Congrats Steve on being on Rachel's premiere. I hope to see you and many other notable bloggers on her show for a few years to come.

I was already watching Rachel's show, but now, I may kick up the quality on the Tivo to Medium! :)

Congrats, Steve!

Republicans wanted to get state Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat from Anchorage, removed from his role overseeing the probe into Palin's abuse of power scandal. French, however, is staying right where he is.

Strange to see the machinations of the Alaska legislature, which are familiar & boring enough to me, suddenly thrust under the national microscope.

I'm not sure how the right came up with this anti-Oprah nonsense...

Same way they come up with all the other nonsese: rectal extraction.

Break a leg! As they say in showbiz.

Good luck tonight, Steve. Be sure to mention the flipflop list.

Hey Friedman, Suck on this and all your pathetic columns that helped keep BushCo in power.

Ah, the right knows how to win over women...attack Oprah. Next, they'll win over old people by condemning Wilford Brimley's diabetes commercials, even though the old coot is on their side.

To Add:

Michelle Obama is on Ellen Degeneres Show today for her season Premiere!

Biden spoke earlier and he did so CONCISELY! GO Biden! Same with Chris Mathews who is also tangential--he just did a great (clear) job exposing the Palin is SO not Hilary issue...

That's fabulous, Steve! I was hoping Rachel would take you along from her radio show to tv-- so glad she's doing it tonight!

I've been playing with something that you might be interested in using-- that the key to unraveling both McCain and Palin is in the word "maverick." They're both using it very successfully to distance themselves from Bush, to disassociate themselves from the GOP's many messes and to appeal to anyone who might respond to the idea of voting for "rebels."

The thing that we all know is that they're NOT mavericks at all, they're great pretenders-- they're like an old product repackaging itself as "new and improved" when it is more of the same old crap.

We need to hit them on this-- so does Obama/Biden. They're fakes, they're NOT mavericks, and they're liars. The only thing mavericky about them is that they're on the same ticket-- he hates pork, she loves it. He says he hates lobbyists but has nothiing but lobbyists running his campaign.

In a nutshell-- they're liars. They lie about Obama's record and they lie about their own records. They need to be called out on it forcefully.

Anyone notice how Palin mispronounces Iraq "Eye-Rack"?

I can't wait to see you on the Rachel Maddow show tonight, I can't think of a better guest for her first show!! Break a leg!

Friedman has really fallen off the Schmuck Talk bandwagon in the last month or so.

Michael Palin on the ticket? My snarky first take on Sarah said that last week.

The Palin books rumor was first picked up by Snopes, I think. That’s where I saw it.

And shock me that the clock for S-CHIP has been stalled out.

And, per "unidentified," I thought only Southern rednecks pronounced Iraq that way.

That's just awesome news, Steve!

Come out swinging!

Steve, your S-CHIP link somewhat misreports it. It's not just "lack of time," it's that Congressional Dems think they have better fish to fry.

It's all a house of cards--it will all come tumbling down, so long as folks keep confronting it.

I think this time too many folks want a real change, even moderates....

We are really in trouble with our economy and our enviornment..this is NOT the election to play games.

Hey Steve, congrats on movin' on up to the big show with Rachel! Of course I was already going to be watching, but you just exponentially increased the excitement about her show's potential. I hope you become a frequent guest ... and yeah, break a proverbial leg!

There's a really great collection of racist and sexist political campaign literature on display at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton right now. I've got some pictures from the opening and a discussion of some of the individual pieces as well.

Drill, drill, drill...?

If you check out oil drilled in the gulf especially Texas oil it has an element called Paraffin. As drilling goes out further into the gulf outer shell this chemical increases and is an expense to refine.

Paraffin is supposed to be expensive to separate in drilling to create good gas.

Is this one of the subsidies American tax payers give to oil companies all these years? Is this why it is cheaper to get Arab oil?

The Chinese are in the same position except worse values as high as fifty percent paraffin. It is no wonder why the world is after Iraq sweet oil it supposed to be easy to pull out of the ground and has less Paraffin element.

If this is true America has been duped again by the media. Like cigarettes, it does not take too much to Google and find out about this stuff. It points to a direction of very poor efficiency.

IMPORTANT READ:

If you missed this, there are nearly 600,000 people in Ohio who are currently subject of possible caging? Read this and then read how you can ensure that you have your own right to vote in November! This is a must read - and a must do! You have got to check your registration status prior to the election! I am checking mine weekly!!

Share with anyone you know. Make sure your vote counts!!

Hey Steve, merde!

It occurs to me that the simplest of jujitsu can be applied to the McCain/Palin lies about the Bridge to Nowhere. McCain/Palin have already created an association between Palin's name and the BtoN, so the right thing for the Obama campaign to do is not claim they are lying, just run ads and keep saying the opposite - that Palin was in favor of the BtoN (and other earmark projects.) Keep associating Palin's name with the BtoN.

