McCain call spurs other questions

CR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:55:43 GMT

What is with the McCain and GOP double standard... they are allowed to do anything as long as it lives up to the, "America will win wars," bluster. Colonial empires fall. Get a clue GOP.

McCain call spurs other questions

Abe MI — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:57:19 GMT

Obama/Biden 2008!

McCain call spurs other questions

subgruvet, ok — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:57:32 GMT

MCCain is a threat to the security of the United States and the economic well being of the people. He is a careless old elitist who knows nothing of the needs of average citizens. He may be well meaning but he's intellectually deficient, tempermentally unfit and just too old physically. Vote Obama because he's the right man for presidency at this time in our history.

McCain call spurs other questions

lol — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:57:34 GMT

lol, they never answer the questions but they do know how to play the POW card to silence the reporters

McCain call spurs other questions

FL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:58:57 GMT

Do as I say not as I do. These two are pathetic Cowards.

McCain call spurs other questions

Relle Boston — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:59:27 GMT

The republicans lie allot and it is sad that the media for Mccains lies still are in love with him his service. The man left his disbled wife and you guys give him a free pass. Please start putting pressure on them to tell teh truth.

McCain call spurs other questions

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:59:55 GMT

Miss you guys; I am swamped - but CA Tuscaloosa - you GO! and Mark Seattle - excellent post yesterday -
Good to see you're back with strength Donna!

McCain call spurs other questions

Tampa — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:00:17 GMT

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

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

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/MccainNationalAd.wmv

POW's Don't won't McCain. Maybe you should try covering some of this and do some real journalism.

McCain call spurs other questions

Vote smart and vote for Obama — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:01:03 GMT

With McCain at the helm we will never be safe. The guy is completely NUTS!! He loves wars - that seems to be when he is most comfortable when there is a war. He wants to reinstitute the draft. I have 2 young sons and I will not have them going to war for Republican's phony wars that are started only to make money for them and their greedy friends.

If you want to be safe then vote for the guy who doesn't want to have wars - that is OBAMA!!

McCain call spurs other questions

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:01:12 GMT

C'mon First Read. I expect your reporting to be more accurate. The AP has already shown Rudy Giuliani to be a liar. Bracewell & Giuliani has indeed represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Are we going to cover that up and say that it must be some other Rudolph Giuliani's firm that lobbies for the Saudis? I'm disgusted by the number of times that the NBC/MSNBC networks have allowed Rudy Giuliani to tell lies that are so easily exposed.

McCain call spurs other questions

KA, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:03:42 GMT

Guiliani as well as Scheunemann have no credibility. Why on earth is anyone listening to either. Guiliani totally avoided answering the question on Pro-Choice. He's just a piece!

McCain call spurs other questions

Capt. smash, Salt Lake City, Utah — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:04:41 GMT

McCain has questions like:

This was no-mistake remember McWar said a few weeks ago he wants to send more cigarettes to Iran to kill them all. McWar really said that people.

Mean-while back at McWar’s Iranian death camp, McWar pushes his final solution for all Persians and Iranians.

The Mc Pol Pot Regime has a new plan for Iran
McWar now wants to commit genocide on all Iranians and Persians. His new plan includes nicotine gas chambers and giant potash plants for there burned up bodies.

This man does not care about human life at all. Just his family fortune and his wealthy lobbyist friends

McCain call spurs other questions

Doreen, Chicago — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:05:44 GMT

it would be really nice for Kelly to wake the heck up and stop mooning over "war hero", hot head, trigger happy, still fighting the Vietnam war, adulterer, liar, thief,technologically inept, hesitant to talk about being a POW (while he talks about it endlessly) Grandpa McComplain.

Challenge him!!

McCain call spurs other questions

fortuna, Houston, TX — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:06:18 GMT

"Then the he began to ask about Scheunemann’s extensive lobbying involvement with the country of Georgia when he was abruptly disconnected."

The guy asking tough questions about McCain's conflict of interest in a very serious situation, gets abruptly disconnected. Hmmm, wonder how that happened. Jeez, these guys are a bunch of crooks and liars.

McCain call spurs other questions

LJ — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:06:24 GMT

Sounds like a Clinton circular firing squad to me. Everyone's probably full of holes by now. McCain lost this one I think, the McCain attackers seem to have been attacked. They have to be very dazed and confused after that little exchange.

McCain call spurs other questions

nisl — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:06:24 GMT

It's Okay If You are Republican: IOKIYAR

I just love it when Republicans blame Democrats for things they are 100 times more guilty of. It's too funny.

And how absolutely stupid is McCain to have Rudy and Scheunmann make the case on this? If there people more guilty of lobbying abuse than these two rascals they certainly aren't working for the Obama campaign.

McCain call spurs other questions

Pete - Albany, NY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:07:11 GMT

We'd like to welcome the McCain campaign to "What It Might Be Like To Be President"!

