I'MMA LET YOU FINISH
w's fukt.
Right on target. Kerry doesn't need to try to do anything but be presidential while Bush self-destructs.
But he does have to keep an eye out to make sure that he doesn't get hit by the debris.
When Kerry walks onto the stage, he should throw a subtle "wassup, BITCH!" at Bush. Ok. Maybe we can wait until Kerry inauguration day for that...
expect loads of zingers from Bush though, his handlers HAVE to have worked overtime on trying to come up with new "fuzzy maths" or reaganesque sweetly spoken insults... hopefully they'll be mangled and/or crude and/or nonsensical.
I am going to drink alot of good wine if Kerry lays the smackdown on Bush tomorrow night. I think it is unlikely for a repeat of the first debate, but one can only hope...
Comments on Hardball earlier made it seem like the jobs report tomorrow will be especially rosy, though not enough to get Bush out of the red in jobs. A rep from the 'investor's class' came on and said outsourcing isn't too bad because when US companies save money they have the oppurtunity to hire more employees...No mention of whether he meant more Indian employees or American.
That's my prediction. The Goopers will have their robot set to "kill;" problem is, they can't make the damn thing work right.
I bet Rove wishes he could put a leash on Bush's inappropriate humor.
I think you nailed it again, O Atriodamus.
THEY CALL ME EGGOWAFFLE
Speaking of "preparations," JMM points out that Bush has skipped his annual physical... Do you think it's for the same reason as last time?
I didn't get much response earlier today, so let me pose this again:
I am trying to find the language for Kerry to quash Bush's two remaining lines of attack-- the global test and the $87 billion. If he articulated the following concise statements, the conversation could end once and for all.
On Global Test: "President Bush and I agree that the US retains the right of preemption and there will be no veto. But we disagree about how to use the prerogative to protect the security interests of the US. Will attacking a specific country help in the global war on terror, or will it generate 1000s of new al-Queda recruits in some 60 countries across the globe? Will it make our allies see us as a "rouge nation"? Will it deny us the militarty and financial support of other countries that want to combat terror? To use a doctrine of preemption, one ust think strategically. The current administration has failed to do so and has accordingly, made us less safe. If there is a "gloabl test," it is "does this action help or harm in the global war on terror?" The Bush Adminstration didn't think in these strategic terms and as a result we are less safe today.
On the $86 billion: "When the President came to Congress to seek authorization, I gave my support because I believe that any President needs Congress's full support to pursue high-level international diplomacy. And of course, I believe that no President would ever ask for such authorization by presenting misleading information. That was obviously my mistake, but I stand by the principle of Congressional support for the President's diplomatic goals. But President Bush didn't fulfill his promise to seek a diplomatic solution, but rushed us into a poorly-planned war with no exit strategy. Later, the President returned to Congress to figure out how to pay for the war. Given the chance to pay for the war responsibly, I immediately supported the funding for our troops. But when the Republicans in Congress and President Bush sought to pay for the war irresponsibly-- by burdening future generations with debt and by refusing to ask the wealthy Americans whose children are rarely in the Army to pay their share-- I voted no. My administration will always support the troops, but it will do so with a fiscal responsibility that the Bush administration lacks."
What am I not seeing here? Is there some reason these two simple statements CAN'T come out of Kerry's mouth?
I predict that Bush will get shrill
and Chris Matthews will be thrilled.
No problem. Kerry rocks.
Bush...
Worst. President. Ever.
Oreilly has a new poll on his site asking if he has favored one candidate over the other. Let him know here:
http://www.billoreilly.com/
Fielding Mellish... that name sounds familiar.
Was it a W.C. Fields character?
A rep from the 'investor's class' came on and said outsourcing isn't too bad because when US companies save money they have the oppurtunity to hire more employees...
That was Larry Kudlow. He didn't sound all that optimistic.
On the defensive, actually.
Loverly.
Does anybody know if our side can screen to make sure there isn't a bunch of pre-rehearsed ringers in the audience?
I think the great thing about the first debate is that now Mr. Kerry officially needs to play for a tie. He's clearly got hte momentum on his side, he's clearly going to benefit from the fact that he's getting his message across without having the Bush media filter applied to it, he's getting the benfit of looking Presidential.
The only thing I think that can stop John F. Kerry now is himself. The only thing that can beat Kerry is letting Bush win. If the next 2 debates are judged to be a draw, Kerry will probably run through to the election.
http://balta.blogspot.com
great stuff, Seth. Did you send it off to the Kerry campaign? And if JK doesn't have somebody monitoring this site (and a coupla others) he's wacked! you readin this good stuff, Mary Beth?
Kerry can be Presidential in a way Bush can't be. The purest, simplest way.
Kerry will be elected.
What am I not seeing here? Is there some reason these two simple statements CAN'T come out of Kerry's mouth?
You still don't understand what he meant by *global test*.
On the $87 billion, where have you been?
From Scotsman.com New: Al Qaida 'Duped Allies into Waging War'
One of al Qaida’s aims in its September 11 attacks on the US three years ago was to draw the west into military conflict on Arab soil, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s former envoy to Iraq acknowledged today.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s comments appeared to give some credence to the argument of critics of the Iraq War that the US and UK played into al Qaida’s hands by launching last year’s invasion.
Opponents of the war warned that it would act as a recruiting sergeant for terror chief Osama bin Laden, by appearing to confirm his claims that the West was engaged in a war on Islam, as well as providing a new field of battle for his militants.
(a href="http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?
id=3482358">Full Story Here.
From Scotsman.com news: Al Qaida 'Duped Allies into Waging War'
One of al Qaida’s aims in its September 11 attacks on the US three years ago was to draw the west into military conflict on Arab soil, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s former envoy to Iraq acknowledged today.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s comments appeared to give some credence to the argument of critics of the Iraq War that the US and UK played into al Qaida’s hands by launching last year’s invasion.
Opponents of the war warned that it would act as a recruiting sergeant for terror chief Osama bin Laden, by appearing to confirm his claims that the West was engaged in a war on Islam, as well as providing a new field of battle for his militants.
Full Story Here.
Tweety has a second show tonight - and bragging about his ratings
So who does he have?
Andrea Mitchell (GOP shill on NBC, married to Alan Greenspan)
Pat Buchanan (far right GOP iconoclast)
Ben Ginsburg (top Bush lawyer)
Ron Reagan (progressive indepedent, not a partisan)
and Chris Matthews
Who is the Democrat on the panel?
Maybe Bush will debate in English this time around.
Kerry should say he's been practing by sparring against Edwards' kids.
"I am trying to find the language for Kerry to quash Bush's two remaining lines of attack-- the global test and the $87 billion. "
I was at a local Democratic function a week or two back, and my congressman was one of the guests. He also explained the 87 billion. And while he was more concise than Kerry has been, he really didn't hit it the way it needed to be hit.
Personally I'd love to see Kerry explain it this way "We thought YOU should pay for your own fucking war, asshole, instead of fobbing it off on the next three generations! Especially since you were in such a goddamned hurry to get their parents and grandparents shot at."
And that's why I could never ever run for public office...
I hope Kerry's got at least one "hard work" joke prepped.
The Iraq War is coming back to bite Bush/Cheney in the ass.
Let's just let nature take its course and stop with the bullshit, shall we?
Cokehead Kudlow of the "investor class"! . . . I'm f***ing sick of that Bobo-esque demographic label, it's horseshit to begin with and simply gives the supply-siders a phantom constituency . . . pure merde.
Fielding Mellish... that name sounds familiar.
Was it a W.C. Fields character?
No, it's Woody Allen's character in BANANAS.
"This trial is a travesty. It's a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham."
It must be hell to sit at the desk in the Oval Office, watching the world churn away from him, holding himself up by saying "But I am the president, this cannot be", and his little inner voice quietly but firmly says "No sir, you are not"
He will never be presidential, because he never was.
Bush wins! All he has to do is show up and the millionniare pundits are preprogramed to award the prize to this "highly popular" Demagogue not only because "he did better than last time," but because he "exceeded expectations" and "made a good recovery" from his poor showing against a commie "reporter" after being plumb tuckered out down there with Jebenezer.
If the fair and balanced panels of "unbiased" wingnut analysts can hand the VP debacle to Darth Cheney and not even challenge him, on the spot, for lies they personally Knew he had told (Hi, Wolfe!) then they're perfectly capable of handing the second debacle to the Demagogue simply for showing up.
