McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

banko — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:30:53 GMT

McCain the Straight Talk Express Re-Writes on Social Security.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/12/204230/248/931/535022

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

yourjtk — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:32:25 GMT

yeah i have seen Mccains town hall meeting and they are nothing interesting. Maybe mccain can throw in a green back somewhere to keep everyone awake.

What about the Asian Americans.
Candidates on equal pay.
McCain Getting Special treatment
DNC Should be more like RNC
Most unattractive states during the primary

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Steve, Boise, ID — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:34:23 GMT

This is just like the Bush meetings with hand picked crowds. McSame is going to be ripped apart in any real head-to-head meeting, whether town-hall style or debate.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Pete - Albany, NY — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:35:33 GMT

The GOP should be ashamed of themselves for letting Uncle Fluffy's campaign pull off the travesty of a mockery of a sham that was the Town Hall last night.

...they won't be, but they should be.

How nice of FOX Noise to play along and then provide the public with the "stunning revelation" that the audience was not comprised of Democrats, Republicans and Independents but instead an invitation-only gathering of Uncle Fluffy's supporters. Gotcha!

"I reported at the top of this hour that the campaign had told us at Fox News that the audience would be made up of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. We have now received a clarification from the campaign and I feel I should pass it along to you. The McCain campaign distributed tickets to supporters, Mayor Bloomberg, who of course is a registered Republican, and other independent groups."
-Shepard Smith, FOX News

Uh, that's not a clarification. That's a correction.

Howard Dean issued the following statement...

"Once again John McCain's campaign is trying to mislead the American people. Senator McCain should understand that after seven years of a President who has divided Americans and pursued a scorched earth policy full of misleading propaganda campaigns, we need a leader who understands he is the President for all Americans not just his supporters. Copying the Bush campaign model of stacking events with his prescreened supporters is not the transparency Americans are looking for. If that is Senator McCain's idea of straight talk, the American people are in for a long and disappointing campaign season."

--------------------------------------------------

Disgruntled Clinton supporters, don't forget to sign your "Ex-Hillary Fans For McCain" Pledge...

http://www.katiehalper.com/sign-quotexhillary-fans-mccainquot-pledge

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Sherri Charleston WV — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:38:04 GMT

Kumbaya ya'll. Now can we graduate from Bible School and get to some real issues? Does anyone not realize the pit we are in due to tax cuts? The VERY uber rich with names like Hilton and Murdoch enjoy all their tidy loopholes while the middle class struggle to buy milk and gas. Did anyone see the NYT article by Larry Rohter today? Obama's tax plan features a tax cut of $1042 yearly for those making btween 37500 and 66300. Under McCain's plan that same income group would receive $319......those making 2.8 mil would bear his greatest benefit. Nuff said. OBAMA POTUS 08

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

MetryJen — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:38:24 GMT

I can't WAIT to see the first town hall talks and debates. McCain doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Richard, Chicago — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:38:25 GMT

Thank you John McCain for revealing that your suggestion for a town hall meeting is a joke. That town hall meeting that Faux Fox News showed last night was laughable. Fox admitted that the room was filled with mostly republicans and independents who favor McCain.

I don't see Obama doing any with McCain now so stick with the traditional forums with moderators.

Obama 08

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Al in LA, CA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:44:23 GMT

I say if RNC goes after Michelle Obama, then Obama has carte blanche to go negative too. He should announce it & see McCain's response.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Terry, IN — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:48:36 GMT

Non-Partisan Tax Center: McCain Plan Aids Wealthy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/12/non-partisan-tax-center-m_n_106765.html

McCain Supporter Fiorina Deserves The Same Scrutiny As Obama Veep Vetter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-supporter-fiorina_n_106561.html

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:51:59 GMT

Just more repugnant ones stagecraft of picking their crowds to protect the temper tantrum geezer from showing his anger when challenged.

Just more of the same old tired lies of the repugnant ones that Democrats always raise taxes on everybody while the repugnant ones offer tax cuts for the rich and greedy that do nothing but jack up the national debt. Time for the repugnant ones to suffer at the polls for their irresponsible financial handling over the past 30 years.

The tax cuts of the repugnant ones have bankrupted Social Security. If they are allowed to continue their wicked financial ways then our country will soon become a third world debtor nation.

Go Obama 08/12!

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

donna — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:53:35 GMT

I imagine McCain did need some hugs, and love after the pummeling he's gotten the past couple of days.

