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[JayDubya]

Why doesn't Lou Dobbs just come out and say he's a Republican?

Given his entire set of views, he does not fit very well in either major party. Hell, he doesn't fit well with any third party.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

Ludacris is a real cornball for that one seriously don't even try to get on the Obama train Luda you'll just wreck the tracks

 

[Diablos]

Looks like Obama is losing the media war. This election is quickly becoming John McCain's to lose.

Sarcasm, I take it?

McCain just seems a like a bitter old whiner no matter what he does. I think his surrogates have more potential to come up with something to bury Obama.

edit: Ludacris video makes me laugh, but sadly this kind of thing scares the shit out of most white people. I don't think this will help Obama if the MSM jumps on it.

 

[reilo]

Given his entire set of views, he does not fit very well in either major party. Hell, he doesn't fit well with any third party.

The libertarians can claim him.

 

[Tamanon]

It just makes no sense, McCain had months to build his own brand, differentiate himself and whatnot. Then you take the civil road, show your differences and then turn negative later on, late October, early November. You certainly shouldn't go this negative before conventions have even started. It really detracts from any message.

And lol at people thinking "same old politics" and "politics of the past" is an age reference. Considering Obama used those exact phrases when talking about Clinton also.

 

[JayDubya]

The libertarians can claim him.

Yeah, let me tell you how much I like the hostile to cheap immigrant labor, hostile to free trade Lou Dobbs.

I'm not sure if Lou's ever said anything agreeable on his program.

 

[Deus Ex Machina]

Oh god. Ludacris has just released a music video for Obama. :lol

Obama's response:

"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/30/former-clinton

linkey no workey

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/30/former-clinton-aide-chall_n_115896.html

Ludacris is a real cornball for that one seriously don't even try to get on the Obama train Luda you'll just wreck the tracks

ugh... Ludacris has done Obama no favors.

Gregory just played a bit... oh, Lord.

 

[reilo]

Yeah, let me tell you how much I like the hostile to cheap immigrant labor, hostile to free trade Lou Dobbs.

I don't think Lou's ever said anything agreeable on his program.

Hey, you let Bob Barr in!

 

[JayDubya]

Hey, you let Bob Barr in!

Not sure you get it; Barr's not a bad fit, but he's not a perfect fit, either.

Dobbs is wholly antithetical.

 

[Particle Physicist]

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/13156/

who the hell is toby keith?

 

[reilo]

who the hell is toby keith?

One of the biggest country singers today...?

 

[Diablos]

Honestly... it was only a matter of time before a rapper came along with some offensive lyrics supporting Obama. I always figured this would happen, because face it, the first black nominee for President of the United States is going to excite countless rap and hip-hop artists out there for obvious reasons.

 

[reilo]

Honestly... it was only a matter of time before a rapper came along with some offensive lyrics supporting Obama. I always figured this would happen, because face it, the first black nominee for President of the United States is going to excite countless rap and hip-hop artists out there for obvious reasons.

Nas did it, but he never called out any other politicians - just media personalities.

 

[Diablos]

And you think it wouldn't have got to the point where someone would diss Hillary and McCain, too? C'mon.

 

[Macam]

One of the biggest country singers today...?

And one of the writers for the Oscar shoe-in, Beer for My Horses. He was on the Colbert Report just the other day plugging it (though I doubt anyone in the audience would bother frankly).

 

[The Librarian]

The Daily Show: Rappers or Republicans.:lol

 

[Diablos]

You know what would be hilarious? If Colin Powell was Obama's VP pick. :lol

Not saying that's who it will really be, but over the last few days I've had this feeling that he's going to pick someone no one even considered.

 

[Zonar]

You know what would be hilarious? If Colin Powell was Obama's VP pick. :lol

Not saying that's who it will really be, but over the last few days I've had this feeling that he's going to pick someone no one even considered.

While i like that choice. Obama is not a "suprise!" type of guy. He is very calculated.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

While i like that choice. Obama is not a "suprise!" type of guy. He is very calculated.

One of the many qualities people like about him.

 

[Diablos]

You can be calculating without letting the rest of the world know of how calculating you are being when it comes to a specific issue, y'know.

 

[alr1ght]

So if he picks Kaine, what exactly are his bumper stickers going to say?

It can't be "Obama Kaine 2008" (Say it outloud, it just would work for obvious reasons). It would have to be "Obama & Kaine 2008" or something similar.

 

[The Librarian]

I trust Obama's judgment, I just want to know who it is now!:lol

 

[Tamanon]

It'll be Michelle Obama!