I hope Kerry's advisors are not making the mistake of underestimating Rove. If Bush is passable, and gets in one or two digs, the pundits will declare him the winner.
Best. Picture. EVER!
(found HERE.)
I agree that Kerry needs to explain the 87 billion dollars in twenty seconds or less and he needs to do it ASAP. The global test is less troublesome to me, even some relatively simpleminded bushistas that I know understand Bush/Cheney are grasping at straws there. Remember 62 million people watched the debate and know the full context of that quote.
I was just at O'Lielly's site for the poll- now I'm going to have to shower for a week.
"expect loads of zingers from Bush though, his handlers HAVE to have worked overtime on trying to come up with new "fuzzy maths" or reaganesque sweetly spoken insults... "
I would hope that Kerry turns and gives Bush the "WTF is wrong with this class clown?" look - a pity smile. The class clown, and trust me I did some of my best work in this venue, act just is not appropriate when discussing death, destruction and an economy and health care system that's failing the middle class and poor.
After the "aw jeez, your cute and we all just luve ya little fella but you're really really silly and we're here to talk about grownup things tonight" smile he can choose to answer or move on. A little pat on the head would be cool but probably forbidden in the rules.
Does anybody know if our side can screen to make sure there isn't a bunch of pre-rehearsed ringers in the audience?
At the very least, someone in the blogosphere should be keeping track of the people who ask the questions and feeding their names into Google. Anyone who comes up as a member of a GOP committee or think tank should be repeatedly and loudly pointed out to the news shows, preferably before the debate is even over...
I hope Kerry's got at least one "hard work" joke prepped.
Misplaced Patriot | Email | Homepage | 10.07.04 - 9:21 pm | #
Kerry can say that GWB is living in Fantasyland -and Cheney is the Lyin' King.
Q: Mr. President why is Oil $53/barrel ?
A: "The world is safer without Saddam Hussein. We are winning the war on terror. Dick Cheney told me that Saddam had a link with Al Qaeda and 9/11".
Mr Kerry's response...
Bush/Cheney's colossal blunder in Iraq is the main reason. Instead of rosy promises by key members of the Bush administration who pushed for the invasion they didn't have a plan to win the peace and the result has been a loss of an average of 2 million barrels a day of Iraqi oil from world markets.
I have a plan that starts with "AMERICA DOESN'T NEED A PRESIDENT WHO GOVERNS IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE"
Tomm, Bush is not going to win, sweetie.
He's gonna get his ass kicked.
Watch and learn.
Comments on Hardball earlier made it seem like the jobs report tomorrow will be especially rosy
Well, it sure weren't too rosy today, lol. Unisystems laid off 1400 workers, Bank of America laid off 4500 workers, AT&T laid of 7400 workers -- and that's just a few companies out of today's lay-off notices.
We need to give Bush his pink slip, too.
Short answer for the global test."Look, if the US wants to or has to act unilaterally then of course it doesn't have to pass any "test". BUT, if we want to get help from other nations,we have to convince them to come aboard. The case for intervention then has to pass their test. It only makes sense. They are sovereign nations like us. They must be persuaded to help. They can't be ordered about like the white house staff."
Answer to the charge that Kerry doesn't have a plan to get out of Iraq:
"If the captain of the ship runs the ship up on the rocks there isn't much argument about what needs to be done- the ship must get off the rocks and taken in for repairs. It is costly and takes a lot of time. But just because their aren't many options in this case doesn't mean you leave the captain in charge. He must be relieved of command because he has demonstrated incompetence and the last person you want in charge of the difficult return to port is the same guy who drove the boat up on the rocks.Whay on earth would we want Bush to lead the nation through the difficult times ahead when he put the ship of state aground when he assumend command?
Nero's events have all signs of dissent immediately quashed, and in some cases, pre-quashed.
Kerry has experience actually dealing with hecklers and annoying questions.
If even one person in that crowd asks Nero a question he hasn't been heavily prepped for, he's going to crack.
ok. i'm new to this, but talk about the outrage meter's needle being broken. i'd heard chatter that "schools were potential targets" today, but on nbc tonight they "explained" that 2 months ago, in Iraq, discs had been found with threats on U.S. schools. Now, they said, all info was available on public sites, but guess what the states that should be really worried are? california, florida, new jersey, michigan, georgia. i'd say it's the 1st attempt at oct. surprise.these guys continue to amaze me.
Kerry can wear a pair of rose-colored glasses and explain that he just wants to see the world that GWB is describing
"Kerry should say he's been practing by sparring against Edwards' kids."
Jon H 10.07.04 - 9:20 pm
I really hope they bring in someone more on Bush's level, perhaps some nice ripe cantaloupes.
Bush, Cheney in Denial About Iraq
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Democratic Sen. John Kerry said Thursday that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have failed to recognize a deteriorating situation in post-war Iraq and "may well be the last two people on the planet who won't face the truth."
Bush, Cheney Concede Saddam Had No WMDs
President Bush and his vice president conceded Thursday in the clearest terms yet that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, even as they tried to shift the Iraq war debate to a new issue -- whether the invasion was justified because Saddam was abusing a U.N. oil-for-food program. Ridiculing the Bush administration's evolving rationale for war, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry shot back: "You don't make up or find reasons to go to war after the fact.
"AMERICA DOESN'T NEED A PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT WHO GOVERN IN THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE"
The Bush/Cheney Administration HeartBeat
__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\______________________
26 days until flatline
It's all about "The Truth". Any people don't believe Bush anymore...
Mr. Mellish also appears in Monty Python. He has a thing about paper clips.
If they're desperate enough, and they probably are, Bush-Rove will throw out some chatrge in one of the debates that's so outrageous that Kerry will have no idea what to say. What he has to do is get angry (this will be a sort of your-wife-is-raped test).
Or I could be wrong.
Pie, saying it's so don't make it so or the Demagogue would be King of Iraq. Bush wins because the spin doesn't need facts to spread the "news." Matthews is Still saying how popular this loser is. They've had two debacles to learn how to pack the polls. Maybe this time they'll do it. Of course, it would be easier without such a brain-damaged loser shooting himself in the foot....
But since you disagree, pls tell me. How does Bush lose this debate if he doesn't actually fall over?
"Mr. Kerry, I haven't decided who to vote for yet, but why are you such a flip-flopper who wants to put Saddam, the mastermind behind 9/11, back in power in Iraq, while taxing us into poverty here at home in the USA? And President Bush, how does it feel to be personally chosen by Jesus to keep us safe and rule over us so perfectly yet so humbly?"
Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative of Ohio
Windows Media Clip.
If you haven't seen this yet, you really are missing something.
Snagged from KOS.
My attempt at the short answer to $87 billiong question:
President bush first sought to veteo this bill while I wanted to pay it; later Bush wanted to put in on our grandkid's credit card, and I did not trust him. I was right.
And even tho bush got his money in the end, our troops still did not get their body armor, reinenforced tanks, hot meals, and we lost $8 billion in the process.
Why didn't you support our troops, Mr. President?
Lessee...if I want ten million dollars, it's the same as me having ten million dollars!!
WOOHOO!! Atrosians...the Eschaton Inaugural KickAss Party is on me!!
I expect Bush to take the offensive right off of the bat and try to come off as the victim just like his dad did with his infamous row with Dan Rather during that election year. Bush No.1 got a lot mileage out of that stunt so Junior might try the same strategy and start attacking the moderator or just walk off the stage in a fit of feigned righteous indignation. If things get as bad for him as the last debate,it couldn't hurt him any worse.
How does Bush lose this debate if he doesn't actually fall over?
Just like he lost the last one, by being himself.
With polls showing George Bush and John Kerry in a dead heat going into the second debate, Libertarian Michael Badnarik “poses a genuine threat to be the kingmaker” because he is polling at 3 percent in several battleground states, according to a number of political scientists and journalists.
http://www.nysun.com/article/2672
Kerry needs to highlight and correct the misrepresentations and lies by Bush just as he did with his very effective response to Bush's "They attacked us".
If Kerry doesn't point out the lies to the poorly informed public, for sure the news media won't.
Unfortunately Cheney got away with way too many lies and misrepresentations Tuesday that the mainstream press did not follow up on (corrections came from poorly trafficed sites on the internet frequented by partisans).
If things get as bad for him as the last debate,it couldn't hurt him any worse.
Phil
Yeah, I expect him to do something crazy. Hell, he might just walk off stage after getting his ass handed to him again, get in the limo, drive to the White House and push the red button with the launch codes.
