There are but three days to go, Gentle Reader, and the McCain campaign is now down to fear and Joe The Plumber.
Those who seek to spread The Fear are resorting to fantastic schemes and amazing leaps of logic in an effort to find something to make The Fear rise in voters.
But to be honest, the crazy speculation lacks...imagination.
I believe I can present crazy speculation that is at least as interesting as what they’ve put out—and funnier to boot—and with that and the Halloween just past in mind we present the final weekend edition of the 2008 campaign cycle's blogging.
So, ya wanna hear a few debunked made up rumors that, frankly, have a lot more creative style?
When last we met, Gentle Reader, we were talking about more or less $150,000 in clothing and beauty services that had been purchased mostly for Sarah Palin’s use by the Republican National Committee.
Since then, we have learned that John McCain himself once tried to outlaw the very type of contribution that led to this situation, we’ve heard McCain’s campaign offer a very non-maverick-y denial...and we’ve learned that the highest paid member of the McCain campaign staff—the person who presumably has the magic touch needed to turn this thing around—will be working her magic with a makeup brush.
As we discussed yesterday, I think I could have dressed Palin for 1/3 of what the RNC paid. Yesterday we “purchased” five of the outfits I think she needs...and with half the shopping done, we’re $670 over budget.
Can she be dressed for a mere $43,000? Let’s see if we can pull it off...
First, we had the news about McCain's campaign doling out $150,000 over the past few weeks to buy his new honey-in-waiting pricey, new designer threads. Now, a New York Times story documents he is breaking the bank for her makeup artist also.
Okay, the clothing story was funny and not really relevant as an election decision in my opinion. But, the new revelation is that the McCain/Palin campaign is paying more for Sarah's MAKEUP than they are paying the top staffers in charge of FOREIGN POLICY and COMMUNICATIONS!!!
Who was the highest paid individual in Senator John McCain's presidential campaign during the first half of October as it headed down the homestretch?
Not Randy Scheunemann, Mr. McCain's chief foreign policy adviser; not Nicolle Wallace, his senior communications staff member. It was Amy Strozzi, who was identified by the Washington Post this week as Gov. Sarah Palin's traveling makeup artist, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday night.
Ms. Strozzi, who was nominated for an Emmy award for her makeup work on the television show "So You Think You Can Dance?", was paid $22,800 for the first two weeks of October alone, according to the records.
So, in doing the math, you will pay a makeup artist for your vice president $592,000 per year while your Directors of Foreign Policy and Communications makes about half of that and the average White House staffer makes a little closer to $50-60k.
John McCain, you have just made it official: You have no judgment.
(Gee, what a unique idea! ::snark:: - promoted by LiberalLucy)
What a fantastic idea:
Take Your Daughters to the Polls Day is a national campaign, inspired by the same folks who brought you the now infamous Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Right now, with women and women’s issues being at the forefront of this year’s election, what more apt time in our history is there than this to expose our daughters to the importance of democracy in action? Take Your Daughters to the Polls Day is the perfect way to let them know that they, too, can exercise their right to have a say and make a difference.
Personally, when I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to turn 18 so that I could have my turn at making the polls shake. I remember feeling nothing but envy when my parents took to my elementary school’s gym every so often, not to lob dodgeballs at opposing team members but rather to carefully select the leaders they thought would best represent them – not to mention me and my little brother – in the world of politics.
John McCain is all excited today, because, in his mind, Joe Biden has really Screwed It Up This Time by claiming that Obama will be tested by a foreign policy challenge, that Obama will act in a way we might not immediately trust, and that we should stand by him if it happens.
Oh My God You Have To Vote For Me, is the McCain response, because we can’t afford someone who will be tested in office.
As it turns out, Joe Biden is the smarter guy in this argument, a few calm words are in order...and I’m here today to offer a response that will set McCain’s foolishness right back on its heels.
I received an email today with the following idea in it. I figured Sarah might need the help considering abstinence-only education hasn't even worked for her own family...
Let me enumerate the McCain policy offerings: Here's the problem when you advocate less government except for defense, oil and gas exploration and to "shake things up in Washington."
As you all probably know by now, our fabulous and fearless Governor Granholm played the role of Sarah Palin in helping VP candidate Joe Biden prep for last night's debate.
Walt Sorg, talk host of AM Lansing had a great interview with her this morning about the prep process and her reaction to last night's war of words. Hear the interview here.
As to Palin's strategy, well this guy nailed it right on the head with his flow chart, because it seems exactly the strategery (yes, you read that right) that she used.
