but solid.
(And as usual, completely vague about what exactly he'll do if he wins).
Hope we see some substance tonight.
One clear area the Dems kicked ass at though was the house band. I haven't heard Earth, Wind and Fire yet. Hell, I haven't heard much of anything yet out of these tools in St. Paul.
Back on CSPAN, overhead shot of the delegates. Second clear advantage the Dems have: our delegates get into this. They dress up like its Halloween, they dance, they have fun. Republicans are just sitting around doing nothing. Sad, really. Do you know what I'd give to be a delegate at one of these things? To be a part of making history this year? Because no matter who wins, for the first time, we'll either have a non-white male President, or non-white male VP. Kind of cool.
Oh, apparently Lindsay Graham speaks tonight too. As one of the traitorous gang of 14 that got Alito confirmed, boo!
"Patrick Clayton!" I'm still hacked over my performance last night. Utterly inexcusable. Utterly inexcusable.
And I still contend there is no way in hell that "Every Breath You Take" is the most played song of all time. The only way that's even remotely believable is if you combine the original with P Diddy's sampling of it. And even then, there's no way it beats "Unchained Melody" or "Imagine", no freakin' way.
blogspot.com's having issues, so bear with me. Its taking its sweet time to post.
PA playing "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. Its not often I like a remake better than an original ... but Johnny Cash's version of this is just incredible.
Here we go! The RNC Chairman Mike Duncan to open night four. The final Convention night until I'll be 35 ... and still probably single, male, straight, on a ridiculously long "scoring slump", and blogging away in a computer room in south KC while getting hammered on Coors Light.
(Although hopefully I'll have a covered deck back by then to enjoy this outside).
8 Olympians to lead the Pledge. I didn't catch who makes up the color guard.
Ryan somebody, Mitch Gaylord, Brittany Hayes (hello!), Barbara Higgins (ugh), Larsen Jensen, El Logan (yikes), Marcus I'm-not-gonna-even-try-to-spell-it, and John somebody.
Once again, "under God" is not part of the original pledge. And they emphasize it. I love conservatives trying to hijack our wonderful modern day liberal society and take us back to the 1600s.
Trace Adkins! (george takei voice) oh my. He is tall. And he is good.
We're already almost 10 minutes behind schedule. Could be another long night. It was almost 1am before I went to bed last night after watching and reacting to the Governor's speech ...
Solid effort by Mr. Adkins. And I like the cowboy hat. Its not quite as sweet as Memphis' fedora on Big Brother.
Oh no, Archbishop Demetrius. I believe this is the same scary looking guy who led the invocation on Day 3 of the DNC.
Holy sh*t it is.
I'm telling you, when this guy flies, he gets extra screening. Although his crappy English sounds better tonight than it did last Wednesday.
Then again, I'm happier tonight than I was last Wednesday, known as "Titanic Day" to me, the day the Democratic Party hit the damned iceberg by nominating Barry ...
Good Lord, we're at the 3 minute mark on the prayer.
Apparently D and Mallory hit it off again last night. Good for them! Here's hoping his "scoreless streak" never reaches Steve like levels ...
Uuh, when Dingy Harry Reid declared the Iraq war "lost", it was "lost" at the time. Come on.
Tom Cole. Liar. Conservative. A Rep from Oklahoma.
Whoa, Congress' approval is at 9%?!?! How's it that high?
Old vet trying to work a digital camera. Sadly, he's probably better at it than I am.
That was short and not so sweet of a speech. (system of a down) lies from the tablecloth.
Some dude running for Congress at the podium now. He's trying too hard.
Republican reformers?!?! Hang on, I almost spit up the Coors Light. What reform? Take us back to the 1940s? Demolish every meaningful social advance made in the last 40 years? Good God, I'm flipping back to Barry. Somebody better talk me off the edge.
Buddy, you've OWNED the government for this entire freaking decade!!! If you don't like the America you see, grab a baseball bat and beat yourself over the head, you freaking created it!!!
Agh! I am so effing sick and tired of these pissy ass Republicans blaming Democrats for all our problems. WE aren't the ones who haven't passed a meaningful energy bill in 8 years. Or presented one. WE aren't the ones who haven't passed one damned border security bill in 8 years, despite 9/11 occuring in that time. WE aren't the ones ... oh what's the point.
This current guy trying to get a "No We Won't" chant going over Nancy Pelosi's "extremely liberal agenda". He's failing miserably.
(I think I've calmed down ...)
Another Congressional candidate. Enjoy the landslide losses this fall guys. (Hopefully).
I can sign off on backing McCain / Palin because I can't stand Obama. But I'll be damned if I'm voting to give full control of the government back to the Republicans.
Side note: apparently Palin's amazing speech last night so frightened Barry ... that he's on O'Reilly tonight. I will therefore be flipping to FOX News come 7pm to see what he has to say.
A 27 year old Republican running from Congress from Peoria Illinois. Good luck with that. Just wait until the Grigsby attack machine gets turned loose on him ...
Aaron Schock is his name. "A leg up, not a hand out". Good line.
Camera just focused on a row of sleeping delegates. Sounds like a good time to have some food. I'll be back in a little bit.
6:27pm: and I'm back. Sen. Ensign just accused the Dems of "not being willing to stand up to true evil in the world". Sadly ... with Barry at the top, its a legitimate claim.
I love these RNC videos. Probably because Robert Duvall is the host of all of them. Viva Tom Hagen!
Apparently the Palin video that didn't air last night, airs before Cindy McCain goes on at 8:30. I'm curious to see it.
The floor starting to fill in.
They lengthened the stage tonight to put McCain in the middle of the delegates. Smart thinking if you ask me. And if someone's thinkin', they're probably drinkin'.
Sen. McConnell to officially nominate Governor Palin. Like I kept asking during Biden's speech last week ... is it too late to flip the ticket?
