Report: McCain, Palin at odds over how hard to hit Obama
posted at 6:13 pm on October 11, 2008 by Allahpundit
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It’s too thinly sourced to be taken very seriously, but since our readership revels in the idea of the ‘Cuda being the scrapper to McCain’s squish, I figured you’d dig it.
The bit about Mark Salter does strike me as plausible.
With his electoral prospects fading by the day, Senator John McCain has fallen out with his vice-presidential running mate about the direction of his White House campaign…
Mark Salter, McCain’s long-serving chief of staff, is understood to have told campaign insiders that he would prefer his boss, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, to suffer an “honourable defeat” rather than conduct a campaign that would be out of character – and likely to lose him the election.
Palin, 44, has led the character attacks on Obama in the belief that McCain may be throwing away the election and her chance of becoming vice-president. Her supporters think that if the Republican ticket loses on November 4, she should run for president in 2012…
A McCain official confirmed that there was dissension in the campaign. “There is always going to be a debate about the costs and benefits of any strategy,” he said.
“After November 4, the feelings of individuals will come to light. It is only natural and will be expected.”…
A spokesman for McCain denied he and Palin had fallen out over her aggressive attacks. “Vice-presidential candidates are typically the tip of the spear and further out in front than the candidate for president. This is pretty standard fare,” he said.
Quoth an unnamed Republican consultant: “Sarah Palin is no fool. She sees the same thing [i.e. a likely defeat] and wants to salvage what she can. She is positioning herself for the future. Her best days could be in front of her. She wants to look as though she was the fighter, the person with the spunk who was out there taking it to the Democrats.” Any reason to believe that she and McCain really are at loggerheads? Well, (a) as the Times reminds us, she’s publicly questioned the campaign’s strategy in pulling out of Michigan as well as McCain’s decision not to go after Obama on Wright, (b) while Maverick’s begun inching away from the brass knuckles approach, she’s still telling people how eager the base is to see them take the gloves off, and (c) she’s famous in Alaska for not deferring to her political patrons when she thinks there’s something to be gained from opposing them. She’s built her career on it. If she wants to go out there and take it to Obama, there’s not much McCain can do except scream at her on the phone and hope she listens.
Exit question one: Is McCain’s attempt at calming the crowd yesterday the first inkling of the Salter “strategy” being put into effect? It’s worth noting that Palin herself eased off the Ayers stuff, but only in order to hammer Obama with one of the most red-meat social con speeches I’ve ever read. Exit question two: If they do lose, just how bad will the fingerpointing within the campaign be? I have visions of anonymous quotes starting to appear in the NYT circa mid-November about Palin’s Couric interview and McCain not being “tough enough”…
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Yeah, I’d like to know who the “leak” is in McCain’s campaign- he, or she has been a real treasure these last few weeks. AND- given that so many are giving McCain up for dead, what about Gore being up 11+ points this time in 2000?
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I’ve seen some damn good fightin; 527 ads. So I send them money and I don’t worry if McCain doesn’t approve the ad. Just run it.
sloopy on October 11, 2008 at 8:50 PM
The fact that McCain voted for the bailout is all the proof anyone needs to see that he was playing not to lose rather than playing to win.
87% of Americans did not want the bailout and I’d bet every undecided voter is among that group.
csdeven on October 11, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Prayer, God, and the determination of responsible citizen/voters can stop treachery from taking over our government.
I’m not sure we are humble enough to pray though.
wepeople on October 11, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Okay, if everyone’s done pissin and moanin, then get up off your asses and go back to work for the man.
You dont get to bitch until the dust settles.
irongrampa on October 11, 2008 at 8:54 PM
csdven:
I don’t know where you got that number, but by the time that thing was passed public opinion had gone to the other side. In fact Rasmussen just released a poll a couple of days ago that said that 52% of the people polled supported McCain’s plan.
People were getting worried, they wanted action. You might not agree with that yourself, but if it was such a good idea to blow off the plan I did not notice either candidate doing that.
They chose the necessary evil route.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 8:54 PM
wepeople,
I don’t think God takes sides in elections. We certainly can’t rely on it. He gave us free will. Unfortunately, he didn’t give every one of us a sufficient number of brain cells. Too many idiots have bought into Obama being “The Messiah.”
