McCAIN ON OBAMA: JAN 2011

John McCain: "He (President Obama) is a patriot sincerely intent on using his time in office to advance our country's cause. I reject accusations that his policies and beliefs make him unworthy to lead America or opposed to its founding ideals."

McCAIN AND DADT REVERSAL

Fox News Military Analyst Endorses DADT Repeal, Criticizes McCain For Flip-Flopping

This morning, Fox & Friends Weekend hosted Col. David Hunt, a Fox News military analyst, to discuss whether to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

According to his bio on the Fox News website, Hunt is a retired colonel with “over 29 years of military experience including extensive operational experience in special operations, counter terrorism and intelligence operations.” Hunt generally adheres to the conservative line on national security matters. For instance, he was an advocate for attacking Iraq. And instead of encouraging dialogue with Iran and Syria, Hunt said in 2006, “I think we can talk to them when we line them up and kill them.”

This morning, however, Hunt sided with progressives who are advocating repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Hunt called the discriminatory law “an abject failure” because “we’ve lost somewhere between 11 and 14,000 soldiers.”

McCAIN HAS A PRIMARY CHALLENGER

The former Arizona Congressman turned radio host who intends to challenge Sen. John McCain in this year's Republican primary wants the world to know that he is an unrepentant "Tea Party Birther." The above picture is before his gastric bypass surgery.

In an appearance Tuesday on MSNBC's Hardball, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth repeatedly described Senator McCain as out of touch with Arizona conservatives and took pains to emphasize that he stands to the right of McCain on most issues. "While I think all of us think the world of John McCain ... he's just been in Washington too long," Hayworth insisted. "John is, quite candidly, a moderate."

The above paragraph was published on RawStory.com and followed up what Chris Matthews had asked of Mr Hayworth. Hayworth is part of the crowd that has built a following making wild accusations on his radio show about anyone who doesn't follow his tight regimen of conservatism. Now he's decided to challenge John McCain; the darling of the Republican Party who just barely lost the presidential election of 2008.

Is this what we should expect for all the moderate Republicans in the House and Senate? To answer that question, look no further than Governor Charlie Crist of Florida. This is such an interesting year.

IT'S ALMOST OVER

I just had to post this funny lawn sign from Ohio.

Do you know how many we could have sold at Democratic HQ this fall?

The weather channel says Election Day will be in the 60s and sunny.

Any questions regarding where you may vote, call the Board of Election on Wall St in Kingston @ 845 334-5470

JOE THE PLUMBER

Ok, so Wednesday night’s debate proved to be quite a show. I have to say the volley of hard hitting jabs between McCain and Obama were worth my cable bill this month.

I have to say, from my partisan perspective, I half expected John to lose his temper at some frustrating points during the 90 minute exchange. That would have made for better television as well.

I had the pleasure of watching the event in a like minded crowd of 90 who attended the Debate Party sponsored by fellow Alderman Hoffay, future State Senator Larry Delarose and myself.

Back Stage Productions was the place to be. The space is very accommodating for a list of uses. I must plug BSP for their hospitality and ability to throw a good party on a short notice. I would also be short sighted if I didnt say thanks to Beth and Stephen for the HudsonValley4Obama backing for this event.

You can imagine the funny comments shouted from the crowd everytime McCain said something odd, but the repetitive use of “Joe the Plumber” as his new mascot talking point got the crowd in a fit of laughter. Like; “Where is he going with this?”

Oh, and then the “Palin as VP” question. Did you have your seat belt on for that one?

A friend came up to me today and asked; “Mike, of the 360 million people in this country, how did we end up with these two?” I said, first…you’ve got to want to do something to make change rather than just complain about it. Then you have to have the nerve to run for a local office and open your life to the electorate. Then you have to be willing to listen, learn from those who know more than you, and sometimes make unpopular decisions for the good of the community and have the drive to aspire to higher office. It’s not easy.

To see both McCain and Obama as our choices for president not only galvanizes our polarized views in this country but also shows us that not all of us are up to the challenge both personally and financially to be full of ourselves enough to think we are worthy of such a title.

So, to wrap this up and from my partisan perspective, I have to say Barack Obama is by far the better choice and considerably less dangerous than the alternative.

There…I said it.
Isn’t this where I say “Vote Row A – All the way!”

Lawrence Delarose to New York State Senate - 39th District

McCAIN: I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN

John McCain had a great night Thursday. He was surrounded by his devoted fans, filling a stadium and roaring cheers with every high note of his speech.