That town hall proposal makes me nervous. I don't want to see Senator McCain lose his cool. As much as I want Obama in the oval office come January 20th, I'm worried McCain might embarrass himself.

I think a small number of Hillary's supporters who endorsed her as the Great Female Hope, or something darker, (a vote against Obama due to racism), might cast their ballot out of vindictivness, or bigotry for McCain, but I don't think their numbers will be significant.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Diane from Illinois — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:54:51 GMT

McCain prefers town hall meeting when his audience (of what? 30 people??) can be hand-picked to throw flowering compliments his way. Did you see the video of him holding the microphone UPSIDE down and trying to talk into it? It's hysterical. Then he tried to play it off like it was a joke. The joke's on you, John. People don't want a tired, old, worn-down politician running the country. We are looking for something NEW and that certainly isn't McFossil.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Seattle WA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:07:54 GMT

Why would any woman in her right mind vote for McCain. He does not care about women's issues. Do we want to think about Roe vs. Wade?? No more conservatives on the supreme court, please !!! I feel sorry for Cindy-she has the look of an abused woman, afraid she may "set him off". He has that old white man's attitude about women and we certainly don't need to be set back 30 years!!!

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

The REAL Truth, Seattle, WA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:08:56 GMT

I am so PROUD of the intelligence I see from 90% of the Americans I see posting on MSNBC - they are no longer buying the lies and corruption of the Republican party who represent the rich. How long have stupid Americans fallen for the Republican fear tactics and BS..?

Glad to see our l-o-n-g national mightmare is almost over. God bless you all.., and God Bless America.

Obama '08

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

MI Chick — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:14:38 GMT

GAG.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

L - MI — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:16:18 GMT

I thought Bloomberg was an Independent now - no?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

chris, tampa, fl — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:36:05 GMT

grand pa is doing his best, cut him some slack people, he was a POW

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Elizabeth — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:42:29 GMT

"RNC Chair Mike Duncan said the party would make an issue out of Obama's relationship with people like ex-domestic terrorist William Ayers." --- Huh? If they do, they will be truly MAKING (up) the issue. All I've ever heard was that Obama was introduced to local Dems by the woman he would be replacing in the State Senate at a series of small house parties, one of which was held in Ayers' home ---- that Ayers contributed some smallish sum ($200?) to one of Obama's State Senate campaigns -- and that Obama and Ayres both served on one, possibly two, Boards of Directors at the same time. Is there more? If not, then there's nothing. Better to NOT make any issue of it, because that would show how very little negative they have on Obama. (How about perhaps instead the GOP make an issue out of the, in their view, advantages and benefits of their policy positions? --------- On the other topic, I've seen McCain in a town hall in NH (without the audience being stacked) and he is very, very good. I've only seen Obama in town halls on C-SPAN, but he is very good also. I think it would be a wonderful thing for America to have these two very decent and intelligent men debating the issues in such a setting. (I'm an Obama supporter 100%, but see no need to demonize John McCain. It's even more impressive to know that Obama is the better of two *good* candidates.)

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Frank Charleston, SC — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:45:23 GMT

Faux News reminds of watching "wrestling " on Saturday afternoon TV. I could not believe people actually bought into wrestling - as it was easy for me to see how fake it was - but it did prove to me that some folks are so stupid they will believe anything they see on TV.

Faux News = wrestling

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Fake as a 3 dollar bill — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:46:12 GMT

Isn't this the same trick that FEMA did with the mock press conference? What are the republicans thinking?
Will he also have his cabinet filled with yes-men?

He could atleast attempt to let me know how he would deal with people that are not already on his bangwagon.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

WILLIS, TX — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:48:45 GMT

MCBUSH IS A "JOKE"! HE IS EITHER A LIAR OR SENILE! I BELIEVE SENILE IS MOST APPROPRIATE.

WHY WOULD WE NEED A LEADER WHO (1) DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT, (2) DOUBLE TALKS AND SAYS WE KNOW WHAT HE MEANS WHEN HE SAYS STUPID THINGS, (3) HAS NEVER LED MILITARY TROOPS, (4) HAS NEVER FORMULATED A POLICY, (5) VOTED AGAINST OUR TROOPS, (6) VOTED AGAINST WOMEN INITIATIVES INCLUDING HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN, ETC.

