Sunday Roundup

This week, John McCain and the truth parted ways again, this time citing irreconcilable differences - i.e. the fact that the truth regularly exposes the dissembling, say-anything-to-get-elected hack McCain has become. His attacks on Barack Obama's willingness to confront the leaders of Iran at the negotiating table, and his piling on agreement with President Bush's loathsome attempt to link Obama to Nazi appeasers, were shown to be nothing more than hypocritical political posturing by Jamie Rubin. The McCain camp's response was to attack the messenger (hmm, where have I seen that before?) and attempt to confuse the issue. So here's what we can expect from now until November from McCain: attack the truth tellers and pretend it's 2013.

If you are in San Francisco on Monday, I will be speaking about Right is Wrong at 7pm at Book Passage (51 Tamal Vista in Corte Madera), and if you are in Seattle on Tuesday I'll be speaking at 7:30pm at the Town Hall Center for Civic Life (on 8th Avenue).

Comments

[10ghostcommander]

Before Governor Janet Napolitano, white collar crime in AZ was legalized. The Attorney General's offfice inherited 70,000 un-answered consumer complaints from the previous R administration. If you were a consumer-forget it. If you were an employee-forget it. Rights just were not available to the working and lower middle class. This is the class that John McCain belonged to--the upper crust of Phoenix that was above the law.

[CaptainVideo]

One of the mantras the Obama camp should repeat over and over with respect to McCain is:

THE FORMER STRAIGHT-TALKER HAS BECOME A DOUBLE-TALKER.

Similarly:

The straight-talk express has crashed and burned.
McCain is now riding on the double-talk express.

[vandegrasse]

Saw a moving anti-war vid called The Great Dream

Check it out

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AGnkeHJ4h2U

[mamacat]

Thank You Arianna.
You continue to speak truth to power.

[spicegal]

Arianna, you silly goose. Haven't you heard about the GOP hypocrisy and double standard? When Republicans talk to our enemies, it's called diplomatic negotiation, you know, the old "carrots and sticks" approach. When Democrats suggest we talk to our enemies, it's appeasement. According to the GOP playbook, everything Democrats do is all bad, even though Republicans have done or plan to do the very same thing. See, the Republicans don't want to give the Democrats credit for anything. They think it works better for the GOP in the long run because the average American simply forgets how they blocked all those wonderful bills that would have actually helped the nation. That's why they won't pass Democratic sponsored legislation like Webb's recent GI bill to pass. The public needs to be educated about these slimy tactics. Fortunately, many of us have already caught on.

[newshawk14]

Arianna , simply keep up the good work of illuminating where McCain is speaking (with forked tongue)
and I think we democrats will be just fine in the fall.

[dana94591]

I watched the exchange yesterday between Jaime Rubin and this black girl who actually has a job as the black conservative mouth organ of the Republican party on Larry King. I have seen her several places and could not figure out what she is doing and what her real job is (I have even seen her on Real Time with Bill Maher where he bills her as a political commentator). All she is is an Republican mouth piece. I guess she was in on the McCain conference call and got her talking points from McCain's campaign manager for her appearance that evening. Also hasn't anyone investigated to see if this is the handy work of Karl Rove????? Since he is "allegedly" an "unofficial" advisor to the McCain campaign!!!

[DavidHeart]

Are you referring to Amy Holmes?

[iBgood]

Arianna. Truly, you have mccain's number. Thanks again!

[bluff]

What is McCain's motivation? Why does he want to be president? I'm slightly older than he is and the thought of undertaking any monumental job like 'the leader of the free world,' the most powerful man in the world' is...I got it. That's his motivation.

What happens to a democracy, especially one made so fragile by our sitting president and his minions of enablers, when its leader is an individual who reigns only to satisfy his lust for power. Bush began the devolution of our republic: McCain will finish it.

[dawlishgal]

Well said. I am approximately your age (and McCain's) and in good health, and I can't imagine taking on the monumental responsibilities of the presidency at this point in my life. There is an article in the issue of Time magazine that came yesterday about the probability of recurrance and spreading of McCain's kind of cancer (40%), and it seems to me that any real lover of his country wouldn't subject it and its people to the problems involved with his uncertain health.

