2008 Debates

2008 Debates

Debating the candidates for President, and a place to LiveFeed during the televised debates. We are moving to a new permanent room "US Politics" to continue the conversation : (http://friendfeed.com/rooms/us...)
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Steve Isaacs posted a link
Secrets of the 2008 Campaign
Secrets of the 2008 Campaign
November 5 at 10:30 pm - via Bookmarklet - Link
A fascinating look behind the scenes of the campaign. A great read. - Steve Isaacs via Bookmarklet
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Jordan Hofker posted a message
“Okay, I'm 90% decided after tonight.”
October 15 at 7:28 pm - Link
and .... - AJ Kohn
6 more comments
care to share who - and what will it take for you to be 100%? - Ruth Ferguson
Were the debates particularly helpful for you? - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)
hehe, i'm too young to vote now, but i'm volunteering at the Kid's Elections which happens on the same day..i love seeing how all of those kids blather out meaningless shit that their parent's told them on both sides of the aisle ;D - Mohomed=genieyclo
(Following up to this old post) I voted today. Obama. - Jordan Hofker
Awesome, Jordan. Can I ask what made you come to your final decision? I've always been curious about the undecided voters' reasons behind their choices. Or maybe I'm just nosy. ;-) - ::Kristen::
I think the biggest thing is that Palin scares me. That hardly seems rational saying it now, but in that little "what if" scenario, I'm scared. I agree with slightly more of Obama's policies than I do McCain's, but I would accept either one because it would be an improvement over right now. Very few of the issues they've discussed affect me much. - Jordan Hofker
interesting. - Mohomed=genieyclo
One last thing: the whole "alternative energy" thing is something I'd like to see focused on more than McCain is willing to. - Jordan Hofker
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Darryl posted a link
McCain ad in "FIFA '07"
McCain ad in "FIFA '07"
McCain ad in "FIFA '07"
October 16 at 8:29 am - via Bookmarklet - Link
probably should have been in a NASCAR game..maybe Madden 2008. oooooh I couldn't resist. - Greg
you know those are photoshopped, right? just want to make sure - Cee Bee
could be. again, maybe not. it'd be hell easy to. - Mohomed=genieyclo
should put those adds in MS Flight Simulator 2.0 for Windows 98. - Erik Weese
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Steve Isaacs posted a message
“The thinking seems to be to invite everyone over to the new US Politics Room (http://friendfeed.com/rooms/us...) after tonight so we can discuss Election Day and everything else in a more permanent place. Come on by and join!”
pictures-8c0a64a84a1f41c4bfaaa3d8d3f7cbe1-large.jpg
October 15 at 4:05 pm - Link
bump. - Steve Isaacs
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bump. - Steve Isaacs
boop. - ::Kristen::
this was great. thanks, Steve. see ya in the USP room. - MikeAmundsen
question why not simply rename this group? - Ruth Ferguson
Ruth - I can change the name, but the the URL "2008-debates" would never change. The name would be a misnomer and will feel musty once 2009 rolls around. Rather it be clean and more SEO friendly. - Steve Isaacs
OK - glad to see many have moved over. - Ruth Ferguson
Last night I created a list to include several rooms so I could watch each. Real Time was just to fast but what a night to release it. Well done FF. - Russellreno
Yeah agreed - I was glued to the real-time feed. Loved it. - Steve Isaacs
bump. - Steve Isaacs
Ok, at midnight tonight I'll cut off posting, but the room can live on in our hearts. Forever. *sheds single tear* - Steve Isaacs
The final bump. Good luck, Godspeed and we'll see you over at (http://friendfeed.com/rooms/us...). - Steve Isaacs
I'm all choked up, with a lump in my ear... I mean throat. Pass the Kleenex. :) - Ian May
bump - Steve Isaacs
in the road. - Russellreno
on the head - MikeAmundsen
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Mohomed=genieyclo posted a link
Hulu - Saturday Night Live: Update: Palin Rap
October 19 at 3:15 pm - Link
lol!? - Mohomed=genieyclo
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Ⓝ〄ⒶⒽ ⒹⒶⓋⒾⒹ ⓈⒾⓂ〄Ⓝ posted a link
The Jewish Internet Defense Force: Obama back in 2001
The Jewish Internet Defense Force: Obama back in 2001
 Show all
October 19 at 1:42 am - via Reshare - Link