I think it was Philalethes who said the other day that it'd be very gratifying if, when Bush brings up that Kerry backed the war based on the evidence touted by the Bush administration, Kerry replied, in a smooth, understated manner, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me."
I'd love to see what color Bush's face would turn.
Bush is DEAD! (metaphorically speaking, or course)
Kerry's people ought to prepare for any bills he sponsored that can sound competely off the wall to our ears in 2004. Notice how Cheney was repeating opp research during the Edwards debate.
Other than that, Atrios is right on again.
Tomm, chill.
ok. i'm new to this, but talk about the outrage meter's needle being broken. i'd heard chatter that "schools were potential targets" today
I posted last week that some bimbo in Hudson, Ohio was circulating a petition to have the elections held in places other than schools. She failed miserably. Many thought that children should get a firsthand look at democracy in action, and others asked what actually constituted a *safe place*.
Paranoid or political?
Heh. Assholes.
I'd love to see what color Bush's face would turn.
He wouldn't get the joke.
I think the best course of action is for Kerry to needle Bush about Daddy a couple of times to see if he blows his stack. If he doesn't bite, blow a gasket and destroy himself, just let Kerry manhandle Bush in the usual fashion. No biggie.
Bush's problem is that being a sociopath, he only has three personalities: Petulant asshole, Angry prick, and smiling buffoon. Everyone in America know by now when he slips into the smiling character he is about to lie his ass off. Another thing is sociopaths are basically incapable of empathy, they can emulate empathy, but it comes of as so superficial a twelve year old can pick up on it (Widows - "Give her my love" or whatever he said).
He can get away with a lot of it when he is by himself with supporters. But when America sees Kerry contrasted with Bush on the same stage, it's all over.
ha ha ha. this no doubt will lead to freeper paranoia.
Bush, Cheney Left Off Mo. County Ballots
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
VAN BUREN, Mo. - Officials in one Missouri county are reprinting absentee ballots for the Nov. 2 general election after discovering that President Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) were left off.
The ballots were mailed beginning Sept. 21, and Carter County Clerk Becky Gibbs said several voters noticed the oversight.
OT: Judy Miller goes to jail
Reporter Ordered To Jail In CIA Leak Case
Judge Says Miller Must Reveal Source
WASHINGTON -- A New York Times reporter called it "frightening" that journalists can be put in jail "for doing their jobs effectively."
I think the best course of action is for Kerry to needle Bush about Daddy a couple of times to see if he blows his stack.
'Specially since Poppy was right about getting quagmired in Iraq.
but what about the withering attack on Kerry's record planned by Bush??? no, please! not the withering attack!
A hilarious brief aside:
It's been discovered that the absentee ballots mailed out last month by Carter County, MO inadvertedly left off Bush/Cheney as candidates, lol, lol. Ever hear of a Freudian "print"?
Here's the news story: http://tinyurl.com/59wb3
Now how come, on my browser, the "Comments" link for this is split into "Comment" and "s" and the orange ad is between the two instead of the upper left corner? Anybody else seeing weird stuff?
Why is David Drier on MSNBC with Chris Matthews? I thought that the Repubs were hiding him in the closet.
I'm going to see Brian Wilson tomorrow night, but I'm thinking of scalping the tickets. I mean, why pay $60, plus $10 for parking, when I can stay home and see a mentally-damaged, incoherent, stammering Baby Boomer on TV for free?
Zeus M., going to hell...
I hate to say it but I think, to use an old sports metaphor, the ball is really up in the air on this one. Kerry did well in the first debate and Edwards clearly didn't his round with unca dick, but that isn't enough to take declare game over yet (not that anyone was but...).
Keep in mind, the one thing, perhaps more than anything else that got the current maladministration was hubris. Kerry cannot afford to miss a beat. It's tough, as shrubbie would mumble, "it's hahd work, it's hahd..." but our man Kerry is up to it.
I hope to be celebrating wildly this time tomorrow but I'm planning on keeping my head down for the next 26 days.
"for doing their jobs effectively."
Effectively? Interesting choice of adverbs there, Judy.
uh oh. the results of this online poll are all out of whack. methinks you all need to go over there and set things right.
go to this link, scroll down the page to where it says "Live Poll--who's your choice for President?" and vote your conscience.
I think the best course of action is for Kerry to needle Bush about Daddy a couple of times to see if he blows his stack.
'Specially since Poppy was right about getting quagmired in Iraq.
pie
"Mr. Bush, if you are a Christian, how do you explain why you broke the Commandement "Honor thy mother and father" by invading a country after your father cautioned to do so would result in a quagmire?"
but what about the withering attack on Kerry's record planned by Bush??? no, please! not the withering attack!
mr.withers
Wasn't it Dole who turned to then VP Poppy, during a debate for the GOP nominee in 92 and say,"Mr. Vice President...stop lying about my record!!" Kerry could remind Junior about that exchange.
Anybody else seeing weird stuff?
The brown acid is bad.
and Carter County Clerk Becky Gibbs said several voters noticed the oversight
Only several voters noticed BC04 were left off the ballot? Hahaha
Specially since Poppy was right about getting quagmired in Iraq.
pie
It would be nice if he could get a few jabs about cheer leading in too. By implication though. I don't want him to loose the boom-chuck-a vote.
I'm concerned about the October Surprise being alluded to today as well.
I just know there's some special ops guys out there who wouldn't think twice before kidnapping a group of kids from a school if it meant Der Leader remaining in power.
Don't underestimate these people. There is a LOT at stake for many of them. Cornered animals are the most dangerous.
"Undecided" voters chosen by Gallup will likely not be. Undecided that is. Expect an audience full of Republican shills.
WASHINGTON -- A New York Times reporter called it "frightening" that journalists can be put in jail "for doing their jobs effectively."
Stinky
Does the NYT see her job as effectively spreading lies that start a disasterous war that kills tens of thousands(and only that if we are lucky and it doesn't go even higher)? Of weakening our attemts to monitor WMDs in other states by outing our spies (and likely getting her sources killed).
Put Large Marge in with her, in a very small cell.
"He can't hide behind his 'compassionate conversatism face'...
You'd think, but Little Baby Bush did trot out the "I'm a compassionate conservative" line yesterday, after calling Kerry a tax and spend liberal. 'Course he's a liar on both counts. Hearing him make the claim made me think that he's really lost his mind. Or maybe he's discovered irony at this late date...
I just know there's some special ops guys out there who wouldn't think twice before kidnapping a group of kids from a school if it meant Der Leader remaining in power.
One, that's paranoid-as-hell nonsense and, two, Special Ops guys hate Bush, Rumsfeld and Cheney for letting them get their asses blown off in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I hope that the Kerry campaign has prepped for that old chestnut: How much does a loaf of bread (or gallon of milk) cost? Would hate to see JFK portrayed as being out of touch with the common person.
He should bring up Bush's daddy, like he did last time.
Last week, didn't it seem that was the point were Bush began to lose it?
The, "global test" issue isn't that difficult.
A percentage of the population will buy into the notion that unilateral, pre-emptive action is acceptable and even logical, regardless of the reason. That portion of the electorate would never vote for Kerry anyway.
A larger segment, hopefully, recognizez that the, "Bush doctrine" of mindless pre-emption and unilateral action is folly and can only harm our country in the long run. That is the segment Kerry has to play to.
I find the 87 billion question more problematic, because in truth, Kerry never should have voted yes for authorization in the first place. I believe he was trying to be to careful because he was wants to be elected.
No one will ask about the environment. If the sheeples knew what was going on, they'd be pissed.
BTW, was Kudlow drunk tonight on Hardball? I know he had a coke problem once. But it wasn't a jittery high, it was a slobbering high.
Kerry's not going to play for a tie, he has just begun to show his stuff. This guy is a tactician, buy the time this campiagn is over, AWOL is going to be pleading with Unka (bighead) Karl to take him home to Texas. And I'm going every second of it.
Kerry - Right Man at the Right Time in History
A song for that cute boy, John Edwards--
(This special opens as the Little Ponies frolic in the meadow, unaware that they will soon be under attack by the Stratadons.)
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Isn't the world a lovely place
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Everywhere you go, a smiling face
Running and skipping; merrily tripping
Watching the morning unfold
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
What does the future hold?