You're going to get tough questions.

What...are you really going to be throwing members of the White House Press Corps out of the briefing room of they ask a question you don't like?

McCain call spurs other questions

donna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:07:21 GMT

On a conference call intended to discuss recent reports that a foreign policy advisor for the Obama campaign met with Syria’s foreign minister last month in Damascus, McCain senior foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann and Rudy Giuliani were instead peppered with questions about their personal histories and McCain’s VP selection process.

-First Read

*******************

Good. It is great when the neocons loose control of their 'smearing' narrative.

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jbentley, Chicago, IL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:09:01 GMT

"Experience" brought us Rumsfeld, Cheney & the rest of the disastrous Bush foreign policy team.

McCain call spurs other questions

Matthew — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:10:02 GMT

Ghoul-iani SHUT THE HELL UP! 3,000 of my fellow NY'ers had to die to catapult your sorry A#$$ to riches and fame as 'security expert'!!! And you consistently DELAYED a bill that would have allowed the cops and firefighters to talk to each other in emergencies! You arrogantly placed the command center at the WTC when you could have had in in Brooklyn UNDERGROUND, which further contributed to the chaos of that day!!! So PUH-LEEEEZZE do us a favor go away!!!

McCain call spurs other questions

donna — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:10:33 GMT

"Then the he began to ask about Scheunemann’s extensive lobbying involvement with the country of Georgia when he was abruptly disconnected".
FIRST READ

Talk about a running away coward.

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Better Then Average — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:11:38 GMT

This is way too complicated, liberals will never understand it. Make it simple, like "McCain is like Bush". That, they get.

McCain call spurs other questions

Houston — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:12:47 GMT

Here's something else that will make McNasty's flunkies slam down the phone if questioned: It turns out that McCain's campaign staff also has lobbyists that worked for Russia. You know, the "bad guys" as well as the "Good Guys" in Georgia. McNasty has all his bases covered. With lobbyists.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/20/what-about-the-russia-lob_n_120123.html

McCain call spurs other questions

grace, san jose, california — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:14:49 GMT

Giuliani said that the most important factor in the VP decision is “a person that would allow us to sleep at night knowing that we had selected someone who could immediately be president of the United States."

from the horse's mouth............mccain way tooo old! would not survive 4 years if elected (in his dreams)

McCain call spurs other questions

john,portland,or — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:16:39 GMT

Just how thick do you think McCains KGB file is. They have a psych profile on him based on direct observation and manipulation. Putin and anyone he decides t share it with will be able to play McCain like an Xbox.

McCain call spurs other questions

Beverly in Chicago — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:16:44 GMT

How appropriately these crooks are victim to the laws of retribution and public scrutiny! What goes around comes back around. While the media is at it let’s talk about McCain’s envoys LIE-berman and Sch and the Logan Act.
Keep educating people about that gory man and his crooked associates.
Nobody but Obama

McCain call spurs other questions

Candi California — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:16:51 GMT

It is about time the media push back on the McCain B.S. . However it is sad and should be an embarrasment that it was not the mainstream media that had the guts.

McCain call spurs other questions

McShame, Houston TX — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:18:04 GMT

Report on this and stop giving McShame a free ride!!!!

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html

McCain call spurs other questions

Andrew Dzeguze, Springfield, Illinois — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:18:10 GMT

The ABA, for those who don't know, has a number of outreach programs around the world. They have been essential in promoting the rule of law (rather than dictatorship or military force) in places like the former Soviet Republics and South America. They also have a project pushing for international recognition of genocide in Darfur. Those efforts often require interaction with less than savory characters, as does all diplomacy. I would hope that people would see the need for engagement with despotic nations like Syria if we ever want to enhance respect for the rule of law. What's the alternative - a world full of hateful, isolated rogue governments united only in their resentment of the US? Sounds like just what Putin, Chavez, Castro, Mugabe and Kim Jong Il would want.

McCain call spurs other questions

Brian, Vallejo, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:19:52 GMT

Nothing Guiliani says is the truth. He lies about everything, and the press in New York (what a surprise) give him a free pass. Well, what do you expect from the Barbaque Media. You've never posted me here, and this would be a first.

McCain call spurs other questions

iowan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:23:18 GMT

McCain/Spitzer '08--the All-Ethics Team

McCain call spurs other questions

TR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:26:02 GMT

What about this you tube of a town hall today where a woman suggest we needed to ring back the DRAFT in order to catch Bin Ladin and McCain agreed....to me this is HUGE and all college kids need to know he has confirmed he will bring back the DRAFT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRMFwXGBMfI&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/20/154212/708/283/571281

McCain is a dangerous man.......VERY DANGEROUS

McCain call spurs other questions

B, TX — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:26:27 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

Look over this site and view the videos. I guarantee nobody will vote for McCain after seeing how much the military in this country despise McCain and all he stands for.