I wouldn't want him to be prohibited from running due to reasons of age and health, but it seems to me that it is a matter of personal judgment. that he thinks that he will be such a good president that this ought to overrule both his age and his chances of HUGE healthproblems. Seems arrogant to me.

[CaptainVideo]

I'm 68 and I know from personal experience that McCain is too old for this demanding job.

[FogBelter]

Welcome to San Francisco, Arianna, for your Commonwealth Club appearance Monday ... you're just in time for the Fog.

[PioneerKing]

ARIANNA:

Now that you have realize what a shallow political opportunist McCain has always been, please start reading the transcripts of his speeches. Also, look at his actual voting record for the entire time he has been in office. You will find the speeches are nothing more than empty rhetoric and McCain's voting record countermands the myth that the main stream media has created that McCain is a straight talking maverick.
When you read McCain's speeches you will realize that McCain has NEVER offered substantive information on his plans for addressing national security, foreign policy and economic stability.
The manner in which McCain and his family have so eagerly thrown his adopted brown skinned daughter under the bus in his efforts to court the "agents of intolorence," is the best sign of McCain's character.

[ShamusNYC]

Let us not forget that the particular remark Bush quoted was from a Republican Senator, whom (in all fairness) did not have nearly the information that we know in retrospect today. In many ways, he was like the mislead Congress when they were duped into surrendering some authority to the President.

If there are appaisers amongst us, let us not forget that the Republicans have a long & proud recent history of such actions - Iran/Contra anyone? Last time I checked, I don't think that Obama will look to accomplish his agenda by giving arms to the Iranians.

Obama makes an exceptionally good point - Bush's inability to create a stable Iraqi gov't has taken away the primary security issue for Iran and has greatly increased the danger to Israel in 1st order.
(Cont'd)

[ShamusNYC]

One of the biggest tragedies of this administration is their failure to build on the goodwill towards the American position post 9-11. Indeed, we had a full greenlight to truly bring a lasting strong gov't in Afganistan and should have been able to completely route Al Qaida from the global map. Instead? We did a half-job and rushed to complete a pet project of the President and Vice-President (and, of course, Halliburton & other good friends).

To this latter point, our allies in the Middle East told us point blank that they would support us removing Saddam but only after we solved the Israel/Palestine conundrum. Again, after 9-11, we had our shot and we blew it.

So, in second order, this war and the Bush imperialism combined to aggressively erode the positive feelings for America and Americans - both amongst our allies as well as our "enemies" (or those who have become our enemies). Indeed, it enables the leadership of Iran & Venezuela to exist - a "hero" standing up to the Imperial US.

[ShamusNYC]

Ahmadinejad does not have dominating support amongst his people and crucially relies on the "Bush Bump". With the Republicans out, this source of support rapidly disappears - even if we do not have any appreciable change in our Iraq strategy!

In the views of Bush & Co., anyone who fails to tow their line is a traitor. How many about faces have we seen from them? Libya, North Korea? These have both been limited successes obtained when they chose not to follow their own bad advice.

One defination of insantity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. McCain's argument is for more of the same. Essentially, we got you in this mess so you should hire us to get you out of it.

One last thing, in all sobriety one would have to think that McCain would overwhelmingly be the choice of Al Qaida. No one has done a greater job in helping the organization build support then Bush. So what if they had a lot of casualites post 9-11? They got more and more dedicated recruits due to Bush policies and more "wink-nod" support from aspects of national gov'ts.

By the way, I love the idea of a Obama-Hagel ticket. Would also love to see Colin Powell take a strong stand with Obama and hopefully others will follow.

[sf94127]

The Democratic Party has no idea how much they have disenfranchised key segments of their own party. No idea, clueless.

By discounting votes in FL and MI and and trying to force Hillary out of the race before millions have voted they have driven millions of people to McCain.

This is irreversible, a koombayah speech from Hillary won't change the situation as it is not about her, its about the left wing hijacking the party and throwing millions under the bus.

[JoeBlough]

You sound like McCain is an opton. Why would a democrate vote against their own interests by voting for a Republican. Disenfranched or not, you don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

You make it sound like a democrate wil say" I didn't get my person, so I'm going to destroy America by voting for McCain". You make Americans sound stupid.

