Does America really want a change?

[Q-Unit]

with all due respect HD, for every reason you started this thread (to attack Obama and hold up McCain, even if you won't use the word attack and only a passive one like "reasons not to vote for Obama" or Osama as you put it lol), its the spirit of free press that you champion and encourage, no?

If Dan is jumping in with trivial shyt (and he is lol), calling your aggressive posts about Obama reasons and not trivial is just the pot calling the condom black... or something like that lol

anyways JMO.

and no disrespect, you've run a better campaign for McCain than he has (at least from my point of view) honestly.

:thumbs:

[homedawg]

As I stated: I started this thread for the reasons, and continue to give reasons NOT to vote Obama, and continue to give reasons to VOTE McCAIN.
Many, Many, Many hours of research & truckloads of beer, allows me to throw in some trivial ****, and besides that, this is my thread!

:beerbang:

[Q-Unit]

As I stated: I started this thread for the reasons, and continue to give reasons NOT to vote Obama, and give reasons to VOTE McCAIN.
Many, Many, Many hours of research & truckloads of beer, allows me to throw in some trivial ****, and besides that, this is my thread!

:beerbang:

:beerbang: fair enough

Dan start your own thread :nono: and if I see one DQ ad or plug for snow shovels, I'm out bro.

[homedawg]

Palin's face sculpted on Ohio cornfield




WHITEHOUSE, Ohio (AP) _ You need to be airborne to fully appreciate a corny caricature of Sarah Palin near Toledo, Ohio.

A 16-acre cornfield has been carved up in the likeness of the Republican vice presidential candidate to form a tourist attraction's fall corn maze.

The Butterfly House in Whitehouse is owned by Duke Wheeler, who says Palin created a lot of excitement in the campaign and he was hoping to generate some for this year's maze.

He says it took an artist from Idaho at least 8 hours to mow down corn stalks in a Palin pattern, complete with her familiar updo hairstyle and eyeglasses.

Wheeler says he thinks the Alaska governor would be proud.

The Butterfly House features an indoor garden filled with butterflies and an adjoining farm.






The Corn Maze at The Butterfly House in Whitehouse Ohio

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[homedawg]

Who is Barack Hussein Obama

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[homedawg]

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?

September 26, 2008


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[homedawg]

McCain Agrees to Attend Debate in Mississippi

By Nedra Pickler, Associated Press
September 26, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican John McCain agreed to attend the first presidential debate Friday night even though Congress doesn't have a bailout deal, reversing an earlier decision to delay the event until Washington had taken action to address the crisis.

With less than 10 hours until the debate was scheduled to start, the McCain campaign announced that the Arizona senator would travel to the University of Mississippi. The campaign said that afterward McCain would return to Washington to continue working on the financial crisis.

Obama had always planned to attend the debate and was aboard his plane preparing to take off when McCain's announcement was made. McCain quickly moved to his own private aircraft and headed South with his wife and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his wife, Judith, on board.

The action contradicted the position McCain had taken Wednesday, when he announced, "I'm directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates to delay Friday night's debate until we have taken action to address this crisis."

McCain had also said he would suspend all campaign activities, but in reality the campaign just shifted to Washington while the work of trying to win the election went on.

McCain had taken a gamble with the move, trying to appear above politics and as a leader on an issue that had overshadowed the presidential campaign and given him trouble. But Democratic rival Barack Obama had not bowed to McCain's challenge, and instead questioned why the Republican nominee couldn't handle two things at once -- the debate and involvement in the bailout negotiations.

An Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll out Friday just before McCain's announcement showed the public overwhelmingly wanted the candidates to debate, 60 percent to 22 percent, with the rest undecided.

By Friday morning, it appeared McCain was looking for a face-saving way to get to the debate even though a deal had not been reached. He met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, before heading to his campaign headquarters and issuing a statement that blamed others in Washington for the failure to reach an agreement.

