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Sean
10-29-2008, 01:19 PM
Just thought that a good, all purpose election thread might be in order now that we're getting down to it, and now that the randomness of the kitchen sink strategy is in full play.

The first story I wanted to mention was one I'm pretty excited about. I finally get to personally be on the receiving end of Republican insinuations of being "un-American" or "dangerous". Elizabeth Dole, in her big final push to keep her spot in the Senate, has accused her Democratic rival, Kay Hagan, of palling around with atheists (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/29/doles-godless-ad-causes-stir/#more-27133)! Yay! That's me! I and some of you here are to be feared for our God killing ways!

Now I'll go ahead and take my seat with the Muslims, Arabs, socialists, communists, blacks, gays, members of the Trinity United Church of Christ, black liberation theologists, ex-terrorists, current terrorists, Europeans, pro-choic - I mean baby killers, Northern Virginians, the entire populations of big cities, the liberal elite media, Georgetown cocktail party conservatives, intellectuals, and everyone else that the McCain/Palin ticket has deemed worthy of their America's fear, hate, and ire. I'm sure I missed some...

gambit
10-29-2008, 02:26 PM
Hey remember the whole Joe the Plumber bit? Now, the McCain campaign is getting alliterative! (http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/29/1607031.aspx)

“Whether you are Susie the Student or Nancy the Nurse, Tina the Teacher, or Carl the Construction Worker -- if my opponent is elected, you will be worse off four years from now than you are today,” [McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds] said.

EDIT: I read this wrong. It wasn't McCain's spokesman who said it, but Obama himself said it to mock the whole Name + Occupation gimmick.

What about Bob the Builder, Wilt the Window Washer, Phil the Phlembologist, Sally the Stripper, Harry the Homeless Person, Steve the Spelunker, Tom the Taxidermist, Pete the Pedicurist, Mary the Manicurist, Rick the Referee, Billy the Bartender, Pedro the Pet Groomer, Gary the Garbage Collector, Daryl the Delivery Man, Tim the Toy Collector, and Gloria the Grave Digger? What about them?????

jOHN rODRIGUEZ
10-29-2008, 02:47 PM
Just thought that a good, all purpose election thread might be in order now that we're getting down to it, and now that the randomness of the kitchen sink strategy is in full play.

The first story I wanted to mention was one I'm pretty excited about. I finally get to personally be on the receiving end of Republican insinuations of being "un-American" or "dangerous". Elizabeth Dole, in her big final push to keep her spot in the Senate, has accused her Democratic rival, Kay Hagan, of palling around with atheists (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/29/doles-godless-ad-causes-stir/#more-27133)! Yay! That's me! I and some of you here are to be feared for our God killing ways!

Now I'll go ahead and take my seat with the Muslims, Arabs, socialists, communists, blacks, gays, members of the Trinity United Church of Christ, black liberation theologists, ex-terrorists, current terrorists, Europeans, pro-choic - I mean baby killers, Northern Virginians, the entire populations of big cities, the liberal elite media, Georgetown cocktail party conservatives, intellectuals, and everyone else that the McCain/Palin ticket has deemed worthy of their America's fear, hate, and ire. I'm sure I missed some...


You forgot the nude volleyball league your on.

cacophony
10-29-2008, 03:14 PM
The final days of the 2008 election
IS IT OVER YET?!?!?!!??!?!?!

Troy McClure
10-29-2008, 03:29 PM
Senator McCain's top economic adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin takes truth serum about McCrazy's healthcare plan,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uuHwSjJdaM

This came out yesterday by Douglas Holtz-Eakin.

His quote reads:
'What they are getting from their employer is way better than what they could get with the credit.'

Jason

Troy McClure
10-29-2008, 03:37 PM
And another thing....McCain launches robo-calls here in his home state of Arizona. Arizona's only gone Democrat once in 50 years (1996 for Clinton by a few points).

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/mccain_now_running_robocalls_i.php

The last few polls to come out of Arizona show McCain up from anywhere from 2 to 6 points. So in the past few days, McCain and the RNC have had to pump money into Montana, Virginia West, and Arizona. Sweet jeebus.

Jason

gambit
10-29-2008, 04:08 PM
Anybody watching the Barack Obama show tonight?