Steve, I am so very excited and thrilled for you. While I was planning on watching Maddow tonight, I now have 1 million more reasons...one for every post and idea and thought you have imparted on us over the years.

I am your biggest fan!

Knock 'em dead!!

MsJoanne, do you have a link by any chance?

* I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening. The show starts at 9 p.m. eastern, and I hope readers will tune in. -- Steve Benen

I already watched my alloted hour of TV for the year (Convention, the night Michelle spoke) but... for you... anything :) Already made sure we a) get MSNBC and b) there's no conflict, since DH is an inveterate TV watcher. But his answer was "even if there were... your wanting to watch anything is so rare, I'd give up my own plans. Especially today" (our 35th anniversary)
________________________
Anyone notice how Palin mispronounces Iraq "Eye-Rack"? -- unknown, @17:51

That's, actually, "I-Wreck"; for once, the right accepts the responsibility for *something*

I was wondering how Rachel Maddow was going to make her first show special. Good for her!!! This is one show you won't have to watch so we don't have to.

Congratulations Steve on your invitation to the premier of the RM show. I am spreading the word..

Obama's new add kicks ass. Finally! Must see TV

Stephanie Cutter did a pretty good job on:
"Race for Whitehouse".

But I would like to see her do a better job defining Feminism as it relates to choice--she emphasized that it's about what women care about, about keeping their families safe...yes, but she sounded too hesitant.

I would have said NO--Sarah Palin is NOT a feminist.

"I'm scheduled to be a guest..."

Behold, the power of ORANGE.

I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening.

STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE! Glad I saw this. I'm up to my ears in work and wasn't planning any teevee viewing. Now I have a good excuse for a break. Break a leg!

A couple thoughts about today's Gallop poll. Likely voters McCain 54% Obama 44%. 37% of voters identify themselves as Dem, while only 28% as Rep according to Gallop poll done in June. 60% Reps are now enthusiastic about McCain according to today's Gallop poll. 67% of Dems enthusiastic about Obama according to ABC. on Aug. 9.

That would suggest that either Gallop doesn't think many "unenthusiastic" Dems will vote, but similar Reps will, or that a large majority of Independents were just waiting for a bible toting, gun thumping master of cynicism to come along.

One other possibility - I was called for a Gallop presidential preference poll a few months ago. The last question was whether I wanted to be called for future polls. There may be other innocent explanations, but I concluded that 1) these polls are not random and 2) they vet respondents.

Steve, I am thrilled that you will be on Rachel Maddow's first show tonight. I hope you will be a regular guest.

The Rachel Maddow Show will be a tremendous benefit for Barack. Rachel is brilliant. I will be forever grateful to MSNBC and Keith Olbermann for finally giving Rachel her own show.

I have heard your interviews with Rachel on her Air America radio show. I always enjoy your political analysis. I check your blog multiple times during the day.

Terrific news, Steve. Congratulations.

I'm sure we'll all be watching.

HuffPo (I don't read it as a rule, but wanted to see how much I've given Obama to date and noticed the tidbit) has a short report/video on Clinton's appearance in Fla. Fragment:

"To slightly amend my comments in Denver," she said, "no way, no how, no McCain, no Palin."

Clinton said the nation should be proud that the Republicans have a woman on the ticket, but argued that returning Republicans to the White House "is like asking the iceberg to save the Titanic."

Love that "asking the iceberg to save the Titanic"image :) Too bad only 300 people heard it...

Was Alberto R. Gonzales the least intellectually gifted attorney general in history?

How soon we forget Edward Meese.

*

* I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening. The show starts at 9 p.m. eastern, and I hope readers will tune in.

You mean you really are just one man? I thought for sure you were a committee.

Congrats, and I look forward to the show!

I'll be watching tonight, Steve! So glad you're going to be on! I'd love to hear you and Rachel discuss your list of 76 McCain flip-flops - please be sure to tell the viewing audience where to find (and print or forward) that very useful list.

Steve,
Do you have any other information on the so called banned list. I saw it on Snopes also and, with a few exceptions thought it was a pretty fine list of good reading.

If Sarah Palin does a press conference, be sure to look for an earpiece. You know the McCain people will be feeding answers from offstage...most likely the wrong answers

So now they are sending out voter caging lists and have added a new group - college students, they are telling them they could lose scholarships or dependent status if they register to vote!

Ah jeebus, I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening. The show starts at 9 p.m. eastern, and I hope readers will tune in.

Well if asked by Maddow why Obama is down in the polls, perhaps unpartisanly, Steve could offer up the ugly lied about FISA bill as the culprit.

The netroots doesn't care about this, only the Independent voter does. People who don't know what liar to vote for - Bush or Obama.