McCain call spurs other questions

Aaron, Edmond — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:28:54 GMT

I wish I could have been there. I imagine it went something like this:
GOP: Blah blah blah...Obama inexperienced...blah blah...talking to Syria...blah blah...Now for Questions.

Reporter: (Exposing double standard with Scheunemann and Georgia and Giuliani and Citgo (Venezeula))

GOP: Quick cut him off! Phew...let's hope no one else heard that...

Too funny...

McCain call spurs other questions

MelDel — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:31:59 GMT

I don't get McCain's point - so - Obama has someone on his campaign, advising him on foreign policy, who has actually been to other countries (I'm certain he's been places other than Syria) and ...GASP...is an expert in the area of foreign policy. NO! How terrible!

McCain's adviser was quite correct - there is a vast difference b/t being PAID to LOBBY for the interests of a foreign country and traveling to a foreign country as a part of a group representing an American organization. Yeah - there is a big difference - but it does not break in McCain's favor.

Come ON! How is this race even CLOSE?!!! Frustrating.

McCain call spurs other questions

Matt, Las Vegas, NV — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:35:18 GMT

Guiliani has ZERO credibility. Scheunemann’s credibility is abosolutely in the negative. How can the McCain camp continue to prop these guys up to protect them, and no one questions it?

Do some research on who Guiliani has represented since his term as Mayor of NYC ended, and you will see this is all pure horse crap. Scheunemann’s well documented exploits don't change the fact that he SHOULD be considered poison to McCain's campaign, but he isn't because the press doesn't call them on it.

Pathetic.

McCain call spurs other questions

Bob Buck, Findlay Ohio — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:36:11 GMT

So when is McCain going to get rid of THIS lobbyist? Can't he find a single person who isn't in bed with a foreign entanglement or illegal scheme?

I guess not.

McCain call spurs other questions

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:37:41 GMT

McCain's response today to a statement during a Q&A that the draft needs to be re-enacted in order to hunt down Bin Laden:

"I don't disagree with anything you just said"
------------------------------------------------------
McCain needs more soldiers to back up all of his bluster. Where will they come from?

McCain call spurs other questions

James J. Grady, Colchester Ct. — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:39:45 GMT

Giuliani is right. A vice President must be someone that can take the lead if the president cannot.

As America learns more and more about Obama, the level of distrust just grows.

Time is against Obama, he ought to Name a V. P., while he can still find a "heavyweight" who may be of help.

Looks like most Dems, who are looking for a future in the Party are looking for ways to say "No thank you", without being labeled a racist.

Tough hurdle, since anyone who disagrees, on any issue, is in danger of being branded by the Axlerod/Pluoffe Media manipulation team.

Giuliani is merely stating the obvious. Time is going against Obama, his mistakes are being magnified, and the attitude is becoming..."We could have had Hillary"

Voter remorse is setting in......How do you combat an idea?

McCain call spurs other questions

New Independent — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:40:19 GMT

It's about time someone is out there supporting Obama! And they are fighting back! GREAT! I have wondered where the democratic party has gone to these past couple of months. The only democrats we ever heard from were the Clintons and they were no help!

McCain call spurs other questions

JP Milton, Boston, MA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:40:27 GMT

Did McCain get a lifetime pass on boorish behavior for his noble service half a century ago? How long can someone live off their past accomplishments? Investment decisions get made on the prospects for future performance, not performance.

McCain call spurs other questions

Donna, Lincroft, NJ — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:40:46 GMT

So, why, exactly, IS Obama sending his advisors covertly to meet with Syria? Seems that the media, in this instance, is more interested in asking 'gotcha' questions of McCain supporters than asking the Obama campaign that question.

McCain call spurs other questions

John Alexander,PA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:43:42 GMT

These guys are tied to the people who are causing all the trouble, how can we let them protect our interests when they and their clients have other interests.
American leaders must look to our interest, the republicans see our interests as their clients interests and then play the game both ways, we clean up any messes and the clients take home billions.
No more, no more, no more, we don't owe this party anything except our animosity. They have sold us down the river for a bigger house and money to run the next election.
Send them home america, they need the rest.
They will need all their energy to blame the next president for the problems they created.
Politics is hard work.

McCain call spurs other questions

Nj — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:44:00 GMT

Rudy 911 is a JERK...

WHEN WILL OBAMA MAKE HIS VP CALL!!!!!!!!!

HELLO OBAMA. THE GOP IS SLOWLY MAKING THIS ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY AND YOU ARE ASLEEP

McCain call spurs other questions

MORE LIES — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:46:53 GMT

The latest embellishments come from the McCain camp. Cindy McCain has repeatedly referred to herself as an “only child.” This week came news that she actually has two half sisters, although apparently she had very little contact with them.

