PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE FACT CHECK

Here's a pretty good link to some fact checking about tonight's first Presidential Debate.

REPUBLICANS CARE ABOUT YOU!

Last Saturday, President Obama and first lady Michelle flew to NYC to have dinner and attend the Broadway show Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

The Republican National Committee had some choice words for the President:

"As President Obama prepares to wing into Manhattan's theater district on Air Force One to take in a Broadway show, GM is preparing to file bankruptcy and families across America continue to struggle to pay their bills," the GOP said. "Have a great Saturday evening -- even if you're not jetting off somewhere at taxpayer expense."

With this chiding of the President, the Republicans sent a clear message to America: The President doesn’t care about you but we do.

When misfortune strikes -

Friday, August 26, 2005
GOV. KATHLEEN BLANCO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN LOUISIANA

Saturday, August 27, 2005
GOV. HALEY BARBOUR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MISSISSIPPI

- whether natural or man made –

Monday, August 29, 2005
7AM CDT — KATRINA MAKES LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE

- the Republican Party will respond swiftly.

7:30 AM CDT — BUSH ADMINISTRATION NOTIFIED OF THE LEVEE BREACH

MORNING — BUSH SHARES BIRTHDAY CAKE PHOTO-OP WITH SEN. JOHN MCCAIN

8PM CDT — RUMSFELD ATTENDS SAN DIEGO PADRES BASEBALL GAME

A Republican President will battle adversity on the front line, not show disregard for those in need.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

PRESIDENT BUSH PLAYS GUITAR WITH COUNTRY SINGER MARK WILLIS

When hard times hit Americans, like hard times have hit GM employees, -

Wednesday, August 31, 2005
80,000 BELIEVED STRANDED IN NEW ORLEANS

3,000 STRANDED AT CONVENTION CENTER WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER

- no Republican will ever do anything frivolous like take in a Broadway show.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005
7PM CDT — CONDOLEEZZA RICE TAKES IN A BROADWAY SHOW

So next election, remember what your President did -

Thursday, September 1, 2005
7AM CDT — BUSH CLAIMS NO ONE EXPECTED LEVEES TO BREAK

- while you suffered.

Thursday, September 1, 2005
CONDOLEEZZA RICE VISITS U.S. OPEN

CONDOLEEZZA RICE GOES SHOE SHOPPING

January 4th, 2006
NEW ORLEANS STILL NOT SAFE FOR DISPLACED

January 24th, 2006
WHITE HOUSE REFUSES TO COOPERATE WITH A SENATE INVESTIGATION OF KATRINA

January 31st, 2006
PRESIDENT BUSH DOES NOT MENTION KATRINA ONCE IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

It’s the Republican Party, no the Democratic Party, that cares about you!

BUSH “SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE”

JINDAL ALL THE WAY HOME

Bobby Jindal go home, please.

Governor Bobby Jindal is a smart man. He has a master's degree from Oxford where he was a Rhodes Scholar for crying out loud. And he is...or was...a fresh face for the Republican Party. But boy oh boy did he stink it up last night in his response to President Obama's joint session speech.

Following Obama is a tough act to start with, but Jindal was exceptionally bad. One Republican likened it to the Rolling Stones opening for Air Supply.

If Jindal is the rising star of the Republican Party, the GOP is in trouble. I felt he was condescending and spouting out the same old tired message. And he got a lot of his facts wrong.

And to top it off, he's opposed to the stimulus package (which may or may or not work. I'm sure hoping it works. We need something to work), but he's going to take most of the money. So he's a hypocrite as well.

PRESIDENT OBAMA

I don't need to tell anyone about the significance of today's events. I had goosebumps all day. What an amazing moment in history.

ONE MORE SLEEP

With one more sleep until Change We Need, the internet is being flooded with articles about George W. Bush claiming the title of Worst President Ever. Was he the worst? Time will tell. I wasn't fond of him. The few things, in my mind, the he did right (increasing aid to Africa, aid to victims in Darfur) will be overshadowed by the many things he did wrong.