No sign of trouble in sight
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
May all your days be bright
May all your days be bright
>"Undecided" voters chosen by Gallup<
shit+shit=shit
Why would anyone accept undecided voters as questioners? There is no such thing. They either retarded, attention getters, or shills.
Was Vernon Jordan on Oxycontin when he met with the Devil Baker?
Last week, didn't it seem that was the point were Bush began to lose it?
Yup. Down pretty much nailed it today.
Doh...I'm going to ENJOY every second of it !
I luv John Edwards. he is WAY more cuter than that old VP Dan Quayle. And almost as smart. Really!!! If you don't think so, you are an old doo doo head.
Didn't Bennie Ginsberg have to quit "Dick n' Bush '04-ever" because he was also the lawyer for the Swift Boat hacks?
I guess he was kept on "Secret Cheney Handshake" retainer, given some red meat and a pocketful of RNC talking points, and pointed in the general direction of the media. Yawn...
Let's fuckin' vote already! (Yes, I know, the next two debates and Iraq circling the drain faster and faster will effectively punctuate the argument for regime change -- but I swear to god, I can't take much more of the SCLM election coverage (i.e. Massive Spin Fart Fest)!
Karl does have a big old head. Imagine the puss they big watermelon came out of. Two doctors had to grab hold of each of Karl's legs and pull and pull and pull and finally it went, PLOP!
Jon-Jon Edwards U have my heart. I luv U, U dreamsicle.
I recently saw an "American Experience" TV show on RFK.
I suggest that the Kerry people take a look at that show.
RFK was the last truly honest politician the U.S. ever had. What I mean is that he was willing, indeed, it was part of his character, to change and grow and deepen, ( i.e; be a "flip-flopper"). He grew from being a mean S.O.B. to being a reflective, honest and passionate man concerned with poverty, racism, economic inequality, etc;
Since Kerry is taliking to "ordinary people", he should be honest and say, really say, he's not one of them...but that he's been with them, in Vietnam, the protests, as an attorney etc; that he KNOWS who they are...and he shoulf evoke JFK and RFK, icons of those undecided voters of the baby boom era.
Evoking RFK would be particularly interesting and an excellent move, with regards to Iraq....and it would help the "flip-flop" message, ( remember, RFK is an icon for many- including me). It would also help in discussing poverty and health care.
Mention RFK was a millionaire. Mention Bush is one.
Ask Bush the cost of gas. RFK would have known the answer.
Sorry...I'm too affected by the show.
From Yahoo! news: "Vice President Dick Cheney asserted on Thursday that a finding by the chief U.S. weapons inspector in Iraq that Saddam Hussein's government produced no weapons of mass destruction after 1991 justifies rather than undermines President Bush's decision to go to war."
"Have you heard the news?" he said with a grin. "The vice president's gone mad." "Where?" "Downtown." "When?" "Last night." "Hmmm, say that's too bad."
The wheels are coming off the Bush-Cheney wagon. Someone give Bush a stiff drink.
Gang, I really don't know if it's been said like this, but there is an obvious thing out there right now.
Last week, we said that if either of the first two debates went badly for the Repubs, they'd issue a terror warning.
Well, we were absolutely right. This whole "schools in danger" thing is just an uglier version of it.
And the press doesn't even care.
I mean, they're carrying it. But no one is breathless or terrified. No one's ranting "Well, how could John Kerry possibly protect our schools?"
Nothin'.
Unless I'm missing a whole undercurrent somewhere.
Unfortunately, we are now at the scary "cry wolf" stage, where, if the chickenlittlehawks do have some valid info, no one will believe them.
Interesting weekend ahead.
Okay, I wasn't the first to think about Bush's daddy.
What was that story, about how lil' Bush, drunk, told big Bush how he wanted to go "mano a mano" with him?
The hard work rebuttal:
Mr. President, you say the job in Iraq is hard work. But by ignoring the advice of your military leaders, by not planning for the peace, by not providing the troops with the arms and armor they need, by not establishing a real broad and deep coalition, and by not reacting to the reality of the situation on the ground, you have made this hard work even harder.
Mr. President, you are not helping those who are struggle to perform this hard work.
What, is Shrub suddenly going to grow a brain and a pair before tomorrow?
He still doesn't have any exposure to something besides an adoring crowd in over four years. All Kerry really has to do is look presidential--Atrios is dead right. And since he is presidential, that's no problem.
if the chickenlittlehawks do have some valid info
Hahahahahhaha, good one.
Ask Bush the cost of gas. RFK would have known the answer.
Sorry...I'm too affected by the show.
Believe me, evagrius, I understand.
Everytime I see or hear something on John or Bobby Kennedy, I almost want to cry thinking about what we lost. Especially in comparison to what we have now.
From another blog, which I've forgotten: "The hard work isn't reading the casualty reports; the hard work is being the casualty."
Jon-Jon Edwards U have my heart. I luv U, U dreamsicle.
I Heart Edwards | Email | Homepage | 10.07.04 - 10:00 pm | #
_______________________________
!We have a drunk poster, ladies and gents!
Crawl back to the bar at Chili's now, troll.
my little pony, my little pony.
Isn't this debate supposed to be on domestic issues? If so, Kerry's not going to have a change to address the "global test" or the $87 mil.
He needs to attach Bush for not putting the pressure on pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices in the U.S., and to keep pointing out that one of the biggest contributors to rising health care costs is cost of prescription drugs.
This week Science had the candidates' takes on various sci/tech issues. I think Marburger or someone who works for him wrote it, but it was written like he hadn't realized it would be read by people who actually knew something about the subjects.
Anyway, as you might expect, on anything related to reproduction, Bush quacks on about "cultivating a culture of life" protecting the rights of people who are opposed to abortion, etc. And as Atrios pointed out, Kerry is getting some well-orchestrated flack from people who figure they know more about how he should practice his religion than he does.
I don't know how much ice this line of argument cuts for Bush, but I'm sorta hoping Kerry'll point out that any man who had the slightest regard for human life wouldn't have GONE TO EFFING WAR without lifting a finger toget his facts straight.
He will lie about clean air, healthy forests, aid to education, jobs programs, and anything else he can think of. He will claim he has helped first responders, and that domestic security is at an alltime high since he "created" Homeland Security.
Look for it -- those are the lies he's preparing.
Scorpio
Eccentricity
Don't all you boys want to lick that creamy, dreamy dreamsicle John Edwards?
Crawl back to the bar at Chili's now, troll.
Dar Hanspar
Obvioulsy one of Jenna's or Noelle's friends who lacks their tolerance for large amounts of booze and narcotics.
The 3rd debate is Domestic Issues.
I believe the 2nd "debate" (Town Hall meeting) will cover anything -
Mr. President, why did you blow up frogs as a youth?
>Mr. President, why did you blow up frogs as a youth<
That was early training. I'm a serial killer. Check my work in Iraq.
old hat, i don't much care for dowd (sometimes yes, sometimes no) or clinton for that matter but she deserves a pulitzer for this line alone.
Bubba eye for the Brahmin guy.
Don't all you boys want to lick that creamy, dreamy dreamsicle John Edwards?
nIcE tRy, no cigar | Email | Homepage | 10.07.04 - 10:07 pm | #
======================
Is that you Congressman Drier?
Cat-Yusuf Stevens-Islam was cool on Larry King. I don't get the religion thing (his or anyone else's) but he was straightforward, peaceful, smart, thoughtful... (the anti-Chimp)... Gently ripped BushAmerica a new one. Pretty much said he won't come back to the US for awhile, would rather be in a free country.
Peace.
(Happy Birthday, John Lennon, 10/9! You're sorely missed.)
The wheels are coming off the Bush-Cheney wagon. Someone give Bush a stiff drink.
Daydream Nation
Yeah, now everybody's starting to laugh at them you know it's over for them, then. This afternoon on CNN they had Tim somebody for the Kerry campaign and a wing nut and the audience was laughing at the fundie wing nut.
Kerry should block and throw one back. And, if Bush throws another punch Kerry can consider pummeling him until he's bloody (metaphorically speaking, of course).
BUMMER!
Iwould love to see someone, live on TV do a Novak on that chicken shit little fake cowboy.
.
I agree with Michigan JK needs to bring up GHW B early. Give some quote daddy said. It will bring Jr. to his knees.
Duncan hearts Jon-Jon.
My question for tomorrow:
Mr president, how is that Oedipus thing going for ya'?