The McCain campaign had also put out the story that Mother Teresa “convinced” Cindy to bring home two orphans from Bangladesh in 1991.

Mrs. McCain, it turns out, never met Mother Teresa on that trip. (Once contacted by the Monitor, the campaign revised the story on its website.)

Such exaggerations may simply be the product of a faulty memory or a desire to be “better” than one is in a political culture that requires larger-than-life idols. But with the advent of the fact-checking obsessed blogosphere – and a media racing to keep up – such self-aggrandizement doesn’t last as long as it once did.

“It’s all about myth-making,” says Darrell West, the director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington. “Politicians love to turn their stories into great epics, and sometimes they have to embellish to smooth out the story line.”

“But now there are too many professional and amateur fact-checkers,” he says. “And there are hundreds if not thousands of bloggers who have detailed knowledge on specialized information, so you really can’t get away with stretching the truth anymore.”

The story about Mother Teresa “convincing” Mrs. McCain to bring home two children from an orphanage in Bangladesh has been retold many times. Initially, the “About Cindy McCain” page on the McCain campaign website read: “Mother Teresa convinced Cindy to take two babies in need of medical attention to the United States. One of those babies is now their adopted daughter, 16-year-old Bridget McCain.”

The media picked up the theme. A story earlier this year on ABC’s “Good Morning America” stated, “With Mother Teresa’s encouragement she brought her fourth child, Bridget, home.” An April 2008 Wall Street Journal profile states that Mother Teresa “implored” Cindy to bring the girls to the United States. Other articles say Cindy did it “at the behest” of Mother Teresa.

But a source who was with McCain on that 1991 trip, and who asked that his name not be used because of prior legal dealings with the McCain family, says that Mother Teresa was not at the orphanage when Cindy decided to bring the two girls home.

A 1991 article in the Arizona Star at the time of the adoption only mentions that the children were from an orphanage that was started by Mother Teresa. It does not mention a meeting with Mother Teresa or her asking McCain to bring the girls to the US.

According to biographies of Mother Teresa, in 1991 she was in Mexico where she developed medical problems. From there, she went to a hospital in La Jolla, Calif.

A McCain source acknowledged that Cindy McCain did not meet Mother Teresa during the 1991 trip to Bangladesh but said McCain did meet her later on, although the source could not say when or where. The campaign has since reworded the reference to the adoption on its website.

In another instance, McCain told the Chicago Tribune earlier this year that on one of her medical missions to Vietnam she was in “the very hospital – and in the very room – where her husband was brought after being shot down and then beaten by a mob during the war.”

A 1992 Washington Times story recounts a different version: “Mrs. McCain asked to see the operating room and her husband’s cell, but was turned down. She took the rejection philosophically. ‘It’s 27 years later. Let’s go on,’ Mrs. McCain said.”

The McCain campaign again declined to comment on the discrepancy.

On background, a source close to Mrs. McCain confirmed that she was denied entry. But, the source added: “At some point thereafter, she toured the hospital and did coincidentally end up in the senator’s room.”

“Everybody tells white lies, but in the political world it’s a little different because it raises the question that if people lie about little things, are they also going to lie about big stuff that really matters?” says Mr. West.

Misremembering and stretching the truth is without doubt a bipartisan phenomenon. Twenty years ago, Sen. Joe Biden (D) of Delaware’s presidential campaign faltered when it was learned that he had lifted passages from a speech by then-British Labor Party leader Neil Kinnock and that he’d also said he’d done better in law school than he actually had.

Earlier this year, Barack Obama’s campaign admitted that he overstated his father’s connection to the Kennedy family.

In speeches, Obama had said the Kennedy family provided funding for the 1959 airlift that brought his father from Kenya to the United States for an education. But according to research done by The Washington Post, the Kennedy clan didn’t contribute to the airlift efforts until 1960, a year after his father was already studying in Hawaii. When The Washington Post brought the discrepancy to the attention of the Obama campaign it readily acknowledged there was a mistake.

“You always have to look for a pattern,” says political analyst Larry Sabato, at the University of Virginia. “If it happens once, you can say it’s a memory problem, but if there’s a pattern there, there’s a problem.”

McCain call spurs other questions

mad in Madtown — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:46:58 GMT

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/MccainNationalAd.wmv

POW's Don't won't McCain. Maybe you should try covering some of this and do some real journalism.

Tampa (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 5:00 PM)

Tampa: This site is awesome. One of the best. All should take a peek.

McCain call spurs other questions

Spicegirl MD — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:47:12 GMT

This article is the perfect example of how dirty the Republican Party can be. They are not only playing dirty throwing mud but are doing so covered in slime! They need to take the beam out of their own eye before trying to take the mote from Obama’s. Thank you NBC, I am rapidly losing my respect for Associated Press. Their reporting have become so blatantly flawed it is sending their credibility down the drain big time.