Star20 on October 11, 2008 at 8:55 PM
I hope this isn’t true. McCain can’t listen to any advisers who say he should have an honorable defeat, what good does it do him or America?
This is the most important race of his political career, this is the most important election he will ever be a part of. Obama threatens to undermine so much. His ideas are a catastrophe waiting to happen. We cannot punish ourselves with him. Anybody who thinks four years of Obama would be a lesson well served, fails to consider the full repercussions of his policies. Once the government expands deeper, what will we bring back? He has been willing to run deficits of larger degrees, reckless at this point. He has attempted to manipulate foreign policy in Iraq to serve his political agenda. He proposes an expansion of government and would face little opposition from Pelosi/Reid. He would have his way with Supreme Court nominations. Jimmy Carter never had the chance to put a man on the Supreme Court. Obama is likely to. Carter never hung out with the likes of Bill Ayers, his friend was Willie Nelson on the White House roof. Obama would be a worse President then Carter.
McCain cannot afford an honorable defeat. He is the right man for this hour. If McCain is to fall, it should not be gracefully. He must rage against the dying of the light. The chance to save America’s soul is within him. He has to hit Obama on deficit spending, on being blindly ambitious (Obama has no plans and steals ideas and quotes from individuals including McCain), on Bill Ayers, on anything it takes. McCain is 72, he doesn’t need to worry about any revenge coming his way for getting dirty, sometimes getting dirty works. This is his last fight and by far his greatest, he needs to rise to the moment.
He has to bring the hammer to Obama at the debate. He has to save America from the policies that Obama promises to bring. In this hour we can ill afford anyone but Senator McCain.
amazingmets on October 11, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Star:
But praying can’t hurt.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Sidenote: I apologize for not reading your every post, but I’ve read enough of you to know your general point of view.
Look, it’s up to McCain to win this thing. He is the one asking for a promotion, and blaming any of his failures on those whose job it is to promote him will not do one bit of good.
I’ve been one to forgive him his faults during the general, but I do recognize that the responsibility to win lies squarely on McCain’s shoulders.
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 8:58 PM
amazing mets:
Remember the thinly sourced remark of Allah’s. This whole thing might be noise, nothing at all. It might be a ruse. Remember the VP stuff? It was Pawlenty, no Romney…and when it was Palin people were honestly surprised that McCain kept that secret. Well, I don’t think that McCain is blabbing abour quiting now.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Face Facts. Palin is the first Republican EVER to fully understand the post-Reagan conservative movement.
She understands full well (as McCain DOESN’T or WON’T) that each and every day we see every liberal in this country give us a big “Fuck You” with a smile on their face – especially in the mainstream media and the entertainment industry in particular.
This anger is no joke. This anger is no accident. It is very, very real and very, very justified. Right now McCain is doing everything he can to stand in the way of this righteous anger and – bless his poor dumb ass – he will get rolled over by if he doesn’t at least get out of the way.
And if he doesn’t? Screw him and the seats on the SCOTUS he just cost us. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.
I’m all for Palin 2012.
thareb on October 11, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Just another way?
LOL Let’s rewrite FDR and see how well that works:
“The only thing we have to fear is a depression“
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Saltysam:
I am not saying McCain does not have the responsibility of running to win. But the idea that if McCain just follows the instructions of a bunch of people on the internet then he is a shoe in is not very realistic.
The point is the American people will pick the next president, they are the ones who will decide who the winner is. Not Obama or McCain. The voters, and they have ideas of their own.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:04 PM
I get the impression that McCain is acting the way he is so as not to lose moderates and so that he can work with Congress after the win…Palin attacks and gets in good hits…though I suspect that if they lose Palin will probably be more than happy to go back to AK as govenor and never come back to the Left’s politics of hate which she has been enduring in the lower 48…I think sh ewas very happy in AK and only her patriotism and love for the US and its military etc…brought her out to help McCain…
CCRWM on October 11, 2008 at 9:04 PM
CCRWM:
I have the feeling that McCain is acting the way he is because he does not want to run off the Independents who will essentially decide this election because there are not enough conservative Republicans to win without them.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Opinions are like barrynorris.. everyone has one.. and they stink..
DaveC on October 11, 2008 at 9:08 PM
McCain the ultimate panderer is being out pandered by That One and his Veep both of whom know how to pander better because they have no conscience to prevent them from outright lies.
