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The discussion from just about everywhere continues as observers attempt to draw conclusions about the trashing of Sarah Palin. With no statistical sampling or professional polling data or anything substantial to provide guidance suffice it to say most comments lay blame on Senator McCain for those leveling insults her way. The most popular suspects are aides from the McCain/Palin campaign staff and John McCain himself. Maybe not for participating in the leak of insults but for appearing indifferent to the situation.

There are four videos presented here. One of Michell Malkin expressing her outrage at John McCain on Neil Cavuto’s show. One of O’Reilly and Greta van Susteren debating the relative merits of reports on the matter and a two part from YouTube offering McCain’s appearance on Leno November 11th. This is followed by a full text transcript of the Leno appearance by McCain.

The opinion on this blog has been and continues to be one of skepticism. No serious evidence has been witnessed by this blog’s author to allow a clear conclusion to be drawn showing guilt by McCain or his aides for all the bad press directed toward Sarah Palin. That is not to say it is or is not out there, just that it has not been seen from here.

Is the loss of adhering to conservative principles by the GOP or the loss of the 2008 Presidential election by the GOP ticket so painful that those who appear to have supported the Republican candidates for that office need to apply blame to someone for the current situation? It seems fair to say that whoever is trashing Sarah Palin is not a former or current supporter of her candidacy for Vice-President of the United States. If that includes members of the McCain/Palin campaign staff then someone was hired who should not have been. Where is the strong evidence supporting the notion that the campaign aides are responsible? Sadly, based on Michelle Malkin’s mention on Cavuto’s show of Carl Cameron and Newsweek as sources to explain some of this hours were spent searching for such information with no success. Of the content found related to the ‘trashing’ nothing was seen that confirms the accusation towards aides from McCain’s campaign staff. Even van Susteren refers to the reports as ‘gossip’ and would not have run with the story based on that whereas O’Reilly would have.

While some criticize McCain especially for not ‘denouncing’ aides for bashing Palin this blog believes his responses on Leno were reasonable. These things happen in campaigns, no one likes a sore loser, Palin and Obama inspired many and it’s time to move on. If anyone is expecting all the bad press directed at Sarah Palin to be withdrawn or labeled as lies by those who published or broadcasted them, they are living in a dream world. The best thing that can happen is to get back to the work of advancing the cause of conservative principles and politics in order to move this country forward in a practical and reasoned way. The ugliness of the last campaign must end. Let the ugliness of politics as usual in Washington begin anew. There will be no revolutionary changes in government if history is any indicator. Get a grip and help move the country forward. All this ranting and outrage is pointless. Coming from those on the right they are starting to sound like liberals with all the whining.

So, now for the videos and transcript and have a good view and a read. Feel free to point out where you think this post has errors or simply express your opinion. It appears to be time to focus on what is needed for the next round rather than obssess on past losses. If you look back at the primaries and what took place then and since the outcome was never really a surprise. Too many obstacles to overcome combined with a ship adrift in rough seas allowed a decision to accept any port in a storm. The harbor was not entirely friendly nor conducive to success. It is time to right the ship and head for open water not lament the damage caused or how it happened.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Michelle Malkin on McCain and the Palin attacks

O’Reilly, Van Susteren debate Fox report

McCain on Leno 11/1108 Parts 1 & 2

TRANSCRIPT: JOHN MCCAIN ON “THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO

“THE TONIGHT SHOW”

Jay Leno: As I said, today is Veterans Day. I cannot think of a better person to have as my first guest. Vietnam veteran, real American war hero, also just ran a hard-fought campaign against Barack Obama, now our President elect. Please welcome, in his first television interview,

Senator John McCain. (Applause.) Welcome back, sir.

Senator John McCain: Thank you, my friend. And thank you for having all these brave servicemen and women here. I’m honored to be with you. Thanks.

Jay Leno: It’s been a week since the election. How are you doing?

Senator John McCain: Well, I’ve been sleeping like a baby. (Laughter.) Sleep two hours, wake up and cry. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry. (Laughter.)

Jay Leno: Well, how –

Senator John McCain: I gotta tell you one quick story about Arizona. As you know, the great state of Arizona I’ve had the honor to represent. And we have a problem in Arizona. It’s really kind of a sad thing, because Barry Goldwater from Arizona ran for President of the United States. Morris Udolf (sp.) from Arizona ran for President of the United States. Bruce Babbitt from Arizona ran for President of the 1 United States. I, twice. Arizona may be the only state in America where mothers don’t tell their children that some day they can grow up and be President of the United States. (Laughter.) I mean, that’s a sad story.

Jay Leno: How about your wife Cindy? How is she taking it? Because sometimes –

Senator John McCain: Yeah, it’s tough. It’s tougher always on the family members. But she’s doing fine. She’s doing very fine. Thanks for having her and Meghan on the show. Appreciate it.

Jay Leno: They were great guests.

Senator John McCain: Thank you. And I’m glad to be back for my 14th time. I’m happy to be on.

Jay Leno: The day after the election, it was so weird. I turn on the TV, and I see you coming out of your house or apartment. You get in your car, and you drive somewhere by yourself.

Senator John McCain: Yeah. To get a cup of coffee, yeah. I didn’t have a single accident.

Jay Leno: I mean –

Senator John McCain: Maybe one.

Jay Leno: What was that like to suddenly be surrounded — “He’s coming down the hall. Remove” — and then suddenly — I mean –

Senator John McCain: Well, secret service people, despite the idiot you talked about tonight, they’re wonderful people. They’re brave. They serve the country. They’re just really the best of America. But it is a bit confining, you know. So I’m able to –

Jay Leno: So what did you do that first day? Where were you driving when you –

Senator John McCain: Went down to get a cup of coffee. Cindy and I went down to get a cup of coffee and — not the newspaper. I knew what it was going to say. (Laughter.)

