Crossposted from Flopping Aces
Early reactions to the debate while its still going on…..one hour in:
“First time I’ve seen Obama blushing and looking frustrated in a debate. McCain is getting under his skin.”
All of McCain’s Ads Have Been Negative?
We shouldn’t cast one another as bad people? You’re sitting across from someone who has declared you’re an honorable man ON THE CAMPAIGN trail. And told us to be not afraid of you. Cut it out.
I am impressed with McCain tonight. Obama is off his game, as they say.
McCain came ready tonight, he has Obama resorting to his stump speech answers and a bit unnerved, IMHO. And for the most part, he is not letting Obama get away with his endless dissembling.
McCain ate his Wheaties. He mentions old, washed-up terrorist Ayers and Acorn – destroying the fabric of our nation.
Obama gives his talking points about Ayers (I was eight years old) and ACORN (I represented them in a lawsuit with the Justice Department).
McCain better set the record straight.
McCain says he launched his political campaign in Ayers’ living room. Mentions Ayers’ 2001 regret that he hadn’t bombed more.
Well, was that enough, folks? What do you think?
I think it’s the best we can expect McCain to have done.
Video of the SCOTUS question and Roe v. Wade:
Video ends before McCain hammers Obama on his infanticide support.
McCain:
“That’s his record. He voted in direct contradiction to the feelings of mainstream America.â€
McCain rejoinder to Obama — nails him on disingenuous “health of the mother†language/loopholes. Mentions that he and Cindy are adoptive parents, but that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to stand for the rights of the unborn.
Very eloquent. Good job, McCain. (See, who says I can’t say nice things about Mac?)
Tonight in the debate, Obama said, “The only involvement I’ve had with ACORN is, I represented them alongside the US justice department in making Illinois implement a motor voter law that helped people get registered at DMVs.â€
That is a flat out lie.
As Katrina Vanden Heuvel, not exactly right-of-center, wrote in the far left Nation on February 23, 2008, “[A]CORN’s political action committee endorsed Barack Obama for President. … The endorsement reflects a belief that Obama – who worked as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago – understands that change must come from the ground-up, as part of a working coalition, rather than from position papers.”
Likewise,the Pittsburgh Tribune Review noted on August 22, 2008, that Obama’s campaign did, in fact, pay ACORN more than $800,000.00 for get out the vote efforts. Those get out the vote efforts have apparently included massive voter fraud in fifteen states.
Likewise, the Chicago Reader way back in 1995 reported,
In 1992 Obama took time off to direct Project Vote, the most successful grass-roots voter-registration campaign in recent city history. Credited with helping elect Carol Moseley-Braun to the U.S. Senate, the registration drive, aimed primarily at African-Americans, added an estimated 125,000 voters to the voter rolls–even more than were registered during Harold Washington’s mayoral campaigns. ‘It’s a power thing,’ said the brochures and radio commercials. … Obama continues his organizing work largely through classes for future leaders identified by ACORN and the Centers for New Horizons on the south side.
Obama flat out lied. Will the media correct him on this?
Video of McCain calling out Obama for saying it’s only McCain fans who are the racists and thugs:
Tonight’s Debate In Two Sentences
Senator Government: Spend, spend, spend.
Senator Blinky: You can’t spend your way into prosperity.
McCain scored big with the Joe the plumber exchanges, and with the campaign tactics exchange. Obama looked angry and stumbled repeatedly as he tried to cope with what he really told Joe the plumber –guaranteeing the replay of the clip again and again and underscoring Senator Obama’s flexibility when it comes to facts– and with what John Lewis said. Obama’s answer on ACORN was a jaw dropper and opens the door to the MSM, as does the Ayers exchange. McCain drove this home without going overboard. Repeatedly returning to Joe the Plumber was key for McCain, and by the last half hour Obama was petulantly telling Joe what the “right thing to do by his employees” was. John McCain then spoke directly to Joe and put a bright line around Obama’s “spread the wealth” line, and the “fundamental difference” between the campaigns. When Senator McCain slipped and called Senator Obama “Senator Government,” he scored when he didn’t even intend to. That’s the sort of thing that marks a great debate for McCain, when even his verbal flub advances the key message.
McCain accomplished more in just the first half of the debate than he did in the first two debates total, and the second half was just as good for him.
He didn’t hit hard enough.