28 minutes until the biggest moment of Barry's political career. This interview with O'Reilly is either going to stop the bleeding, or McCain's leaving this with a 10-12 point bounce and never looking back.
(I'm betting on the latter).
Whoa, some delegate just looked like he was hitting a flask! As someone armed with multiple bottles for KU home games and multiple flasks for Chiefs home games, hooray!
Phone's going off, gotta take it. I'll be back by 7.
7:14pm: or 7:14. Sorry bout that.
Obama interview begins here shortly, so I've flipped up to FOX News.
Commercial on FOX. Former Speaker (and utter hypocrite) Gingrich up next. Yup, its CSPAN time again.
The first 3 star female General speaking now. It appears McCain is doing the same thing Kerry did in 2004 and taking Night Four ultra military.
This chick is scary looking.
Back to FOX News. To Gingrich's credit, he unloaded on an OMSNBC reporter today.
CBS News poll shows a tie. Which means last night's bump was 6 points. I said earlier today the bump would be 10 and McCain would never look back.
Then again, I've been predicting a "45 States and the District" landslide for McCain every since Hillary "suspended her campaign" in early June. Titanic, meet iceberg. Democrats, meet unelectable moron.
Wow, FOX just showed clips from McCain / Palin here in Missouri last week ... and there are MULTIPLE Hillary 08 signs in the crowd. (steve chanting along with them) PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!
Looks like 16-7 at the half, Giants leading. On pace to beat the 9pm RNC kickoff.
McCain scheduled to go on at 9:11pm by the way, so an 11 minute buffer for ONBC.
(You know ONBC News is praying for overtime ...)
O'Reilly highlighting Megyn Kelly going off on US Weekly's editor. What a deuche. The editor I mean.
Seriously, who gives a crap if her daughter is pregnant? At the risk of offending people here ... who cares? She's 17. Its her life. And who the hell are we to judge her decision here? I know I sure as all hell didn't want to be a parent at 19, and I'm still not ready at 31. Its her life. Leave her alone.
(That, and the backlash from this, I'm telling you, is going to get ugly. If Barry is smart, he'll pull the plug on this. Of course, its Barry. He hasn't done anything smart in six months. Its why he's going to get creamed in 61 days).
Obama interview up next. Tonight focuses on national security. Tomorrow I assume is domestic issues. Same format as with Hillary.
This is like the 5th health care needs to be agenda item number one ad already tonight. I'd say energy needs to be issue number one, closely followed by securing, uuh, some form of secure situation in the Middle East, but hey, noone ever accused me of thinking clearly.
And here we go. O'Reilly. Obama. (mills lane) let's get it on!
Parts 2, 3, 4 next week. Calls them "provocative".
I think he's handled the Iran question quite well. O'Reilly trying to bait him, but I agree with Barry here, "when you're one of two people seeking the Presidency of the United States, you don't tip your hand until you're one person left standing".
Admits the "surge has succeeded in ways nobody could have anticipated". Uuh, I think the guy speaking at 9:11pm tonight anticipated it ...
Again, Obama's not saying anything I don't agree with. Initial invasion: horribly managed. Surge: worked tremendously. Credit: Petraeus. Bottom line: surge still doesn't justify the beginning of this debacle ... yet.
He's struggling with the Pakistan question.
Obama's getting fired up.
And that's it for part one.
I'll say this: if I vote Obama, it ain't for foreign policy reasons. But I already knew that entering this deal tonight.
Joe Gibbs at the podium.
Comparing God to the head coach of a football team. (george takei voice) oh my.
This is a freaking sermon. At the podium. Of a political convention. I don't know whether I'm more in shock and awe at this blatant whiz on the separation of church and state.
Or if I'm more in respect and admiration at this blatant whiz on the separation of church and state.
"Right game plan leads to what? (has to look at the notes). Success!" Thanks Joe!
Are we about to get an alter call?
Another sleeping delegate. Or me if I was there.
Seriously, this speech was bad. I'm not trying to come off as anti-religion, but this was just a bad speech.
And we follow it up with "Centerfield". Probably a better choice than "F*ck You Gently" by Tenacious D.
"Empty Nest!"
Man, how did we lose last night. Oh that's right, I totally botched the 150 pt question at the end. And I'm the American Idol addict in the group.
(steve reaching for hhh's sledgehammer to administer some justice ...)
GI John and Superwoman posters everywhere. I like it. Not as good as the old "African Americans for Gore / Lieberman" placard back in the day, but hey, again, you take what you can get.
Whoa, this delegate is holding up about 6 ft wide American flag ... and he's almost as wide as the flag. Have we confirmed Mark Mangino is not a delegate?
"Dangerzone" up next. Apparently crappy mid 80s rock is back in with our conservative friends.
On the other hand, the song is from "Top Gun". And McCain is the "Maverick" of this election.
(Although I doubt he'll get it with Kelly McGillis. Seriously, I think I burned through that tape in like 2 weeks, the first rated R movie I ever remember seeing ... and I don't think it left the hookup scene for like the first 550 times I watched it. Sometimes I wish I was 10 again ...)
Yes! An elephant hat! A gator hat! The Texans tossing sombrero-sized cowboy hats! Finally, somebody found the open bar at this thing!
Awesome, awesome "terrible towels" in the Pennsylvania delegation. Bright yellow, they say "Pennsylvanians for McCain! We're not bitter!"
Lindsay Graham up next. Can't believe he's being applauded, given how much the conservative base hates him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this speech is for the troops!" Wow, he is going full on Kerry tonight and channeling his inner veteran. Just so long as we don't get a cheezy video of him heading up the Mississippi River in a Swift Boat ...
Graham declaring victory in Iraq. Yeah, that worked out well the first time around.
