Part 2. Darn it, I've been trying to post this for days.  UGH

Adam, St. Louis (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:43 AM) Adam, by virtue of your own pretzel logic here – if everyone owns a franchise – who are you going to get to run the register, sweep the floor and clean the restroom?  And since we all eat free at the franchise, we won’t be dining out at other restaurants (won’t those have an economic downturn?).  I don’t believe for one minute that you are completely self-made.  I am guessing that you were raised by middle class parents who provided you with a car when you graduated high school and when you got married – they paid for your wedding, honeymoon or the down payment on your first house.  It isn’t hard to live the American Dream when you have predisposed advantages that you conveniently fail to factor into your personal success equation.  Everyone in this country lives and breathes by the range of experiences they have been exposed to.  If both your parents are cheating, ‘system beaters’, you immediately fall below the statistical norm.  Once people begin or end up below the norm, the odds increase (disproportionately upward) that they will continue to maintain an existence below the norm.  And it isn’t just social disadvantages; it is the ‘loss of potential’.  Quit acting like every citizen in this country has been given the exact same set of opportunities and that some how your hard work is greater in value than the hard work of any other individual trying to make it.  While we don’t have an official ‘class’ system in this country, we HAVE a class system.  The “haves” have more and the “have nots” have incredible odds stacked against them.  There are exceptions; but the amount of grit and determination it takes to overcome an impoverished background is statistically rare.  I know about this because I am one of those statistics.  Were it not for Pell Grants and low interest loans, I would have never been able to attend college.  Had I never attended college, I would have never obtained a ‘white’ collar job.  Had I never obtained that job, I would have never met my incredible husband.  And, the wonderful family and you get the point.  I ‘fell’ up.  Big time.  And yes, I worked hard (took 21 hours one semester and worked full time, the whole time); but I had hope, unlike anyone else in my family.  My brother didn’t catch it until his third marriage and four kids later.  Do you think he was swimming upstream?  Sure, he had choices; but what he didn’t have was a decent role model to help him understand HOW to break the poverty cycle.  And you know what, I am proud of him.  He paid every penny of his child support (actually paid more than the court order) even though it delayed his educational and financial goals.  Not everyone who is a product of the system wants to be there.  And no matter how much they might want to be out of the system, not everyone has the tools (emotional, physical or financial) to break out.  The Christian party of Bush gives Christianity a bad name.  I will fight every day for the little guy because I know all too well that none of you pompous, self made hacks will ever look back.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I still say the case for Sebelius is the strongest:

http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/okay-i-give-in-my-case-for-kathleen-sebelius/

Never gets old, speculating about VP selection.

Obama, please pick this guy.  

Will inflating our tires increase gas mileage??
Yes - according to Obama!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzZNP4tTfV0&eurl=

McCain ad in 50 states coming up soon.
LOL

Again I ask -

How is it not news that John McCain changes his position on taxes DAILY?

How is it not news that John McCain's campaign has indicated TWICE that JOHN McCAIN doesn't speak for his own campaign?

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16384.html

How is it that First Read has not reported on either of these?

There are TWO CANDIDATES for President, and one is telling LIES. That's news folks - get to work!

The more I mull over the prospects of Kaine being VP, the more I really like it!  I do not want Sebelius.  I know she is good, but I do not want to insult Hillary.  I can be excited about Kaine!

I recommend Senator Biden for Secretary of State.

The more I mull over the prospects of Kaine being VP, the more I really like it!  I do not want Sebelius.  I know she is good, but I do not want to insult Hillary.  I can be excited about Kaine!

I recommend Senator Biden for Secretary of State.

Water. Hmmm. Is this a sign? Obama's in the rain, and Kaine is having squirt gun fun. Hmmm.

That's all I've got about this beat to death subject. Sorry!

Most PUMAs don't want Hillary on the ticket with a candidate that relied on race-baiting to win the primary.
Although the Establishment propped up Obama for the sole purpose of Hillary NOT being on the ticket - if Obama doesn't pick Hillary, he'll lose more women voters.

Dems for McCain!

I saw Kaine on NPR's Charlie Rose and he was really effective...he is your midwestern mainstream guy...he grew up in Kansas...he strikes me as a humble guy.  He would definately connect with blue color workers.

I know Obama will make a smart choice when he does.  At this point I would rather we don't try to guess and trust his judgement.  

By the way, isn't running a successful campaign a show of experience and smart decisions?  I think given how hard Obama has had to work, beating HRC is enough audition to show that this guy can handle the commander in chief.  Despite the odds against him, he beat HRC and never once ran scared nor shied from making hard decisions...I think that for me qualifies him for Commander in chieft.

I think the fact that he's getting so much attention means that he won't get the job.  Barack has demonstrated that he's insanely organized and disciplined in his approach.  Leaking a VP weeks before he is to choose one is not organized or disciplined.

OIL is the new GOD of McWar and the GOP!  The get down on there knees and pray to the new Oil God of America.

They will kill 50% of all human and animal life in the wiorld as long as they get there oil.  Big Oil the new God of America. We will never have control of our government becuase Big Oil controls all of our leaders.