Look to all the flip flopping 0Bama has done, the associates he has disassociated with and the outright lies Biden told when he “won the debate” over Palin.
In my debate days I would have been disqualified for the whoppers he told with a straight face.
I don’t know if the high road can beat such accomplished liars, but it is sort of rich irony that MCCAIN is being out pandered.
dhunter on October 11, 2008 at 9:09 PM
thareb:
Do you think anger will help? If conservatives feel like all this is a big *uck you then they need to find a way to convince and instruct more people that conservatism is the way of the future. They need to draw people in. The nutroots were kept out of sight by Democrats because they knew the anger of those people would turn off most sane people.
Anger can be good if it motivates people to action. But it seems to me that one of the most gifted conservative politicians of our times was Ronald Reagan, and he was not angry person. He was optimistic and forward looking.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Don’t count on it.
tgharris on October 11, 2008 at 9:11 PM
OK, then. Maybe Mac is focusing on the outer areas of the state. Hamilton County (north of Indy) where I live is solidly red. Marion County (Indianapolis) is dark purple. There are a few Republicans, not too many though. I could understand if McCain is redirecting his resources to make sure IN stays in the red column. I have not been seeing that in my area.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 11, 2008 at 9:11 PM
I am not saying McCain does not have the responsibility of running to win.
Well, you are.
You’re changing the argument. We were discussing the way he handled that crowd.
All his defenders are blaming the crowd.
As I said in my earlier response to you, “it’s not that tough to head off a little chatter from the crowd. The key is to NEVER say “your an idiot” to the boss, NEVER allow yourself to be agitated by the boss, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, indicate that you’re willing to work for the competition.“
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:12 PM
dhunter:
McCain is not a panderer. Honestly, with support like this it is amazing that Republicans ever win.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:12 PM
I could be mistaken, but I believe the poll you are citing was referring only to McCain’s new proposal to deal specifically with mortgages, not the recently passed rescue plan.
mwdiver on October 11, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Mark Salter, McCain’s long-serving chief of staff, is understood to have told campaign insiders that he would prefer his boss … to suffer an “honourable defeat” rather than conduct a campaign that would be out of character – and likely to lose him the election.No such thing as an ‘honorable defeat’ when your enemy is trying to stuff the ballot box in an effort to null and void the opposing sides vote..
in that respect, the gloves should be off.. and brass knuckles should be on.
DaveC on October 11, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Wow. I’m glad someone took the time to interview Phil Berg. I’ve been following the case. Interesting that Obama/DNC has hired a CAIR attorney to help with the case.
Who is Barack Obama? What is Obama hiding?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 11, 2008 at 9:14 PM
No such thing as an ‘honorable defeat’ when your enemy is trying to stuff the ballot box in an effort to null and void the opposing sides vote..
in that respect, the gloves should be off.. and brass knuckles should be on.
PIMF
DaveC on October 11, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Saltsyman:
No you are changing the argument. You are acting as if the only reason McCain might lose is if he does not care or try. I am saying that the American people will decide who wins. It could be that no matter what kind of campaign he runs McCain will lose. It could be that in the end people will look at Obama and just decide that guy gives them the willies.
The people have the final say.
Now what I am saying is that your idea of what running to win means and McCain’s idea might not be the same thing. That does not mean he is not trying.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:15 PM
If (big if) this is true, I would respectfully remind Mr. Salter this isn’t about his boss. Its about the well being of the United States of America. If McCain can’t see that, he doesn’t deserve to win. Trouble is, Obama doesn’t deserve to win period.
tgharris on October 11, 2008 at 9:16 PM
zackly right, gracie.
Sarah is in the Lion’s Den today, fearless. Read the speech she gave today. THE BEST I HAVE READ SINCE REAGAN. She is not afraid to go into Looney Philadelphia, where I work, nor should she be. There are lots of people in Philly who share much in common with Sarah, despite their family and historic ties to the Dems. I am so proud of Sarah, I could burst. this is what I want in a leader. Not an honorable quitter.
james23 on October 11, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Well yes….ideally. However, ACORN and the various felons, dogs and dead people that will vote Democrat will try to get in the way.
tgharris on October 11, 2008 at 9:19 PM
tgharrris:
I have my doubts about that whole quote, but there was that and and likely lose him the election. This was not meant as an excuse to lose.