Cheap shot at moveon.org. I'm good with it. They're nuts. Them, and the Daily Kooks. I mean, Daily Kos.
Like Lindsay Graham knows one damned thing about "courageous leadership", Gang of 14 gutless bastard.
"They (the troops) said Senator McCain, this (current situation in Iraq) ain't workin ..." WHAT? I thought we accomplished the mission 1,968 days ago? You're saying Bush lied? No ...
"Calling for more troops to be sent to Iraq was one of the most unpopular things John McCain could have done". Not Impeaching our incompetent Commander in Chief for lying about winning the war is far less popular with me.
If I was to type what I thought of Lindsay's last 4 paragraphs of speech, I would probably be arrested for slander.
Uuh, Barack just acknowledged their success on O'Reilly you jackass.
I am not a Lindsay Graham fan. Pardon me, Lindsey. Lindsey Graham.
He can't pronounce "miserably".
"Miserably" is how I'm feeling watching this lying baffoon.
What? Graham just said "we're going to win this war". 5 minutes ago he said we "had won this war -- victory!" Good Lord, at least Bush consistently lied about Mission Accomplished. This guy can't last 5 minutes!
(Neither could I at this point. Ka boom boom ching).
Palin video bumped from last night up next. I'd have chosen someone less, uuh, annoying to introduce it.
Then again, they did, since Guiliani was supposed to intro this last night.
I am digging this video. Right down to the pilfered "Dallas" theme song sound alike playing in the background.
(The lesson, as always: TV theme songs rule).
Officially one hour exactly from McCain. Unofficially about 19 minutes from the end of this, I'm done when Cindy takes the stage. I think.
'Skins / Giants well on pace to end by 10pmET. You can hear the ONBC and OMSNBC staffers cursing from here.
Great video. Tremendous.
Tom Ridge up next. Just like I'm among the few pro-life Dems ... he's among the few pro-choice Reps. Diversity. Again, practiced everywhere in the Republican Party, unless you're gay. Then you have cooties and need to go away.
This guy looks like Fred Willard. But he's not nearly as funny.
"Its not about who can answer a 3am call, its about who has answered the call his entire life". Solid line.
"Its not about building a record, its about having one". Great line.
"Its not about talking pretty, its about talking straight!" Its about the Dems nominating a freaking retard with nothing positive to offer this country, pal. I'm telling you, we will regret the Obama nomination like nothing this party has ever done.
"We are all called to serve as long as we call ourselves free". Good line.
"That's John McCain!"
Wow, this guy looks like Fred Willard.
Cindy McCain intro video.
If this is possible, Cindy's hotter now than she was 30 years ago.
Hu-Yuge applause for the McCain pic.
Wow, McCain looked a lot like Fred Couples back then.
Memories of Cindy's dad. She forgot "and rich".
Ooh, she's a racing fan! And she built cars! Kick ass! She owns a mother / son racing team! My Lord, I think my mind is almost made up ...
And here's ... Cindy!
Introducting the family.
There's no way she cranked all of them out. No way. I know one's adopted, but if the other six are hers ... and Palin has five ... my Lord, I might have to remove the "no kids" requirement from the future "Mrs. Steve". Or "Steve's Friend with Benefits".
(or whatever I can find on adult friend finder, which I'd be scared to think about).
Since I was just asked, the "O" in "OMSNBC" and "ONBC" is for "Obama". Those networks are so in the tank for Barry, they no longer should be referred to by their actual network names.
(So does that mean it should be MFOX News?)
I forgot to throw this out there: guess what Cindy's rockin' tonight! If you said massive pearl necklace, you're a winner!!!
My Lord, she's a MILF.
"I've always thought its a good idea to have a woman's hand on the wheel as well". Aah ... screw it, let it go.
"So how about that Governor Sarah Palin". Hu-yuge ovation for Sarah. And my God is she on fire tonight. Beautiful gray jacket, black skirt ... but no pearls. (aw).
The floor is just loving her.
"I couldn't be prouder that John has shaken things up ... as he usually does." I love double entendres ...
"Its why I love that John will have Sarah by his side ..."
Her son Jack graduates from the Naval Academy next year. Her son Jimmy an Iraq vet. Explains the Navy and USMC pins.
So if she's 13 years younger than him ... she's 59 or 60 depending on when her birthday is. (peter griffin voice) Holy crap!
again ... she's 59 or 60.
And she saved two orphans from Mother Teresa's village in India.
Wonder Woman! Speaking of TV theme songs I should have channeled for the Week One picks ...
She just accurately pronounced 5 countries. Which beats Bush's personal record of three.
(I kid, I kid. Although I wonder, are the Dems gonna do the same thing as Bush did in 2000, and work all these foreign leaders and countries into his debate responses to make him seem up to speed on foreign affairs when he's not got a clue? Yeah, let that sink in fellow donkeys. We nominated a man dumber and less qualified for this job than the current occupant of it. Excuse me while I bash my head into the desk ...)
Some chick that is Cindy McCain's hero.
Good point, that McCain lead the way to restore relations with Vietnam. Nixonesque with China, if you ask me. Except Nixon was never tortured by the ChiComs.
Tuesday night's printout was 19 pages. I've gotta be pushing that mark right now.
Building up to him ... but the schedule says 9:11 for McCain to start. Building in 5 minutes for the applause, maybe 5-6 for a video, we're ahead of schedule?
1:38 to go in the Meadowlands. Giants up 9 with the ball. ONBC, OMSNBC, sorry fellas, no excuse to not cover this live ...
And she's out. Crowd leaps to its feet. Nowhere near as energized as when Rudy yielded the stage to Governor Palin last night ... but then again, far more energized than any moment at the DNC save for the Kennedy tribute. Because at least the Republicans nominated a credible candidate. Our credible candidate is in the Veep slot. And sitting at home in Chappaqua, NY ...