Obama you are from the south side of Chicago so use your clout! Do not let these money grabbing interlocking corrupt chain of politicians get the upper hand. If they come with a knife then bring a gun. Stay on the high road and take them out! Send that old fart McCain to his rocking chair.

McCain call spurs other questions

camie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:47:13 GMT

Video: McCain Agrees With A Draft
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/video-mccain-agrees-with-a-draft/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.htm

McCain call spurs other questions

KJ, CR, IA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:50:06 GMT

Giuliani - proven liar. 58% of his statistics are made up.

Scheunemann - once a lobbyist, always a lobbyist. We know where your loyalties remain. People don't just throw such well-buttered bread away.

The polls and the imbalanced media treatment are all just being manufactured in order to create the illusion of a tight race so they can get viewers and sell ad time. I can't wait until the debates and election. Obama will emerge head and shoulders above McCain, both literally and figuratively.

Obama '08

McCain call spurs other questions

Peter, San Francisco, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:51:14 GMT

The Obama campaign should be hitting this one every single day. McCain has surrounded himself with people who have shady pasts. They people should be called out on what they have done, and what it means that the candidate puts these sort of people in positions of power. The company you keep? Thats swings both ways, Senator McCain.

McCain call spurs other questions

matt — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:51:55 GMT

I think Scheunemann has become just too much of a liability with his connections to Georgia and his overall lobbying record. McCain can easily jettison him with no trouble now that he's the frontrunner and get rid of the potential headache it would cause down the stretch.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

McCain call spurs other questions

McCain, member of the keating 5 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:52:49 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

that will be the funniest line up on TV!!!

McCain call spurs other questions

Coolbreeze Hussein, Okla. — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:55:07 GMT

Even thought I don't like the idea, I guess it is time for the Obama campaign to start playing the same game the the Republicans are playing. We need to win back the White House and put our government back in the hands of "We The People".

Go BO

McCain call spurs other questions

MIKE SULLIVAN, SILVER SPRING, MD — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:57:17 GMT

AT LEAST THE MEDIA IS STARTING TO ASK THERE BELOVED MCSAME SOME TOUGH QUSTIONS/ COULD THE LOVE AFFAIR BE OVER?

McCain call spurs other questions

VC Joe — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:58:38 GMT

McCain is warmonger!

He not participate in Vietnam war. He sat on sideline and got caned on head and neck.

Plus he eat bamboo shute for 5 year.

McCain call spurs other questions

ARC, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:58:52 GMT

Funny how the GOP all criticize Obama for his lack of experience when Lincoln, probably the most revered Republican Presidents had just as little (if not less). It was nice of Giuliani to qualify his "least experienced" statement with "in the last 100 years. Typical political garbage.

I'll say this much, I can see for certain what McCain offers, and I don't want it. I believe I know what Obama offers and I would like to have that for our country. So while he may not have much of a record to run on (at least a political record), I'll take my chances with Obama. As the mantra of 2008 is , we need change.

McCain call spurs other questions

Lou R — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:06:47 GMT

It is absolutely amazing who John McCain has representing him. It seems ever one of them has a shady or questionable background. The country needs some fresh faces in DC who understand the concept of personal integrity.

McCain call spurs other questions

Rick, NC — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:09:50 GMT

So let me see if I'm following the mccain campaign line here....

It is ok for mccain to go to iraq and preen for the cameras (remember the helicopters protecting him in the "safe" marketplace)but obama can't...

It is ok for mccain to "dispatch" two of his toadies to georgia but another sitting senator called obama cannot...

It is ok for mccain to besmirch anothers patriotism but he expects us all to genuflect to his put up war hero status...

It is ok for rudy911 to be in charge of new york security on 911 (how did that work for you folks anyway?) and be advising mccain on "security"...

By the way...will all of you mccain supporters send your kids and grandkids to get killed or maimed in his wars? Just wondering

McCain call spurs other questions

jane doe — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:10:13 GMT

Mccain is a lying jerk! He drew Obama into that unheard of reverand from Calif. format! What a joke! McCain leads in no poll in America get over it GE! WE HATE HIM AND GEORGE BUSH! IF YOU BACK HIM WE WILL HATE YOU TOO!!!

McCain call spurs other questions

D. A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:10:29 GMT

When will the press start to cover McCain's customer service to the electorate (an elected position is nothing more that an customer service one)? What has McCain done to improve the lives of Native Americans? He has done nothing. The native people of this country don't have indoor plumbing or any utilities in their homes. He has served on the committee that deals with our Indian Nations for several years and his record is empty (casinos are not serving the tribal nations of America).

I have personal experience with his HORRIBLE customer service skills, he has NONE!

