I have always had the feeling that based on the stuff we see coming out of the McCain campaign, it seems like they are mostly a bunch of snarky, web-surfing, college Republicans who are more interested in oneupmanship than strategic messaging.

They are probably holed up for long days and nights living on coffee, cigarettes and McDonald's as their ability toward objective thought is swept away inside their own echo chamber.

This latest clumsy attempt is yet another example of them appearing to not really know the business end of the weapon before they brandish it for combat. Being kneejerk contrary and consistently cynical does not mean you have a cogent argument. It means that you do not really know what you are doing in this business.

I have noticed a feint but growing chorus in the MSM exposing their outright lies and obtuse connections in attempting to damage Obama's brand. Let them prattle on. With each piece they put out there, they continue to devalue everything they touch.

Posted at August 27, 2008 8:14 PM in response to Obama Camp To McCain Camp: Um, You Guys Are Fools

Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5 Keating-5

Posted at August 25, 2008 5:09 PM in response to McCain Campaign Launches Direct Hit On Obama Over Ayers Ties

So Rita sure is a funny name for a boy troll.

Posted at August 25, 2008 1:28 AM in response to Obama And McCain Tied In First Poll Since VP Announcement

So will someone please tell me what is it that either Hillary or her "no surrender" gang of supporters will stand to gain from undermining and perhaps sabotaging the Obama candidacy?

If you think that Hillary is already a polarizing figure, just imagine the wrath of the various elements of the coalition that Obama has lit up if she tries to run in 2012. Her negatives would would be through the roof to make her unelectable and the supreme court would be to the right of Ghengis Khan. Nice result for all concerned - NOT!

Posted at August 25, 2008 1:24 AM in response to Obama And McCain Tied In First Poll Since VP Announcement

If McCain learned anything at the Naval Academy (perhaps a dubious assumption given his rock bottom of the pile academic record, "affirmative action" entry into flight school and subsequent penchant for hard landings), he should know that you do not unload both barrels at the first site of movement behind the bushes. Because if you use up all your ordinance in one volley, then you will seriously limit your options for a successful outcome.

McCain has basically fired both barrels with his POW mantra for every little and not so little thing. And it's still only August. Now, instead of making a nice loud BANG when he fires off the POW defense, it is starting to sound like the POP of a cork at the end of a kids toy gun. Dowd's article more or less officially tattoos it onto the Zeitgeist.

McCain's craven readiness to openly exploit his POW experience has taken him a very long way in life. In many ways, the experience defines him. He has aggrandized himself into an American icon with his POW experience as the foundation. Upon the basis of this carefully nurtured (and now seemingly embellished) POW identity, he makes absurd statements like, "I know how to win wars," and, "I will track down Bin Laden to the gates of hell," and, "We are all Georgians now."

I for one am quite happy to sit back and watch the fun as the campaign and the candidate himself continue to debase the aura of McCain. At this rate of playing the POW card, it will not be long before people stop listening to him.

Obama and Biden should stay right away from stating the obvious, as some are urging. In fact, only a Democrat could restore the POW brand at this point by saying something boneheaded. McCain's doing a fine job of diminishing himself without assistance from the other side.

Posted at August 24, 2008 1:42 PM in response to McCain Himself Invokes POW Past To Deflect Criticism Of Houses Gaffe

Good old Bill Kristol. The self-appointed buttinsky who never made a prediction that came true. The free market thinker and so-called publisher of the so-called magazine that is bought and paid for by Rupert Murdoch and which could not survive in the free market of ideas or publishing. Bill Kristol, the NYTimes OpEd columnist who cannot seem to shoot straight with the facts. The wunderkind who made his reputation looking like a genius working for Dan Quayle. Billy, who rode his father's coattails through the open doorway to plum jobs in the conservative Republican establishment. Bill Kristol, always ready to recommend sending other people into harm's way. Bill Kristol - craven, hypocritical, cowardly and really quite stupid.

Posted at August 24, 2008 10:26 AM in response to New McCain Ad Hits Obama For Not Picking Hillary As Veep

McCain-Romney - LMFAO
A pox on all of their houses and condominiums and mansions and estates and rentals and servants quarters and guest houses and dog boxes strapped to the car roof!

Posted at August 23, 2008 12:12 PM in response to Chuck Hagel: "An Obama-Biden Ticket Is A Very Impressive And Strong Team"

I beg to differ Dr Zaius.

Biden will appeal to the Hillary-voting blue collar rural bloc who need a nudge to remember that they belong with the Democratic Party. He was born in Scranton, so you can bet he will be milking that big time. Biden will be taking the Appalaichan Trail. He could just make the difference in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, perhaps North Carolina and who knows where else might come into play. Just watch.

This is an election where a picture tells a thousand words. Policies will recede as images take over.

Posted at August 23, 2008 11:57 AM in response to Choice Of Biden Signals Vigorous Debate With GOP On Foreign Policy, But There Are Risks

Cheer up folks. You don't have to like Biden for him to be a good choice in the circumstances. Biden's far from perfect, but he's a pretty good choice for the job at had, and that's to win the on November 4th.

You can check all of the boxes with Biden. Foreign policy is his strongest policy suit. Blue collar background. Ties to Pennsylvania. Not reluctant to use plain and forceful language. Strong family man. Suffered and bounced back from tragedy - twice. Confident debater who sometimes has the timing of a stand-up comic. Will be replaced by a Democrat in the Senate (this is no small matter.) Joe is going to be seeing a whole lot of the Appalaichan states.

There are downsides - mainly that he knows how to shove his foot in his mouth. But in a VP, that has become a trait of affection in the past.

Not perfect, but better than most of the possibilities. Game on.

Posted at August 23, 2008 10:46 AM in response to Choice Of Biden Signals Vigorous Debate With GOP On Foreign Policy, But There Are Risks

It just occurred to me that if McCain was leaning toward picking Romney, the House-gate flap might cause some reconsideration of that decision. Romney is also uber-rich and made much his money through acquiring, downsizing and flipping businesses. To be sure, that's an ugly background to be courting the coveted white working-class vote. First question up for Mitt: How many houses do you own?

Posted at August 22, 2008 2:49 PM in response to New McCain Ad: "Celebrities Don't Have To Worry About Family Budgets"