Wow, CSPAN's building in 1:10 for this speech. Figuring 10 minutes for confetti, balloons, and fun, that's an hour of talking. I hope he does well ... but stuff like this is NOT McCain's strength. He'd be better off keeping this in the 40 minute range and praying the teleprompter dude is smarter than the one operating it last night.
More crazy Texans.
Hey, finally some delegates dancing. Only took 4 days.
Drunk Abe Lincoln looking fellow.
Hey! "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang! FINALLY some freaking dance your ass off music! Again, what took so long! The DNC had this going before night one even convened!
I'm guessing Will's in a foul mood. The Jim Zorn era? Not off to a good start. Or a competent one. Or hopeful. Awful performance by his offense tonight. 16-7 defending champs barring a 68 yard final play toss.
More crazy Texans! I actually own that shirt somewhere, the Texas flag shirt. Oh yeah.
Maybe I should try to find that and wear it when I get the "group of mo fo'ing idiots" to sign the masturbation gloves picture at the home opener.
And yes, I might have been feeling good, and I might have forgotten some key things like "who is Kristy Lee Cook" last night ... but a promise is a promise. I'll ask the gang of mo fo idiots to sign their moment of infamy next Sunday ...
(Its not like I've ever been decked by an irate fan at a football game before. Oh wait, I have ...)
"Drill Baby Drill!" sign. Oh, I'd like to ... for oil, of course ...
The lights dim. The McCain intro video begins.
With that, I'm out. I'll recap McCain's speech by lunch tomorrow.
They're playing the same Dallas rip-off theme song in this video that they did in Palin's. And I'm good with it.
Until the next post, remember: Kristy Lee Cook performed "Faithfully" on the 2008 Idol season. Carrie Underwood did not perform "Faithfully" in the 2005 season. An item I will never forget after last night ...
5:40pm: and we're underway. Starting on OMSNBC, a riveting debate between the director of an anti-abortion organization and the NOW President. The NOW President is lying through her teeth about Governor Palin, and David Gregory just called her on it and put up the proof. I don't know what's more surprising: the fact that the President of NOW is lying on TV thinking she can get away with it ... or that OMSNBC actually pointed out the lie.
(I'm going with the latter).
Speaking of OMSNBC, a great look at the coward of all cowards, Keith Olbermann, who apparently is scared of Republican delegates to the degree that he refused to go to St Paul. (tmq voice) brawk brawk!
Sorry, the link: http://www.unclebarky.com/reviews_files/b00278f9a0b29815d6641596a7f1cdcf-490.html
Supposed to get underway shortly, so I'm heading up to CSPAN, the last bastion of unbiased coverage in this nation. (Because they have no commentators).
7 minutes until we're live. Trace Atkins doing the Anthem tonight, I heard it during his walk through today while listening to OMSNBC at work, and it's gonna be good.
Major speakers tonight: former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, (gag me) Senator Sam Brownback, Cindy McCain, and of course, the nominee himself.
Yes! the balloons are set to go! 100,000 falling after the speech! Plus 200 lbs of confetti! Its not quite as magical as hearing Gomer Pyle sing about "the moonlight on the Wabash" as the balloons fly at Indy, but hey, you take what you can get.
CSPAN going nowhere fast, up to CNN.
Whoops they're previewing McCain's speech. Like last night, I don't want to hear anything about it beforehand. I entered this week an undecided, determined not to decide until I'd heard from both sides. Night one, the Dems won. (Of course there was no Rep night one). Night two I thought was a draw, both Hillary (who should have been our nominee, got the most votes, and won every damned key state we need in November, stupid DNC ...) and Fred Thompson were great. Night three I give to the Republicans. I loved Biden's speech ... but man, how do you top Palin last night? How? That might have been the single best speech I've ever sat and listened to. And I am not a conservative Republican, but my Lord. Unreal.
Let's see what Johnny can do tonight, because Barry was solid on Night Four last week. Not great, but solid.
(And as usual, completely vague about what exactly he'll do if he wins).
Hope we see some substance tonight.
One clear area the Dems kicked ass at though was the house band. I haven't heard Earth, Wind and Fire yet. Hell, I haven't heard much of anything yet out of these tools in St. Paul.
Back on CSPAN, overhead shot of the delegates. Second clear advantage the Dems have: our delegates get into this. They dress up like its Halloween, they dance, they have fun. Republicans are just sitting around doing nothing. Sad, really. Do you know what I'd give to be a delegate at one of these things? To be a part of making history this year? Because no matter who wins, for the first time, we'll either have a non-white male President, or non-white male VP. Kind of cool.
Oh, apparently Lindsay Graham speaks tonight too. As one of the traitorous gang of 14 that got Alito confirmed, boo!
"Patrick Clayton!" I'm still hacked over my performance last night. Utterly inexcusable. Utterly inexcusable.
And I still contend there is no way in hell that "Every Breath You Take" is the most played song of all time. The only way that's even remotely believable is if you combine the original with P Diddy's sampling of it. And even then, there's no way it beats "Unchained Melody" or "Imagine", no freakin' way.
blogspot.com's having issues, so bear with me. Its taking its sweet time to post.
PA playing "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty. Its not often I like a remake better than an original ... but Johnny Cash's version of this is just incredible.
Here we go! The RNC Chairman Mike Duncan to open night four. The final Convention night until I'll be 35 ... and still probably single, male, straight, on a ridiculously long "scoring slump", and blogging away in a computer room in south KC while getting hammered on Coors Light.
(Although hopefully I'll have a covered deck back by then to enjoy this outside).
8 Olympians to lead the Pledge. I didn't catch who makes up the color guard.
Ryan somebody, Mitch Gaylord, Brittany Hayes (hello!), Barbara Higgins (ugh), Larsen Jensen, El Logan (yikes), Marcus I'm-not-gonna-even-try-to-spell-it, and John somebody.