America’s maverick had em chanting “Fight with me” “Stand up and fight” “We don’t run from history, we make history”
He gets points for making clear distinctions between he and Obama.

With a focus on national safety and our military as well as negotiating with rogue nations, McCain held the spotlight with issues he understands while avoiding the subjects he doesn’t. He also touched on the political gridlock that kills so many good bills during each session.

The culmination of four days of the Republican Convention after last week’s Democratic event, didn’t come soon enough. Both contenders are on their way to November with nothing to trip over - accept their own words.

Obama is ahead in the Electoral College by 20+ points. But that could change. If McCain taps into the female vote with his pick of Palin, I don’t think it will work. Most Hillary fans stick to their core values rather than the flash of the disingenuous pick of Palin. I don’t think McCain’s staff vetted her very well, but what do we know?

Let’s check the national polls in a few days to see what kind of impact the two conventions had. I’m happy the two events are over!

REPUBLICANS DAY 3: SARAH'S MOMENT

Matthew Scully did well Wednesday night. Who is Matthew Scully?
He is the Bush speech writer who wrote Sarah Palin’s speech for the convention.

After just meeting her for the first time last week, he did well. Sarah came off as a “Hockey Mom” as she put it, and the Republican filled stadium ate it up.

From what we’ve heard, McCain met and decided on Palin for VP just last week without much research. Since her arrival on the national scene, her personal history has started to come to light. Some of it not-so-good.

Outside of her inexperience, like I beat up on Obama for, Palin has some explaining to do regarding her climb to the offices she occupied as well as her abuse of power once getting there. So, I have to admit, I am intrigued by the first-woman VP novelty of this race. For that McCain really stirred up this Presidential race, but the unethical actions that brought her to this point are starting to flood everyone’s email box.

Things that I wont go into without hearing more proof, just as I said about Obama and those crazy emails. I do like her stance on abstinence only sex-education though.

Sarah had her big night. Alaska is now in our daily vocabulary, like never before, and the debate on ready-ness on day one has been nullified. John McCain will speak Thursday night and I Can hardly wait to see where this race will end up.

SEPTEMBER 11th CEREMONY: KINGSTON

Where will you commemorate this year’s September 11th anniversary?

Will you join us at the Firefighters Park on Washington Avenue? It is a somber but needed reminder of who we lost and how our world changed in one fateful day.

Where will out two Presidential candidates be?

An organization called MyGoodDeed.org has asked the candidates to spend the anniversary in NYC, volunteering instead of campaigning.

Both camps have agreed to participate.

Organizers say Barack Obama and John McCain are set to appear at a community service forum called ServiceNation in New York City on Sept. 11. This is a volunteering coalition being launched by the group to better communicate the needs and shared resources between volunteer groups.

Both campaigns say they'll honor the anniversary by pulling political ads criticizing each other. There is no telling what the outside PAC will do regarding political ads, but this will indicate the level of class and willpower of the supportive groups out there.

Locally, those who wish to witness the event on the corner of Hurley Ave and Washington Ave that morning are welcome and encouraged. Parking at the stadium is free, get there before 8:30 am.

McCAIN/PALIN 2008: SHOCKED!

So John McCain has picked a woman for VP. Can you imagine? I think I see a few more cracks in the glass ceiling.

Today on NPR, I heard the press conference with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as she accepted McCain’s offer. She congratulated the strong women who dared to venture before her, Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton; noting how close they came and acknowledged that without their triumphs, she may not have been at this point in our political history.

I wonder what kind of debate we would have seen with Sarah and Hillary at the same table, but were stuck with 20th century Joe Biden. Sarah will ask: “Didn’t you vote to give the president the authority to go to war just like Hillary?” He’ll say “Yes, we were mislead, but yes”, then she’ll say “Didn’t Obama beat Hillary to death over that vote?”

Governor Palin is a God-fearing, gun-toting former beauty queen who could just become America’s next vice president. She’s a lifelong member of the NRA who hunts, shoots, and fishes regularly.

With only a few years as Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska before becoming Governor for two years, she’s got the same credentials as Obama, but is seeking the VP position as an understudy. These are points the Republicans will pound home for the next two months.

What works for Democrats? She’s ultra conservative on social issues. She’s Anti-Choice, anti-equal rights for the LGBT community. She doesn’t believe humans are influencing the climate change and rails against affirmative action and universal healthcare.

Palin would drop the assault weapons ban and feels our country’s addiction on oil can be satisfied with advanced drilling in Alaska. I can only assume she wants prayer back in public schools.