Obama worked with Father Pfleger: http://web.archive.org/web/200... Obama supports same-sex marriage: http://web.archive.org/web/200... Organizing and Islam: http://web.archive.org/web/200... Obama's bio from his old law firm (Woods Foundation and Annenberg Challenge are on there): http://web.archive.org/web/200... Trinity United Church of Christ (Obama's church of 20 years) hosted classes on the black liberation theology of James H. Cone back at the turn of the 21st century, and had been teaching black theology since 1972: http://web.archive.org/web/200... Obama was a member of the socialist "New Party" (notice the endorsement for ACORN too if you scroll down in the first link): http://www.populist.com/11.96.... http://web.archive.org/web/200 - Ⓝ〄ⒶⒽ ⒹⒶⓋⒾⒹ ⓈⒾⓂ〄Ⓝ
OK? - Jeff P. Henderson
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anna posted a message
“Another great moment in the debate was when Obama said that parents shouldn't be lazy and to put down the video games- and a virtual realtime friendfeed storm started happening all over my iPhone. I'm saying, people were pissed.”
October 16 at 2:47 am - Link
regardless of how we all feel about videogames... We will not be able to "fix" the education problems in this country without parents putting forth a full effort. - JoEllen
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As a parent, I agree 100% with what Obama said. Indeed, let's not get lazy. - Mike Reynolds
I agree with that comment of Obama's too. School may be for education, but parents should be teaching their kids how to behave. That includes moral guidance, a sense of right and wrong, discipline too. Also sex ed and guidance should be a parental responsibility not a schools. - Ian May
In the school my mother taught at for 35 years, they had to start offering dental services to children AT SCHOOL because parents weren't doing it AT HOME. This alongside the school psychologist/psychiatrist, the free/reduced lunches and offering breakfast & childcare for low income kids as well. I'm not saying these things shouldn't be done - but that is why we're spending so much on education. The school is taking care of what isn't being taken care of at home. I should add that is in a suburban school. - JoEllen
Agreed. Parenting is work. (And I'll be the first to admit I am not always good at it or up to the task.) But you do have to put your child first and you do have to pay attention. (And my hubs does have to put warhammer down dammit. But that's another story.) - Abby Martin
Our society's really self absorbed. Hard to be a parent when you are! - Patricia
I think parents need to get off their video games Mel. (At least in the hubs case. Can you tell I am mad? ;) ) And spend time with their child. Period. Or if they are going to play do it with the child. Do a spelling game or a math game or a shapes game on a kids' website together. Work together. - Abby Martin
I don't think Obama was talking about parents playing videogames, I think he's talking about kids playing videogames and watching TV. - JoEllen
I think he was talking about all our friends lost to World of Warcraft. - Brian Ries
I think he was talking about family priorities. Many of the 8th graders in my sister's classroom have PS3's or xboxes at home but honestly do no have/own notebooks, folders, pencils, or $ for after school activities. - JoEllen
Don't hate on warcraft- the azerothian economy is doing *just fine*, thank you. - Chris Hollander
I agree with Obama's statement. - RefD
I think both kids and parents need to go play ball outside or draw together or create stories as well as play video games. (And I think some parents do spend too much time gaming (HUSBAND AND WARHAMMER AHEM)) - Abby Martin
I'd even settle for parents and kids playing videogames together. Thank you Rock Band, Guitar Hero and the Wii. - JoEllen
If people are mad that Obama said this, I think they're overreacting. It's not like he was demonizing TV and video games outright. There's just an increase in parents not taking responsibility to discipline their kids in all aspects, including having a balance between reading, learning, having the thirst for knowledge, and playing video games, watching TV, and doing other stuff like that. - Cheryl Jones
Growing up, I played a lot of NES, Sega, had my own computer and spent a lot of time on it. But I was also a voracious reader, had strong interests in science (not so much math) and English, and generally had a good balance with my interests. The balance isn't so great now with kids. And a lot of parents do not discipline their kids like my parents disciplined me (it bugs the crap out of me, seeing kids running wild in stores and not getting scolded). I think his call to parents was correct and necessary. - Cheryl Jones
I thought this was a moment that Obama really thought he had made the race, and was working towards lowering unrealistic expectations the public may have- the "we all have to work on this" instead of "I'm your savior" - anna
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Cee Bee posted a message
“the eloquence of senator obama - kinda patronizing, no?”