The thing aWol envies most about Kerry is that Bush can be as rich and oligarchic as anybody in the land, but he will NEVER be a patrician. Nobody that parochial has the breadth of vision or experience required by true patricianhood. dWi's an utterly inelegant person, a self-made rube and an unreflective boob, and no amount of money or power will ever erase that taint or correct the deficiency. Bush, no matter his familial connections, is a pretentious arriviste forever....
WASHINGTON -- A New York Times reporter called it "frightening" that journalists can be put in jail "for doing their jobs effectively."
Fret not, Judith. Any rookie lawyer can get you cleared of that charge.
-
Very simple answer on the 87 Billion issue. "It's called blackmail. The president was blackmailing congress to make the American taxpayers pick up the whole cost of the war by threatening to withhold supplies from our troops. I refuse to give into blackmail."
I'm satan and I approbed this ad.
My debate question for Bush.
"Mr. President, America has noticed that when faced with hard question or in a pressure packed moment you tend to adopt a deer in the headlights 1000 mile stare. My question is this...
During these moments are you sifting through the myriad variables, calculating the outcomes for a thousand possible course of action, sifting and sorting cause and effect, applying Occam's Razor... or are you just having a brain fart?"
I'd ask him if he had the nerve to read his father's lips and pledge "No New Taxes"!
Bush, no matter his familial connections, is a pretentious arriviste forever....
Konopelli
Definitely not top drawer.
if you like making debate predictions, click here
The pressure is all on Bush. I agree, all Kerry has to do is look presidential, respectfully ignore Bush and converse with the American people. Bush has nothing, he'll be reduced to a blur as everyone breathes a sigh of relief and says "I want to vote and feel good about voting for Kerry"
So all Kerry has to do is to be presidential in a way that George Bush isn't. Jeez, Atrios, could you make it any easier? Kerry does that just by standing still and saying nothing.
For what it's worth - I totally agree. There is nothing new that Bush can bring on Friday. He can be more "pleasant," but that's about the extent of it.
With the first question, it would be nice if Mr. Kerry would remove his coat and roll up his sleeves while starting his answer. Then look over at Bushie and encourage he do the same. If Bush is wearing a wire he won't be able to...
mitchell wrote: "Kerry's people ought to prepare for any bills he sponsored that can sound competely off the wall to our ears in 2004. Notice how Cheney was repeating opp research during the Edwards debate."
I personally handed all of the research info on that to the research team in either April or May. They're ready for it.
I think the steady bad news Iraq, more terrorist bombings in Egypt, plus the stesdy drip drip drip of the number of lies Cheney told in the debate and the angry, hostile way Bu$h appears in public are gonna bury his ass.
Couldn't Kerry quote Gary Trudeau? "It's a shame we all have to suffer because George never got enough approval from his dad"
My Debate question: Mr. President, you've made the point many times that Iraq is now the central front in the war on terrorism. Why did you decide to make Iraq, specifically, the central front in the war on terrorism?
Kerry will win, but the press will be very reluctant to acknowledge it. And the reason isn't a terrible one: if Bush loses the next debate, he loses the election, so the refs won't want to foul him out unless they can't ignore the infraction.
Duncan hearts Jon-Jon.
4 more years of Left Wing whin
There ya go: Further proof that Karl's heart just isn't in it anymore!
Atrios,
Not that this is news but I think Kerry could use this.
Before the invasion Bush said that if Saddam disarmed he could avoid war. Now he says even though Saddam had disarmed he still would have gone to war.
Quotes here:
http://flipflops.compassiongate....iraq-
fp.htm#1_6
TR
Why did you decide to make Iraq, specifically, the central front in the war on terrorism?
"Because Saddam Ben Lauden is a bad man and he tried to kill my daddee!"
I'm thinking that they'll pump Junior full of "Smiley Juice" to counter the pouting that inhabited his visage last time 'round. Of course, he'll make even *less* sense than last time but a lot of Americans must be listening with the sound off anyway, given how well he's done in the polls.
I'm going to see Brian Wilson tomorrow night, but I'm thinking of scalping the tickets. I mean, why pay $60, plus $10 for parking, when I can stay home and see a mentally-damaged, incoherent, stammering Baby Boomer on TV for free?
Zeus M., going to hell...
Zeus, at least the one you're paying to see is extremely talented. Can't say the same for Georgie. 
Kerry needs help in this poll
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6092749/
Because Saddam Ben Lauden is a bad man and he tried to kill my daddee!"
george "witless" bush
Actually, they tried to kill Bush's entire family. The entire clan was in Kuwait at the time except little Georgie who was back in Texas. Of course the information on the plot was provided by Chalabi.
Careful: Duncan gets all steamed when you call him Duncan.
Hey everyone,
Here is what you will here a gazillion times tomorrow night.
"He'll raise your taxes!"
I expect everyone tomorrow night to say, "Dave was right!"
Trust me on this one. They will hit Kerry hard as a tax and spender. My guess is Kerry will hit it out of the park... nonetheless that is my prediction. I wish Kerry would just stare at Bush blankly and say, "that's all you got?!" Coz America won't be buying that crap in 2004. Fortunately Bush doesn't understand that.
Landslide.
Bush can't hide behind the "low expectations" thing. He's the FUCKING PRESIDENT! He is supposed to be able to think on his feet and have a good understanding of issues. To be a good leader he should be able to articualte a convincing case for his course of action.
IF Kerry can "out-President" Bush again, Bush is toast.
I think that's why Bush had Saddam's sons killed.
Lee Atwater's (Reagan/Bush top campaign operative/manager, died of brain cancer in early nineties) rule no.1:
DO NOT INTERFERE, as your opponent self destructs. Take the high road and stick to your message.
Kerry WILL look presidential
Bush just CAN'T pull it off, it's too much.
Hope is on the way. FIGHT!
A clear Bush loss on friday moves up the rovian event by 2 weeks.
I'm thinking that they'll pump Junior full of "Smiley Juice" to counter the pouting that inhabited his visage last time 'round.
I imagine the only bit of this week's debate prep that will stick in Bush's head is the advice to not act like a goof between answers. And if Kerry riles him (quite probable), Bush won't remember that either.
"some bimbo in ohio was circulating a petition to have polls in places other than schools. . ."
in md the schools are closed on election day anyway because so many are used as polling places. don't they do that everywhere?
I don't see why everyone is having such a hard time with the 'global test'. Go back and read exactly what Kerry said.
It is:
We will do whatever the fuck we need to do.
And after we've done it, the reason we give will be both credible and resoundingly embraced by both the American people and the rest of the world.
It will not be a stinkin' pile of horseshit like SOME administrations I could name.
It's really that simple!
And Kudlow is totally gone; he must have broken up with his male lover or something and started pounding the bottle again. There was a short time about a year ago when K-C was fun to watch. The banter was friendly, not cloying as it is now, the guests were interesting and the hosts asked intelligent questions and got informative answers.
But Kudlow has OD-ed on the Koolaid (which has been fermenting since Reagan put it in the basement). He cannot let go that the economic policies of this Administration (and its many Secs of Treasury and OMB, etc.) have been TOTAL FAILURES. I'll bet he didn't sign onto the petition from the 169 economists today.
"steamed duncuns" Bam!!!
TOP 10 PIECES OF DEBATE ADVICE FOR GEORGE BUSH
10.) Don't suddenly grab for your crotch if Kerry whispers that your fly is down.
9.) We made sure that Kerry has his own clock, so DON'T keep checking your watch if he repeatedly asks you the time. That's a trick.
8.) If Kerry leans over and says: "Try not to yawn, George", he is messing with your mind.
7.) If Kerry asks to borrow a piece of paper, don't give him your dang cheat-sheet again!
6.) If you get stuck, just shake your head and repeat: "It's hard work being preznit. Hard, hard work."
5.) Don't tell the moderator: "I'll take 'Baseball' for $1000". We convinced them it was a joke last time.
4.) Please remember ... Argentina is not in the Middle East. It was okay in the practice debate, but don't do it again.
3.) I know we told you last time that if you get nervous, picture the audience naked. We didn't mean for you to get aroused. You don't have a podium to stand behind this time, so just picture them in funny hats.
2.) It's "NEW-clear", numbnutz!
1.) Try not to fall for that old golfer's trick again if Kerry asks if you "inhale" or "exhale" before answering questions. Last time he pulled that it took you 32 seconds to make an intelligible sound. That looks bad on camera.
