Questions surface about Palin's Iraq visit claim

One is a war zone the other isn't...or did you learn your geography from Dubya?

Probably. However, Dubya doesn't look so bad these days when comapred to his party's VP pick.

Kuwait, Iraq, what's the difference? Good point. And I think the Obama campaign missed the point as well. The point is not whether Governor Palin was in Iraq or not, the point is that Governor Palin and her staff lack the knowledge to know the difference. It is not about lies. It is, at least it should be, about competency. Competency is what has been lacking for the last 8 years

you must realize it dosent make any difference....thats the point

If it doesn't make any difference then why are we fighting an illegal war in Iraq?

Didn't Hillary say she was under fire in Afghanistan----or somewhere?? I could care less if she was or wasn't in Iraq. All this penny ante garbage the press keeps coming up with----she picked her nose, but she didn't. She scratched her butt, but she didn't. This is it? This is the best you have? That's pathetic! The ONLY thing that could hurt Sarah Palin is troopergate. Other than that, she'll be on the ballot in Nov. and I know that's just irking your butt. Why don't you tear Barack's history apart like you do Palin. Take a look at his wife, his kids, his mother. Find out if he's really black or is he just saying he is? What are you going to do when he loses?

Kosovo.

does the democratic party pay idiots on these blogs to write senseless, whining,nitpicking.crybaby,dem talking points........MCCAIN WILL WIN AND THIS IS AN ALL OUT ASSAULT TO TRY TO STOP IT

delusional statement from someone who benefitted from republican rule for eight years.. GrampaMcCain will not get away with this, not him or his lipsticked pitbull...

James, not that I care, but they - Iraq and Kuwait - most likely do care. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, everyone cared enough that we got stuck over there - twice now. And maybe for 100 years? What a travesty. At least Kuwait was thankful.

Herein lies the problem...certainly our candidates (both parties) have issues, baggage, luggage. It's no different than what we do to our relatives, neighbors, friends, co-workers...it's life. It's like the celebrities who complain about the papparazi, and how we feel as if they do inherit the role of "role" model...we scrutinize them just the same. I expect if Palin is to be vice president she should know about foreign policy and not have to be tutored in it. McCain, in his many stomp speeches says she does know about foreign policy because Alaska is in such close proximity to Russia, and, because she went to visit troops in IRAQ...well, gee-golly whiz, I had a conversation with a store owner from Pakistan last week, I served on commander-level "executive" committees in regards to troop deployments, I have traveled extensively in Europe serving our country...as a matter of fact, when they wrote my performance evaluation it stated I served as an Ambassador to the United States and the AF, I know how to dismantle and put together an m-16 rifle, I'm a mother of 5, a wife, I've participated in PTA meetings, I've given several personnel briefings, managed a budget, reviewed policy....but does that qualify me to be a VP nominee....as I read this...it does! Tell McCain to call me...

TJM-437164
Does the repubs pay you a dollar a line..you would have one dollar. Obama will win in 08!!! If you did not have a sucky canidate there would be no blogs for you to complain about.

There is a difference.
Its much the same as the difference between intelligence or self-righteousness.

"Why don't you tear Barack's history apart like you do Palin. Take a look at his wife, his kids, his mother. Find out if he's really black or is he just saying he is? What are you going to do when he loses?"

I believe that's been done. His religion, his wife, his mom and dad, his grandparents, his church, have all been torn apart. His kids though, too young. That's sick to wish scrutiny on innocent kids. It's sick enough that Bristol Palin is involved in this circus we're referring to as an election campaign.

The black comment you made, too ignorant to warrant an intelligent reply.

What will Obama's supporters do when he loses? We will probably spend the next 4 years listening to the people who voted for McCain whine and complain that they made a mistake voting for him. Just like Bush...

The point is that IRAQ sounded better, and they used that to "sell" Sarah, and that (along with about a dozen others) was a lie.

Excusable with a political "citation" and hand slap by itself, but in lite of the SERIAL lying that she and the entire McCain campaign have been knowingly spewing and continue to spew whenever watchdogs aren't looking, Both of them deserve "life without parole" from a political sense...

THIS WHOLE LYING PATTERN NEEDS TO BE REPORTED ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS

Media, please do your job. Your job is to uncover and display the truth. It is NOT to give equal time to talking heads. Doing that, actually makes lying politically profitable, as the lie gets repeated, and the liars and defenders just get equal time. It is your duty to make lying hurt badly. Without doing that, it will continue and expand, just as it has over the last 8 years. As long as lying is not illuminated with a very bright light, it will continue to grow in speed and magnitude. This farce will continue, and elections will be won based on who is willing to dive faster and further toward the scummy political bottom...

Joe

She isn't the offspring of the devil....but Playboy turned her down as a centerfold! She has less than NO qualifications to run for Federal office....of any kind.

Palin is a bimbo.

She has ALL of the qualifications set forth in the Constitution. Are there more we need to now about?

I'm sure they're digging up stories that she was the spawn of satan.

No, she is the spawn that Satan washed off his hand.

Killerb trolls every article, as does proudliberal and a number of others. This is apparently their job. The score system here has no bearing on the popularity of the candidates. All we're seeing here is a misplaced attempt to control perception by a core group of liberal hacks patting each other on the back.

I do not think she is the spawn of satan but I find it interesting she seems to think she knows the will of God. That is God wanted the Iraq war and thousands dead. Her words not mine.

Dal...exactly.

Let's not forget that EVERY SINGLE beauty queen in the history of the world has said that the one thing they would want is "World Peace" (Or "Whirled Peas...I forget...)

Anyway, Palin sure sounds like she is now pro-war!

She has all the qualifications set forth of whos constitution?
Bushes or our real fathers!

Yes she does, as do I, and about 200 million other people... Those are the quallifications to "apply" and she has done that. It doens't mean we have to hire her.

Given the GOP's narrow definition of "expereience", her 18 months in office give her more experience than almost every president we have ever had. That is just LUDICROUS!!!!

She is the least qualified candidate in the last 200 years. PERIOD....

For Gods Sake..... Take the red glasses off and Snap Out Of IT!!!!!!~

Typical non-comment from an open minded liberal!

Way to go!! That's what America is all about. A holes like you gettin too speak.

So when media digging into Obama's background it's called "Vetting" or "investigating journalism" and when they dig story on Palin the media becomes left wing extreminist. How convenient!

But I do have an advise for the media- STOP COVERING STORY ABOUT PALIN!! YOU ARE AIDING MACCAIN CAMPAIGN IN KEEPING MISS CONGENIALITY IN THE SPOT LIGHT LONGER THAN SHE DESERVES. I mean, who cares if she went to Iraq or Kwuit. They probably look the same to her anyway. If she made some mistakes in telling the difference, forgive her! She is from Alaska. What do you expect?

oh please tell us the right way to think.........mr democrat operative

TJM - Do you really want to know how to think? Then follow the signpost to the nearest Democratic headquarters and sign up.