And the criticism is coming in from all over the world.

Scotland: America is now hated in many parts of the world. The shoe hurled at him during a visit to Iraq last month sums up the anger felt by Millions of people.

Canada: Farewell to George W. Bush, the worst American president ever and one of the worst "friends" to Canada ever to reside in the White House.

Ireland: “W” stands for Worst.

Malaysia: Bush stands to be one of the worst, if not the worst, US president of all times.

Jamaica: George Bush is the worst president in modern America, considering the global crises which occurred under his presidency.

The Telegraph lists what it deems as Bush's 20 Worst Moments:

1. No WMDs
2. Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job.
3. No Post-War Plan for Iraq
4. Permitting Torture
5. Ignoring Pre-9/11 Terror Memo
6. "Mission Accomplished"
7. Entering Iraq without a UN mandate.
8. Insisting there was a link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda
9. Failing to capture Osama bin Laden
10. Abandoning the Kyoto Protocol
11. Refusing to let Katrina ruin his holiday
12. Underestimating the cost of the war
13. Lack of body armour for US troops
14. Failure to include Louisiana's coastal parishes in state of emergency plan
15. Tax cuts for the wealthy
16. Losing focus on Afghanistan
17. Limiting stem cell research
18. Appointment and backing of Alberto Gonzales
19. Awarding lucrative Iraq reconstruction contracts to Halliburton
20. Warrantless Wiretapping

The honeymoon will be short for Obama. There's too much to be undone. But I pray a change is gonna come for us all.

RALPH NADER'S AMERICA

Last night we celebrated an historic moment in American history...but not in Ralph Nader's America.

On a night when we celebrated the first African-American elected to the highest office in our country, Ralph Nader clung to the past by publicly pondering whether Obama

"is going to be Uncle Sam for the people of this country, or Uncle Tom for the giant corporations."

Mr. Nader was given several opportunities to change his wording. You know, maybe not use the term "uncle Tom." But ol' Bitter Nader would have none of it. "Uncle Tom" it would be.

In ol' Bitter Nader's defense, he probably worked a long time on the whole "Uncle Sam/Uncle Tom" word play and he wasn't about to give it up so easily. But I am disappointed he didn't have a witty backup. He could have used -

"is going to be a Master for the people of this country, or a slave to the giant corporations."

Although that may have been too subtle for ol' Ralph Bigoty. He could have used -

"is going to step up for the people of this country, or step and fetch it for the giant corporations."

Or even -

"is going to be Rambo for the people of this country, or Sambo for the giant corporations."

I mean, come on Ralph! If you're going to be a racist, come out with all guns a blazing.

So on a night when we all celebrated an historic event, Ralph Nader did a lot of Jim Crowing. Thanks Ralph. Real classy.

THANK YOU, W

What a night! What an amazing night. An historic night. America reclaimed herself last night and sent a message to the world that no longer will we be business as usual. It truly was a defining moment in history.

I'd like to thank the man responsible for such the historic moment...George W. Bush.

Without W, last night wouldn't have happened. In the last 8 years, under W's watch, we've entered into 2 wars, we've experienced the worst financial disaster since the Great Depression, our country's image has been severely tarnished, we have escalating costs in health care, W and his cronies ignored the scientific reality of climate change, they stood idly by while thousands of Americans lost everything during Hurricane Katrina, they failed to properly fund our education system, and we have a record deficit. My god, I could go on and on.

It's fairly unanimous that W's legacy is a profound disaster.

But without W, last night wouldn't have happened. We wouldn't have seen Americans vote in record numbers. The official tally isn't in, but it could be the largest turnout in US history. We wouldn't have seen so many Americans determined to get our country back on the right track. (Nearly 81% of Americans think we've careened off the right track) We wouldn't have seen so many Americans determined to seize back our country.

The excitement yesterday was amazing. Never in my life have I seen such enthusiasm about an election. There were signs all over the Ridge reminding people to vote. Most signs didn't say to vote one way or the other, but simply to vote. To take action. To be involved. To once again be united.