But who knows if this was even said? We hear all sorts of things in campaigns.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:20 PM
tgharris:
There is nothing new about Democrats stuffing ballot boxes. The other day this old boy told me that his father used to run a bar in Terre Haute and he bragged that no Republican ever carried that precinct. He gave people booze for votes. And that was years ago.
Yes, ACORN needs to be done away with. I think it is beyond reform.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Terrye, you say hes’ not a panderer, I say he is!
I guess it really doesn’t matter. I could be wrong!
I know you love the guy and I said from the beginning he was a disaster for the party, but fact is hes’ the only horse we’ve got in this race so as the great one, “Rush” says I will do my part to haul his carcuss across the finish line even if he is pulling the other way like a stubborn mule.
dhunter on October 11, 2008 at 9:24 PM
He said what he said, in the context of a crowd that wants to, despite their hesitation, “fight with him…fight with him!”
Don’t blame me. I didn’t say it.
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:24 PM
james:
McCain never said he was quitting.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Editor: EXACTLY!!!!
Also, my inlaws asked if we wanted to head to Alaska this winter (winter in alaska?!!??! yipes.) But, it’s a free trip and I am thinking, hey, if we (gulp) lose this thing, I want to be near sanity. :o)
Mommypundit on October 11, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Saltysam:
I never said he did not say it. I said that in the end the American people will decide who wins. Even people who fight lose sometimes, just look at the Confederates.
The thing is Allah puts this thinly sourced {as he says} thing out there and people are suddenly assuming, as if it were gospel that McCain is giving up.
Look at all the chances McCain has had to give up in the last couple of years. He did not give up, even when people said he was a goner.
So I am just saying maybe people are over reacting just a tad.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:28 PM
John,
Let me put this in as pleasant a way that I can:
MY COUNTRY IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN YOUR F***ING HONOR.
Thank you for listening.
Editor on October 11, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Amen Editor. Isn’t it just dandy…..John doesn’t mind losing with honor. Easy for him since it’s been Palin and her children who have been savaged by the media.
Terry, I watched that town hall the other day too. It’s one thing to tell the audience to be respectful, but it’s quite another to tell the audience that Obama would make a good president. When I watched all I could think was “have you lost your mind McCain?” I’ll bet it occurred to more than one person in the audience…..if Obama would make a good president, why the hell are we sitting here listening to this tired old man?
It’s one thing to respect the man’s history, but does that mean the world has to cut him slack for the rest of his life? As I recall, Duke Cunningham was a top gun hero; that didn’t stop him from entering into nefarious financial shenanigans and now he’s sitting on his butt in a Federal prison.
We get it…..30+ years ago McCain was a hero. Sorry to say today not all his actions are heroic. IMHO McCain uses this far too often….we’re not to question his actions because……he’s a war hero, dontcha know?
He gave the speech of his life at the GOP convention; best one I’ve heard him give. He hasn’t come close since. His debate performance last week was uninspiring to say the least. I was checking with an elderly aunt this weekend to make certain she had a ride to the polls. She asked me why she should worry about getting to the polls since it didn’t seem to her that McCain really wanted to win. As she said “it’s Dole redux”.
poodlemom on October 11, 2008 at 9:28 PM
If John McCain isn’t feeling desperate he hasn’t been paying attention.
Murphy9 on October 11, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Saltysman:
I think we are talking about two different things here. What are you saying that McCain said? I feel like I am missing something.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Murphy:
Feeling and looking are two different things. And people rarely vote for desperate.
Terrye on October 11, 2008 at 9:31 PM
No. You’re not listening. This is a two way conversation, isn’t it.
What’s the point of discussing anything of you’re going to pretend I’m saying things that never came out of my keyboard?
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Ace is reporting it now.
Clinton supporters sharing evidence for RICO case against Obama campaign
The first line says it all: “Payback is a b!tch.”
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 11, 2008 at 9:32 PM
This is where I interjected into your conversation. Follow the thread from there.
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:34 PM
RNC, FLIP THE TICKET SO WE CAN WIN IT!
PALIN/MCCAIN 08!
