Hotline After Dark -- Learning To Fly, But They Ain't Got Wings
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann spoke with Barack Obama from the campaign trail in Flint, MI.
Obama, on the new John McCain/Sarah Palin ad: "They're not telling the truth. ... I think we've all gotten accustomed to being able to spin things in politics. But when you've got somebody who was for a project being presented as being against it, then that, you know, stretches the bounds of spin into new areas. And you know, as far as John McCain is concerned, I think that Senator McCain has, on occasion, broken with his party, but this notion that, as he said at his convention, that he would tell the lobbyists that they're not going to be running Washington anymore, who is he going to tell, his campaign chairman, Charlie Black, his campaign manager, Rick Davis, two of the largest corporate lobbyists in Washington with client lists that extend into every major industry? You know, there is just a sense that they're making these assertions that ignore the facts of their campaigns and their past history. And I think people should be troubled by that."
More Obama: "This argument John McCain and Sarah Palin are making, that they are agents of change, just won't fly. It defies their history and their background. And we saw it in the convention that they wouldn't talk about the basic issues that are really going to make a difference in the lives of middle class families. So, you know, I'm happy to have legitimate policy debates with them ... but for them to run an ad that basically doesn't present an accurate record of their positions on issues I think should raise some questions about how they would approach an dministration."
After the jump, Obama on O'Reilly and Palin's faith examined.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
Obama, on campaign strategy: "The Republicans can't govern but they run smart campaigns, and frankly, they are not always policed by the media as effectively as they should be.I was struck with how little scrutiny some of the claims that John McCain and Sarah Palin were making, how little they were subjected to scrutiny coming out of the convention. It's our job to press the point and make the case, and I think that the Republicans have been pretty successful at working the refs during this game. ... If we just keep on being clear about how we are going to rebuild this economy, then I think we are going to end up winning this campaign."
Obama, on McCain mgr. Rick Davis saying the campaign is not going to be about the issues: "That was his assertion. Well, I think that the American people expect it to be about the issues. They deserve it to be about the issues. That's what we're going to keep on pressing in the weeks that will remain."
Olbermann, on Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) calling Obama "uppity": "In that context, do you regret putting the brakes on the 527 groups who would have produced or could have produced hard-hitting ads that would have been sharing your sympathies?"
Obama: "I am confident that the American people, once the dust has settled, are going to say to themselves, 'Do we really want to do the same thing we've been doing for the last eight years? Or do we want something new?' I think there's a genuine sense of anxiety out there, not just about immediate economic prospects but the sense that we are not living up to what's possible in America, that we're not delivering on the American promise. And I think that understandably people are saying to themselves, gosh, we like Obama, we like his message, but we haven't known him that long, let's really lift the hood, kick the tires, you know, take them out and watch them work hard. And you know, let's take a look at these debates and then we're going to make up our mind in mid-October. And I think that by the time this thing is all over, the contrast is going to be clear."
Obama, asked if Palin is experienced enough and qualified enough to become POTUS "in the relatively short-term future": "Well, you know, I'll let you ask Governor Palin that when I'm sure she'll be appearing on your show. ... But rather than focus on a resume, I just want to focus on where she wants to take the country. As far as I can tell, there has not been any area, economic policy or foreign policy, in which she is different from John McCain or George Bush" ("Countdown," 9/8).
And "O'Reilly Factor" aired part two of Obama's interview with FNC's Bill O'Reilly, where the two talked about tax policy.
Obama: "I don't like paying taxes. You think I like writing the check? What I believe is that there's certain things we've got to do. And we've got to help people who are having a tough time affording college so they can benefit like we benefitted from this great country. People who [are] having a tough time, they don't have health care. People who are trying to figure out how they are going to pay the bills. And there are certain things we've got to do."
More Obama: "The Bush record, the numbers are what they are. $4 trillion. Now we've got a choice. We can keep on just borrowing and dump it on our kids. That's option number one. ... Or we could have across the board tax hikes."
O'Reilly, on part three of the interview: "Now tomorrow, it's Reverend Wright and the associations. You think that was lively? Wait until you see tomorrow" (FNC, 9/8).
LOSING MY RELIGION
"To better understand Palin's view of the world," CNN went to AK to talk to her pastors.
CNN's Kaye: "Sarah Palin really grew up in the Wasilla Assembly of God church, a Pentecostal church. Now, her current church is a small, quaint, community church but it's not without controversy. For more than two decades, Sarah Palin was a practicing Pentecostal. Yet the McCain campaign now says Palin doesn't consider herself Pentecostal. She hasn't talked about her faith since joining the Republican ticket."
More Kaye: "Palin left the church six years ago to join a more mainstream, nondenominational church. We don't know why she left the church, but we do know the senior pastor from her former church, Wasilla Assembly of God, had preached some unusual sermons, including one about how Alaska is destined to serve as a shelter for Christians at the end times."