 

[Hootie]

It can't be "Obama Kaine 2008" (Say it outloud, it just would work for obvious reasons). It would have to be "Obama & Kaine 2008" or something similar.

Oba McCain :lol

 

[Amir0x]

Heh. For a second when I was saying it out loud, it was sort of resembling OBAMACAN, like his old joke about what he calls Republicans who switched to Obama.

But ObaMcCain is too good :lol

I don't specifically think Kaine is a good choice but I do like at least that he picked someone who reinforces his message instead of contrasting with it. If he goes with him, that is.

 

[soul creator]

silly GAF, Obama's VP will be Ludacris. Obama did in fact ghostwrite his recent song of course!

 

[Incognito]

The VP is going to be someone who isn't on the media shortlist.

 

[Frank the Great]

The VP is going to be someone who isn't on the media shortlist.

 

[The Librarian]

Yes!

 

[AniHawk]

Media for weeks/months: Why didn't he pick Hillary? What do Hillary supporters think? Why does Obama hate women?

 

[Diablos]

The VP is going to be someone who isn't on the media shortlist.

Yep.

btw, why exactly are you saying this is now McCain's to lose?

Media will paint her as a poor man's Hillary if picked.

 

[The Chosen One]

ugh... Ludacris has done Obama no favors.

Gregory just played a bit... oh, Lord.

Yeah the whole thing is silly, but Ludacris should have exercised better judgment with those lyrics, especially since he's actually met Obama and apparently Obama said he had Ludacris in his iPod. He's not just some random rapper who has never had any association with Obama. Ludacris should know the Republicans will use anything negative that's even vaguely associated with Obama. If Ludacris really cares about getting a black man in the white house, this is certainly not how do it. In that sense, definitely shame on Ludacris.

 

[ViperVisor]

Tucker being his usually dickish self but Freeland is another one of those soothsaying journalist.

And Tucker complaining about Obama being too self important or something. Keep in mind Tucker is the bitch who like Ron Paul who mostly hides his BS cause his sham politics are a joke and even more so under the GOP tent.

 

[worldrunover]

Actually she has been on many short lists I've heard recently. Still don't like that pick, though.

 

[HylianTom]

Very frustrating. I'd wondered aloud around here about whether Obama would be willing to fight McCain for this office, and I don't like the answer I'm getting thus far from this dainty, high-road campaign.

If this keeps up, I wouldn't be surprised if McCain wins in a squeaker.

Mr Obama: Grow a goddamn pair. "Mr Nice Guy" doesn't win presidential elections.

 

[Uncooked]

Not sure you get it; Barr's not a bad fit, but he's not a perfect fit, either.

Dobbs is wholly antithetical.

Bob Barr is a fuckin loser and he has no business being the Libertarian nominee, he just changed half his views because he was going nowhere in the Republican Party, he is a bigger phony and flip-flopper than any other person running by far.

 

[The Librarian]

Very frustrating. I'd wondered aloud around here about whether Obama would be willing to fight McCain for this office, and I don't like the answer I'm getting thus far from this dainty, high-road campaign.

If this keeps up, I wouldn't be surprised if McCain wins in a squeaker.

Mr Obama: Grow a goddamn pair. "Mr Nice Guy" doesn't win presidential elections.

What the hell are you talking about? :lol McCain's campaign seems so disorganized and lately has become really pathetic in it's attacks against Obama.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Very frustrating. I'd wondered aloud around here about whether Obama would be willing to fight McCain for this office, and I don't like the answer I'm getting thus far from this dainty, high-road campaign.

If this keeps up, I wouldn't be surprised if McCain wins in a squeaker.

Mr Obama: Grow a goddamn pair. "Mr Nice Guy" doesn't win presidential elections.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/30/barack-hits-back-ad-says_n_115960.html

The debates aren't going to save McCain. He is going to have to speak. When he does, it will be apparent.

 

[soul creator]

Very frustrating. I'd wondered aloud around here about whether Obama would be willing to fight McCain for this office, and I don't like the answer I'm getting thus far from this dainty, high-road campaign.

If this keeps up, I wouldn't be surprised if McCain wins in a squeaker.

Mr Obama: Grow a goddamn pair. "Mr Nice Guy" doesn't win presidential elections.

your analysis doesn't match up with reality

 

[SouthernDragon]

You don't expend your energy this early.

Besides, Obama was just away touring the Middle East and Europe, wooing the leaders over there. He hasn't had the chance to reply.