Tim Kaine has done a fabulous job as governor of Virginia and he has already "gotten his feet wet." He would also be a great VP.

For those that snarked at Governor Kaine for only having been a one term governor, one term is the limit for the state of Virginia. That's good if you got a loser like Jim Gilmore, but bad if you get good ones like Mark Warner and now Tim Kaine.

If Obama picks Kaine, it's all good. If Obama can win in Virgina with Kaine's help, as Virginia goes, so goes the nation.

GO OBAMA 08/12

If Barack is looking for a VP to bring home a state, I think that Bayh is a better candidate. He brings another MW state to DEMs, has been in DC and knows his way around the circus, and may also bring more peace with the Clinton camp.  Plus, he will not bring any drama. On the minus side, no Intl policy creds, same as Kaine.

Biden is still my fav and I hope Barack's as well. ;)

Obama-Biden '08

Will inflating our tires increase gas mileage??
Yes - according to Obama!
Carla
****

Actually, proper tire pressure goes a long way to help gas performance.  It's a commonly known fact with people who actually take the time to maintain their vehicles.  

From the last post because msnbc seems to like to ignore me:

Someone needs to ask these people what there definition of "win" is.
We won the war in about a day and a half. We invaded, took out there military, captured there leader and killed him. That is the definition of winning a war.
Then the occupation began. And years later we are still involved in an occupation of a soveriegn country. Over one million innocent Iraqis dead. Millions more fled in terror. Before the occupation of Iraq there were about 30 million citizens. Now the population of Iraq is somewhere between 24 and 26 million. Syria is now the number one money maker in the illegal sex trade business.
So when the McCain camp talks about winning this war they are making an argument that does not exist. They should talk about winning an occupation. In my opinion the only way to end an occupation is to withdraw troops. So if Obama supports a timetable for withdrawl then he is the one who wants to "win this war".

Carla... about on par with off-shore drilling

Diane from Illinois (Sent Thursday, July 31, 2008 11:59 AM)

I watch Morning Joe because there are parts I do enjoy.  Yes, it irks me sometimes but I don't mind that as long as I have an outlet like FR to vent my frustrations.  :-)  

Plus, just about every other morning show is a big pile of drivel.  There are a few exceptions, but VERY few.

To those who slam MSNBC, though, I have to ask - if you don't watch the channel, WHY do you participate in their blogs?  That's something that I don't understand.

Oh, and Diane?  RE: McCain - I don't understand people either.  Can't help you on that one.

As a VA resident I have to say from Kaine's experience as a govenor has been lackluster at best. He allows the Republicans in the General Assembly to walk all over him. He allowed the Republicans to pass the abusive driver fees for only VA residents to where they were paying close to $3k for a speeding ticket while tourists and military people with out of state plates didn't have to worry about it. He allowed 5 people to strike down his proposed statewide nonsmoking ban. He is all about raising taxes as well--tried to raise vehicle registration fees, car rental fees, car repair fees, state inspections, etc.

How would he do as president of the Senate is what we have to ask if he can not lead in VA? The Republican senators will chew him up.

However, with him as a VP pick and Mark Warner running to fill John Warner's seat, it's a good chance ole red VA will turn blue so maybe it isn't entirely bad because it will help Obama.

Tim Kaine will be a wonderful spokesman & VP for Obama.
Kaine was born in Minnesota, attended college in Missouri, and serves as governor of Virginia - that's a swing state Trifecta! Harvard grad, civil rights lawyer, taught legal ethics, supports pre-kindergarten education, and takes a centrist (pragmatic) stance on fiscal policy, death penalty, gay marriage, and gun control. Draws votes from Republican leaning VA exurbs. Sounds like a pretty good match to me...all except for the "pro-life" footing - that may take the lustre off a bit.
He does bring the hispanic vote to the table to prolly 80%. Not because he speaks the language, but because he can relate culturally. he's lived the life, and his faith matters a lot to these folks. But yeah, his thin resume would be a potential setback.
Kaine's position as governor of a state the Obama campaign hopes to make a key battleground and his background as a Spanish-speaking former Catholic missionary and civil rights lawyer make him a strong potential pick.
Kaine could serve as ambassador, his proponents say, to four key groups: Virginians, Catholics, working-class white voters, and Hispanics. (Kaine can be seen in one  video endorsing Obama in proficient Spanish.)
Kaine's position as governor of a state the Obama campaign hopes to make a key battleground and his background as a Spanish-speaking former Catholic missionary and civil rights lawyer make him a strong potential pick.


Tim Kaine Texas Democratic Party Convention 2008
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tBZgzDeHOQo

Gov. Tim Kaine  Passionately  Supports Barack Obama
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CkQ04Tk7dTk

With the olympics starting on 8/8/08 my guess is Obama will announce on...maybe the 5th. Gotta have some time to print millions of signs, buttons, bumper stickers. Barack will take a vacation, leaving his campaign team and the new VP in the spotlight. I like Mister Anderson's comment.  I think Kaine's abundant press is a clue he is not the one.