Once again, "under God" is not part of the original pledge. And they emphasize it. I love conservatives trying to hijack our wonderful modern day liberal society and take us back to the 1600s.
Trace Adkins! (george takei voice) oh my. He is tall. And he is good.
We're already almost 10 minutes behind schedule. Could be another long night. It was almost 1am before I went to bed last night after watching and reacting to the Governor's speech ...
Solid effort by Mr. Adkins. And I like the cowboy hat. Its not quite as sweet as Memphis' fedora on Big Brother.
Oh no, Archbishop Demetrius. I believe this is the same scary looking guy who led the invocation on Day 3 of the DNC.
Holy sh*t it is.
I'm telling you, when this guy flies, he gets extra screening. Although his crappy English sounds better tonight than it did last Wednesday.
Then again, I'm happier tonight than I was last Wednesday, known as "Titanic Day" to me, the day the Democratic Party hit the damned iceberg by nominating Barry ...
Good Lord, we're at the 3 minute mark on the prayer.
Apparently D and Mallory hit it off again last night. Good for them! Here's hoping his "scoreless streak" never reaches Steve like levels ...
Uuh, when Dingy Harry Reid declared the Iraq war "lost", it was "lost" at the time. Come on.
Tom Cole. Liar. Conservative. A Rep from Oklahoma.
Whoa, Congress' approval is at 9%?!?! How's it that high?
Old vet trying to work a digital camera. Sadly, he's probably better at it than I am.
That was short and not so sweet of a speech. (system of a down) lies from the tablecloth.
Some dude running for Congress at the podium now. He's trying too hard.
Republican reformers?!?! Hang on, I almost spit up the Coors Light. What reform? Take us back to the 1940s? Demolish every meaningful social advance made in the last 40 years? Good God, I'm flipping back to Barry. Somebody better talk me off the edge.
Buddy, you've OWNED the government for this entire freaking decade!!! If you don't like the America you see, grab a baseball bat and beat yourself over the head, you freaking created it!!!
Agh! I am so effing sick and tired of these pissy ass Republicans blaming Democrats for all our problems. WE aren't the ones who haven't passed a meaningful energy bill in 8 years. Or presented one. WE aren't the ones who haven't passed one damned border security bill in 8 years, despite 9/11 occuring in that time. WE aren't the ones ... oh what's the point.
This current guy trying to get a "No We Won't" chant going over Nancy Pelosi's "extremely liberal agenda". He's failing miserably.
(I think I've calmed down ...)
Another Congressional candidate. Enjoy the landslide losses this fall guys. (Hopefully).
I can sign off on backing McCain / Palin because I can't stand Obama. But I'll be damned if I'm voting to give full control of the government back to the Republicans.
Side note: apparently Palin's amazing speech last night so frightened Barry ... that he's on O'Reilly tonight. I will therefore be flipping to FOX News come 7pm to see what he has to say.
A 27 year old Republican running from Congress from Peoria Illinois. Good luck with that. Just wait until the Grigsby attack machine gets turned loose on him ...
Aaron Schock is his name. "A leg up, not a hand out". Good line.
Camera just focused on a row of sleeping delegates. Sounds like a good time to have some food. I'll be back in a little bit.
6:27pm: and I'm back. Sen. Ensign just accused the Dems of "not being willing to stand up to true evil in the world". Sadly ... with Barry at the top, its a legitimate claim.
I love these RNC videos. Probably because Robert Duvall is the host of all of them. Viva Tom Hagen!
Apparently the Palin video that didn't air last night, airs before Cindy McCain goes on at 8:30. I'm curious to see it.
The floor starting to fill in.
They lengthened the stage tonight to put McCain in the middle of the delegates. Smart thinking if you ask me. And if someone's thinkin', they're probably drinkin'.
Sen. McConnell to officially nominate Governor Palin. Like I kept asking during Biden's speech last week ... is it too late to flip the ticket?
28 minutes until the biggest moment of Barry's political career. This interview with O'Reilly is either going to stop the bleeding, or McCain's leaving this with a 10-12 point bounce and never looking back.
(I'm betting on the latter).
Whoa, some delegate just looked like he was hitting a flask! As someone armed with multiple bottles for KU home games and multiple flasks for Chiefs home games, hooray!
Phone's going off, gotta take it. I'll be back by 7.
7:14pm: or 7:14. Sorry bout that.
Obama interview begins here shortly, so I've flipped up to FOX News.
Commercial on FOX. Former Speaker (and utter hypocrite) Gingrich up next. Yup, its CSPAN time again.
The first 3 star female General speaking now. It appears McCain is doing the same thing Kerry did in 2004 and taking Night Four ultra military.
This chick is scary looking.
Back to FOX News. To Gingrich's credit, he unloaded on an OMSNBC reporter today.
CBS News poll shows a tie. Which means last night's bump was 6 points. I said earlier today the bump would be 10 and McCain would never look back.
Then again, I've been predicting a "45 States and the District" landslide for McCain every since Hillary "suspended her campaign" in early June. Titanic, meet iceberg. Democrats, meet unelectable moron.
Wow, FOX just showed clips from McCain / Palin here in Missouri last week ... and there are MULTIPLE Hillary 08 signs in the crowd. (steve chanting along with them) PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!
Looks like 16-7 at the half, Giants leading. On pace to beat the 9pm RNC kickoff.
McCain scheduled to go on at 9:11pm by the way, so an 11 minute buffer for ONBC.
(You know ONBC News is praying for overtime ...)
O'Reilly highlighting Megyn Kelly going off on US Weekly's editor. What a deuche. The editor I mean.
