The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Guest — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:23:16 -0000

Forgive a silly question: I grew up abroad, with the metric system... Could I impose upon your good nature to tell me what on earth a "mega centimeter" is? If you say the campaign is "a mega centimeter away from McCarthyism" - my understanding is that the "mega" prefix means an order of multitudes in the millions... So a mega-centimeter would be one million centimeters, or 10,000 meters, or 10 Kilometers, roughly 6.2 miles. Is that really what you meant to say?

And McCarthyism? Please, why don't you convict her of the Kennedy assassination as well, while you're at it? Hey, she likes guns, she must have been the second gunman on the Grassy Knoll - and the fact that she wasn't even born at the time is just one of those silly, irrelevant, inconsequential things we call facts... Like the charge that she banned books from her town's library that hadn't yet been published.

Look, two wrongs don't make a right, but the Obama campaign deserves it. Did you voice such loud outrage when they brought up the Keating Five, completely omitting the fact that McCain was totally exonerated?

As for the media, no, they don't deserve the insults that Palin is tossing at them. They deserve the insults Ahmadinejad has tossed at Israel, and then some.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

AustinRoth — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:15:30 -0000

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Leonidas — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:00:34 -0000

After the liberal attacks on Palin, I hardly see how liberals have any room to complain about McCain attacking Obama's character. Its not like the Obama campaign hasn't engaged in this too, look at their spanish ad trying to tie McCain to Limbaugh and their efforts for months to try to run against George Bush. Those with some perspective have good justification to accuse and condemn both camps for their actions, but anyone who would point the finger at just one side is fooling only themselves and other partisans, no matter which candidate you are supporting.

Both campaigns are guilty as charged.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

CitizenKang — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:07:36 -0000

On why "overt racism" isn't Obama's biggest problem I suggest Nicholas Kristof's NYT op-ed, link here.

My humble thoughts on this new tack (and a few other things) here.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

DLS — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:53:11 -0000

Elrod, are you serious about your bogus "racism" explanation of opposition to radical subversive criminality? Whatever happened to "thou shalt not lie"? Is that subject to the same "cafeteria" selectivity we see from the American Cafeteria Liberties Union?

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

DLS — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:34 -0000

The Liberal Voice will hit lower lows before Obama wins the election this November and there is no more excuse for libs to be agitated. McCain's campaign efforts are likely to accomplish little. That's especially true insofar as the cultists are concerned; they have refused to examine any of Obama's negatives from Day One.

More interesting tomorrow on my airplane ride to California will be last week's and this week's Economist, which addresses the bailout, the two US Presidential candidates (may also graze the two VP candidates), and economic problems in the rest of the developed world (the USA is not the only place with problems). I have to say, that's more important right now than c hildish overreaction to the McCain campaign. Roger Bootle's second well-known book ("Money for Nothing") goes on the airplane in addition to the boat trip this weekend across Lake Michigan and back as it discusses not only deflation risks and the stock bubble, but the housing bubble and the risk of a developed-world slump instead of continued world-wide economic progress (mainly through expanded trade, the best thing that could happen to the undeveloped _and_ developed world). But the articles about the two Presidential candidates will be worthwhile. I believe this week's Economist has a 20-page or longer section about this...

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

donthelibertariandemocrat — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:47:10 -0000

Rambie,

Thanks for asking:

http://don-thelibertariande...

Take care,

Don

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Rambie — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:27:31 -0000

donthelibertariandemocrat, "On my own little blog today, ... "

Sorry if you've mentioned it before, what what is your blog?

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

mlhradio — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:19:01 -0000

I don't worry much about the false accusations of assocation with Rezko and Ayers and the like by the anti-American wing of the Republican Party these days. A few months ago, I might have been more concerned. But at this point, as the saying goes, it's already "baked into the cake".

Everybody who cares about this stuff has already heard about it, and already made up their minds. Bringing it up now is not going to sway any new minds. (Same is true with McCain's sleazy Keating Five connections - old news, folks).

Fibber McCain's best hope is that any heated discussion over Obama's already-disproven links with Ayers and Rezko and the like is that it will draw out all of the oxygen from the room and prevent real discussion about real issues. However, external events have a way of driving the discussions, and any non-political event (like, say the meltdown of the US financial system, anyone?) can easily disrail any attempt at a smear campaign.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Davebo — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:16:38 -0000

One advantage of countering with Keating is that not only do you bring up McCain's past poor judgement, but you also tie him yet again to the Bush dynasty. Remember, Neil Bush and Silverado Savings and Loan? That collapse alone cost tax payers over one billion dollars.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Gichin13 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:25:09 -0000

There is well documented evidence of tiese between Keating and McCain. Keating did business with Cindy and her dad. They were friends for years and Keating was not only a contributor, but also a long time friend.