Jay Leno: And you went up to the mountains too?

Senator John McCain: Yeah, went up to our place near Sedona and had a very nice time.

Jay Leno: Now, which house is that? Number 12?

Senator John McCain: You know what? That’s — let’s see. 27.

Jay Leno: 27.

Senator John McCain: But we’re — you know, look, it’s a great honor. It’s a great privilege. It’s an incredible thing that I was able to do. And I saluted, as you know, and admire and respect the winner, Senator — President elect Barack Obama.

Jay Leno: Actually, to me, that was, I thought, a nice moment when you were talking somewhere. In the campaign when I saw ugly things going back and forth and a woman said, “Well, Barack Obama, he’s an Arab or a terrorist,” and you stopped and you said, “No, he’s a good man and he’s a family man.”

Senator John McCain: Yeah, a good and decent person.

Jay Leno: And I like that. I thought that was quite impressive.

Senator John McCain: Well, you’ve got to have a respectful campaign. And that doesn’t mean it isn’t tough. I mean, campaigns are tough, and they should be because you’re seeking the most important position in the world. But there’s a difference between being tough and being personal or angry. And look, America right now — I don’t have to tell you — I don’t have to tell anybody out here, especially those members of the military — that we’re in two wars. We’ve got housing problems. We’ve got economic crisis. We’ve got all these problems. Now it’s time for America to join together and support the man who was just elected President.

Jay Leno: Now, what do you think was the main reason you lost. I mean, it was close. You got –

Senator John McCain: I think personality.

Jay Leno: Personality fault? (Laughter.)

Senator John McCain: Maybe too many people saw me on the Jay Leno show.

Jay Leno: What would you — is there anything, looking back, you would have done differently? Seriously, is there anything you said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have said this”?

Senator John McCain: You know, one of the things — I do study history. And every book I’ve read about presidential campaigns is the person that one ran a perfectly flawless, beautifully machined, great campaign, and the person who lost, “Oh, my God, all screwed up.” I could tell you a lot of things that we may have made mistakes on. But Jack Kennedy, after the failure of the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, said, “Victory has a thousand fathers. Defeat has one more lonely orphan.” He didn’t use the word “orphan,” but we’re on television. So that’s the way it is. Look, I’m so happy to have had the friends, go to the places we went to, Gee’s Bend, Alabama, where Martin Luther King went before the March in Selma. And I met a group of African-American women who make quilts, singing. I’ll never forget so many of those wonderful experiences that I had that no other way I could have had — I could have had the experiences I had.

Jay Leno: When you sit with friends, you discuss it, it does seem like, as viewing this, knowing you, I would see sort of two McCains. Sometimes I would see one McCain, and then the times when you were being funny, like at the Al Smith dinner and “Saturday Night Live” and said, “Oh, that was” — I said, “Why can’t we get” — “where is that McCain?” That one didn’t seem to be quite as visible. Is it the pressure and the tension of –

Senator John McCain: I think these are tough times, and you have to — and campaigns are tough. I don’t, frankly, think that a lot of people wanted a standup comic. They wanted to know how we were going to address the issues. That’s why I didn’t worry about your write-in candidacy. (Laughter.) But, you know, you just do the best that you can. And again, it’s an incredible honor. You know, we’re not — I’m not denigrating my past, but I stood fifth from the bottom of my class at the Naval Academy. If my old Marine company officer were here today, he’d say, “In America, anything is possible.” (Laughter.)

Jay Leno: Look, we’ll take a break. When we come back, we’ll discuss Sarah Palin. We’ll be right back with Senator McCain. (Commercial break.) Welcome back. Talking with

Senator John McCain. Let’s talk about Governor Palin now. The polls show that she hurt you. I know you’re too much of a gentleman to probably answer this question, but did she? Do you think it hurt you at all?

Senator John McCain: No, look, Sarah Palin and her husband, who is an amazing guy, four-time champion –

Jay Leno: Snow machine.

Senator John McCain: Yeah, snow machine –

Jay Leno: I didn’t hear that. Was that mentioned?

Senator John McCain: One time the guy — with 250 miles to go, Todd broke his arm and finished the race. Look, I’m so proud of her. And I’m very grateful that she agreed to run with me. She inspired people. She still does. And look, I’m — I couldn’t be happier with Sarah Palin. And she’s going back to be a great governor, and I think she will play a big role in the future of this country.

Jay Leno: Did she ever get off message at one point?

Senator John McCain: Did you expect mavericks to stay on message? I’m sure that from — look, we did a lot of things together, a lot of these rallies. The people were very excited and inspired by her. And that’s what really mattered, I think. Look, she’s a great reformer. She took on the governor of her own party when she ran for governor.

Jay Leno: Gotcha.

Senator John McCain: She understands all the energy issues. There’s a $40 billion pipeline coming to bring natural gas to places like California. And so look, she’s a marvelous person.

Jay Leno: Now, these aides that were criticizing her — and I think everyone agrees there were Republican aides who were criticizing her. I know you wouldn’t go for that. I know you’re an old soldier. You don’t let people talk — but why?

Senator John McCain: One — these things happen in campaigns too. I think I have at least a thousand, quote, top advisors. “A top advisor said” — people I’ve never even heard of, much less a, quote, top advisor or a high-ranking Republican official. It’s — these things go on in campaigns, and you just –

Jay Leno: Why don’t we just move on.

