McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Rufus Gibbons Washington DC — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:18:14 GMT

Well I guess we know who will guide the McCain/Lieberman administration.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

HP Boston — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:26:19 GMT

McWAR and McLOSERMAN they do make a SWEET couple.
Reminds me of how they are so much more scary than Holloween!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

denise, tampa fl — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:27:28 GMT

how come what Obama's PASTOR says is a big collosal national event, yet McCain can misstate who is a terrorist getting trained by whom and returning to somewhere and he equates one of the most beloved beautiful and historical Jewish holy days as equivalent to HALLOWEEN and THEY ALL LAUGH IT OFF!!!! Does this man know ANYTHING! Obama is escorciated for his pastor's remarks in that he doesn't stand up to him, yet McCain allowed some women interviewing him to call Hillary a bitch AND HE LAUGHS THAT OFF TOO. NOTHING is said/done. unbelievable..now he gets to laugh off his characterizations of terrorists and one of the most important women in Jewish history who boldly stood up for her people, saved them from destruction and was honored for it by her husband/king. and all this in what, about a 24/48 hour period. Oy vey!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

JD, Jacksonville, FL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:34:11 GMT

The lack of coverage over these statements, which have been consistent, as opposed to the hit job on Obama shows me where the media wants to take this country. It is a shame that we have again lost our way, but as Obama said, we will be doomed to new distractions every four years. And you know what? In the interim, we will see gas prices continue to spike, wars that have no end in sight, poverty increasing, do I need to go on?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Steve A Jonesboro IN — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:49:00 GMT

So the old gasbag is on a pork barrel photo op trip at the taxpayers expense to raise money for his campaign, continues to make a spectacle of the fact that he doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground about ANYTHING-and continues to get a free pass from the press. It's hard to imagine a presidential candidate more stupid than bush-but he's making it more obvious every day. Wake up America! NO MORE BUSH?MCCAIN!!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

TEC-Spring Tx — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:53:58 GMT

Rufus Gibbons Washington DC. I am with you it is starting to sound like the last arrangement with the Cheny-Bush presidency. Could be McCain needed a spirtual guide through the middle east. He can now understand the middle east through the eyes of Liberman. McCain may need such a guide if he is elected president.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Rufus Gibbons Washington DC — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:57:07 GMT

Obama is for the first time getting the same scrutiny that all other politicians get.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

class Warrior, D.C. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:58:13 GMT

This guy needs to be put in a nursing home, not the white house! I'm sure the Israelis just loved having their sacred holiday compared to Monster Fest!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Shawn — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:07:49 GMT

What a darn shame that in 2008 we still have so many people filled with so much hate and are being so unfair and divisive regarding a few 15 second sound bites, taken totally out of context, from someone who is not Obama, nor speaking for Obama. There are a ton of under-educated and uninformed people who will never appreciate or understand a non-white experience in this country, especially from the 50s, 60's, etc. I'm so disappointed with many people, especially those who consider themselves good Christians, who can even begin to try to understand Wright's context or his experiences that may have shaped some of his comments. Christians should be more understanding and forgiving and by all means not blame Obama or not vote for Obama simply because of this right-wing (Hannity, Rush, Bill'O) smear, slash 'n burn, hypocritical, and darn right wrong media campaign that strokes those racists, bigots, and plan ol' uneducated white Americas who are basing things on fear and misunderstanding and log held stereotypes.

If you are one of the people that would NOT vote for Obama only because of this smear, than shame on you. Look in the mirror, look at your big glass house. No wonder we are always stuck with uncourageous, "do anything, say anything" politicians. This country and our system is such a mess right now and we don't care. We are feed by the media and react like stupid sheep.

The hypocrisy, double standards and, in the case, so much higher standards being demanded from Obama is crazy. But again that proves how far WE HAVE NOT COME and how racism and fear is still so alive in the shadows in this country. We have a bi-racial man who has so much to offer this country and has treated us like adults, rather than mindless sheep, who have been so much more transparent, open and honest than Hillary or McCain can ever be, and yet we still turn away. We are so weak.

America this is our chance to turn a page. I hope you all look beyond the spin, smears, hate, fears, and everything else that would cause you to be twisted by this stuff.