 

[HylianTom]

your analysis doesn't match up with reality

It's just that I'm eerily reminded of Kerry 4 years ago. Lots of polls showing him narrowly in the lead, nasty attacks from the GOP candidate, a near-total unwillingness to attack back effectively, etc etc.

 

[worldrunover]

I don't see the election being that close. I would be stunned if McCain won the general. Completely stunned.

And I honestly thought Kerry would lose in '04, although I backed him as well. The problem with Kerry is he was running as "not George Bush" and that never works. Kinda how McCain is now running as "not scary Barack Hussein Obama".

 

[Uncooked]

It's just that I'm eerily reminded of Kerry 4 years ago. Lots of polls showing him narrowly in the lead, nasty attacks from the GOP candidate, a near-total unwillingness to attack back effectively, etc etc.

I wouldn't really call them nasty attacks to be honest, they seem rather weak and pathetic to me.

 

[ToyMachine228]

As for you guys mentioning the VP will be someone who isn't on the media's list, I mostly agree. I still think he's going to pull out Sebelius next week and surprise everyone. We'll see.

 

[The Librarian]

It's just that I'm eerily reminded of Kerry 4 years ago. Lots of polls showing him narrowly in the lead, nasty attacks from the GOP candidate, a near-total unwillingness to attack back effectively, etc etc.

Then you haven't be paying much attention.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Most of the people out there is still thinking at John McCain 2008 is John McCain of 2000. The picture of what he is will be painted before it is time to vote.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jzxqARN0Huv38n5pgDfdBRwuoiZgD925QUBO0

Analysis: US now winning Iraq war that seemed lost
By ROBERT BURNS and ROBERT H. REID – 4 days ago

BAGHDAD (AP) — The United States is now winning the war that two years ago seemed lost. Limited, sometimes sharp fighting and periodic terrorist bombings in Iraq are likely to continue, possibly for years. But the Iraqi government and the U.S. now are able to shift focus from mainly combat to mainly building the fragile beginnings of peace — a transition that many found almost unthinkable as recently as one year ago.

Despite the occasional bursts of violence, Iraq has reached the point where the insurgents, who once controlled whole cities, no longer have the clout to threaten the viability of the central government.

That does not mean the war has ended or that U.S. troops have no role in Iraq. It means the combat phase finally is ending, years past the time when President Bush optimistically declared it had. The new phase focuses on training the Iraqi army and police, restraining the flow of illicit weaponry from Iran, supporting closer links between Baghdad and local governments, pushing the integration of former insurgents into legitimate government jobs and assisting in rebuilding the economy.

Scattered battles go on, especially against al-Qaida holdouts north of Baghdad. But organized resistance, with the steady drumbeat of bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and ambushes that once rocked the capital daily, has all but ceased.

This amounts to more than a lull in the violence. It reflects a fundamental shift in the outlook for the Sunni minority, which held power under Saddam Hussein. They launched the insurgency five years ago. They now are either sidelined or have switched sides to cooperate with the Americans in return for money and political support.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told The Associated Press this past week there are early indications that senior leaders of al-Qaida may be considering shifting their main focus from Iraq to the war in Afghanistan.

Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, told the AP on Thursday that the insurgency as a whole has withered to the point where it is no longer a threat to Iraq's future.

"Very clearly, the insurgency is in no position to overthrow the government or, really, even to challenge it," Crocker said. "It's actually almost in no position to try to confront it. By and large, what's left of the insurgency is just trying to hang on."

Shiite militias, notably the Mahdi Army of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, have lost their power bases in Baghdad, Basra and other major cities. An important step was the routing of Shiite extremists in the Sadr City slums of eastern Baghdad this spring — now a quiet though not fully secure district.

Al-Sadr and top lieutenants are now in Iran. Still talking of a comeback, they are facing major obstacles, including a loss of support among a Shiite population weary of war and no longer as terrified of Sunni extremists as they were two years ago.

Despite the favorable signs, U.S. commanders are leery of proclaiming victory or promising that the calm will last.

The premature declaration by the Bush administration of "Mission Accomplished" in May 2003 convinced commanders that the best public relations strategy is to promise little, and couple all good news with the warning that "security is fragile" and that the improvements, while encouraging, are "not irreversible."

Iraq still faces a mountain of problems: sectarian rivalries, power struggles within the Sunni and Shiite communities, Kurdish-Arab tensions, corruption. Any one of those could rekindle widespread fighting.

But the underlying dynamics in Iraqi society that blew up the U.S. military's hopes for an early exit, shortly after the fall of Baghdad in April 2003, have changed in important ways in recent months.