I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening. The show starts at 9 p.m. eastern, and I hope readers will tune in.

Congratulations! I hope it will be available via webcast? (Olbermann's show is typically available on the web about the same time as the broadcast, but it's taped. I hope the same be true for Maddow's show?)

We'll be watching for you on Maddow tonight! Make sure you mention his flip-flops...and don't forget to mention that McCain eats babies!!!

Why do you think he picked Palin? Fresh baby!

Be a Maverick...vote Obama!!

Before I get to my criticism of Mr. McCain's charge that we hate America and want the country to lose the war, let me first say that John McCain is an honarable man, a war hero, who has shown more courage under fire than most of us have shown in politics, and a real maverick, a man who knows how to reach across the aisle. And let me also say that I have never doubted the sincerity of his "putting America first." Not once. John McCain is a good friend of mine. Now... where was I going with this?

Oh, yes. About accusing me of wanting America to lose... well, I understand how Mr. McCain might come to that mistaken conclusion, but I must respectfully disagree. And I say this as someone who would be grateful for the opportunity to stand in his shadow.

We'll be watching for you on Maddow tonight! Make sure you mention his flip-flops...and don't forget to mention that McCain eats babies!!!

Why do you think he picked Palin? Fresh baby!

Be a Maverick...vote Obama!!

My love for mercenaryscookbook never has, currently doesn't and never will know any bounds.

Steve, congrats and I hope you put up a clip since I can't get Rachel on this side of the Pacific.

Ex-Libra @ 7:12 The iceberg comment is good, but this bugs me: Clinton said the nation should be proud that the Republicans have a woman on the ticket

It's like every time Obama and Biden start off by praising John McCain. I mean why should we be proud the Republicans put a woman on the ticket? She represents a huge step backwards both because of her extreme positions and because she is supremely unqualified for the post for which she's been nominated. Women in the US deserve better. /rant over. :-)

"Clinton said the nation should be proud that the Republicans have a woman on the ticket, but argued that returning Republicans to the White House "is like asking the iceberg to save the Titanic."

Love that "asking the iceberg to save the Titanic"image :) Too bad only 300 people heard it..."
Posted by: exlibra

CNN ran with it, so I think it got some coverage. Not the attack dog speech against Palin that I expected (hoped for) but Clinton says that Obama doesn't need it because he's on the right side of History.

So what about being on the right side of Herstory?

"*"
Posted by: JRS Jr

Really? He was that bad? Couldn't type a civil post? About what to expect when your senior senator is Joe LIEberman I suppose.

"I'm scheduled to be a guest on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow Show" this evening. The show starts at 9 p.m. eastern, and I hope readers will tune in."

I'll have to stay up late for Rachel now! Glad to hear you are on tonight and not tomorrow (game night, after all).

"Here's a list going around of books Sarah Palin allegedly wanted to ban in the Wasilla library. It's not true."

So does anyone KNOW what books "Secessionist" Sarah, the future Queen of Alaska (deferential my ass) wanted to ban? Could we check with the town residents and ask who complained about a book? Maybe the librarian has records of citizen complaints?

JS, @ 19:49,

You're telling me that people who are *in college* would be stupid enough to fall for that ploy?

MsJoanne, @18:10,
I wish there was some sort of national campaign about *all* "do not forward" mail and what to do about it...

When my son was away in college, any piece of mail that came addressed to him... we'd ask what to do with it: forward, or open and tell him what it was about. If we opened it and summarised the contents and he wanted to know more, we'd put it in a different envelope and send it to him (paying the postage, which straight forwarding does not involve). It's a simple way out.

We all get panic-inducing mail and phone-calls but, once the adrenaline burst subsides (about half a minute?), it's time to prove Obama right and show we're not stupid...

We'll be watching for you on Maddow tonight! Make sure you mention his flip-flops...and don't forget to mention that McCain eats babies!!!

Why do you think he picked Palin? Fresh baby!

Be a Maverick...vote Obama!!

When it comes to the word Maverick McCain usually assumes it is the second explanation in the dictionary.

One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.

However... He has ignored the first explanation which is:

An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.

1) He bucked the Republican Party by going against some of their stances pre-2000.
2) He was persona-non-grata until he endorsed Bush in 2004
3) The social conservatives consider McCain their property now, because they were the first ones to 'brand' him with Palin.

Wouldn't that be a great narrative, to dispel his "Maverick" image.

I keep hearing that golden oldie about Obama "voting to raise taxes on people making $42,000," and it occurs to me that everyone who voted for Bush's tax cuts VOTED TO RAISE TAXES, because the act has an expiration date WHEN TAXES GO BACK UP!

This is a logical as the claim that Obama's vote for a non-binding sense-of-the-Senate resolution to let the expiration actually happen was a vote "to raise taxes."