McCain call spurs other questions

Mark,Seattle — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:12:41 GMT

Anything to divert attention from your poor candidate, right Obama supporters. Don't look how much our candidate (Obama) stinks, we'll manufactor something so that you'll focus on the other guy.

Obama is just so transparent. He just looking sillier by the day.
Gina Thomas, Albany NY (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:49 PM)
******************************************************
WOW! That is the most prime example of the pot calling the kettle black I have ever heard. Who focuses all there energy on the other candidate? Who spends all there time calling Obama a celebrity? Comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? Was swiftboating invented by the Dems? You are the one supporting the party of Karl Rove and you say we are the ones who divert attention from policy discussions?
Just look at your post. It says it all. No knowledge. No factual evidence. Not a shred of truth. Just anger and finger pointing. I will ask you the same question I ask all of you right-wingers.
Why do you support McCain? Health care policy. Economic policy. National defense and international diplomacy. What is it about his senate voting record that attracts you to vote for him? All of us stupid liberal Obama supporters would love to know.

McCain call spurs other questions

Lee Bartholomew Cedar Falls, IA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:14:10 GMT

Don't trust McCain period. He's got an itchy finger on the trigger. He'd shoot innocent people if they were in the way. Oops sorry temper got me.

McCain call spurs other questions

Mk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:14:36 GMT

Anyone that trust RUDY BOY really has poor judgement.
Hmmmm....that must mean McCain's alleged good judgement resides only in his own mind.

McCain call spurs other questions

Eileen, Portland, Maine — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:15:51 GMT

I am very happy to hear that at least a couple of reporters where actually doing their job and asking a couple of involved questions instead of just taking stenography from the McCain campaign and reporting their distortions.

I'm not surprised that one reporter who was asking a very pertinent question was abruptly cut off. The Republicans have decided long ago that they owed nobody including the AMerican people any answers.
Unfortunately that reporter won't be invited to take part in any more conference calls by the McCain campaign.
He probably didn't understand the rules and thought he was going to be a reporter rather than the McCain Campaign's secretary.

McCain call spurs other questions

SAM, USA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:18:33 GMT

Ladies and Gentleman - at a McCain town hall meeting today the "D" word came up and he said he is open to that. DRAFT. He needs more of our families, friends, etc. to support Iraq war, Afghan. war, Pakistan war, Russian war and of course Iran war.

I refuse to send my sons to any of these wars. Time to move to Canada. DRAFT Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran. This man is war hungry - it's going to be so bad that so many of you will wish that Bush was back. America will no longer be the same if McCain becomes President. DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain call spurs other questions

Lori in Ne — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:22:39 GMT

Cindy McCained lied about meeting Mother Theresa. They never met. Ever.

Lies everywhere and the media thinks it's funny.

Too busy reporting the important stuff....

McCain call spurs other questions

FLORA, OH — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:23:55 GMT

GEORGIA ADMIT THEY INVADED FIRST SEE INTERVIEW

Georgia Wants U.S. to Restrain Russia

Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008 By VIVIENNE WALT: TIME
Five days after Georgian troops stormed into South Ossetia to reclaim control of the tiny breakaway territory, they were in retreat on Sunday after being battered by Russian forces. But the Russians have not confined themselves to pushing Georgian forces out of South Ossetia, and ongoing Russian attacks have hit close to the Georgian capital and along its coastline. Hundreds of South Ossetians are dead and thousands have fled their homes, some sheltering in decrepit schools with no electricity or water. Georgia is a close ally of the U.S. and has a large troop contingent in Iraq. Its government is hoping that President Bush and other Western leaders will lean on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to call off his troops. But that hope might be in vain, given the limits of Western leverage over Moscow, and the need for Russian cooperation on Iran. Georgia's Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili spoke to TIME about her country's calamitous week and what comes next:
TIME: Didn't you walk into Russia's trap? Russia provoked Georgia, and you responded, and then they launched an all-out attack. Was there no other way out here?

Tkeshelashvili: We have been forced into this situation. There was shelling of Georgian villages. We sent a special envoy. We tried to communicate that all we wanted was negotiations. Then when the Russian equipment and armed forces started moving into South Ossetia — at that point we had no other choice but to respond, otherwise we would have stood by idly watching people die on the ground.

TIME: Why is South Ossetia such a key contest for Russia and Georgia?

Tkeshelashvili: We feared that Russia would do everything possible to stop any prospect for the success of Georgia joining NATO. That is the ultimate goal that Russia had, and still has. We are a former Soviet country which is becoming fully independent and oriented to Western development. That challenges every notion of the Russian Federation, that their sphere of influence over former Soviet countries should be very firm. We are getting closer to Europe, closer to NATO. If we are successful, then other former Soviet countries will follow that path. It is not only Georgia that is concerned. It is much bigger.
TIME: So what can the United States and Europe do?
Tkeshelashvili: We are hopeful. Europe and the U.S. have extremely powerful leverage in persuading Russia that it has to stop its aggression in Georgia, and it has to find what conditions there are for genuine lasting, sustaining ceasefire and then security for this part of the Georgian state. The United Nations and United States has to stop Russian aggression. If Russia is successful then we are facing the new world rules of behavior and coexistence of sovereign states.