October 15 at 7:15 pm - Link
"Eloquence is patronizing". So, he should not be eloquent but talk in mixed metaphors, half sentences, run on sentences with no object, split infinitives, slang, "gee Whiz" uterances, et al... Well , I guess he might win some of SP's constituency that way - go for not the lowest common denominator but the lowest now there's Change ! - David HC Soul
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Uh, I think Cee meant that McCain saying that is kinda patronizing. - Jordan Hofker
yeah he speaks well, but why does mccain point it out? it's like saying he speaks really well for a black man. that's what pops up in my head. i don't know, maybe it's just me, but i know it's not - Cee Bee
McCain being passive-aggressive - MLx
+1 Marianne - Susan Beebe (Santa Claus)
Yes, but it may backfire because Obama IS eloquent. - Bonnie "Prorogue" Dean
+1 Cee Bee - Karim
You Betcha - Eric P
He was trying to paint Obama as a slick-willy, that it's all rhetoric. That was some bad advice, imho, from his political consultants. Obama is really clear and has a great direct style, I don't think anyone thinks he's being "professorial" as the pundits paint him. - anna
McCain was trying to add distance by calling Obama "eloquent" - thus pushing votes away from Joe the Plumber / six pack demographic - Susan Beebe (Santa Claus)
If there really is a portion of voters that's turned off by eloquence, would using the description "eloquent and professorial" really make them sit up and take notice? Joe the Plumber: "He's right! I am disinclined to utilize my franchise for the advancement of someone possessing such facility for elocution. I like straight talk." - David Muir
Agreed. - orionstarr
A leader should be eloquent. Being anything less is an insult. - Mike Reynolds
@Mike - agreed. We've been insulted/assaulted for 8 years with in-eloquence. - JoEllen
I would rather have eloquence than this: http://cli.gs/3P3rVs - Stagekid
I'm sorry, but I want my elected officials to be elitist and eloquent. They should be better than me and all the Joe Plumbers and Hockey Moms. Give them all the arugula they want, I say. - Bonnie "Prorogue" Dean
@ Bonnie - you forgot about the lattes. Give 'em all the lattes they want. - JoEllen
We've experimented with governance by stupidity for 8 years now. I think we can say with some certainty that it didn't work very well. - Victor Ganata
+100, Bonnie. - Cheryl Jones
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orionstarr posted a link
CAPTION CONTEST: An actual, unretouched photo from last night's debate. Original From the Sud-Deutsche Zeitung's 'Photos of the Day'.