The better question is not verifiable association, but whether McCain acted improperly on Keating's behalf. My recall is that McCain pretty stupidly went to a meeting with 3-4 Senators (maybe Cranston, Glenn, somebody else?) early on that could have been construed as pressuring regulators to back off Keating. After the stench started to whiff off Keating more clearly, McCain backed off and had nothing else to do with him (I believe a couple of the folks kept pushing the issue but McCain bailed out).

I have not seen Obama go after the Keating 5 issue though.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Gichin13 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:21:31 -0000

Wow, pretty scary to see what crack does to some folks. Put down that pipe people.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Michael Merritt — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:17:59 -0000

I've made my ultimatum for verifiable proof of a radical association with Ayers, Wright, Rezko, et al. to the morning after the third debate. If, by then, there is nothing from the McCain camp but questions and fear mongering, they are off my radar for consideration.

Same goes for Obama with Keating et al.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

daveinboca — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:43:21 -0000

What Elaborate said. If Elaborate is reciting an RNC talking point list, the usual tripe on this site is recycled DNC & MoveOn.org drivel.

I've spent the day watching football and then descend to this place after watching a sprightly SNL spoof on both the debates and another skit on the stupidity of Pelosi, Frank, and GWB.

Veteran Dem superlawyer Bob Bennett was involved in the Keating Five investigation, he is a left-wing Dem and the brother of Bill Bennett who isn't. Bob says McCain had zero culpability in the Keating mess & the four Dem Senators coaxed him into it for "balance." McCain was guilty of bad judgment, nothing more. Bob will vouch for McCain despite their political differences.

Barney Frank's boyfriend was involved in the CRA ramp-up in Fannie Mae during the time Clinton proposed it and Frank blocked investigations of the fact that the CRA was defaulting at a rate five times above the normal rate---in the early nineties. Later Frank again blocked investigations proposed by GWB in '05. Dodd and Obama were the two top recipients of Fannie Mae slush donations---all legal of course---- to keep their RICO Ponzi operation on the good side of the Senate. Obama made over $100 K in revenue from FanFred in only two years----they must have had high hopes for his Chicago-type favors coming in the future.

That's a conflict of interest almost as big as that male prostitution ring Barney was running in his Capitol Hill basement. BTW, Saturday Night Live's Pelosi skit had her calling in her friend George Soros who said he was about to short the US dollar like he shorted the UK pound in the early '90s. Soros is still under indictment in France, though in corrupt Britain, he has managed to buy off his charges of criminal malfeasance. SNL did the country a service by recalling Soros as the Caliostro behind sock-puppets Pelosi, Dodd, and Frank.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

donthelibertariandemocrat — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:58:31 -0000

You have mentioned in just a few posts Hugh Hewitt and Bill O'Reilly. On my own little blog today, I considered mark-to-market rules, the fact that the federal debt under Bush has grown more than any other president, the consequences for the economy of less equity extraction from homes, whether bailouts make money, what caused the rise of home prices, etc. I consider that dealing with issues. I have never had the occasion to mention Hugh Hewitt or Bill O'Reilly. I enjoy your blog, but you cover quite a bit more than just issues. I consider Palin's remark more important than anything said by Bill O'Reilly or Hugh Hewitt. I guess you don't.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

JWeidner — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:22:43 -0000

LOL Elaborate. Pretty weak tea if all you can do is spout Republican talking points. Try harder.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

elrod — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:13:42 -0000

Three months ago I worried about this sort of thing. Now? Not a chance. This is so transparently desperate and the electorate is concerned about the economy more than anything else.

I can promise you one thing: anybody who claims to be voting against Obama only because of these "radical associations" is a racist. It's the same as believing he's a Muslim. Utterly irrational and nonsensical statements.

Now, if you oppose Obama for other reasons and you throw in Ayers/Wright, etc. for good measure then you are not necessarily a racist. But if you oppose him ONLY because of these "association" issues then you most likely are racist.

I've found in conversations I've had with admitted racists - and there are plenty here in Tennessee - who have exhausted all the anti-Obama cultural arguments (these are people who agree with Obama on the issues) and the "associations" thing is still part of the arsenal. These same people have explicitly said they worry that Obama will "give everything to the blacks."

The problem is that the associations argument only works for committed racists who were not likely to vote for Obama no matter what. Those who really do care about the economy and are planning to vote for Obama on that basis are not going to pay attention these association issues - especially as they've been in the public view for months now.

My advice to the Obama campaign when these ads start rolling out is to mock McCain for soiling himself with dishonor, call him a "tired and desperate old man watching his political future fall away," etc. If necessary, bring up the Keating Five. But don't get thrown too far off track with this stuff. Obama has proven so far that by sticking with his message he wins. He doesn't need to get in a tit-for-tat with a loser.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

T-Steel — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:08:31 -0000

JSpencer said: "Giving this a pass because it's "politics" is also wrong, since standards have to be adhered to at some point."