So W, thank you. You finally were a uniter.

BARACK OBAMA

11:18. McCain concedes. His supporters boo. But McCain shows a lot of class.

Barack Obama is the next President of the United States.

FIRST TO CALL IT

11:00. The Daily News.

ELECTION DAY 2008

Bright and early this morning, daughter in tow, I went to my local polling place and cast my vote for Obama. The place was packed. The most crowded I've ever seen it. Record numbers are expected. It's very exciting to see so many Americans getting involved and making their voices heard.

Then it was off to Starbucks for a free cup of coffee. In case you haven't heard, Starbucks is giving away free cups of coffee to anyone who voted.

And as if the day couldn't get any more exciting, it's cup changeover day at Starbucks. That's right baby. No more plain white cups. It's holiday red cup time.

You need more?

Between 5:00 and 8:00 tonight, hie thee to your local Ben and Jerry's for free scoops of ice cream.

Still not enough?

Busta move to your local Krispy Kreme for a free Election Day donut.

God bless America.

STUPID ACT OF VIOLENCE

I got an email today from a long-time listener, first-time caller. She's heavily involved with the Obama for America campaign, working on his campaign for 2 years. Saturday morning she was greeted with red paint on her car. Nice. Some yahoo decided the best way to show his/her disagreement of who should be the next President was to paint over her Obama bumper stickers. Keeping it classy.

As she wrote to me:

"I have set-up tables and make-shift information sites on the corners of Bay Ridge and the 13th CD since March of 2007, registering thousands of voters, providing information, campaigning, petitioning non-stop to get candidates on the 13th Congressional District ballots, phone banking for hours and hours, and, after nearly 2 years of activism in the neighborhood and Staten Island, this is what I am greeted with Saturday morning.

My Bay Ridge neighbors have had every chance under the sun to confront me, disagree, discuss, argue, debate, et al. (we have also opened up our apartment for 8 separate meetings!) regarding these times and this election, yet this, THIS, is how they choose to communicate."

Understandably, she's furious. And who wouldn't be? Sure Bay Ridge is a predominantly Republican neighborhood and Obama may not be the candidate of choice, but that doesn't give anyone the right to vandalize property. It's alright to disagree. Hell, that's what makes it a ballgame. But when disagreement turns to violence, then we have a huge problem.

Ours should be a country united, not divided.

As the reader went on to say:

"I love this neighborhood, and I expect nothing in return with the exception of simple, legal decency."

Unfortunately, the national campaign has become increasingly nasty. But let's not forget we're all in this together. Nothing will be gained if we remain so viciously divided. Let's hope we're not greeted with stupid acts of violence like this over the next few days.

MAVERICK MUDSLINGER

This just in: Barack Obama once talked to a guy whose sister had a friend who knew a guy who partied with a girl who once dated a guy whose little brother said all Republicans are douchebags.

And so it goes for Barack Obama.

Sarah Palin is slinging some mighty hefty mud these days.

Gov. Sarah Palin on Wednesday said Sen. Barack Obama has ties to a Columbia University professor who she said is "a former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization."

But making up ridiculous things like this is not negative campaigning. Oh no.

Palin said her assertion "is not negative campaigning to call someone out on their record."

Palin went on.

"It seems that there is yet another radical professor from the neighborhood who spent a lot of time with Barack Obama going back several years," Palin said at an event in Bowling Green, Ohio.

"This is important because his associate, Rashid Khalidi ... in addition to being a political ally of Barack Obama, he's a former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization."

So let's go to the fact check.

• In a 2004 Washington Times story, he (Khalidi) denied ever being a spokesman for the Palestine Liberation Organization.
• The Los Angeles Times report said, "though Khalidi has seen little of Sen. Obama in recent years, Michelle Obama attended a party several months ago celebrating the marriage of the Khalidis' daughter."
• The Verdict: Misleading. While Khalidi eight years ago hosted a political fund-raiser for Obama, the two men strongly disagree over the Israeli-Palestinian issue and there's no evidence of a continuing political relationship.

