This sudden FLIP of McCain's just might end up helping him in the polls again.  His sudden MAVERICK act of defending Obama -- may cause pause for some undecided.

McCain can always have others (not him and Palin) do the attacking on TV -- but THEY can appear to like upstanding folks by defending an opponent.

So...don't get too excited about McCain having the BACK AWAY -- he does things for a REASON....Karl Rove Style.

It's time to hear about positive news!  There ARE good and normal things going on each and every day with our economy; but all we've seen for the past month are the bad things.

I think we've seen President Bush in more special news conferences or speeches this past month and a half than over the past 7 years since 9/11.

We've seen so-called experts from the Bush administration asking for money, asking for help, asking for a bill to be passed.

We've seen Congress going at one another trying to come up with just the right bill that 'might' help the economy.

We see the news every night telling how much the stock market lost that day.

When will we start hearing about those companies that ARE working?  Let's hear about the employees that got a raise this year.  Let's hear about the profits of some companies.  Let's talk about the banks that are doing so well they are able to buyout other banks (Wells Fargo for example).

There IS normal everyday market news out there.  There are businesses just starting out, in fact I have a two separate malls that just started their businesses this year, two just opened this week.

There is GOOD news too.  There are companies making profits out there.  Let's talk about them.

People are still buying new homes.  I have a couple of friends having their homes remodeled, just his past month.

People are still buying prom dresses for their kids prom night, they're still buying birthday gifts, possibly christmas gifts already.

Come on people -- things are no way near as bad as in the 40's.  This is getting ridiculous.

Is it perfect?  No.  Are there major problems?  Of course.  But life hasn't gone down the tubes yet folks.

I still go out to eat.  I still travel to other nearby cities to shop.  I still have my hair done by professionals.  I still order things online.

In case you haven't noticed -- gas prices have dropped, at least in my area, by over a dollar per gallon.  That's a GOOD thing folks.

Quit the PANIC mode people.  The media has a responsibility here.  They have been saying that John McCain and Sarah Palin are insighting hatred at their rallies by talking about terrorists, well media....what do you think YOU are doing by constantly spending every waking moment talking about the tanking economy or stock market.  What are YOU doing talking about workers retirement funds or 401ks being hurt?

You are insighting FEAR and PANIC.

Barack Obama -- you should IMMEDIATELY rally up a bunch of companies that are doing WELL and employees that are still getting raises.  You should show Americans the GOOD things that are happening out there.

It doesn't mean you are saying, as McCain did, "The Fundalmentals of the Economy are Fine" -- it means you are saying CALM DOWN.  If we handle ourselves correcly, pay our bills, watch our credit, etc... we WILL BE JUST FINE.

Time to call a meeting of the Big Wigs of Wall Street?

Perhaps Barack Obama should call the CEO's of all the BIG companies (good and bad ones) and ask to meet with them at one big OPEN session.

They need to Show American's and nations around the world - they have CONFIDENCE that things are going to be fine.

Call it a RALLY OF THE CEO'S!  Give Americans a reason to believe things are going to be fine.

Imagine seeing a huge round table of just leaders of well known companies -- each there to lend their moral support to the economy's troubles.

Perhaps Senator Barack Obama should DEMAND to be allowed to confront Elisabeth Hasselbeck on the View about her accusations?  Even if by video?

Eye to eye would be best.  Elisabeth has a lot of fans -- she's influencing their votes.  If Obama were to come face to face with her on stage and say something like, "Mrs Hasselbeck, do you really think I'm a good friend of a terrorist and that I'm a bad guy?  I mean, Come On!"  Then GRIN up a storm.

Senator John McCain wants to blame everybody else for where the country is today but himself. 

He refuses to admit that perhaps his past 26 years in the Congress might have been part of the blame for the current economic crisis because he supported deregulation.

He refuses to accept the reason we still rely so much on foreign oil is because he refused to vote for other sources of energy over the previous years.

He refuses to admit that perhaps if he had listened to scientists many years ago, global warming could have been delayed even more.

McCain also voted in the past to allow the medical industry and insurance companies to be deregulated -- allowing them to abuse the system with outrageous pricing.  He also refused to allow for negotiating for cheaper drugs just a couple of years ago.

While the Senator claims to be against pork spending, he went ahead and voted for this bailout bill only to reverse himself the next day asking the President to veto the same bill he'd just voted on.

Now McCain wants to blame Barack Obama for the current economic crisis even though it's been his own Party that's been in charge of congress for 12 of the last 14 years and 8 of the last years in the White House?

After saying back in March of this year those homeowners don't need our help -- now he's all for helping them costing taxpayers even more money then necessary?

Now McCain wants to ignore his judgment vote to go into Iraq back in 2003 -- he wants to just talk about the last 2 years of that war?  Now he wants to blame Bush for the failures in Iraq, yet he is recorded as saying he supported Bush policy 100%?