mccain-1224138727.jpg
October 16 at 7:48 am - via Reshare - Link
WTF?! - orionstarr
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wuuuhhhghhh ughhghh - Marko Bon
Oh, was this when he and Bob Schieffer were trying to get around the table to shake hands? aHahahahahaha. - Jason Toney
Halloween started early for Johnny! - RefD
Ass-grabbing terrorists isn't going to help your campaign, John... - ωαřмaiden
Whaaaaaasssssuuuuup? - Bonnie "Prorogue" Dean
"Oh, this is the biggest one I ever had. You hear that Elizabeth? I'm coming to join you honey." - Neil Bernhart
Definitely a 'shop. I've seen a lot of these. You see, you can tell by the pixels... - Mark VandenBerg
Not Photoshopped...sorry to disappoint you but he actually did this. - RefD
This is from the Reuters website. It's real. And a gift from God. - Bonnie "Prorogue" Dean
Maybe if I eat him, I will then absorb his power. Then his minions can only vote for him by voting for me! euugggghhhh. - Sean O'Brien
"Yo ass looks so tasty." say Mc while Obama tries to get away. - Mathew A. Koeneker
Here it is shot from anther angle: http://tinyurl.com/4lkjlw - RefD
Yeah, it's not p-shopped. I remember when he made that funny face trying to get around the table to shake the moderator's hand after the debate. There is a captioning contest at Anderson Cooper's blog for CNN: http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/200... . I happened to catch a clip on CNN of them talking about the captions for this wacky picture. :) - Cheryl Jones
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Darryl posted a link
"I did not have a sexual relationship with Senator McCain"
October 16 at 8:35 pm - via Bookmarklet - Link
Um, something smells here. (Not to mention, why give a quote that sounds eerily like Bill Clinton during the Monica affair?) - Darryl via Bookmarklet
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Erica Baker posted a message
“I am anxiously awaiting the screen grab of JMc sticking his tongue out at the end.”
October 15 at 7:34 pm - Link
Haven't seen it yet. :( - Erica Baker
4 more comments
I would like the shuffle he did as a GIF, for Christmas please. - Marko Bon
Hey Erica, I gots it: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/... - Marko Bon
what was the context why was it sticking his tongue out? - Ruth Ferguson
http://friendfeed.com/e/cb9caf..., http://friendfeed.com/e/118a52..., http://friendfeed.com/e/0944be..., - Cee Bee
@ Ruth - he was slightly exasperated at how to get around the semicircular table to shake hands with the moderator. - JoEllen
ruth, he was having a moment of indecision when trying to figure out which direction to walk around the desk onstage after the debate ended. he was lost - Cee Bee
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Mohomed=genieyclo posted a link
United Association of Plumbers endorses Obama
October 15 at 10:34 pm - Link
apparently Joe Plumber is voting Democrat come Nov 4.. - Mohomed=genieyclo
lol - xero
sweet. - RefD
and "Joe the Plumber" not actually a plumber: http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin... - Karim
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Russellreno posted a link
Gyminee Blog | Health and Fitness News, Gyminee Features » 2008 Candidate Spotlight: Obama’s Fitness Routine
Gyminee Blog | Health and Fitness News, Gyminee Features » 2008 Candidate Spotlight: Obama’s Fitness Routine
October 16 at 10:26 am - via Bookmarklet - Link
"“Obama ran a full body workout. Standing tricep push downs, elbows tight to his hips. Lying triceps presses but with single 15 lb dumbbells in each hand, his cap falling off. After the set he got up, placed the weights back and only then reached down and picked up his cap, ever so gradually. Shoulder presses. Step ups with a high platform, clasping dumbbells. He had a prescribed workout on paper that Reggie held. Though at times Obama did his own thing, focusing mostly on his triceps. In one set he started with 50 lbs for overhead dumbbell extensions. He lifted it once, grimacing. He moved straight away to 40 lbs. Later, in the corner of the gym he did calf raises alone, lifting about 80 lbs and then cleaning the bench afterward, slowly, weight by weight. He walked around that way, sauntering, squinting beneath his cap, a little stiff legged, like a man who had just finished a long run.”" - Russellreno via Bookmarklet
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orionstarr posted a message
“So would McCain and Palin are against Stem cell research but yet they claim to care so much about developing new medicine and cures for "Special" Needs. Just thought this was sort of hypocritical. Since new cures and advances are going to come from Stem Cell research.”