The MEDIA is doing a very poor job. Fox"News" is a joke as a "news" program and nobody cares. Keep playing those sounds bites over and over and over .. and then keep saying "will he recover" - NOT IF YOU GUYS KEEP DOING SUCH A SHAMEFULLY JOB with your coverage and smears.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Enrique, Chicago — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:18:23 GMT

I can't believe that the media is not giving more attention to McCain's blantant attempts to now lump Iran in with Al Qaeda and Iraq. We have had to listen to Bush and Cheney lie to us and tell us that Iraq and Al Qaeda are one and the same. Now McCain is going to take it further by throwing Iran in there.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Kathy, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:32:26 GMT

The only way this will be covered is if SNL does a skit about it! That's where a good portion of America gets its political news...and maybe that's not so bad considering how poorly the other news sources cover it.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Rick, NC — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:36:24 GMT

Senator mcshame gave the green light to israel to kill away at their leisure on the west bank...right after he made it clear that he will place al queda in iran and then start another war of choice just like his hero george bush

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Mark, Alexandria, VA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:38:38 GMT

Wow you people are so filled with hate that you will say anything. CHILLAX. A few months ago you all loved McCain and a few years ago you all voted for Lieberman. Just goes to show what hypocrites you are.

This is an election about ideas and one candidate believes in free-trade, lower taxes, less government and a strong national defense and offense. The other candidate believes in higher taxes, more government, trade protectionism, isolationism and defeat in Iraq.

If you agree with the latter then vote for Obama - who joined a racist church and supported it financially for 20 years . Or if you agree with the former join McCain - a war hero who was tortured for near 6 years in a Viet Cong prisoner of war hellhole.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Matt from Iraq — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:40:33 GMT

So McCain's best help on foreign issues is a former DEMOCRAT? Does nobody else see that except me?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Matt from Iraq — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:41:58 GMT

Yeah, I am pretty worried that more hasn't been made of McCain, on a few occasions, try to make that link of Iran/al Qaeda. It seems all too familiar.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Class Warrior, D.C. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:44:34 GMT

BTW, I totally agree with Enrique; we better pay attention to how McWar is taking a page from the Bush Handbook o' BS, and is already ginning us up for his planned war with Iran...and he isnt even President yet! He can never claim (though he will, as Bush claimed) that his war was not planned long in advance; here is the evidence.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Ken — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:44:57 GMT

Everytime McCain opens his mouth the result is garbled nonsense. He used to have a fire in his belly a few years back, but now he just talks like a sad, tired old man. Even though I'l a lifelong Democrat, I used to think he wouldn't be a bad choice for president... Times have changed. The man has completely lost his bearings and is slipping away into dementia.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Gerry, Vancouver , Canada — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:49:30 GMT

Senator Mc Clean is on a taxpayer funded campaign photo-op.Isn't this like an earmark ? Thankfully , Joe Lieberman is there with him. I hope Joe is ready to answer a phone call at 3am

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

RL CARRINGTON, CARRINGTON, MO. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:54:54 GMT

THE PERFECT SOLUTION IS FOR MCCAIN TO PICK LIEBERMAN FOR HIS RUNNING MATE. SENATOR LIEBERMAN CAN WHISPER ANSWERS IN MCCAINS EAR MUCH LIKE NANCY DID FOR RONNIE.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

StevO, Denver — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:13:48 GMT

Steve in Jonesboro... well said! McCain will be exactly like Bush, if not worse. I'm so tired and embarrassed that we have a President that is an idiot and speaks like a third-grader (no offense to third-graders). I traveled twice to Europe last summer and everyone I discussed politics with could not believe that American's were so stupid to elect Bush not only once but twice! McCain will be an embarrassment too and I agree that the media should really start calling BS on McCain. He will get his ass handed to him by the Dem candidate during debates.