L8G8R - Germany is a Republic, so is Russia. Why don't you go live there. You would fit right in.

Republicans are not free. Their minds are filled with propaganda....they question none of the garbage fed to them by their furhers. They are lemmings....pure and simple. Liberal on the other hand, comes from the Latin liber, which means free. Liberals study the facts, believe in science and truth and make their own decisions.

Well said!! And liberals can think for themselves and know, right from wrong because we have ethics and good values which republicans do not have.

L8RG8R

Tell me lady?? What is your goal?? Do you want to become a 3rd world country, because let me tell you... your country is going down the drain and is on its path to become a 3rd world country... All your brains are going to europe, europe is buying your banks.. surprised?? Obviously, your capitalistic system is no longer working!! it is about time that you take your blinders off!!

Anyone voting for Obama/Biden need to check him/herself into a mental institution!!

You people need to be deprogrammed of all the left wing propaganda and lies! Obviously, you are unable to think for yourself and do not have any common sense, only weakness and low intellect.

I would say, you, should not be allowed to vote. Period.

Hey, thought someone needed to feed it back to him.

Proud Liberal--

You would rather vote for BO? A self described Marxist who hangs with terrorists and tried to destabalize Kenya and help elect his Islamist/Marxist cousin Odinga who had an MOU with the Islamists to put the whole country under Sharia law in one year.

Just think what he has in mind for the United States.

As George Bernard Shaw said, "If you are going to rob Peter and pay Paul, you can bet you will have the support of Paul." You proud liberal are probably on the public dole that BO wishes to enlarge exponentially. You support the party that wants to Rob those who work for a living by taxing them out of existence when you can raise more taxes by lowering the taxes and bringing propsperity to America. Check your history. It is proof that lower taxes produce more tax dollars a than high ones. People keep more money and spend it (taxes) or put it to work creating jobs for others (who pay taxes).

Liberals like you have a hole in your reasoning capacity and your study of economics.

I've analyzed both sides of the political spectrum in-depth and I've CHOSEN to be a conservative. That doesn't mean I'm brainwashed. Brainwashing is just a politically expedient excuse used by liberals who are flustered that they can't sell their package of crap to a plurality of the population.

Anyone voting for Obama/Biden need to check him/herself into a mental institution!! Hey, thought someone needed to feed it back to him.

You just proved the point of the original post. Republicans tend to vote for authoritarian father figures instead of thinking for themselves. They are comforted by having the government think for them. By copying and pasting the post and changing the name to Obama/Biden instead of attempting to make a rational and logical argument against the position, you have proved to the Newsvine reading world the depth of your intellect. Good job. I salute you.

Now why again do you support Bush the Third? Which Republican policies benefit you over the corporation?

Say that to me, then say Bush the Third. Nice. I guess by your definition above we are in the same boat. Pull up an oar and row. The proverbial creek is flowing fast.

Tappy you got it backwards. The Dem's are the father figure, doling out welfare to everyone like daddy warbucks opening his wallet. We dont' need government to take care of us, we need to stand on our own two feet and support ourselves. But the dems keep adding all the government dole programs to keep people lazy, helpless, and dependant on the government to support them, and blind to what they are doing so they look like the good guys to get all the votes.

Some conservatives on this tread, are misinformed as usual!
They claim that big government, big spending, helping the poor are all liberal
ideas?

Get this straight, your current conservative administration has made the largest ineffective record spending government in American history! Record debt and more to come!

And you want to elect, the current ranking top senior GOP senator of this record mess!

Now whos freaking crazy? I just call it what it is- eight years of nightmare GOP politics and the bad dream wont be over till the corrupt GOP has dissolved!
Now whos crazy?

About McCAin .....

McCain says he's going to reduce spending by 100 Billion to make our future better by eliminating earmarks that often simply tell agencies how to spend money that they are ALREADY GETTING. BUT NOW McCain says THAT MANY EARMARKS AREN'T REALLY WASTEFUL SPENDING AT ALL _— (those earmarked for military construction and veterans affairs, and — for defense spending.) __[AND] Douglas Holtz-Eakin, MCCAIN'S CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER, SAYS"IF YOU DON'T HAVE EARMARKS, A LOT OF THOSE THINGS WOULD BE FUNDED UNDER REGULAR ORDER, _."]] -from Budget according to McCain, FactCheck.org

-- THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SHELL GAME. I don't borrow from Peter to pay Paul and that's one of many reasons my family is doing well despite this economy. Americans deserve better solutions than this.

--and I'm NOT laughing about this:
McCain quote, "I don't know anything about the economy."
Now that the economy is spiraling into the toilet he should add "and neither do the Republicans or their V.P. candidate".

I don't need them to be restructuring their whole GOP organization while they're in office. Who knows what that will lead to? Nope, nothing I'm hearing sounds good and I've voted GOP in the past, not G II, and NOT this election.
.

--An independent that is now FOR OBAMA/BIDEN.

Forget liberal and conservative, forget republican and democrat.

How could you vote for a ticket (and the persons on it) when they are quite plainly and publicly serial liars? There is no other conclusion....

I mean really, it's out in all the media now, and I am sure it will be out more over the coming weeks. Even Karl Rove the (Lord of the Lies) is saying it...

So What would it take for you to see that the people you are supporting are taking you for the fool?

AMUSING! not AMUSSING! Check your spelling before posting, you illeterate redneck!

Gigi might not have been to many foreign countries but she is not running for the VP of the US. Palin is! The fact she kept repeating what was fed to her by Maccain's advisors during Gibson's interview says that she is totally not ready to be our VP. Ask yourself, DO YOU REALLY TRUST HER TO FACE OFF WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN when it becomes necessary? Or you rednecks' bar is so low that such mediocre performance by Palin on national TV is considered brilliant? Give me a break!

What's amusing about presidential candidates telling blatant lies to the public?

I have to wonder where you people have your head at. Blind loyalty to any political party is what'll keep this country in the poor state it's in.

She never said she went to Iraq. She said she went to visit National Guard froces based in Kuwait going to Iraq. Even the story makes no mention of this. In fact that is not the issue, apparently, the big issue is that the McCain camp said she had gone to Ireland, which was not completely truthful. From that the Obama campaign has implied that she is lying about going to Iraq.

edward--think with the head on your neck. I heard her say it more than once. Get the eyeballs in the right place and open your ears dude.

President clinton and candidate edwards did not have sex with those women. Because they stood in front of the press and told the US public they did not.

They all Lie.......

SB from CA

It's Illiterate, not illeterate! It's McCain, not MacCain! Read the advice on your own post and then get yourself another cup of nice warm coolaid. Palin for VP is a better poke in the eye than Obama as a President.

