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McCain Plays Catch-Up: Attends German Restaurant In German Village, Ohio
John McCain is still playing catch up to Barack Obama.
As the Illinois Democrat speaks before the picturesque Victory Column in Berlin today, the Arizona Republican is doing a slightly less exciting form of German outreach. He is having a lunch meeting with small business leaders at a German restaurant in German Village, Columbus, Ohio.
The presidential race, it seems has boiled down to who has the greatest German appeal. McCain's appearance at Schmidts' restaurant, a "Sausage Haus" comes after the RNC launched several advertisements in towns named Berlin.
Among the items he may have ordered include: Sauerkraut-Bratwurst Balls, Hoffbrau Schnitzel, or the Bratwurst, voted the "Best Wurst" by Columbus Monthly.
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After his lunch of bratwurst and schnitzel the presumptive republican nominee climbed up on a table and angrily shouted; "Look at me. Look at me. I'm running for president for the love of Pete." After the outburst, he sat down and ate a piece of German chocolate cake in silence.
Okay...that last part isn't true. John McCain is still playing catch up to Barack Obama. ... more -
Nevada GOP Cancels Convention "Citing a lack of interest"
"Citing a lack of interest, the Nevada Republican Party has called off its state convention and will instead pick its delegates to the national convention by private conference call.
The state party broke up its original convention in April when supporters of Ron Paul hijacked the proceedings and tried to elect delegates for their candidate to the national GOP convention in September. Party officials tried to reconvene on July 26, but they needed a quorum of 675 and received only 300 RSVPs, according to local reports.
“With so many people concerned about the economy, it simply wouldn’t be fair for us to ask delegates from all over the state to spend money to attend a convention if we know that a quorum won’t be present,” state party Chairwoman Sue Lowden said in a release.
The news provides further evidence of a fractured and unenthusiastic Republican Party in some parts of the country." "Citing a lack of interest, the Nevada Republican Party has called off its state convention and will instead pick its delegates to the... more -
McCain is odd man out on 'time horizon'
President Bush, who’d been opposed to any timetable for removing American forces from Iraq, reached an agreement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to set a “general time horizon” for a withdrawal.
“It’s a devastating blow to the McCain campaign — not just that Maliki moved to Obama’s position but that Bush did as well,” said Richard Holbrooke, a former United States ambassador to the United Nations for the Clinton administration.
Saturday, the shift continued when the German magazine Der Spiegel ran an interview with Maliki in which he called for U.S. troops to withdraw “as soon as possible, as far as we're concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right time frame for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.”
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Link above to read the whole story President Bush, who’d been opposed to any timetable for removing American forces from Iraq, reached an agreement with Iraqi Prime Mini... more -
Two months after "Appeasement" speech: Bush official in Iran Nuke talks
William Burns, America's third highest-ranking diplomat, will attend talks with the Iranian envoy, Saeed Jalili, in Switzerland on Saturday. The talks are aimed at persuading Iran to halt activities that could lead to the development of atomic weapons. It will be the first time such a high-ranking U.S. official has attended such talks.
Official contacts between Iran and the United States are extremely rare and although Washington is part of a six-nation effort to get Iran to stop enriching and reprocessing uranium, the administration has shunned contacts with Tehran on the matter. William Burns, America's third highest-ranking diplomat, will attend talks with the Iranian envoy, Saeed Jalili, in Switzerland on Sat... more -
Nine American soldiers killed as Taliban attack breached U.S. Base
Deadly attack on US base sends worrying signal for commanders hunting Taliban and al-Qaida
An insurgent raid that penetrated an American outpost in eastern Afghanistan, killing nine soldiers, has deepened doubts about the U.S. military's effort to contain Islamic militants and keep locals on its side.
Moving in darkness before dawn Sunday, some 200 fighters surrounded the newly built base in a remote area near the Pakistan border without being spotted by the troops inside, said Gen. Mohammad Qasim Jangalbagh, the provincial police chief.
The result was the deadliest incident for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since June 2005, when 16 American soldiers were killed as a rocket-propelled grenade shot down their helicopter. Deadly attack on US base sends worrying signal for commanders hunting Taliban and al-Qaida ... more -
Voter registrations in Florida show 'huge swing' toward Democrats
An escalating number of voters registering as Democrats is providing evidence that the 2008 election could produce a wave of support for Barack Obama — and trigger a decades-long shift of party allegiance that could affect elections for a generation.
The numbers are ominous for Republicans: Through May, Democratic voter registration in Broward County was up 6.7 percent. Republican registrations grew just 3 percent while independents rose 2.8 percent.
Democrats have posted even greater gains statewide, up 106,508 voters from January through May, compared with 16,686 for the Republicans.
"It's a huge swing," says Marian Johnson, political director for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "I looked at that and said, 'Wow.'"