Now McCain wants to ignore his judgment on Afghanistan - just last year - they don't need more troops he said?

Senator McCain claims to know how to get Bin Laden but refuses to let our president know how that is till 'he' is president?

John McCain wants to blame everybody else for the bad things that happen.  He seems to want credit for doing nothing over the past 26 years.

Todd Palin, Governor Sarah Palin's husband is now claiming that it was HE, not Sarah that tried to get the trooper (Sarah's ex-brother-n-law) fired.

Somebody needs to ask the Governor why, when she was first announced as Senator McCain's VP selection and when the Troopergate story came out, she didn't INFORM American's of the truth (it was my husband)?

Surely at the time of being picked for VP, her husband would have TOLD her by then what he had done?

So...why didn't she just fess up to it then?  Instead, the Republican party tried to STOP the investigation all together.

Somebody should also corner Senator John McCain and ask him point blank -- did Sarah or Todd either one confess the truth to him?  If so, why didn't HE as a Senator and HONORABLE man fess up to the American people?  If not, is he still PROUD to have her and her husband running as his VP?

In the beginning, Gov Palin claimed she had nothing to hide, then she tried to hide it.  Now we find that it was her hubby that supposedly did it WITHOUT mentioning it to his WIFE who he loves and works along side with daily.

Give us a break ---- PLEASEEEE!

It’s really irritating to keep hearing so-called expert political strategists (Democratic and Republican) talk about how the economy tanking has caused John McCain to probably lose this election.

"Democrats always benefit when the economy is bad", they say.  When the issue is war and terrorism, Senator John McCain was in the lead.

One month ago, Democratic strategist Paul Maslin, who closely tracks the electoral map, thought that perhaps Democrats would win by a couple of percentage points. At best, he thought Obama might earn a slight majority as Democrats earned in 1976, the last time the party’s presidential nominee cracked the 50 percent barrier.

"Now it’s a whole different world," Maslin said. "The economy is way beyond 1992. In 1980, it was the Iran hostage crisis and the economy. I’ve never seen an issue take this kind of prominence."

Gallup finds that 69 percent of Americans believe the economy is the most important issue facing the nation. The second most cited issue, the war in Iraq, is named by only 11 percent of voters.

Bill Clinton’s former pollster Doug Schoen calls this the "economic tsunami."

And it’s this tsunami that has altered the electoral map in a way that Obama himself could not.

"The Obama campaign did a lot of important foundation work to expand the Democratic map. And I give them credit for that," Maslin said. "But the real expansion of the map is coming from an outside event, namely the economy, and not the tactics of the Obama campaign.

"Obama has not changed the map," Schoen said. The map has changed because, in light of the economic turmoil, "McCain has become an almost unacceptable alternative" to President Bush.

First off, before this request came down from the Bush administration to vote on a bailout bill – Senator Barack Obama was in the lead nationally and in the States he needed to be leading in.  Senator John McCain has led nationally, as far as my research shows me, only two times since the Republican convention.  Obama was leading the day the bailout was announced.

Secondly, yes the economy is bad and people think about their wallets in times like this (which usually has voters asking for tax breaks).  Both Obama and McCain are offering tax cuts for almost everyone.  And yes, they tend to blame the Party in power for the current problems of the nation.  But keep in mind that Democrats are in charge of Congress.  Bush is in charge of the White House.  Both Parties could be blamed for some of this economic turn.

So, exactly what is causing Senator John McCain’s poll numbers to plummet?  Why is Senator Barack Obama’s campaign leaning toward a landslide?  I have three simple reasons for you; the debates, Governor Sarah Palin and Senator John McCain’s own actions for the past 3 weeks.

Voters remember hearing earlier this year John McCain say that government should not be helping people that are losing their homes because of bad judgments.  They remember hearing and seeing McCain say not once but several times, "The fundamentals of the economy are fine."  

Voters saw how Senator McCain reacted to the bailout story.  They saw that it was Senator Obama that approached Senator McCain first, to ask about getting together and agreeing on a few criteria for a possible bailout.  They saw how McCain waited almost six hours before responding to Obama’s phone call, only to go before the press to claim he was suspending his campaign to go back to Washington to help solve the bailout issue.

Voters also saw McCain say that he wanted to delay the first debate before the American people, claiming he wanted to give his undivided attention to the bailout bill.  Voters saw and heard Senator Barack Obama point out that a President should be able to multitask (handle more than one problem at a time), saying the debate will go on even if it ends up being a townhall meeting with just himself answering questions.

Voters then saw McCain reverse course and show up at the debate. – following Obama’s lead.

Voters also saw news stories of John McCain making fun of Obama using the phone to talk to other congressional members in hopes of helping during the bailout issue – only to see proof that McCain himself spent most of his time in Washington in his office – on the phone.  They heard how he didn’t have any input at the White House during that meeting.