Everything that comes out of McCain's mouth is a discrepancy....which is a euphemism for a lie.

IT WASN'T PALIN TALKING, it was an anonymous aid. Heck, it could have been the butcher for all we know.

it could have been the butcher for all we know.

The butcher of the moose and wolves she shoots from planes in the winter when there is nowhere to hide??? How is that sport??? She is Hitler in a skirt!!!

I heard Palin speak. She clearly said she went to Kuwait. The Iraq weirdness is just the misunderstanding of an aide and to be fair, she's only been a candidate for a short time--hardly time for new aides to pick up on everything she has said accurately.

On the other ticket it is Obama himself who keeps making gaffes then he says the opposite added to "as I have always said" though he never said the correct statement earlier. I have video of him saying one thing and the other.

Also, when he wishes to distance himself from yet another embarrassing friend or "uncle" like Wright, Ayers, Dorn, Khalidi, Farrakhan, Rezko, Auchi, (uncle) Frank Marshall Davis (Communist/Comintern) etc. it is interesting he always says "this isn't the so and so (insert names above plus more)." That just says to me he isn't a very good judge of character if he doesn't even really know about these guys after 20+ years in most cases. If you don't know about these terrorists and communists and Islamists, please google Obama plus their name to learn more.

SB from CA calling people rednecks... Good to see regional bigotry is alive and well in California.

L8RG8R

Your one liners are not convincing anyone. Face it Palin lied, Mccain lies. Blame the media, blame the liberals, blame the right, blame anyone but Palin or Mccain because that would be inconvenient. She said Iraq and I heard it along with the media. Stop trying to spin us no one is listening to the WMD speeches anymore.

So far, I have tried to refrain from personal attacks.

However, I must say that anyone who now supports McCain/Palin is not very bright.

(now it's off to church to beg for forgiveness for my words)

-S.P.'s premaritally pregnant daughter, Clinton, and Edwards are all distractions. Both candidates want this to stop so I'll tell you real reasons for people to vote for Obama/Biden.
.
Vote FOR OBAMA because he is the ONLY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:
.
that VOTED FOR EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK!
that VOTED FOR THE ONLY BILL THAT FUNDS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY!
that WROTE AN ANTI-FRAUD BILL TO REGULATE MORTGAGE LENDING!
that VOTED AGAINST the war in Iraq so we could GO AFTER the REAL 9/11 CRIMINALS!
THAT HAS A 98% VOTING RECORD ON WORKING FAMILIES' ISSUES!
THAT IS BACKED BY THE AFL-CIO!
.
.
Obama is an EVERYDAY AMERICAN THAT MADE IT TO THE TOP TO FIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS!
.
VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN ! VOTE FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE !!

Obama was not a U.S. Senator when the vote for Iraq war was taken.

Obama sworn in on Jan. 4, 2005.

Oct. 11, 2002. In a major victory for the White House, the Senate early Friday voted 77-23 to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein refuses to give up weapons of mass destruction as required by U.N. resolutions.

Hours earlier, the House approved an identical resolution, 296-133.

I find it interesting this comment that liberals are scared of Palin. I've been seeing this about every third entry in all the discussions.

Are conservatives scared of Obama? By the looks of the Swift Boat activities, including the Whisper Internet (I've seen those ignorant emails you distribute), I'd say they are, and many because he is African American (tsch, tsch).

So after learning the Rove-Republican play book, the Dems have decided to fight back. That should scare you, but please, don't be a hypocrite. Democrats and many Americans are afraid of eight more years of misery, and that is legitimate -- not just towing the party line or being racist or what have you.

I'm a women who questioned whether Hillary's experience as First Lady was qualification for POTUS or being a heart beat away from commander-in-chief. I'm not being sexist or hypocritical when I say Palin is NOT ready for prime time, though my concern is mostly in regard to McCain who I believe would be just as incompetent as Dubya.

So please drop the nonsense. Your candidates should know politics (economy, energy, etc.), and should know their own party positions (like the Bush Doctrine). Otherwise, they have no business running for office, and all you conservatives who blindly support what ever your party feeds you have no business participating in politics.

Voting is not just a privilege, it's a responsibility. Democracy depends on an informed, educated citizenship, opposing views and debate on the issues, etc. Please, let's do our civic duty and talk about the issues and be honest about what is best for our country.

Obama/Biden 2008!

You can't be serious?! The Dems are lying about her going to IRAQ, and yet McCan'ts campaign has had to revise their story on the matter twice. It's hard to take when someone is blatantly lying to your face. People can't find what's not there. Support who you want to support but be realistic about it and don't blame the democrats. Just say, 'hey I know McCan't is a liar' but I want to vote for him because I believe he is this or that. Instead you want people to believe it's because Dems depend on people to be lifted up by the govt. Well, I don't know if you pay any attention, but the reality is some people do need govt assistance. You see, because some people do have difficulties whether they are congenital, hereditary, environmental...children born with birth defects whose parents cannot handle the stressors of that situation; children having lived their whole lives in foster homes/orphanages and suffered unfathomable abuse still and cannot function...I could go on, but it is a reality. Not everyone is as fortunate as you or I (assuming you're capable of taking care of yourself/family regardless of status and not needing any assistance). For me, I believe Obama is about continuing some govt asst, but w/more scrutiny so as to ensure our tax dollars are not being wasted. Sometimes people need help and that's a fact of life for all of us white, black, hispanic. I was in the AF for 22 yrs, and I've supervised airman...serving this country who needed public assistance. My issue with Palin is McCain...he chose her w/out screening her properly which is why all of this stuff is coming out even on him. I'd hate to know that he'd manage his presidency in such a manner. If he was a military commander, lying like he's doing...he wouldn't be a commander long. Because he should be setting the example and we do believe in service before self, but more importantly we believe in integrity in all we do.

As a conservative, yet registered independent voter, I can say damn straight Im scared of Obama. Some of the specific items that scare me;

1. Known friend, pastor, mentor is an America hating racist.

2. Known friend and political ally is a domestic terrorist

3. Organizer of "Public Allies"...check into it.

4. Thinks Iran is a "tiny" country/issue

5. Refuses to admit he was wrong about the surge in Iraq

6. Somehow still believes that higher taxes are the path to economic strength

your dumb too. Read the proposals and study. Get an education while you are at it. Do you think for a minute that the last 8 years have been an American Dream---no idiot--a NIGHTMARE AND I FOR ONE WANT TO WAKE UP FROM IT!!!!

Bill - You are whining now. You must be earning more than $200,000 a year and really are sweating the election of Obama/Biden who will tax the hell out of you. You are a self made idiot.

class of 69

If you really want to wake up get off of that cool aid.