Systematic sectarian killings have all but ended in the capital, in large part because of tight security and a strategy of walling off neighborhoods purged of minorities in 2006.

That has helped establish a sense of normalcy in the streets of the capital. People are expressing a new confidence in their own security forces, which in turn are exhibiting a newfound assertiveness with the insurgency largely in retreat.

Statistics show violence at a four-year low. The monthly American death toll appears to be at its lowest of the war — four killed in action so far this month as of Friday, compared with 66 in July a year ago. From a daily average of 160 insurgent attacks in July 2007, the average has plummeted to about two dozen a day this month. On Wednesday the nationwide total was 13.

Beyond that, there is something in the air in Iraq this summer.

In Baghdad, parks are filled every weekend with families playing and picnicking with their children. That was unthinkable only a year ago, when the first, barely visible signs of a turnaround emerged.

Now a moment has arrived for the Iraqis to try to take those positive threads and weave them into a lasting stability.

The questions facing both Americans and Iraqis are: What kinds of help will the country need from the U.S. military, and for how long? The questions will take on greater importance as the U.S. presidential election nears, with one candidate pledging a troop withdrawal and the other insisting on staying.

Iraqi authorities have grown dependent on the U.S. military after more than five years of war. While they are aiming for full sovereignty with no foreign troops on their soil, they do not want to rush. In a similar sense, the Americans fear that after losing more than 4,100 troops, the sacrifice could be squandered.

U.S. commanders say a substantial American military presence will be needed beyond 2009. But judging from the security gains that have been sustained over the first half of this year — as the Pentagon withdrew five Army brigades sent as reinforcements in 2007 — the remaining troops could be used as peacekeepers more than combatants.

As a measure of the transitioning U.S. role, Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond says that when he took command of American forces in the Baghdad area about seven months ago he was spending 80 percent of his time working on combat-related matters and about 20 percent on what the military calls "nonkinetic" issues, such as supporting the development of Iraqi government institutions and humanitarian aid.

Now Hammond estimates those percentage have been almost reversed. For several hours one recent day, for example, Hammond consulted on water projects with a Sunni sheik in the Radwaniyah area of southwest Baghdad, then spent time with an Iraqi physician/entrepreneur in the Dora district of southern Baghdad — an area, now calm, that in early 2007 was one of the capital's most violent zones.

"We're getting close to something that looks like an end to mass violence in Iraq," says Stephen Biddle, an analyst at the Council of Foreign Relations who has advised Petraeus on war strategy. Biddle is not ready to say it's over, but he sees the U.S. mission shifting from fighting the insurgents to keeping the peace.

Although Sunni and Shiite extremists are still around, they have surrendered the initiative and have lost the support of many ordinary Iraqis. That can be traced to an altered U.S. approach to countering the insurgency — a Petraeus-driven move to take more U.S. troops off their big bases and put them in Baghdad neighborhoods where they mixed with ordinary Iraqis and built a new level of trust.

Army Col. Tom James, a brigade commander who is on his third combat tour in Iraq, explains the new calm this way:

"We've put out the forest fire. Now we're dealing with pop-up fires."

It's not the end of fighting. It looks like the beginning of a perilous peace.

Maj. Gen. Ali Hadi Hussein al-Yaseri, the chief of patrol police in the capital, sees the changes.

 

[HylianTom]

Then you haven't be paying much attention.

Really? *glances over at the the electoral map on his office wall* :lol

 

[StoOgE]

It's just that I'm eerily reminded of Kerry 4 years ago. Lots of polls showing him narrowly in the lead, nasty attacks from the GOP candidate, a near-total unwillingness to attack back effectively, etc etc.

Thats exactly right..

except the republican brand wasnt tarnished yet, the president was still somewhat popular, the democrats were just coming out of their 2002 WTFBBQ slumber, and Kerry WAS BEHIND IN THE POLLS.

He was also an inept candidate who couldnt articulate anything without confusing himself and everyone listening.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I've heard/read more negative reaction to McCain's new ad than anything.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93083563

NPR's story was mostly framed about how McCain is "going negative" for the third ad in a row, entirely counter to his pledge for a high-minded campaign. Runs the risk of making him look like he doesn't have anything positive to say about his own policies, etc.

They cite an independant analysis that 1 of 3 McCain ads are negative, while ~1 in 10 of Obama's are.

How has the media coverage been on TV? From the Times, Washington Post, NPR and a few other media pieces today, it sounds like this is backfiring.