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Somewhere Katherine Harris' mascara is running. An escalating number of voters registering as Democrats is providing evidence that the 2008 election could produce a wave of support f... more -
Obama: Tough Love for African Americans
'Obama 'Won't Back Off One Bit' on His Tough-Love Message
July 13, 2008 9:43 AM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says that he won’t back down on his “tough love” message to African Americans -– a subject that prompted Jesse Jackson's angry open-mic gaffe this past week.
Obama told reporters aboard his plane to San Diego that Americans need to recognize that there is a problem when more than a half of African American children are growing up without a father in the house.
“That is a problem and I won’t back up one bit in asserting that that’s a problem that we have to be honest about," he said.
Obama’s tough love message to African American fathers came most notably in a Fathers Day speech last month in which he told fathers that “any ol' fool” could conceive a child –- but it takes a man to be father.
Many, including Jesse Jackson, took issue with the speech, and the manner in which Obama spoke to his audience. This week, Jackson sparked a controversy when Fox News Channel released a video in which Jackson was caught with a hot mic saying that Obama was “talking down to black people.”
Obama confirmed that Jackson’s feelings were well known to him before the tape was released –- communicated to him from Jackson himself.
“I had spoken to him before, a few days before what he said was released," Obama said, "and we had actually discussed some of the concerns he had raised about my fatherhood speech.”
Obama said that he told Jackson be believes that there are structural inequalities in the country that have to be dealt with.
“My argument is simply that it’s not an 'either-or' proposition, it’s a 'both-and' proposition," Obama said. "The government and society as a whole has an obligation to deal with poverty, particularly poverty that’s deep-rooted not just in the inner cities, but in rural communities all across America.”
Obama said his conversation with Jackson was not met with a lot of open resistance on the other end of the phone.
“In my conversation, I think it would be hard for him to disagree with that since many of the things I have said are the things that he has said in the past,” Obama said.
The presumptive Democratic nominee has since accepted Jackson’s apology for his remarks, but confirmed they have not spoken since the controversial tapes of Jackson were released. "
Do you think Obama talks down to African Americans?
'Obama 'Won't Back Off One Bit' on His Tough-Love Message July 13, 2008 9:43 AM ... more -
Bush tours America to survey damage caused by his disastrous presidency
The Onion's Brian Scott reports: "The president has been praying every night that he doesn't do anymore damage than he has already wrought on the country." Some US citizens were able to evacuate safely to Canada and escape the worst of this presidency, Mr Scott said.
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John Edwards to debate Karl Rove in Buffalo.
The Buffalo News reports that former Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards will debate Karl Rove on Sept. 26 on the campus of the University of Buffalo as part of the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series. In the midst of the U.S. attorney scandal, Edwards called on President Bush to “fire Karl Rove.” When Rove announced he was resigning from the White House, Edwards released a statement that simply read “Goodbye, good riddance.” The Buffalo News reports that former Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards will debate Karl Rove on Sept. 26 on the campus of the U... more
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Barack Obama: My Position On FISA
Senator Obama explains why he is supporting the FISA compromise.
"...I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any president or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited."
"Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change."
Link above for the whole article. Senator Obama explains why he is supporting the FISA compromise. ... more -
Lawsuit Filed To Carry Weapons In Atlanta Airport
ATLANTA — The nation's busiest airport dueled with gun rights advocates Tuesday over whether a new Georgia state law allows visitors to carry firearms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
City officials in charge of the airport declared it a "gun-free zone" when a law allowing people to carry guns on public transit and other places took effect Tuesday. Gun rights supporters, including a state legislator who helped pass the law, quickly filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the designation. ATLANTA — The nation's busiest airport dueled with gun rights advocates Tuesday over whether a new Georgia state law allows visitors t... more -
Hillary Clinton & Sexism In The Media
Now that the Presidential primary race is over and the general election is underway, members of the media are looking back on their coverage of Hillary Clinton and trying to decide if they were sexist or not. Clark Hoyt, a writer for The New York Times takes his own employer to task and places a large amount of blame on Maureen Dowd, a columnist for the paper. Dowd was also named on the National Organization for Women’s Hall Of Shame list for her coverage of Clinton, which Hoyt describing as “loaded with language painting [Clinton] as a 50-foot woman with a suffocating embrace, a conniving film noir dame and a victim dependent on her husband.”
Click on our link to get the rest of the story. Do you agree or not? Let me know... Now that the Presidential primary race is over and the general election is underway, members of the media are looking back on their co... more -
McCain and Obama agree to town hall debates across the U.S.
McCain challenges Obama on town hall meetings
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- John McCain asked Barack Obama to join him in 10 town hall meetings with voters in the coming months, and their campaigns began negotiations to make it happen. McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, made the request Wednesday, the day after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination.
"We need to now sit down and work out a way that we can have these town hall meetings and have a great debate," McCain told reporters in Baton Rouge.
Campaign managers for the two sides later spoke by phone and agreed in spirit to participate in joint town hall appearances, McCain's campaign said.