Obama O-Eight

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Alfredo,Rio Rancho,New Mexico — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Why the light touch when it comes to covering McCain?Messages are getting rerouted in his brain and when words pour out they are often opposite of what was intended.We want this guy to have a finger on the button? The media is so much to blame for his free ride, please offer an explanation,this is becoming very strange and should be dealt with.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:28:26 GMT

What would McGaffe do without Lieberman to fill in the blanks of all this stuff he doesn't know?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Mike, Monee, IL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:37:59 GMT

I wonder what the republicans are thinking about a man that needs to bring a democrat around with him to make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble. Is McCain a good candidate for the republicans or the democrats?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Liz, Vancouver WA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:38:02 GMT

I'm sure McCain feels like quite the man going over to Iraq....he fancies that statesmanship will fall like a mantle over his shoulders and that's all it will take for him to be elected president. Sadly, among a certain section of the electorate, he's probably right. The fact that his mental faculties are clearly failing means nothing. He's got Lieberman whispering in his ear, just like Bush with Cheney. All the Republicans seem to need is an amiable puppet. They don't seem to care who's in back, pulling the strings.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Chris, Maine — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:41:52 GMT

Did we nominate Leiberman or Johnny Mac? I forget...
ah who cares? This will be a page 6'er with Hillary & Obama!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Tom, Michigan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:43:25 GMT

If you are fed up with Bush (and if you are not, you are either wealthy or completely stupid) and you are gonna vote for McCain, what the hell are you thinking?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:44:45 GMT

McCain has been slipping up a number of times in the past few days. I wonder how he makes it through the days when there is no one there to give him a hand. Could this be a sign that Lieberman is going to join McCain on the Republican ticket? Or could he be a possible person in a cabinet post in the event that McCain is elected president.

The only similarity that Halloween has to Purim is the custom of dressing up in costumes. Halloweem is based on various pagen rites and rituals (I could be wrong about that); Purim is based on the story (and book in the bible) of Esther where she is given information about the up-comming plan to kill all the Jews in Persia. Has Ahmadinejad been thinking of doing this; Iran was at one point called Persia.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:10:47 GMT

After the Democrats increase their majority in the Senate after the general election, they should strip Lieberman of his party chairmanships. He is the Benedict Arnold of the Democratic Party. He is not being non-partisan; he's thumbing his nose at the party every chance he gets. Evryone knows he cares more about Israel than he does about the needs of his own country.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Terry CC Iowa — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:10:50 GMT

A question for everyone. Pastor Hagee has endorsed John McCain and Hagee has a history of anti-Catholic language along with proclaiming the European Jews were punished by God through the Holocaust. What determent to McCain, if any, could Hagee's endorsement have on the Catholic and Jewish vote this coming November? Wonder if McCain had to explain Hagee's endorsement while in Israel?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Jason, St Paul, MN — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:16:22 GMT

I'm honestly beytond tired of how McCain is getting a free ticket on this junk. I can only imagine if Hill/Obama made these same mistakes, the Repubs would be jumping on the idea that they are not prepared for the world stage, and the media would be tagging right along. The McCain terrorist deal shows how incompetent he is when dealing with these issues.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Jorge, Pembroke Pines, FL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:18:03 GMT

I would like to hear from Mark, Alexandria how can we win in a civil war. Because we are not in a war but policing a Civil War, Bush/McCain can never end it unless we stay permanently in Iraq and side with one of the factions against the other two. Millions of Sunnis, Shiite and Kurds are involved. Mission Impossible. But the NeoCons keep taking of war, victory and defeat; never diplomacy.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Becky Montgomery — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:18:14 GMT

Denise, I agree with you--how come what Obama's PASTOR says is a big collosal national event, yet McCain can misstate who is a terrorist getting trained by whom and returning to somewhere and he equates one of the most beloved beautiful and historical Jewish holy days as equivalent to HALLOWEEN and THEY ALL LAUGH IT OFF!!!! Does this man know ANYTHING!

I respect McCain's service and POW experience, but do we want him in charge of a crisis when he is messing up this much in a low-key situation?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

J Hallmark, Savannah, TN — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:28:59 GMT

This is a replay of 2000. The hatred and lies spun from a Rovian playbook and the media going along with it. This old goof ball going everywhere spouting off and Fox News, CNN and MSNBC playing Rev. Wright's comments 24/7.

We have Joe Scarborough worrying about the "working class whites". Yeah, right !! While he and others run those loops 24/7. And MSNBC continues to have that old hate filled Buchanan on every show and all we have is hate, hate, hate, lies, lies lies.

Wake up people !!

We finally have a good and decent man that might just make a difference in this country and he is crucified for something his old pastor said,

I am not voting for Hillary or McCain.

Sometimes I feel as though we in America do not deserve Senator Obama. Maybe we deserve Hillary and McCain. I'm just so tired of hate and lies!