Seriously, who gives a crap if her daughter is pregnant? At the risk of offending people here ... who cares? She's 17. Its her life. And who the hell are we to judge her decision here? I know I sure as all hell didn't want to be a parent at 19, and I'm still not ready at 31. Its her life. Leave her alone.
(That, and the backlash from this, I'm telling you, is going to get ugly. If Barry is smart, he'll pull the plug on this. Of course, its Barry. He hasn't done anything smart in six months. Its why he's going to get creamed in 61 days).
Obama interview up next. Tonight focuses on national security. Tomorrow I assume is domestic issues. Same format as with Hillary.
This is like the 5th health care needs to be agenda item number one ad already tonight. I'd say energy needs to be issue number one, closely followed by securing, uuh, some form of secure situation in the Middle East, but hey, noone ever accused me of thinking clearly.
And here we go. O'Reilly. Obama. (mills lane) let's get it on!
Parts 2, 3, 4 next week. Calls them "provocative".
I think he's handled the Iran question quite well. O'Reilly trying to bait him, but I agree with Barry here, "when you're one of two people seeking the Presidency of the United States, you don't tip your hand until you're one person left standing".
Admits the "surge has succeeded in ways nobody could have anticipated". Uuh, I think the guy speaking at 9:11pm tonight anticipated it ...
Again, Obama's not saying anything I don't agree with. Initial invasion: horribly managed. Surge: worked tremendously. Credit: Petraeus. Bottom line: surge still doesn't justify the beginning of this debacle ... yet.
He's struggling with the Pakistan question.
Obama's getting fired up.
And that's it for part one.
I'll say this: if I vote Obama, it ain't for foreign policy reasons. But I already knew that entering this deal tonight.
Joe Gibbs at the podium.
Comparing God to the head coach of a football team. (george takei voice) oh my.
This is a freaking sermon. At the podium. Of a political convention. I don't know whether I'm more in shock and awe at this blatant whiz on the separation of church and state.
Or if I'm more in respect and admiration at this blatant whiz on the separation of church and state.
"Right game plan leads to what? (has to look at the notes). Success!" Thanks Joe!
Are we about to get an alter call?
Another sleeping delegate. Or me if I was there.
Seriously, this speech was bad. I'm not trying to come off as anti-religion, but this was just a bad speech.
And we follow it up with "Centerfield". Probably a better choice than "F*ck You Gently" by Tenacious D.
"Empty Nest!"
Man, how did we lose last night. Oh that's right, I totally botched the 150 pt question at the end. And I'm the American Idol addict in the group.
(steve reaching for hhh's sledgehammer to administer some justice ...)
GI John and Superwoman posters everywhere. I like it. Not as good as the old "African Americans for Gore / Lieberman" placard back in the day, but hey, again, you take what you can get.
Whoa, this delegate is holding up about 6 ft wide American flag ... and he's almost as wide as the flag. Have we confirmed Mark Mangino is not a delegate?
"Dangerzone" up next. Apparently crappy mid 80s rock is back in with our conservative friends.
On the other hand, the song is from "Top Gun". And McCain is the "Maverick" of this election.
(Although I doubt he'll get it with Kelly McGillis. Seriously, I think I burned through that tape in like 2 weeks, the first rated R movie I ever remember seeing ... and I don't think it left the hookup scene for like the first 550 times I watched it. Sometimes I wish I was 10 again ...)
Yes! An elephant hat! A gator hat! The Texans tossing sombrero-sized cowboy hats! Finally, somebody found the open bar at this thing!
Awesome, awesome "terrible towels" in the Pennsylvania delegation. Bright yellow, they say "Pennsylvanians for McCain! We're not bitter!"
Lindsay Graham up next. Can't believe he's being applauded, given how much the conservative base hates him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this speech is for the troops!" Wow, he is going full on Kerry tonight and channeling his inner veteran. Just so long as we don't get a cheezy video of him heading up the Mississippi River in a Swift Boat ...
Graham declaring victory in Iraq. Yeah, that worked out well the first time around.
Cheap shot at moveon.org. I'm good with it. They're nuts. Them, and the Daily Kooks. I mean, Daily Kos.
Like Lindsay Graham knows one damned thing about "courageous leadership", Gang of 14 gutless bastard.
"They (the troops) said Senator McCain, this (current situation in Iraq) ain't workin ..." WHAT? I thought we accomplished the mission 1,968 days ago? You're saying Bush lied? No ...
"Calling for more troops to be sent to Iraq was one of the most unpopular things John McCain could have done". Not Impeaching our incompetent Commander in Chief for lying about winning the war is far less popular with me.
If I was to type what I thought of Lindsay's last 4 paragraphs of speech, I would probably be arrested for slander.
Uuh, Barack just acknowledged their success on O'Reilly you jackass.
I am not a Lindsay Graham fan. Pardon me, Lindsey. Lindsey Graham.
He can't pronounce "miserably".
"Miserably" is how I'm feeling watching this lying baffoon.
What? Graham just said "we're going to win this war". 5 minutes ago he said we "had won this war -- victory!" Good Lord, at least Bush consistently lied about Mission Accomplished. This guy can't last 5 minutes!
(Neither could I at this point. Ka boom boom ching).
Palin video bumped from last night up next. I'd have chosen someone less, uuh, annoying to introduce it.
Then again, they did, since Guiliani was supposed to intro this last night.
I am digging this video. Right down to the pilfered "Dallas" theme song sound alike playing in the background.
(The lesson, as always: TV theme songs rule).
Officially one hour exactly from McCain. Unofficially about 19 minutes from the end of this, I'm done when Cindy takes the stage. I think.
'Skins / Giants well on pace to end by 10pmET. You can hear the ONBC and OMSNBC staffers cursing from here.
Great video. Tremendous.