Bill, Most Republicans are racists....why do you think they fear Obama? He is an uppity black man who talks like a white man....and worse, he is intelligent...and outshines their lily white joke of a "war hero"......a WASP without wings.

L8RG8R:
So whoever votes for Obama must be either "black" or "Muslim", right? Did I hear it right here all over this post? that the US is not "ready" for a black president? When I vote I listen to the candidates ideas about solving the problems at hand, I see no color. If you still can't pass that, you are not even qualified to vote.

TruePatriot says

"Voting is not just a privilege, it's a responsibility. Democracy depends on an informed, educated citizenship, opposing views and debate on the issues, etc. Please, let's do our civic duty and talk about the issues and be honest about what is best for our country. "

Then tell me why the Democrats are whining about driver's licenses and State ID's as a requirement at the voting booth being some kind of GOP plot to disenfranchise blacks? It doesn't sound responsible to me to open the system up to fraud and multiple voting. If you were honest you'd oppose this crap you're party was pushing.

Bill Clark

Thank you sir I will vote for Obama. Seems like there is a lot more poor Dems out there since Bush has been in office. I would recommend you Repubs vote for Obama or next 4 years you will be poor Dems too.

Keep talking about reverend Wright when the ship is sinking!

Keep your little GOP fingers stuck in the dike as the nations economic future is sucked to the bottom under the most corrupt and mindless administration in our history!

Where are you folks dont you read- Three trillion dollars bilked in Iraq...
trillion's bilked in mortgage and banking collapse...
one million Americans per month losing their homes...
War in Afghanistan is coming and possibly Iran too...
the litany goes on and on...

where are you dont you breath air or read? Do you just come out at night?

reverend Wright. Give the nation a freaking break!

snackenberg---you are a total idiot and very uneducated. Find another country will ya?

As one of your conservative friends said before what's the difference between Kuwait and Iraq?....OK what's the difference between Palin and Putin? They both have tremendous ambition. She would fit right in with her Russian neighbor.

I've got a little intelligent answer for you, L8RG8R, as a Native American I do not like the position of Palin's against the native peoples in Alaska (even though her husband claims to be part Eskimo?). She's trying been to get rid of their subsistence, their existence, their way of life, in order to make room for commercial fishing and hunting. She's sued the government Alaska v. Norton 3:05-CU-0158-HR (D-AK). The Alaska state government and the federal government disagreed with her but she is still trying to appeal. So in my opinion she doesn't respect the laws of the land and will want to overturn any that she doesn't agree with. For instance, Roe v. Wade. This woman is much too dangerous to be put in such an important office, and for John McCain to pick such a dangerous person, in my opinion, shows a lack of judgment. They don't even talk about the issues or what they plan to do. Just negative ads that aren't even true. What about the latest about what Greenspan said about McCain's economic policy?

Are you kidding? What do you call the mud-slinging and name-calling McCain is forced to resort to in order to remain viable? Constructive Republican campaigning? It's called "Fear and Smear" and it is what candidates like McCain and Palin preach instead of dealing with issues....like the failed ones we've suffered through for the past 8 years.

Fisherman, that's an easy one to answer, even if I'm not as smart as 69. It's the same difference between Obama and Bin Laden. Or was that Obama Bin Laden?

'69 doesn't even know the difference between your and you're, so I wouldn't consider him my political advisor anytime soon! And in the article referenced, Palin herself made no statements about where she was or wasn't, one of her aide's did the talking. The question I keep asking myself when seeing people's comments is, other than the fact that we're at war, has the last eight years really been that bad? Honestly. Think about it... How much worse would America be right now if our President and our troops hadn't acted to stop other acts of terrorism, even if it hasn't been proven? And what's gonna happen if we get someone in office who's gonna back down?

I'm surprised bluecollar can type and blog with a Pabst in both hands. You give blue collar a bad name, and this coming from a suburban Detroit native. The Repugnants have done nothing for middle class America other than rape them. You must enjoy bending over. Drill, baby, drill!!!!

Guess you wouldn't think the last 8 yrs have been that bad...oh yeah other than the war... Well, let me call my girlfriend who lost her 19 y/o son a year ago in IRAQ, if she thinks it's been bad without her son. I think she'd be happier about paying $5 for gas if she could at least speak to her son. Oooorrrrrr, maybe I could ask one of my co-workers who lost their son in war last June, if other than the fact that this trumped up war if he still feels like times haven't been that bad. Oh! Oh! I know...let's ask the family's of the civilians who were beheaded if other than the war...things in the last 8 yrs haven't been too bad. Let's ask the servicemen who were bogusly discharged because they just couldn't function after returning from the war zone...and have no benefits because of the way the military listed their discharge. But hey, Bush was only doing "God's will"....surely. Listen, I've never been party savvy. I vote by record...knowing there may be some embellishments...but who has people's...this country best interest at heart and McCain is disrespectful...how can you be a veteran in his position and not vote to ensure other vets are taken care of? Yeah, compare his record to Obama's on services for military vets healthcare, education, VAs, insurance. That's what turned me off...and of course the ads...and the way he chose Palin and lied about it, and continues to lie. But of course, these are just made up lies by the Dems and there's no record of her Bridge to Nowhere Issue, or that budgeting experience where Wasilla was debt-free and she left them with an enormous debt. You know what her response was to that? The people wanted that sports complex too. If you're Mayor, should you consider the fact that if it's just the Wasilla townspeople using it then it may not generate any revenue...even to cover the taxes? Rose colored glasses.

Damn right, we leftcrats fear Sarah Palin- if McPalin gets elected and old Mac dies (which is very likely consider his age), she will take this country back to the Dark Age where Bible was the only textbook and that God created the world in 7 frigging days, and if you got knocked up by your brother or father you should still give birth to that child, etc, etc. If that isn't scary, what is?

Too bad we can't eject certain states from the Union. We could end this argument right now by giving everyone a place to go. Of course that wouldn't work because without conservatives liberals wouldn't have anyone to tax.

Damn right, we leftcrats fear Sarah Palin- if McPalin gets elected and old Mac dies (which is very likely consider his age), she will take this country back to the Dark Age where Bible was the only textbook and that God created the world in 7 frigging days, and if you got knocked up by your brother or father you should still give birth to that child, etc, etc. If that isn't scary, what is?

Another desperate and absolutely terrified Obamacrat attacking God, the Bible and family in the name of politics and self righteousness or is it self leftessness. Don't worry it'll be over in a little less than four weeks when McCain/Palin wins.

When you say "kooks" do you mean extremists? I was Republican during Reagan, then registered Independent after that (Bush Sr.). I have voted for Republicans, often a split ticket. I don't anymore because conservatives have become so extreme. No? We hear about Reagan Democrats, so where are the Clinton Republicans? Have you ever voted for a candidate other than Republican?