Your right but it isn't going to happen during Election '08. Maybe we'll get better in Election '12. Maybe...

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

GeorgeSorwell — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:53:29 -0000

Next debate:

McCain: My opponent, Barack Hussein Obama, pals around with terrorists.

Obama: John, I understand you're angry. A lot of Americans are angry these days. That's because many promises have not been kept these last eight years.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

JSpencer — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 22:52:39 -0000

Obama's character has been vetted quite thoroughly. Those who don't accept this are likely pinning thier hopes on connections that have already been debunked or discarded as bogus. That said, I realize his detractors don't really care so much about "vetting" as they do about "smearing".

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

Elaborate — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:58:25 -0000

Subject: Skeleton's in the closet...
Finally, Obama's character may get vetted. Associations matter,and when there is a long consistant pattern of him associating with american hating, convicted thugs, radical terriorist,and voter fraud groups, it begs for investigation.
Who's on the list?
1.Bill Ayers-terriorits, bombed USA in the 60's;Co-executive board member w/ Obama, held 'announcement party' for Obama's senate race.
2.Tony Rezko-Convict and shaddy real estate dealer. Sold Obama land below value, in exchange for $millions of state funds
3. Rev. Jeremy Wright-Obama's Pastor for 20 years, USA white and gov't hater, teaches black liberation theology, Obama's titled boook 'Audacity of Hope' was from a Wright sermon. He married Obama & Michelle, baptized their children
4.ACORN-voter reg. fraud, ex-Obama employer, relationship with Fannie/Freddie bad loans
5.Franklin Raines-ex CEO Fannie, adv. for Obama, walked away with $90M, proven to cook books at Fannie
6. Jim Johnson-ex CEO Fannie, Chair of Obama VP search team, walked away $20M
7.Mayor Dailey-Chicago Mayor convicted of ties to Chicago Mob, political mentor for Obama
8.Ahmadinejab-USA hating Iran's President soon to be friend of Obama
9.Louis Farrakhan-bigot and anti-semitic,Obama worked with on Million-Man-March. Obama has praised Farrakhan in his books, and given speech's with him.
10.Saul Alinky- Auth/Mentor for Obama, wrote 'Rules for Radicals', Obama followed radical doctrine while community organizer
11.Father PFleger-Radical Chicago Priest, kicked out of diocese, who gave speech on hating whites, and calling Hillary Clinton a 'white entitlist', while giving speech at Obama and Rev. Wright's church
12.Rashid Khalidi-The co-founder of the Arab group, Columbia Univ. prof, is a harsh critic of Israel, worked on behalf of the PLO a terror group.Khalidi held a fundraiser in 2000 for Obama’s run for U.S. Hs. of Represt.
Starting to get the idea?

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

StockBoySF — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:53:49 -0000

Joe, I agree with JSpencer on providing the link.... The great thing about this site is that you encourage divergent view points, and while you may not agree with nor like the way some of your authors come across you let them have their own style and their own say. I think this is freedom of the press. It's often a hard line to walk, but you've chosen to let the authors say what they want in their own style. As a counterpoint, people can weigh in on those articles.

I for one don't want to come to a site where everyone says the same thing and is happy. I've found this site to be rewarding because of the dialogue and I have change my opinion on a few things as well. Lastly, if I read about an issue on here and see different points of view, than in "real life" I have better interactions because I can see where someone might be coming from after reading something similar on here. So I can offer more to conversations I have with others I talk with one on one.

Besides, sometimes I vent on here (which I'm always embarrassed to do, even on here) and then have more moderate discussions with others. :)

Thanks!

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

JSpencer — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:27:30 -0000

Joe, I applaud your decision to provide the link without advertising the idiotic rhetoric itself. Of course this won't please everyone (particularly those who mistakenly imagine themselves to be arbitors of objectivity ;-) It's always refreshing to see someone with healthy sensibilities stand on principle in this anything goes, chaff-mistaken-for-wheat society.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

gadfly — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:15:33 -0000

Readers can go to the link themselves since we don’t like to advertise this kind of political rhetoric on this site and would react the same way if the same thing had been said about John McCain Republican.

This claim of fairness and objectivity is false. This site regularly publishes and endorses commentaries from people like Shaun Mullen and Michael Stickings that are far more negative and extreme. I call "liar" on this one.

Re: McCain Campaign Negativity Officially Now Hits New Low

JSpencer — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:36:18 -0000

The "palllng around with terrorists" comment is unacceptable in the extreme. If McCain doesn't apologize for it then he's lost all his hard-earned honor imo. Giving this a pass because it's "politics" is also wrong, since standards have to be adhered to at some point. Palin started out being a sort of a reactionary, Alaskan Gidget, now with this latest attack on Obama she's morphing into a truly disgusting person.. and she's taking McCain with her.