The McCain campaign sacrificed one error for another in choosing their vice presidential debate strategy last week. In hopes of trying to put a band-aid over the Sarah Palin problem and save her from making a complete fool of herself, the choose to have her continue with her Republican convention speech/Hannity interview infomercial and totally blow off Gwen Ifill and having a true debate. They went on the attack on Ifill who is pretty much unanimously agreed to be a journalist of impeccable credentials and very well liked.

Blowing off Ifill who was trying to do her job as debate moderator and help American voters get a real look at Palin made the MSM see that they and the people they try to inform were getting an honest to goodness slap in the face. And by the disrespect they saw coming out of the McCain campaign and amplified through the right-wing hate machine via Drudge, they saw a good person and fair journalist with the best intentions in mind get bludgeoned for political purposes.

She also attacked Katie Couric repeatedly in public. Katie-f-ing Today Show, lovable sweetheart whose husband died of cancer, Couric! Couric was doing her job and rose above expectations (even of the McCain campaign who like their fantasy of a Charlie Gibson "Barbara Walters-like" interview were looking forward to a fluffy Today Show type happy piece).

If the McCain campaign will not come clean and will keep Palin sequestered unless in a friendly infomercial environment or rage field right wing radio nut defender, they know that they are going to actually start doing some real work in the final month of the campaign. McCain has gotten off incredibly easily and has gotten a pass that Obama has not.

Palin and the McCain campaign showed journalists that they don't have to be the New York Times bad mouth, kick and violate. They will go low enough to beat down anyone if it serves their purpose. Attacking Couric and Ifill was the equivalent of taking a puppy and a bunny and gutting them in front of children.

They media is alright if political camps are beating up each other, but when they start going at them as McCain should know since he wrote about it in his stupid mavericky book, then they're in a lot of trouble. MSM get fact checking.

Posted at October 6, 2008 9:16 AM in response to CNN Does Fact Checking

Conservatives who agree that Sarah Palin is not qualified as well as the true believers who love her unconditionally and are as apologetic as any Bushie agree that Sarah Palin is the future of the Republican party. If she's not in this time, they see her in the White House next time. Hopefully they don't wise up so we can keep our entertainment of having this stupid woman for her fellow Republicans to kick around when they start their slow decent into H-E-double hockey sticks.

Posted at October 6, 2008 8:45 AM in response to A Special Place in Hell Indeed

I agree with kamatsu entirely, that Rolling Stone article says it all. Hopefully some of the MSM read it too. I could not feel sorry for McCain after that.

Posted at October 6, 2008 12:18 AM in response to Sarah Palin makes me sick and I feel sorry for John McCain

Hit that spoiled brat Grampa Munster where it hurts! I love that, unlike the McCain Campaign, the Democrats are able to use actual facts and real issues to smack down the so-called "maverick."

I read the Rolling Stone article that Josh Marshall linked on the front page of TPM about McCain, and I'm sickened by him. He's totally George Bush, but worse. As I was reading the story, every few sentences, I thought of the potential attacks that McCain could be hit on–and I'm sure the Obama camp and the Democrats are way ahead of me, particularly with this perfectly legitimate and timely ad.

I also love that neither Obama nor Biden see Sarah Palin, who is proving to be a true embarrassment, as important enough or legitimate enough to really acknowledge her. Her own unqualifications, ineptitude and dullness (and now racism) is taking care of that. Who would've thought that the conservative press would actually do their job in exposing her.

Hopefully the rest of the press will do their job and start telling a new generation and the forgetful older voters, that Senator Maverick McMavericky was part of the Keating Five. Excellent ad!

Posted at October 6, 2008 12:08 AM in response to Obama Camp Hits Back At McCain's "Keating Economics"

I hear you. In my case maybe a little hand that comes out of the screen and slaps you. I meant my title/headline, whatever to say "IGNITE" not incite. Either way Republicans are trapped and chewing off their own legs.

Posted at October 2, 2008 2:58 AM in response to Palin Incites Republican Implosion

Of course he can walk away without winning the debates, he's a gambler and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He'll probably suspend his campaign again or maybe he'll ask Sarah Palin to drop out to save herself from getting the hatchet.