Senator John McCain: I’m just very proud to have had Sarah Palin and her family, a wonderful family.

Jay Leno: I sort of guessed — when Barack Obama picked Joe Biden, I — it seemed to me he picked Joe Biden because Russia had just invaded Georgia and it seemed like, “Wow, I want to go with somebody with foreign experience. Biden’s got” — it seemed like he became a choice because of that. That’s just my guess. If this economic thing had happened a month earlier or prior to you choosing, would you might have gone with an economic person, maybe a Romney or somebody like that? Is there any chance — how much did the world events play in the decision?

Senator John McCain: The world events didn’t play a role. I just looked at people, and I saw all of the things that she had to offer. And all of them that we had to actually, quote, choose from or ask to serve with us were all good people. I like them all very much. It wasn’t an easy process. I just thought that — I really believe that Sarah Palin is amongst some, like Tim Pawlenty and Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, there’s a group of young Republican governors and — mainly governors, but also some in the Senate — that I think are the next generation of leadership of our party. And we’re probably going to — our party has a lot of work to do. We just got back from the woodshed.

Jay Leno: How about Joe Lieberman? Was he a close choice? Was that possible?

Senator John McCain: Joe is one of the finest, most wonderful men I’ve ever known in my life. I have never known a finer man than Joe Lieberman, and I believe I won the nomination because right before the New Hampshire primary — and I know I don’t expect a lot of you to remember all the details — he came out to supported me. It mattered. Independent voters voted with us. I love Joe Lieberman.

Jay Leno: That might cost him the chairmanship now. Is that –

Senator John McCain: I hope not, because Joe is a wonderful person. And we want people to stand up for –

Jay Leno: Can you do that? Can you lose your chairmanship in the Senate just because you picked what your party perceives as an –

Senator John McCain: It generally is not done. I don’t, obviously, know what — what’s going to happen. But I know that Joe Lieberman is one of the — and by the way, on national security issues, he’s really, really good.

Jay Leno: And he’s an independent now; right?

Senator John McCain: He’s a, quote, independent Democrat.

Jay Leno: Would you want him to be a, quote, independent Republican?

Senator John McCain: No, no.

Jay Leno: Try to get him over on the other side, kind of lure him over –

Senator John McCain: I’m honored to have –

Jay Leno: — get him some clothes, expensive clothes, maybe nice suit? (Laughter.)

Senator John McCain: Neiman Marcus?

Jay Leno: Neiman Marcus.

Senator John McCain: But yeah, I think that — I think that Joe is going to probably remain as what he is, an independent who stands up for what he believes in. We need more people like Joe Lieberman.

Jay Leno: I want to talk to some more. When we come back, I want to ask you about a couple of issues and if you think the outcome would have been different if those issues had been different. More with

Senator John McCain. (Commercial break.)

Jay Leno: Welcome back. Talking with

Senator John McCain. Let me ask you this: If the main issue had remained the Iraq War, do you think the outcome might have been different?

Senator John McCain: If frogs had wings — (Laughter.) Anyway, won’t finish that line. You know, I don’t know, Jay. If you get into this “might have been” or different scenarios — we fought, I thought, a good campaign. I’m honored by the friends we made. I’m honored to have had the opportunity. I know it sounds a little repetitious, but that’s what I’ll take with me. By the way, Senator Obama inspired millions of young people, and I think we inspired some people too. And that’s really what I think was important, that legacy.

Jay Leno: At what point did you feel like you’re up against almost a historical movement? It seemed almost bigger than either candidate. You know, when I watched Senator Obama give his speech and I saw people who had not been part of the process –

Senator John McCain: Never been — oh, yeah.

Jay Leno: — suddenly moving –

Senator John McCain: Especially a lot of young people too.

Jay Leno: A lot of young people. At what point did you realize, “Oh, this is kind of bigger than both of us”?

Senator John McCain: I never thought that, because I’m a fighter. We always — I knew I had a headwind. I can read the polls. They tried to keep them from me. “You don’t want to read that, Senator.” But no, I knew we had a real headwind.

Jay Leno: Do you feel the press kind of favored him? Did you see sort of –

Senator John McCain: Yeah, it’s all the press’s fault. (Laughter.)

Jay Leno: All the press’s fault.

Senator John McCain: No, no.

Jay Leno: Was there any hostility in the media? Like that Letterman fallout, was there any hostility there? (Laughter.)

Senator John McCain: You should have seen “The View.” (Laughter.)

Jay Leno: I saw “The View,” yeah.

Senator John McCain: No, but look, we’re big guys. We’re supposed to be able to take this kind of stuff, you know. You know, one thing I think Americans don’t want is a sore loser. And I’ve got a great — I get to go back to the United States Senate and work on a lot of issues and continue to serve. That’s been my life. That’s been my life.

Jay Leno: Joe the plumber, was that a gift for Republicans? Is that like you’re watching the other guy and you go, “Oh, there’s gold. The guy looks like Mr. Clean”?

Senator John McCain: I loved him. He’s a great guy. Joe Wurzelbacher. Great guy. Had the chance to get to know him a bit. He’s kind of the classic American trying to get ahead, trying to make it. A great guy, great guy. And honest to God — I’m not kidding you, because we took polls all the time — that guy went from zero to 70 percent name I.D. in 48 hours. Really. It was amazing. It was amazing. And he handled it incredibly well, incredibly well.

Jay Leno: Now, in 2012, you’ll be 76. Still a young man.

Senator John McCain: Yeah, here we go again. Ready to go again.