Voters have heard John McCain repeat over several years that if he were president he’d veto any bill with pork in them – only to watch him VOTE for the bailout that ended up being the final bill that had pork in it.  McCain then flip flopped and said he hope the president would veto that same bill that he had just voted for.

Voters were impressed with Governor Sarah Palin’s VP debating skills, but the next day she came out swinging and making personal attacks against Senator Barack Obama.  She insinuated that Obama was a terrorist because he worked on the same board as a reformed terrorist when Obama was eight years old.  She stood on the stage allowing members in the audience to call Obama a "terrorist" and for someone to "kill him".  She and McCain allowed supporters to use Obama's middle name to scare voters into not voting for him.  

She and John both ignored the problems of the economy, deciding they would lose if the subject was the economy.

During the past two debates, voters saw that Barack Obama, could indeed, be a Commander-n-Chief.  They saw him take on a Senator of 26 years and a nationally known war hero and former POW – with calm and with facts.  They saw Obama’s vision, his calm way of approaching problems and his demeanor toward Senator McCain. They also know how he came from virtually a nobody to beat then current Democratic Party leaders, Bill and Hillary Clinton.

John McCain on the other hand showed his erratic behavior by saying one moment that we shouldn’t have government involvement and on the other hand saying let government buy up bad housing debt.  Voters saw McCain being a rude man by refusing to even acknowledge that a fellow U.S. Senator was standing on the stage with him by his refusing to even look him in the eye during the first debate, and in the last debate, by calling Senator Obama "that one".  They saw a man on the attack instead of a man with ideas.

The reason Senator John McCain appears to be losing this election is because of John McCain’s own actions – not 'just because' there is a bad economy.  They also have seen a man that is ready to lead - Barack Obama.

John McCain is not the man for today’s problems.

Foxnews is reporting...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin remained in the dark while her husband repeatedly asked top state officials to help get his former brother-in-law kicked off the state police force, Palin's husband and top aides said in affidavits provided to The Associated Press. 

Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, is the focus of a legislative investigation into whether she abused her authority by firing the state's public safety commissioner to settle a long-standing family dispute. The commissioner says he was fired after resisting pressure to fire Mike Wooten, a trooper involved in a bitter divorce with Palin's sister. 

The investigation has been a distraction for John McCain's presidential campaign. Lawmakers were scheduled to meet Friday and release a report on the case, which could shed light on how Palin governs and what role her husband played in her administration. 

The affidavits filed with investigators late Wednesday will probably help Palin's defense that the firing was not a tit-for-tat, but they also portray her as uninvolved while her husband met repeatedly with her aides about family affairs. That could provide fodder for her political opponents. 

"I have heard criticism that I am too involved in my wife's administration," Todd Palin wrote in his affidavit. "My wife and I are very close. We are each other's best friend. I have helped her in her career the best I can, and she has helped me." 

Oh give me a break -- now they are claiming she KNEW nothing about his doing this????

 Shortly after the Fed gave the go ahead to rescue American International Group (AIG), company executives beat it to the swanky St. Regis resort, spending nearly half a million dollars — and $23,000 at the spa alone.  In the words of an incredulous Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD):  “They spent another $10,000 dollars for — I don’t know what this is, leisure dining. Bars?”

President Bush, VP Cheney and the Republican Party spent the last 7 years and possibly millions of dollars -- PRYING into OUR private lives to see just what it is we do on a daily basis.  They’ve spent months writing and voting on bills allowing themselves, the CIA and the FBI, the right to invade our bank accounts, health records and telephone, mail and email communications --- meanwhile they simply IGNORE that which these companies do --- even AFTER giving them $85 bailout because they are close to filing bankruptcy.

I can’t claim to be an expert in business affairs, but whatever happened to the use of auditors?   From what I’ve learned from sources like Wikipedia, I thought every company or government ran entity, was supposed to be scrutinized by both internal and external governmental auditors?  An audit is supposed to be an independent assessment of the fairness by which a company's financial statements are presented by its management.  As far as I know, audits of companies are governed by rules laid down by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

A auditor’s report is intended to advise investors, the government, and other users on whether the auditee's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), whether they are free of material misstatement (e.g. free of important and significant errors), and whether they show a true and fair view of the operating results, financial position and cash flows of the auditee.

Apparently the auditors of AIG are ignoring little expenses like these newly reported resort trips. 

I guess we can also assume that the government (treasurer?) failed to ‘check’ AIG’s records, and just assumed AIG was giving a complete picture of their finances before they gave them the $85 billion bailout.

Perhaps it’s time for Barack Obama to demand a complete audit (checkup) of each and every company that claims to be ‘broke’ and in need of a bailout – before we taxpayers bail them out of anything.

Just a friendly reminder:  Michelle Obama will be on Larry King Live CNN tonight at 8 central time and on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart at 10pm central time tonight!

Be sure to watch

John McCain claims he's a man that can and has crossed Party lines to get things done.  He repeated this line just last night during the debate.

