Obama anxiety in California *

Despite the post-convention bounce for John McCain, it appears (for now) that California is still Barack Obama country. But Politico has an interesting story about one Democratic congressional candidate in Placer County, near Sacramento, who is not thrilled by his association with Obama:

Ask Charlie Brown if he supports Barack Obama, and he’ll tell you he hasn’t endorsed anyone yet. Ask him whether he plans to vote for Obama in November, and he says that “a lot’s going to happen” between now and then. Ask him if he’d want Obama to campaign for him, and he says, “I’d like to see both McCain and Obama come to the district and have a debate out here rather than ignore California." Charlie Brown is a Democrat, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it talking to him. Running in a district where Republicans enjoy a double-digit advantage in party registration, Brown is following the playbook the Democrats used to win special elections in heavily Republican districts in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi earlier this year: Keep the D on the down-low.

While over at Huffington Post, director Adam MaKay ("Anchorman," "Talladega Nights") shares a lament a lot of Obama supporters are feeling these days:

"Stop saying that!" my wife says to me. But this is not a high school football game and I'm not a cheerleader with a bad attitude. This is an election and as things stand now, we're gonna frickin' lose this thing. Obama and McCain at best are even in the polls nationally and in a recent Gallup poll  McCain is ahead by four points. Something is not right. We have a terrific candidate and a terrific VP candidate. We're coming off the worst eight years in our country's history.

Well, at least Obama has Babs.

-Shelby Grad

Photo: Carolyn Cole  Los Angeles Times

* Thanks to all who weighed in but, as the last batch of comments we received were too hate-filled to be published, the comments are now closed.

Comments

[Erick]

I am sick and tired of reading about, how the media talks about Gallup Polls, I don't know where or how they get their information....So far in the biggest city of the United States (LA) I haven't seen any one, conducting polls. But any way....I know that republicans are nervous and stressed because election day is coming and with it the change.

The current government screwed up the whole economy, and now McCain, is adopting Obama's ideas of Change, He is pathetic like the Chinese always making cheap copies of good products.

I Believe in Obama, I wish he reads this: He needs to be more aggressive. Please stop saying my adversary says this or says that....please be yourself and tell us what you want and what you will, we already know McCain is below, retarded and below average ex-second class wrecker navy pilot, full and consumed with anger, who seeks revenge for all the time he was captive in prison in Vietnam, and most probably he was molested.

We feel sorry for him, but We DO NOT WANT HIM AS PRESIDENT, imagine a woman whose not able to supervise and educate her own family and a retarded in the white house. Homer Simpson has a better degree of matureness that the fatal duo!!!

Please don't Republican or Democrat, don't make your mind just because a preacher or any one else at church or on TV, expresses his/her ideas, find out by yourself. Those guys don't know about politics, eight years ago they supported Bush and see, what happened, see how much are you paying for a gallon of gas now, or how much your house is worth it.

[tordor]

Wow...we really are such a divided nation. Everyone seems to only find the information needed to reinforce their opinions. How can we choose for ourselves and not be blindly led by media. This whole election seems like a nightmare. Regardless of who wins, the country will be worse off. Not because of the policies or ideologies of either candidate – but because of the hate and resentment that accompanies our current election system. We are acting like radical groups fighting for control of a third world country – not One United Nation! With such sensitive and endured demographic groups involved, I fear that the post election frenzy may turn this “Rival Sporting Event” we call an election - to an actual start to the division of our great nation. Behaviors like this can only lead to our collapse. This has been seen in every great civilization, perhaps it’s our turn. Now, someone take the time to call me an idiot. It’s obviously true because I just wasted 20 minutes reading your comments and writing this.

[baz]

Are people so hateful, that they actually believe their *infanticide* rhetoric?
Like anyone in the Govt supports killing children.
You want to debate pro-choice vs anti-choice, fine... but, this hateful garbage about infanticide, how are you Christians, seething such hate??
I expect many of you are Pro-Capitol Punishment, and were Pro Iraq invasion.
The hate & hypocrisy is breathtaking, from supposed *Religious* people.
And yes, it's choice vs anti-choice.
I am against abortion, but know many people who are pro-choice... we are all anti-abortion. I've yet to meet anyone who is pro-abortion.
While I don't agree with them, I understand their argument... they want the choice.

I just wish the alleged Christians, who express such hate, would actually read/study Jesus' teachings. I must have missed the part, where it says *hate anyone who doesn't think the way you do.*
Y'all are sounding more & more like the Fundamentalist Muslims, than true Christians!

[Hal]

Don't forget about all of the *wonderful* things DEMS have done in Michigan....(highest unemployment in the country). If you want to look into the future of an Obama administration, look no further than Chicago, IL and Detroit, MI. LOL.

[jefflz]

This Karl Rove guy is a genius. He has turned the election into "THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL". He has replaced a tiresome, dried-out old candidate who is too confused to get the facts straight, and created tremendous buzz about a know-nothing right-wing Christian fundamentalist who won a beauty contest. Instead of looking at the horrible record of the last 8 nightmarish Bush years we now want to find out who is the sexiest, who has the best one liner put-downs? Hey Kids, while the the economy is going down the tubes, people are losing their homes and jobs, and respect for this country is at an all time low, lets have a Popularity Contest!! Its just like High School, wow, kids this is fun. The heck with boring political stuff, lets go for the cute gal with the smart mouth (her words also provided by Rove). Wake up kids, four years of McCain/Palin will leave you and your families far worse off than you are now. Can you afford to play these childish but potentially lethal games??

[Sandra S]

Ellison, you got that right. The Republican Cult mantra: Privatize the profits, socialize the losses.

Here's an in depth look at Pilan's record:

http://dailysource.org/palin

"You can't fight religious extremists in the Middle East when you elect them in the Midwest". seen in the blog world

Dems - get out and Vote on November 4th or your mail in ballot. There are 11 million more registered Dems than Repubs. If we all vote, you figure it out.

[Keith]

I've seen comments that the poor don't pay taxes, which isn't true. EVERYONE in this country pays taxes. We ALL pay taxes when we buy products. It's called sales tax. The poor pay income taxes as well. When I was in college and made only a few thousand dollars a year ($2K or less a couple of those years) working part time, I paid taxes. Yes, I got a portion of what I paid back as a tax refund, but it certainly wasn't the majority of what I paid throughout the year. The amount taken out of my meager paycheck was only slightly higher than my tax obligation, so I got the overage back as a refund. But I DID pay taxes!

Now that I'm older, married with 2 kids, have a nice home, and a great career, I pay more in taxes than I used to (MUCH more!). I'm paying more payroll taxes as I'm in a higher tax bracket. I pay the same sales taxes that the poor pay (9% in Chicago), and as a homeowner, I pay property taxes to Cook County.

The role of government is to collectively provide citizens with what they can't individually provide on their own. Roads, bridges, emergency services, military protection, utilities, etc. immediately come to mind. In our country, the amount of tax we pay depends on the extent in which we've benefitted from what the country has provided. Americans are able to open businesses and conduct trade because of the law and order that exists in the land. That's not the case everywhere in the world. Those who are entreprenurial and have benefited greatly from the blessings this great nation offers pay more in taxes. Those who are not as successful, regardless of the reasons, are not unduly burdened by the government and pay less in taxes. But everyone pays. I don't consider this to be a "redistribution of wealth". Money is power, and as they say, great power brings great responsibility.

Anyone that doesn't want to pay their share of taxes should try going without public services for a while. No electricity, running water, sewer systems, police protection, roads, bridges, schools, military, clean air, legal ownership of property, etc., etc.

[Marcus]

LA TIMES...Please stop allowing people to leave comments..i don't think there is one here that is positive or productive!

[Obama says]

Obama Says McCain Is Offering Fake Change: 'You Can Put Lipstick on a Pig, But It's Still a Pig'

September 09, 2008 6:10 PM

LEBANON, Va. -- "That's not change," Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said of what Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is offering.