"John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign was made in the hopes that politics could be set aside to address our economic crisis," the statement said. "In response, Americans saw a familiar spectacle in Washington. At a moment of crisis that threatened the economic security of American families, Washington played the blame game rather than work together to find a solution that would avert a collapse of financial markets without squandering hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money to bail out bankers and brokers who bet their fortunes on unsafe lending practices." . . .

Both McCain and Obama had returned to Washington on Thursday at the urging of President Bush, who invited them to a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House. But a session aimed at showing unity in resolving the financial crisis broke up with conflicts in plain view.

McCain's campaign said the meeting "devolved into a contentious shouting match" and implied Obama was at fault”on a day when McCain said he was putting politics aside to focus on the nation's financial problems. . . .

[homedawg]

One Hundred to One
September 26, 2008
John Batchelor writes tonight on his blog:

Note that Only The Congressional Democrats Are Yapping

There is no deal likely, not today, not tomorrow, not this weekend, and the holidays next week move this melodrama to late next week.

And why? Because the emails and faxes and phone calls to Capitol Hill are running 10 to 1 against the Hank Paulson deal. Ten to one against from the Democrats. One hundred to one against from the Republicans. Because the American taxpayer is making a stand. Because the House GOP has found the high ground, and the American citizenry is on the same high ground. Why do we see (right) Barney Frank, Chris Dodd and Chuck Schumer at the microphone blaming and carping and whining and spinning?

Because the GOP does not need to talk. The Paulson deal is unacceptable. No handouts to the plutocrats.

The Democrats realize by now that they have goofed. How to get out of this. Yell louder? You gonna shout down the American voters? Do you hear them, Barney? “No deal!”

Spoke to my colleague Jodi Schneider, Congressional Quarterly, and she told me that Nancy Pelosi has heard loudly from her members in the majority that if they vote for this deal while the GOP votes against they will be barbecued by their constituents. Roasted. Run out of their districts. It is not close. There is revolution in the air. Paulson and Bush are gone in months. The GOP starts again in January, and the young GOP knows that there is no future for anyone who signs on to this folly from Goldman alumni. One hundred to one.

Debate in Ole Miss

Will John McCain stroll onto the stage tonight and tell the American people that he is leader of a party that will fight Wall Street’s schemes to rob the taxpayer? Will he say that his election depends upon principles? Will he say that letting the fox dash into the chicken coop is not going to happen on his watch? Will he say that the Republican Party would rather lose an election than lose the trust of the American people?

Will he say that he stands with Main Street against Wall Street and its friends Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Frank, Paulson and Barack Obama, Larry Summers, Bob Rubin, Buffet, Paul Volcker?

Unknown. Either way, no deal, not tonight, not tomorrow, not by Monday.

We stay together or they will cut us up for bait. Join or Die (Benjamin Franklin’s warning). Don’t Tread On Me.

[homedawg]

Statement By McCain Campaign On Negotiations

September 26, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the following statement on negotiations:

"John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign was made in the hopes that politics could be set aside to address our economic crisis.

"In response, Americans saw a familiar spectacle in Washington. At a moment of crisis that threatened the economic security of American families, Washington played the blame game rather than work together to find a solution that would avert a collapse of financial markets without squandering hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money to bailout bankers and brokers who bet their fortunes on unsafe lending practices.

"Both parties in both houses of Congress and the administration needed to come together to find a solution that would deserve the trust of the American people. And while there were attempts to do that, much of yesterday was spent fighting over who would get the credit for a deal and who would get the blame for failure. There was no deal or offer yesterday that had a majority of support in Congress. There was no deal yesterday that included adequate protections for the taxpayers. It is not enough to cut deals behind closed doors and then try to force it on the rest of Congress -- especially when it amounts to thousands of dollars for every American family.

"The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.

"Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative Blunt as a designated negotiator for House Republicans. The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners."

[homedawg]

300 Retired Generals And Admirals Endorse John McCain For President

"We unequivocally endorse him to continue his service to the country as the next President of the United States."

Rear Admiral John W. Adams, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Patrick O. Adams, USAF (Ret.)