He didn’t get in his face enough.
He promised to take it to Obama and did but not often enough.
He was ok… he was good in spots… but a couple of singles here and a double there is well short of the mult-homer ballgame he needed.
McCain lost his stumbling inability to talk about the economy and middle class issues.
McCain lost his lethargic attitude and got some energy.
McCain lost his “earmarks†rhetoric and gained some small-government rhetoric.
JOE THE PLUMBER’S ELECTION
CNN:
CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin brushed aside the issues of Barack Obama’s affiliation with left-wing terrorist William Ayers and the liberal group ACORN during a roundtable discussion on Wednesday’s Situation Room program: “Who cares about ACORN? Who cares about Bill Ayers? I mean, I just don’t get this. What is the point of raising that?” When CNN senior political analyst Gloria Borger countered by trying to show the relevance of these affiliations, that “he has given lots of different stories on Ayers, and that his affiliation with ACORN, as a group that they think now has been discredited,” Toobin went further: “But he doesn’t have an affiliation with ACORN.” When both Borger and host Wolf Blitzer both affirmed that he did have ties to the organization, Toobin backtracked: “…I stand corrected on that, but I just don’t see why that is going to move voters?”
MY FINAL TAKE: This was a lot better than the Brokaw debate. McCain seemed more improved than Obama over last time, but scored no knockout punches. This time McCain looked like he was having a better time; Obama’s smirking was unattractive, but his closing statement was strong.
As I said before, the big winner was Joe the Plumber.
No, there weren’t any knockout punches.
But John McCain was still standing at the end of the night — doubts about his fortitude adequately quelled — and Barack Obama ought to be wiping the smirk he borrowed from Joe Biden off his face.
Ace:
Again, on points, and on the subjects actually discussed, McCain won.
As he did the other two debates.
But he did not address Issue Number One — the subprime crisis, his attempt to stop it, and Obama’s refusal to do anything.
So he lost — again.
He can win on all the topics being discussed but if he cannot address the “Dark Star” in whose gravity-well the entire campaign spirals in, he loses.
He lost.
It was his choice.
Yay! After sleeping through the first two debates, Sen. McCain seems to actually care about this race again. But that’s to be expected; McCain only comes alive when he’s ten points down. How the man managed to win so many races for statewide office throughout his career will remain a mystery, at least to me.
Whatever the case, the bottom line is that McCain needed a total knock out in order to change the dynamics of the race, which means that tonight’s performance was probably too little too late. But I do think that McCain showed us what could’ve been if he had run a sane campaign upon clinching the nomination in February of this year.
McCain did something interesting tonight. He convincingly connected our government’s fiscal madness with our country’s economic problems. Because neither Barack Obama nor anyone else can claim to be a better spending hawk than John McCain, the Arizonan actually started to win over Ohio undecideds when he passionately talked about the need to do something about our massive government outlays that threaten to bankrupt the country. This is exactly the tack that Ross Perot took in 1992 when he was leading both Bush 41 AND Bill Clinton in the summer of that year.
But McCain wasn’t able to close the deal on the economy with voters because he just didn’t know how to connect all the dots.
also:
Democrat Secretary of State In Ohio Admits To Hiding 200,000 Fraudulent Voter Cards
We’ve seen ACORN at work, now we see what the fruits of that labor is: (h/t Ace of Spades HQ)
More than 200,000 Ohioans who registered to vote this year for the first time or updated their voting information since Jan. 1 could be affected by the latest court ruling requiring the state to set up a new registration verification system by Friday, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said.
Brunner said she would comply with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling late Tuesday but said she is deeply concerned that the decision is a veiled attempt at disenfranchising voters.
The court’s 9-6 opinion, written by Judge Jeffrey Sutton, suggested that voters whose driver’s license number or Social Security number does not exactly match those found on databases maintained by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles or Social Security Administration could be required to use provisional ballots instead of conventional ones.
“The thing that concerns me is that Judge Sutton indicated that these mismatched names could be subjected to provisional voting and nowhere in [Help America Vote Act] is that the case. The Help America Vote Act is really not meant to be used to disenfranchise or to help determine voter eligibility,” Brunner said in an interview today.
“Essentially that provision of HAVA is basically supposed to maintain voter registration databases,” she said. “It is not for determining voter eligibility. The interpretation that seems to be coming from at least that particular judge takes HAVA and uses it as a means to exclude voters from a regular ballot. That is a concern.”