ErinF on October 11, 2008 at 9:35 PM
The truth of the matter is that when John McCain ran in the primaries and won the nomination, he started working for us; The Republican party. We want a candidate who will do anything to defeat the opposition. The Democrates got one, and we deserve that too. His first ridiculous mistake was to announce that Rev. Wright was untouchable. Says who? Thats a huge issue with his party. Anyone who thinks having a “mentor” of that caliber, is “off the table” can kiss my arse. But we forgive him when he picks a really worthy running mate, and then he lets us down again. It’s like he considors this “his” race, and it isn’t, it’s “ours” and we want him to fight hard, and dirty if nescessary. Once he goes back to the senate, he can try to recapture his “independent maverick personna” but I don’t see it happening.
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 9:36 PM
You may have just written John McCain’s epitaph.
Murphy9 on October 11, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Actually, this is not exactly true. Bob Barr is on the ballot in 46 states. He’s a former 4-term US Congressman, not some schmuck candidate like the Libertarians usually run. He’s for real.
Yeah, he’s polling in just the 4% range. But that could change dramatically like Perot’s numbers up and down in 1992.
I’m voting for McCain, mostly because of Sarah. But the Libertarians are a viable option.
ericdondero on October 11, 2008 at 9:39 PM
I’m not jumping ship, I’ll show up and vote and if I can find a ACORN representative maybe more than once (just kidding). But Mac, now is not the time to worry about your legacy.
Governor Palin, continue to whip out what got you 80% approval ratings in Alaska. Yourself.
Hog Wild on October 11, 2008 at 9:39 PM
There are two opinions on this.
This one just happens to be the right one.
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:41 PM
The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. The opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.
Tav on October 11, 2008 at 9:44 PM
From AP’s entry about Obama’s surrogates accusing McCain of racism:
(emphasis added)
If the point hasn’t been made, at Saddleback, McCain identified Lewis as one of the three people McCain admired most. Yes, they barely know each other, but it’s a nice thumb in McCain’s eye. As I see it, while McCain was down on the ground trying to get up, Lewis just shoved his face in a pile of dog sh*t.
How’s that nice guy routine working for you, McCain?
McCain: Please read Kimberly Srassel’s excellent column in yesterday’s WSJ. Then at your final debate, please call Obama’s middle class “tax cut” what it really is. For the 40% of households who don’t currently pay federal income tax and who will receive cash from a series of five to seven (I forget) refundable credits, it’s welfare.
For good measure, you might ask Obama how the series of refundable tax credits are to be administered. Just estimating, I guess each credit will require a two-page form and a four-page set of instructions. Has Obama considered that any “tax cut” (that is, welfare for 40% of households) could very well be offset by the additional tax preparation fees paid to a preparer or the added hassle associated with preparing a Form 1040 with some brand of home tax software or, heaven forbid, by hand. And ask Obama when the benefit of that “tax cut” (that is, welfare for 40% of households) will first be realized. Does Spring 2010 sound right?
Nice bargain with the devil.
BuckeyeSam on October 11, 2008 at 9:45 PM
I hope they are at odds, because McCain did his VP pick a disservice by running a crappy campaign and not going for the jugular. That’s probably not what she signed on for…an “honorable” defeat? Its called waving the white flag, and I hope Palin is upset about it. She and her family have been dragged through the mud, and she deserved a running mate who was in this to win till the very end. I thought McCain was a fighter?
changer1701 on October 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I don’t have any inside information to confirm that this report is true…but inside, I do know this report is true. I can tell by the way McCain is trying to salvage his good relations with the Democrats so his last years in the Senate, beating up Republicans, especially Conservative Republicans, will be peaceful and happy…It’s over and he knows it…Palin is still fighting for 2012, because she knows that is the future…McCain is a dead end who has thrown in the towel. So, 2012 or bust and I love Sarah…the only true fighter in this race…Sarah dear, you sacrificed so much for us in this election…come 2012, you’ve at least got my primary vote…don’t change in the interim…4 years of Obama will put you in a much better position than you are today…here’s to the next Thatcher!