And then there's this, because I'm pretty sure this was also part of the grand scheme. *sigh*
Sarah Palin, singlehandedly setting women in politics back 100 years for 5 weeks now.
(I can see Russia from my house! - promoted by matt)
So... anything good on TV tonight?
As if you all aren't gathering in front of your televisions right now to watch what could be one of the greatest political train wrecks in history. Or it could just stink. You can play along at home tonight with bingo games here and here. Leave your favorite quotes in the comments.
I don't know if you've seen Saturday Night Live yet, but they did a skit with Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton that left me in tears. Tina Fey did an amazing job nailing Palin (in more ways that one). The Hillary portrayal was equally hysterical.
Let's start with a premise many political partisans may be reluctant to accept. John McCain, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Sarah Palin all are honest, concerned, capable Americans who truly want what is best for our country. But good intentions do not guarantee good outcomes, and predicting the future is fraught with difficulty. Having reached a critical fork in the road, how should voters in Michigan and elsewhere decide which guides to follow?
I certainly can't pretend to be expert in all the issues being addressed in the Presidential campaign. However, when the topic is health care reform, I have extensive education, in the trenches experience, and a track record to back up my professional and political analysis. So I will focus on health care as a window to understanding where each pair of candidates would take America if we give them the chance.
Everyday it is becoming more apparent. The Republican Party is full of self-hating Americans. Can't-Do Conservatives is what I call them. If the lipstick fits, you conservatives gotta wear it. Then look in the mirror to see what you've become.
The Issues
National health care: Can't-Do Conservatives say it can't be done successfully in the U.S., while every democracy in Europe provides care for its citizens without becoming a Socialist outpost. Why do the Can't-Dos think so little of our American ability and ingenuity?
Government Spending: Can't-Do Conservatives complain loudly about government spending but, at the same time, have no problem spending $720 million American dollars A DAY illegally occupying Iraq, which had no role in the 9/11 attack, had no weapons of mass destruction, and had no other sin other than having the third largest oil reserves stewing under its land.
Budget Deficits: Can't-Do Conservatives complain about government spending but have no qualms about giving massive tax cuts to their Can't-Do Cronies, the rich, the super rich, and the power elite. Everyone else gets the occasional rebate check, but this, too, it put on the National Credit Card for future generations to pay. Can't meet our national priorities? We can if we eliminate the tax cuts for the Cronies of Can't-Dos.
Education: Can't-Do Conservatives don't seem to think Americans should fully fund schools. They diss teachers; they disdain university professors. They preach support for education, but expound against smart people. Basically, Can't-Do Conservatives support educated people, but only if they are taught their rigid ideology. Truth and an educated populace are like Kryptonite to Can't-Do Conservatives and their hold on power.
Community Organizing: The Can't-Do Conservatives disrespect and chide community organizers. If you organize, volunteer, and support community organizations, this means you! These Can't-Do Conservatives think you're a sucker or a chump if you work within your community for the following:
The United Way
The Red Cross
Planned Parenthood
American Foundation for the Blind
The League of Women Voters
Michigan Arts Council
United Negro College Fund
The Sierra Club
Citizens for Better Care
March of Dimes
American Civil Liberties Union
Make A Wish Foundation
Peace Education Center
Capital Area Literacy Coalition
UNICEF
Amnesty International
NAACP
American Cancer Society
Humane Society
Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund
Reading is Fundamental
PTA
Little League Baseball
Rotary
OXFAM
Michigan Environmental Council
...and the list goes on and on.
Half of the time with community organizing, we are trying to fix problems that Can't-Do Conservatives have created and perpetuated. If the lipstick fits...you gotta wear it.
Can't-Do Conservative Standard Bearers
The current standard bearers for Can't-Do Conservatives are John McCain and Sarah Palin. They clearly and proudly have carried this mantle since accepting their political party nomination. It's obvious, too, that they have a chorus of support from the arch-conservative pundits on radio and television, as well as from stalwarts throughout the Republican Party.
If you're part of this conservative, Republican crowd, get your lipstick because, undeniably, you gotta wear it.
-- Rico Thomas Rico
[This was cross posted from www.ricothomasrico.blogspot.com.]
BBQ smoke hangs thickly in the air, the rain is getting cooler than it usually is in the summertime, and the Mariners are securely in last place.
And it is also time to return to school. For the new voter about to enter (or return to) College, all the crazy living can make you forget about important things, like...oh, I don’t know...maybe an election or two.
To make sure this does not happen I’m going to put College and Politics together to create this year’s first...wait for it...synchronized Sarah Palin drinking game.
So start pairing up your shotglasses, find the Scotch tape, and when you get back I’ll tell you how it works.