I guess Palin is just going all Maverick on us.

KETTLE - BLACK

Oooo, Cindy McCain is spitting mad. She lashed out and

decried the "viciousness of the media" Monday, days after the New York Times ran a front page story detailing her troubled history with prescription drugs and difficulty fitting into Washington social circles.

You see, Cindy had a drug problem back in the early 1990's. She stole drugs from her own charity, the American Voluntary Medical Team, and had an American Voluntary Medical Team doctor prescribe drugs for her under the names of other employees. She avoided time in the lockup, though, thank god.

Cindy was a first-time offender, which partially explains the fact that she did no prison time; instead, she entered a diversion program. But at the time, defense lawyers told New Times that if Cindy McCain had been a poor minority and not married to a U.S. senator, she likely would have been locked up.

But anyhoo, the McCains are crying foul over the NY Times article, calling it a

barrage of petty and personal attacks.

And McCain's attorney, John Dowd

also scolded the paper for rehashing a series of facts that he said have been long reported.

Yeah, we don't need to rehash a series of facts.

Consider yourself lucky, Cindy. At least you're not palling around with terrorists.

MONIKER MADNESS

Two days after Palin said she was tired of "Joe the Plumber" references

Alaska governor conceded she was getting a little tired of talking about Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbach. “And I, I begged our speech writers, ‘Don’t make me say Joe the Plumber, please, in any speeches.'

Palin flip-flopped and dove headfirst back into the moniker melee.

Tito the builder, Phil the bricklayer and Rose the teacher.

These are simple Americans with simple names. None more than 4-letters.

But what about Pam the whore, John the douchebag, Sue the junky? Bob the deadbeat, Fred the gassy, Fran the carpet cleaner?

But then Palin unleashed her coup de grace

Barack the Wealth Spender.

That's right. Oh snap! Barak the Wealth Spender. Take that Obama!

Who the hell is writing these for her? Those third graders at Gladys Wood Elementary School?

So my question is: what should Palin's moniker be?

A BRIGHTER DAY WILL COME

My friend and long time listener first time caller, Greg, sent me this video. Enjoy.

6 DEGREES OF BILL AYERS

Why aren't we hearing any "could be a terrorist" news linking Bill Ayers with everyone else who has ever worked with him? Granted Obama is the only one who's running for President, but if McCain/Palin and the RNC are claiming Obama is consorting with a domestic terrorist, doesn't it follow that everyone else who has worked with him is also on the "palling around with a terrorist" list?

Maybe Michelle Bachmann could get on that asap.

MCINSANE

I love this entry from the NY Times.

A Relentless McCain | 9:50 p.m. Mr. Obama seems kind of astounded at Mr. McCain’s repetitions of things that he thought he had put to rest — Mr. Ayers, tax increases. Mr. Obama keeps looking at Mr. Schieffer with eyes wide, as if to say, can you believe it?

Back to the losing Dodgers.

PANTS ON FIRE

So McCain must think that getting "tough" means "lie lie lie."

Negative campaigning has come up in the debate. McCain does not address how his campaign has been uber-negative, despite a cavalcade of articles saying his campaign has been uber-negative. Instead he talks about how his feelings were hurt by what Congressman Lewis said. And he's not letting up on the Ayers connection which has been proven false time and time again.

McCain is lying up a storm. Ugh. I'm going to watch the Dodgers lose.

GUILT BY ASSOCIATION

Oy, will this William Ayers thing ever go away!?

Robert Gibbs smacks down Sean Hannity.

CINDY McINSANE

Cindy McCain is trying to pry the steering wheel of the Smear - Talk Express from Sarah Palin's wretched little hands. At a rally in PA today, Cindy said,

"The day that Senator Obama cast a vote not to fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body."

She's referring to an Emergency Funding Bill in 2007 that Obama voted against because it didn't provide a timeline to withdraw our troops.

But if she can stand up and say Obama voted against funding her son, then should say the same thing about her husband. He voted against a bill in 2007 that did contain a timeline.

Seems like Cindy has selective memory.