Thank you Chuck Todd and David Shuster for at least trying to tell it like it is.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:33:33 GMT

McCain probably thinks "Passover" is what happened to him when he lost the nomination in 2000 to Bush.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

sam, toronto — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:34:08 GMT

You people at MSNBC are getting pathetic did McCain advertise himself as an expert on Jewish holidays, why haven't you wrote any stories on Obama saying he would call the President of Canada to re-negotiant NAFTA, like that would even happen because Canada would start selling it's oil to China instead of the US, since China wants nothing more than an opportunity to get their hands on Canada's resources, and all you Obama nut-cases tell him Canada doesn't have a President, it's a Parliamentary system I think knowing your country's neighbor political system more important then knowing some Jewish holidays

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

VI WI — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:52:55 GMT

Mc Cains verbal mistakes only proves that he is senile. Also demostrates that he graduated fifth from the bottom of his class. He may have a stroke before the Election with his temper. His knowledge base is zero when it comes to Iran , Iraq, extremist, Sunni and Shia. He also does not know the difference between Civil War and Occupation. The repubs have an old man for a candidate who is advised by another old man. What a joke.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Marlene Egeland, Fair Oaks, Ca — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:15:39 GMT

Hey, we've already got "The Decider", looks like now in Liebermann we've got "The Corrector". (PS - he must have been mortified by the likening of a Jewish holy day like Purim to Halloween!) Boy, I'm beginning to feel that I'm getting my taxpayer dollars worth for this trip!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Stew Mulligan, Clarksburg, WV — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:18:12 GMT

umm...how come I didn't see any of this mentioned on Fox News???

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Tony, Alexandria VA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:20:14 GMT

Yes we do, and I hope millions of REPUBLICANS see this also. The only thing republicans know what to do with a foreign issue is send in the troops.
That isn’t a viable solution anymore.

Mark- have you been to a southern Baptist
church before? Don’t think for one minute that Obama’s church is alone on the racist issue.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Mike Schilling, San Rafael, CA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:21:48 GMT

Purim is kind of like Halloween, as Lieberman explained. And for the purpose of McCain's point, they're very alike: a time when kids should be running around having fun, not worrying about being attacked. So what makes this a gaffe?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Sue F, Idaho Falls, id. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:39:35 GMT

Well we all know who's going to be his VP, his ventriliquest. Guess they will get him a jacket that Lie-berman can put his hand up whenever he wants his dummy to talk!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Dan Denver CO — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:47:48 GMT

Does our country really need a senile old man running it? WcCain doesn't know the difference between al-qaeda, Iran, sunnis or shiites. That's 100% unacceptable. Incompetence is what got us into this mess. We don't need more incompetence to try and get out of the mess...

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Felix, CO — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:48:55 GMT

To be fair, at least back in the 70s when I was there, Purim was treated a lot like Halloween, an excuse to dress in costume and party in a country that was 90% secular at that time.

In America Jewish kids dress up as characters in the Purim story but on the very secular kibbutz I was visiting then (the original kibbiutzim were communist in the pure sense of being devoted to communal living and secular) it was more a general costume bash.

Still, what with his apparent confusion between Sunni el-Qaeda and Shia militia, it can't help to have a candidate McCain's age looking as though he needs a keeper to correct his lapses. It makes him look like he's losing it.

We can be pretty sure Lieberman isn't there as future VP so why IS he there? As old man minder? He may not be young either but sure comes off as sharper. Not a contrast I would think the McCain people want on display: McCain seeming much older and more lost nxt to another guy who is no spring chicken.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Sandra Goode, Intercourse, PA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:52:20 GMT

Look, Senator Mc. is real American hero. That said, he looks like he always needs a snooze or change of his Depends. I love the man, but he is not alert enough to make the grade in the big WH. Unless Joe L becomes his VP (oh, boyyy). In my part of PA, we have no use for either one of them. People like Hillary here because she is so cunniving and tricky. They think that will be used against the forces of bad. The don't give any thought to those marvelous attributes being used against us citizens and taxpayers. Enough of the Clinton lying machine

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

elizabeth, seattle — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:55:43 GMT

Mark, Alexandria, VA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:38 AM)

Yeah cuz less taxes has gotten us SO FAR!! Poorer middle class, richer rich people... How do you think crap is paid for like streets, schools, public services, police, fire departments??? Taxes you idiot!!! You cannot run a government without taxes and our government is more invasive than ever with wire tapping, no-fly lists, phone transcript demands from telecom companies...