Jay Leno: Ready to go again? (Applause.)

Senator John McCain: I don’t — I wouldn’t think so, my friend. It’s been a great experience, and, you know, we’re going to have another generation of leaders come along, and I’ll hope that I can continue to contribute. That’s all.

Jay Leno: Any thoughts on Veterans Day today? I know this is one thing — you see, we had a lot of fun with you, but it’s always about age, maybe you’re cranky, but it was never about your patriotism or about your love of country because you are a true soldier and a true hero.

Senator John McCain: You’re very kind. (Applause.)

Jay Leno: Maybe you could — could you share with us something maybe you didn’t get a chance to share during the campaign.

Senator John McCain: Just about every day, but especially on Veterans Day, I think of a guy I was in prison with a long time ago. For a few years we were in Hanoi and prison camps in north Vietnam. They kept us in solitary confinement, two or three to a cell. They finally moved us into large cells, 20 or 25 prisoners in each cell. The guy that moved in with me was a guy named Mike Christian. Mike was from a small town near Selma, Alabama. Very poor family. Enlisted in the Navy at age 17. Later became an A6 bombardier navigator. Was shot down and captured. He loved this country. I moved in the same room with him. The uniform we wore in prison was blue, like, short-sleeved shirt, like, pajama trousers, and shoes — sandals that were cut out of automobile tires. I recommend them highly. One pair lasted me five and a half years. (Laughter.) Part of this change in treatment, they let us have some packages from home in which were small items — some of us — like a handkerchief or a scarf. He took his blue shirt, fashioned himself a bamboo needle, got a piece of white cloth, piece of red cloth, and sewed the American flag on the inside of his shirt. Every evening before we would have our bowl of soup, we would put his flag — his shirt on the wall of the cell and pledge our allegiance to the country. It was an important part of our day. One day the Vietnamese came, searched the cell, found his shirt, removed it, came back that night — and I’m telling it fast — opened the door of the cell, called for him to come out, closed the door of the cell, and beat him very badly for a couple hours. Then they threw him back into the cell. The cell in which we slept had a concrete slab, light bulbs in all four corners, naked light bulbs. We cleaned Mike up as well as we could. I went over to lie down on the concrete and go to sleep. And I happened to look over in the corner of the cell, and underneath the lightbulb, with a piece of white cloth and a piece of red cloth and his bamboo needle, was Mike, with his eyes almost shut from the beating that he had received, sewing another American flag. He wasn’t doing that for us. He was doing it for his country. He wasn’t doing it for himself. He was doing it for his country and our ability to pledge our allegiance to our flag and country. I’ll never forget Mike Christian. (Applause.)

Jay Leno:

Senator John McCain, thank you for being here. Thank you so much for your patriotism and your service to your country. I know you’ve got to go. Cindy is in the audience. There’s his lovely wife Cindy right there. John McCain, thank you, sir. (Applause.)

The MSM never ceases to amaze. Controlling what gets published historically handled by editors or gatekeepers or censors and the analysis by notables such as Marshall McLuhan may have suggested a practical side to media manipulation. There is a limit to how much can be presented in a given period of time. Regulation and perhaps public pressure influenced how far the media could test their first amendment rights. The term(s) yellow journalism has been around for more than a century and deals with the notion of honest content versus sensationalism but more importantly and more broadly the misuse of the power of the media by those who control it.

An inadequate review of media power, history and the critical issues to be sure, but the purpose of the above paragraph is to remind those who read this of the risk associated with mainstream media, its power to influence, and that these issues are not new. Unless you were sleeping for the last two years it is obvious much criticism has been directed equally toward the mainstream media and alternative sources such as conservative talk radio. For the mainstream the central claim was bias in reporting that favored one candidate over another. For the alternative media example, conservative talk radio, has been under threat by the so-called Fairness Doctrine aka, censorship, and CTR’s opposition against efforts to silence them.

This post features an article by Kate Snow from ABC News that demonstrates both the bias side of media as well as an often lacking presentation that is essentially neutral with respect to the subject. It starts with the title of ‘Campaign’s Over, Palin Still Talking’. For all the commentary in the media about Palin being kept under wraps with limited or non-existent press availability, the title is at least a curious choice. Then in the opening paragraph of the report’s online version Snow describes Palin as ‘closely guarded’. From being guarded to going rogue and everything in between the media coverage of Sarah Palin has been suspect and offered support to the notion of mainstream media bias related to the Presidential candidates for 2008.

On what may be the neutral treatment of Sarah Palin by this report from ABC News the first comment has to be a question. Is playing nice regarding Sarah Palin to be the mainstream media’s attempt to deflect the ‘bias’ criticism they so richly derserve now that the election is over for Palin, et al? The neutral part appears to be a collection of quotes from Sarah Palin on several targeted aspects of her personal and campaign life that were central to the bashing she received from opponents including the MSM. The report has antiseptic descriptions accompanying the quotes giving a matter of fact flavor to Palin’s response on stories about her during the campaign. It is reminiscent of stories where the media featured accusations that destroyed a person’s life only to publish retractions or news of an acquittal or exoneration on an obscure back page of the paper. It all seems a little contrived.

Since this story on Sarah Palin may be equivalent to a back page correction it is offered here to give some support to fair treatment of the Alaska Governor. “Some support’ refers to any positive effect this blog can provide based on traffic rankings. The support by this blog for Sarah Palin is full throated. She is spectacular for many of the reasons that made her a rich target for unrestrained media criticism as well as that from her political opponents. She is not a campaign robot or product of a political strategy in search of the shell of a candidate to be filled with the rhetoric to represent special interest agendas. She speaks honestly without pretense reflecting the spirit of many in this country who favor a return to the basic principles that have served this republic well in its brief 200 plus year history.