"You know, you can put lipstick on a pig," Obama said, "but it's still a pig."

The crowd rose and applauded, some of them no doubt thinking he may have been alluding to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's ad lib during her vice presidential nomination acceptance speech last week, "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

"You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called 'change,'" Obama continued, "it's still gonna stink after eight years.

"We’ve had enough of the same old thing! It’s time to bring about real change to Washington. And that’s the choice you’ve got in this election."

Obama added that "it is not going to be easy ... John McCain has a compelling biography, you know Sarah Palin is an interesting story."

The crowd booed.

"No, she’s new!" Obama said. "She hasn’t been on the scene, you know, she’s got five kids and my hat goes off to anybody who’s looking after five. I’ve got two and they tire Michelle and me out!"

-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller

UPDATE: Obama senior adviser Robert Gibbs insists the senator was not referring to Palin. "That's an old expression," Gibbs says.

[Steve]

I just have one question. Will the Rev. Wright, William Ayers, and Tony Rezko be attending the inaguration if Obama wins?
I am a recent Ca transplant from the Midwest and if you think Obama is not as crooked as the rest of them you don't know anything about Chicago politics. 3 of the last 7 govs in Illinois have been jailed for fraud. The current Dem Gov is under investigation for fraud.
Illinois has the third highest unemployment rate in the country along with your great state of California.Dems control the assembly and the house.
With all the libs and illegals in California it's no wonder your state is in debt up to their behinds.

[Marcus]

Agreed..and what's funny, is that i don't even think they read each others. They just spew whatever they feel - you can tell this because nothing flows, just gripe after gripe!
----------------------
LA TIMES...Please stop allowing people to leave comments..i don't think there is one here that is positive or productive!

Posted by: Tholden | September 09, 2008 at 03:45 PM

[Kurtimus]

Last time I checked, Placer County was a far from San Diego as...well...Oregon. Seems you know about as much geography as a third grader.

Also note the McClintock is a carpet-bagging sumbag who couldn't win in his OWN district, which is in Southern California.

[JDHall]

CHRISTIAN is a beautiful noun but a horrible adjective.

Abortion is not a Republican issue...it's a sanctity of life issue

The Environment is not a Democratic issue...it's a Genesis chapter 1 issue.

There are Christians in all political parties so lets not pretend that one party represents them all. Some voters feel stronger about an issue than others. The bottom line is that neither the democrats or repulicans give a crap about the cause of Christ. So lets stop fooling ourselves.

The truth is, Democrats have been more involved and in favor of major humanitarian efforts which is one of the things Jesus spoke most about. But at the same time Republicans have been better at trying to protect the sanctity of life. The Democrats are better about caring for the earth God gave us but the republicans are better at understanding the personal responsibility and accountability of individuals. Both parties are currupt and selfish.

The bottom line is to vote for who you think will do the best job but support the winning canidate as the person who recieved the most electoral votes. (I hope they get rid of the electoral college soon as it is now out dated though)

For the record, I am a regestered independant who thinks that, in this particular election, John McCain is the better canidate. But if Obama wins, he will be my President and have my support and prayers.

[TSimon]

LS....... I suspect you are not what you claim 'a devout christian voter'...your hatred and partisanship shine through too brightly. Palin is neither extreme now on the fringe....there are over 50 million of us in the USA who have religious experiences and values almost exactly like hers. You might want to think about not alienating us anymore than you liberals already have.
Fact is, Palin, a first term governor from a little populated state, DOES have more experience than the bright and shining messiah of the Dem party.....to me that says it all. The Dems are hanging their hopes on a unknown....a guy with a nice smile and sincere sounding voice......who has ZERO experience....give me a break.
I think McCain hit the mother lode when he went back to his roots and emphasized his true identity....an agent of change and reform----but strong conservative/independent philosophy......now that is a candidate I can live with and will gladly vote for. Palin is just icing on the cake.

[laughing at the dems]

poor poor libs and dems. nothing you say here will convince the. we are not putting someone named hessein in office. there mere fact tht hollywood has come out in droves to support him would tell you that only CA and NY will vote for this. These also happen to be the two highest taxed, mismanaged states in the US

Socialism never works anywhere at anytime in history. The ony Reason Canda and EU are still standing is because of the USA....and that is gritty, hard working, yes there is a first place, capitalism.

The only people who are voting for Hussein are the guilty conscious entertainers and those who can't pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.

The oddest thing of all is the libs saying 'take it back'. Take it back from who ? your worthless hippie mentality hijacked society from 60's on, America was never ever a liberal place. It was isolationist and protectionist. That is what made us great. Period. Now you would love to re-distribute all that wealth to the rest of the world, because they can't do it.

Well, move to a socialist country then if the USA is so bad ! Honestly, your doing noone any favors on this side of the pond

[chris]

Obama is by far the best choice. He really is what this country needs and everyday I see McCain and Palin talking I am assured of that. Palin is nothing short of an extremist and McCain is nothing more than a puppet of the Right. Let's put Barack Obama in the White House so he can make this great nation prosper.

Obama/Biden 08!

[JOCI.TAJ]

TO THOSE WHO SAY OBAMA IS MORE POLARIZING THAN PALIN - THEY ARE CORRECT BUT BIDEN IS MORE POLARIZING THAN ANY OF THEM - WHEN OBAMA CHOSE A VP HE PICKED A STATUS QUO, CORPORATE SELLOUT, GRIDLOCK, HIGHLY PARTISAN, NEVER TAKE ON YOUR OWN PARTY, BICKERING, PARTY BEFORE COUNTRY AIRBAG FROM A TINY STATE WITH NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE and MANY OLD FASHIONED LIBERAL IDEALS THAT COULD BARELY GET A VOTE EVEN IN A CATHOLIC STATE EVEN THOUSH HE'S "CATHOLIC" (OH YEAH AND HE IS IN FAVOR OF taxpayer funding for LATE TERM AND PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTIONS for minors) - MCCAIN CHOSE A YOUTHFUL, INVIGORATED, REFORMER WITH PLENTY OF NEW IDEAS AND A CLEAR RECORD OF TAKING ON HER OWN PARTY WHO WALKS THE WALK WITH HER RELIGION AND EVEN TAKES ON BIG CORPORATIONS - SO IN THEIR FIRST DECISION AS A POTENTIAL PRESIDENT, MCCAIN OUTSHINED OBAMA BY A COUNTRY MILE (EVEN IF YOU HATE SARAH, YOU STILL HAVE TO ADMIT MCCAIN'S CHOICE WAS BETTER AT LEAST IN TERMS OF STRATEGY - how about that ??? Obama got outfoxed by an old man !!!!!!!!!

[Norman]

I'd like to see 5 positive reasons to vote for Obama leaving out that he isn't Bush.

Here are only two that I know of::

1) He'll raise taxes on the rich.
2) He'll get us out of Iraq ASAP.

My rebuts even to this paltry list are:

1) He doesn't say he'll actually put more money into the pockets of ordinary folks.
2) He doesn't say how or whether he will win the war in Iraq or how he will defeat the teriorists who are trying to destroy us.

He does say he's for change but I haven't heard of anything he has actually changed in his political career. He says he's for Hope but golly gee everyone is for Hope. Obama is like Mr. Celophane Man in the musical Chicago, you can see right through him (if you look).

[walt]

How can Palin be a conservative when she spent the bridge money instead of returning it. How can she be in favor of the Constitution when she attempted to censor the local library. How can she be an environmentalist when she had 5 children instead of adopting 2 or 3. How does she become an advocate for special education when her child is just a few months old, she doesn't have a clue or she would be concerned about staying home and working with her child who will have many needs. Ignore it if you wish if nothing else she is not a realist and obviously does not see the forest for the trees. Great smile, lots of bravado, that's about it

[Tholden]

LA TIMES...Please stop allowing people to leave comments..i don't think there is one here that is positive or productive!

[chris]

Obama is by far the best choice. He really is what this country needs and everyday I see McCain and Palin talking I am assured of that. Palin is nothing short of an extremist and McCain is nothing more than a puppet of the Right. Let's put Barack Obama in the White House so he can make this great nation prosper.