And, on another front, has it occurred to anyone else that from bad to worse is NOT the kind of change we need?

Ed

This cartoon is cute, about what I call "Bushtation":

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1737

I heard above about "earpiece" to get answers like Bush might have - with the weird lump on his back, remember that? But maybe Palin will pretend to be pregnant again (see cartoon linked above) and have a receiver taped on her stomach. (Credible to be pregnant already since they don't believe in birth control.)

just waw you on the maddow show. yay steve!

Great job, Steve! Was that law-book wallpaper you were perched in front of? ;-)

Nice job, Steve. You hit a lot of good points. Way to nail Rick Davis for his issues comment. Congrats, again!

First real guest? Damn! Nice job, Steve. But I was really looking forward to that pen-twirling thing. Next time?

Just saw you on Rachel Maddow. Dude! You Rock!

W00T!!! Nice tie... did you rent it? ;-)

Congratulations! Great job with Rachel and I hope she continues to have you on her show! It's nice to put a voice with your posts!

Hey, who was that new TV star breaking out on Rachel's show tonight? :)

Great job, Steve! She must have prepped by reading your blog - loved the question on Palin's executive style!

Again, congrats - to you and Rach both!

Nice job on Maddow! What's the deal with the fake-looking background? Were you getting your pic taken a Kmart? Great blog, keep up the good work.

Wow, Steve, you were great! And you look so much younger than I imagined you. :D

Good job, Steve.

Echoing the comments above applauding you for calling attention to Palin's vindictive and detached "executive" style, which should reinforce her position as Bush's ideological heir.

For instance, her commentary regarding Freddie/Fannie sound about as ignorant on the subject as would Bush's -- talking points over any understanding of the subject matter, and therefore no way to understand how to actually fix anything to help Americans.

Fantastic job on Rachel's premiere, Steve! Hope it's the first of many.

And to think we knew you before you became a star!

I have been thinking a lot lately about why Palin has made such a difference, and about why the Democratic talking points haven't made much of a difference.

I think it boils down to the fact that people "want" to like her. Americans like and underdog, and if it comes in a pretty package like Palin, then all the better.

Cognitive dissonance is a powerful force, so it will be interesting to see if the Obama campaign can chip away enough at her reputation to make a dent in her popularity.

I don't envy the Obama campaign. They are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. They have to hammer away at her, but at the same time they have to be very careful that they don't overdue it and discredit themselves in the eye of the public.

Disclaimer: I support Palin, but still think it's an interesting problem.

Lipstick, Benen? Lipstick??? What are you, some sort of a pit-bull/hockey mom hybrid or something? And blue eye shadow? What's the story with the blue eye shadow? What gives? I went down to the TV room a few minutes early and there was Keith Olberman and Obama (long-distance) and both had blue eye shadow too.

No wonder the anti-gay, anti-celebrity brigade is foaming at the mouth...

But the *content* was good :)

Gerat job Steve! You were actually the first guest ever. Olberman doesn't count (LOL) since he handed it off and chatted for a few. Next time, the flip flop list!!

Thomas Friedman is dead on right. You're worried about Russian power? Funding terrorist activities? Well the best way to defeat them is to cut out the source of their money. Drilling only extends the amount of time these countries will collect huge profits from Oil.

Way to go Steve! I call for a celebratory bonfire fueled by that hideous backdrop!

But nevermind that. Congrats on helping Rachel kick off her new show. Hope to see you many more times...ha ha, liberals on the teevee!

For those of us without cable/TV... is the webcast and where is it? Looked around the MSNBC site and couldn't find it (Olbermann's cast tonight is already up.) Thanks.

James Caroll in the Boston Globe on McCain and honor: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/09/08/war_honor_and_john_mccain/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed7

STEVE, YOU WERE AWESOME WITH RACHEL!!!!!

I think it boils down to the fact that people "want" to like her. Americans like and underdog, and if it comes in a pretty package like Palin, then all the better.

You're voting for an entire platform and an entire administration, not just a candidate who you personally like. Personally, I consider people who limit their litmus test to "personality" should be lobotomized.

Cognitive dissonance is a powerful force,...

You are correct, although unintentionally ironic.

I don't envy the Obama campaign. They are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. They have to hammer away at her, but at the same time they have to be very careful that they don't overdue it and discredit themselves in the eye of the public.

I would disagree ... I think we should probably hammer her for the lying, pandering, ignorant wingnut that she is. Americans respect strength. Besides, there are only so many examples of lying about the BtoN, lobbying, and abusing her power before she gets appropriately defined.

Disclaimer: I support Palin, but still think it's an interesting problem.
Posted by: rory

I find it interesting that certain voters can dress themselves in the morning, personally. The number of blinders conservatives have on when voting is amazing.

A star is born. Too much damn celebrity in this race. Great job Steve.

Nice books Steve.