(Yeah ... it's a repost. Sue me. More appropriate here)
I'm sure it was Wolfowitz and Perele wispering into the little giggling murder's ear how they tried to kill his whole family and poor little george would have been all alone. That's not enough to take a nation to war, though, so they made up the WMDs claim and the dozens of other bogus pretexts.
the "no wmd behind the sofa; hee-hee, haw-haw" tape would be particularly effective tonight.
The GHWB intro is when the planted audience brings up "global test". Just reply this is the test that GHWB used before launching Gulf War 1.
Next if the President dares to mention the UN oil-for-food and argue against the UN, just respond that the accusations don't even pass the "Dan Rather test". The supporting documents for these accusations haven't been properly verified and haven't been made the subject of public scrutiny. Especially since the US company names on the public list have been withheld for privacy reasons.
When we got married my wife told me I was one in a million. I found out she was right!
I saw my psychiatrist. I told him, "Doc, I keep thinking I'm a dog." He told me to get off his couch.
I said to one girl, "Come on, honey, I'll show you where it's at." She said, "You better, 'cause the last time I couldn't find it."
Oh, when I go to a nude beach, I always take a ruler with me. Yeah, just in case I have to prove something.
Last week I told my psychiatrist, "I keep thinking about suicide." He told me from now on I have to pay in advance.
I predict Bush will try to ingratiate himself with the audience and will come across as a goofy homunculus.
Look on it this way; The last time Bush skipped a physical, it was because he knew he was leaving...
WTF happened to the Global Test thread???
Edwards cracked me up during the debate when he slowly tore a piece of paper when the dark lord was responding.
Daydream nation -- Thanks for the Dylan lyrics. Lo & Behold, always a good tune to have inside yr head.
evagrius & raybin -- What was inspiring about JFK & RFk, the way they grew, is really what Democrats tend to do. I think we have two candidates for greatness in the Dems running now. No need to retreat into nostalgia -- the tradition isn't dead . . .
in md the schools are closed on election day anyway because so many are used as polling places. don't they do that everywhere?
Olaf glad and big | Email | Homepage | 10.07.04 - 10:36 pm | #
hey that's what i remember, election day was sweet, hope i'm saying that this year, in florida.
"Now how come, on my browser, the "Comments" link for this is split into "Comment" and "s" and the orange ad is between the two instead of the upper left corner? Anybody else seeing weird stuff?
Silleigh"
These and the others that keep cropping up show one major defect in the technology: people don't know how to wipe their browser cache.
Your browser, especially if you use it heavily, can become corrupted easily, and it is EASY to clear the cache, and most of these problems will evaporate.
Of course, if you have a Macintosh, you will also hear a dulcet tone in the room, and a halo will appear over your CPU. But even those with obscure MS operating systems should be able to make it work... Crowbar?
--
WTF happened to the Global Test thread???
Konopelli | Email | Homepage | 10.07.04 - 10:41 pm | #
refresh, i have that weird problem sometimes too.
"Actually, they tried to kill Bush's entire family."
No evidence this rumor was ever true.
--
I don't want to get too cocky about tomorrow. I think Bush will do well in this town-hall format. BUT - probably not well enough to undo the damage from the first debate.
Does anyone know how far in advance the debate audience will submit their questions? If it was done before today, then there won't be any mention of the new "no WMDs" report. Of course Kerry will mention it, but it would be even better coming from the audience.
This is a debate about the economy. Expect Bush to claim that he "inherited" the recession. Don't let him.
http://mediamatters.org/items/20...ms/
200405010002
If ever it was time for Bush to go to the earpiece, tomorrow night is it.
I don't think Bush used it last week -- he was so godawful it was obvious that he was flying solo. Expect Rove to be in the audio co-pilot seat this time.
I agree except that I think Kerry should plan to deliver some directly confrontational blows up front to make sure Bush is thrown deep into his reactive, pissy state for all the world to see -- again.
I think this is something so unconscious and so deeply engrained in Bush that there's no way he can effectively mask it.
I want the American public to see it again and again until everyone gets exactly where this SOB and his lethal ideas are coming from.
He deserves everything that's coming to him.
I'll go out on a limb and predict that Bush will blurt out something stoopid and ill-advised that will frost his dumb ass. He's in a downward spiral and seeing everything slip away. It is a paradox of human nature than panic makes you act reckless. On the other side of the coin, I'm guessing the Rovians are coaching Bush on what they hope will be a bombshell; something to break Kerry's composure (since his presidential poise seems to be what is registering most on peole). Kerry can't let himself be rattled.
Bush can't hide behind the "low expectations" thing. He's the FUCKING PRESIDENT!
Exactly so. His cronies have spent four years portraying him as the big-shot, not-as-stupid-as-you-thought, hairy-chested, big-balled guy who knows what he's doing and is going to lead us all to . . . something. And his supporters believe it because they want to--who wouldn't?
But not everyone can sustain that level of fantasy. It requires a certain level of naivete to believe anyone could be the merde chaud Bush makes himself out to be, and maybe some sophistication to recognize that only a total zero would throw so much effort into presenting himself that way.
In any case he's gone from low expectations (as you point out) to absolutely ridiculous expectations among his would-be supporters. A genius couldn't live up to the image Bush has been trying to make for himself--and Bush is a twit.
The president and I both supported eighty-plus billion dollar funding for our troops and equipment, but I think that WE should pay for that, and NOT, as the president insisted, force our grand-children and their children to pay our bills, plus interest, just because his rich special interests want even more tax cuts.
Nobody stands with our troops on freedom's perimeter more than I do. I have stood in their boots. They need and deserve better leadership, from the place where the buck stops.
Even as the president and I have campaigned, our soldiers and Marines have deployed without body armor and other essential equipment, even holding bake sales and taking out second mortgages to get the equipment that their country should be providing for them. So if you want to stimulate the economy, here's something that will stimulate some personal economies all over the country: I have sponsored, with others, a bill in Congress to recompensate servicemen or their families who were forced to personally buy the body armor they needed when deploying into combat, due to the poor planning and leadership of this administration. The Republican-controlled Congress will not allow a vote on this simple bill to do what's right, and which should not even be necessary. The leader of the Republican party happens to be here with us tonight, and if he called for his party's Congressional leaders to support and have a vote on this bill, it would certainly pass, and that would make a real difference for the many in the services and their families who sacrifice so much for the rest of us. Won't you join me here tonight and support this bi-partisan "thank you" to them for standing up for us all?-
Thank you Atrios. Beautifully said.
OT:
'Yogi Bhajan' died today. The teacher of 'kundalini yoga' in the West led tens of thousands of students, from the late 60s to recently, in this rarely-taught system of yoga, an alternative to the hatha yoga that has become a staple in the US. Many local yoga centers now also teach the popular (and demanding) kundalini yoga.
Many students also took up the turban-wearing Sikh religion, a contemplative path involving prayer, chanting, sacred song, and a strict moral code that includes the view of universal equal rights, and protection of the innocent at all costs.
With his title of Siri Singh Sahib, he was a sort of 'pope' of the Sikh religion in the West, though few East-indian Sikhs recognized the title.
Following Sikh tradition, Yogi Bhajan will be cremated. Remembrance services will be held in New Mexico this Saturday, at the center he established there in the late 70s.
--
Hear hear!
(Go A-man!)
Here's the answer to the $87B vote question:
"I voted for the version of the bill that said how we'd pay for it. You insisted on a version that will leave our children to pay for it."
Oh, and somebody upthread suggested that Kerry try to zing him with "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." This would be a BAD IDEA. Picture the video clip that you'd see a bazillion times before election day, edited to have Kerry saying "shame on me."
Whoa! Good one Tan the Man Kerry!
Better than mine.
IF the shrub mentions one more time, "the world is safer with Saddam in jail" I'd like to hear Kerry snap back, "And will be safer with you not in office."
I have a question. Apparently, the jobs report will come out tomorrow. I've heard predictions from -50000 to +100000 total jobs lost/gained. Heres what I am wondering about. What about all the reservists in Iraq? They *had* full-time jobs pre-theater. The companies they worked for couldnt leave the work the reservists were doing not done, so my guess is they hired temp workers to fill the position.
What happens when the reservists come home and the temp workers are out of work again? Are they (the temps) being calculated as "unemployed" or "now-employed"? What about the reservists? How many non-fulltime US military are in Iraq, anyway?
David
It should be clear that Kerry needs to state early that the questions were submitted early and people will be cut off if they ask a different question.
He should state that he waves the rule and will allow anyone called on to ask any question that they want of him....