Major General Albert B. Akers, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Paul Albritton, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Richard Allen, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James F. Amerault, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Vincent J. Anzilotti, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Charlie Bagnal, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General John "Doc" Bahnsen, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Barausky, USN (Ret.)

Major General Barry D. Bates, USA (Ret.)

Major General Ron Beckwith, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Martin R. Berndt, USMC (Ret.)

Brigadier General Charles L. Bishop, USAF (Ret.)

Major General John Blatsos, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Ben Blaz, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Harry Blot, USMC (Ret.)

Brigadier General William A. "Art" Bloomer, USMC (Ret.)

Major General John L. Borling, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Mike Bowman, III, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Roger Box, USN (Ret.)

Major General Patrick Brady, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jerry Breast, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Bruce Bremner, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Jeremiah Brophy, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Thomas Brown, III, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Richard A. Browning, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Tom Bruner, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Lyle Bull, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral E.A. Burkhalter, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jay Campbell, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jim Carey, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Jimmy Cash, USAF (Ret.)

Major General George Cates, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Steve Chadwick, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Steve Clarey, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Albert P. Clark, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Clifton "Tip" Clark, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Wes Clark, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Edward Clexton, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Richard A. Coleman, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Leroy Collins, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General John B. Conaway, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ralph Cook, USN (Ret.)

Major General Richard M. Cooke, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Matthew T. "Terry" Cooper, USMC (Ret.)

Major General Mike Coyne, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert C. Crates, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Howard, Jr. Crowell, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Robert Dastin, USAF (Ret.)

General James B. Davis, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Walter J. Davis, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James P. Davidson, USN (Ret.)

Major General Hollis Davidson, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Kevin Delaney, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jerry Denton, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Chip Diehl, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Richard F. Donnelly, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Frank Donovan, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Bill Dougherty, USN (Ret.)

Major General George Douglas, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Walter D. Druen, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Phillip J. Duffy, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Richard M. Dunleavy, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James W. Eastwood, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James E. Eckelberger, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Russ Eggers, USAF (Ret.)

Major General James N. Ellis, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Paul Engel, USN (Ret.)

Major General Bill Eshelman, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Marsha Johnson Evans, USN (Ret.)

Major General Merrill Evans, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James H. Flatley, III, USN (Ret.)

Admiral S. Robert Foley, USN (Ret.)

General John W. Foss, USA (Ret.)

Major General Stuart French, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ronne Froman, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Vance H. Fry, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert Byron Fuller, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Skip Furlong, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Barton Gilbert, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Wendell Gilbert, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Hank Giffin, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Andrew Giordano, USN (Ret.)

Major General Rick Goddard, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ted Gordon, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Russell W. Gorman, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral H.E. "Rick" Grant, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Thomas N. Griffin, USA (Ret.)

Major General Jeffery R. Grime, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Tom Hall, USAF (Ret.)

Admiral Ronald J. Hays, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, USN (Ret.)

Major General Guy Hecker, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Rolland Heiser, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Dick Herr, USCG (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert P. Hickey, USN (Ret.)

Major General Geoffrey Higginbotham, USMC (Ret.)

Major General Don Hilbert, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Virgil Hill, USN (Ret.)

Major General Kent Hillhouse, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Edward J. "Ned" Hogan, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral A. Byron Holderby, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Grant T. Hollett, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Admiral James L. Holloway, USN (Ret.)

Major General William Hoover, USAF (Ret.)

General Charles A. "Chuck" Horner, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General James Hourin, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Jefferson D. Howell, Jr., USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General John I. Hudson, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral James D. Hull, USN (Ret.)

Major General Evan Hultman, USA (Ret.)

Major General Charles A. Ingram, USA (Ret.)

Admiral Bobby R. Inman, USN (Ret.)

Major General Harry Jenkins, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ronald H. Jesberg, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Gregory G. "Grog" Johnson, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Jerome Johnson, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral J. Michael "Carlos" Johnson, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Steve Kantrowitz, USNR (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Douglas Katz, USN (Ret.)