TIME: That still leaves Georgia wanting full control over South Ossetia.

Tkeshelashvili: Territories are not the end goal. We want to consolidate George for development, democracy, and to be part of Europe and NATO. That is our goal.

TIME: What is your major objection to the South Ossetia and Abkhazia separatists?
Tkeshelashvili: We have to be clear what these movements are. In South Ossetia, most of the government officials are active members of the military and security forces of the Russian Federation. South Ossetia and Abkhazia were multiethnic communities in which Georgians might have been in the majority, but there were also large communities of Greeks, Jews, Ukrainians, and Armenians there. Now both territories have basically an apartheid regime. They are ethnically cleansed territories where some remnants of previous ethnic communities are oppressed with the help from Russia. I just was in the village of Gori. I saw with my own eyes the level of destruction, a woman dead among the destroyed buildings. It's a humanitarian disaster.
TIME: You are recalling all the Georgian soldiers from Iraq. Is this a big blow to your relationship with the US?

Tkeshelashvili: We are being bombed. Russia is a big state, we are a small state. So we have to mobilize all the forces we have.

McCain call spurs other questions

Terrified of Obama — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:24:26 GMT

Obama doesn't want to have wars, Vote Smart? Ah, so that's why he pledged on air to cut tens of billions from missile defense spending, cut billions from Future Combat Systems programs that are the future of defending our troops on the ground, and wants to completely disregard nuclear deterrence as a defense strategy assuming everyone else will too. So Obama not starting wars around the world goes hand in hand with his belief that the military doesn't need to be state of the art. Because what are our most notable adversaries working on improving? Missile technology. So while they're improving what they have, we'll be dismantling our resistance to them. I'm OK with not starting wars. I'm NOT OK with a commander-in-chief who doesn't care about the well being of his soldiers OR his allies, because even if we NEVER START ANOTHER WAR, war will find its way to America and we may not be prepared.

McCain call spurs other questions

Mark Hudson. Los Angeles — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:34:31 GMT

Obama is the least experienced candidate to ever run for the Presidency. He will say and do anything to get votes. Tranparency is not a word in his vocabulary. Sooner or later all his lies will be exposed. McCain08; Hillary 2012!!

McCain call spurs other questions

SANDY, PA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:36:23 GMT

McCAIN RUSSIAN LOBBYISTS CONFUSE GEORGIA DEFENSE

MCCAIN HAS RUSSIAN AND GEORGIAN LOBBYIST IN HIS CAMPAIGN; CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND PLAYING TWO SIDE AGAINST THE OTHER

In the wake of John McCain's forceful rebuke of Russia for sending invading forces into Georgia, scrutiny has been placed on the role McCain's chief foreign policy guru, Randy Scheunemann, played lobbying on behalf of the former Soviet country.
Asked whether Scheunemann's financial ties have influenced his hard anti-Russian stance, McCain deployed a curious form of political self-defense. I am pleased, he told USA Today, to have friends "who also believe in freedom and democracy." Earlier, McCain spokeswoman Nichole Wallace took an even more grandiose approach, declaring of Scheunemann: "We're proud of anyone who has worked on the side of angels in fledgling democracies."

The defense, as Jonathan Martin wrote for Politico, amounts to: "He was supporting the good guys." And while, in this instance, McCain may on the side of public opinion, such a line of defense puts his campaign in a tough spot when it comes to the lobbying work of other aides and campaign financiers. After all, if it's acceptable for Scheunemann to represent Georgia because Georgia is "the side of angels," it would seem that by McCain's own standards, the Senator frowns upon the work his associates have done on behalf of Russia or major Russian institutions.

According to lobbying records, several of McCain's top strategists and fundraisers have been paid good money to advance Russian interests in the United States. For instance, The Washington Group, a firm that employees several associates of the Arizona Senator, has lobbied the United States Congress on behalf of Russia through a subcontractor called Integrated Solutions Group.

Susan Molinari, a former New York Congresswoman who serves on the Women For McCain Steering Committee, is the Chairman and CEO of the firm. McCain's former economic adviser, Carlos Bonilla, is a lobbyist with them. So is Melissa Edwards, a big-time fundraiser for the presumptive Republican nominee. Indeed Edwards, according to a Department of Justice filing, traveled to Moscow for a U.S.-Russia Business Council meeting in October 2007. That trip was directed by the PR firm Ketchum, which owns The Washington Group.
The Washington Group is not the only lobbyist shop with McCain connections that has worked on behalf of Russian interests. In June, the New York Times reported that the firm owned by McCain campaign chief Rick Davis had worked to prop up Ukrainian politico Viktor Yanukovich, who was opposed by the Bush administration but backed by then Russian president Vladimir Putin. McCain's aides denied that Davis was involved on that issue, but the Times wrote that officials with the National Security Council went so far as to confront McCain about concern that Davis was undermining U.S. interests.