“I would have preferred more opportunity to speak to the media more often, because there were a lot of things that I think it could have, should have said that could have, would have helped John McCain,” Palin said in the interview that aired Monday night.

Wow, ABC reporting about an interview with Greta van Susteren of Fox News without characterizing it as an extension of the GOP. But the point here really is Palin may be exactly right. Many suggest McCain held back on strategies that may have improved his chances for victory. This applies to not only focusing on Obama’s flaws that were dismissed by the MSM and others but an honest and necessary discussion on his plans as President to disarm the lame, predictable notion from his opponents that McCain/Palin would be four more years of President Bush.

“It started off with the rumors or speculation even in mainstream media that Trig wasn’t actually my child, that Trig was somebody else’s child and I faked a pregnancy,” she told NBC’s Matt Lauer on the “Today” show. “That was absolutely ridiculous and it took days for that false allegation to ever be corrected.”

Gee, where was all this coverage on the evening news from the ‘traditional’ broadcasters during the campaign? Were they too busy advocating for Barack Obama? Was this not a story to be corrected by the media before election day? Try to make the argument the media is not biased in favor of liberal candidates.

“Never ever did I talk about ‘well, gee, is it a country or a continent? I just don’t know about this issue.’ So I don’t know how they took our one discussion on Africa and turned that into what they turned it into,” Palin said.

Aides have told ABC News that Palin simply misspoke once during debate prep and accidentally used the term “country” instead of “continent” when referring to Africa.

Barack Obama being corrected by George Stephanopoulos when he used the phrase, ‘my Muslim faith’ and GS injected, ‘Christian faith’. Joe Biden being descibed as ‘that is just Joe being Joe’ referring to supporters’ reaction to one of Biden’s well documented gaffes. But not for Sarah Palin is the selective objective reporting occasionally available in the MSM. At least not when it is relevant or required as a matter of journalistic responsibility.

No commentary would be complete without mention of the most ridiculous coverage about Palin beyond the personal and family attacks. That would be the clothing story. Something too stupid to comment on aside from the fact it demonstrates the MSM’s need to carry ’sensational’ stories, true or not, to bring potentially damaging coverage to a candidate they do not support.

Palin says she’s never set foot in a Neiman Marcus or Saks store. She says the only thing she ever asked for was a diet Dr. Pepper. Her longtime aide told ABC News she might have also asked for coats when the weather got colder and a tube of toothpaste at one time.

She told van Susteren and Lauer that the clothing was purchased by stylists hired by the RNC. She says she and her family arrived at the convention in Minneapolis, Minn., and were told the stylist would outfit them.

Imagine what this blog’s author thought when the story broke? That’s right. The clothing thing was a strategy put forth by the campaign staff or others responsible for deciding the candidate’s appearance, etc. This story has been a colossal waste of time. But its purpose was clear. To add more brush strokes to the media’s painting of Sarah Palin. But make sure there is no negative press for Barack Obama or Joe Biden other than those stories that cannot be ignored and we, the MSM, will spin the bad stuff into oblivion. But hey, said the MSM, do we have any more dirt to throw on Palin? Tina Fey might work. Thanks NBC.

Sarah Palin may have a significant role in national politics in the years ahead. This blog’s author will support her efforts in any such role. Those on either side of the political spectrum in this country should understand that not all issues important to a candidate personally see the light of day or have an impact on the results. Too discount Sarah Palin solely based on philosophical differences would be a mistake made too often in this country. Liberals who oppose Palin would do well to consider her love of country and desire to protect it and strengthen basic principles associated with the founding of this nation. That of course would assume that such things are important to liberals.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For all the he said, she said reports circulating about Sarah Palin this blog had chosen to wait and see what developed in terms of retractions or corrections and the like. Recently, reports that indicate McCain campaign insiders were not responsible for the latest collection of stories trashing Gov Palin is why this blog has chosen to weigh in now.

Whether the McCain campaign insiders did or did not contribute to the Palin-bashing is more or less irrelevant. If you think about it, every candidate is subject to a certain amount of bashing as it is just part of the game, sad to say. It may be testament to Governor Sarah Palin’s immense popularity that she received what many conclude was the lion’s share of media abuse and if not certainly a tremendous amount of it.

The idea of her possibly running in 2012 for President may find some of you puzzled. For those of you who are the following observation is presented. Barack Obama rose to the national spotlight for the first time, based on media reports, at the 2004 Democratic party convention for a speech he gave. In four short years he became President-elect. It is noted by many if not all that this was a tremendous accomplishment and of historic significance. Sarah Palin burst onto the national scene in 2008. She has accomplished at least the following…..

Ninety-one percent (91%) of Republicans have a favorable view of Palin, including 65% who say their view is Very Favorable. Only eight percent (8%) have an unfavorable view of her, including three percent (3%) Very Unfavorable.

When asked to choose among some of the GOP’s top names for their choice for the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, 64% say Palin.

One related note and one aside about the report above. It was presented by Rasmussen Reports. The related note is below indicating an after the election report about the accuracy of Rasmussen’s polls. The aside is that this blog has often presented Rasmussen data or referred to their polling as it had been believed here they are quite spot on. This information was presented to support the notion that one historic event could be followed by another in a surprisingly similar fashion. Perhaps after the election of the first black President the election of the first woman President will follow in much the same way as Barack Obama’s achievement.