I'm wondering how he can claim that and call a fellow American and fellow Senator -- "That One" during the debate last night?

I'm also wondering how he plans on crossing the isle when he makes attacks against ANY politician from Chicago, Illinois?  Today during a rally he said a "Chicago politician is the last person he'd ask advice from".

So Senator, please explain to the rest of us how you plan on crossing teh isle while making wild accusations against those you might have to 'work with' to get 'things done'?

The goal of McCain/Palin this past week by bringing up William Ayers and Reverend Wright was to get the MEDIA to once again talk about it and ask questions.

They know the MEDIA will stay on this story for at least a week or two -- giving McCain a chance to bounce back again.

The MEDIA -- as usual --- took the bait!

Who would've guessed they go and do that?

An Energy Economy Goal:

During tonight's debate Senator Barack Obama showed us his vision for a future Energy Economy:

Senator Barack Obama tied almost every issue to our dependence on oil and how we must reduce that dependence to fix most of our problems long term.   From helping during our economy downturn, lower gas prices, to our national security when working with Russia, Iran and Venezuela, to getting more jobs created by new energy alternatives.  He even used discussed our energy problems as being the one area he will ask the American people to sacrifice in, by buying energy efficient cars, making your homes energy efficient, etc..

As Senator Obama said, “A new energy economy is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity.” 

The man has a vision, it may take time but it’s a goal we can all meet for future generations.

Parts of Quotes from the Debate Tonight:

Shaffer: With the economy on the downturn and retired and older citizens and workers losing their incomes, what's the fastest, most positive solution to bail these people out of the economic ruin?

    Obama: long-term we've got to fix our health care system, we've got to fix our energy system that is putting such an enormous burden on families.

Finch: How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties got -- got us into this global economic crisis?

    Obama: So here's what I would do. I'm going to spend some money on the key issues that we've got to work on.

    You know, you may have seen your health care premiums go up. We've got to reform health care to help you and your budget.

    We are going to have to deal with energy because we can't keep on borrowing from the Chinese and sending money to Saudi Arabia. We are mortgaging our children's future. We've got to have a different energy plan.

Brokaw: We've run out of time. We have this one-minute discussion period going on here.

There are new economic realities out there that everyone in this hall and across this country understands that there are going to have to be some choices made. Health policies, energy policies, and entitlement reform, what are going to be your priorities in what order? Which of those will be your highest priority your first year in office and which will follow in sequence?

    Obama: We're going to have to prioritize, just like a family has to prioritize. Now, I've listed the things that I think have to be at the top of the list.

    Energy we have to deal with today, because you're paying $3.80 here in Nashville for gasoline, and it could go up. And it's a strain on your family budget, but it's also bad for our national security, because countries like Russia and Venezuela and, you know, in some cases, countries like Iran, are benefiting from higher oil prices.

    So we've got to deal with that right away. That's why I've called for an investment of $15 billion a year over 10 years. Our goal should be, in 10 year's time, we are free of dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

    And we can do it. Now, when JFK said we're going to the Moon in 10 years, nobody was sure how to do it, but we understood that, if the American people make a decision to do something, it gets done. So that would be priority number one.

FIORRA: Since World War II, we have never been asked to sacrifice anything to help our country, except the blood of our heroic men and women. As president, what sacrifices -- sacrifices will you ask every American to make to help restore the American dream and to get out of the economic morass that we're now in?

    Obama: You know, a lot of you remember the tragedy of 9/11 and where you were on that day and, you know, how all of the country was ready to come together and make enormous changes to make us not only safer, but to make us a better country and a more unified country.

    And President Bush did some smart things at the outset, but one of the opportunities that was missed was, when he spoke to the American people, he said, "Go out and shop."

    That wasn't the kind of call to service that I think the American people were looking for.

    And so it's important to understand that the -- I think the American people are hungry for the kind of leadership that is going to tackle these problems not just in government, but outside of government.

    And let's take the example of energy, which we already spoke about. There is going to be the need for each and every one of us to start thinking about how we use energy.

    I believe in the need for increased oil production. We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that includes offshore drilling. It includes telling the oil companies, that currently have 68 million acres that they're not using, that either you use them or you lose them.

    We're going to have to develop clean coal technology and safe ways to store nuclear energy.

    But each and every one of us can start thinking about how can we save energy in our homes, in our buildings. And one of the things I want to do is make sure that we're providing incentives so that you can buy a fuel efficient car that's made right here in the United States of America, not in Japan or South Korea, making sure that you are able to weatherize your home or make your business more fuel efficient.

    And that's going to require effort from each and every one of us.

Jackson: Sen. McCain, I want to know, we saw that Congress moved pretty fast in the face of an economic crisis. I want to know what you would do within the first two years to make sure that Congress moves fast as far as environmental issues, like climate change and green jobs?

    Obama: This is one of the biggest challenges of our times.