Great job on the Rachel Maddow Show, Steve! Hope you'll be a regular feature on there.

Well we got the republican strategy towards religion from Buchanan. Attack the media for attacking Palin and say religion should be off limits and then out of the other side of your mouth attack Obama's religion. Handled well by Rachel Maddow I must add.

Why is Buchanan even on television? He should be digging trenches at some compound in the upper peninsula. A vile and disgusting bigot.

Why is Buchanan even on television? -grinning cat

Because we love watching Rachel 'Maddow'* him.

*A term suggested by the CEO of Google.

(scratching rory under chin)

Rory-- you're an adorable little concern troll.

Next you're going to say that anyone who criticizes McCain risks looking like they hate old people. Oh my! What are the dems going to do? Maybe we should just give up and concede everything to the GOP this year. Is that what you'd like us to do?

Not going to happen. Palin is going down-- either by her own hand or after people get to actually know her hard-right views. Just wait until she's forced to admit that she believes the state should make women carry their rapists' babies to term. That will go over well.

Hey, nice job tonight on the Maddow show. It's good to match a name and words with a face.

I sure do hope you're right, but I can't help thinking of the axiom that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

Hey Steve,

You did a great job on Rachel's show. Kudos to you both. But that being said, I must ask you:

WHO IN THE HELL DID YOUR MAKEUP? THAT WAS JUST PLAIN WRONG, MAN.

Ya did good, boyo!

Don't know where to put Tom Friedmann and his popularity with media.

He's never had an original idea in his life and puts out papp that has been there for a decade or two ot three. Says something about the reading habits, education and understanding of the world's problems of his fans.

Nice tie Steve. Is that a hand me down from your brother?

Great job on the show tonight, but I wish you'd been able to mention the 76-item list. There's always next time ;-)
I'm with the earlier post-ers about the wallpaper, though; I've seen Republican positions that looked more genuine :-)

hate to get back to substance, but if we don't McCain will start running ads comparing Steve to Paris Hilton :)

has anyone seen an announcement of Obama's August fundraising numbers? It makes me a little nervous that McCain had $47M and we've heard nothing from Obama yet.

Good job, Steve, but you still don't hold a candle to McCain. Couldn't you just pinch him?

Is anyone else sick of the Palin talking point that "she's the most popular governor in the country!"

Well, I'd love my governor too if he wrote everyone in my family a check for $3,200! I wish that dems were as half as organized as the GOP when it comes to repeated responses-- it would make a great talking point whenever some GOPer says it like it means Palin is the best governor in the country.

It would also help illuminate just how *differently* Alaska functions from every other state in the country. You know, like the fact that no one there pays income or sales tax. Because they get most of their money from oil company revenues or federal tax dollars from the lower 48.

Seriously, does anyone know what's happened to Sullivan. He never leaves his blog untended like this.

Saw you on Rachel Steve.

You blew it. When she asked if McCain had any differences with George W, you should have said: "Oh, yes indeed. John McCain has flip-flopped on almost every major issue there is, therefore he has been opposed to George W. Bush...

... at least some of the time."

Hey Eric Blair, any kin to Linda Blair? You got that spinning head thing going. Just wonderin'...

Eric Blair--Wow--way to take that comment completely out of context!

I heard the whole interview--he clearly meant my (alleged)Muslim faith...even the interviewer (George) corrected him and then Obama confirmed and elaborated.

It was nothing more than a very tired politician being tossed one question after another at him for many months now...talk about looking for dirt

Steve, great job on Rachel tonight! You rocked, as always ... and I've already written to Rachel congratulating her on her great taste in having you on as her first real guest (also pimped for more appearances for you). Wasn't going to mention it, but since others already have, dude ... the make up and that backdrop, whew, don't let them do that to you again! *Sigh* but I suppose those are the pitfalls of being super TV blogger man?

You were the highlight of the Maddow show. Buchanan the lowlight. Hope she doesn't make that a daily occurrence.

If I hear someone mention Palin's "brilliant" speech again, I will need a new TV. What universe is this? It's like complimenting Orwell here on reading his hourly fax from the GOP basement. . . Lies, bad delivery and a prop family. . . .

I love it when Barak doesn't have a teleprompter. He just can't hack it.

57 states
New Pennsylvania
Let me introduce the next president Joe Biden
I am in Kansas City I mean St. Louis

oooooh. Those are AWFUL. They all indicate that he doesn't understand something fundamental about something critical to American politics or policy.

Oh, wait, they don't. What they do indicate is that Obama has spoken for THOURSANDS of unscripted hours on the campaign trail and that sometimes he literally misspeaks because, well, he's freaking human.

Loved you on RM Steve. Followed you for at least the last year as the reasonable voice of liberal blogging. Will keep pushing your name out there. Thanks again for all your hard work.