You don't have to answer, because I know you haven't. I'm a fiscal conservative, who favors the 2nd Amendment (I keep my gun to prevent Republican tyranny), who favors capital punishment, who opposes illegal entry into our country, etc. However, I'm pro-choice, pro-separation of church and state, etc., so conservatives call me a bleeding-heart liberal, when I'm actually a moderate.

On the other hand, they are intolerant, and can't abide by anyone who doesn't support their narrow illogical views and "their guy." They want a one-party state, a two-class society (rich and poor), to stack the courts, to suppress opposing views and impose their views on the rest of the nation. They are anti-democracy right-wing radicals. They are the KOOKS.

Enough is enough! Obama/Biden - 2008!

TruePatriot

Once again I will have to say I have found a post that I agree with most of what is said, except that we believe of you, exactly what you believe of us.

True Patriot:

I agree with everything you said. I come from the same place, republican turned independent.

OOPS! It is Obama who wants to turn us into a communist country. Why do you think he chums with all the Commies and is endorsed by the American Communist Party (as well as all the other anti-American terrorist spooks)!

McCain will win this election make no doubt about it!

Blah blah blah! Conservatives are so dumb that they don't even realise they could lead a better life under a new administration other than "their man/woman". Frankly if Mcain picked someone else to be his runningmate I would have reconsidered my option. After listening to that Palin woman, any doubt about voting for the other party has been erased completely.

This communist stuff is nothing but a bunch of crap from, Im not even calling you conservatives anymore, most of you write like a bunch far right-winger urban hillbillies.
"Citybillies!"

Real conservatives were the likes of Barry Goldwater, duh whos that?

First of all this communist crap doesn't hold water anymore. What is China?
Communist! They are the U.S.s biggest trade partner. Duh!

So if your dishing communists your dishing your own party because they do business with them! Learn something its not 1980 anymore! And as far as liberals having large governments taxing etc. -the current GOP government has broken all records on fiscal accountability and large over-sized government. Once again learn something besides being self-righteous and divisive!

You urban "Citybillies" gotta read more then you do...
the answers are right in front of you, just read and leave denial at the doorstep!
And to be honest I used to be a "Citybilly" too! But that all changed when I learned to read!

rube r. - I think you're right. The old guard Republicans don't recognize their own party anymore and the new republicans have redefined it - and not for the better.

I'm surprised when they don't know that communist China is a strong trade partner with the U.S. and that China has been buying our debt to fund all of this stuff the G.O.P. has been doing to OUR COUNTRY for the last 8 years.

Today, Alan Greenspan said," We're going through a ONCE IN A CENTURY EVENT_— Can we AVOID RECESSION(?)__— (maybe) but I WOULDN'T BET ON IT." If these conservatives, or whatever they are, don't understand how interconnected we are globally, I shudder to think what will happen to our country if it gets into their hands.
.

The problem here is that while Iraq may not be a failure, we should have never been there in the first place. Even the media is telling you that it was all about oil. That's the problem with the last 8 years. This war had nothing to do with wmd. But we praise bush for winning a war that he got us into and we should have never been in, in the first place.

What's a success in an illegal war that has killed almost 4,000 American soldier and maimed 30,000+? Do you mean rescuing the Iraqi's and rebuilding their country....just so we could steal their oil? You have your head in the sand.

Aside from unnecessary loss of life, the loss in treasure is unfathomable -- the Iraq war will cost $3 trillion. We could have used our military for victory against terrorism, the money to help our own American people, and preserved our standing in the world as a Super Power.

The invasion was a mistake no matter how much you try to justify it. It had nothing to do with WMD (i.e., nuclear mushroom cloud) or the 9-11 attack, no matter how much you want to believe it. The most effective strategy to date has been making allies with the factions within Iraq, and some of that has been in exchange for $ (your $). To claim that the success of the surge = victory when victory is still not ours is the same delusional thinking that will cause this great nation to fall to it's demise.

We need to focus on energy independence, increasing trade, keeping jobs from going overseas, etc. that will allow us to stop borrowing money from China, Japan, etc. We will not continue to be a great nation until we do these things. Unnecessary wars play into Al Qaeda's hands -- to slowly bleed the U.S. economically. So let's get on with real victory, let's be smarter than that, and get our country back on track.

Obama/Biden - 2008!

We should be focusing on other things. Palin is just a distraction from the real issue's. McCain needs to stop hiding behind her skirt and man up. Deal with Obama head on.

Are you kidding? What do you call a 9.5 trillion dollar deficit? Good old fiscal conservatism? No "free-spending" Democratic administration has ever been so irresponsible. And you can justify the Iraq war? Right.

If we fought in Iraq for oil we really didn't do a good job. You see the Iraqi's are selling their oil on the world market and making a lot of money. US Nada! They keep the oil they drill in the country for Iraq first (which we should do when we drill all our on and off shore resources--keep it for country first). The Iraqi's at last report were paying .78 for gasoline.

Get over the blood for oil garbage. If the US was a typical country we would have taken the oil as a spoil of war (legal under international law). Then we would be paying .78 instead of Iraqi's.

True that! Buttercup!

"Yeah there were some failure in the past 8 years but Obama...running like rabbits?"

Yes your conjecture is about the same level as most of your compatriots!

Your conjecture is AWOL- oh I remember that guy Bush, he was honest, had integrity,
and hes experienced too Just like the next guy Chuck of i mean John mccain!
Rabbits... get real learn to read.
Try reading the wall street journal as the nations financial sector is falling apart due to conservative politics!
Rabbits- on second thought keep writing that kind of fact finding stuff!

Obama only went when he was badgered into it and avoided visiting the troops when there was no photo op. At least Sarah went and visited the troops. I've seen photos of this event. She did this as the governor of a state.

The foreign country Obama was more interested in visiting this year was his other country where he has citizenship--Kenya--messing up the internal affairs and trying to overthrow a leader who is pro US and had stabalized the country while a Senator of the United States. There is a law against such behavior but Obamessiah is above the law.

Bye Jan....it hasn't been nice to know ya.

Jan, you are a mindless lemming.....your cerebral cortex is awash with propaganda. I think people like you actually enjoyed the Bush fiasco....vote for McCain...and you can continue to enjoy the unraveling of our nation.

Please, don't insult lemmings.

YEAH! Fox news- Fair and Balanced (my ass!)

Yeah, everyone knows the dailykos and the New York Times is much more objective and accurate.

"Asked to clarify where she traveled in Iraq, Palin's spokeswoman, Maria Comella, confirmed that "She visited a military outpost on the other side of the Kuwait-Iraq border."

It was the second such clarification in as many weeks of the itinerary of what Palin has called "the trip of a lifetime." Earlier, the campaign acknowledged that Palin made only a refueling stop in Ireland."