AUINSC on October 11, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I’m voting for Maverick, no matter what his strategy is. But, I think it’s fair to say that I have given up on waiting for this man to drop his pair. God love the man, helluva soldier and he will make a helluva leader, but, I think the reason why conservatives love the ‘Cuda is because she is who she is and she is not afraid to let it be known to anyone. On top of that, she takes the fight right to the liberals…lays it right on their doorstep and waits around to tell them “what are you going to do about it?”. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Maverick. Like I said, I’m voting for the man, but I sure hope Sarah lends him her pair once they are in office…
CapitalistPig on October 11, 2008 at 9:47 PM
None of us who post on this board are going to jump ship and vote for Obama or Barr- Barr’s nothing but a spoiler for McCain- but at least here we have an opportunity to vent our frustrations at being forced to vote McCain in order to vote against Obama. That’s the ultimate goal.I never, in a million years would have thought that I would wish for the opportunity to put Hillary in the White House, and I’ll never forgive Obama for that.
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 9:50 PM
I smell troll action
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Tav on October 11, 2008 at 9:44 PM
The opposite of profound is shallow.
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 9:52 PM
in this corner Baraaackkk Huuuusssssseeiiiinnnnn Obama/Biden VS Mr Bipartisan – Palin is my token reach across the aisle to conservatives/Cuda- licious
My only response is “Hazelnuts” when I go vote for Mr. Bipartisan/Cuda licious against BHO/Biden.
mdetlh on October 11, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Anniekc: You may be right…Hillary was the devil I knew…and almost respected…Obama is the multi-headed hydra of darkness I don’t know, other than I have nothing but contempt and loathing for him…
CapitalistPig on October 11, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Yeah, what is with the aversion of calling “welfare” what it is? Thats all his tax “credits” are. Would that offend those on the dole? Oh, how tragic.
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Ekam sat vipra bahuda vadanti.
Tav on October 11, 2008 at 9:55 PM
This is what burns my hide
james23 on October 11, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Too bad Eve ate that apple though, huh?
Saltysam on October 11, 2008 at 10:03 PM
SARAH PALIN HALF-JEWISH!
Oh my gosh! This little blog may have stumbled on some news that will completely shake up the election. If this can be confirmed, HELLO FLORIDA.
ericdondero on October 11, 2008 at 10:03 PM
If I see an ACORN representative, that person had better hope the government is taking action against it; God forbid the people would have to take action on our own. Crime is crime is crime. The laws of this land need to apply to all, or screw the laws.
Keemo on October 11, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Had the republican nominee stood his ground, people would have stood with him. He would have explained that the market was reacting to panic ONLY because the government made the market think there was another way out of this mess. The government stuck their tit in their mouths and now they are suckling like there is no tomorrow.
And, McCain could be pointing to the disastrous crash of the market.
Ergo, he was right and Oslime-a was wrong.
McCain left his balls on the nightstand that week.
csdeven on October 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I’d prefer a candidate that actually took this election seriously.
spmat on October 11, 2008 at 10:10 PM
No.
AP did not start the idea that Mac quit–Mac did, himself. When he said that Obomber was “an honorable and decent man,” and should not be feared, he innoculated Obomber from Wright, Ayers, ACORN, New Party, all of it, and anything that pops up in the next three weeks. All Obomber needs to do now is run a tape of Mac’s remarks. He totally cut the legs out from under Palin and many others working to get his sorry butt elected. What an Idiot!
james23 on October 11, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Maybe someone in Team McCain should sit John down with a half hour of the scurrilous, mocking, lying, eviscerating anti-McCain TV ads by Team Obama showing Mac to be senile, stupid, shaky, erratic, wasteful, ignorant, and generally untrustworthy… to get the fire back in his attack.
He is being made to look like a loser jackass doofus crank by the Obama camp.
Or doesn’t Senator McCain know this?
They villify and mock him 25,000 times a day.
He and Sarah need to ream the crypto-Marixts weasels or, by such default (or “gentlemanlyness” and “honor“) let them boldfacedly and shamelessly lie their way into power and incompetently screw the country for at least four years.
Or doesn’t Mac care enough to kick them in their brazen, mendacious nuts?
Or which they have plenty.
profitsbeard on October 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Pat Buchanan: The country wants change, but it has not concluded it wants Obama. But if John McCain cannot raise grave doubts about his agenda, his associates, his record, his character, his fitness to be president, Obama is going to win by default.