The final Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Election 2008 showed Barack Obama leading John McCain 52% to 46%. We are pleased to report that those figures precisely matched the actual election returns.

A Fordham University analysis put Rasmussen Reports on top of the list for accuracy among 23 national pollsters.

Sorry Hillary, at least from the view at this blog we still hope the first woman President is not you.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Rosemary’s News and Ideas, The Pink Flamingo, Rosemary’s Thoughts, A Newt One- Hysterians masquerading as historians, Faultline USA, A Newt One, and The World According to Carl, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe

Online visits and what people search about candidates reveals voter interest. For instance Sarah Palin is present in searches by Obama supporters as well as McCain supporters. Although Obama has more cash to throw around and has a larger online presence McCain videos have been incredibly popular.

The McCain campaign, however, excelled at online video, growing 175 percent in September with 3.2 million total streams. On Obama’s site, streams increased 60 percent to 2 million. Even though unique visitors to Obama’s site outpaced McCain’s in September, the increase percentage was 56 for McCain and 31 for Obama. That increase plus the presence of Sarah Palin in all visitors searches may indicate what people find important in this race.

Sarah Palin has been incredibly popular yet the MSM plays down her role and often asks if she is a negative for McCain. Maybe the negative is more the questions being asked by the media rather than anyone’s opinion of her. McCain’s flare for being the underdog and his monster push in the last week’s of the campaign seem to be drawing more attention to him, increasing his popularity and raising questions in voter’s minds about Barack Obama that have been muted by the press.

Those searching for McCain, for example, have also searched for Sarah Palin, campaign, debate. Those searching for Obama routinely typed in Sarah Palin, president, and vote. And …. For Obama, voters are searching Rezko, plumber, and Wright as much as economy, financial, and reform. It would seem that even while the MSM is giving Obama a pass on his negatives voters are searching for the answers where they can be found.

If Obama is elected voters who supported or opposed him may find the job market leaving them nothing more than a claim of a thousand dollar tax refund from Obama but with no job. And the Obama campaign continues to paint McCain as four more years of President Bush. But it is funny that for all the criticism of Bush we haven’t been attacked since 9/11 under his watch and Biden strongly warned Obama would be tested by our enemies if elected. So within six months of an Obama election we could be attacked and losing our jobs. It is another problem with Obama that his campaign and assistance from the media hopes you won’t notice.

That Obama and the media play down his associations with Ayers, Rezko, Wright, Pfleger, Khalidi, Davis, ACORN and the organizing intimidation of Alinsky and other problems, there are no such questions or problems with John McCain. Something you may want to think about as you head to the polls.

And while critics like to throw mud at Sarah Palin and also suggest she is not ready or capable consider something else the media ignores. As the most popular governor in the country, Sarah Palin does what elected officials are supposed to do. She has successfully represented her constituents which happen to be the citizens of Alaska. She has successfully attended to their needs while also succeeding with marriage and family and supporting core American values. That same devotion, dedication and success would follow her to the Office of Vice-President of the United States.

McCain’s record speaks for itself. His adherence to duty, honor, country and pursuit of reform, prosperity and peace spells success for America along with his running mate Sarah Palin. The Obama/Biden ticket has no such resume’.

Vote McCain/Palin today.

Stanford Matthews
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The liberals like to say conservatives don’t use the words ‘middle class’ as often as they do. Maybe that is because most conservatives, like most other groups ARE middle class. But what the liberals are not telling you is the middle class stands to lose the most if their candidate is elected President.

Regardless of how much Obama, Biden and co-conspirators Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and the DNC raid the bank accounts of the richest among us, the rich will survive. What about the middle class? What will you spend that $1000 Obama and Biden claim they will give you if your job goes away?

Here’s a report that will explain what might happen to your job with an Obama Administration. It offers reaction by two real life small business owners to Obama’s tax and health care proposals and how it would affect their employess and their businesses.

Obama vs. jobs

By Ralph R. Reiland
Monday, November 3, 2008

I interviewed two plumbing company owners over the weekend about Barack Obama’s economic proposals for small business.

One has 15 employees and 12 trucks. The other has 52 employees and 34 trucks. They’re Joe the Plumber, writ large.

Both owners had the same reaction to Obama’s proposed new taxes and mandates. To not have their bottom lines reduced by government fiat, both said they’d be forced to lay off employees.

And it gets worse…...read on.

John McCain and Sarah Palin will not raise taxes and will concentrate on jobs and expanding the economy through investment and not tying the hands of small business which employs the majority of Americans. Vote McCain/Palin on November 4 and save your jobs and those of your

Stanford Matthews
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Trackposted to , third world county, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, DragonLady’s World, The Pink Flamingo, Big Dog’s Weblog, Cao’s Blog, A Newt One, Right Voices, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Another standup appearance by Senator John McCain. You can see his video from the Al Smith Dinner here as well. Talk about exceptional talent. Not only is this guy a real American hero who can lead his country but he has other incredible talents as well.

Vote McCain/Palin

Stanford Matthews
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Vote for McCain/Palin and Country First

Vote for reform, prosperity and peace with country first

More precisely, the ONLY ticket for America

Juhn McCain has a life long service to country including the courage to serve at great harm to himself. He has fought for country first without constraints of party politics. He also has the courage to admit when he is wrong and make corrections. He is experienced, honest, disciplined and always puts country first. And he has chosen a running mate cut from the same cloth. Smart, honest, dedicated and capable with a sense of reform equal to McCain. Sarah Palin, like John McCain, is one of us. An ordinary citizen with extraordinary qualities seeking to right the wrongs with shared American values. Reform, prosperity and peace is a winning combination possible with a ticket that puts country first.