October 16 at 7:58 am - Link
It wasn't clear what McCain is for and against in stem cell land. I heard something about it on NPR this morning, trying to clarify... but I didn't understand the intricacies. Does anyone else know his official stance? - JoEllen
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The official Republican platform is for stem cell research, just not stem cells that originate from fetuses. - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)
Okay thanks, just hasn't been cleared up in my mind. I fear though that Palin and McCain won't embrace science and research. It's not the "Christian" thing to do. - orionstarr
McCain's repeated talking-point that Palin is uniquely qualified to speak for families with disabled children makes me cringe every time. I've worked with severe to profoundly retarded kids and she doesn't share any of the qualities of the parents that were most knowledgeable and involved. - Marko Bon
The problem is that that limitation effectively prevents researchers from creating new lines of stem cells. At least until they work out an alternate way of obtaining totipotent stem cells. So far, no dice. - Victor Ganata
Isn't the issue not with the research itself, but with federal money paying for the research? Put another way, go ahead and do it but taxpayers aren't going to fund it? The reasoning, of course is religiously based, which is wrong IMHO. - Mark VandenBerg
Unfortunately, no NIH funding means no experiment in a lot of cases. Biotech companies don't make any money funding basic research. They're probably not very interested in hESC experiments right now. - Victor Ganata
I was just talking about this last night as well. It doesn't make sense. - ::Kristen::
@Victor Surely if there was a hope of a profit to be made, as in, success, biotech companies would be stumbling over each other to develop this. Since the only way seems to be funding by tax dollars, it seems the biotech companies have decided there will not be a profitable solution (marketable product) to justify the expenditure. - Mark VandenBerg
Most advances in biotech work that way: the NIH through the universities fund the basic science, then the biotech companies try to figure out how to deploy the knowledge gained and come up with a product. This is how many breakthroughs in cancer treatment have been made. Without the basic science, no one would've even thought to try and come up with a product. - Victor Ganata
Got it. Thanks for explaining it. - Mark VandenBerg
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posted a message
“Why not rename this room 2008 Election (or is there a room already?).”
October 16 at 7:35 am - Link
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orionstarr posted a message
“Obama and so called "Terrorist" ties. "CLEARED UP" - NEXT.”
October 16 at 8:08 am - Link
it isn't cleared up if you re-repeat the attack immediately after Obama clearly and concisely defines their relationship. Repetition = True. - JoEllen
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@JoEllen I know what you mean. - orionstarr
"We've always been at war with Eurasia!" - RefD
McCain's reaction to the facts: http://cli.gs/3P3rVs - Stagekid
You've got to ask: is McCain (1) deaf (2) extremely forgetful, or (3) allergic to facts? - Victor Ganata
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Ali R Khan posted a message
“anyone supporting McCain Because of Palin??”
October 15 at 8:05 pm - Link
Sadly, my brother. - Caffeinated Sue
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HE should rethink about it :) - Ali R Khan
I would talk with him about it if I thought it would do any good. - Caffeinated Sue
she's a hot woman who shoots moose... that appeals to some men (not me... but I can understand it) - Sean Reiser
Maybe you can get him a girl, that may do it. - kbourke
younger brother? - Marko Bon
Me - Jennifer Marie Sandbank
My brother said that he'd rather see Palin as President over Obama - that Obama is too much like Carter. I had to walk away from the conversation. - Caffeinated Sue
The reason could be Supporting a women, Just like people supporting Hillary, May be they are able to see Palin as President :) - Ali R Khan
To follow up, my brother is older - early 40s, married, 2 kids, lifetime NRA member, works in law enforcement. As for the Carter comparison, he claims to remember that administration and the long lines at the pump, but he was maybe 10 when Carter was elected (and never interested in politics). I'm sure he was influenced by some nObama email from one of his co-workers. - Caffeinated Sue
Coworker of mine, but his excuse is basically because it would be entertaining, plus she's hot. - xero
Palin is NOT hot, not even by a stretch. - RefD
One of my local postal workers is. He doesn't like McCain, but loves Palin. Said he'd vote for her if she was running for President. Scary... - Squirrel Girl
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Erica Baker posted a link
YTMND - McCainster Mash
October 16 at 8:08 am - via Reshare - Link
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Eric P posted a link
Joe the Plumber isn't even registered to vote!
October 16 at 5:55 am - via Bookmarklet - Link
Yeesh. - Jason Toney
I guess this is the real reason why McCain likes him so much. - RefD
1 related entry from Darryl
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Ruth Ferguson posted a message
“I have not heard any of the pundits point out that Palin's child is not autistic ---- seems odd.”