Sean
10-29-2008, 04:49 PM
Anybody watching the Barack Obama show tonight?Absolutely. And then McCain on Larry King.

gambit
10-29-2008, 05:54 PM
Saw it. Very well done. Maybe a little too sentimental at times, but overall, it'll probably make some people feel better about Obama.

stimpee
10-29-2008, 06:06 PM
What about Bob the Builder, Wilt the Window Washer, Phil the Phlembologist, Sally the Stripper, Harry the Homeless Person, Steve the Spelunker, Tom the Taxidermist, Pete the Pedicurist, Mary the Manicurist, Rick the Referee, Billy the Bartender, Pedro the Pet Groomer, Gary the Garbage Collector, Daryl the Delivery Man, Tim the Toy Collector, and Gloria the Grave Digger? What about them?????
You forgot Postman Pat (http://www.postmanpat.com/).

dubman
10-29-2008, 06:06 PM
ok ok

discounting the fact that we're all biased and such

was it just one big infomercial

gambit
10-29-2008, 06:12 PM
was it just one big infomercialYup. I bet McCain had the money to do this, too.

gambit
10-29-2008, 06:17 PM
Joe the Plumber has a music deal. (http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/29/1607891.aspx)

Really? I mean, really?

gambit
10-29-2008, 07:19 PM
Well, this can't be good. McCain is using robocalls in Arizona. (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Battleground_Arizona.html)

den
10-29-2008, 09:46 PM
was it just one big infomercial

The music certainly made it sound like one. All this easy-listening orchestral crap. Honestly, it really bothered me and made it seem like such a political infomercial. I wish he had picked Ludacris or Guns 'N Roses or whatever, anything with some balls. That would be awesome.

jOHN rODRIGUEZ
10-29-2008, 10:08 PM
Can someone notify Obama headquarters or whatever that I still haven't gotten my T-Shirt in the mail.

I want my damn T-shirt.

Troy McClure
10-30-2008, 12:21 AM
The shit keeps flying from the RNC. I found this via www.vetvoice.com (http://www.darktrain.org/dirty/forums/www.vetvoice.com) which a site run by veterans of the current wars, and have ripped McCain a new one throughout this campaign btw. If your a Democrat, being a vet doesn't mean shit.

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2109

Quote: (emphasis is mine)
VoteVets candidate Ashwin Madia is involved in one of the most hotly contested races in the country in the third district of Minnesota. Ashwin is a veteran of the Marine Corps, the Iraq war, and like myself, the JAG corps. An inevitable consequence of a close race is negative ads. It's politics, and it happens. But the NRCC has gone too far on behalf of Ashwin's opponent:


The posting points out that the photos used of Ashwin are shown to be darkened.


http://www.rocktheboatblog.com/images/ashwin1.png



http://www.rocktheboatblog.com/images/ashwin2.png

http://www.rocktheboatblog.com/images/ashwin3.png

-Jason

matt
10-30-2008, 01:17 AM
What about Bob the Builder? Well Bob's about to go to Number 1 in the UK charts with his comeback single Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box (http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/bobthebuilder/music/bobthebuilder.shtml).

King of Snake
10-30-2008, 03:54 AM
ok so Obama is up in all the polls. It looks like a done deal doesn't it?
Thing is that in a lot of states the race is close. Close enough maybe to be swayed to the republicans by, let's say, "influencing" the vote (http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23638322/block_the_vote)?

oh yeah and also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF5Kdm4Eu6w&feature=related

Deckard
10-30-2008, 05:55 AM
Just watched some of the joint campaign appearance with Bill Clinton and Obama. Paraphrasing Obama: "For the remaining 5 days, we need to WORK like our liiiiiiives de-PEND-ed on it" - delivered in that soaring tone that he does so well, while 'CHANGE' banners filled every corner of the screen.

At that very moment, what struck me again was probably what's struck all of us here at various times over the last few months, though we've not really touched on it that much - and that is, how cynically we'll all be viewing moments like this in a few years time when Obama has had some years in the White House - obviously assuming the election swings that way, and that no loonies decide to cut it short.

This whole Obama movement (and to many it does resemble a movement rather than a campaign) is carrying with it a truly ridiculous weight of expectation.

That's not to say he's not one of the most remarkable and talented presidential candidates to come along in recent times (certainly I think in my life time) or that the Obama/Biden v McCain/Palin choice isn't a no-brainer. He's an exciting candidate, and the excitement he generates is entirely understandable, particularly at this point in time.

But, DAMN, we're all going to cringe when we look at how we felt, spoke and acted back in 2008.... before he got elected, and went and..................

????
????
????