General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.)

Admiral Robert J. "Barney" Kelly, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral John Kerr, USNR (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Claude M. "Mick" Kicklighter, USA (Ret.)

Major General Phillip G. Killey, USAF (Ret.)

Admiral George E.R. "Gus" Kinnear II, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Jack W. Klimp, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Hal Koenig, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Alexander J. Krekich, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ed Kristensen, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Derald Lary, USAF (Ret.)

Admiral Charles R. "Chuck" Larson, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Rufus C. Lazzell, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Ward M. LeHardy, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Tony Less, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Frederick L. Lewis, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.)

Brigadier General William Lindaman, USAF (Ret.)

General James J. Lindsay, USA (Ret.)

Lieutenant General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James W. Lisanby, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Dan Locker, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Stephen Loftus, USN (Ret.)

General John Michael Loh, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Noah H. Long, USNR (Ret.)

Admiral Joseph Lopez, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Mike Luecke, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch, USN (Ret.)

Admiral James A. "Ace" Lyons, Jr., USN (Ret.)

General Robert Magnus, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Michael D. Malone, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Daniel P. March, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Edward H. Martin, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral John J. Mazach, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Dan McCarthy, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral William "Scot" McCauley, USN (Ret.)

Major General James C. McCombs, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Fred McCorkle, USMC (Ret.)

Major General Billy McCoy, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Bill McDaniel, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Craig O. McDonald, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral E.S. "Skip" McGinley, II, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Denny McGinn, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Kinnard R. McKee, USN (Ret.)

Major General Ed Mechenbier, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral George Meinig, USN (Ret.)

Major General Robert L. Menist, USA (Ret.)

Major General Stuart D. Menist, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral William F. Merlin, USCG (Ret.)

Admiral Paul David Miller, USN (Ret.)

Major General Robert W. Mixon, Jr., USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Joseph Mobley, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Benjamin Montoya, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Charles J. Moore, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Douglas Moore, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Major General W. Bruce Moore, USA (Ret.)

Major General Warren Moore, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Moorer, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Paul Moses, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Paul Mulloy, USN (Ret.)

Major General William L. Mundie, USA (Ret.)

General Carl E. Mundy, Jr., USMC (Ret.)

Major General Terry Murray, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Hank Mustin, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Carol Mutter, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jack Natter, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Jerry Neff, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Mike Neil, USMCR (Ret.)

Brigadier General Robert Henry Neitz, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Ben Nelson, Jr., USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ed Nelson, USCG (Ret.)

Brigadier General Warren "Bud" Nelson, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Eddie Newman, USA (Ret.)

Major General George W. Norwood, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jacqueline "Jackie" O'Meara, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Ira C. "Chuck" Owens, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert S. "Rupe" Owens, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Dave Palmer, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Robert V. Paschon, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Ellis D. "Don" Parker, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Ted Parker, USN (Ret.)

Major General Earl G. Peck, USAF (Ret.)

Major General John Peppers, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Maurice Phillips, USA (Ret.)

Major General Paul A. Pochara, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral David Polatty, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Thomas J. Porter, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Noel G. Preston, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, USN (Ret.)

Major General Bill Raines, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral William E. Ramsey, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral William Retz, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Jon A. Reynolds, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral David C. Richardson, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Thomas M. Rienzi, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Stewart Andrew Ring, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, USAF (Ret.)

Major General James Milnor Roberts, Jr., USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral David B. Robinson, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Bill Roll, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Wayne Rosenthal, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Pete Rots, USCG (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Ed Rowny, USA (Ret.)

Major General Michael D. Ryan, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Luciano C. Salamone, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jim Schear, USNR (Ret.)

Major General Carl G. Schneider, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Dennis Schulstad, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Hugh Scott, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral James E. Service, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Bill Shawcross, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Edward D. "Ted" Sheafer, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Mike Sheridan, USMC (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Robert F. "Dutch" Shoultz, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert H. Shumaker, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Bruce Smith, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Leighton "Snuffy" Smith, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Norman Smith, USMC (Ret.)