[DeathorGlory]

No, we are not stupid. We are smart enough to be able to view people as something besides Democrats or Republicans. I don't think you are getting it, folks. We are ALL destroying America, and the world. Get over your little political role-playing games and look at the big picture. Do you even get what your friend Obama is trying to say? Take some responsibility. He is just one person, he can't fix everything. This isn't about petty party politics in the good ol' U.S. of A. The whole world needs to get it together. Your us vs. them mentality is no less despicable whether you are talking about Democrats or Republicans. Do you know what the law of unintended consequences is? I don't know how your Mr. Obama can claim to be the great unifier. He has turned many, many people against each other. Is that what he was trying to accomplish?

[sf94127]

No, quite the opposite in the stupid department.

There are millions of smart Democratic party members that refuse to show up like stupid sheep and vote for candidate nominated from the results of 48 states. I know Obama thinks there are 57 but it looks like only 48 will be counted. Further, Obama buys into nomination from 48 states. This shows winning is more important to him then democracy. Millions of people won't vote for any person so lacking in democratic principles.

The double standard and hypocrisy of the Democratcic party is palpable. You Obama liberals clearly don't recognize or understand at least 50% of the people in the USA.

[Fastcad]

I love that koombayah comment from another draftdogging Republican.

[DeathorGlory]

Yeah, there are people agree with you, and everyone else is a Republican. And how did Mr. Obama serve his country? Did he even fulfill his commitment to the people of Illinois by completing just one term in the position to which he was elected? Did he not promise that he would not run for president before he ran for that position? I don't know, it seems to me when you start out your career not fulfilling commitments and going back on your word, you are going to have a difficult time getting at least a few people's trust.

[shothot]

If in fact, what you say is true, those who would vote for McCain have little or no concern for country's welfare. They are vindictive, selfish, and lack the ability to look inward. I've come to the conclusion we'll get what we pay for, as in the huge debt of lives and money we've accumulated under the Bush administration. for those that are still in denial about the last eight years, one could assume they're left the ship. What would be the outcome in four years if other states decided to hold primaries at their own discretion?
"hijacking the party"?? left wing?? great soundbites.

[DeathorGlory]

Oh, really. Looking inward is the answer? Brilliant. So as long as you vote for Obama, you've done your part in saving the nation. Congratulations. You Obama fans keep patting yourselves on the back. You have really kicked some ass. And what kind of car do you drive?

[sf94127]

I'm not going to defend Bush's record, its been a disaster.

I don't buy into the assertion that "McCain is running for Bush's third term". This is how Obama wants to define McCain. Its not fair or accurate.

Obama spends very little time explaining what he will actually do to resolve our major problems. Its not only Clinton and McCain that say this; Nader and Paul say this, and John Edwards as well when they were competing. Obama gets a pass from the liberal media: what flavor ice cream do you like, Sen. Obama?

Obama keeps droning on about how we have to prevent Bush's thrid term. These are fear mongering tactics, something he accuses McCain and Clinton all the time. We'll all die if McCain is elected. Yeahm right.

Obama plays fear-mongering cards and the race card. The other side is just as nasty; all I'm saying is he gets down and dirty as much as the others, uses "old politics" as much as his competitors.


BTW, Wall Street likes Obama the least by far; they see him as the worst candidate with respect to keeping the economy on track. Both the NASDAQ and S&P arepointing up, we're turning a corner on the credit crisis. Obama wants to tax the hell out of people who make $70K/year. He calls these people "rich". Yeah, take the money out of the middle class and upper middle class and give the money to Wash DC.

.

[sf94127]

A lot of ex-Hillary Dems won't vote for Obama for some very simple, fundamental rasons including

1)His nomination is not legitimate unless MI and FL votes are counted or a revote scheduled. There were mountains of time to resolve this issue and it looks like the Dem leadership will stonewall the issue and try and make the issue moot.
2)His resume is thin and that represents lots of risk for the economy and security of the USA
3)Obama has not opened up, not really. Lots of lofty talk, very little substance.

Many Dems still maintain Bush occupies the WH illegally because of the 2000 FL voting issues. The double standard is glaring; clearly they only want to count votes aligned with a specific agenda and democracy be damned. There are millions of Americans that have integrity and will not be party to this double standard.

[DeathorGlory]

Thank you. There are many more reasons, too. Nonetheless, the self-congratulatory "I voted for Obama Party" is not one I will be attending.