Maybe it's just the memories of my country circa 1997, the New Labour 'movement' (nowadays that word would be applied to them in a very different way) led by the more photogenic, relatively youthful and easy-mannered Tony Blair and the campaign song "Things can only get better" signifying the end of Major and Thatcher's Tory rule, the nasty party, which remained in the political wilderness for a decade until it learned that it had to appeal to the centre ground once again.

Anyway, sod it. For now, I'm not going to resist - I'm going to enjoy the last 5 days, and let myself get caught up in it all.

After all, it's still possible that McCain/Palin could win this thing.....

Sean
10-30-2008, 08:12 AM
Personally, I'm not expecting miracles. I simply feel like we're at a point in history where we basically need to make a conscious decision which way we want the U.S. to evolve. On the one hand, we can choose to continue down a similar path to what we're already on, maintaining our tough, aggressive military approach to internatinal relations, putting heavy focus on drilling for more oil in and around our own country, continuing to support an economic system that puts opportunity and control primarily into the hands of the wealthy in the hope that it will trickle down, and frankly, making decisions based on instincts such as fear and distrust. Or, we can try to reshape our approach to international relations by focusing more squarely on tough, aggressive diplomacy, on developing renewable energy sources as a foundation for our economic and environmental future, supporting an economic system that puts opportunity and control primarily into the hands of the middle class in the hope that it will trickle up, and making decisions based on reason and cooperation.

I really tried to present this choice as I see it when you peel away the rhetoric. Who knows how successful either party will be if they win the election, but the ideological choice is all we can make our decision on at this particular moment. Once the election is over, it'll just be up to us to hold the winner accountable.

Deckard
10-31-2008, 03:35 AM
Sure, I don't dispute this at all, I think the decision itself should be pretty obvious in that respect when we look at the factors you listed.

What I was talking about though was more the level of excitement that has undoubtedly been generated throughout the world. Certainly the enthusiasm I've felt for Obama to be elected this year has led me to occasionally keep reminding myself that this is a politician!

Troy McClure
10-31-2008, 07:19 AM
Well said Shawn and Deckard. I find it disappointing especially of people in my age group, I'm 31, who don't see the choices like that. They point out some external and completely false reason to vote for Sen. McCain. I think what Sen. Obama has brought is a sense of renewed ownership in our country, government and future.

Jason

Troy McClure
10-31-2008, 07:24 AM
Also since I live in Phoenix, this brought a nice start to today, courtesy of Politico.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama_will_advertise_in_Arizona.html
Obama will advertise in Arizona

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, on a conference call with reporters, says the campaign is expanding its ad buy into three states.
They're going back up on the air in Georgia and North Dakota, he said, with a negative spot picturing Bush and McCain in a rearview mirror.
Obama will go up with his positive closing ad in McCain's home state of Arizona, where McCain is reportedly (http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=60787) planning to campaign -- if only in a single, symbolic stop -- on Monday.
McCain has led, though sometimes narrowly, in every poll (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/az/arizona_mccain_vs_obama-570.html) there.
UPDATE: I'd originally noted a new Arizona State University poll, but a reader points out it's out of date, having been taken from Sept. 22 to Oct. 17.


I think Obama is supposed to make one last push in NV, CO and NM this weekend, so the rumors are he'll make a stop in AZ, too. As long as it doesn't take away from OH, PA and FL.

Jason

Sean
10-31-2008, 08:06 AM
Sure, I don't dispute this at all, I think the decision itself should be pretty obvious in that respect when we look at the factors you listed.

What I was talking about though was more the level of excitement that has undoubtedly been generated throughout the world. Certainly the enthusiasm I've felt for Obama to be elected this year has led me to occasionally keep reminding myself that this is a politician!I know what you mean. I admit that I do personally expect more from Obama than I would from your typical Presidential candidate, which is why I've said that this year is the first time I've actually felt enthusiastic about voting whereas I usually feel like I'm just voting for whoever I think might be less bad for us.

And I expect more because, as evidenced by his current "closing arguments" speech (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X3eE18dfmE), I believe that Obama's policies and overall philosophies are based squarely on what he's learned from his experiences as a community organizer. His entire platform rests on the idea that the country's problems can be most effectively approached through a fundamental shift to a ground-up approach, where government encourages and rewards community service, as opposed to the trickle-down approach that McCain is proposing we continue. If you're willing to do your part to help make your community, local or national, better through things like military service, joining the Peace Corps, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, then you'll receive extra help from the government towards your own goals. That's the engine that's meant to drive his administration, and I believe that every policy plan he's presented is effectively structured to make it run properly. This strikes me as genuine because community organizing is an extremely selfless and honest endeavor (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=189771&title=community-organizers), and involves people in situations that do genuinely shape their beliefs and passions on a fundamental level. And it strikes me as effective because it's built on involving people in the fate of their own country in a way Obama has proven he's capable of inspiring through his campaign.