HE WANTS TO TAKE US BACK TO THE 19TH CENTURY -- YOU CAN'T BE A VISIONARY WHEN YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING BACK! HE IS NO VISIONARY!

ALL THE COUNTRIES KNOW THIS -- ARE THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING MCBUSH SLEEP WALKING? ARE THEIR EYES WIRED SHUT? I CAN UNDERSTAND THE MEN SUPPORTING HIM BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE "KING" IN THE NEW MCBUSH WORLD, BUT WHY WOULD ANY WOMAN?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

rj — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:55:04 GMT

McCain the CENTURION Candidate still supports the war after all its said that it was a propaganda of Bush. If anyone asks about it the response is you havn't served in Military. A vote for McCain is for LESS JOBS MORE WARS..

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Cryos, Minneapolis, Minnesota — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:55:53 GMT

First of all I love how Obama supporters are trying to link posts from the Daily Kos and Huffington Post as evidence of their positions. That's just like a conservative trying to convince you about Obama by linking a Fox article.

A note to a lot of liberals. Do you notice you have become exactly what you claim you despise about republicans? Liberals are now the bastion of censorship and intolerance. For example I bet I get a ton of responses to this post that I'm a "right wing, racist, blah blah blah". Liberal intolerance is no better than conservative intolerance. Idealist eutopia is not a good reason just as god is not a good reason for conservatives. Everyone has a right to their opinion so learn to agree to disagree.

The attacks against McCain about being McSame are pretty amusing. He has voted differently than Bush on several different issues but apparently being different means he would have to be a left wing tool. The "change" and "unity" candidate votes party line 97%+ of the time which totally discredits his notions of change and unity.

As a moderate I get the "pleasure" of seeing the left and right wing spin without agreeing with either. The left is no better or different than the right. I don't like McCain or Obama and there is no other choice unfortunately. Due to the posts up to this point I bet the responses to this post will prove a lot of my points and make my smile.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

BJ, CA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:57:06 GMT

Another McShame Blunder...

Old McCainy had a staff E I E I OH!
And in this staff he had some crooks, E I E I OH..
With a crook crook here and crook crook there, here crook there a crook everywhere a crook crook...
Old McCainy had a staff E I E I OOOOOOOOH!

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

jackieblu Seattle WA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:07:08 GMT

As if Obama's going to fall for McCBushes fake Town Meetings! Hand picked, pre-arranged Q & A's, hire those 30 guys from labor ready again. Don't forget the flag pins, no fist pounds, or high fives - just to be safe! Oh & Fox will be perfect... What happened, Fox was fair & balanced by mistake, it won't happen again!

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Dan, Cedar Rapids, IA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:08:00 GMT

Obama lies with every breath he takes... i for one don't want higher taxes, forced "worse" health care, continued support of destroying human life... we don't need a good speech giver, If Obama was the only canidate i would not vote for him...

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Jason, New York, NY — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:10:32 GMT

Will McCain veto every single beer?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

R.Merrell — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:12:57 GMT

Why is it Republicans love these stacked deck "town hall" lovefests? Like GW Bush, McCain (and he is no different from Bush in any way) obviously feels very uncomfortable around people who might ask hard questions, who don't swoon over his every utterance. These guys really do hate democracy and the give and take that goes along with it. They prefer their handler created bubbles where everyone says exactly what they want to hear. What a sham.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Chad, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:19:21 GMT

Bottom line, McCain has earned his shot at being President. He is indeed an American hero, a patriot whose love of country is beyond reproach. His years of military and Congressional service speak for him. He is a leader who has stood by his core beliefs even when those beliefs differed from the party line......

What has Obama done lately?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Sherry Wilks Hobbs,NM — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:23:24 GMT

We have a choice this year America. We can put an end to the kind of politics that divides our country and causes other-wise decent people to behave in disturbing ways. can we once and for all close the book on the childish tactics that got George Bush elected twice. John McCain is using the same strategy and he does it because they say "It Works" I challenge the voters in this country to stand up and say "No More". The stakes truly are too high for us to let McCain continue the failed policies of Goerge Bush.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Ted Cazel — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:26:45 GMT

Lets me see if I have this correctly:
Stack the audience so you will only hear what you want to hear
Stack the deck for big banks like UBS with the help of Phil Gramm to create not the government that governs best governs least but financial anarchy.
Stacking the deck against the housing industry
Stacking the deck against the consumer in fuel and food prices
Stacking the deck in favor of the big oil companies
Stacking the deck against alternate energy programs
Stacking the deck in-favor of big insurance so they won’t have to make payouts
Stacking the deck against any real change because of his ties to lobbyists
As things stack up I won’t be voting Republican after 44 years
In fact I intend to stack up my friends in favor of Mr. Obama.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Brahmin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:28:20 GMT