Obama/Biden 08!

[Theophilus]

> McCain/Palin are hardly "extreme right wing"! Gimme a break! How about "moderate". Just because they don't line up with your social gospel does not entitle you to wrongly place them to the edge of their party! What nonsense!

In terms of the electorate, they are (or rather, she is). That doesn't make them wrong, however. I myself probably belong to a fringe, though I consider myself neither liberal nor conservative nor moderate. I don't think that's wrong, merely factual.

> As for your personal claim that you are a "devout Christian" but elevate the economy over murdering millions of unborn babies-- claiming also "this is the true embodiment of Christian love.", you might want to re-visit the Bible and reconsider where you're getting your worldview and theology from. Abortion isn't simply "wrong"-- it is a curse on America and has led to the epidemic devaluing of human beings-- a primary cause of class warfare, poverty, prejudice, racism, and single-parent families, BTW.

I'm not the person you responded to, but I too am a devout Christian. However, there's more here than just the economy. Maybe you don't realize it, but the Republicans started an unjust war. That's killing, too. I can't devalue some lives simply because I don't like them. That said, abortion is wrong. Very wrong. But if you'd listen to Obama & Biden, they do not say that abortion is right. They say that we ought to reduce the number of abortions, but that passing a law against it won't work.

So are you in favor of reducing abortions or merely forbidding them? Because one is feasible and the other isn't.

Also, it's on the Republican side that I more often hear that money is more important than justice (e.g. those "evil" trial lawyers suing businesses for doing illegal things). And the downturn in the economy creates hardship. People starve. And health care? Not having that causes people to die. I do want the unborn to be protected, but we can't focus on a few lives and ignore many!

> If you believe Obama is a more healthy choice for America-- a man who is an ardent supporter of aboortion-- not just "the right to choose", but actual killing unborn and even mostly-born babies (check out his comments and voting record), and supports gay marriage (another bane on American families)-- then you have some serious learning to do!

Well, you might want to check them first. He does NOT support gay marriage, just for starters. Yes, he has voted against measures to forbid abortion. But he also works for measures to reduce it.

> I am appalled by your comments while claiming to be a follower of Jesus. Do you honestly think He'd be cool with your take on what's best for America? Do you think He'd be fine with your attack on Sara Palin, who by all definitions IS a devout and orthodox (adhering to scripture) Christian? Do you think Jesus would have no issue with your minimizing huge parts of His Word and focusing on the "social gospel" parts only? I think not. You might want to go find out for yourself.

She's devout and orthodox? I'm not sure you know what orthodox means, unless you're claiming she's Catholic now? I don't doubt her devotion, but would you say that lying is a sin? It's in the 10 commandments, right? So why did she lie about the Bridge to Nowhere? And yes, a lie of omission (leaving out that she supported it before she was against it) is still a lie.

In any event, it is evident that you are too quick to mingle politics with your faith. Jesus had a lot to say about the politicians of His day who pretended to be holy and who were not. You know them as Pharisees. I trust you can find Him rebuking them without my help.

I find much to question in Palin's record about saying one thing and doing another. This is also called hypocrisy. That's not to say that anyone who tries to live a good life is invulnerable. We are all sinners. If we truly praciced what we preach, we should be saints.

But a part of that is admitting one's mistakes and asking forgiveness. Not covering them up and pretending they never existed. I've not seen that from her yet, but I will pray for her.

> Sorry if this offends you. Just calling it like I see it. We have no room for moral relativism here anymore. Life is short and America is in peril.

We are more in peril than you know. But do you not remember that our fight is not against flesh & blood? We must stand against sin no matter which party is doing it.

> P.S. Lemme guess: you're an evolutionist, you believe in global warming, and that it's man-made.

Where in the Bible does it says that global warming doesn't exist? Actually, I recall that God will "destroy those who destroy the Earth" and that we have a duty to care for the Earth and be "good stewards." And I'm leaving out debatable prophecies about the elements being melted with "fervent heat."

In terms of evolution, I think all Christians believe that God created us. No matter how, God created us. There's no question about that. One might question the meaning of the poem you know as Genesis chapter 1, but God created us. No question.

But these venture into political points, not religious ones. Science was formed from the belief that a rational God would make a rational universe that men could understand. At most, Science can tell us how God made our bodies, not the origin of our souls. We are mistaken to worry about earthly things instead of spiritual things.

> "Shout anything loud enough and long enough and a liberal will eventually believe it."

Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. By things such as these, all will know that you are Christian.

[lindsay]

Witfal stated above that McCain and Palin are not afraid to state their views in public. Uh... what planet have you been on lately, Witfal?

Sarah hasn't said ONE THING on her own so far. Hasn't stated a single thing about her beliefs except what she is reading from a now worn-out script. Her handlers are keeping her on such a tight leash that we really have NO IDEA what she honestly thinks because they won't let anyone ask her any questions!!

I think that speaks volumes. She isn't a candidate, she's the cheesecake. She is an actress with a blinding smile, who is there for ONE REASON, and ONE REASON ONLY: because she is a woman. A timeless sexist ploy by the Republicans. Her supposed extreme religious views are being used to get the evangelical voters, yet if McCain is elected he will drop that agenda like a hot potato, betraying the evangelicals.

I am not a Christian, and I think the Bible is fiction. People who DO believe that the Bible is true are the most gullible people on the face of the earth, and McCain intends to exploit that ignorance to the HILT. Pretty pathetic.

[Patrick Henry]

Sarah Palin is a competent governor with an approval rating of 80%, and the left is terrified of her. They can't stand a woman who appears happy and comfortable with herself.

[sick of it]

Lunacy? What else would you call voting for the party that gave us the last 8 years. Voting for Republicans now would be like a parent giving the keys to the family car to a teen who just destroyed his car in a drunken crash. Yes, there are parents who are that bad and apparently, many Americanswho are that stupid.

[JudiNV]

Christian Voter, McCain and Palin firmly believe that those repeated speech lines are convincing enough for their devoted base. This says they see their base as blind and stupid. Sad.

[Mike]

McCain is going to win this election, and the rich elite in America will laugh all the way to the bank.

Get this through your thick heads, you American idiots:

No serious politician truly believes in God. Not Obama, not McCain, certainly not Sarah Palin. There is compelling evidence that nearly every President of the USA was an atheist (including GWB). Religion is, was, and always will be a tool of control used by the elite to manipulate the masses. And why not? If you're all so ignorant that you can be happy with another administration that rapes your country for the benefit of large corporations and political friends, so long as you can drive an SUV and have a big TV, why should you have anything more in life?

The ironic thing about the devout nature of Republicanism is that its staunchest followers are the ones being raped the hardest by its leaders. Obama is elitist? Are you f*cking kidding me? This man is passionate to the core of his soul about America and about helping people. John McCain and George Bush might sound like slow-talkin' everyday Americans, but they don't give a f*ck about you or your family, and they are guided by a sophisticated network of business and political associations carefully designed to CONTROL you for their own wealth creation.

If you think their ridiculous associations with God will help your cause in the future, well, keep clinging to non-issues like gay marriage and abortion, you f*cking morons, and I'll be doing my best to join the elite because YOU are keeping YOURSELVES down by voting for these monsters.

"Mccain, Palin, Obama and the Amerian public must come to terms with the principle of Sharing."

This is idiotic at best, dangerous at worst. America does not need to share, America needs to wake the f*ck up and start doing what is best for it as a nation. To act strategically, not as a cowboy, and to take care of its people instead of its rich elite. America does not need to share with anyone except ostensibly as a tool of foreign policy.

[SteveKelson]

Do all the GOP fanatics here suffer from amnesia?
Your party nearly DESTROYED this country.

If it weren't for the Chinese, we would have a 1929 scenario...right now!
People would be jumping from buildings. Amnesia of history...just great.