This is from the Boston Globe. And here's the link:

When making a link

1. Push link button. An explorer user prompt should become visible.
2. In the prompt past your web site address and press OK. This should put information into your comment section. It will have a > at the end. If your cursor is not there, put it there and type a word or phrase to describe your link.
3.Push link button a final time. This will put a close link on your link and you can continue typing or post.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

I keep getting "Links Omitted" when I try to enter it.
In any case its at bostonglobe.com under news/nation

Yes, because we have put up with 8 years of ignorance in the white house and don't want to repeat those mistakes with McCain/Palin.

That's it no intelligent response, make fun of a name, how is the third grade?

......and where did you learn that tidbit JA? Yes we are full of fear that McCain/Palin still have a chance to lie themselves into a victory and destroy our Country.

What planet have you been living on? Oh let me guess, the FOX News and talk radio planet. Stop being so lazy and do some of your own research and provide links to credible sources instead of vague, meaningless claims. Then come back. Nice playing (not)...

Later Gator, if Obama wins will you promise to move to Bolivia? Take Bush with you....too much of Texas can shrink ones IQ.

Wow! This is amazing! Obama is an elitist because he likes a certain type of cheese. He's evil because his FORMER pastor has a problem with the way blacks are treated in America. He is evil because he and a FORMER domestic terrorist ran a couple of charities which helped people and schools. He's a Muslim because he attended a Muslim school in Jakarta. No wait, he's a Muslim because he attends a Christian church in Chicago. No wait, he's evil because he's Muslim. He's evil because he helps people who are less fortunate. Yeah that's it. Now I got it figured out. He can't be Christian 'because he helps the poor, believes that a person can be forgiven and sympathises when black people get upset. Oh crap, that can't be right. He's evil because he speeks out against the injustices performed by Bush and Cheney. He must be evil because he called a hockey mom a liar and she may be completely dishonest, but letting people know is evil. Damn it! Hold on I've almost got it! He's evil because making sure that Americans have healthcare is a bad thing. We don't need healthcare, disabled AMERICAN veterans don't need help and soldiers don't need proper armor on their vehicles. He must be a communist because no REAL American would ever want any of these things. No REAL American would ever even think about helping out his fellow man, practicing another religion except pure right-wing staunch Christianity, forgiving another for transgressions of 40 years ago. And certainly no REAL American would ever defend himself when a conservative lies about him.
WOW! I need to thank all of my fellow Republicans on this site. If not for you pointing out everything that is wrong with the Democratic canditate, I might have voted for the wrong man. I've been trying to dumb myself down enough to understand your rationale for years, now the aneurysm has done it for me.
Like nails on a chaulkboard, so are republican speeches.

Her aides did. Here is the link to the story:

Robin, doesn't McCain's lying bother you? Or are you one of the lemmings who believe everything that comes out of McCain's mouth....via Schmidt and Rove...of course.

Bosnia............. not Iraq. Obama is under more of a microscope......he is black.......you remember that much?

Yep he is very tan.
But he has not been subject to the digging and whining and lying that Governor Palin has been.. You people are way over the top. And next year you will not remember what was said. It will be we never said a thing against her. And the "press fired off memos to Obama's staff saying get out there and lay it on her" And this is from a press that is in McCain pocket

And you are probably even parents of the children. Sad!!!!!!!

Palin said it more than once and her advisers too, now your lying for the liars.
And today there saying something different yet again,
"Plain did enter a town that straddled the border?"

Not even a simple truth comes from these people!

Your lying for the liars!Hey Ms Palin did you go to Iraq?
Oh yes I can can see Iraq from my doorstep too!

Emphatic liars!

Almost as much as McCain's outrage over "Lipstick on a pig"........an expression McCain used in public 4 times within the past 6 months.....give him the benefit of the doubt.....McCain probably can't remember that far in the past.

Almost as much as McCain's outrage over "Lipstick on a pig"........an expression McCain used in public 4 times within the past 6 months.....give him the benefit of the doubt.....McCain probably can't remember that far in the past.

It's a remark that Obama sures wishes he hadn't used, it was a disaster for him. It works for some people but not for him, bad timing.

Obama and his camp need to do the right thing in this instance: don't even mention Sarah Palins many mysterious comments and views.

The only thing that does is get the right and women on her side. It seems that calling people out for lying actually has a counter-effect: It creates sympathy and makes the liar the victim. Instead, just brush her lies aside and then call her on it during the debates, where she'll be forced to answer on the spot, without scripts or handlers.

Seriously, these elections have gotten sillier and sillier, and both sides are guilty of it. They try to make people''s comments worse than they are. "Palin can see the moon from her doorstep". "Obama wants to teach sex-ed to fetuses in the womb". Complete foolishness that just bogs us down and distracts from the reality that faces our nation. Don't disparage the other side, tells us why we should vote for you, not why we shouldn't vote for the other side because of gaffes or missteps.

Show us a pic of the Koran in his back pocket -- until then shut the hell up. Besides, what were you doing looking at his butt, anyway?

I'm appalled at your ignorance. When I hear republican two words that come to mind; Hypocrite and slime. You have to be kidding to say that he had a copy of the Quaran in his pocket. Are you stupid or do you play one on TV. If you are going to accuse the other party of something please make sure it is truthful and not out and out lies, in this case you know for a fact this is a LIE. I have to admit that both McCain and Palin must be made of teflon nothing sticks to those two with their faithful followers. The Bush years seemingly disappeared or have not been that bad. All McCain has to say is POW and that's it, no more questions. All Palin has to say is I'm a woman and that's it nothing more. The McCain camp is banking on the fact that most americans are too stupid and too lazy to do their homework, you will believe anything coming from McCain. You just proved that by using slime politics just like your republican pick.

And where did you get this information? From Fox news? What a ridiculous charge. You people are just like McCain. You'll stoop to anything....don't bother with the truth!

Outstanding, John. Thank you for drawing these two out and making a great point. Had they taken the time to actually read what you wrote they would understand that you were satirizing the whole "anonymous off the record source" dynamic of this so-called news piece.
Pilgrim, you want a snapshot of the Koran in Obama's pocket? I'll photo shop you one right away. That would have more validity than a hit piece based solely on one statement from an "off the record anonymous" source that was immediately corrected by the campaign itself.
Maisgar, you state, "If you are going to accuse the other party of something please make sure it is truthful and not out and out lies". I advise you to ask the same from what is supposed to be a reputable news source. In addition you assert that McCain/Palin's faithful followers believe every word they utter without question regardless of what facts may be presented. Isn't this the exact same phenomenon that occurs every time Obama regurgitates the mantra "Hope and Change" when someone confronts his campaign about his questionable associations or statements he makes that are patently false?
I will be the first to state that neither presidential candidate is focusing as much on the issues that mean something to me as I would like but to be fair they are equally to blame. You want my vote to go to Obama? He has to show me me that he truly is above the fray and not using "politics as usual" to win the vote. So far I have seen no evidence of this. Until I do and until he stands by a position that I support he simply will not get my vote.
Again, John, great job drawing out the Obama acolytes on this one. Love the way they tried to spin your comment.