The full 6th Circuit’s opinion overturned the decision of a three-judge panel at the federal court last week and restored the ruling announced last week by U.S. District Court Judge George C. Smith.
Since Jan. 1, Ohio has 666,000 newly registered or updated voters — all of whom fall under scrutiny by this latest court ruling. Brunner said an initial review found that at least 200,000 of them might have mismatched information. Once the office identifies all of the mismatched voters, Brunner will send the list to the county boards of election where the individuals have registered.
200,000!
To top it all off Brunner deliberately hid the existence of these bad registrations all to deny the local boards of election the opportunity to check for themselves.
Ace:
Brunner was fighting to make sure these dodgy/suspect voters never had to prove they were real voters — she wanted their votes dumped straight into the pile, where no one could later yank them out from. Remember, even if you’re a proven fraudulent voter, your votes can’t be pulled out of the mix — because it’s secret ballot. Who knows who you voted for? In Bizarro world, it’s even possible you voted for McCain ten times.
Brunner was determined to get these suspect — not necessarily fraudulent, but suspect and requiring investigation — into that pile of voter by hook or by crook. She wasn’t willing to check them out herself, and also conspired to prevent the local boards from knocking on doors and placing follow-up calls, too.
The left is determined to ensure victory this election, and they don’t trust the people. They can’t risk leaving it in their hands so they are taking steps to make sure the “right” outcome is achieved.
Finally:
Obama’s Meddling In Iraq
Mohammed from Iraq The Model writes in a new post today about the new SOFA agreement, and the resistance against it from all corners:
The status of forces agreement (SOFA) can be regarded as the crown jewel of the U.S.-led change in Iraq. It’s not an overstatement to say that it represents an aspect of victory in this war. By victory I mean that it will mark the beginning of a time in which Iraq is officially a partner of the U.S., as it will join Iraq and the U.S. in a new relationship that serves the national interests of both countries. Above all, it will be a major boost for the effort in the war on terror as it will guarantee that Iraq will not fall prey to extremists.
Mohammed wonders why this crown jewel of the regime change in Iraq is being shot down from many quarters. Iran disagreeing with it is a given. It will prevent them from getting a foothold, and more power, in Iraq.
But what he does find surprising is the fact that some of the obstruction is coming from a Presidential candidate. Wanna take a guess on which one?
What I find surprising is that someone from America is trying to obstruct the treaty. Believe it or not, there’s actually a guy who has no executive authority whatsoever — except in opinion polls — who is trying to bypass the actual top diplomats of the United States and undermine their negotiation efforts with a friendly state, at a time of war.
I was hoping that presidential candidates would not put their electoral objectives above those of their nation. Alas, blinding greed and selfishness seem to prevail sometimes.
I don’t dare suggest that Obama wanted to obstruct the treaty because it threatens Iran and other despots in the Middle East; I’m sure his purpose is different. The thing is that his purpose is also different from that of the U.S. or of Iraq — two friendly states looking forward to building long-lasting cooperation based on shared interests and mutual respect. We want victory in the war; Obama wants victory in elections — this is the problem. I’m not sure how or if people here think the treaty might affect the presidential race, but in Iraq and the Middle East people think that signing the treaty before elections would be regarded as a victory for Republicans that could propel McCain to the White House. Again Iran and many in the Middle East don’t want McCain to be in the White House. I guess that’s one thing they have in common with Obama.
By George! I think he got it!
Don’t have to look far for the evidence either:
At the same time the Bush administration was negotiating a still elusive agreement to keep the U.S. military in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama tried to convince Iraqi leaders in private conversations that the president shouldn’t be allowed to enact the deal without congressional approval.
Mr. Obama’s conversations with the Iraqi leaders, confirmed to The Washington Times by his campaign aides, began just two weeks after he clinched the Democratic presidential nomination in June and stirred controversy over the appropriateness of a White House candidate’s contacts with foreign governments while the sitting president is conducting a war.
Some of the specifics of the conversations remain the subject of dispute. Iraqi leaders purported to The Times that Mr. Obama urged Baghdad to delay an agreement with Mr. Bush until next year when a new president will be in office – a charge the Democratic campaign denies.
