The McCain campaign has a new web ad out placing Barack Obama, for the second time, side-by-side with a foreign dictator. This time, it's Fidel Castro.
The TV campaign ad shows Obama and Castro, profiled side-by-side, above a quote from the Cuban leader praising the Illinois Democrat as "the most advanced candidate."
Picture association is a time-honored tool in political campaigns (think: former Georgia Sen. Max Cleland having his mug pasted beside Osama Bin Laden's during the 2002 congressional elections). And indeed, this is not the first time that the presumptive Republican nominee has used the tactic. Early in June, McCain's campaign launched a web ad placing Obama beside Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad underneath the caption: "Is it OK to unconditionally meet with anti-American foreign leaders?"
This is what you do when you have nothing to offer and can't run on your own record.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 02:18 AMDon't you just love it. McCain chides Obama for not going abroad, and now McCain can't get any attention because of Obama being abroad. Be careful what you wish for John.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 02:32 AMCharles Gibson's interview with Obama. So, let me get this straight. Obama is rudely treated by a so-called journalist because of a statement he made, while McCain is free to lie and misspeak without the least bit of interest by the media.
Gibson: And then there's the issue of Jerusalem. You've said in the speech, to AIPAC, Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel. And it must remain undivided. When you said that did you not realize the significance that that has for so many people in this region?
Obama: Well, number one, the fact is that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. And so I was simply saying a fact, with respect to&
Gibson: You said "must remain undivided," (crosstalk) those are code words.
Obama: Well the issue of it being undivided, I have said and I said immediately after the speech that that word was poorly chosen, that what I was referring to is making sure that we're not setting up barbed wire across Israel&
Gibson: But Senator, it was a very simple, declarative statement. It must remain, and you started the paragraph by saying, "Let me be clear"
Obama: Charlie, the day after, or the day of making the speech I conceded that the wording was poor, and it's immediately corrected
Gibson: Rookie mistake?
Obama: Well I wouldn't say rookie mistake, I think that veterans make mistakes as well.
Gibson: So when you come down to it, what's your feeling? Jerusalem, undivided, as the capital, or re-divided?
Obama: I think that it is going to have to be one of those final status decisions that are going to be made by the Palestinians and the Israelis.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pol/767461366.html
"Rookie mistake." Now isn't that an interesting choice of words. Damn that liberal media.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 03:00 AM"An analysis of federal records shows that the amount of money journalists contributed so far this election cycle favors Democrats by a 15:1 ratio over Republicans, with $225,563 going to Democrats, only $16,298 to Republicans .
Two-hundred thirty-five journalists donated to Democrats, just 20 gave to Republicans — a margin greater than 10-to-1. An even greater disparity, 20-to-1, exists between the number of journalists who donated to Barack Obama and John McCain.
Searches for other newsroom categories (reporters, correspondents, news editors, anchors, newspaper editors and publishers) produces 311 donors to Democrats to 30 donors to Republicans, a ratio of just over 10-to-1. In terms of money, $279,266 went to Dems, $20,709 to Republicans, a 14-to-1 ratio.
And while the money totals pale in comparison to the $9-million-plus that just one union's PACs have spent to get Obama elected, they are more substantial than the amount that Obama has criticized John McCain for receiving from lobbyists: 96 lobbyists have contributed $95,850 to McCain, while Obama — who says he won't take money from PACs or federal lobbyists — has received $16,223 from 29 lobbyists."
All of Obama's lobbyist are friends of Daschle's. Look at the payroll the networks sent overseas to lay palms at Obama's feet. At a time when money is tight too. Money talks...follow the money folks.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 03:27 AM"Money talks...follow the money folks."
You are so right. Ask Cheney.
Mary, I totally agree with you. Van is truly a force of nature. I think they wanted him sooner in the week, but he just got back from boating around the Arctic Circle with Jimmy Carter and a few other dignitaries.
It was a stemwinder.