John, are you a graduate of the Republican party's propaganda mill? Call your buddy Johnny-boy.........he'll probably give your a job inventing mud for their ads.

John you only hear what you want to hear...
Palin said it in her speeches and on her video bio too!
Another right winger - all mouth and no ears!
This one is gonna be real hard to swallow
because it exposes her for who she is- a pandering, pimping, self-righteous, self-promoting
extreme right winger! Just like Bush just like McCain!
You really need to read more before you spout off!

Great nations are upheld and wars are won or lost by the rightness and decency of the participants!
As our nations history goes we have never lost a war when we were right but now we have lost wars because we were ideologically wrong!
It's not just about strength its about wisdom and justice.
This is viable wisdom that McCain, Palin and the neocons will never grasp!

Such American qualities that have been inactive during the past seven plus years due to conservative politics!

Exactly, it just more of the same:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxnegxNEDAc

You may note he uses the word "truth" then calls it propaganda. Losers.

You are concerned about tax cuts with Bush's 9.5 trillion dollar deficit looming over us all. Maybe you don't mind working for the Chinese in the future, since the Chinese govt. holds 4 trillion dollars in debt? You better hope their economy tanks in the future.

I thought it was Oprah that said "we must do whatever it takes to make sure he wins"
I thought that meant Democrats and of course she is trying no Governor Palin on her show and if she had her way Palin would not have done an interview with Charlie.

Guess you only hear what you like to keep up your position

Trying to demean Palin? That's almost as ludicrous as them touting her as having international experience since she lives close to Russia. Yup she is small town and she appears naive, but does that make her a VP candidate?

Prof...You are living a fantasy...a movie that was written and aired many years ago. Please go back to your dreaming and forget about trying to say something intelligent.

Wow............what a lame comparison.

You're right, who cares? It's just another distraction. We should be discussing how to get our country back on track.

I agree! All this he said she said crap is out of hand.

Palin has been governor of one of the least populated states in the nation for 14 months. Before that she was mayor of a small town near Anchorage. Most of her time was spent approving local fishing licenses. You want her to tackle the mess our nation is in? Come on....get real.

at least she had opponets to run against. she did not get rid of them to run unopposed

she signed bills that her local senators voted for or against not just present

she act toget things started completed in her 14 months in office more than Obama did in his 14 months
He went to Washington Jan 2005, got put right on the international affairs committee and sent overseas on a fact finding trip in March (if I remember one of the comments right) No start up time for him, no introductioon to the Senate freshman getting a plum appointment

yes she did say that and so did McCain, they bragged about it.

McCain thought Iraq was more impressive than Kuwait....so he used that lie instead of the truth.

People! Who cares if she goes to Iraq or Las Vegas (Oops! Kuwait) They are both mass of desert. No wonder Palin can't tell the difference. Forgive her!

To Republicans and Democrats alike, the issue here is NOT whether she went to Iraq or Kuwait, the biggest problem with her is that she knows jacksh*t about the international community. I bet she can't tell the difference between Spanish and Italian, Japanese and Chinese, German and French....Anything outside Alaska is a blur to sweet little Sarah, so innocent and so pure. Any negative comments made on her should be damned because she is the reincarnation of Mother Teresa (oh wait! Mother Teresa did a lot of community services, maybe not a very good analogy!)

Yeah, shmantics semantics, no officer I didn't kill him, I just bludgeoned him to death, it means different things. A lie is a lie, and we've had enough lies. If you are enamored fine, get in line with J McCain staring at her butt as she gives her speeches, but she is not anything more than George Bush in a dress, a show pony for the Republican party because she gets the conservative christian coaltion moving.

Thank you Van Gogh! If you want spin and outright lying, look no further than McCain. Let's focus on the issues!

Yes, let's talk about it.

The framers, in all their wisdom, did their best to form a system that would safeguard democracy. To do this, they created various checks and balances. Many in America want to destroy this; some without realizing it, others with full intent.

Our founding fathers first goal was to prevent tyranny. With reference to the executive branch, they wanted to ensure transparency, accountability, and prevent a president from being above the rule of law. In this regard, the Bush/Cheney administration has had the worst record. Though McCain/Palin might well exceed them.

Aside from the will of the people as expressed through elections, there is separation of powers. Within congress there is the house and the senate as a check and balance, and combined, congress is supposed to provide oversight for the executive and judicial branches. Congress has failed to oversee the executive branch, initially being a "rubber stamp" Republican-controlled congress, but mostly due to legal machinations by the White House (signing statements, withholding documents, claiming executive privilege, etc.)

The White House machinations also have been allowed because of a partisan, pro-Bush US Department of Justice, first under Alberto Gonzales, and now under Attorney General Michael Mukasey. The Justice Department is supposed to be neutral. The hiring scandal (involving former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling) is the most recent example of how the current administration has tried to subvert the intentions of our founding fathers in yet another way.

In the meantime, the Republicans have been working hard to stack the Supreme Court and the judicial system in general with conservative appointees. It would seem that to destroy all the checks and balances, they must not forget the judicial branch. When in reality "legislating from the bench" is done by conservative judges just as much as by liberals. And back to the topic of separation of powers, where is congressional oversight on this?

It is well known that Cheney's personal goal has been to strengthen executive powers. What we must keep in mind is that precedence has been, and is continuing to be set (absent impeachment). And that precedence will apply to any future president, of either party, and regardless of whether a future president is good or bad. But Cheney, et al (K Street), were thinking they and the Republican Party would always be in control.

To that point, another check and balance is the need for a minimum two-party system. Multiple parties would be even better, but unfortunately the current structure makes it very difficult for other parties to form and participate in elections. As if it weren't bad enough to have only two parties, the Republican-controlled Congress and White House together tried to create a one-party system (with them being the one party, of course). Other terms for a one-party state are dictatorship, or a communist or fascist state, but somehow they haven't thought of it that way.

An additional requirement for the preservation of democracy is a free press that plays a "watchdog" role, and assists in maintaining an informed and educated population. After 9-11, nationalistic pressures made it very difficult for opposing views to be expressed from any source. If you're like me, you can't forget the propagandist mantra "If you don't support the war, you don't support the troops." These Bush supporters forgot that in a democracy people are able to support the presidential candidate of their choice, as well as policies of their choice. And those who try to prevent other citizens from exercising such rights are the ones who are unpatriotic. Bush/Cheney forgot that supporting the troops means taking care of our veterans.