It will force Bush to:
1) Stick with the rules and look very very bad!
2) Adopt the same rules and have to face real questions from the very people he has been screwing over for the first time....
See, people ask better questions than reporters because the answers matter to them! They have one opportunity to address power and they go for it!
Kerry should realize that he can handle this situation much better than Bush can...it's why he tried to avoid the debate to begin with!
Schools doubling as polling places don't close on election day in Tennessee. Or at least they don't here in Knox County.
I, as well, have got this boiling blood in me, waiting for the election to get over with. The shrill level is getting harsher, the battle of lawn signs is getting meaner. I think I'm getting fearful of something spectacular happening to take the news off of Iraq. If they got a surprise stuffed up their sleeves, the time is getting near for them to pull it out.
Bush's rally to the coached minions in Pennsylvania had an eery third reich kind of fervor. The more the truth belies their empty slogans, the more they cling to them as their ticket to oblivion.
I think I'll have a brownie.
A couple of cracks at the problems here:
1) All "global test" means is that the President is not God, and the US doesn't operate in a vacuum. (Try to resist pointing out that there's a double u in the word.)
2) Re: the $87 billion: "I voted to materially support the troops, and the President vetoed that support. I voted against billions of dollars in pork for your cronies, given at the expense of the troops, and the President signed that. How can he support the troops when he clearly has no idea what they need?"
Two second answer.
The golbal test is TRUTH!
Isn't that easy?
Konopelli --
An arriviste noveau riche embarrassment?
In the Oil Business? From Texas?
Who'd a thunk it!!
Bush will hide behind that laundry list of prominent Democrats (and others) who stated that Iran had WNDs. He will repeat it ad nauseum. It is the only thing he can use. Problem is: how does Kerry blunt that?
I expect Bush to employ the "spaghetti method" of debating.
As long as Kerry's ready for it, he'll do just fine.
thanks, chris from tx - bush is a sociopath. anyone familiar with the basic personalty traits can see that...I love that he is losing "just by being himself" as another clever blogger mentioned!
I think he'll blow it tomorrow night, too - he's incapable of formulating his answers and controlling his reactions at the same time. no way he learned that in a week.
Oh, and go here to see George W. Bush in the long-awaited FARGO remake.
http://tortious_interference.blo...e.blogspot.com/
Chimpy McSmirk had no clue,
What to say, what to think, what to do;
So when the evening was done,
And the lights came back on,
The people said: "Chimpy, you're through."
..
I assume there is something in the rules preventing either candidate from suggesting that they waive the rules, but otherwise it would be a good idea.
Now that every other rationalization for the war has been exposed as phony, every day for the past week Bush-Cheney have been remarking that the fact Sadaam offered $$ to the survivors of suicide bombers is sure proof of a link to terrorism.
Why aren't the John-Johns or anyone from the DNC reminding people that Saudi Arabia went Jerry Lewis and held a telethon which raised $150 for that very purpose??
If that's the standard for invasion, Saudi Arabia ought to put their trays up, return their seats to an upright position and bend over and grab their ankles.
Someone should be talking about this...with "Fahrenheit 9/11" now out on DVD, the last thing the Busheviks want to be doing is reminding people about their questionable relationship with the Saudis. This does just that and exposes the double standard.
Remember, this is a fake town hall format. Both campaigns have the questions already. All Bush has to do is repeat his lines, which he's good at. Spin will be how Bush recovered well from the first debate.
Let's all counter this by talking up Bush/Cheney/Delay lies. Example: They swore Iraq had WMDs. They Lied. Now they swear there won't be a draft. Fool me once, shame on... Fool me twice - we won't be fooled again!
I heard something really interesting on the radio. Alan Colmes has a show where Carl Cameron gives him a taste of the campaign and what to expect.
Yesterday Cameron said that no one in Bush's inner circle will say, "Bush, you looked like a moron in the first debate." They don't criticize him directly. Cameron said that they actually plant leaks in the news so that it gets back to him.
This guy is more than sheltered. He's going to be nervous as hell, and praying that he can use his zingers. Cheney barely used them in context. I expect bush to do the same and hope that they are sweet enough for the news to edit out the embarrassing parts. That's what they did for Cheney.
I think Kerry should bring up Bush 41, and he should pray for a hidden Republican trying to play hardball. To me, the nail in the coffin will be when Kerry says that unlike the President, he can take a little critisism, that's part of the job.
I'm waiting to see what Chimpy comes out wearing. It's the Show-Me State, so I don't think the denims and $2,000 cowboy boots are going to do the trick.
The flightsuit, perhaps?
And yes, Kerry should treat Bush as if he's already a lame duck. Not disrespectfully, but with the respect he deserves...
Bush has already spoken to the latest WMD news -- so we know what he is going to say tomorrow: EVERYONE in the entire known universe said that Iraq had WMDs, so it isn't our mistake.
Kerry has a golden opportnuity to gut him. Nothing is more certain than Bush WILL hit that talking point.
I don't know if anyone on earth will read to the end of this long comment section--least of all late night Kerry speech writers--but I DO think I have a bit of good advice for John Kerry, re: the flip-flopping charge. And here it is:
JOHN KERRY: The Bush administration has changed its justifications for the war on Iraq so often, and with such head-spinning untruthfulness, and has created such a staggeringly confusing situation in Iraq, how can anyone NOT flip-flop in response?
After the numerous changing justifications for the invasion--all of which have turned out to be false--the occupation then announced elections in Iraq, then changed that policy, and didn't hold the elections.
They said they wanted order and safety and democracy in Iraq, but permitted widespread looting and disbanded the Iraqi army.
They said they were doing the Iraqis a favor, overturning Saddam Hussein, then proceeded to act just like him, by torturing prisoners.
Now they're back to holding elections again--meanwhile the place has gone to hell and the Iraqis no longer trust us. Imagine how confused THEY feel.
First it was weapons of mass destruction.
Then it was weapons of mass destruction program related activities.
Then it was Iraq and 9/11.
Then it was Saddam Hussein was a bad man.
Now--just yesterday--they claimed that they invaded Iraq because of the UN Oil for Food program.
I have tried to keep up with these changing policies and statements, but it isn't easy. Now we find that critical information was withheld from the American public and from the Congress. There were no WMDs. There was no connection to 9/11. There was no threat to the US at all.
So, pardon me for voting to authorize military force to help the president obtain a UN resolution, which he did not obtain.
And pardon me for then voting for SANITY in the funding of this mistaken war. No more tax cuts for the rich with a $200 billion bill coming due!
And pardon me for questioning the Bush administration's purpose in Iraq now--after a year of incompetent occupation.
But my policies have NOT been flip-flops. They have been genuine efforts to understand, and respond to, the EVER-CHANGING statements and policies of this administration. The Bush administration have been the true flip-floppers. They can't figure out why they invaded that country, what they're doing there, or how to accomplish it. This constant flip-flopping comes right from the White House. That's where the buck stops.
Mr. Bush is fond of saying, "He will stay the course." I would like to know what that course is. So would the American people.
He has to be as down to earth as hell while still outshining the president's downearthedness (made up new word). He has to make Bush look like the whining little conservative that he is.
What I'd like to see (the KO):
Kerry: You see Mr. President, you are a failure. A failure to all Americans. A failure to the rest of the world. You have lost all credibility in Iraq. So why don't you just give me the keys to the White House right now and save these people some time.
Bush: Oh yeah, well...FLIP FLOPPER! MASSACHUSETTS! (smug grin)
It's n
Prediction: Bush will try to call in sick. But if he does show up, I predict he'll try not to slouch, or repeat himself, or repeat himself, or slouch.
I'm sure Rove will give Bush a new and incisive mantra to chant, and equally sure that Bush will fuck it up.
Let Kerry be Kerry.
[hiccup...] It's n...
It's not hard to see the outlines of their Election Day plan. Some small % of voters purged here and here; Diebold et al also zaps a few votes here and there--nothing large scale, just enough, when combined with serious terrorist alerts wherever necessary to disrupt polling places and traffic--especially hard on the poor--and to scare people with police presence as much as with potential threat. (Imagine if streets were blocked off at your polling place. What would you do? Say you have to get to work, or pick up the kids...). And maybe it won't be all that dramatic.
This scenario (credit due mainly to Wayne Madsen) is scarier than dramatic things like OBL being "captured"--subtler, less obvious, harder to prove fraud.