October 16 at 12:25 am - Link
Also that the child is 6 or 7 months old and at this point, probably isn't needing many interventions. If he was school aged... then we'd have something to talk about a little bit more. - JoEllen
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I assume that Trig doesn't need any heart surgery, but there is a high incidence of cardiac anomalies in Down's syndrome. - Victor Ganata
"hmmm. I can't seem to get enough of the African-American vote. I can't get much of the Hispanic vote. I'm having trouble with the educated women... well there's still parents of autistic kids... YEAH *snort* that's the ticket!" - JoEllen
@ Melmcb - he said that autism is on the rise - so he's shoring up his voter pool by grasping for the biggest/growing group of parents of special needs children. - JoEllen
I don't think anyone actually thinks this, but just to be clear: Down's syndrome != autism. - Victor Ganata
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tehKenny posted a message
“When Barack laid out the fact that Ayers had contributed $200 to the Obama campaign, I ***SO*** wanted him to whip out two benjamins and say "I'M RICH, BEE-OTCH!" then throw them at McCain.”
October 16 at 7:59 am - Link
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Dan Hsiao posted a message
“Let's improve education by ensuring teachers don't need to be ceritified or qualified.”
October 15 at 7:20 pm - Link
Grrrrrr. grrrrrrr. pet peeve. - JoEllen
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crazy talk - anna
ugh that fell flat - anna
McCain must think that veterans are all demigods - xero
And smart, and prepared to teach kids. He diminishes everything that makes good teachers valuable. Get off a carrier, teach English. It's easy! - anna
WHAT? He really has lost it. - Abby Martin
I'm not opposed to having specialists come into high schools to teach, but not for core subjects. Teaching well is a skill - some people are blessed with it and others aren't. - JoEllen
I know! HYPOCRITE. - orionstarr
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Toby Graham posted a message
“Dang missed it.”
October 16 at 1:25 am - Link
So did I. Fell asleep with small sick child. - Abby Martin
So what the heck happened last night? Did Obama take it? (Still home with sick child who is napping now.) - Abby Martin
I think he did. - Bonnie "Prorogue" Dean
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posted a message
“What a friend said about last night. He got it so right:”
October 16 at 7:26 am - Link
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Austin King posted a message
“Awestruck that 1) The talked about McCain's hate filled rallies and chants "Kill Obama" 2) That McCain tried to spin this into his own pity party "They attacked my health plan". Really? Another low, low point for John McCain.”
October 15 at 9:21 pm - Link
Obama said that the "Kill" chants were during Palin speeches and nothing was done. Later, McCain replied with, "So the point is -- the point is that I have repudiated every time someone's been out of line, whether they've been part of my campaign or not, and I will continue to do that. But the fact is that we need to absolutely not stand for the kind of things that have been going on. I haven't." Maybe you should convey that to your running mate, John. - Caffeinated Sue
I don't think McCain addressed the many rally zealots until he did is town hall in Lakeville, MN. He hasn't gone on record as repudiating them every time. Just once... I guess. - JoEllen
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Russellreno posted a link
Ben Smith's Blog: Voting for Obama anyway - Politico.com
October 15 at 3:16 pm - via Bookmarklet - Link
"The next was a woman, late 50s, Democrat but strongly pro-life. Loved B. and H. Clinton, loved Bush in 2000. "Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but I'm sick of paying for health insurance at work and that's why I'm supporting Barack."" - Russellreno via Bookmarklet
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the health insurance issues - when gov gets involved the healthcare you will expect is not the healthcare you will get. Ask anyone on Medicare and ask them how high their deductable goes each year ... and how much it costs for supplemental insurance that you must have or get penalized. I want basic care for all but there must be a way to keep the gov hands off this....seriously - what your expectations are......insurance for all will make for some pretty pissed off patients when status quo is no longer your product! - jlt
Uh, if you're over 65, your Medicare deductible is $100/year. No joke. - Victor Ganata
And your premium is about $100/mo. This is in stark contrast to the bare bones plan I pay for: $2000/year deductible, about $100/mo premium. - Victor Ganata