Palin's current church home is Wasilla Bible Church. Asked how a person's faith influences them or shapes them and their decisions, Wasilla Bible Church pastor Larry Kroon: "You're talking to a real core aspect of who they are and how they see things and they will, I think, that's part of how they'll make decisions and react" ("Election Center," 9/8).
So, Obama's new approach is "where's the beef?" The immortal phrase best uttered by the late Clara Peller didn't do as much for Walter Mondale as it did for Burger King.
And, really, does the Obama campaign want to focus on what is said in the candidates' churches?
This campaign is all mixed up. Very interesting.
Yea, here we go again mixing religion with politics. It always come down to religion with those freekin bible thumpers.
it's the right wing nut jobs that got us into the dumb war. now again, the imposing Bible distorters are forcing themselves on the public. what about separation of church and state. keep your "punishing God" ideas to yourselves. check the volume of lies you float in the name of honesty. start ACTING as the Bible says and chill on your preaching.
it's the right wing nut jobs that got us into the dumb war. now again, the imposing Bible distorters are forcing themselves on the public. what about separation of church and state. keep your "punishing God" ideas to yourselves. check the volume of lies you float in the name of honesty. start ACTING as the Bible says and chill on your preaching.
Palin has a laundry list of discrepancies that could fill the Reagan Library! Okay, we'll give you the Rev. Wright fiasco. But what about the people in her state who are not afraid to say she is s t e t c h i n g her accomplishments to the limit! If I were them I would be afraid, very afraid, because she packs heat. But, nevertheless, they are, like the fat lady, singing.
I have been following this campaign and simply cannot believe that some people are believing the lies coming out of the republican party... They are flip flopping all over the place... Now they are trying to take credit for Obama's campaign on change... There are keeping Palin away from the media because they know she is not the right person for the job... They are simply afraid of what could come out of her mouth... That is why she doesn't speak without something scripted for her...
Palin is an extremist... that is the last thing you want in the whitehouse... We live in a complicated world, lets try to not make it worst!
Obama bring a message of unity, something that makes sense for all our futures...
Barracuda lyrics---don't the Republicans listen to themselves?
So this aint the end -
I saw you again today
I had to turn my heart away
Smiled like the sun -
Kisses for real
And tales - it never fails!
You lying so low in the weeds
I bet you gonna ambush me
Youd have me down down down down on my knees
Now wouldnt you, barracuda?
Back over time we were all
Trying for free
You met the porpoise and me
No right no wrong, selling a song-
A name, whisper game.
If the real thing dont do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn burn burn burn it to the wick
Ooooooh, barracuda?
Sell me sell you the porpoise said
Dive down deep down to save my head
You...i think you got the blues too.
All that night and all the next
Swam without looking back
Made for the western pools - silly fools!
If the real thing dont do the trick
No, you better make up something quick
You gonna burn burn burn burn it to the wick
Ooooooohhhh, barra barracuda.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.
I wish that everyone could see the Republican spin machine for what it is. That is the only thing that the Republicans are good at--spin, spin, and more spin. Gee, who would you rather have a beer with didn't work too well, did it? And, if you notice, it is only every four years, that the issue of abortion pops up. The Republicans say they are against it, and, that fuels up the Democratic base, saying that a woman should have a choice. Then, the Republicans just sit back, and wait for the Catholic and evangelical votes to come their way, as they do most of the time. Just think about it. Roe vs. Wade has been around since 1973, and the Republicans have never overturned it--why should they? It guarantees them votes all of the time. The Democratic Congress that people say is a do nothing congress. Why not see it in the entire picture. Aren't there 49 Democrats, and 49 Republicans? And, doesn't Joe Lieberman have the "magic vote"? But, wait, if there is a deadlock, Dick Cheney gets to be the tie breaker. Bush never was a uniter as he said that he would be--gee, imagine that! And, now, people might be thinking of putting another Republican in the White House. Where is your thinking? If John McCain really wanted to distance himself from Bush, then he should have run as an independent. Don't forget that he wanted to pick Joe Lieberman as his running mate, and he was told that he couldn't. Whose race is this, anyway? And, you think that he won't be listening to Republicans if he gets into office? Please, America, wake up and smell the coffee. Do you really want a Trojan Horse going to the White House? Beware of McCain/Palin bearing gifts!
I wish that everyone could see the Republican spin machine for what it is. That is the only thing that the Republicans are good at--spin, spin, and more spin. Gee, who would you rather have a beer with didn't work too well, did it? And, if you notice, it is only every four years, that the issue of abortion pops up. The Republicans say they are against it, and, that fuels up the Democratic base, saying that a woman should have a choice. Then, the Republicans just sit back, and wait for the Catholic and evangelical votes to come their way, as they do most of the time. Just think about it. Roe vs. Wade has been around since 1973, and the Republicans have never overturned it--why should they? It guarantees them votes all of the time. The Democratic Congress that people say is a do nothing congress. Why not see it in the entire picture. Aren't there 49 Democrats, and 49 Republicans? And, doesn't Joe Lieberman have the "magic vote"? But, wait, if there is a deadlock, Dick Cheney gets to be the tie breaker. Bush never was a uniter as he said that he would be--gee, imagine that! And, now, people might be thinking of putting another Republican in the White House. Where is your thinking? If John McCain really wanted to distance himself from Bush, then he should have run as an independent. Don't forget that he wanted to pick Joe Lieberman as his running mate, and he was told that he couldn't. Whose race is this, anyway? And, you think that he won't be listening to Republicans if he gets into office? Please, America, wake up and smell the coffee. Do you really want a Trojan Horse going to the White House? Beware of McCain/Palin bearing gifts!