I'm surprised there's still a few of you left ...or even admit to be associated with 'the party'

[rapchat]

Gosh Stan, Lie a lot? Or maybe you just don't know the facts. According to independent analysis, Obama's economic plan gives more of a tax cut than McCain's for 95% of Americans, and more tax breaks for small business - it also projects only half the deficit that McCain proposes, a very real expense that drags our economy down. Palin, with her vast executive experience, managed to leave a town of 9,000 $24 million dollars in dept, then as governor massively raised taxes on the oil leaving AK - a huge corporate tax increase passed on to everyone that uses gasoline. She used the money to increase the payments (AKA state welfare) made to AK residents while increasing state spending nearly 50%. Those payments are what drives her approval rating. Yeah - that's the kind of reform McCain wants to bring to Washington!

And why is Obama's reverend is a problem so great that it received months of media coverage, and gets mentioned in nearly every pro-McCain post, when Todd Palin himself belonged to a separatist political party that not only damned America but actually discussed armed secession? Why is Palin getting a pass on this?

[Anthony]

what did Obama do to deserve to be the leader of the free world, and his patriot is in questions also. His wife said this is the first time she proud of her country, his pastor wright make a comments that is completely unpatriot, and when the national athem sang on the background he not put his hand on his chest and not wear a lapel pin. So you can put all of that together and figure out how patriot he his. He can make all the exuse he want but little thing like that can tell me this man is not deserve to be my president. I rather pick someone that I can trust that is John McCain. Because at least I know he is very patriot and experient. Thanks and God Bless America

[Ellison McGorn]

Interesting to listen to right-wingers spew drivel like "Obama is a communist who will redistribute wealth like Joseph Stalin"... In the event these people haven't been paying attention, in the last year their hero George W Bush and his Federal Reserve cronies have been steadily bailing out every industry in the country, from Fannie & Freddie to Bear Stearns... Want to know what that is called? Socialism. Whenever the free market is not allowed to work its course, whenever the federal government steps in to bail out a few billionaires, there is no free market. I wish all of these so-called libertarian economists would crawl back into the hole they came out of and stay there. This has been a government run by the rich and for the rich, and it will not change under McCain. As for Palin, who cares?

We need to get these reckless fools out of power and bring in someone who is going to balance the d*** budget. How have we let the Republican Party, who have been spending money like drunken sailors for the last 20 years (Reagan, Bush Sr, and Bush Stupid all included) hijack the title of "Party of Fiscal Responsibility"? You know the last president who balanced the budget? Bill Clinton, and he did it by raising taxes... And do you know what happens when the budget is balanced? Everybody wins.

[Simple Calculations]

Since you're all chiming in on the Messiah, it should be noted with all of the Jewish revolutionaries such as Barabas and the lesser revolutionaries of the time...The most involved Jesus got in politics during his entire time in Ministry was to say yield unto Caesar what is Caesars and unto God what is God's. With all of the political turmoil of the era he was working on people at the individual level and didn't way in on the politics at all, even though all of his exuberant followers wanted him to topple the government and bring in a Christian era. So I don't really understand why people on both sides continually talk about how Jesus would vote or who he'd be politicking for at any given moment... If you change the hearts of men you are doing the work of God. If you start legislating for God you're usually doing the work of the devil. Just look what happened under the church of england, pre 19th century catholic church, pre-20th century islam...have their ever been worse entities in history? Christianity should never be a political movement. Not to say you shouldn't vote your conscience, but for you to make your conscience the judge of others seems quite anti-christ to me.

[Phil Jones]

I beleive Obama will win the election,

Why?

Becuase there are a lot of people who BELIEVE that becuase McCain is a democrat then he will be just like bush

[dr]

Wow... what a thread of hate filled, delusional, uninformed, crazed, twisted comments. If this level of discussion in terms of solving our common problems and emerging whole anytime in any of our current lifetimes is all we have to offer, I hate to say it (I live here to) but we are going to be stunningly hosed.

[ed pipkin]

TO LS,

You are such a fool.
Obama at worst is a closet terrorist....at best a power hungry used car salesman (..ok, ok a lawyer)...and his running mate is certainly an entrenched politico plagerist.

We've had people like Obama/Biden in office for ages.

I'm a registered democrat by the way.

[Jim Lundberg]

I believe that the two major parties orchestrate the polls to make them closer than they are in order to get people to not vote third party. I am voting for Bob Barr because voting for McCain or Obmama is just more of the same.

The bailout of Freddie/Fannie is the beginning of the end of this current financial system. Thank God he gave us gold and silver that will hold their value. Buy while the price is down!

[Deb Gordon]

I guess my comment is actually a question for the Palin (anti abortion) voters.
Holding the belief that abortion is wrong, how is it you wish to stop those with pro-abortion mindsets to choose not to reproduce? If they are allowed to continue, wouldn't the future hand the majority back to you? It seems strange to me to be against your enemies not reproducing. It seems the issue will eventually be self correcting. I have a couple of really bad neighbors tand I wouldn't mind them choosing to not reproduce.

[Thomas]

You people are ALL whiners and haters...quit crying and go do something productive!

[Suzanne Parlette]

I am amazed that democrats continue to underestimate Palin.
Amazed and pleased ...

[Sandra S]

I've had it with these blogs. They put out the crap faster than diarrhea, and pull the strings of us idiots as we blabber and waste our time.

Dems - vent and post as much as you want, but get to the polls on November 4 and VOTE. There are 11 million more registered Democrats than Repubs in the country. If we all vote, well....you figure it.

In the meantime,
I don't care if Palin is a woman, a man or a transexual:

"You can't fight religious extremists in the Middle East when you elect them in the Midwest".

[Carl]

The media really needs to question the sheer ineptitude of McCain's pick. It's not about Palin's abilities or qualifications or her family per se, although once known, we as her potential employer have the right to reject her on the grounds of undependability (so there, Gulianni). The record also makes clear that she would likely intend to impose her religious views on public policy. But enough seriousness,

Top 10 Reasons McCain picked Sara Palin for Running-Mate

1. Wanted to keep Republican women from voting for Obama
2. Wanted a ticket that balances McCain’s liberal views
3. Thought he picked Hillary
4. Has beauty-queen legs
5. Wanted to attract the 17-year-old vote
6. Uses same lipstick as McCain’s pit-bull
7. Britney Spears wasn’t available
8. Wants to see Sarah in a bikini at the White House pool
9.Went through the states in alphabetical order but got tired after Alaska
10. Finally- a VP who can shoot straight

[Tom]

No Frank YOU'RE stupid...wow - and turn your caps lock off Mr Angry!

THIS RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISSUES GIVE ME AND OTHER A BREAK THE REAL ISSUE IS BLACK AND WHITE YOUR STUPID IF YOU THINK ANYTHING ELSE.IF IT WASN'T IT WOULD BE A LAND SLIDE.THE PAST EIGHT YEARS DOESN'T MEAN A THING.BLACK AND WHITE MATTERS.

Posted by: FRANK | September 09, 2008 at 03:28 PM

[John]

As an ex-Republican, I (like many others) fell in love with the change Barack has been talking about since the beginning of this year and will be voting with him and Joe Biden. These guys are the real deal. I see right through Palin who is lying to get women just for the vote and McCain who changes his mind with the wind on key issues. These two are great at spin so dont believe the hype. After the last 8 years, all we can do to get out of this mess is to vote Democrat across the board!!!

[Joanna W]

We have to stop giving people hand outs and give them a "hand up." We live in a great nation. If people truly want to be successful in life there is opportunity out there. I do not want a socialist society. I work hard for my money and I give accordingly. Don't allow certain individuals use scare tactics. We are smarter then that! The government cannot solve every single persons problems. It's ridiculous! The Bible teaches: If you do not work, you shall not eat.
McCain/Palin is the only way for us to make the changes this country needs.

[Tom]

Yo cannot be still milking the Rev Wright thing, right??t...how about "no new taxes" "They have weapons of mass destruction" etc etc...California for Obama and against the war loving, hate mongering Republican machine! End old politics now!