McCain shocked the country with this one. I didn’t see this one coming at all. I expected Hutchison from Texas.
I’m not sure Sarah Palin will be an issue three weeks from now, but it sure gives us all something to chatter about in the meantime.

SECRET SERVICE: Your tax dollars at work

Every day the Secret Service thinks: Today could be THE day.

That's the sober mind-set going into the presidential conventions this fall. Both conventions present special security challenges considering it’s the longest political campaign in history.

The Secret Service and FBI are not ignoring the traditional terrorists groups, but are adding special attention to other extremists; radicals from the left or right, anarchists, lone wolf crazies who may become unhinged. The uniqueness of the Obama campaign raises the risk factor.

Mark Potok, who regularly monitors white Supremist Blogs for the Southern Poverty Law Center said: "I think that officials have every right to be worried."

However, these same crazies despise Republican John McCain, too. "They see him as a traitor, a guy who lies about immigration."

The Secret Service budgeted more than $15 million for both conventions, but it will cost a couple of million more because of Democratic candidate Barack Obama's decision to accept his party's nomination at an open-air stadium in Denver.

Tens of thousands of delegates, reporters and protesters will flock to Denver Aug. 25-28 and St. Paul Sept. 1-4. These conventions are attractive platforms for terrorists and other groups that want to cause disruptions. There will be 4,400 agents and officers working the conventions this year.

It costs the Secret Service about $45,000 a day to protect each candidate. Obama received protection almost a year earlier than officials expected and has had a detail since May 2007. And as soon as each candidate announces his vice presidential pick, new protective details are deployed for the second-in-command hopefuls.

Tom Ridge, the country's first Homeland Security secretary said the Secret Service, which became part of his department in 2003, is up to the task. "They'll get it done."

ZOGBY/REUTERS HAS McCAIN AHEAD

Wow! Am I really seeing this? Here it is mid-August and the “Chosen One” is slipping in the national polls. What could be happening here?

In a sharp turnaround, McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Obama and, according to the Zogby/Reuters questionnaire, McCain is perceived to be a stronger manager of the economy.

With McCain at 46% and Obama 41% percent likely voters, Obama’s 7% lead has dried up. What would you say is the cause; the wishy-washy answer on women’s reproduction, the off shore drilling flip-flop? Or could it be that America really didn’t understand his trip overseas?

Zogby says: McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy. So, who is Obama listening to on these key issues?

Keep in mind, there is the nagging issue of gas prices and the need for solutions to the energy crisis we are heading for. McCain’s push for an expansion of offshore oil drilling as gasoline prices hover near $4 has excited the electorate.

Obama had opposed new offshore drilling, but said recently he would support a limited expansion as part of a comprehensive energy program. Even though it would be over 10 years before a new oil rig would offer its first drop of crude.

According to Zogby; Obama's support among ages of 18 and 29, which had been one of his strengths, slipped 12 percentage points to 52%. McCain, who will turn 72 next week, was winning 40% of those same voters. "Those are not the numbers Obama needs to win,"

Of those questioned, how many do you think were Hillary Clinton supporters and who do you think they voted for? You guessed it! With the youth vote slipping and probably wont show up November 4th and Clinton supporters still angry about the open primaries, Obama may not realize the dream of being the first black President. Everything seems to depend on who either of them chooses for VP.

Zogby’s telephone poll of 1,089 likely voters had a margin of error of 3% points.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08?

So there’s a distinct possibility that Obama may pick Joe Biden as VP. I always expected Joe to be on a short list, but now that the buzz is out there as a true contender, some Democrats quickly point out the policy differences between he and Barack on the end game for Iraq.

On the face, Biden would be a safe pick because of his foreign policy credentials and his long history as a lawmaker, he is a currently a six-term Senate veteran and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But the centerpiece of Joe’s campaign is at odds with Obama's withdrawal plan. Joe intends to partition Iraq into separate smaller states.

Biden had been calling for the division of Iraq into three regions at just about every campaign stop while in the primaries, one for Sunnis, one for Shiites, and one for Kurds.

Biden, back in 2006, said: “The idea, as in Bosnia, is to maintain a united Iraq by decentralizing it, giving each ethno-religious group -- Kurd, Sunni Arab and Shiite Arab -- room to run its own affairs, while leaving the central government in charge of common interests, the thee regions would each be responsible for their own domestic laws, administration and internal security. The central government would control border defense, foreign affairs and oil revenues.”