What the heck is wrong with government being involved? As long as they dont tell me what to wear, say, where to work, who to marry, where to live, but provide me with good infrastructure, environmental restrictions to safe guard our resources and national treasures, social security, reasonable military security IN AMERICA ITSELF, I will return the favor by paying my taxes, not committing crimes, not bilking the system, being as efficient a resource user as I can, and buying american everywhere I can!

Why does this country want something for nothing??? Government cannot run without taxes, the lower they are the more our services get cut and gutted. Duh!!!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

San Francisco — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:56:33 GMT

Obama isn't just getting vetted, he's being burned at the stake... having people attack you because of what someone else says is unfair and tough. Especially if you have to fend off the issue of race. McCain on the other hand hasn't received a blunt object on his reputation just yet. The media has been really soft on this guy.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Jerry Anderson, Prior Lake, MN — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:57:27 GMT

Hey, good people, don't worry about MCCain taking the reins of the Bush cabal, he will self destruct before the election, it's already starting - Lieberman can't follow him everywhere -

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Janice, Duluth GA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:01:39 GMT

McCain is a phony conservative

Deputy Sec of State Lawrence Eagleburger bluntly contradicted McCain on at least one major issue of concern to the Republican Party: the role of the religious right. McCain has spent two years making nice with the likes of Jerry Falwell and John Hagee, repenting for referring to Falwell and Pat Robertson as "agents of intolerance" back in 2000. Yet Eagleburger seemed to suggest that we shouldn't take McCain's embrace of the religious right too seriously.

"On the Christian hard right, I live in Charlottesville now and I can't tell you I'm surrounded by it," Eagleburger said. "I must tell you we fought it there, fought hard against it. There's no question that in the Republican Party it is a serious problem...Among the hard-right conservatives in the Republican Party John McCain was, shall we say, less than enthusiastically received...What you see is what you get. You are not going to see him moving to assuage the concerns of these conservatives.

"The issues that have concerned the far right I don't see and I don't expect to see any changes. I know there will be some people in his entourage who will want to advocate for those changes, and again, I don't believe he will shift on those fundamental issues. For example, on abortion, he's clear, he's opposed. On one of the issues that upsets the far right, stem cell research, he is prepared to accept some of that, and that's something that upsets the far right. I could go on with these issues." Too bad he didn't.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

a Goy who knows what Purim is — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:02:48 GMT

I don't know which is scarier, that McCain doesn't know Iran is Shiite, that he would believe for a second that Purim has any similarity to Halloween, or that he has to rely on his Pet Jew for local info injections during this taxpayer-funded campaign stop. The guy is obviously senile & knows nothing about either Jewish OR Muslim cultures!

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Kelly McCune, Wilsonville Oregon — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:02:56 GMT

Mark,

You're right. This campaign should be about ideas. But you can't possibly, after the last eight years, say that ANY republican is for less government. And free trade only means free for those who can afford to act on a multinational basis. Most trade agreements over the last 8 years have been about opening markets and protecting intellectual property for big Pharma.
As for lower taxes, you can't have lower taxes AND fight a war unless you do it on a credit card.
It all gets back to personal responsibility. Which the right loves to talk about but never practices. It invariably takes a moderate, usually a Democrate to come in behind a Reagan, or a Bush and clean up the mess. This country can't afford 8 more years of creditcard conservatism.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Julie — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:11:24 GMT

Good thing McSame brings along his caretaker Lieberman to keep him on track. We're almost to the end of the run of our idiot president, why would we elect another?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

BobN, SF, CA. — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:36:20 GMT

It's kind of scary that Lieberman feels he has to dumb-down descriptions of Jewish holidays and belief for McCain. Maybe he's just gotten used to doing so for Dubya. On the other hand, what thinking individual wouldn't ask himself, "Why would the Jewish people have a holiday tied to All Saints Day, with origins going back to "pagan" religions in Europe?"

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Tim O., Tempe, AZ — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:47:01 GMT

Mark in Alexandria,

The true hypocrisy lies in McCain who was tortured for years and is now willing to allow government sponsored torture by the US.