Murphy9 on October 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM
This whole election has become such an ugly turning point in American history. From a personal standpoint I can’t see being able to peacefully co-exist with other American’s who chose to ignore the obvious, and put Obama in office. I hope I’m wrong, I hope he’s so busy putting out fires in the economy that he’s unable to destroy the rest of our democracy. Unfortunately, he’ll have Pelosi, Reid and Co. that will do so much damage that we’ll never recover.
I remember being ticked when Clinton first won, then appalled at his decisions, then disgusted by his acts. But I was never hateful and bitter, and thats what I am now- this election is a farce. We are a media driven society and the media decided we should have a socialistic government. Perhaps having a big lull in our ability to reward the media and madison ave. with our extra $$ will help me to get over my bitterness. I’d like to see Hollywood starve to death.
anniekc on October 11, 2008 at 10:20 PM
The difference: Palin wants to hit him hard. McCain? Starting to remind me of Horatio Gates.
“Fight! Fight! Stand up and FIGHT!…While I find the fastest horse out of here!”
SuperCool on October 11, 2008 at 10:21 PM
HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE.
PALIN HAS ONE GOAL. TO WIN OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND WIN THIS ELECTION.
MCCAIN HAS ONE GOAL. TO GET BACK IN THE GOOD GRACES OF HIS BACK STABBING FRIENDS IN THE MEDIA.
roninacreage on October 11, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Don’t forget his fair-weather friends in Congress who gave us the current economic meltdown and general incompetent corruption that plagues the land.
Honorable people, all.
FIGHT WITH ME, Mac, to save the Republic.
Or let Sarah do all the talking.
profitsbeard on October 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Didn’t I say Palin should do this? Distance herself from Mccain to set herself up for 2012? Yes, I sure did.
Everyone, except McCain of course.
Oh well. Hail our socialist overlords.
lorien1973 on October 11, 2008 at 10:36 PM
The only person mentioned who would have been ideologically consistent is Thompson, and he looks even older than McCain.
Speedwagon82 on October 11, 2008 at 10:39 PM
It will be bad.
Salter is a fool if he is so self-centered that he thinks this is just about McCain. What happened to Country First?
How pissed will I be if Mac gracefully surrenders and sticks us with Obama, whose disastrous policies could be with us for generations?
Very.
Buy Danish on October 11, 2008 at 10:41 PM
You answered your own question. We cannot peacefully exist with the Fascists who are putting Obama in office.
Seccession or at the very least a massive Free State Project for Texas or halfway step for Texas to become a Commonwealth is in the cards, if Obama wins. Could be exported to other states, as well.
ericdondero on October 11, 2008 at 10:43 PM
I guess let me rephrase my earlier statement: I’d prefer a candidate that wasn’t an electoral cul de sac.
spmat on October 11, 2008 at 10:47 PM
McCain’s actions may be driven by internal polls that are showing his attacks are not gaining him anything and may be pushing fence-sitters (I know, how can you be undecided at this stage) away. He has been hitting Ayers for days and turning up the heat and getting nothing for it, maybe worse than nothing. Ultimately, McCain gets the blame for lurching back and forth between strategies, but I think there is more than his reputation that is motivating this change.
okonkolo on October 11, 2008 at 10:50 PM
If Rudy, Romney and Thompson are so awesome, then how come he lost the republican primary.
wise_man on October 11, 2008 at 10:53 PM
What really amazes me is, McCain can handle 5 1/2 years of torture in Nam, but can’t handle 25 days of criticism from liberals.
The media broke him, whereas his captors couldn’t.
roninacreage on October 11, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Allahpundit scans the horizon and decides that there is not enough contempt being expressed at the McCain campaign – and FAR too few reports of “bickering” between McCain and Palin.
So – what does he do?
He regurgitates a practically NON-SOURCED, thinly veiled LIE as a fact – scotching ANY potential Nutroots-generated RUMOR of conflict in the McCain campaign.
Reeally, reeally helpful. Allahpundit: He’s as helpful as leprosy.
grtflmark on October 11, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Trust me..you are not alone.
AUINSC on October 11, 2008 at 10:55 PM
You’ve got it all wrong, grtflmark. We need MOAR bad news. It’s vital to the cause. What cause do you ask? Don’t ask. And don’t complain. We don’t want to become an echo chamber for that other .. contemptuous, positive news and opinion./s
wise_man on October 11, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Pathetic. A MSM report, just perfectly constructed to play your MDS bias…just perfectly set up like a worm on the hood, and you dumbasses just can’t wait to be reeled in.