In June 2003, meanwhile, McCain campaign strategist Charlie Black's firm, BKSH, signed a contract to lobby on behalf of the Russian Information Agency (the state's major news vehicle) through Hannaford Enterprises, a public relations firm. Black personally signed the contract, which stated that BKHS would "provide HEI with counsel regarding RIGA's communications strategy relating to the United States Congress, the Executive branch of the U.S. government and U.S. political entities." The deal lasted half a year and earned BKHS $65,000.

Then there is Charles Ryan, the CEO of Deutsche Bank Russia. A member of the Senator's London Finance Committee, Ryan co-hosted a $25,000-per-head fundraiser with Cindy McCain in late June of this year. He is also a major backer of Vladimir Putin. In July 2006, Ryan penned an International Herald Tribune op-ed assuaging concerns over the then-prime minister. Years earlier, he said the Kremlin wasn't too powerful but rather too weak. When Putin left office, Ryan called him a patriot and said only minor changes were needed for the country.

To be sure, McCain has been a consistent, if not adamant, critic of Russia. And the work his advisers did on behalf of that country seemed to have little influence on him during the recent outbreak of hostilities in Georgia. But if McCain defends the work of Scheunemann by saying he was on the side of good, it would be nice to know his feelings about the lobbying done by aides on the other side of the fight.

The McCain campaign did not immediately return requests for comment

McCain call spurs other questions

nuanced — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:36:54 GMT

If he is no longer being paid does that mean is it no longer true that "we are all Georgians"?

McCain call spurs other questions

Oscar, Rio Vista CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:39:53 GMT

Here we go. Here comes the "now we can sleep safely" crapola. If McWarmongerer is president and has lackies like Rudy nine-eleven, Joe Lie-berman, and Graham running around the white house then none of us will sleep easy for 4 years.

People must be insane to vote for these madmen.

McCain call spurs other questions

Who's Sane — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:40:05 GMT

Can someone explain why is it that for Republicans talking is bad but killing is good?

McCain call spurs other questions

PF, Maine — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:45:12 GMT

Unfortunately, the MSM is dead set on keeping this race as close as possible, and subsequently, their ratings as high as possible. Therefore, McCain will get a free pass as long as Obama holds the lead. Coverage in this election will truly highlight just how ignorant the electorate actually is. If no one is willing to take the few steps of figuring out what is true and what is spin, than McCain continues to have a chance. If we get him as prez, than we deserve no better. God help us all.

McCain call spurs other questions

Glenda, AR — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:45:54 GMT

MCCAIN IS ALUFF, ELETIST WHO ONLY KNOWS WAR, WAR, WAR HUNTING PEOPLE DOWN AS HE SAID IN THE FAITH FORUM TO THE "GATES OF HELL"

PRETTY STRONG COMMENT DOES HE KNOW SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT WHERE THE GATES OF HELL IS AND DOES HE HAVE AN ADMISSION PASS?

MADELIN ALBRIGHT WAS ON CNN AND SAID THIS COWBOY DEPLOMACY AND TRIGGER HAPPY BEHAVIOR IS THE WRONG POSITION FOR THE US TO TAKE.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID MCCAIN TOOK THE BULLY PULL PIT BEFORE HE HAD A HANDLE ON THE SITUATION

WE GUESS WHEN YOU HAVE PAID RUSSIAN LOBBYISTS AND GEORGIAN LOBBYISTS RUNNING YOUR CAMPAIGN IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

IF THE US DOES NOT WANT WORLD WAR III, THEY SHOULD SKIP MCCAIN ON THE BALLOT.

McCain said before the war in Iraq, “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” Four years later, McCain said he knew all along that the war in Iraq war was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.”

McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain PRAISED THE SAME STRAGETY AS "A MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.”

In March 2004, MCCAIN said, “I’M CONFIDENT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT COURSE.”

In December 2005, MCCAIN SAID, “OVERALL, I THINK A YEAR FROM NOW WE WILL HAVE A FAIR AMOUNT OF PROGRESS IF WE STAY THE COURSE.”

NOW HE WANTS CREDIT FOR A SURGE THAT CAME AS A RESULT OF HIS FAILED POLICIES AND IGNORING THE GENERALS ON THE GROUND WHO ASKED FOR MORE TROOPS DURING THE INITIAL INVASION?

WHAT ALUFFNESS!