Major General Richard D. Smith, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert (Bob) Smith, III, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Stan Smith, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Roy D. Snyder, USN (Ret.)

Major General J.R. Spalding, USAF (Ret.)

Major General Stanhope S. Spears, Adjutant General, South Carolina

Major General Ralph Spraker, USAF (Ret.)

Brigadier General Bill Spruance, USAF (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Hank Stackpole, USMC (Ret.)

Rear Admiral James Stark, USN (Ret.)

General Carl Stiner, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Edward M. Straw, USN (Ret.)

Major General Ansel M. Stroud, USA (Ret.)

Major General Willam A. Studder, USAF (Ret.)

Major General Leroy N. Suddath, USA (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Gordon Sumner, Jr., USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Paul E. Sutherland, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Bob Sutton, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jeremy Taylor, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jimmie Taylor, USN (Ret.)

Major General Robert C. Taylor, USAF (Ret.)

Rear Admiral William E. Terry, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Deese Thompson, USCG (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Howie Thorsen, USCG (Ret.)

Major General Harold Timboe, M.D., USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Ernest E. Tissot, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Robert F. Titus, USAF (Ret.)

Vice Admiral John B. Totushek, USN (Ret.)

Major General Rockly Triantafellu, USAF (Ret.)

Admiral Carlyle A. H. Trost, USN (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Jerry Unruh, USN (Ret.)

Major General Alfred A. Valenzuela, USA (Ret.)

Major General Paul Vallely, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Lloyd "Joe" Vasey, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General John Vines, USA (Ret.)

Major General John G. "Jack" Waggener, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Edward K. Walker, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General John F. Wall, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General W.L. "Bill" Wallace, USA (Ret.)

Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.)

Major General Gary Wattnem, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Donald Weatherson, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Hugh Webster, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Arvid E. West, USA (Ret.)

Major General Drax Williams, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General James A. Williams, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Mitchell M. Willoughby, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Dennis Wisely, USN (Ret.)

Major General Herbert E. Wolff, USA (Ret.)

Major General John J. Womack, USA (Ret.)

Major General Dan Wood, USA (Ret.)

Lieutenant General John W. Woodmansee, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral George Worthington, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Earl P. Yates, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Allan R. Zenotwitz, USA (Ret.)

Admiral Ronald J. Zlatoper, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Mitchell M. Zais, USA (Ret.)

[homedawg]

[coreyschucky]

DEBATE REALITY CHECK: MCCAIN RECORD ON REFORM
September 26, 2008

TONIGHT:

McCain: “Sure, but let me point out, I also warned about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and warned about corporate greed and excess and CEO pay and all that. A lot of us saw this train wreck coming.”

THE FACTS:



MCCAIN IS A “LATECOMER TO THE DEBATE” OVER REFORMING FANNIE AND FREDDIE AND HE ADMITTED THAT HE DID NOT ANTICIPATE THE HOUSING CRISIS

Politifact: McCain Is “A Latecomer To The Debate” Over Congressional Efforts To Increase Oversight Of Fannie And Freddie. “First of all, congressional efforts to increase oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac extend back to the early 1990s, making McCain a latecomer to the debate. The regulatory efforts proved unsuccessful because of Congress’ complicated relationship with the firms, whose dominance in the home financing market makes their stability critical to the economy.” [Politifact, accessed: 9/19/08 ]

McCain Said “I Don’t Claim To Be Smart Enough” To Offer A Solution To The Mortgage Crisis And Admitted That He Did Not Anticipate The Housing Crisis. In a meeting with the editorial board of New Hampshire’s Keene Sentinel, McCain responded to a question regarding the sub-prime mortgage loan crisis saying, in part, “I don’t know how bad it’s gonna get. And obviously, the worse it gets, then the more there is a role for government. But I can't come down yet and give you a specific solution, because I don't claim to be smart enough. But I do have some confidence in Paulson. And I’m glad to see him more and more active in this issue. But I’d love to give you a solution, but I don’t know one.” McCain also said “So, I’d like to tell you that I did anticipate it, but I have to give you straight talk, I did not.” [McCain Interview with editorial board of New Hampshire’s Keene Sentinel, 12/4/07, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTmIJ5Aag2Q]