[Liz in CA]

"Ridicule the McCain/Palin ticket all you want. Their obvious difference is in neither of them being afraid to state their beliefs in public."

Um, yeah. Lie of the Day. They forgot to check their own clip services before stating their beliefs.

The person I feel most sorry for is Levi Johnston, who now has been ripped onto a stage, poured into a suit, "cleaned up" and proudly proclaimed as "This is the man my daughter's going to marry!" (shotgun wedding). Haven't heard anything from him since they tore down his "I don't want kids" Myspace page. Stepford family. I fear this.

[s. chambers]

As a life long Democrat have to say that I have been totally embarrassed by our party. And today I 'opened my eyes', and thought about it.

As a Woman, I am so angry that I have wasted so many years working for this party, supporting the candidates, attending rallies, placing signs, sending checks. Our Party has proved once and for all that it is nothing but a Good Old Boy's elite club.

Please, hear me out about why I felt this way.

First, I really do not understand why we, as Democrats, would hire and pay entire groups of people to attend the Republican Convention to shout obscenity's, hold up banners containing misinformation and attempt to totally disrupt and dishonor the opposing candidates acceptance speech over, and over, and over again. What was the purpose?
Sadly, I have got to say that I almost never see this occur in our Democratic acceptance speeches by attacking Republicans. In fact, I remember Mr McCain actually having a commercial that said "job well done" during our own convention. However, for years now, I have seen this disruption and dishonor by bad mannered fellow Democrats occur during the Republican speeches, and they are hired to do so. This really truly portrays our party in a very bad light.

Everything that Joe Biden spurts out is either misinformation, disinformation, or sexist anger! How dare he say a "Woman's place should be in the home", and "Palin is obviously sacrificing her family values by running for Vice President. Biden is Washington elitist through and through. Change? Now that's a joke, Biden is as far from change as it is humanly possible to get. Just another Dick Chaney.

To tell the truth, it is very embarrassing for both me, our family, and our many Democratic friends.

Obama, (a once shining star), has even changed, he talks down to everyone. Either his personality has changed, or his true nature is coming out. He's coming across as really arrogant, elitest, and snobby. He talks about being on food stamps while living in Hawaii, but the when I searched it online the Punahu school he attended is the absolute most expensive private elitist school in the State. Something about the food stamps story and the exclusive private elite school really does not make sense to me. And to tell the truth, the statements like, "I am the one the World has been waiting for"....are kind of scary.

Also, the obvious Media slant, spin, and one sided focus towards our Party, and, 'against the republican party' has become so transparent that this too, (is insulting to me), on an ethical and moral basis. ( CNN, TIME magazine). Call me crazy, but I do not feel comfortable in having to 'cheat to win'. Seriously.... Is it just me?,... or does it feel that our once very proud Democratic Party seems to be losing it's sense of honor and values?

I hate to say it, but it makes me feel 'embarrassed to be a Democrat'. I am certainly finding it increasingly difficult to have to explain to my children that although this is unacceptable behavior, it IS the Party WE support?

Who is responsible for these dishonorable attacks, all this misinformation (like the stem cell research), personal attacks on women with children working, Do they not understand that this makes our party look like we have lost our values, of not our minds.? Don't preach to me about Family Values, then lie, deceive, vilify Woman with children for having a career, slander and attack a Woman who knowingly brought a disabled child into this world, AND SAY SHE DOES NOT HAVE COMPASSION FOR OTHER MOTHERS IN THE SAME SITUATION. How dare you Joe Biden! How dare you use a disabled child as an attack weapon! You should be ashamed! Obviously, you and Senator Obama have somewhere along the line lost your compassion, empathy, moral values and ethics. I never thought that we could have a Vice President as bad as Chaney in terms of values, but Mr. Biden, with your comments in the last week, I believe you just surpassed Mr.Chaney.

I have to say that from everything I've read, heard, and researched on Palin, she is one hell of a Woman, "a real person," and not a (slick elitist spin master like yourself). For me she is like "breath of fresh air in American Politics!". And you know what? After reading what she did to the good old boy politicians in Alaska (like yourself), I can't wait to see her clean up the Washington bunch. She will go in their like a tornado and shake up the system. And I believe that John McCain, who has never bought into the good old boy Washington cocktail set, will back her 100%.

Sadly Mr Biden, to win at all costs using unethical behavior to do so, I have to ask the question: Is this really a win for the American people? I don't think so! You know, we should have seen this coming during the Monica Lewinsky situation, where she was just a sex object in the Good Old Boys club.

Am I alone, or are there other Mothers out there in America who finds this behavior of our Party disturbing? What do you tell your young kids?, ... When everyone in society condones cheating, lying, stealing, societies totally collapse....remember that was the reason of the fall of the Roman Empire.

Seeing the attacks the Democratic Party did to Hillary Clinton, and seeing the attacks the Democratic Party has done to Palin really truly opened my eyes!

And I'm sure that Women all over America and the World are witnessing the same thing with amazement! As of today, I no longer will support a party of Women haters, good old boys, and cheaters.

I instead am switching my time, money and energies to getting involved with the Republican party. Yes, it's true that we have quite a bit of differences in opinions and causes,.... but by getting involved, but I know that as a Woman, my voice will be heard, and I will work to change that party for the better.

I know that if I stay with the Democratic party I am just seen as a worthless Woman in a skirt, to be seen and not heard, who is not part of the Elite Boys Club, and their Greek columns and mass California type extravaganza of a convention (which reminded me of the 1938 Olympic spectacle that Adolf Hitler produced to wow the world with.

Women of America....you are wasting your time if your working for the Boy's Club Democratic party! OPEN YOUR EYES! Today I did!
And I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE DECISION!!

As for Sara Palin, YOU GO GIRL!

Sincerely,

S. Chambers

[Jim R]

John McCain knows how to pick a star in Sarah Palin.
John and Sarah will shake up the do less than nothing Washington.

Voting present 160 times shows Barack Obama does not really have a record of change.

[lol]

these so-called "christian voters" are trolling.

don't feed the trolls.

[Larry Rampenthal]

I am trying to figure out the lunacy of the left....take what we earn give it to government employees and the poor. Raise taxes to create healthcare that will be run like the border patrol. Throw more money at schools that are only teaching the gay agenda and other rediculous social agendas, and are not worth keeping open, fund higher education so people can graduate and work for burger king. Yea... you guys got it right! How about thinking clear? How about putting your brain back into your head and really think about your position. It is time to stop and pull it out.
How about doing somthing good for America, or at least try to do something.Turn off your widescreen, stop playing your computer games, and get into reality......
The left wing social experiment does not work...thinking about "Just You" disregards everyone else. If you want to live like Europe...go there and stay there...THIS IS NOT EUROPE. America was not built on giving YOU a free lunch...we have to work for it....Jump out of your Lazy Boy, lazy boy.

[Relaxed and confident Dem]

Let's keep everything in perspective.

John Kerry received 59 million votes. Turnout will be greater by Democrats in 2008.

The Economy, The War, Women's rights all slant to the party not in power.

Creating a media event with a pro-life newbie is not going to gain any votes that Bush didn't already receive in 2004. It actually will have the opposite effect for fiscally responsible and socially moderate Republicans and Independents.

Let the circus come to town. Let the media hit their numbers.

And we'll all toast an Obama/Biden victory in November.

[kp]

Here in NC, I don't know any of my Democratic friends who are going to vote for Obama. I have only seen two signs for him. It is just as well. We do not have any great leaders right now, and it has ended very badly when we give either party control of both the legislative and executive branches.

[FRANK]

THIS RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ISSUES GIVE ME AND OTHER A BREAK THE REAL ISSUE IS BLACK AND WHITE YOUR STUPID IF YOU THINK ANYTHING ELSE.IF IT WASN'T IT WOULD BE A LAND SLIDE.THE PAST EIGHT YEARS DOESN'T MEAN A THING.BLACK AND WHITE MATTERS.