Posted by vicki at July 24, 2008 05:20 AMWe've wasted 30 years. Now it will be necessary to drag the right-wing Neanderthals kicking and screaming into the 21st century
pants pissing peter: "Two-hundred thirty-five journalists donated to Democrats, just 20 gave to Republicans — a margin greater than 10-to-1."
THE STOOPID, IT BURNS ME. You idiot, korporations own and control the media.
Posted by Gay Veteran at July 24, 2008 06:43 AMGV, well you know how those Korporations just love, love, love those Democrats. Yeah, right!
Here's the real statistics and the real story on journalists as campaign donors.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200706240002
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 07:07 AMWhat a bunch of crap.
Ibd went over the reported donors from Obama and McCain campaign list with occupations used for the sort. If those aren't real numbers, there aren't any. Now Media Matters wants to go into every newsroom across the nation, local media not just national media. Very seldom does local media get to drive the national story.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 07:35 AMwe are now seeing the hand of Karl Rove in each move McBush makes.
Posted by T2 at July 24, 2008 07:39 AMThe lefties here may want to characterize the media as biased to the right or more specifically to McCain, however that puts you into the fringe as far as public opinion. From Rasmussen
"Monday, July 21, 2008
The idea that reporters are trying to help Obama win in November has grown by five percentage points over the past month. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey, taken just before the new controversy involving the New York Times erupted, found that 49% of voters believe most reporters will try to help the Democrat with their coverage, up from 44% a month ago.
Just 14% believe most reporters will try to help McCain win, little changed from 13% a month ago. Just one voter in four (24%) believes that most reporters will try to offer unbiased coverage."
Welcome the net-nuts to the 14% of people that believe the media is biased for McCain.
Posted by manapp99 at July 24, 2008 08:03 AMdon't you love it. Peter say bull crap but the article he link starts with a lie (the Times didn't refuse to publish the article, they wanted to EDIT it and McCain said no)
Posted by goose1 at July 24, 2008 08:06 AMStupid study.
1) About 2/10th of one percent of American "journalists" gave anything to any candidate at all.
2) Most, if not all, of those who did contribute had nothing to do with political news. They cover fashion, sports, arts, etc. No suprise that those who are in the arts would be predominantly on the left -- creative people usally are socially liberal.
Peter, you are scum.
Posted by Anonny at July 24, 2008 08:08 AMThree anchors go to prepare the way for Obama! When was the last time three anchors went anywhere for McCain?
IOC...bad, not allowing Iraqi Olympic Team to participate in China 2008 events.
Today is raise day for minimum wagers. Thirty states won't see any increase, they're already over the wage level.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 08:21 AMI love how the trolls throw out numbers like they actually mean anything just because they're numbers. And they still whine about a "liberal" media that doesn't exist.
I don't like Olberman, but in this clip, he shows how CBS clearly cut out McCain's lie about the surge and inserted an answer from another question. Yeah, they're in the bag for Obama all right.
That "liberal" media! They correct Bush lies and mistakes, and now they're helping out with McCain. They're gonna be awfully busy in the next few months considering what a totally clueless moran McCain proves himself to be each time he opens his yap.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 08:28 AMPeter: Please hold your breath until you turn blue and register as a democrat.The evil will drain from your tiny "brain" and you will feel much better as a human.
You will be able to put your mirrors back up, too!
For a guy that was going to run a "clean" campaign, this McCain chap seems a bit nasty, no?
Posted by TIKI AL at July 24, 2008 08:34 AM"I love how the trolls throw out numbers like they actually mean anything just because they're numbers. And they still whine about a "liberal" media that doesn't exist."
How about some more "meaningless numbers"
"The U.S. in the second quarter, while not booming, seems to be growing quite nicely, thank you. Not even close to recession.
A consensus estimate of economists by Bloomberg puts second-quarter GDP at about 2.2%. First Trust Advisors' Brian Wesbury, who is admittedly at the extreme end of the expectations spectrum, thinks GDP growth will be 3%.
Not only not a recession, but quite respectable.
This isn't based on wishful thinking, but on hard data. Many of the core elements of gross domestic product — consumer spending, business investment, government spending and trade, to name a few — are all growing. They will add a lot to GDP this quarter."