Brian (Livingston, NJ)

Eric Blair

Please follow the rules. You are not authorized to use combative rhetoric and to say critical things about BHO.

You may post Excellent thing about John McCain, though. Go J-Mac! You are a foot soldier. Act accordingly. Please follow the rules and earn your rank.

Thank You.

McBOC

Ormell

You are above your paygrade. Please don't go down this road because the LIBERALS will just point out that John McCain Voted in favor of a lot of unfortunate things that I can not mention..

Please know your paygrade. Please follow the rules. You are not authorized to use combative rhetoric and to say critical things about BHO.

You may post Excellent thing about John McCain, though. Go J-Mac! You are a foot soldier. Act accordingly. Please follow the rules and earn your rank.

Thank You.

McBOC

Hey, Eric; you, too, McBOC - when you're not busy, and if you don't mind reading a "liberal" paper (in spite of its giddy cheerleading for the Iraq war without any regards for the facts), pop over and let's hear your take on http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090803088.html?hpid=topnews

, where the newly-anointed savior of the Republican party billed her home state a per diem allowance for 312 nights in which she was actually at home. Don't think that's dishonest? Try it, and see what your company thinks about it. If there's nothing wrong with it, you've got nothing to worry about.

orange

Power quote from: A Liberal's Confession on Sarah Palin

Yes, I disagree with her on every issue I care about (and several I don't). No, I don't like her policy, her history, or her hairstyle—and I don't want her running my country. But I wouldn't mind her in my moms' group. The Dems would be wise to make her look less charismatic somehow, and fast. Or at least stop yammering on about her parenting choices, so I can stop defending them.

I couldn't agree more.
Calling her a liar won't move the ball much.
I suspect much of that gets tuned out by any undecided voters as "But all pols lie."
Nevertheless it is a start.

Ridiculing her like they did on TPM TV is a step in the right direction. But the ad is too long and analytical.

One way to accomplish the destruction of Palin's fake credentials is to attack her as she has defined herself: A pitbull with lipstick. Pitbulls aren't very smart. Show the world that. Go after her intelligence and judgment. Ridicule the things that come out of her mouth.

For example:

Run a 30 second ad that shows a pitbull with lipstick sitting against an all white foreground and background. Have the pitbull's lips move and utter one single Palin inanity. For example begin here: "What does a vice president do all day?" Scroll across the bottom factual information about the quote. End of ad.

Create a series of 15-30 second spots using the same dumb pitbull with lipstick muttering her lies and lame-brained things. Scroll the truth across the bottom. She wants to package herself as a dog? Fine.

That's how you destroy her creds.
Anything less than that is just beating around the bush.

Repeat after me:

John McCain and Sarah Palin have a problem with the truth. They think you are too stupid to see throughtheir lies.

Sarah is the Queen of Earmarks. She worked actively to rake in the pork for Alaska and she was for the Bridge to Nowhere until it became unpopular. Then she was just for the pork. She canceled the project but kept the money. Your money. Nice lady.

Johm McSame's campaign team is a rogue's gallery of lobbyists. If "maverick" means adopting a new position every time it's politically popular, then he's as maverick as it gets.

Democrats just need to repeat this mindlessly over and over for the next 60 days. Regardless of the question or context. Just repeat the talking points. It obviously works for Republicans.

Alberto Gonzales the most intellectually challenged? I can't say, but I can assert that his time as Attorney General must have set a record for neglect and supineness!

I think the ticker at the bottom of the screen was broken...It read

Obama: If McCain agrees with Bush 90%, Palin agrees with Bush 97%

...even though you said that...not Obama.

strange...

Nice job on Rachel's show, Steve. How fun to have been on the inaugural show. Nice "books" behind you, too. LOL.

Re the "57 states" thing, perhaps Obama meant to say 47 states, but... the other explanation is that there were 57 primary contests*, or as I heard it at the Dem convention "56 delegations plus Democrats Abroad". Since Obama was in the primary campaign mode at the time he said that, perhaps that was what in the back of his mind.

*50 states plus
District of Columbia
Guam
Puerto Rico
American Samoa
Democrats Abroad
The Virgin Islands
and one more?

koreyel: wrong approach portraying Palin as an actual dog. You'll get the McSame campaign claiming that Obama is calling her a b*tch and get her more sympathy than she deserves.

Better to run side-by-side Sarah's ala Jon Stewart (I said no thanks vs her saying she is in favor). Much more effective and not too many would claim sexism (gag) - well the McSames would, but tough sh*t. Any reasoning, thinking person (yeah, I know I'm making a big assumption) will feel duped.

Against the stream of speculation, here's a fact.

The United States of America committed more known illegal acts under his Attorney Generalship now known than since who knows when with absolutely no prosecution. You tell me. We know what the illegal acts were.