Updated numbers for 2009: Part B monthly premium: $96.40; Part B annual deductible: $135. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/me... - Victor Ganata
@jlt - hysterical comment coming from McCain, a guy who has been on govt health care for 60 years. - Dave Hodson
When it comes to healthcare, I can't help but compare the US to the UK. The UK spends about a third less of taxpayers money than the US does on healthcare, yet in the UK healthcare is mostly free at the point of use. - Ian May
Part of the problem is that Americans have been trained that "more expensive" equals "better." Medicine doesn't work that way. - Victor Ganata
@victor - i do my parents bills - it is not 100.00 - it is closer to 800.00 and part b is the supplemental and that is bones pricing. medication without the doughnut hole runs my father alone 1300 a year, without it his meds would be close to 8k. Bush did good getting meds on the plan but gov must keep hands out of the medicare fund. - jlt
part b is what you can buy when you turn 65. unless you're counting the coinsurance, or the meds, i have no idea how your parents are getting charged $800. check the cms page: those are the numbers. certainly that's what my dad is paying. part d is completely broken and is basically gov't subsidy of big pharma. - Victor Ganata
seriously, @jlt, your parents must be getting ripped off somehow, unless you're counting co-ins and/or meds. Meds are damn expensive. most people over 65 are on 4-5 meds, and each pill costs ~$3/day, and even with part d, it's still painful. - Victor Ganata
Victor - I had a very helpful senior pharmacist go over every plan my parents could get based on their formulary in part d. They are both 84 and the meds alone my father must (and I say must -- i work in healthcare so I keep close tabs on what is happening and have some great docs assist me if I have any questions about their care) - they are in a different state making it harder for me to be on absolute top of the medication changes. Each state does have some plans to help them along. Luckily in DE I was able to get them in a program that helps defer costs. Hell, they both live on about 19k a year from Medicare, investments in CD's and a pitiful retirement check from a union. They fell into the poverty level. At least with the current gov they don't pay taxes. When you reach that age many diagnsotic tests are high and there are co-pays you cannot avoid! If you are 65 and healthy = great as you age more it goes to crap...cancer of prostate is almost a given for an ederly man. - jlt
@jlt, I don't have any doubt that the co-insurance can be daunting, since Medicare expects you to pick up 20% of the tab, and the cost of medication is out of control. Health care cost containment must go hand-in-hand with insurance reform. But the health care industry is not going to do this on its own, and it is so far removed from market forces that consumer behavior has little bearing on costs. - Victor Ganata
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Molly, the Merry Maker posted a message
“I'm sorry, I can't watch anymore of this. McCain is really pissing me off. :(”
October 15 at 6:38 pm - Link
Truth hurts. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
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when has mccain stated a truth? i missed that part. - Anika Malone
Mark: What do you mean by "truth hurts?" McCain isn't telling the truth. Obama is the one who's telling the truth. My blood pressure is way up now. >:( - Molly, the Merry Maker
The Obama campaign *has* been overwhelmingly negative and truth twisting - granted, they stick to the issues and lie about those instead of twisting the truth on personal histories, but seeing McCain finally call out Obama on his politics is something I've been waiting for the whole campaign. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
but he stated flat out lies. again. i understand the fringe wingers like malking and hannity like the lies, but it's a shame that sort of crap has filtered into a national campaign. - Anika Malone
Hey, Mark...I'm just going to say this to you once, STFU. McCain isn't shoveling the truth. I'm sorry that you think that, but you need to open your eyes and face the facts. Your guy is behind the 8 ball and losing...BADLY. He isn't leading the way in a positive campaign...he went negative because he's so desperate at this point that that was the only thing he could have done to make any movement after his performance in the previous debates and the economy. - Alex Scoble CISSP
i agree faboo. just pushing those lies til they become truth - Cee Bee
And he's telling something so opposite to the truth that it's called...wait for it....LYING! - Alex Scoble CISSP
I disagree with Mark GREATLY but we want to respectful - Ruth Ferguson
I am happy I am not watching :) - Geoff Schultz
+1 Alex - David Cook
I'm a Republican and I disagree with Mark. - Jennifer Marie Sandbank