[PaulNY]

i do believe the republicans are trying to start a class war. dont we have enough war already. and out of the other side of their mouth's they say they want unity

[pENNY]

LS
I hear you, sister. I was called "the enemy" by my brothers at my church because I hold a different point of view. I was under the impression that as a Christain I am to help those that need help, to offer my hand to all the dependents in this world...whether they are deemed worthy by others or not. I especially love the men of God that go to the desert and put water out for those attempting to cross the border, because regardless of your view on immigration, a human being dying of thirst in the desert is not what Jesus would want us to do. Much like abortion, I believe that educating others and giving them access to prevention will help more than carrying a banner against the act. I am saddened by the rovian political strategy of demonizing our opponents. I don't consider any of the candidates to be evil. I actually consider them to be well qualified, interesting people. I just happen to want a different party in charge for a while. I don't think casting others as evil is what we should be doing. Can we not have discourse in this country without the lowblows and lies? Can we not call people out on their record without being called sexist or racist? I am saddened but not surprised by how filthy the race has gotten. It saddens me to no end that some will cast themselves as something other than who they are just to gain politically. Sad.

[Tommy D]

Obama created this mess when he didn't choose Hillary Clinton for his VP. If he had chosen Hillary, this race would be over already. So much for Obama's good judgement.

[Tao Zen]

The difference between Palin and the Talibans? Burka.

[js]

Uh, guys, when you're feeling spooked, take a look at http://www.electoral-vote.com/ or fivethirtyeight.com, which track the electoral college. National poll data isn't worth, well, a pile of blog comments.

[joseph]

Since Religion seems to be the subject for some majority I would like to ask a question:
If the Messiah would come here today who do you think he or she would vote for.

Who do you think would have a bigger interest to silence him again.

[Mike Nolley]

Focusing on the needs of the impoverished is not simply a Christian value, it's a *human* value which crosses religious and political divides. The deadly thing about the American mind, as it stands, is that it does not consider the needs of the rest of the world to matter, in comparison with its own. This has created an economic apocalypse which has almost destroyed the world, and WILL destroy it if we don't put better policies into practice. Mccain, Palin, Obama and the Amerian public must come to terms with the principle of Sharing. It is the one value which would save the American experiment, and the whole world, *more importantly*. We need Advocates for the principle of Sharing, and those willing to impliment it, not those skilled in attack politics.

[Ed]

First of all, I have to applaud LS for their comments. For far too long, certain members of the Republican party mask themselves as good Christians while behaving otherwise. Yes, abortion is a wedge issue that they should address if they feel the need, but let's see them also address the issues of poverty, war and many others which Christ would deal with in His way.

Secondly, I find it amusing that people call Obama and Biden socialists while in the next turn, harangue Biden for his embrace of the credit companies in Delaware. Barring that, people call them elitists. Hmmm, an elitist socialist...

Third, people have called on the Democrats to stop their namecalling and nasty politics. If I remember correctly, we had an entire night of namecalling and nastiness at the RNC and yet, this supposedly is okay because it is directed to the Democrats. Or as some would excuse it, the GOP calls it as it as. Or in Palin's case, "She's a maverick".

Finally, if you want to politicize your religious beliefs, go ahead and do so. But expect others, who don't follow those beliefs or who might feel threatened by them, to sit idly back and not do anything. Under Bush and many other Republicans, the separation of church and stare and gotten very thin and many don't want to see it get thinner, so much so that it impedes upon someone's life or civil liberties.

[Blip]

A vote for McCain is a vote for war and recession.

[Lynn]

Taay at 2:51
Just FYI: California has 55 electors, New York has 31

[Bobe]

If I voted for a candidate who supports killing unborn babies, then I'd be just as guilty as that candidate is. No Christian would ever vote for a democrat because of their party's platform where it demands abortion of unborn babies. God will judge us all whether we believe in Him or not.

McCain-Palin are for uniting America, both have taken on their own parties. Obama selected the 'establishment' as VP. Where is the change Mr. Obama? Biden is just a few years younger than McCain.

The reason Obama did not select Clinton is because the Chicago Political Machine wanted to wrest control from the Clintons over the Democratic Party. Obama and Mayor Daley vote eye to eye on every platform plank. Mayor Daley would not let Obama choose Hillary. Maybe some day, some investigative reporter will dig into the workings of the "community orgainizer" Boss of Cook County.

[Keith]

Once again the Republican Party, including McCain/Palin, is using wedge politics and distractions to gain votes. I understand that people have different social beliefs, like abortion rights, but the last 8 years should have shown us that electing politicians should be about so much more. While abortion is an important issue, it is not one that everyone will ultimately agree on. Because this is America, the land of the free, I am in support of allowing people to chose for themselves. I cannot sit here and pass judgement on others or impose my personal beliefs on them. Barack Obama, in my opinion, shares my view on abortion rights. He believes abortion is an area in which government should stay out of our lives. He believes the best course of action is to educate people in an effort to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Face it, people will not stop having sex. It's a part of life, and it's a big part of relationships. With the right education and access to the right tools, the number of unwanted pregnancies can be significantly reduced- thereby significantly reducing the number of abortions. That's the common ground that Obama spoke about during the DNC.

We've had an anti-abortion President for the past 8 years, and abortion is still legal. On the other hand, the income gap between rich and poor has widened. The economy is in the tank. Unemployment is at its lowest level since 2003- a year and a half after 9/11. Our relationships with our allies are in jeapordy. We're fighting 2 wars with no end in sight. We're contemplating a 3rd war with Iran, simultaneously. Our dependence on foreign oil has climbed, as has the price of oil. The value of the US dollar has plunged. Our national deficit is astronomical, especially when the current administration began with a budget surplus.

If the above issues are irrelevant and abortion is the only issue, then I understand why some support McCain/Palin. I'm hopeful that most Americans will agree that Obama/McCain can turn the ship around on the vast majority of the problems listed above. And they are committed to doing what they can to reduce unwanted pregnancies, thereby reducing abortions. Shouldn't that be the ultimate goal? Simply banning abortions will not end the practice. It will drive it underground, making it unsafe for mothers. Reducing unwanted pregnancies, however, will keep it safe for those that make the unfortunate decision while reducing the overall numbers. Prohibition of nearly everything else we've tried to ban has failed- alcohol & drugs included.

[Dr. Dave]

Obama's goin down with or without California.

[oy]

Bush had the benefit of a functional economy when Clinton left office.

McCain will apply Bush's failed policies, starting with an economy which, if not in a recession (defined by two consecutive quarters of negative growth), very close to one.

Unemployment keeps getting higher. Cost of living is going up with respect to salaries. The war continues to diminish us, financially and morally in the eyes of the world.

McCain says he intends to keep Bush's policies going. What I cannot figure out is why Obama scares the right wing so much. We have McCain, who will knowingly continue terrible policies that do not work. By definition, Obama will do better.

[Three Things]

The Economy, The Economy, The Economy.

Roe V. Wade, Roe V. Wade, Roe V. Wade.

The War, The War, The War.

McCain/Palin '08 - 10% Maverick 90% Bush

100% Lies

[Cyrus Clarke]

America is not in peril. That is fear speaking, my friends.

America just isn't dealing with the truth of things. Iraq is in peril; Georgia is in peril; North Korea is in peril, to name a few. We're just upset because we have to pay more money to move our unneccessary weight around in the form of planes, trains, and automobiles.

We are a great and vibrant nation, full of opportunities for all, including, apparently, folks who are here illegally.

Don't tell me we're in peril. During the Cold War we were in peril. During WWII we were in peril. There isn't one city any terrorist organization or group will ever hold in the US or it's Territories. Because, if that ever occured, those people wouldn't exist anymore.....and our enemies, who know us better than we do sometimes, know that.