How many times did the MSM tell us we are in a recession? Looks like Phil Gramm was right.
Posted by manapp99 at July 24, 2008 08:38 AMFor a guy that was going to run a "clean" campaign, this McCain chap seems a bit nasty, no?
Seems? Why did you think Cindy walks two paces behind? Bag News had a pic last week of her blowing kisses to Phil Grahamm - maybe Johnny is starting to suspect something...could be fun!
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 08:43 AMI'm sure CBS will keep doing that job when President McCain speaks. Maybe they'll be able to retain a few more employees.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 08:44 AMYou will be able to put your mirrors back up, too!
Sadly, TIKI, that corrupted painting will have to remain in the attic.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 08:51 AMPeter, truth is truth, no matter how many times you repeat a lie or distort. My linking Media Matters disspells your so-called facts.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 09:20 AMJudith, you know these slimeballs aren't interested in truth. That's why they're 'pukes and should be treated like the vomit they are, no matter how much they want to suck off, I mean suck up, (whoopsie!) to Steve in an effort not to be deleted.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 09:24 AMDorian Greypeter, the GOP-AARP porn star.
I saw two coyotes running down a wash on the night of the full moon. ....striking. One had a small laptop strapped to it. Were you in Phoenix last week?
Posted by TIKI AL at July 24, 2008 09:29 AMGod, my spelling is going down the tubes. Try "dispels"
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 09:30 AMThen there is this from the NYT's
"June 21, 2007, 12:21 pm
Campaign Cash: Reporters as Donors
By Kate Phillips
Bill Dedman, an investigative reporter with MSNBC.com, posted a set of articles online today about journalists who have contributed to candidates, political parties and political groups. He combed through federal filings of contributions to campaigns and organizations, and here are his findings:
Whether you sample your news feed from ABC or CBS (or, yes, even NBC and MSNBC), whether you prefer Fox News Channel or National Public Radio, The Wall Street Journal or The New Yorker, some of the journalists feeding you are also feeding cash to politicians, parties or political action committees.
MSNBC.com identified 144 journalists who made political contributions from 2004 through the start of the 2008 campaign, according to the public records of the Federal Election Commission. Most of the newsroom checkbooks leaned to the left: 125 journalists gave to Democrats and liberal causes. Only 17 gave to Republicans. Two gave to both parties."
Were you in Phoenix last week?
It was prolly my cousins, TIKI; I told 'em you keep beer in a cooler by the pool. Looks like you thwarted their beer run!
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 09:41 AMI know Iamcoyote. I keep hoping the light switch in their empty heads will at least flicker.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 09:47 AMNot only not a recession, but quite respectable.
Tell that to the folks with no jobs! Fucking sick!
Posted by Seven of Six at July 24, 2008 09:51 AMSeven Of Six
From the article you linked:
"Weekly claims have averaged 364,100 so far this year, compared with an average 321,000 in 2007, when the economy generated 91,000 new jobs on average each month.
The government's claims figures have so far not matched the losses seen in previous economic downturns. During the last recession, in 2001, about 415,000 workers on average filed jobless claims each week."
Clearly a downturn, but just a clearly NOT a recession. Execpt, of course, in the MSM where we hear the word over and over.
Also...less job loss than the last REAL recession, you know, the one Bill Clinton left behind as a farewll gift to the USA.
Posted by manapp99 at July 24, 2008 10:01 AMI keep hoping the light switch in their empty heads will at least flicker.
I know, but you can't change something so fundamental with facts. It's like Falwell still hating on the ACLU, even after they helped him on a case. They don't want to change their narrative, because that's all they have. They hate us to the depths of their (theorhetical, though not entirely proven they actually have them) souls because we care about the world around us - something they don't have the capacity to do because they're sociopaths. That's why they try so hard to distract us with meaningless shit. Really, who cares who reporters contribute to? They have no power over what stories get on the tv. We all know that. The trolls pretend it's not true, but they know it, too.