MCCAIN WAS ONE OF 19 SENATORS WHO OPPOSED A BILL TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT REGULATORY AGENCY TO OVERSEE FANNIE AND FREDDIE

In 1992, McCain Opposed Establishing An Independent Regulatory Agency To Regulate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. McCain voted against the Federal Housing Regulatory Reform Act which would have created an independent regulatory agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to oversee the activities of Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The bill passed 77-19. [1992 Senate Vote #137, 7/1/92]


MCCAIN CAMPAIGN MANAGER RICK DAVIS’ FIRM WAS PAID BY FREDDIE MAC AND IS STILL ON THEIR PAYROLL

New York Times: McCain Campaign Manager Rick Davis’ Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac. “One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month from the end of 2005 through last month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement. The disclosure undercuts a remark by Mr. McCain on Sunday night that the campaign manager, Rick Davis, had had no involvement with the company for the last several years. … They said Mr. Davis’s firm, Davis Manafort, had been kept on the payroll because of his close ties to Mr. McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, who by 2006 was widely expected to run again for the White House.” [New York Times, 9/23/08 ]

Roll Call: McCain Campaign Manager Rick Davis’ Lobbying Firm Remains On The Payroll Of Freddie Mac. “The lobbying firm of Rick Davis, Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) campaign manager, remains on the payroll of mortgage giant Freddie Mac, according to two sources with knowledge of the arrangement. The firm, Davis Manafort, has collected $15,000 a month from the organization since late 2005, when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae dissolved a five-year-old advocacy group that Davis earned nearly $2 million leading, the sources said.” [Roll Call, 9/23/08 ]


MCCAIN DID NOT SIGN ONTO OBAMA’S “SAY ON PAY” BILL TO GIVE SHAREHOLDERS A VOTE IN TOP OFFICERS’ COMPENSATION AND MCCAIN’s ECONOMIC ADVISER SAID MCCAIN OPPOSED LEGISLATIVE OR REGULATORY CURES FOR EXECUTIVE PROBLEMS

McCain Has Attacked Executive Compensation But He “Opposes New Government Steps To Curb Pay And Instead Favors Private-Sector Intervention”; McCain Has Not Signed Onto Obama’s “Say-On-Pay” Bill To Give Shareholders A Vote On Top Officers’ Compensation. “Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama both attacked executive compensation this past week. Unlike Sens. Obama and Hillary Clinton, however, the likely Republican nominee opposes new government steps to curb pay and instead favors private-sector intervention. … Democrats support a Senate bill that would require public companies to give shareholders an annual nonbinding vote on top officers' compensation. Sen. Obama, of Illinois, introduced the measure, similar to one that passed the House last year. ‘Washington needs to act immediately to pass this legislation’ and change ‘a system where bad behavior is rewarded,’ Sen. Obama said in Friday's prepared remarks. Obama staffers recently renewed his request for Senate hearings on the measure. If the ‘say-on-pay’ bill doesn't pass this year, it ‘will be a priority for Sen. Obama as president,’ campaign policy director Heather Higginbottom says. … Sen. McCain hasn't taken a stance on the say-on-pay bill, and opposes legislative or regulatory cures for executive-pay problems, says senior policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/12/08 ; S 1181, introduced 4/20/07]

[coreyschucky]

Sarah Palin's bad, bad week

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Sarah Palin is trying to pick herself up after several knockdowns this week. It's been a bad, bad week for the GOP vice-presidential nominee.

On Friday, nationally syndicated conservative columnist Kathleen Parker withdrew her support for Palin. Parker said Palin isn't prepared to be vice president or president, and said Palin should withdraw as John McCain's running mate.