Which surprises absolutely no one in the Whole Wide World. The US is The Nation of the Thug, Torturer, Brutalizer, and, unfortunately, Murderer.

And the worst part is we don't care about other people. Even for murder. We don't care.

Where are the prosecutions?

congratulations on the gig on rachel maddow's new show.

one of the things discussed was democrats, people on the left being too polite.

as much as i understand (we're a group that embraces compromise -- woe is us) your compulsion to say that "there is no real difference between mccain and bush" (and you said it exactly that way every time you made the point), you soften the blow too much, it leaves a crack for the noise machine to claim that "even you admit there is some difference."

please please please -- drop the "real" and lay it out in the simple, honest, black-and-white terms which are so necessary -- "there is no difference between mccain and bush."

simple, direct, straightforward and with zero ambiguity.

otherwise, keep up the fine work. and thanks.

Posted by: Joe Biden on September 8, 2008 at 8:23 PM | PERMALINK

This is for you Joe.

Kenny Lust: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the refreshment room here at Bletchley. My name is Kenny Lust and I'm your compère for tonight. You know, once in a while it is my pleasure, and my privilege, to welcome here at the refreshment room, some of the truly great men of our time. And tonight we have one such man. Ladies and gentlemen, someone whom I've always personally admired, perhaps more deeply, more strongly, more abjectly than ever before. A man... well, more than a man, a god, a great god, whose personality is so totally and utterly wonderful my feeble words of welcome sound wretchedly and pathetically inadequate. Someone whose boots I would gladly lick clean until holes wore through my tongue, a man who is so totally and utterly wonderful, that I would rather be sealed in a pit of my own filth than dare tread on the same stage with him! Ladies and gentlemen... the incomparably superior human being, John McCain!
Man: [from offstage] He can't come!
Kenny Lust: Never mind, he's not all he's cracked up to be.

"Not going to happen. Palin is going down-- either by her own hand or after people get to actually know her hard-right views. Just wait until she's forced to admit that she believes the state should make women carry their rapists' babies to term. That will go over well."

when asked she's going to lie. Expect her to say "we all might not agree on abortions but we all agree that we should reduce the amount of unwanted pregnancies..."

they will steal and lie and lie and steal.

Rory-- you're an adorable little concern troll.

Thanks... just trying to introduce some variety to the echo chamber.

I remember the days when Palin was wishful thinking and before Obama had clinched the nomination; there use to be substantive conversation and debate on this blog.

Now you try and add some independent thinking to the blog and all of the sudden I'm a "troll" even though I have been reading Washington Monthly for two or three years.

Difference between me and and most people is that I don't think it will be the end of the world if my preference loses. The world will go on. I won't cry, I'll be bummed, have a beer, and go back to work.

I hope you post the clip of your appearnace on Rachel's show. They didn't have it on msnbc.com. I really hope they put her show on i-tunes ASAP.

Sounds like you got great reviews though. quel surprise!

Congrats Steve on your Rachel Maddow debut! It's nice to put a face to the writing. :) Hope to see you often as the voice of progress in the world of punditry (is that even a word? Really.).

mr cricket and I agreed that Rachels' set and format were 180 degrees from the sensory assault that most teevee talking-head-shows are. We liked the simplicity of the graphics, and of course always love Rachel's simple, direct, but polite style. [Loved how she cut Buchanan off at the knees when he was trying to take over the segment with right-wing Palin bloviation.] Heh!

**new subject**

Love the new Obama ad "no maverick". Yeah, baby! Finally someone has the balls to call it what is is: ***A LIE***. Let's see how long it takes the old maverick to turn beet red and have one of his temperment moments. Let's see how long it takes the lesser maverick to realize that she is playing in the big leagues. In the next 57 days she is going to understand what a 365/24/7 information cycle means. Pounding on her BtoN issue is only the beginning. Today.

Difference between me and and most people is that I don't think it will be the end of the world if my preference loses. The world will go on. I won't cry, I'll be bummed, have a beer, and go back to work.

I wouldn't be so nonchalant about any Federal, State or Local gov. election. The people we elect create policy which pretty much every facet of our lives.

A vote for the wrong guy could mean thousands of American lives, tens of thousands of foreign lives and countless other atrocities. A vote could be the difference between record deficits or leaving office with a surplus and a solid US dollar.

These politicians need to be vetted and their true opinion on issues should be a matter of public record and not viewed as an attack every time tough questions come up they don't want people to poke around at. The election should be taken seriously. And when Obama has repeatedly said this election is about the issues and Rick Davis said this election is not about issues. I'd have to go with Obama. Every election should always be about the issues for a passionate citizen.