Like I said before - even Ted Bundy knew how to pretend to be a nice guy. Luckily, these trolls are too cowardly to be serial killers. That's why they cheer on this mass murdering Bush regime. Gives 'em a vicarious thrill they don't have the stones to accomplish on their own.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 10:06 AM"I know, but you can't change something so fundamental with facts."
Lordy God ain't that the truth. I have been throwing facts at you guys with my posts and all you do is resort to consoling yourselves.
Posted by manapp99 at July 24, 2008 10:15 AMmanAPE99: "Not only not a recession, but quite respectable."
please, please, PLEASE have the GOP run on this
btw, is real personal income growing?
THE STOOPID, IT BURNS
and manAPE99 is just as stupid as pants pissing peter! korporations own and control the media, not journalists
...the economy generated 91,000 new jobs on average each month.
Yes, a friend of the family just took a job paying 36K, where it used to pay him 55K.
please, please, PLEASE have the GOP run on this
Well, the ones in my area are all about "change." And one of our 'pukes is pretending he's not GOP at all!
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 11:06 AM“A speech in Berlin, five little hours in Paris,” writes French daily Le Monde.
1:42 p.m.: SPIEGEL ONLINE has learned that Obama has cancelled a planned short visit to the Rammstein and Landstuhl US military bases in the southwest German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The visits were planned for Friday. “Barack Obama will not be coming to us,” a spokesperson for the US military hospital in Landstuhl announced. “I don’t know why.” Shortly before the same spokeswoman had announced a planned visit by Obama.
No time for our wounded in Germany, but time for a trip to Paris.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 12:03 PMpants pissing peter: "No time for our wounded in Germany, but time for a trip to Paris."
FUCK YOU, you yellow cur, how dare you talk about those Americans who have been wounded in Bush's war of aggression. Your filth doesn't give a rat's ass about the wounded.
Posted by Gay Veteran at July 24, 2008 12:25 PMHey the French aren't too happy about only five hours either. And BTW, that was a German release, not American. That's the image they're going to hear about. Gives a speech in Berlin and skips out on the wounded at our base there. That base hospital is home to our most wounded military, their families usually stay nearby in those homes McDonalds provides. Seems these people deserved his time moreso than the French. And anyhow, I hear he's got some down time tonight in Berlin...downtime....enjoy Berlin or see our military. The above statement tells the story from the base PAO. Priorities...
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 12:52 PMThat base hospital is home to our most wounded military, their families usually stay nearby in those homes McDonalds provides.
All the better to give the privacy they need in the most stressful period of their lives.
Posted by Seven of Six at July 24, 2008 12:59 PMBuild their hopes then cancell the appearance. The man of hope doesn't show up. He'd rather go out drinking.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 01:40 PMOh, try Google images "Berlin Love Parade". That's the type of activity that the Victory Column usually sees.
Posted by peter at July 24, 2008 02:29 PMAll the better to give the privacy they need in the most stressful period of their lives.
Exactly right, SoS. At least Obama realizes that his entourage would cause a ruckus, unlike a certain chimp who barrels in for his photo op and then, like the disgusting narcissist/psychopath that he is, pretends a boo-boo on his finger is just as traumatic as missing limbs. Anyone who thinks a dink like that is anything other than a scumbag dink is a scumbag dink.
Posted by iamcoyote at July 24, 2008 02:49 PMin a just world, war-mongers like Bush (and their tools, like pants pissing peter) would spend the rest of their lives cleaning bedpans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Posted by gay veteran at July 24, 2008 03:38 PM"Well, the ones in my area are all about "change." And one of our 'pukes is pretending he's not GOP at all!"
Iamcoyote, the ads running in our area do not tell you their party affiliation. Remember when at the bottom of the campaign ad you would see "Paid for by the Repbulican Party?" Not any more. I guess they GOP doesn't want to run on that great economy we are having.
Posted by Judith at July 24, 2008 05:45 PMPeter, He canceled the trip because the pentagon view it as a political event and he unlike Bush and McBush didn't want to use the troops for a photo-op.
Posted by goose1 at July 25, 2008 07:43 AM