Tom Ridge up next. Just like I'm among the few pro-life Dems ... he's among the few pro-choice Reps. Diversity. Again, practiced everywhere in the Republican Party, unless you're gay. Then you have cooties and need to go away.
This guy looks like Fred Willard. But he's not nearly as funny.
"Its not about who can answer a 3am call, its about who has answered the call his entire life". Solid line.
"Its not about building a record, its about having one". Great line.
"Its not about talking pretty, its about talking straight!" Its about the Dems nominating a freaking retard with nothing positive to offer this country, pal. I'm telling you, we will regret the Obama nomination like nothing this party has ever done.
"We are all called to serve as long as we call ourselves free". Good line.
"That's John McCain!"
Wow, this guy looks like Fred Willard.
Cindy McCain intro video.
If this is possible, Cindy's hotter now than she was 30 years ago.
Hu-Yuge applause for the McCain pic.
Wow, McCain looked a lot like Fred Couples back then.
Memories of Cindy's dad. She forgot "and rich".
Ooh, she's a racing fan! And she built cars! Kick ass! She owns a mother / son racing team! My Lord, I think my mind is almost made up ...
And here's ... Cindy!
Introducting the family.
There's no way she cranked all of them out. No way. I know one's adopted, but if the other six are hers ... and Palin has five ... my Lord, I might have to remove the "no kids" requirement from the future "Mrs. Steve". Or "Steve's Friend with Benefits".
(or whatever I can find on adult friend finder, which I'd be scared to think about).
Since I was just asked, the "O" in "OMSNBC" and "ONBC" is for "Obama". Those networks are so in the tank for Barry, they no longer should be referred to by their actual network names.
(So does that mean it should be MFOX News?)
I forgot to throw this out there: guess what Cindy's rockin' tonight! If you said massive pearl necklace, you're a winner!!!
My Lord, she's a MILF.
"I've always thought its a good idea to have a woman's hand on the wheel as well". Aah ... screw it, let it go.
"So how about that Governor Sarah Palin". Hu-yuge ovation for Sarah. And my God is she on fire tonight. Beautiful gray jacket, black skirt ... but no pearls. (aw).
The floor is just loving her.
"I couldn't be prouder that John has shaken things up ... as he usually does." I love double entendres ...
"Its why I love that John will have Sarah by his side ..."
Her son Jack graduates from the Naval Academy next year. Her son Jimmy an Iraq vet. Explains the Navy and USMC pins.
So if she's 13 years younger than him ... she's 59 or 60 depending on when her birthday is. (peter griffin voice) Holy crap!
again ... she's 59 or 60.
And she saved two orphans from Mother Teresa's village in India.
Wonder Woman! Speaking of TV theme songs I should have channeled for the Week One picks ...
She just accurately pronounced 5 countries. Which beats Bush's personal record of three.
(I kid, I kid. Although I wonder, are the Dems gonna do the same thing as Bush did in 2000, and work all these foreign leaders and countries into his debate responses to make him seem up to speed on foreign affairs when he's not got a clue? Yeah, let that sink in fellow donkeys. We nominated a man dumber and less qualified for this job than the current occupant of it. Excuse me while I bash my head into the desk ...)
Some chick that is Cindy McCain's hero.
Good point, that McCain lead the way to restore relations with Vietnam. Nixonesque with China, if you ask me. Except Nixon was never tortured by the ChiComs.
Tuesday night's printout was 19 pages. I've gotta be pushing that mark right now.
Building up to him ... but the schedule says 9:11 for McCain to start. Building in 5 minutes for the applause, maybe 5-6 for a video, we're ahead of schedule?
1:38 to go in the Meadowlands. Giants up 9 with the ball. ONBC, OMSNBC, sorry fellas, no excuse to not cover this live ...
And she's out. Crowd leaps to its feet. Nowhere near as energized as when Rudy yielded the stage to Governor Palin last night ... but then again, far more energized than any moment at the DNC save for the Kennedy tribute. Because at least the Republicans nominated a credible candidate. Our credible candidate is in the Veep slot. And sitting at home in Chappaqua, NY ...
Wow, CSPAN's building in 1:10 for this speech. Figuring 10 minutes for confetti, balloons, and fun, that's an hour of talking. I hope he does well ... but stuff like this is NOT McCain's strength. He'd be better off keeping this in the 40 minute range and praying the teleprompter dude is smarter than the one operating it last night.
More crazy Texans.
Hey, finally some delegates dancing. Only took 4 days.
Drunk Abe Lincoln looking fellow.
Hey! "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang! FINALLY some freaking dance your ass off music! Again, what took so long! The DNC had this going before night one even convened!
I'm guessing Will's in a foul mood. The Jim Zorn era? Not off to a good start. Or a competent one. Or hopeful. Awful performance by his offense tonight. 16-7 defending champs barring a 68 yard final play toss.
More crazy Texans! I actually own that shirt somewhere, the Texas flag shirt. Oh yeah.
Maybe I should try to find that and wear it when I get the "group of mo fo'ing idiots" to sign the masturbation gloves picture at the home opener.
And yes, I might have been feeling good, and I might have forgotten some key things like "who is Kristy Lee Cook" last night ... but a promise is a promise. I'll ask the gang of mo fo idiots to sign their moment of infamy next Sunday ...
(Its not like I've ever been decked by an irate fan at a football game before. Oh wait, I have ...)
"Drill Baby Drill!" sign. Oh, I'd like to ... for oil, of course ...
The lights dim. The McCain intro video begins.
With that, I'm out. I'll recap McCain's speech by lunch tomorrow.
They're playing the same Dallas rip-off theme song in this video that they did in Palin's. And I'm good with it.
Until the next post, remember: Kristy Lee Cook performed "Faithfully" on the 2008 Idol season. Carrie Underwood did not perform "Faithfully" in the 2005 season. An item I will never forget after last night ...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
the more things change ...