A most recent example of this kind of mentality can be seen in the op-ed "What Bush and Batman Have in Common" by Andrew Klavan. I laughed out loud when reading his statement that hopefully "...Hollywood conservatives will be able to take off their masks and speak plainly in the light of day." The victim spin, from religion in the public square to the liberal media is a fascinating persecution complex, but I wish conservatives would get a grip on reality.

Aside from White House media manipulations -- screening, staging, talking points, heavy editing (climate change), restrictions (polar bear topics), ignoring (the EPA), and outright misleading (Iraq invasion) -- the Internet and talk radio have been an even bigger detriment to our country, because misinformation is worse than no information. As a result of this, and the preference of "reality TV" over responsible journalistic news (true reality), our population is not well informed.

And to comment more on Klavan's op-ed, the thought that civil liberties once removed will automatically be reinstated is worse than naïve. The Bush administration had a plan for suspending elections in 2004 in the event of another terrorist attack. More often martial law follows such action, so I'd prefer not to place my liberties on such a slippery slope if you don't mind.

Klaven also refers to tolerance. As if compassionate conservatism isn't a questionable term, a "tolerant conservative" most certainly is an oxymoron. The Agenda is God, guns, and gays. What is tolerant about the religious fundamentalists, white supremacists, neocon hawks, and other such groups that gather under the Republican Party tent?

And last, but not least, there must be fair elections in a democracy. In recent years, gerrymandering, electronic vote tampering, voter intimidation and fear mongering in general create deterrence to fair elections – and the lack of morality and downright pride in Operation Chaos is a great example of what is not democratic. Aside from the need for a paper trail, the US would be wise to allow external monitoring, and maybe even apply purple ink to voter's fingers, because the US is no longer the role model of democracy for the world.

Perhaps it is America's obsession with sports that there is now a win-at-all-cost attitude, but Republicans tend to tow the party line the most, even when it isn't in their own best interest. No? We hear of Reagan Democrats, but where are the Clinton Republicans? Many Democrats also crossed over and voted for Bush in 2004 because of concerns with national security and Iraq. Republicans think they are being loyal, but forget that our COUNTRY is the "team." And, if they could get past irrational stereotypes, they'd understand we are all on the team of the United States of America. But ultimately, Bush/Rove have been the great dividers, not uniters.

When you think of all this, along with the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame and the invasion of Iraq (see "The Way of the World: A Story of Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism" by Ron Suskind) and other attacks on the constitution such as warrant-less wire tapping and torture, "the case for impeaching Bush and Cheney—indeed the entire administration—is by far the most powerful and necessary case for impeachment that has ever existed" (see "The Tyranny of Good Intentions" by Paul Craig Roberts and Lawrence M. Stratton). According to the Bush/Cheney definition of torture, McCain was not tortured. The DOJ is still trying to get around FISA with yet more legislative strategy. Perjury? Pffft, in protecting Cheney, Libby already is an example of that. Yet core Bush supporters are appalled. How can anyone really think Bush should be impeached?!

And this coming from the Party that currently holds the record for scandals (e.g., Jack Abramoff to Tom DeLay to Ted Stevens…for an illustrated guide to Republican scandals, visit http://slate.com/features/2007/scandal_guide/scandalmap.html), and considering that conservatives are trying to destroy our most basic principles of democracy and don't even realize it, I guess that shouldn't be surprising.

But ultimately people support the candidate they identify with. Like other core Bush supporters, Klaven characterizes Bush as being courageous for staying the course. These supporters also still claim the invasion of Iraq is part of the "war on terror," with many still asserting that WMDs existed. (Have you used Google Maps? You can see a view of any location. Do you have so little faith in our military?) They just can't admit they were wrong to support Bush and the invasion. As such, they identify with Bush's my-way-or-the-highway unilateralism, and refusal to make corrections when needed. And since when did diplomacy, cooperation, and open-mindedness become pejorative?

Bush supporters shudder in fear of how things would be if Al Gore had been elected. I won't go into Richard Clarke's memo about an impending Al Qaeda attack that Bush ignored, but otherwise, how could things be worse? The United States is now years behind in an energy policy, the environment, and most of all drowning in deficits. The Iraq invasion will cost $3 trillion plus. I can't even wrap my head around a sum like that. The next president will step into the biggest mess in history. Is there anyone who thinks otherwise?

What do Bush and Batman have in common? They are both comic strip characters, and that's about it. I was once a Republican, but no more. How has the Republican Party fallen into such a dismal state? Because of anti-intellectualism, people lack the Rule of Reason for one (fire good, knowledge good -- see "Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul" by Kenneth R. Miller). And just because you don't like what you're reading right now, don't hide your head in the sand. Bush supporters--stop with the cognitive dissonance, please. If you don't know what a signing statement is, or gerrymandering, or are unfamiliar with Richard Clarke's memo, Google is your friend—that is, if you know what a reliable source is (hint, it's not anything owned by Rupert Mudoch, such as the WSJ).

Those who want fiscal responsibility and small government might consider becoming Libertarian, social conservatives should preserve separation of church and state and join the party that fits their POLITICAL views (or at least poverty and taking care of the Earth), and for those who want state-sponsored news, a theocracy, a police state or one-party state, well there are many other countries to choose from. In the meantime, enough is enough.

"A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both." - James Madison

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

Obama/Biden - 2008!

True Patriot
My info says that many of the "framers" did not want democracy and warned against ever letting ourselves become one. When Ben Franklin was asked "What have you given us?" he replied "A Republic, if you can keep it." You seem sharp enough to check this out for yourself.

Also, I am not sure what administration has been the most corrupt but I would have to think Clinton Gore is a contender. I will not try to address all of you statement at this time. I will say that I believe much of it to be inaccurate.

Watching McCain and Palin lie is worse.

'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.
Barrack Obama

Palin definitely has become the the focus of debate whether it was intentionally or not. It does seem to to be taking some negative attention off McCain and boosting party interest and movement at the same time.

Yes, many are losing sight of issues that matter and are getting caught up in trading barbs over trivialities and nonsense.

Election time political fever and madness as usual.

You are a Doctor? "who cares obama you are a lier to well all of you stink" What does that mean? and what is a lier? Do you mean a "liar"? No wonder I always leave the hospital in worse shape than I went in.

LOL!

I think it's one of those "doctors" from the Philippines or Mexico where degrees are printed on palm leaves.

killerb,

Stereotyping and racism by a Democrat is really helpful for winning voters over? You're doing a great job of turning them away.

What's worst is he put the Doc in his name title like anyone would think he is the last word. Get off your high horse you mad scientist, McCain is the Bush look alike not Obama.

Go cut up a pig.... with lipstick on it.