    And it is absolutely critical that we understand this is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity, because if we create a new energy economy, we can create five million new jobs, easily, here in the United States.

    It can be an engine that drives us into the future the same way the computer was the engine for economic growth over the last couple of decades.

    And we can do it, but we're going to have to make an investment. The same way the computer was originally invented by a bunch of government scientists who were trying to figure out, for defense purposes, how to communicate, we've got to understand that this is a national security issue, as well.

    And that's why we've got to make some investments and I've called for investments in solar, wind, geothermal. Contrary to what Sen. McCain keeps on saying, I favor nuclear power as one component of our overall energy mix.

    But this is another example where I think it is important to look at the record. Sen. McCain and I actually agree on something. He said a while back that the big problem with energy is that for 30 years, politicians in Washington haven't done anything.

    What Sen. McCain doesn't mention is he's been there 26 of them. And during that time, he voted 23 times against alternative fuels, 23 times.

    So it's easy to talk about this stuff during a campaign, but it's important for us to understand that it requires a sustained effort from the next president.

    One last point I want to make on energy. Sen. McCain talks a lot about drilling, and that's important, but we have three percent of the world's oil reserves and we use 25 percent of the world's oil.

    So what that means is that we can't simply drill our way out of the problem. And we're not going to be able to deal with the climate crisis if our only solution is to use more fossil fuels that create global warming.

    We're going to have to come up with alternatives, and that means that the United States government is working with the private sector to fund the kind of innovation that we can then export to countries like China that also need energy and are setting up one coal power plant a week.

    We've got to make sure that we're giving them the energy that they need or helping them to create the energy that they need.

Brokaw: Sen. McCain, this question is for you from the Internet. It's from Alden in Hewitt, Texas.

How can we apply pressure to Russia for humanitarian issues in an effective manner without starting another Cold War?

    Obama: And one last point I want to make about Russia. Energy is going to be key in dealing with Russia. If we can reduce our energy consumption, that reduces the amount of petro dollars that they have to make mischief around the world. That will strengthen us and weaken them when it comes to issues like Georgia.

Terry: Senator, as a retired Navy chief, my thoughts are often with those who serve our country. I know both candidates, both of you, expressed support for Israel.

If, despite your best diplomatic efforts, Iran attacks Israel, would you be willing to commit U.S. troops in support and defense of Israel? Or would you wait on approval from the U.N. Security Council?

    Obama: And that's why I have consistently said that, if we can work more effectively with other countries diplomatically to tighten sanctions on Iran, if we can reduce our energy consumption through alternative energy, so that Iran has less money, if we can impose the kinds of sanctions that, say, for example, Iran right now imports gasoline, even though it's an oil-producer, because its oil infrastructure has broken down, if we can prevent them from importing the gasoline that they need and the refined petroleum products, that starts changing their cost-benefit analysis. That starts putting the squeeze on them.

 
I repeat...

As Senator Obama said, “A new energy economy is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity.”

The man has a vision, it may take time but it’s a goal we can all meet for future generations.

 An Energy Economy Goal:

During tonight's debate Senator Barack Obama showed us his vision for a future Energy Economy:

Senator Barack Obama tied almost every issue to our dependence on oil and how we must reduce that dependence to fix most of our problems long term.   From helping during our economy downturn, lower gas prices, to our national security when working with Russia, Iran and Venezuela, to getting more jobs created by new energy alternatives.  He even used discussed our energy problems as being the one area he will ask the American people to sacrifice in, by buying energy efficient cars, making your homes energy efficient, etc..

As Senator Obama said, “A new energy economy is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity.” 

The man has a vision, it may take time but it’s a goal we can all meet for future generations.

Parts of Quotes from the Debate Tonight:

Shaffer: With the economy on the downturn and retired and older citizens and workers losing their incomes, what's the fastest, most positive solution to bail these people out of the economic ruin?

    Obama: long-term we've got to fix our health care system, we've got to fix our energy system that is putting such an enormous burden on families.

Finch: How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties got -- got us into this global economic crisis?

    Obama: So here's what I would do. I'm going to spend some money on the key issues that we've got to work on.

    You know, you may have seen your health care premiums go up. We've got to reform health care to help you and your budget.

    We are going to have to deal with energy because we can't keep on borrowing from the Chinese and sending money to Saudi Arabia. We are mortgaging our children's future. We've got to have a different energy plan.

Brokaw: We've run out of time. We have this one-minute discussion period going on here.

There are new economic realities out there that everyone in this hall and across this country understands that there are going to have to be some choices made. Health policies, energy policies, and entitlement reform, what are going to be your priorities in what order? Which of those will be your highest priority your first year in office and which will follow in sequence?

    Obama: We're going to have to prioritize, just like a family has to prioritize. Now, I've listed the things that I think have to be at the top of the list.