Three years ago tonight ... ok, not exactly tonight, but the last Sunday in August, 2005, I sat on the old back deck in my recliner, riveted to the television, flipping between FOX, CNN, and MSNBC.
Which is exactly what I did tonight: sit on the new deck, riveted to the television, flipping between FOX, CNN, and MSNBC.
(Man I miss that deck. Screened in? check. Covered roof on not one, but two levels? check. Couch, recliner, television, hammock, coffee table, and countless other seating devices on upper level? check. Hot tub on lower level? check. Kind of sad when the greatest deck you'll ever have, you attain when you're in your mid to late 20s. Actually what am I saying, that's gotta be every kid's dream ...)
Anyways, the reason for my attention focus? Simple. The great city of New Orleans faced imminent danger from Hurricane Katrina in the morning.
In the last 15 years, we have witnessed destruction in this country. We have seen the Northridge quake in Los Angeles. The attack in Oklahoma City. The fall of the Twin Towers. And closer to home, the destruction of Greensburg by a tornado.
But nothing, nothing, like what unfolded that fateful Monday morning, as Katrina came ashore ... then turned its wrath directly on New Orleans, raising Lake Pontchartrain to uncontrollable levels ... and ultimately the collapse of the 17th Street and Canal Street levees that unleashed arguably the single most destructive and altering week in American history since either 9/11 or Pearl Harbor.
I don't really have a point, other than to say, I hope God spares this great city this time. The current models at 10:20pm the night before, have the hurricane heading west of Lake Pontchartrain, west of the areas hardest hit three years ago. In the great tradition of that great city, here's raising a glass to hoping for the best, to believing that the rebuilt levees will hold, that the pumps will work, that somehow, someway, the progress and rebuilding won't be set back by even one uplifted board.
And, since all I've written about lately being politics, here's two more raised glasses to the incredibly classy gesture not only of John McCain, to give away the one night of the convention, which was devoted to the hard core conservative base of the party he still needs to wrap up, given up in the name of national unity in a time of crisis ... but also to the smart, informed decision by Barack Obama and the DNC to suspend the "war room" and any campaigning until the RNC resumes normal operations.
Some things actually matter more than Convention Week(s). (Wow, did I just type that? I missed my first Chiefs game in years to watch a freaking speech, and I just admitted something is bigger than the Convention(s)?!?! Wow.)
Anyways, that thing? The safety of a great American city. Its refreshing to see both candidacies grasp it, and place the greater good of the country over a 1 or 2 point potential "bounce" from night one. Especially when Zogby has McCain up two, and CNN has Obama up one. Its why I am perfectly calm regarding this election cycle. The worst case scenario is what? Status quo with McCain, an exciting new direction with Obama? Two decent people who won't disgrace the office seeking to leave their mark on the nation. Refreshing. Inspiring. Yeah, it'll get negative, it already has ... but at least this cycle, we've got two guys who get it when it comes to what really counts.
Which just continues to make my decision on who to back more and more difficult to reach ...
Which is exactly what I did tonight: sit on the new deck, riveted to the television, flipping between FOX, CNN, and MSNBC.
(Man I miss that deck. Screened in? check. Covered roof on not one, but two levels? check. Couch, recliner, television, hammock, coffee table, and countless other seating devices on upper level? check. Hot tub on lower level? check. Kind of sad when the greatest deck you'll ever have, you attain when you're in your mid to late 20s. Actually what am I saying, that's gotta be every kid's dream ...)
Anyways, the reason for my attention focus? Simple. The great city of New Orleans faced imminent danger from Hurricane Katrina in the morning.
In the last 15 years, we have witnessed destruction in this country. We have seen the Northridge quake in Los Angeles. The attack in Oklahoma City. The fall of the Twin Towers. And closer to home, the destruction of Greensburg by a tornado.
But nothing, nothing, like what unfolded that fateful Monday morning, as Katrina came ashore ... then turned its wrath directly on New Orleans, raising Lake Pontchartrain to uncontrollable levels ... and ultimately the collapse of the 17th Street and Canal Street levees that unleashed arguably the single most destructive and altering week in American history since either 9/11 or Pearl Harbor.
I don't really have a point, other than to say, I hope God spares this great city this time. The current models at 10:20pm the night before, have the hurricane heading west of Lake Pontchartrain, west of the areas hardest hit three years ago. In the great tradition of that great city, here's raising a glass to hoping for the best, to believing that the rebuilt levees will hold, that the pumps will work, that somehow, someway, the progress and rebuilding won't be set back by even one uplifted board.
And, since all I've written about lately being politics, here's two more raised glasses to the incredibly classy gesture not only of John McCain, to give away the one night of the convention, which was devoted to the hard core conservative base of the party he still needs to wrap up, given up in the name of national unity in a time of crisis ... but also to the smart, informed decision by Barack Obama and the DNC to suspend the "war room" and any campaigning until the RNC resumes normal operations.
Some things actually matter more than Convention Week(s). (Wow, did I just type that? I missed my first Chiefs game in years to watch a freaking speech, and I just admitted something is bigger than the Convention(s)?!?! Wow.)
Anyways, that thing? The safety of a great American city. Its refreshing to see both candidacies grasp it, and place the greater good of the country over a 1 or 2 point potential "bounce" from night one. Especially when Zogby has McCain up two, and CNN has Obama up one. Its why I am perfectly calm regarding this election cycle. The worst case scenario is what? Status quo with McCain, an exciting new direction with Obama? Two decent people who won't disgrace the office seeking to leave their mark on the nation. Refreshing. Inspiring. Yeah, it'll get negative, it already has ... but at least this cycle, we've got two guys who get it when it comes to what really counts.
Which just continues to make my decision on who to back more and more difficult to reach ...
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