[Jane]

L.S., You're a breath of reasonable fresh air. Thank you. I've been reading a lot of blogs and seems that radical Christians are the least Jesus-like of any other people. Don't they understand that they can hold any belief that they want? Educate their children in any way they want? Have all the babies that they want? That's what churhes, Christian schools and families are for. Elected office is for the people, by the people - ALL the people of ALL religions and those who choose not to have any religion. That is America. We elect our officals in government to serve us not to preach to us. What is happening to our country? I am frightened, I truly am.

[Adolf the Obama]

Obama broke the law when he his house from criminal Rezko.Do we need the criminal president?

[iamahab]

truamerican:
how many racists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? just one, but they usually resist being enlightened. Your use of language in insisting that he wishes to "glorify his blacks" points straight to the fact that you are not the kind of person that should even be allowed to vote. Why do blacks need to be glorified? they are people just like you and me. in fact, their struggle grants them more glory than you will ever see, strictly by the hardships hundreds of years of oppression have caused them (and i can see that you are set in still causing it) and why are they his blacks? is it because he is a black man? he must have some sort of allegiance to that "wicked other side"? what about his white heritage? perhaps you're wrong and he just want to take the office to glorify his "whites!" i mean, c'mon, those dirty, sneaky folks with thier pasty skin. don't trust 'em, they have shifty eyes!
I can't believe someone who actually knows how to spell glorify would consider making such a ridiculous statement and humiliate all us real, true american caucasians who would vote for McCain. Don't hold it against the rest of us, world, that there may be a bigot in our ranks. And yes. I'm a republican. And proud of it. McCain will save us all, but he better keep the far right idealist part of palin down. I agree with most of what the original poster said.

[Stan]

Obama's economic plan in a nutshell = raise taxes

Anyone with a basic working knowledge of economics should be well aware that it is bad to raise taxes in a weak economic climate. With all of his elite ivy league schooling, one would think this guy took an economics class or two. Guess not.

Obama's energy plan in a nutshell = no drilling, no nuclear.

Guess we will have to rely on those cliche' abstract concepts "hope" and "change" to solve that little problem in an Obama administration. How anyone buys into this nonsense is beyond me. I guess if I hope really hard tonight while I toss and turn in bed my gas tank will magically fill itself by morning. If Obama can make that sort of thing a reality he's got my vote for sure.

[Roustabout]

It's getting kind of tiring to see the dems get so nervous. Even a dip in the national polling doesn't mean Obama can't win the election. Bush lost the popular vote and still won (definitely in 2000, likely in 2004.)

One excellent way to look at polling data is a state by state breakout which gives estimates of electoral college results, such as the one at
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Pres/ec_graph-2008.html

The differences between 2004 and 2008 is striking: since Obama clinched the nomination, he's had a lead in electoral votes. Discounting the very close states, Obama's lead has been much stronger; none of the back and forth that was happening in 2004.

As Nick Cohen pointed out in the guardian this weekend, the dems getting all worked up about Palin - and attacking her, rather than arguing against McCain - is not going to help them win. It's more likely to energize the republicans than anything else.

The attacks I'm seeing are the worst possible examples of preaching to the choir.

And yes, a dem candidate in San Diego running away from the ticket? We're surprised why? Did the Pacific Fleet stop headquartering in San Diego?

[JAmes]

"for TruAmerican" Well, as a supposed TruAmerican, you definitely do not speek for this American. I'll bet you didn't support Hillary. Ignorant loyalist like you are a blight to democracy. I kinda feel sorry for you, because you are so mixed up. Fox News has got you believing being an ingorant loyalist is actually being patriotic, but actually in American history a loyalist is the opposite of a patriot. May God help us all if there are many more like you out there... Glorifying blacks, give me a friggen break... who do you think you are George Wallace? You should be embarrassed for yourself. TruAmerican... yea right...

[P. Shelley G.]

It's not just Palin's ultra right-wing leanings, but it's her megalomaniacal behavior:
Like the queen of hearts, she seems to want to chop off everyone's head.
For example, there's the now famous "trooper gate." But she also wanted to fire a librarian in Wasilla who refused to ban books there. It's scandalous that the Bush administration got away with outing a CIA operative who wouldn't play ball with them, an act tantamount to treason. So, we don't need another President, President Palin if the elderly McCain doesn't make it through his term, making decisions based on ideological shooting from the hip. And if she wanted to see books banned from the library in Wasilla we can just imagine the changes she'll want to make nationally based on her other beliefs. The Obama campaign needs to call her on everything, beyond just her lies about the "Bridge to Nowhere."

[Rob]

I am becoming increasingly tired of the "Extreme Christian Right" mantra that has been eminating from liberal blogs and democratic party leaders. It seems all that is necessary for someone to be labeled as such is if that person:
1) considers themselves Christian,
2) is opposed to morally abortion,
3) has an "R" in front of their name.

The combination of these three immediately qualifies them as the "extreme Christian right" in the eyes of liberals. I am all three of those things and have been labeled that way yet I rarely attend Church on a regular basis. And LS, you should be ashamed to compare Mrs. Palin to a cur ike Phelps, I have seen him in action and your comparison/association between the two shows you simply do not understand the infinite difference between them.

Palin doesn't want to take money away from the poor and give it to the rich. The poor in this country do not pay taxes to begin with and it is fairly difficult to make a number smaller than zero, unless you like socialism. The fact of the matter is, the wealthy in this country are the ones that employ the middle class. Ever have to deal with "Budget Cuts" in a company? It usually ends in the downsizing of staff members. Perhaps... an increased tax burden on companies and corporations have something to do with that.

Mr. McKay simply needs to understand that America simply does not hate itself enough to embrace liberalism. America does not feel guilty enough about its' success and wealth to embrace liberalism. And America is still too proud and too confident in itself to embrace Liberalism. Once these tenants of our society have been adequately corrupted, then, and only then Liberalism will succeed.

[Richard Gordon]

It was a stroke of genius for McCain to have chosen Sarah Palin to rescue his moribund presidential campaign. I don't even think he anticipated how brilliant his choice was when he chose her. How could he?

But, I cannot for the life of me understand why people support her. This woman's philosophy represents everything that has created problems in America today. Isn't it guns that have destroyed countless lives and familys? How dose Palin's NRA views square with her views about protecting the sanctity of life? And isn't it the Republican Lassier Faire ecconomic policies that have virtually destroyed the ecconomy. Haven't these people connected the dots regarding the increasing frequency of powerful hurricanes that are destroying the Southern United States with Global Warming? Don't they see the increasing snooping and reduction of civil liberties as a real threat to their freedom? In any other country, any political party that was responsible for the disasterous state of affairs would be thrown out of office. America really needs to sit down with a psychiatrist.

[SteveKelson]

haam a nama ah owwoo a saba owa haba
eieio

(i.e., Speaking in tongues for Sarah Palin to get divine punishment for
taking potshots at 'Squirrel & Moose' )

[dan]

Truamerican writes
..."winning the top office and glorify his blacks"

Ouch. Division at it's best.

[Robert]

Relax. Geeze....you would think that McSame and Bush with lipstick had already won the election. When in fact, we are still 2 months away and Barack is ahead in the electoral college count...which is all that matters. Palin will choke when she is interviewed and the truth comes out about her Alaskan scandals. Besides, Biden will make mince meat out of her when he debates her. Palin is a creation of the media...an empty image crafted by the Republicans. Having no platform of their own...notice how they "stole" the change message. The Republicans are about spin and shallow surface appearances....they have nothing else...being deeply entrenched in narcissism, guns, and religion. Obama Will Win.

[Jim R]

McCain and Palin have shown they get it, Americans want real change.

[Simple Calculations]

Why is it every time someone from Hollywood is interviewed they sound like a socialist extremist? Why is it hollywood people keep getting interviewed and quoted about things that aren't even related to movies and television? I'm not a socialist or a fascist, but frankly Obama is just a scary person who is too vague about everything from himself to his politics. He always sounds great and says nothing. Best case scenario he socializes medicine, gives the country to the unions, and raises taxes. Worst case scenario we join the EU and have to vote against Frenchmen over our own national policies. I'll take 8 more years of knowing exactly what to expect and continued American independence and the right to self-determination over handing the country over to who knows who. Either way it looks like all those people running across the border and stealing our identities get amnesty now. So keep on running across, you're welcome to commit any crime you want and get free medical and educational care on your path to citizenship, provided you don't come legally.