What can we do to counter it? It looks like another layer of vigilance must be added, to make quick determinations of how bad the disruptions are, whether to agree to polling being postponed, and so on. It could be a mess.
The school warning certainly looks like prep for this--and Rumsfeld's remarks about a "partial" election in Iraq being acceptable.
It's a sad commentary when so many perfectly sane people are fully expecting their government to conduct major dirty tricks, using government powers, to steal an election.
Someone upthread said the spirit of JFK and RFK still lives. And so does the spirit of Martin Luther King. He is watching over us, you know. And he will show the way.
I've guessed that Kerry needs a 5% to 10% advantage to overcome Republican election fraud. Maybe he'll need more than that. GOTV.
P.S. Kerry needs to say something about the Swiftboat Liars. It may not be cool, but he really needs to do it.
Remember, this is a fake town hall format. Both campaigns have the questions already. All Bush has to do is repeat his lines, which he's good at. Spin will be how Bush recovered well from the first debate.
this is my concern. the media needs it's 'close race' and i've never believed that there are actual undecideds being chose for this event...that would be too dangerous for both candidates.
but i surely hope that bush looks as stupid as he did the first time, and that's a hope i feel good about.
er, 'chosen.' choosed, picked, you get the idea.
in md the schools are closed on election day anyway because so many are used as polling places. don't they do that everywhere?
Olaf G&B--Where I vote, the school takes advantage of the election day crowd and holds a bake sale. Which not only makes them a couple of bucks, but it makes voting more fun: instead of just glumly standing in line, you stand in line while chatting with the neighbors and eating cupcakes.
I'm just worried that tonite's debate with "Just Folks" will have a lot of Freepers disguised as "undecideds" to sandbag Kerry.
I think we saw what Bush's strategery is for tonight - attack attack attack. If that stupid ass speech they tricked the cable news shows into running is any indication - as they obviously did that on purpose to see how it would play.
That, my friends, would be absolutely fine by me. Get personal, Mr. Bush, please.
Oh, and I think Karl and Co probably have been - er - strongly suggesting (read: probable tongue-lashing) since last debate. I doubt we'll see Bush making those faces much again, though I do think they'll be so thinly below the surface that any major blow by Kerry will break him.
Just my $.02.
Back when I wasn't sure who to support in the primaries, I saw Kerry on C-Span after a speech, walking amongst people and talking to them. His audio was on.
He was quite personable and charming, and spoke to them seriously about issues. I was impressed and thought that we'd have a good chance if he were nominated.
Lick Bush!
Lick Bush!
Lick Bush!
(Where's Clinton when you need him?)
I love the idea of Kerry beating the smirkster into a bloody pulp.
We all know Bush deserves it, and we know Kerry could do it.
My debate advice - hit Bush on the deficit. Kerry should take a potshot at Bush's "Fuzzy Math".
Bush has a Harvard MBA - he should know that Revenues minus expenses equals profit. If tax revenues are not greater than governmental expenses, we get a "deficit." Bush should be very familiar with this concept since he has run so many companies into the ground.
From what I understand of the debate format, "ordinary people" submit questions (probably have already), but the questions are selected and read by the moderator. Not much chance for a "wild" question to get in there.
Since there should be some domestic content to the debate tonight, I'd like to see if Kerry can get in some comments about strengthening the Americans with Disabilities Act after some (IMO, moronic) supreme court rulings that weakened it.
This would give Kerry a chance to praise George H.W. Bush while denigrating George W Bush...which always seems to make little Georgie kinda crazy.
My bet is that Rove hammered home to Bush to "stand still, don't fidget, and keep a straight face" more than anything else. There's only so much information one can cram into a brain the size of a walnut.
Right. Women seem to be coming back to Kerry, and undo abrasiveness toward the Shrub will turn them off (my personal preference is that Kerry rip Bush's head off).
But at some point, won't Kerry please confront Bush over the Swift Boat Liars ads and their respective service records?
Does anybody know if our side can screen to make sure there isn't a bunch of pre-rehearsed ringers in the audience?
Charlie Gibson stated this morning on GMA that it's his job to make sure that the questioners are equally distributed between leaning for Bush and leaning for Kerry.
Let's see how well Chuck does his job.
The problem is that Bush will have to be up there alone. He is not a quick thinker, and that will will force him to continually repeat the phrases taught him this week by Rove. Now the problem is that these phrases may not have anything to do with the questions. The other problem is that the general public will be magnifying every grimace and pout he makes because of his last debate performance. He could come off like a fool, or a joke. This is it , folks, Bush must win tonite. The GOP Media is aware of this necessity and nothing short of a complete meltdown will prevent the Media from awarding tonite's performanc to the "regular guy" Bush. Bank on it.
I watched Kerry respond to an audience member who interrupted his terrorism speech at Temple Univ a few weeks ago with a sharply worded question about AIDS. Kerry was very respectful of the person, and handled his response brilliantly, with a thoughtful, fact-filled answer which he then smoothly segued into the rest of his speech. I gotta tell you, I was awestruck.
The guy actually stood and cheered Kerry's response.
I have absolutely zero concerns about how Kerry can handle this format tonight.
What Kerry needs to do is chew Bush's head off.
That's the only thing the plebiscite will respect.
If Kerry makes Bush start to cry, the election's his.
Is this the debate with the "town hall" format? Kerry should let George pick the people who ask him (Kerry) questions. Demonstrate ourage, competence, self-confidence all in one swell foop.
I still hope that they'll ask butch
what he'd do if his twins girls were gangraped by osama and hussein.
Kerry needs to repeat what he did to Bush last debate. The issues themselves you can always argue (quite successfully) that it's just a difference of opinion as to 'what's right for the country'. Some people will never be convinced by Kerry's point of view.
However, what the last debate revealed was not so much a diffenece of opinions, but that Bush really doesn't even have much of a grasp of the details his own policies. It came as a shock to a lot of conservatives how baffled Bush appeared, how he had nothing more than a basic understanding of the topics- how he floundered when Kerry started getting into the details.
I'm taking a stab at answering the two questions.
On the 87 Billion:
We wanted to pas an $87 Billion program that was funded by rolling back some of the tax breaks that went to the wealthiest Americans but this president refused and threatened to veto it.
This president thought that tax breaks for a wealthy few were more important than the safety of our troops a long way from home and in harms way.
What was passed, and What I voted against was $87 billion for the war but on barrowed money.
I don't know about you, but we have lots of young people in the audience tonight, and I want President Bush to look into their eyes and explained to them why they are going to have to pay for something in the future that we refuse to pay for now.
If the war is worth American Soldiers dying for, then its easily should be worth paying for. This President has borrowed and spend the country into oblivion, Its another example of colossal errors in judgement. One of many of course.
Regardless of plans to get out, this President has demonstrated so much poor judgement that he can't be trusted to get us out of the mess we are in.
In Regard to the International Test.
Its called international law, or more formally, "the law of nations" Our founding fathers saw to it in the costitution, and confirmed in a supreme court case in 1903 that the "law of nations" is part of the law of the United States. It is also part of the logic behind the declaration of independence.
You can't willy nilly start wars without a a decent respect to the opinions of mankind for justification - thats how it is written in the declaration of independence.
Its there for a reason. You can't willy-nilly go off invading other countries in a Hitlerite fashion - that is the test, you flunk it and the nations of the world have to come against you. In 1991 Saddam flunked that test in Kuwait, and the world rose up against him. In Afghanistan we passed that test and the world faught with us. In Iraq we formally passed, but morally lost that test and so we are there alone.
The founding fathers made International law part of the United States constitution, the supreme court, in their generation, 1803, during Jefferson's presidency re-affirmed the principle and the declaration of independence reflects the principle the law of nations is part of the law of the united states. And by making it so, they help protect the United States from becoming an international peria where upon the nations of the world would have to come against us and fight or resist us. We are coming perilously close to that now.
Evidence, we have lots of formal allies, but little in the way of effective allies, because we are formally legal but informally, morally dubious in our legality in Iraq.
Our founding fathers knew that the purpose of diplomacy is to isolate the enemy, not ourselves. 90% of the people in nations that are traditionally allied to us see us a the bigest
oops ran out of space.
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lol ... Why is that ad here? I might as well type my name .. Jenna Beth Noveau .. Yay
Anyways .. Morally dubious is a very interesting way to describe our actions. In some way I think warfare calls for that demeanor. As "The Art of War" states .. War is deception. How can one participate without being at least a little morally dubious.
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