This is absolutely shameful. But I guess it makes you feel like a real man to lord it over an actual war hero and great man:
You should be ashamed of yourself.
funky chicken on October 11, 2008 at 11:03 PM
hook
funky chicken on October 11, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Please take this as an observation and not a criticism….
Replace “Obama” with “Bush” and your statement is exactly what the moonbats on the left have been saying since 2000.
You happen to be correct and they are delusional paranoids. So the question is….How do we make the case and not sound like the moonbats? Not that you sound like a moonbat. But I can just imagine some Krazy Kos Klowns making that accusation.
csdeven on October 11, 2008 at 11:06 PM
William Safire, in his weekly On Language column for tomorrow, seems to be taking a harder shot at Obama than McCain.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12wwln-safire-t.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
BuckeyeSam on October 11, 2008 at 11:07 PM
if any single person here is really stupid enough to think that John and Cindy McCain want Obama to be their two sons’ Commander in Chief, you should send yourself back to kindergarten.
McCain saw what happened to the military under Carter and Clinton. He very well understands what happened with the Blackhawk Down incident when Clinton beat GHW Bush and then screwed our Army Rangers.
But because of one pretty much baseless MSM report, you are all willing to go ahead and throw John McCain under the bus.
funky chicken on October 11, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Well, at least we know who’s wearing the pants on that “Straight Talk Express.” Gimme a break. Tell the old geezer to take his Geritol and strap on a bigger set, because he’s gonna need ‘em before this is over.
manwithblackhat on October 11, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Rudy: Poor organization.
Romney: Because Huckabee is a bigot and used that bigotry to draw away just enough votes to spoil Romney’s chances.
Huckabee: He never wanted the win. He simply wanted to play spoiler and try to leverage himself into the VP slot.
And BTW, I am starting to think Romney might be doing better than Obama on the economy. Irrespective of his ties to wall street, he has proven to be quite successful in the business world. And during the vetting process, I only saw one instance of his company costing folks jobs. But he did save the Olympics and he does have executive experience and is a Washington outsider to boot.
Meh. It doesn’t matter. McCain is our guy and I’m going where ever he goes. Sink or swim.
csdeven on October 11, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Who needs the rumor mill on MSNBC? We’ve been watching them both on the stump. One of them is hedging, and one of them… ain’t.
manwithblackhat on October 11, 2008 at 11:12 PM
You wanted McCain to throw GW Bush under the bus? This was Bush’s Sec Treas, Fed Chairman, and SEC Chairman telling the entire world that the US economy was on the verge of total collapse if they didn’t get their massive bailout in a week.
I think it was at the very least a gross exaggeration…but once Paulson went out screaming like a little girl who just saw her first tarantula, what choice did McCain have?
He went back to DC and at least got the house GOP conservatives a seat at the negotiating table. GW Bush hadn’t done that for them.
And for his trouble, even after Boehner publicly thanked McCain for that, the “true conservatives” still give the man no credit.
funky chicken on October 11, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Since he declared his intention to run for president. It’s sad that we have to battle both the democrats who want McCain to lose, and people within our own party or ideology. They would like to nullify all of the voter’s who picked McCain than to admit to supporting a flawed candidate that votes with his party 80% of the time. I feel that our operation chaos chickens against Hillary have come home to roost and are hoping to see McCain defeated based on their own displeasure of how he is running his campaign along with the ‘unnamed sources.’
wise_man on October 11, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Very valid observation.
wise_man on October 11, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Who are you kidding?
McCain made his career throwing us under the bus.
Now he’s indignant when he gets a little back?
He should be ashamed, not me.
roninacreage on October 11, 2008 at 11:18 PM
I think it would be a viable scenario. And opposing Bush et al would have made it virtually impossible for Oslime-a to hang Chimpy McHitler around his neck on the economy. There would be a stark contrast between Oslime-a and Mccain when after the bill passed and the current crash was really pissing people off.
The only downside would be if the bill didn’t pass and the market tanked or the market recovered right after the bill was signed. Otherwise, McCain is in a win/win.
csdeven on October 11, 2008 at 11:19 PM
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