[Steve S]

It is sad how juvenile this has all become. "our team" "their team" etc, etc, etc. It is tiring trying to LEARN anything about any of these candidates or have a discourse on the direction the country should be moving. To the best of my knowledge neither B.O. or S.P have shot anyone (which is better than the current VP) and which church they attend shouldn't affect their decisions in office. Question is this: "Do we want someone who will tell us how to live or do we want someone to act on our behalf?" I haven't seen anything from any candidate truly seeking the public's input on where they would like to be lead.
Hang on, I'll join the club "rah rah ___ rah rah ____, ___ is better than ____ b/c they are (insert one) more/less religious than the other. Wake me up at the end of the mindless pep rally in November.

[Taay]

it's very idiotic that someone vote for a candidate just because of one issue like abortion or guns....it's the total package...we voted bush because of abortion and guns and see what we got....the country powers diminshed and we're disrespected everywhere.....how about clinton period?...how was your income then? how was the stock market then?....now tell me about your house forclosure and your never ending bills, and being stuck in financing a never ending war?...now we have no clear vision about tomorrow...so you better think economy, think about cutting taxes on 95% of middle class families, and mortgage bailouts, and ending iraq war, and having a carismatic leader like obama who's loved worldwide and can bring our stance back

[Independent]

Isn't it interesting: sagging economy, troubled world, stagnant home front and still Obama's having a hard time closing the deal. Makes you wish Hillary was still in the game, doesn't it. It's starting to look like that "good judgement" that was so central to Obama's campaigning eight or nine months ago continues to fall short time and time again.

[Lynn]

The Obama partisans are trying so hard to destroy Governor Palin, you'd think Obama was running for vice president! Factcheck.org clears up some of the lies and slime.
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

Last year, Newsweek magazine had an article praising Governor Palin's "pragmatic, postpartisan approach to solving problems, a style that works especially well with the large numbers of independent voters." You can read it at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/42534/

[Donald Jacobs]

Devout Christian? Who are you Kidding?It sounds as though you don't know what that means.You liberals act as though you are talking with some moral authority when your Bashing President Bush's Decision to take the offensive against Islamo Facisim..But you fail to remember the 40+ million Babies that have been Killed in the Name of CHOICE! God will not forget..He Hates the Hands that Shed innocent Blood..If you were a Christian you would have Known that..Jesus said a friend of the World , is an enemy of God! Being a Christian is Having a personal relationship with Christ by asking him to forgive Your Sins and Come into Your heart as Lord and Savior.He said if anyone opens the door of their heart,I wil in and Sup with them.Then you will be a new creature and born again..he also said,If a man is not born again,he cannot See the Kingdom Of God..

[Jody]

McCain/Palin are hardly "extreme right wing"! Gimme a break! How about "moderate". Just because they don't line up with your social gospel does not entitle you to wrongly place them to the edge of their party! What nonsense!

As for your personal claim that you are a "devout Christian" but elevate the economy over murdering millions of unborn babies-- claiming also "this is the true embodiment of Christian love.", you might want to re-visit the Bible and reconsider where you're getting your worldview and theology from. Abortion isn't simply "wrong"-- it is a curse on America and has led to the epidemic devaluing of human beings-- a primary cause of class warfare, poverty, prejudice, racism, and single-parent families, BTW.

If you believe Obama is a more healthy choice for America-- a man who is an ardent supporter of aboortion-- not just "the right to choose", but actual killing unborn and even mostly-born babies (check out his comments and voting record), and supports gay marriage (another bane on American families)-- then you have some serious learning to do!

I am appalled by your comments while claiming to be a follower of Jesus. Do you honestly think He'd be cool with your take on what's best for America? Do you think He'd be fine with your attack on Sara Palin, who by all definitions IS a devout and orthodox (adhering to scripture) Christian? Do you think Jesus would have no issue with your minimizing huge parts of His Word and focusing on the "social gospel" parts only? I think not. You might want to go find out for yourself.

Sorry if this offends you. Just calling it like I see it. We have no room for moral relativism here anymore. Life is short and America is in peril.

P.S. Lemme guess: you're an evolutionist, you believe in global warming, and that it's man-made.

"Shout anything loud enough and long enough and a liberal will eventually believe it."

[Cardiffian]

Charlie Brown is running in District 4 - Lake Tahoe. It's a stretch to say he's running in San Diego. Didn't you Google him?!?!

[Cyrus Clarke]

Mr. McCain isn't going to win for one simple reason.....he is a much lousier liar than George W. Bush. There are so many holes in the repub story, you could strain spaghetti through it. I think Mrs. Clinton framed it very succinctly with her comment on the Titanic being saved by the iceberg.

Stop being afraid, America, and deal with the truth.....you are being lied to. What we are seeing now is the pride before the fall.

It takes intelligence, not belligerence to lead this nation.

[dom]

It seems the majority of Obama supporters have something in common with the majority of professed Christians.

Hypocrisy.

That's why they can't stand each other. One looking at the other is like looking into a mirror. They don't like what they see in the mirror, but can't see the same in themselves.

[Richard]

Now if it's true that Gordon Brown backs Barack Obama, one should feel very sorry for Barack, what has Brown done for anyone apart from himself -

[Mike]

Obama has the most liberal voting record in the Senate right now. That is not an opinion, there is analytic data proving it. He would be the most polarizing president in the history of the country.

[Mike]

"We're coming off the worst eight years in our country's history. " - Somebody needs to go read a history book.

[Alex Mac Donald]

I hate the Republican Partei as much as the next guy, and I like to see get hit and get hit hard. It's a party led by treacherous, greedy,lawless, sneaky, lying and low kleptocrats. But I think that Obama has a pretty good instinct for the jugular. The Republicans will find that out before this is over. Be of good cheer, all ye who love your country.

[Witfal]

This election is slated to be a repeat of the last two, both of which were the Democrat candidates to lose.

You cannot go into a campaign with no core values or beliefs. The campaign is not a training seminar to develop what you should already possess. Remember Gore and his image consultant trying to portray him as an "alpha male"? Wardrobe changes do not a man make, nor will Obama's ducking questions as being above his "pay grade" suffice for a spine.

Ridicule the McCain/Palin ticket all you want. Their obvious difference is in neither of them being afraid to state their beliefs in public.

[Alex Mac Donald]

I hate the Republican Partei as much as the next guy, and I like to see get hit and get hit hard. It's a party led by treacherous, greedy,lawless, sneaky, lying and low kleptocrats. But I think that Obama has a pretty good instinct for the jugular. The Republicans will find that out before this is over. Be of good cheer, all ye who love your country.

[Eric in Mesa]

Sounds like L.S. here is a plant of the Dems - talking points straight out of their playbook. At least pretend you're a real person instead of a full time campaign worker for Obama.

Here's some counterpoints for you: I can't think of a more boring choice for VP than Biden. What was Obama thinking? McCain makes a brilliant and risky choice and now he's ahead. Looks like decision-making points go to McCain.

Palin is not extreme, she is very normal and so are her beliefs. Libs call her divisive but she is connecting like none of the males on the tickets. Ann Coulter is awesome and conservatives love to see someone kick the neolibs in the teeth every chance they get. She is one of two few willing to stand up to robots like LS.

Why do we want to narrow the gap between rich and poor? That is a very stupid statement I'm sure you've never questioned because libs don't question. I want the rich to get richer and the poor to get richer. You want Socialism, Americans don't. Move to Europe LS or Cuba and enjoy the socialism you so desire and leave us with our system. That is why Obama loses in Nov. Socialism never has nor never will work.

[Richard]

Now if it's true that Gordon Brown backs Barack Obama, one should feel very sorry for Barack, what has Brown done for anyone apart from himself -