If you disagree, you haven't been watching Obama's attack ads. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
I hate all the attack ads. Politics is politics. It is not like we are choosing between normal people. We are choosing between politicians. - Bret Taylor
I would be interested in understanding specifically what "overwhelmingly negative and truth twisting" events in Obama's campaign have been as un-American and insulting as those of McCain. Not even close. In fact, it would be good to know what you consider is in this category. - JC unwired
Indeed, but as someone who disagrees with Obama's politics, McCain has waited way too long to say "hey, a lot of the stuff you're saying about my stances is incorrect." - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Of course, I have way better things to do with my time than watch commercials...especially political ones. - Jennifer Marie Sandbank
How can you disagree with me, then? If you haven't seen them, you don't know what you're disagreeing with. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
I thought so. No facts. Fail. - JC unwired
Because you are so blatantly just trying to stir up shit. This is obviously room leaning more towards the left than the right and you are totally taking the defensive and trying to get people pissed off. - Jennifer Marie Sandbank
@Jennifer: Just so we're clear, you're disagreeing not because you know something I don't, but just on principal. got it. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
That's all "Rizzn" does is stir up shit. It's his hobby. - Karim
-10000 to all those who are supporting McCain and agree with Mark. +10000 to all those who are supporting McCain and disagree with Mark. :P - Molly, the Merry Maker
http://rizzn.com/blog/2008/07/... - Karim
I support your decision. We don't need the debates as a reason to drink. - Aaron Hood
Thanks Karim...I see now. - Jennifer Marie Sandbank
It's fascinating to me as British Thatcherite / Conservative who ought to be voting Republican but I cannot vote for someone who continually lies. BTW the Joe Plumbers here love Joe Biden - Sally Church
@Molly, really? +infinity to anyone who agrees with me. I win. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
I got the same feeling as well:( - orionstarr
Wrong or right McCain doesn't inspire me for the future of this country. His character is the old and angry type. But of course the old man can't handle being crushed like he his. - orionstarr
@orionstarr - Agreed. I didn't strongly dislike McCain before the debate last night, now I really do not like him. I did dislike his policies and politics before, but I thought he was alright, personality wise. Now I know I couldn't take 4 years of him. - JoEllen
Yeah dismissing "health" of the mother was the final nail for me. I guess McCain can let us know when a mother's life is worth consideration. - Alissa Dark-Freudeman
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MLx posted a message
“I love how Obama grins instead of saying "wow, he's really full of shit"”
October 15 at 6:56 pm - Link
me too. - Melissa
8 more comments
or just straight up laughs - Jeremiah
I'm pretty sure he knows its pointless to attack an angry old man - Melissa
From someone who doesn't particularly care for Obama, to me it says "y'know, I should disagree, but the American public is too stupid to understand what he just said, so I'll keep quiet." He's made it clear in the past that he doesn't think much of America's collective intelligence. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
Mark: how would you interpret ths smirk on McCains face when he's caught out then? - David HC Soul
I can't say I think too much about it myself. We're closer to Idiocracy than I feel comfortable with... - Vince DeGeorge
Nor do I - look who they elected for the last 2 elections. - Steve Isaacs
Obama's look helped him win the last two debates. In this debate with the split screen, I think it is helping him even more. - Ari Milner
Mark, the average American IQ is 100 it's a standard bell curve. 85-90% or so are below the college prep level of around 120. - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)
It doesn't matter how smart Obama actually is or isn't. Being smug about it is still irritating. And before you say anything about it, yes I know I act pretty smug most of the time. Difference is I'm not trying to win a national popularity contest. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
No, the difference is that he IS going to win a national popularity contest, which makes you caustic, and THAT makes ME smirk. - Jason Carreira
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DaveAlviso posted a message
“TWK will win this race!”
October 16 at 3:48 am - Link
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Christopher Galtenberg posted a link