Contrast this with the transparently manipulative strategies we've seen from Republicans (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=189772&title=bill-kristol) in this campaign, and you can see why I've personally come to believe that Obama is approaching his potential Presidency from a more constructive and honest place, and that he'll follow through on his plans more vigorously than a typical politician.

Maybe this is naive of me but in my mind, this argument stands up to logical scrutiny, not just emotional reactions. It's the difference between trying to get in better physical shape through changing your habits to a healthier diet and excercise, as opposed to trying to get in shape through over-the-counter weight-loss pills (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160).

And all we need to do right now is vote.

EDIT - just a note to mention that I'd really like you to see the links I provided here. They're powerful.

cacophony
10-31-2008, 09:16 AM
i'm so very tired of this election season so i'm comforting myself with some very stupid meme humor. (http://punditkitchen.com/)

"And Mary and Joseph rode their dinosaurs into Bethlehem where a stork was waiting with Baby Jesus who was conceived through abstinence and wishing on a star... and that's how we got Christmas!"
- Sarah Palin (http://punditkitchen.com/2008/10/30/political-pictures-sarah-palin-christmas1/)

Sean
10-31-2008, 11:25 AM
Just got this email here at work, and thought I'd pass on the valuable information it shares in case any other Los Angelinos could benefit:

Below is a message from SPE's Government Affairs department.

Because of some recent press reports on problems in Los Angeles County in distributing mail-in ballots to voters who requested them, as well as expected long lines on Tuesday, November 4 due to the high interest in this election, the Government Affairs department would like you to be aware of the following:

If you are voting by mail, today, Friday, October 31 is the last day to mail in your ballot. After today, ballots should either be hand-delivered to the LA County Registrar’s office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, or completed ballots may be dropped off on election day at any polling place in Los Angeles County.

If you prefer to vote early in-person before election day, you have the option of voting at the LA County Registrar’s headquarters, located at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650. On Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, the office is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Sunday, November 2, the office is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

If you are unsure where your polling place is located, you can look it up at www.lavote.net . If for some reason your name is not on the list of voters at your designated polling place but you believe you are registered to vote, you have the right to request a provisional ballot.

As a reminder, voting starts at 7 a.m. and continues through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. Any voter in line when the polls close at 8 p.m. is allowed to vote.

If you wish to confirm that the LA County Registrar has successfully processed your voter registration, you may do so at www.lavote.net .

If you do not live in Los Angeles County, please visit http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm to find specific information for the California county in which you reside.


And I hear you Cacophony. Having been addicted to it for the past year and a half or so, I'm tired of the election and can't wait for it to be over too. But I figure a few more days of reminding people to vote and being vocal about my opinions is all that's left to do, so why let up now?

But here's a funny get out the vote video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQvw8rvcQxg) for you that might make it easier...:)

jOHN rODRIGUEZ
11-03-2008, 09:48 AM
Just a heads-up, metaphorically speaking as, I, would NEVER promote sexual enhancing anything for profit or otherwise.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27455136/

Mostly, mostly... most sex toys are designed to hurt, harm or cause injury to the user. This includes designing toys which have a distinct odor to them. WOOOOOOWWWW, who'da guessed that ?*










* I am jOHN rODRIGUEZ, and I'm not sure yet if I approve this message yet. But maybe.

Deckard
11-03-2008, 09:53 AM
Does anyone know what time the results start coming in? I'm sure I read somewhere that a few of the key battleground states like Virginia will start coming in around 7pm EST (is that midnight in Britain? Anyone? :confused: )

Just wondering if there's any point in staying up...

EDIT - yep, it's midnight over here. And here's a guide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7705795.stm

Sean
11-03-2008, 10:42 AM
Does anyone know what time the results start coming in? I'm sure I read somewhere that a few of the key battleground states like Virginia will start coming in around 7pm EST (is that midnight in Britain? Anyone? :confused: )

Just wondering if there's any point in staying up...