The guy's going to suprise you: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html?name=Toles&date=09302008&type=c?hpid=opinionsbox1

Posted at September 30, 2008 11:00 PM in response to CNN Poll Of Polls: Debate Didn't Change A Thing

I don't know what the devil went wrong with my HTML. I apologize for that scary mess. Here's a prettier version:

I have a Rick Davis side note. Last night I was watching the News Hour with Jim Leher, and they had a story about the financial crisis's impact on Florida voters and how it's affecting the candidates. One thing caught my attention when they played a clip from John McCain where he says that he began taking a stand against Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac two years ago.

"Two years ago, I warned the White House and the Congress that Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac needed to be fixed..." blah, blah, blah. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/floridaeconomy_09-29.html

He's a buffoon, but if he indeed had that kind of insight, then why wasn't he leading the fight to increase oversight and for more regulation then? To have such incredible insight as he is implying in the clip to foresee one of the worst economic disasters in the history of the United States, wouldn't he feel compelled to fight for nothing else? Shouldn't he have distanced himself from folks like Phil Gram, the granddaddy of this disaster? And most of all, why would he hire Rick Davis to lead his campaign???!!!

McCain and his campaign have been lying their butts off saying that Rick Davis is no longer lobbying for Fannie and Freddy or hasn't for ever and ever... But, McCain looked beyond that and hired him anyway.

On a lighter note, the funniest political cartoon I've seen for a while. Maybe it's just me or that it caught me at the right moment, but every time I look at it I break out laughing–the first time I was almost crying. Tom Toles is wonderful. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html?name=Toles&date=09302008&type=c?hpid=opinionsbox1

Posted at September 30, 2008 10:23 AM in response to John McCain's Incredible Foresight

When I was all pissy during the Democratic primaries, I was often called a troll by a lot of the folks who are thankfully and wisely now supporting Obama. I am not, but I think I can spot them pretty well.

For the best trollspotting, look at the New York Times, Washington Post or even the Huffington Post. They are usually up spouting their vile talking points minutes after the story is up. Watch their names, watch their speed, watch the vigilance.

I know the McCain camp and Republicans pay people to write letters to the editor, and I'm certain they pay people to be real live trolls.

That's what a troll is. Go trollspotting and see.

Posted at September 30, 2008 10:20 AM in response to Who is a troll here? Yes, I'm talking to you!

I did a post on it, but I know others did as well. I didn't notice it on the interview. I have to have a second look at that. Thanks for the heads up.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/mccains-left-eye-palin-kennedy.php#comments

Posted at September 30, 2008 5:59 AM in response to Tears in McCain's left eye

It's Katie Couric for godssake! Goodness gracious, her last tough interview was with Charlie Gibson! Imagine if she went before some of the more serious broadcast or print reporters.

McCain's roughly trying to hang the "gotcha journalism" tag on Couric, but most people–particularly women– still remember her as America's sweetheart. It ain't gonna stick. Palin was answering questions to a voter and as a national candidate, particularly one on a presidential ticket, should know that everything that comes out of their mouth, especially when it is about national policy or a hard stance that your running mate has taken, is going to be scrutinized. Nonetheless, it's already been reported that Palin has made this assertment agreeing with Obama on Pakistan before.

These days whenever I hear a stupid statement from McCain, Palin, any of their surrogates or their campaign, I hear the voice of Napoleon Dynamite saying "Idiot!" etc. It's truly starting to get comedic.

I put this comment on another post but it applies here too:

"What a dope! It's so embarrassing. I think this is a case – sort of like Clinton or even former Virginia Senator Macaca – where McCain is not in tune with the YouTube generation of media. He's going on saying the most ridiculous things, lying, making bizarre accusations, laying undeserved blame and then goes off pontificating and lying some more to try to cover up his crumbling previous statements.

The McCain house of cards is tumbling down. Good riddance."

Posted at September 30, 2008 12:22 AM in response to McCain Blames Palin's Pakistan Flub With Citizen On "Gotcha Journalism"