Stanford Matthews
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Pollster John Zogby: “Is McCain making a move? The three-day average holds steady, but McCain outpolled Obama today, 48% to 47%. He is beginning to cut into Obama’s lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all. “Obama’s lead among women declined, and it looks like it is occurring because McCain is solidifying the support of conservative women, which is something we saw last time McCain picked up in the polls. If McCain has a good day tomorrow, we will eliminate Obama’s good day three days ago, and we could really see some tightening in this rolling average. But for now, hold on.”

Vote McCain/Palin
Country First
Reform, Prosperity and Peace

Stanford Matthews
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With the advent of former Obama, Clinton, Edwards’ speechwriter Wendy Button announcing her support for McCain/Palin an often ignored trend is quite obvious in places other than the main stream media. Many Democrats will be voting for McCain/Palin.

A speechwriter for Obama, Edwards, and Clinton on why she’s voting McCain.

Since I started writing speeches more than ten years ago, I have always believed in the Democratic Party. Not anymore. Not after the election of 2008. This transformation has been swift and complete and since I’m a woman writing in the election of 2008, “very emotional.”

Read the rest of the story as it is very compelling.

Wendy Button is not alone. Just searching on her story or name returned equally compelling situations across the Democratic party universe.

Obama’s Speechwriter Boldly Declares She’s a P.U.M.A!

October 29, 2008 by PUMA Pundit

We told you PUMAs are everywhere. It seems one of Barack Obama’s speechwriters is a PUMA…

Who knows from PUMA? Not remembering the official meaning of the acronym or abbreviation, PUMA, the humorous version is Party Unity My Ass. From what is known at this blog the group is composed of Hillary Clinton supporters mad as hell at the DNC. And another group of Democrats not pleased with their party’s performance specifically announce their support for McCain/Palin and denounce the sham that is Obama.

Clinton Democrats for McCain/Palin is something that can leave a conservative breathless. And that is just two examples of Democrat groups supporting McCain/Palin in the November election.

For instance the Clinton Democrats for McCain/Palin have press releases that include accounts of Sarah Palin being abused in the press. Another release discusses Obama’s community organizing style and his use of Saul Alinsky’s ‘vicious and divisive’ tactics as a powerplay to coerce the targets of their schemes. A stunning reference to a Canadian Free Press report on Obama’s illegal electioneering has a title of Ohio Islamic.org…. Take over American…. from the inside. There is also mention of the Berg vs Obama lawsuit questioning Obama’s citizenship and standing to run for President. And there are stories of Obama’s ties to FactCheck.org, the Manchurian candidate theory and the DNC pressuring Hillary delegates at the party’s convention. And we all know Bill and Hillary have caved to campaign for Obama which leaves one wondering what the post election payoff will be. Not to mention all the other payoffs Obama will have to deal with if elected. Makes for a scary scenario that a significant number of Democrats and Independents have recognized and are opposing by supporting McCain/Palin.

That should give conservatives reason to breath a sigh of relief. Not all liberals are of the far left kook fringe variety. That would be why this blog uses the terms when speaking of the immovable base of the DNC that refuses to drink anything but the Kool Aid. These examples give some support to the notion that it ain’t over til its over, the polls may be incredibly wrong about an Obama lead, the country may not really be sold on the Messiah or the MSM bias which supports him completely.

As a parting thought for this post…….

I have been a democrat my whole life, in fact my whole family were die hard democrats. There are 23 of us, my daughter is still undecided, I’m trying to work on her.My daughter- in -law registered for the first time to vote for Hillary and the way the dnc and Florida treated us, she says she will never vote again, I feel so bad for her. That leaves 21 of us that will be voting for McCain. Not one of us has ever cast a vote for a republican, Until this year. This is why I think the pundits are calling it all wrong. None of us have changed our party registration, so everyone assumes that because we are considered dems, that is how we are going to vote. Well here is 21 that would rather support our country before party. - Linda, FL

Stanford Matthews
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Trackposted to The Pink Flamingo, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Woman Honor Thyself, Stageleft, and The World According to Carl, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

McCain, an honest man who has given life long service to country, expresses how he will govern as President of the United States. You can afford a few minutes to view this.

Stanford Matthews
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Amid all the videos presented on this blog recently and that will be from now on until the 2008 Presidential election has concluded a post from time to time providing some explanation of views should be presented. We are all familiar with the many arguments, campaign presentations, media reports and other sources offering attempts to persuade voters in the coming election. This blog has made an effort to convince people to vote for candidates also and will continue to do so. But a break from the usual or typical method may be useful.

This is limited to the choice between Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama for President in this 2008 election. One discussion that seems to be missing has been presented here before and warrants mention again. Like any other campaign/election the candidates have proposed plans as their response to various issues. And it is no surprise that much has been made of these plans. The reason this seems odd is whatever the reason people act as though these plans will be reality when one of the candidates is elected. Doesn’t that seem absurd to you?

There is no guarantee that any candidate plans will become reality if legislation is required. The policy intentions may, depending on the case, be subject to executive order as a method for their establishment but most things will need to be legislated or otherwise approved by Congress, like confirmations and the like. So the only reason to be concerned about legislative proposals from candidates is if you believe they have a chance to pass. And even then, the likelihood of being passed as introduced is minuscule. Yes, you become concerned about proposals you disagree with or do not believe as you think this gives an indication of what the candidate will try to do once in office. Fair enough. But look at how many plans during a campaign have never seen the light of day once the candidate was elected.