Watching this election as if your team loses the super bowl and that life will go on is one way to look at it. Being an active participant in building the future of America could be another. My Grandfather's generation was called the Great Generation and it is not because they came back from World War 2 as victors. It's because they lived through worse times than any subsequent generation and decided to rebuild the America that you've come to know from the ground up - from infratructure to governing policies under FDR. Ever notice that most of the buildings in major cities were built in the 1930s? FDIC? 1930s. Social Security? 1930s. It's because one generation actually stood up and took their country seriously. When the majority party in Washington these days barks about flag pins and other petty talking points, I have to stop and wonder what happened to the greatness? At least Obama has the potential to rally people to be better citizens. I've seen young adults coming out of college and flocking to Obama's message in record numbers. They are energized and believe they can help build America in their own right. I do not feel the same about McCain in the slightest. His party wasn't even energized till he picked someone that looked good on paper for the far right. McCain does not inspire me. No, it won't be the end of the world if the other guy wins. But it will effect you for the next four years and beyond. Much further than the one night you'll be bummed out. Know the issues, make a case and then decide at the voting booth. It's what our predecessors died for. It wasn't so we could passively participate in our governement and let our politicians talk about flag pins and lie to the American public so they can win elections.

McCain energy policy: create enough bullsh*t to burn for electricity to meet the country's needs for the next four years.

Difference between me and and most people is that I don't think it will be the end of the world if my preference loses. The world will go on. I won't cry, I'll be bummed, have a beer, and go back to work. - rory @1.:27

That's probably because the world definitely will not end if your preference loses. Now, if your preference wins, that will be a real bummer for the planet. Don't forget to have some pretzels with your beer.

* Republicans wanted to get state Sen. Hollis French....

The comical part of it all is the quasi-anthropoid ramblings of their little one-man redstate show; a snivellous, under-employed Phoenix loan-shark with a bash-Obama site called "not-Dubya-enough-for-Amerika-dot-kgb".*

And yes---I "tweaked" the site's moniker so the McMouth-Breathers couldn't simply cut-n-paste it. They'll actually have to burn up some more of their misfiring synaptic connectors if they want to visit a GOP site that's got more "red" to it than a "supposedly-scrapped" Kirov-class battle cruiser.

Am I really the only person left who sees the GOP so hard-up for their Cold-War glory days that they've actually morphed into Stalinist wanna-be replicas?

Steve--loved you on Rachel's show. You were both insightful and handsome!

Pat Buchanan should never be invited back--his aggression against Rachel was so overbearing, and his hypocrisy, so typical of the republicans.

Hey Steve--nice job on the Maddow show! You're a cutie!

Loved the "ideological heir of GWB" line. You are a very efficient speaker, too.

Note to Rachel: I don't mind you debating conservatives, even though there is plenty of that opinion all day long. But can't you find one that is not fundamentally insincere? You should also assume your viewers have just watched Countdown. Don't spend so much time rehashing the same news with the same perspective. The second half was much better than the first, except, of course, for Steve.

nice job last night!

Just an aside from Hillary's speech here in Tampa last night:
In addition to her Titanic comment, she closed with, "It takes real talent to assume the office of the President with a balanced budget and a surplus and turn it into the largest deficit in the history of our country".

After reading some of the news reports from the rally, I'm left wondering if the reporters were at the same place listening to the same speech. She may not have attacked Palin, but she hit the Repubs on so many other points, it was a non issue.

Excellent work on The Rachel Maddow Show. You might want to ask them to cut back on the rouge next time, but you were terrific, rosy red cheeks and all.

I am amused and confused by all the make-up comments. There was a make-up person who evened out Steve's naturally reddish face. I'm quite sure she didn't add rouge as he wouldn't need it! And no way was there lipstick, his lips are just red.

I thought he looked perfectly nice, so there! :)

Steve, Great to see you on Maddow's debut. You and rachel were fantastic. When Pat Buchanan came on, however, I got weary. Lets do the political reporting without rehashing Crossfire.

It just destroys the urban left (Benen comes to mind) when heartland sensibilities are in ascension. You guys always act startled, if not miffed, when Americans remind you that a majority of us do not believe a handful of heavily populated urban areas should control our country. You uppity urban people can't control violence, crime, civil responsibility (people ignoring their neighbors pleas for help), or your out-of-control risky behavior populations.

The secular progressive paradigm has caught the clap (or worse) and is trying to give it to everyone else before they get the cure they are running from: two big needles full of antibiotics in their collective (pun intended) hind end, named John McCain and Sarah Palin!

* Republicans wanted to get state Sen. Hollis French, a Democrat from Anchorage, removed from his role overseeing the probe into Palin's abuse of power scandal

Too bad this wasn't back in 2003 and the GOP would have to dutifully say that Palin was being unfairly prosecuted by Hollis Freedom.

That'd sure stick in their craw.

Steve--loved you on Rachel's show. You were both insightful and handsome!

Pat Buchanan should never be invited back--his aggression against Rachel was so overbearing, and his hypocrisy, so typical of the republicans.