    Energy we have to deal with today, because you're paying $3.80 here in Nashville for gasoline, and it could go up. And it's a strain on your family budget, but it's also bad for our national security, because countries like Russia and Venezuela and, you know, in some cases, countries like Iran, are benefiting from higher oil prices.

    So we've got to deal with that right away. That's why I've called for an investment of $15 billion a year over 10 years. Our goal should be, in 10 year's time, we are free of dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

    And we can do it. Now, when JFK said we're going to the Moon in 10 years, nobody was sure how to do it, but we understood that, if the American people make a decision to do something, it gets done. So that would be priority number one.

FIORRA: Since World War II, we have never been asked to sacrifice anything to help our country, except the blood of our heroic men and women. As president, what sacrifices -- sacrifices will you ask every American to make to help restore the American dream and to get out of the economic morass that we're now in?

    Obama: You know, a lot of you remember the tragedy of 9/11 and where you were on that day and, you know, how all of the country was ready to come together and make enormous changes to make us not only safer, but to make us a better country and a more unified country.

    And President Bush did some smart things at the outset, but one of the opportunities that was missed was, when he spoke to the American people, he said, "Go out and shop."

    That wasn't the kind of call to service that I think the American people were looking for.

    And so it's important to understand that the -- I think the American people are hungry for the kind of leadership that is going to tackle these problems not just in government, but outside of government.

    And let's take the example of energy, which we already spoke about. There is going to be the need for each and every one of us to start thinking about how we use energy.

    I believe in the need for increased oil production. We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that includes offshore drilling. It includes telling the oil companies, that currently have 68 million acres that they're not using, that either you use them or you lose them.

    We're going to have to develop clean coal technology and safe ways to store nuclear energy.

    But each and every one of us can start thinking about how can we save energy in our homes, in our buildings. And one of the things I want to do is make sure that we're providing incentives so that you can buy a fuel efficient car that's made right here in the United States of America, not in Japan or South Korea, making sure that you are able to weatherize your home or make your business more fuel efficient.

    And that's going to require effort from each and every one of us.

Jackson: Sen. McCain, I want to know, we saw that Congress moved pretty fast in the face of an economic crisis. I want to know what you would do within the first two years to make sure that Congress moves fast as far as environmental issues, like climate change and green jobs?

    Obama: This is one of the biggest challenges of our times.

    And it is absolutely critical that we understand this is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity, because if we create a new energy economy, we can create five million new jobs, easily, here in the United States.

    It can be an engine that drives us into the future the same way the computer was the engine for economic growth over the last couple of decades.

    And we can do it, but we're going to have to make an investment. The same way the computer was originally invented by a bunch of government scientists who were trying to figure out, for defense purposes, how to communicate, we've got to understand that this is a national security issue, as well.

    And that's why we've got to make some investments and I've called for investments in solar, wind, geothermal. Contrary to what Sen. McCain keeps on saying, I favor nuclear power as one component of our overall energy mix.

    But this is another example where I think it is important to look at the record. Sen. McCain and I actually agree on something. He said a while back that the big problem with energy is that for 30 years, politicians in Washington haven't done anything.

    What Sen. McCain doesn't mention is he's been there 26 of them. And during that time, he voted 23 times against alternative fuels, 23 times.

    So it's easy to talk about this stuff during a campaign, but it's important for us to understand that it requires a sustained effort from the next president.

    One last point I want to make on energy. Sen. McCain talks a lot about drilling, and that's important, but we have three percent of the world's oil reserves and we use 25 percent of the world's oil.

    So what that means is that we can't simply drill our way out of the problem. And we're not going to be able to deal with the climate crisis if our only solution is to use more fossil fuels that create global warming.

    We're going to have to come up with alternatives, and that means that the United States government is working with the private sector to fund the kind of innovation that we can then export to countries like China that also need energy and are setting up one coal power plant a week.

    We've got to make sure that we're giving them the energy that they need or helping them to create the energy that they need.

Brokaw: Sen. McCain, this question is for you from the Internet. It's from Alden in Hewitt, Texas.

How can we apply pressure to Russia for humanitarian issues in an effective manner without starting another Cold War?

    Obama: And one last point I want to make about Russia. Energy is going to be key in dealing with Russia. If we can reduce our energy consumption, that reduces the amount of petro dollars that they have to make mischief around the world. That will strengthen us and weaken them when it comes to issues like Georgia.

Terry: Senator, as a retired Navy chief, my thoughts are often with those who serve our country. I know both candidates, both of you, expressed support for Israel.

If, despite your best diplomatic efforts, Iran attacks Israel, would you be willing to commit U.S. troops in support and defense of Israel? Or would you wait on approval from the U.N. Security Council?

    Obama: And that's why I have consistently said that, if we can work more effectively with other countries diplomatically to tighten sanctions on Iran, if we can reduce our energy consumption through alternative energy, so that Iran has less money, if we can impose the kinds of sanctions that, say, for example, Iran right now imports gasoline, even though it's an oil-producer, because its oil infrastructure has broken down, if we can prevent them from importing the gasoline that they need and the refined petroleum products, that starts changing their cost-benefit analysis. That starts putting the squeeze on them.