[FogBelter]

I'll see your 94127 and raise you a 94121 ...

The Left Wing of the Democratic Party is not responsible for the Republican Agenda of the last 28 years that was enabled by the Center-Right DLC Democrats who commandeered the Party and thought it would be cute to play Republican for a while. If there are Center-Right Democrats under a bus it is because they threw themselves there.

[sf94127]

The last Dem left wing run involved George McGovern. That turned out brilliantly didn't it?

Even Carter barely squeaked in after the Nixon disaster. What does this say about American preferences for a president. SF latte liberals have no idea what half this country believes so your comments do not surprise. You probably thin most people in WV are bigots. Maybe they just know a phony when they see one, is that possible?

Obama is the Dem establishment candidate; they never wanted Hillary who they regard as "Republican". They see daylight to run with the most liberal guy in the senate. They believe the disenfranchisement with Republicans is large enough to go with a left wing candidate. Obama will be lucky to squeak by; I doubt he will make it.

If the Dems were smart they would have gone with a Hillary/Obama ticket months ago. Hillary could have had 2 terms and then Obama could have had two terms. But nooooooooo, they gotta have it all now. The strategy they have is very risky; they blew their chance to sail into the WH in 2008.

[DonJeff]

You just don't get it. I am more an independent than anything else. Almost everyone I talk to who is an independent or republican believes we have been totally betrayed by the present administration and see Sen. Obama as the only peace candidate and the only politician framing issues in terms of the future. Don't be fooled by the demographic boxes of the Democrats, or the obsolete thinking of the MSM. This 55 year old white male believes Sen. Obama will win by a landslide in November.

[Fastcad]

hey I am one of those SF liberals, I believe in fighting for my country and paying my taxes. You repugs believe in other people fighting for your cheap oil and putting the bill on uncle Sam credit card. Or spend and charge it. If you repugs really were more than 99 cent patriots ( the I support the troops bumper sticker kind) you would have balanced the budget and not picked fights you can not finish. So take that pill and pop it with old "get a Rush".

[Kim445588]

Yes, it is clearly about her.

Take some time to get over it, and if you are a democrat, lets vote to end the war and work on the serious problems we have going on.

[tea in the harbor]

By what authority do you claim to know the minds of "millions"? You have every right to express your views, but the arrogance of assuming to speak for millions I find very distasteful. That type of arrogance brought the leaders of these states to think themselves above the rules, drives Hillary on in spite of her standing in all available metrics, and is the foundation of the Bush belief that he needn't follow laws or our Constitution. Your voice is as relevant as mine, but it is not MORE relevant!

[sf94127]

The exit polls support what I am saying. There is eveidence of a big backlash brewing.
A huge data point are the recent results in WV. Obama gets trounced by 41 points!
This is the will of the people speaking, not just moi.

Obama will get trounced in KY and PR for sure. What does that say for the presumptive candiate to get trounced in key states?

If Obama is a uniter why has he not united these people behind him?

You talk about rules. What about democracy? There was a mountain of time to revote MI and FL but the Dem leadership and Obama would not let that happen.

The Dem candidate should trounce the Republican candidate but it will be very close and the Dems could lose because they disenfranchised huge segments of their constituency.

[MAntunes]

Can PR really be considered a "key state" seeing as they can't vote in the general?

[Waltb31]

Your argument is so bogus that it defies logic. You must be a petulant Hillary supporter; although the majority of Hillary's supporters are level headed and realize who is the enemy. There are a few miscreants like you who spam the blog pages with all of your "I'm voting for McCain" BS; but probably are not true Hillary supporters in the first place.
That means you must be an Operation chaos troll looking for division.
The American people were not asleep the past week. They realize the bankrupt flip flopping neo con void that is the McCain campaign; and they will not support him over Obama.
I am convinced that the true Hillary supporters who actually support her because of her political platform will gladly support Obama. The ones like you on this and other boards are trolls looking for a reaction and will not be missed.
The McCain alternative is too vile for anyone to contemplate.

[tea in the harbor]

You are, quite simply, wrong. You have bought into the "Chicken Little" school of world affairs. The sky is not falling, my republican friend, and most of us know it. We need not base every act on fear!

[TonyOnly]