Take away Obama's teleprompter and script and what do you get..."Let's see, I've been in 57 states so far, and have a couple more to go...he needs a breathalyzer for his asthma. Wait, I don't mean breathalyzer, I mean an Inhale-a -lator, don't I ? Wait, I can't hear myself...ym, um, a - a -a- wait, wait. Hey I've haven't had a lot of sleep lately" Rezko, Ayers, Wright, Opportunist. Rookie, and never will be the MVP of the DNC. Pedestrian political hack.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:37:20 GMT

Some people can ad lib while others can't. If they are packing these "town halls" with their supporters, how is this really representative of those that are in that area? What policies is the McCain campaign noting that should bring former Clinton supporters to him rather than Obama? What are they?

Bloomberg did change his party affliation from Republican to Independant. He isn't a Republican any more.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Robert N.Y. — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:43:41 GMT

Trust me McCain is no hero,the hero's are the one's buried under the cross's scattered across the world they are the true hero's others like McCain and Bob Dole they just try to cash in on it ...

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Steve A Jonesboro IN — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:58:04 GMT

I wonder how much people attending his "town hall" meeting get paid? Do they get a bonus if they stay awake through the entire charade?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Andrew Dzeguze, Springfield, Illinois — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:06:31 GMT

Of course Carly Fiorina supports McCain - she was into illegal wiretaps and surveillance long before he was! If Jim Johnson taking a legal but preferred loan from Countrywide is grounds for public shaming, what should the punishment be for all but destroying one of the oldest brands in US technology, spying on your own board of directors when things get tough and getting bought out for millions of dollars when your misconduct finally comes to light?

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

ben — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:18:12 GMT

Grand pa' is bored and is looking for someone to talk. Sorry Bro', Obama got no time. Agenda is full mannnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

medlog, richmond vt — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:18:15 GMT

It's funny to see both sides go back and forth and blame each other for the deficit and how things like Mccains temper come up. Being an Independent I can step back and see the big picture without voting for one side that seems less evil than the other.

Based on the issues and on what has been actually said i would have to edge my vote to Mccain. I hear alot of eloquent speech from Obama but after breaking it down he isn't really saying anything new and today doing my own reading found a contradiction in his stance.

If he wants my vote he better not just talk well on stage but actually say something because many of us are hearing ...not just listening

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

AM — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:30:44 GMT

hmm. These posts are interesting. You all slam mccain for actually discussing the issues. You all call it boring??? At least he is addressing the issues and being specific. I would rather have a president that interacts with the everyday people of this country, than some blatantly vague candidate like bomama who is scared of mccain at these types of debates. Bomama would rather stand behind a podium and just keep repeating the word change over and over again. I saw the town hall meeting on foxnews last night and I was quite impressed. Seeing a candidate address the issues like he did is exactly the type of president we need. Not some one who spouts off rhetoric. It would be nice to see more of these on tv. I just don't understand why msnbc is so fascinated by bomama and so jealous of foxnews. I believe foxnews was the only station who exposed Andrea Kramer's on air elitist 'redneck' comments. Talk about someone who ought to be fired. I wonder what would have happened if she said the n word??? msnbc is becoming the infatuators of the liberal DNC and bomama (I think mika gets turned on talking about him...yeck!!!)...same thing they accuse foxnews of being towards the republicans.

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

News Corpse — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:34:04 GMT

Setting aside for the moment McCain's deliberate attempt to mislead the public, it is also pretty revealing that McCain felt it necessary to MISLEAD FOX NEWS - the propaganda arm of the Republican Party - in order to pull off this charade of a town hall. If he will lie to Fox, just imagine the lengths to which he would go to deceive a network that he did NOT regard as friendly. So I say...

John McCain -NOPE
http://www.crasscommerce.com/product_info.php?products_id=390

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Daniel Phelan — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:36:22 GMT

Republican = propaganda

McCain: You know, it's stagecraft...

Heather, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:37:49 GMT

I wonder if McCain dropped the C-bomb when he introduced the ladies? Or, being the straight-talking maverick he is, just called them a couple of bitter broads that need to know their places.