 
I repeat...

As Senator Obama said, “A new energy economy is not just a challenge, it's an opportunity.”

The man has a vision, it may take time but it’s a goal we can all meet for future generations.
 

It's been seven years ago today that we went into Afghanistan.

SEVEN YEARS!

Two more years and we will have been there as long as the Soviet Union was back during a nine-year conflict involving Soviet forces supporting the Marxist People' Democratic Party of Afghanistan( PDPA) government against the mujahideen resistance.

In case you've forgotten that history....1979 - 1988

Due to the interminable and inconclusive nature of the war, the conflict in Afghanistan has often been referred to as the Soviet equivalent of the United States' Vietnam War

After the war ended, the Soviet Union were published figures of dead Soviet soldiers: Total - 13 836 people, on average - 1 537 people a year. According to updated figures, all in the war Soviet army lost 14 427, the KGB - 576, MIA - 28 people dead and missing.

The first step of the exit strategy was to transfer the burden of fighting the mujahideen to the Afghan armed forces, with the aim of preparing them to operate without Soviet help

Sound familiar?
.

Why aren’t they out there denouncing the verbal personal attacks by Senator John McCain and those being allowed by Senator John McCain and his running mate in rallies - against a fellow American that has served his State for 8 years and his nation for 4 years -- Barack Obama?  

Why aren’t they denouncing the screams from supporters during Governor Sarah Palin and Senator John McCain’s rallies, calling Obama a "Terrorist" or a "Traitor".  Why aren’t they, especially, denouncing screams of "KILL HIM"?

 

Why are they allowing political pundits like Dick Morris to claim that Barack Obama’s association with Mr. Ayers is as bad as if he were associated with Bin Laden?

"You're talking about the equivalent of having an association with Osama bin Laden. I mean this guy bombed the Capitol. He bombed the Pentagon. He bombed police headquarters"

How quickly they forget America’s association (including George HW Bush, Ronald Reagan, Dick Cheney and Sec. Rumsfeld) with Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein for years in the 80’s.

Will Republicans stand up and tell John McCain – ENOUGH? Will they stop this man that claims to want to run his campaign on the issues and not by character assassination?

If so – when?

John McCain:

Has often vowed to be a straight-shooting candidate who puts honor ahead of winning. When Republicans attacked fellow retired Navy officer Kerry in the 2004 "Swiftboat" episode, McCain called the ads "dishonest and dishonorable."

Earlier in this campaign when the North Carolina Republican Party said Obama's relationship with Rev. Wright made him "too extreme," McCain asked it to stop and said: "There's no place for that kind of campaigning, and the American people don't want it."

So you Republicans, Independents and Democrats out there, when will you stand up and defend a fellow American?  When will you tell supporters of McCain/Palin to STOP with the Verbal Attacks and HATE?

 

 

 

It sure would be nice to see a few Republicans that USE to respect John McCain come out and denounce his personal attacks and letting members of his and Palin's audience get away with calling Obama a traitor, terrorist and kill him.

THAT would be the PATRIOTIC thing to do.

Immediate days after tonight's debate (Tuesday the 7th) should be designated for a round the clock talk show interviews.

Barack Obama should get on Letterman, Leno, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, CNN Larry King Live, etc..   I would even suggest getting on one or two of the Day Time Soaps and evening variety shows.

The Obama Variety Show Time theater. 

Tonight will be a serious night with John McCain in the attack mode.

Senator Obama will have to defend himself but also show what his vision for America is.

Starting tomorrow morning, Obama should be seen 'laughing' not only at himself but life in general.  He should be seen feeling for those hurting.  It's emotion time.

Americans need to see as the 'human, father, husband, son, man that loves sports' -- side of Obama after tonight's debate.

While he must always act presidential, he must also show he's just like you and me.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not advocating his FAKING his emotions.  I'm saying SHOW them.

My 87 year old mother said the other night, "I just wish 'once' Obama would show some emotion.  I just wish he would get angry or show he's mad at what's being said or done."

We've seen the humor side of Obama -- We're hoping to see the angry and sad side now. 

How about this idea -- Have Michelle ask him questions.  She's a lawyer -- maybe she can drive that emotion out of him.

So where are the commercial ads showing John McCain saying his campaign will be ran honorably and not by character assassination?  Where are the videos of McCain complaining about how George W Bush's campaign attacked him back in 2000?

People need to be reminded of what McCain SAYS he'll do and what he ENDS UP DOING aren't one in the same.

