Solid...solid as Barack

Here is a compilation of the best SNL political skits from the 2008 season, courtesy of Countdown with Keith Olberman.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Politics and Religion

Did he really have to go there? The CNN Political Ticker offers up McCain's comments, distancing himself from this pastor. The scary part is that some people will listen to this crackpot man of God.

Now a question from William Murray

McCain, the backpeddler

After a rough couple weeks of attacks by McCain and his camp against Barack Obama, the senator from Arizona finally decides to back off. But, is it too little, too late? All of the negative ads and smear tactics have incited the party's base and they are angry at Obama. Now, McCain wants to say that this campaign has to be respectful. REALLY?! The McCain campaign says that their voters are not outraged, but frustrated by Obama's plan to raise taxes. Are you kidding me? There are people out there who are saying that they are scared if Barack Obama becomes the president. There is a very big difference between being scared and being worried. I would be worried if John McCain is elected as our next president, but not scared.

McCain is stirring up people's emotions and not in a good way. Instead of talking about the issues and thinking through problems and developing solutions, McCain is encouraging people to vote with their gut. How often has your gut gotten you into trouble? Aren't some gut reactions based on your preconceived notions about people or issues? David Brooks, conservative columnist for The New York Times, explains this Republican strategy far better than I could.

At the beginning of this last round of the campaign, I wished that both sides would provide the voters with well-thought educated answers and plans to our country's and our world's problems. I'll admit that the Obama camp is not perfect, but at least slander and libel are not part of their campaign strategy. These last 24 days will be tough and I'm not sure if I can stomach any more crap.

UPDATE: Are McCain and Palin on the outs? Check out this article from The Times (London).

That One

So, could the good old Senator from Arizona be any more demeaning? Check out this story on how a loyal Obama supporter is fighting back. And, some post-debate wrap-up by some regular Joe Sixpacks.

Homer goes the polls.

Thanks, Pam.

Extraordinary not ordinary

I want my president and vice-president to be extraordinary people, not ordinary people. I want them to be critical thinkers, highly intelligent, serious, and thoughtful. They should know what the hell their doing and realize that every decision they make affects billions of people around the world. We are not only electing the President of the United States, but also a very powerful world leader.

I think you know where I'm going with this. McCain-Palin supporters harp on the fact that Palin is an outsider and a maverick that so closely relates to the middle class. She's folksy and easy to understand, they say. You know what, don't talk to down to me. I'm not an idiot, and there are millions of people out there who are not idiots.

Give me substance. Give me real answers. Give me intelligent and well-thought answers. I don't want more attacks or whining about the "liberal media". Get over it! Don't blame the media for pointing out that you can't answer a damn question.

Suspension is for kids.

I'm going back in time a little to beat the dead horse that is John McCain's suspension on his Presidential campaign. Here is Craig Ferguson's take on the issue.



I think Craig is my third favorite late night talk show host, after Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. However, he is my new favorite network late night talking head. Plus, I love the Scottish accent.

Temper, Temper

Do you want the next President of the United States to be serious and thoughtful, or a mean-spirited hothead? I think we've already experienced eight years of one hothead, so I certainly don't want another four. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke discusses the temperament of the two Presidential candidates, based on the first debate, in this column on The Huffington Post (yes, it's another liberal rag).

Obama makes the grade.

According to Mark Halperin, from Time Magazine, Obama scored higher on the debate than McCain.

No show for McCain on Letterman last night

Dig Deeper

In order to combat the opposition, you need to know what they stand for. So, I checked out the McCain-Palin website and looked up their plan for health care. I found an average-length web page with a series of bullet points. The only additional link is to the McCain-Palin position on autism.

Moving over to Obama-Biden website, the health care web page also has bullet points, although in a smaller font. At the bottom of the page, you can download the full 15-page PDF of the Obama-Biden health care plan, as well as additional information on HIV/AIDS and cancer.

If you continue to compare both sites, the results will be the same. Even if you don't agree with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, at least you will know where they stand.

Please educate yourself on the issues before you vote on November 4.

Thoughts and Impressions of the RNC

I forced myself to watch the RNC coverage last night and as a result, my blood pressure was through the roof. The relentless attack on community organizers was disgusting. I don't think the Republicans realize that everyone who volunteers for the Obama campaign is considered an organizer in their own community. That is the very definition of a grassroots effort. So, way to go, McCain surrogates, you just alienated millions of voting Americans.

As a liberal, I was offended by the attacks made my Mitt Romney on all liberals. The attacks were so rampant, I started to feel like I was a bad and evil person. What the hell! So much for "reaching across the aisle", which according to Rudy Guiliani, Obama has never done. Well, it seems that the Republicans really don't want to work with the other side - just more alienation.