Category Archives: Politics: US: 2008 Elections

The Raw Story, McCain ad questioned as word 'HANG' appears over image of Barack Obama.

Hard to believe they're that evil. Also hard to believe that anyone would miss this in a political ad given the care with which every second is scrutinized.

Nedra Pickler is probably the most biased anti-Democratic reporter (as opposed to in the tank editor) at the AP. But sometimes the truth will out:

Obama veep announcement expected in coming days:

For his part, Republican rival John McCain is seriously considering naming his running mate between the end of the Democratic convention Aug. 28 and the Sept. 1 start of the GOP convention in hopes of stunting any uptick in polls for Obama. McCain has at least three large rallies planned in top battlegrounds Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, before the Republican gathering in St. Paul, Minn.

His top contenders are said to include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Less traditional choices mentioned include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential prick in 2000 who now is an independent.

“A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on.”

I always thought Mark Twain said that, but apparently it was “Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), a celebrated English fundamentalist Baptist preacher”.

Whoever said it, that's the problem Obama is having with a scurrilous book written by one of the Swiftboaters. If you care about the truth, you can download the full text of Unfit for Publication.

Rumors abound that the Obama campaign is leaning to Evan Bayh as a veep choice.

Bayh was a cheerleader for the war. He's not his dad. In fact, he's not much.

Bayh is better than Dan Quail Quayle, but at this moment I'm having trouble coming up with another compliment. He makes Joe Biden look really good.

If we must have a Senator, how about Chris Dodd? He emerged from the campaign without much if anything in the way of delegates, but he ran a good clean fight and retired from the field with honor not just intact, but enhanced.

This new Obama ad, Book strikes me as a largely welcome messaging departure in several ways.

First, it's an attack ad — but on substance. And it's not a rebuttal ad, either.

Second, it alludes (dog whistle anyone?) to the Responsible Plan to End the War, without of course actually endorsing it.

Third, and least delightfully, although probably wise tactically, it offers what may become a campaign mantra if it catches on “the middle class first” (i.e. before those rich lobbyist and GOP beneficiaries of Haliburton largess). I preferred Edwards's focus on the poorest among us, but this is how you win elections.

Brilliant bit of PR by the Obama campaign: Be the First to Know:

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