By the way -- people need to spread this video of who Sarah Palin is Pallin Around with --- if they attack Obama -- they get it back two fold:

I amazes me how the media (newspapers, TV, Radio) keep pointing out the relationships between Tony Rezko in Chicago found to commit crimes and Governor Blagojevich and Senator Barack Obama; but keep leaving off the fact that there are two prominent Republicans that I know of that also had Rezko fund raise money (thousands of dollars worth) for them.  President George W. Bush and Governor Jim Edgar both had Rezko work for them.

If Blagojevich and Obama are somehow 'guilty by association' (and I have no idea whether they are or not) then one can only assume that Bush and Edgar are too.

Initially I thought their names were'nt being mentioned because they aren't currently running for office; but later it occurred to me that Bush is still our President.  He's running our country. 

If Rezko decided to give information about illegal activities, he could in fact be giving stories about George W Bush as well as Blagojevich or Obama.  Enough evidence that would finally cause Congress to have to Impeach the man.

We should all be demanding that whenever Obama or Blagojevich's name are mentioned with Rezko's -- the the media also includ OTHER names....Like George W Bush and Jim Edgar of Illinois.

Senator Chuck Hagel's(R) wife will endorse Obama this morning.  He's a very good friend of the McCain family and a war hero himself.

I'm praying Chuch himself comes out and endorses soon.

It appears that Afghanistan is about to turn into another Iraq - where it it cannot be won with military force alone and leaving problems behind may have to be an option:

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban cannot be won, the Sunday Times reported.

It quoted Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith as saying in an interview that if the Taliban were willing to talk, then that might be "precisely the sort of progress" needed to end the insurgency.

"We're not going to win this war. It's about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army," he said.

He said his forces had "taken the sting out of the Taliban for 2008" but that troops may well leave Afghanistan with there still being a low level of insurgency.

Would this be considered raising the white flag of surrender too --- McCain/Palin?

Governor Sarah Palin should start thinking about her own future instead of Senator John McCain's.

It appears from the polls that McCain will lose in November.  Sarah Palin, depending on how she runs her side of this campaign could hurt or help her own future plans politically.

If Sarah plans on staying in politics and possibly running for President one day (maybe in 2012), she'd best be 'cooling it' in this campaign.

If she is known for lying and attacking her opponent with personal character attacks -- she may be ignored in 2012.

When the McCain camp asks her to attack, attack and attack (lie, lie and lie) -- she should stop and think for a moment.  John McCain won't be able run for office again after this campaign -- she on the other hand -- might want to.

She should learn to say NO to McCain.

She should think about just how 'low' she wants to get in this campaign.  Everything she does now will be recorded and on YouTube.

Does she really want to ruin her own future chances for John McCain's chance?

"Read My lips: No new Taxes", read by George HW Bush at the Republican National Convention in 1988.
 
That speech was written coincidentally by Peggy Noonan, who is the same person during this year’s Republican Convention, on live microphones after an interview by Chuck Todd on MSNBC, said, "It’s over."  Chuck Todd asked, "Is she (referring to Governor Sarah Palin, Senator John McCain’s choice for VP) really the most qualified woman?"  Noonan said, "The most qualified?  No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bullshit about narratives and youthfulness and the picture... Every time Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it."

Once George HW Bush became president however, he caved to the Democrats and some Republicans and raised old taxes and created new ones.  In the 1992 presidential election campaign, Pat Buchanan made extensive use of the phrase in his strong challenge to Bush in the Republican primaries. In the election itself, Democratic nominee Bill Clinton running as a moderate, also pointed to the quotation as evidence of Bush's untrustworthiness, which contributed to Bush losing his bid for re-election

Remember that year?

Well it appears we may have ourselves another year of lies. John McCain:

    "I will veto every bill with earmarks, until the Congress stops sending bills with earmarks,"

 

While discussing the $700 bailout bill being talked about in Congress this past week, John McCain said,

    "It is completely unacceptable for any kind of earmarks to be included in this bill. It would be outrageous for legislators and lobbyists to pack this rescue plan with taxpayer money for favored companies. This simply cannot happen."

It did. And he voted for it anyway.

    $2 million excise tax exemption on "certain wooden arrows designed for use by children."

    $49 million in tax breaks for people (in Alaska, mostly) receiving compensation from the litigation over the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

    $100 million in tax breaks for "certain motorsports racing track facilities."

    $179 million in tax incentives for "investment in the District of Columbia."

    $49 million for a charitable deduction for corporations who donate books to libraries.

    $33 million for an economic development credit in American Samoa.

    $61 million in added credits for "steel industry fuel" also known as liquefied coal waste sludge.

    $397 million for the "domestic production activities deduction" for film production

    $81 million to extend and modify treatment of "certain film and television productions."

Now conservative television talk show host, Glen Beck, says McCain’s lost the election.  These comments by McCain have "cost him the election".

This is BIG folks, for Glen Beck to say McCain's words have "cost him the election"!

It’s time for a new television ad.  Showing McCain’s words before voting for the bailout bill, then a clip showing him having voted for the bill.