An Abuse of Power rap is only effective insofar as the official who committed the abuse feels any sense of shame at having disgraced their elected post.

Other words, don't hold your breath expecting a resignation letter from Gov. Sarah Palin.

Posted at October 10, 2008 9:44 PM in response to McCain To Supporter: No Ma'am, Obama Is Not An Arab

Ha! As if he might have said "Cripes, I wish it were true, lady, but I'm afraid it's not."

Posted at October 10, 2008 9:36 PM in response to McCain To Supporter: No Ma'am, Obama Is Not An Arab

Are you kidding?

If McCain had said there was nothing wrong with being of Arab descent in front of that crowd, half those animals would have started throwing campaign buttons at his head (the rest would have shouted themselves hoarse).

All one need do, however, is watch how McCain starts visibly working his jaws (grinding them teeth, no doubt) and casting his eyes to the ground as he tell these boobs there's no cause to fear a President Obama. That's the garbage heap he chose to stand in, and I only hope the backlash for him (and Gov. Pitiful, if she chooses to sign on . . . which she won't) gets worse.

Posted at October 10, 2008 9:34 PM in response to McCain To Supporter: No Ma'am, Obama Is Not An Arab

I think that's true, but it raises an interesting question (to me at least):

We all know that John McCain had barely heard of Sarah Palin prior to putting her on the ticket (that much is clear), but given the astonishing ease with which the neocons around McCain wound her up and had her execute these Rovian campaign strategems, I wonder if she wasn't on their radar somewhat longer than we've been led to believe. Did they, in fact, have her in mind for this all along?

Not saying they did; not saying they didn't. But in light of the notion advanced by some that she is, in spirit if not in fact, the true head of the ticket, it's something to think about.

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:47 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

I have an even more pressing (if rhetorical) question:

Why is my avatar changing with every comment I post??

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:35 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

I honestly don't know what to think. If you believe (as I no longer do, frankly) that this is a man of some bedrock decency, then it's possible he's come to his senses, seen just how low a level everything has descended to, and decided to try to halt the trajectory of it (to no avail, if the crowd response is a realiable indicator). If that's the case, then he's onle doing what he should have done a week ago when Gov. Palin started this extremely ugly ball rolling.

But if you believe (as I do) that this man is beyond redemption, then it's obvious he's been compelled against his instincts, probably by the Secret Service, to take this course, then I'd say he deserves the backlash from his pitiable supporters all the more richly.

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:31 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

I wish I knew. It was supposed to be out today, then there were slight murmurs about Repubs up there trying to suppress the release (treacherous bastids!). Haven't heard anything since.

I have little doubt, no matter what happens, its conclusions will leak all over the place. Far as Troopergate goes, that might be the best we'll have to look forward to in the coming days.

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:22 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

I'm not about to spit on McCain for what he said today, but neither will I jump to my feet and applaud him for doing what any half-sentient being with a basic moral sense should have done the first time he had an opportunity.

Reading now that he just had to snatch the mike out of the hands of a woman who was calling Obama "an Arab terrorist", I can only say that this is a situation he has created, and I don't have an ounce of sympathy for the man as he goes down in flames in the eyes of that most woeful part of the electorate with which he cast his lot.

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:15 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

Unless it's a different investigation of the same utterance, that story about the Secret Service has been out there for at least 48 hours. Doesn't mean they didn't have a word with McCain to step it back some; only that he and his campaign had to know that the Secret Service were looking at this incident, and still they pressed on with encouraging the insanity nevertheless.

I don't expect any intervention (save perhaps for a threat of imminent arrest) to deter Gov. Palin, however.

Posted at October 10, 2008 7:00 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"

He gets booed at his own rallies for telling these animals that they should be respectful.

He has no idea, none, what he's unleashed.

Posted at October 10, 2008 6:52 PM in response to McCain Says No Need To Fear Obama, Calls On Supporters To Be "Respectful"