I wish that everyone could see the Republican spin machine for what it is. That is the only thing that the Republicans are good at--spin, spin, and more spin. Gee, who would you rather have a beer with didn't work too well, did it? And, if you notice, it is only every four years, that the issue of abortion pops up. The Republicans say they are against it, and, that fuels up the Democratic base, saying that a woman should have a choice. Then, the Republicans just sit back, and wait for the Catholic and evangelical votes to come their way, as they do most of the time. Just think about it. Roe vs. Wade has been around since 1973, and the Republicans have never overturned it--why should they? It guarantees them votes all of the time. The Democratic Congress that people say is a do nothing congress. Why not see it in the entire picture. Aren't there 49 Democrats, and 49 Republicans? And, doesn't Joe Lieberman have the "magic vote"? But, wait, if there is a deadlock, Dick Cheney gets to be the tie breaker. Bush never was a uniter as he said that he would be--gee, imagine that! And, now, people might be thinking of putting another Republican in the White House. Where is your thinking? If John McCain really wanted to distance himself from Bush, then he should have run as an independent. Don't forget that he wanted to pick Joe Lieberman as his running mate, and he was told that he couldn't. Whose race is this, anyway? And, you think that he won't be listening to Republicans if he gets into office? Please, America, wake up and smell the coffee. Do you really want a Trojan Horse going to the White House? Beware of McCain/Palin bearing gifts!
I wish that everyone could see the Republican spin machine for what it is. That is the only thing that the Republicans are good at--spin, spin, and more spin. Gee, who would you rather have a beer with didn't work too well, did it? And, if you notice, it is only every four years, that the issue of abortion pops up. The Republicans say they are against it, and, that fuels up the Democratic base, saying that a woman should have a choice. Then, the Republicans just sit back, and wait for the Catholic and evangelical votes to come their way, as they do most of the time. Just think about it. Roe vs. Wade has been around since 1973, and the Republicans have never overturned it--why should they? It guarantees them votes all of the time. The Democratic Congress that people say is a do nothing congress. Why not see it in the entire picture. Aren't there 49 Democrats, and 49 Republicans? And, doesn't Joe Lieberman have the "magic vote"? But, wait, if there is a deadlock, Dick Cheney gets to be the tie breaker. Bush never was a uniter as he said that he would be--gee, imagine that! And, now, people might be thinking of putting another Republican in the White House. Where is your thinking? If John McCain really wanted to distance himself from Bush, then he should have run as an independent. Don't forget that he wanted to pick Joe Lieberman as his running mate, and he was told that he couldn't. Whose race is this, anyway? And, you think that he won't be listening to Republicans if he gets into office? Please, America, wake up and smell the coffee. Do you really want a Trojan Horse going to the White House? Beware of McCain/Palin bearing gifts!
McCain cannot stand alone. He is dragging Palin around with him so people will seem interested in his platform. He will not let Palin go out on her own like a big girl. He is afraid he will return to the obscure uninteresting candidate he was and is.
McCain cannot stand alone. He is dragging Palin around with him so people will seem interested in his platform. He will not let Palin go out on her own like a big girl. He is afraid he will return to the obscure uninteresting candidate he was and is.
McCain cannot stand alone. He is dragging Palin around with him so people will seem interested in his platform. He will not let Palin go out on her own like a big girl. He is afraid he will return to the obscure uninteresting candidate he was and is.
McCain cannot stand alone. He is dragging Palin around with him so people will seem interested in his platform. He will not let Palin go out on her own like a big girl. He is afraid he will return to the obscure uninteresting candidate he was and is.
McCain cannot stand alone. He is dragging Palin around with him so people will seem interested in his platform. He will not let Palin go out on her own like a big girl. He is afraid he will return to the obscure uninteresting candidate he was and is.
Have to love the Obama attacks on Palin, at some point he'll realize that it's McCain he's running against. It's easy to see the reason for the attacks with similar lines in years of experience and popularity. Let me make this simple, when you go to a football game, do you watch the cheerleaders or the football players? One looks pretty, makes a lot of noise and attempts to get you all fired up. One fights with sweat and blood with the end goal to deliver. This race is the same - and no spin is necessary - America needs to quit 'drinking the cool aid' and understand who has delivered and who will do it again on the largest of scale. Hint - it's NOT Obama