So what about other candidate attributes? That has been more difficult to parse throughout the campaign after the choices were reduced to two people. Logic would dictate that the task should have been much simpler once the field was narrowed from more than a half dozen or so on each side to two. But that is not the case. Why? Actually, John McCain and Joe Biden are better known quantities than either Barack Obama or Sarah Palin. But first a review of the two running for President. Barack Obama was probably not known nationally until the now famous 2004 speech at the Democratic party convention. And if you were like the author of this blog you really don’t remember hearing about it until the 2008 campaign got underway. But many other people seem to be aware of it.

John McCain on the other hand has been around for a long time and with varying degrees of familiarity to the details most people know him quite well. Simply because their careers have some similar details both McCain and Biden are frequently described by others in the business of politics as Senators in good standing with the typical number of glitches in their histories. Both McCain and Biden are known to irritate others from time to time and while Biden has more of a reputation for speaking before thinking, McCain’s temper has been known to cause him a problem from time to time. Biden is hamstrung to some degree by the plagiarism scandal and McCain although only mildly admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee has the Keating Five episode on his resume’. Beyond that the two Senators have what could probably be referred to as what one Democrat and one Republican would have for records after many years in Congress.

Barack Obama and Sarah Palin being the lesser known in the two pairings present different scenarios. The short version on Palin is like Obama her career is not long. But most of her history minus the media and other sources who have muddied the water is not much concern for the voter. No one seems to have challenged her stature as the most popular Governor in the country. No one seems to challenge the fact that she is responsible for attending to her state constituents including negotiating significant annual residuals from energy revenues as income for residents. And there still are a great many people who view Sarah Palin as more like the ordinary citizen than the majority of those who populate Washington elected offices. And whether true or not most of her history is out there. The same cannot be said of Barack Obama.

Even leaving out the recent citizenship question on Barack Obama which has not been satisfied in many people’s view, his reluctance to share his history from Occidental College, Columbia University and Harvard Law must raise some questions privately among the liberals if not publicly. It is reminiscent of Hillary Rodham Clinton refusing to release her records as First Lady until after the election. What is that about? What happened to full disclosure for candidates? Even if not required that must send up some warning flags for most voters. Has Sarah Palin refused to release any information that was requested of her?

Of the associations for which Barack Obama has received criticism why was he initially reluctant to respond? Why did he try to minimize his relationship with Rev Wright and only severed ties when the political liability became too risky? Why did he do the same about William Ayers in referring to him as just a guy in the neighborhood until the story grew legs? Even subsequent responses were less than candid and could even be characterized as lies when follow up reports were released. He shrugged off his ties with Tony Rezko and the real estate deal with him only to describe it as a bonehead move later on when he could no longer distance himself from it. These are just a few of the problems people see with Barack Obama. Not necessarily so much the associations and events but the way he responds to inquiries. Especially when those responses are later replaced with admissions of some guilt or error.

That is why this blog supports McCain/Palin. And it is also why more videos and more reports on Barack Obama and Joe Biden will follow from now to the aftermath of the election and beyond if need be. There are too many unanswered questions about Barack Obama. The media has been complicit in providing biased coverage as indicated by the Pew Research report and other media critics. You have to ask yourself is the coverage of negative reports about Obama limited to conservative sources solely as a campaign strategy or is there some underlying truth mixed in all those reports? Even if the percentage of true reports was limited to 10 or 20% it would be enough to raise suspicion in most people’s minds if they were aware of it. But the MSM has dropped the ball on such reporting of Obama. In the rare instance they report something objectionable about Obama they dismiss it almost in the same breath.

Careful who you vote for people. You won’t be able to correct that choice so easy after election day.

Stanford Matthews
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Trackposted to The Pink Flamingo, Cao’s Blog, Rosemary’s Thoughts, third world county, Democrat=Socialist, The World According to Carl, and Shadowscope, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

The one concern from most people known to the author of this blog on John McCain and his positions is immigration. This video is dated August 2007. Just about the time the McCain Kennedy Amnesty legislation was defeated. Shortly after the defeat McCain had said the measure was a mistake based on the public outcry to it. Two things to remember. No candidate is perfect. Amnesty was defeated before and will be defeated if brought up again. This blog views this one McCain flaw as a moot point. But in fairness to readers it is provided for what one may call full disclosure.

The author of this blog urges readers to vote for McCain/Palin for President and Vice President this election. The alternative is far too dangerous to consider.

Stanford Matthews
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Here’s a couple of women who believe in our country and conservative values. And one of them may take a little heat from her colleagues over campaign participation.

‘View’ honchos a bit teed off at Elisabeth Hasselbeck New York Daily News

Stanford Matthews
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Could the media be changing after all the media bashing protesting bias? Or is this just a matter of polls changing to reflect more voters getting involved? A Boston Herald report opened with ‘a nine point lead’ for Obama at Gallup, one of the three polls monitored here, but did not lead with the other model from Gallup which is five points. This morning Zogby and Rasmussen are hovering around five points and then there is the video presented in this post. How about that one poll with a double digit lead? Hmmmm.

Stanford Matthews
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If you think the topic of this video is no big deal then you are not really thinking. Biden and Obama try as they might cannot gloss over the supreme Biden gaffe. Arguably the single most dangerous effect of a potential Obama Presidency with a Vice-President Biden is presented in this video.

Not in this video is Biden’s additional comment that the American people would have to be patient with Obama as it would appear he was making a grave mistake in responding to the crisis Biden guarantees will happen. The details were never revealed. And people would vote for these guys?

Support McCain/Palin with your vote to keep our country secure.

Stanford Matthews
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