Then there is his rejection of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that he now embraces.

Or his actually reasonable approach to the immigration issue that he now rejects to get the right wing xenophobe vote?

How about his pro choice stance from years ago that he now pretends he never held.?

How about his disdain for the bigoted fundies that he decried yet now embraces?

How is he going to explain to a hopefully democratic government in Iraq that he actively sought the support of Rev. Rod Parsley who feels that the US was founded to wipe Islam from the face of the earth? Um, well I reject what he says but I really wanted his congregation to vote for me.

Should I continue with the "anti-Lobbyist" McCain who's staff if full of lobbyists?

Looking for a hypocrite? Look no further than John McCain.

As for LIEberman, he was our nominee for VP and it was a poor choice. He brought nothing to the ticket and his support of this sick war is more than enough justification for turning our backs on him.

The United Church of Christ is one of the most inclusive, racially diverse church's in the US so that dog won't hunt.

Try again.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Shag — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:03:43 GMT

McCain is doing such a wonderful job on his world tour, showing how proficient he is at foreign policy. Has he not made a gaffe yet, any day on the tour?

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Jonathan Burack — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:22:57 GMT

First, it absolutely is NOT a mistake to compare Purim to Halloween (which also has more serious roots, by the way.) That's why the crowd there, unlike many of you here and Applebaum as well, made light of the matter. So give me a break about the "beloved, beautiful, holy day" stuff, will you? I've celebrated it many times. As a Jew, I do not appreciate fake outrage about non-existent insensitivty by McCain -- especially when one of the other candidates is so busy philosophizing away real disgraces such as his beloeved pastor's claims that Israel is a terrorist state.

Secondly, the other McCain mistake was even less of a mistake. Any of you who think Iran is NOT working with Al Qaeda in Iraq are victims of your own propaganda, plain and simple. The 9/11 Commission itself verified plenty of links between Iran and Al Qaeda. The left has glaumed on to superficial cliches about Sunnis and Shiite terrorist fanatics, ignoring overwhelming evidence of their ability to unite against the infidels whenever it suits either group's needs.

So here is what is the big deal. The left cannot conceive of a Republican president it can't demonize as either stupid or evil. In Bush's case, both gambits dominate. It won't work with McCain either way, but the media and many of you are fully engaged now in constructing this fairy tale by scratching the bottom of barrels like this remark. (And to imply this bears and relationship to the reverend Wright's lunatic rantings is even more laughable.) Meanwhile, McCain's polling numbers are going up. Perhaps it's because more Americans are concerned about one other little fact in the above report: the 900 rocket attacks on Israel in the past 3 months. I dare say, Israeli responses to McCain may have more to do with that than his simply repeating what Liebermann told him to say shorthand style about Purim and Halloween.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Warren, Denver, CO — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:28:15 GMT

First a poster says: "Wow you people are so filled with hate that you will say anything." Then he says: "Obama - who joined a racist church". Wow.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Ernest, San Jose, CA — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:31:01 GMT

It is kind of like Halloween with an added religious meaning. I take no offense as a Jewish person.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Jeff Brooksville, FL — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:34:51 GMT

It is so obvious: it is pathetic that Americans seem oblivious to the facts. The rich will do and say and pay anything to stay in control of the levers of government. Under Bush, regulations have been thrown out, so we got the illegal war in Iraq, the sub-prime melt down, e-coli in hamburger and spinach and many for disasters, too numerous to list on this post. I truly believe Americans will not read and think for themselves, they just want to watch American Idol and get screwed in their jobs and health insurance. Americans are now getting destroyed because they will not think for themselves and they tend to be amoral. Reminds me what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah in the bible.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

Julie, Denver, Colorado — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:45:20 GMT

It's a sad day when we have to hope for SNL, Daily Show or Colbert Report to report the real news since the MSM doesn't want to cover these stories that really matter.

McCain: Purim = Halloween?

annie scot — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:49:48 GMT

McCain evidently does not know what Hallowe'en (All Hallows Eve) is either. It is the night before All Saints Day.In Celtic Ireland it was the night that disembodied spirits of all who had died the previous year would come back to search for living bodies to inhabit the coming year and needed to be scared away with rituals. Thus in ireland and Europe the children derees up as ghosts and creepy things