Earlier in the week Palin looked anything but vice presidential in an interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric. Palin fumbled her answers to questions on the economic bailout and America's relations with Russia.

And throughout the week Palin continued to try to stonewall her way through the Troopergate investigation that's going on in Alaska. She still hasn't dealt directly with accusations about her involvement in the firing of the state's former public safety commissioner.

On the horizon: Palin will debate Democratic VP candidate Joe Biden on Thursday in St. Louis.

She may have a chance to look good standing to the windy, gaffe-prone Biden.

But Palin did little to boost her standing with independent voters this week, so who knows what the next week will bring.

[coreyschucky]

Newsweek: Vehicle Records of McCain's 13 Cars Contradict His Boast About Buying American

Last update: 6:57 p.m. EDT Sept. 21, 2008
DETROIT, Sept 21, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Today Newsweek reported that John McCain owns 13 cars - and that contrary to what McCain said in a recent TV interview, the fleet includes three foreign cars. The report shows that McCain wasn't being honest with voters during a recent interview with WXYZ TV in Detroit when he said: "I've bought American literally all my life, and I'm proud."
McCain made the comments while defending his purchase of foreign hybrid vehicle - a purchase he denied making despite having bragged about it in South Carolina last year.
In addition to the foreign hybrid he bragged about last year, Newsweek reports that McCain's fleet of 13 vehicles includes a Lexus, a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, and a 2001 Honda sedan.
In a conference call today to respond to the latest news of John McCain not being straight with working families, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said:
"In an interview a few weeks ago with a Detroit TV station, John McCain said, and I quote, "I've bought American literally all my life, and I'm proud." That may be a nice campaign line, but it turns out that John McCain wasn't being straight with the people of Detroit-in fact, John McCain owns 13 cars, including a foreign made Lexus, a Volkswagen, and a Honda Sedan-on top of the Toyota Prius that he bragged about buying just last year. People are free to buy any kind of car they want-that isn't the issue here. What is the issue is that the American auto industry, and American voters, deserve a president who will be straight with them. If we can't trust John McCain on something as simple as what kind of cars he owns, how can we trust him when he talks about investing in American jobs. "Buy American" can't just be a slogan that John McCain rolls out when he is in Michigan. It's insulting to our members. We need a president who's committed to rebuilding the auto industry here America, not a President who buys foreign cars and then lies about when he thinks autoworkers are watching."

[coreyschucky]

September 26, 2008
Fact Check: Does McCain almost always agree with Bush?
Posted: 11:58 PM ET


The Statement:

At a presidential debate Friday, September 26, in Oxford, Mississippi, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama attempted to tie Republican opponent Sen. John McCain to President Bush. "John, it's been your president, who you said you agreed with 90 percent of the time, who presided over this increase in spending," he said.

Get the facts!

The Facts:

According to an analysis by Congressional Quarterly, McCain has voted for bills favored by President Bush 90 percent of the time. The nonpartisan publication, which has analyzed voting by members of Congress since 1953, said the report took into account all legislation that Bush had taken a clear position on. It spans from the beginning of Bush's term to Congress's recess in August.

In the 100-member Senate, 14 current members — all Republicans — voted with Bush more than 90 percent of the time, according to the report. Six others have a 90 percent rating like McCain's. The report shows Obama voting with Bush 40 percent of the time and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, voting with Bush 52 percent of the time during the course of his presidency.

Obama surrogates also frequently say McCain voted with Bush 95 percent of the time. This is a reference to the Republican senator's record in 2007. That was the highest percentage in the seven years studied. In 1995, McCain voted with Bush 77 percent of the time — his lowest percentage in those years. "The president and I agree on most issues," McCain said in a May 22, 2003 interview on Fox's "Your World with Neil Cavuto." "There was a recent study that showed that I voted with the president over 90 percent of the time, higher than a lot of my even Republican colleagues."

Verdict: True