"They both expressed a commitment to raising the level of dialogue, and they will be in close contact as we work together to make this idea a reality," McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said.
McCain said the more intimate town hall format, a give-and-take between a candidate and the audience, allows real interaction and is more revealing than formal televised debates. He held 101 town hall meetings in New Hampshire before winning the primary there and launching his climb to the GOP nomination.
"I don't think we need any big media-run production, no process question from reporters, no spin rooms," McCain said. "Just two Americans running for office in the greatest nation on earth, responding to the questions of the people whose trust we must earn."
McCain suggested the first town hall be held June 12 in New York and said he would love to fly there on a plane with Obama. He said President Kennedy had made such an agreement with Sen. Barry Goldwater for the 1964 election, though neither was their party's nominee at the time. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.
A McCain adviser first floated the idea last month. At the time, Obama said, "I think that's a great idea."
"Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that, but ... if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome," Obama said in Bend, Ore., in May.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Wednesday that while the idea is appealing, the campaign would recommend a less-structured, lengthier exchange more in line with the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates.
McCain challenges Obama on town hall meetings ... more -
Fox News jokes about killing Obama
When asked her opinion of the recent scandal surrounding some comments made by Sen. Hillary Clinton, which FOX Contributor Liz Trotta described by saying that, "some are reading [it] as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama." Bill Hemmer quickly corrected Trotta, having noticed that she had said "Osama" when she meant "Obama." At this point, Trotta said, "Obama. Well...both if we could!" Trotta then laughed gleefully.
When asked her opinion of the recent scandal surrounding some comments made by Sen. Hillary Clinton, which FOX Contributor Liz Trotta ... more -
McCain Rejects Hagee Endorsement...three months later.
UNION CITY, Calif. — Republican John McCain has rejected the endorsement of an influential Texas televangelist criticized for his anti-Catholic views.
John Hagee, the Texas preacher, withdrew his endorsement at the same time.
McCain issued a statement after audio surfaced in which Hagee said God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land.
McCain said in a statement: "Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Reverend Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well."
Hagee also issued a statement saying he was tired of baseless attacks and he was removing himself from any active role in the 2008 campaign.
UNION CITY, Calif. — Republican John McCain has rejected the endorsement of an influential Texas televangelist criticized for his anti... more -
McCain Was For Talking To Hamas Before He Was Against It.
"Two years ago, in an interview with James Rubin for Sky News, Sen. John McCain expressed a willingness to negotiate with the terrorist group Hamas -- the very group that McCain has been relentlessly using to smear Sen. Barack Obama over the last several weeks."
"Even if McCain had not favored doing business with Hamas two years ago, he had no business smearing Barack Obama. But given his stated position then, it is either the height of hypocrisy or a case of political amnesia for McCain to inject Hamas into the American election." "Two years ago, in an interview with James Rubin for Sky News, Sen. John McCain expressed a willingness to negotiate with the terroris... more -
College Democrats Superdelegates endorse Obama
The two remaining College Democrats Superdelegates endorse Obama. Bringing his superdelegate count to four since the voting in West Virgina ended yesterday.
"As a member of the generation that came of age under George W. Bush, believe me...Barack Obama is absolutely the change we can believe in" The two remaining College Democrats Superdelegates endorse Obama. Bringing his superdelegate count to four since the voting in West Vi... more -
Who is this Dude?
His name is Bob Barr, and he wants to be your next President of the United States.
Former GOP Rep. Bob Barr (Ga.) announced his candidacy for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination today, saying that Americans deserved a choice beyond what the Democratic and Republican candidates can offer.
This self proclaimed card carrying Libertarian dropped from the rolls of the Republican party back in 2006. At that time, he announced his disgust with the direction of the party. (We can agree on that)
So will he be a thorn in the Dem's side, or is this John McCains, Ralph Nader? Only time will tell.
Checkout the article.
Peace
His name is Bob Barr, and he wants to be your next President of the United States. ... more -
Clinton, Obama hesitate to build "Dream Ticket"
There's only one problem with the idea of a Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama "Dream Team" ticket - neither member of the team is ready to buy the dream.
With Clinton's White House hopes on the wane, chatter of a joint ticket with Obama on the top was making the rounds of Democratic power circles, the media and in the two campaigns themselves. There's only one problem with the idea of a Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama "Dream Team" ticket - neither member of the team is ready to ... more -
Obama Picks Up Bonior Endorsement
Add to the Democratic Party veterans closing ranks around Barack Obama Michigan's David Bonior, whose endorsement today carries a little extra symbolic weight.
Bonior, who served 26 years in Congress, was most recently the manager of John Edwards's presidential campaign. While his endorsement should not necessarily be taken as a clue to the allegiance of Edwards, who has maintained a studied neutrality since dropping out, it does add to a growing list of former Edwards hands who have lined up behind Obama. Add to the Democratic Party veterans closing ranks around Barack Obama Michigan's David Bonior, whose endorsement today carries a litt... more
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