EDIT - yep, it's midnight over here. And here's a guide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7705795.stmYeah, CNN's been saying the first polls close 6pm eastern time here in the States. Should be interesting for me. I'll probably have to vote after work, so I may be starting to see some early east coast results before I get to the polls here in California myself.

Thank god it's finally coming to an end....

cured
11-03-2008, 10:54 AM
Polls in Indiana close at 6pm EST (3pm PST), Georgia and Florida at 7pm EST I believe. Not sure what the other eastern states start closing at but by the time my vote is cast in California, much of the election will have shaken out.

cacophony
11-03-2008, 11:26 AM
because of the ridiculous lines at the polling stations my husband and i aren't sure how we'll manage to vote. we can't have the babies out in a crowd for that long (it's flu season and they eat every 3 hours) so someone has to stay here with them while the other one votes. i told him at least one of us has to vote, and since i'm the election news junkie i should be the one. so he's going to tell his employer that he's voting tomorrow morning and stay with the kiddos so i can go stand in line. then in the evening if it seems at all possible he'll go after work.

it's crazy, the idea that there would be so many people voting that we couldn't actually both do it.

Sean
11-03-2008, 01:28 PM
because of the ridiculous lines at the polling stations my husband and i aren't sure how we'll manage to vote. we can't have the babies out in a crowd for that long (it's flu season and they eat every 3 hours) so someone has to stay here with them while the other one votes. i told him at least one of us has to vote, and since i'm the election news junkie i should be the one. so he's going to tell his employer that he's voting tomorrow morning and stay with the kiddos so i can go stand in line. then in the evening if it seems at all possible he'll go after work.

it's crazy, the idea that there would be so many people voting that we couldn't actually both do it.Not sure if it's the same out there, but I know that here in California, as long as you're in line before the polls close at 8pm, you can still vote.

I'm assuming that the voting will be continuing here for an hour or two after the polls technically close because of this.

cured
11-03-2008, 02:43 PM
Obama's grandma died late last night. After all the ups and downs leading up to this last, frenetic finish, Obama has to have this on his mind now. Very sad news and I can't imagine everything going on in Obama's head right now.

dubman
11-03-2008, 03:01 PM
damn, that's a blow.
i know here in cali i wont be leaving work until at least 8:30 so by the time i get to the democratic party held at the local brew/restaurant (a damn sight better than the pizza buffet of last time) i hope we have a winner and we're celebrating.

gambit
11-03-2008, 03:09 PM
Damn, I hoped she would've lasted until Wednesday at least. :(

Deckard
11-03-2008, 05:33 PM
It's turning into an eventful last 24 hours.

Sarah Palin has been cleared by a new report of abuse of power (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7707489.stm)

Just in time.

Sean
11-03-2008, 07:23 PM
It's turning into an eventful last 24 hours.

Sarah Palin has been cleared by a new report of abuse of power (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7707489.stm)

Just in time.Yep. And some disgusting trends are starting to turn up. Republicans are sending out robo-calls in Ohio telling Obama supporters that voting for them is taking place on Wednesday (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/voters-receiving-misleading-robo-calls-in-ohio/), a radio host in Florida announcing the same false claim (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/florida-radio-host-jokes-about-incorrect-date-for-voting/) on his radio show, and I read yesterday about the same thing being claimed on bogus flyers being sent out in Virginia (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/03/virginia-bogus-flyer-grounded-police-consider-charges/).

So when Republicans are losing, they resort to blatantly breaking the law and trying to trick Obama supporters into not going to the polls? Un-freakin-believable.

kagenaki koe
11-03-2008, 07:53 PM
even this late, there are still scary people out there:

http://texasdarlin.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/breaking-ayers-advises-obama-on-a-regular-basis/

Camiel
11-04-2008, 02:21 AM
It's funny how the right are turning into conspiracy theorists, now that they are seemingly on the brink of losing.

Dirty0900
11-04-2008, 06:13 AM
Has Obama won yet?

Deckard
11-04-2008, 07:18 AM
This whole thing seems to have started so long ago now, I'm wondering if it's fast approaching the time for the 2012 election season to begin.

(Hey media outlets... think of all that ad revenue!!!)

Sean
11-04-2008, 08:06 AM
This whole thing seems to have started so long ago now, I'm wondering if it's fast approaching the time for the 2012 election season to begin.

(Hey media outlets... think of all that ad revenue!!!)I refuse to follow it if it does.

Sean
11-04-2008, 01:25 PM
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/grandbrother/replenish.jpg