~~~“In the conversation, the senator urged Iraq to delay the [memorandum of understanding] between Iraq and the United States until the new administration was in place,” said Samir Sumaidaie, Iraq’s ambassador to the United States.
Much as been made from both sides on the above story. Some saying it never happened. Some saying it did happen but during a phone call in June, either way it’s certain Obama doesn’t want this SOFA being done before he is inaugurated…..and its not because its best for Iraq. No, its because it is best for him.
Meanwhile, in other news from Iraq, and news which won’t be reported on by the MSM, is that things are going quite well:
PRTs Have Seen Significant Success Working With Local Government Officials
- Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team has contributed to the following results:
- Securing funding for 39 reconstruction projects that will employ 6,000 young Iraqis and distribute 200 metric tons of wheat seed to struggling famers in drought-afflicted areas in the province.
- Increasing coordination with the Iraqi Government and their local counterparts on reconstruction.
- Working with the Iraqi Government to place new judges willing to convict terrorists in the province.
- Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team has contributed to the following results:
- Distributing food and clothing to more than 1,000 of the province’s poorest citizens during Ramadan this year.
- Obtaining furniture and equipment for two secondary schools and supplied Maysan University with a computer lab, internet, and donated books for students.
- Continuing to encourage reconciliation with tribal leaders and government officials.
- Sadr City Provincial Reconstruction Team has contributed to the following results:
- Partnering with local leaders to provide 265,000 school uniforms and backpacks for students – an initiative that is also helping local community businesses grow.
- Rehabilitating four health clinics, supporting youth soccer leagues, and helping support a women’s clinic that provides medical assistance, education, and domestic violence counseling.
The Government Of Iraq Has Taken Over Reconstruction And Is Working To Respond To The Needs Of The Iraqi People
- Since 2003, the Government of Iraq has appropriated $85 billion for reconstruction and security costs, as compared to $50 billion by the United States. The United States has not appropriated any funds for major reconstruction since 2005.
- The Iraqi Government continues to increase its budgets across the board – a base budget followed by a supplemental passed in August of this year brought the total to $72 billion, a substantial increase from 2007’s $41 billion.
- The Iraqi Government’s budget execution has picked up in 2008 – the total government expenditure through June 2008 was $19 billion, compared to $10 billion through the same period last year.
- The Government of Iraq recently took over responsibility for paying the salaries of approximately 51,000 Sons of Iraq serving in the Baghdad area. Iraq’s security ministries are paying for more than 80 percent of the annual cost of the Iraqi military and police under the 2008 budget.
Iraqi Leaders Are Working Together And Making Further Progress On Political Reconciliation
While security gains remain fragile, the Iraqi government is making political progress. The Council of Representatives has passed several major pieces of legislation, including a pension law, De-Ba’athification reform, an amnesty law, and a provincial powers law. Neighboring countries have begun restoring diplomatic relations with Iraq – a true sign of the country’s increasing reintegration into the region.
- Iraq’s Parliament passed a Provincial Elections Law, enabling Iraq to hold provincial elections by January 31, 2009. Elections in Iraq can now be held under a new system that will give Iraqis more say in choosing their elected representatives.
- The national government is sharing oil revenues with provinces despite the absence of a hydrocarbon and revenue-sharing law.
- Iraq’s neighbors are reestablishing diplomatic relations – Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, and the League of Arab States have all named ambassadors to Iraq. The U.A.E. became the first Arab nation to post its ambassador to Baghdad and give Iraq 100 percent debt relief of approximately $7 billion.
- Regional leaders are traveling to Iraq to pursue productive dialogue – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, King Abdullah of Jordan, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed have all visited Baghdad.
Iraqi Security Forces’ Capacity Continues To Improve As Security Incidents In Iraq Remain At Their Lowest Levels Since Early 2004
- Successful operations led by Iraqi Security Forces in Basrah, Mosul, and Sadr City to take on Al Qaeda in Iraq have helped improve security in cities once plagued by insurgents.
- High profile attacks have decreased by 70 percent in Iraq, ethno-sectarian violence across Iraq has gone down 96 percent, and civilian causalities have gone down 76 percent since this time last year.
Return on Success continues: All five surge brigade combat teams, two Marine battalions, a Marine Expeditionary Unit, and many of our coalition partners have left Iraq to return home – made possible by the sustained security gains we have seen in Iraq.
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