Biden even went so far as to have the Senate vote on the proposal and send it to the President, who scoffed at the idea. Now here’s the slippery part…Hillary Clinton and Chris Dodd voted with Joe Biden. Amazingly Obama and McCain didn’t even show up for the vote.
So the question is, will Barack choose Biden as VP? I like Joe…he has good character, a well defined history, and you know what to expect when he’s on the job. He kind-of lends a sense of a better tested and secure aspect to an otherwise lofty campaign of Change without Creds. Like an old favorite sweater. But at what cost to the ideal of sending the old dogs packing?
With only weeks until Denver, I’m curious who the #2 will be, aren’t you?

OBAMA OR McCAIN: NOTHING CHANGES

Is it still OK to feel less than thrilled about the two presidential candidates?

We are now forced to choose between the two nominees, the choice is clear; one will serve as our next President. So why don’t I see the potential for significant change?

As the media starts vetting Obama with the same fervor they do all other candidates, we discover more about what makes him tick. They have already made a fool of McCain, so now it’s Obama’s turn.

This VP search team he put together is the latest blunder; James Johnson turns out to be one of the very people the public would like to tar-n-feather now that we know more about his ties to Countrywide and FannyMae. Might not be such a big deal had the Obama campaign not gone after Mark Penn for his ties to Countrywide.

James Johnson, one of three people tapped by Mr. Obama recently to oversee the search for his running mate, took at least five real estate loans totaling more than $7 million from Countrywide Financial Corp. through an informal program for friends of the company's CEO, Angelo Mozilo.

The "Friends of Angelo" loans were at rates below market averages, three for the purchase of homes. One for $5 Million in Idaho, One for $1.3 Million in California and one in DC for $1 Million; All at rates around 3.8%.

On the campaign trail, Mr. Obama has criticized Countrywide's executives. Here is a quote from the AP: "These are the people who are responsible for infecting the economy and helping to create a home foreclosure crisis. Two million people may end up losing their homes," Mr. Obama said in March at a town hall meeting in Lancaster, Pa.

Here’s a shocker, a total of $19 million in bonuses was paid to Mr. Mozilo and the president of Countrywide, David Sambol. "They got a $19 million bonus while people are at risk of losing their homes. What's wrong with this picture?" Mr. Obama asked.

Also from the AP: From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Johnson served as CEO of the Federal National Mortgage Association, also known as Fannie Mae, which worked closely with Countrywide, one of the nation's leading lenders and loan servicing companies. In 1996, Mr. Johnson named Mr. Mozilo as chairman of Fannie Mae's national advisory council. A 1999 article in the American Banker said the two men had a "close friendship."

Countrywide and FannyMae were two of the four home mortgaging companies that Elliot Spitzer was about to pop for purposely loaning to ineligible applicants of Black and Hispanic origin in economically stressed regions. This was a quick way to wrap up unsecured loans “bundling” and reselling at discount rates to unsuspecting foreign investors, while insuring the economic demise of minority borrowers.

McCain isn’t off the hook, he’s got Phil Gramm from UBS on his staff and the Keating Savings & Loan scandal to reflect on.

These are powerful people and had the means to implement the sting that took Spitzer down before the bust. He gave them what they needed of course. But this swings around to the departure of Johnson from Camp Obama. This isn’t good.

Barack is looking less an instrument of CHANGE as the weeks go by.
With associates and staffers of this caliber, we may have the same nonsense in the White House after all. Regardless of the winner.

McCAIN vs CLINTON 2012

Donations being accepted for the Clinton campaign for President in 2012 againt John McCain!

With the few remaining primaries ahead and little chance that Hillary will convince the SDs to award her the nom, Obama is sure to be the Democratic challenger to John McCain.

I suspect, McCain will win this November for the very reason I supported Clinton for the nomination. Obama is not quite ready for prime time.

To the left is a picture of Obama with Rev Wright back in less troubled times. I took down the PhotoShop picture of Obama because it skates to close to racism. Even with my history of Human Rights support, it was too much for some readers. Sorry.

So why is Hillary still in this? To make it quite clear that she will be the nominee in 2012.

I agree with this strategy. "Keep On Keepin On", as they say. Women will look back for years to come and see how far she got, and have a sense of pride. All the negative feelings will fade and like in, "The way we were" we will only remember the happy times. Well thats the plan anyway.

Unless the impossible happens and Obama picks Clinton as VP, this long distance prediction is how I see it.

I only wish I were wrong.