Clara,

G-D bless you, and everyone who you love for your response to Adam, St. Louis. I did the best I could, but you smacked it/him out of the park!

You gotta be quick to get on this spot. Why are we spending all this time going on and on and on about who might be the possible running mate? First offwhy not do some of your own vetting, tell us who this man is, what's his record, etc. Same for all the other short listers. This is non news. Get a grip guys, what is your job clasification? Analysts, pundants, entertainers, what? I'm seeing more spit back than journalism here. I thought the idea was to inform your readers.

On the minus side, no Intl policy creds, same as Kaine.

Another minus:  he's pro-life.  

Will inflating our tires increase gas mileage??
Yes - according to Obama!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzZNP4tTfV0&eurl=

McCain ad in 50 states coming up soon.
LOL

Actually, that will increase your mileage.  It won't revolutionize energy, but maintaining proper tire pressure does increase mileage.  Just ask a mechanic, genius.

So now McBrain wants to tax the insurance benefits of people who are lucky enough to have a job. Obama has got to be laughing all the way to the White House.
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com

I had some down time between tapeing my next show, so I took a peak at this post. I must say, I'm concerned for some of you. Your issuses are starting to come to the forefront of your posting. Such anger, directed towards complete strangers, is troubling. Please, give me a call,I'd love to have some of you on the show.

Kaine,...Shmaine...

Let's face it, any Democrat VP will not count at all and Obama is nothing but a charlatan.  All he has is that he knows how to put on a show just enough to create an impression to the disillusioned American to make them believe as if he give them something... NOT.

Electing Bush was a big mistake and putting Obama in office will be a big blunder!

I am a puma dont want Hillary on his ticket  unless she is on top of it. Obama has not got the nomination let alone the presidency. He can be as arrogant and try all the old stuff he pulled on Hillary like the race card and talking like a stand up to make people laugh at who he doesnt like but it isnt working this time. He is being called out and the group behind him wasnt buying it either. Get ready to get over it and fall in line behind Hillary. People are laughing at him and thats not so good.buying chair for oval office.

SENILE OLD MCFLIPFLOP A.K.A "Mush-Head" (because his brain is practically mush) is a disgusting pathetic excuse for a candidate.  Can't you just do the country a favor and have a heart attack and die "Mush-Head"

Who gives a rip!

I think obama will need to pick a democratic party curmudgeon like biden to balance his ticket across age, race and temperment

Actor Jon Voight has written many op-eds in various newspapers, the latest titled "Obama Falls Short in Every Way." He cites many, many reasons but the kicker is that "all the enemies of the U.S. have endorsed Obama, including Castro and Hamas. What does that tell you?" Voight also thinks Barack can too easily be manipulated because he craves acceptance and wants to be liked. His list goes on and on.

Citing an old Beatles movie trailer ... "don't worry, "HELP!" is on the way ...

... in the form of John McCain.

J. Ellis - as one Virginian to another, do you really think Kaine helps Obama here? I'm not saying he hurts, but I don't think he helps much, either.

And as Sabato recently wrote, picking Kaine would really hurt the Democratic Party here. For starters, the lieutenant governor becomes governor, and he could still run for another full term. But the kicker is what sets up which party best for redistricting after the 2010 census.

I can guess a bunch of Virginia Republicans are pulling for Obama to pick Kaine, too.

I honestly think his flamboyant attitude of the last few days after being told he was in the final three turned the Obama campaign off. I'd be very surprise now if he were chosen VP.

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

I still prefer Sebelius, Bredesen, or Richardson...and absolutely Biden.  Their respective backgrounds are all more diverse, not to say his biography isn't, he just seems a little drab.  I'm just glad Clinton appears to be out of the process.
Vote Obama...not an angry, tempermental, old Keating 5 participant.

FIRST READ: when are we going to have a story about Obama playing the race card in Missouri yesterday?  It seems folks are quick to accuse others of racism against Obama but when his campaign does it nobody says a word!  I have noticed when things aren't going so well that's when the Obama group does this. It's most disingenuos and certainly hypocritical from a man who said he'd never make race an issue in the campaign.  Please, for once, First Read, be fair. We folks from small town mid-America, typical w hite folks, clinging to our guns and religion have a right to be express our disgust at Obama's use of the race card and wish you'd expose it more.

nancy, as many times as mshame and gwbushes has degraded you and your position since you were elected. how nieve can you get. if you fall for this, then WE know where the next vote and the election will be for someone stronger. someone that will stand up for the american people. are you gonna be like CONDO-RICE, bushes and mcshame puppet's?MCSHAME AND BUSH'S REGIME IS LOOKING TO GO FREE. WILL YOU CALL FOR JUSTICE TO BE HANDED DOWN ON WAR-CRIMES FOR ALL OF THEM?

I will not accept a VP who is pro-life!  I will not vote Obama if he chooses Kaine. I am a life long Democrat, but I have also fought for women's rights.  This would be a MAJOR step backwards!

Sen. Evan Bayh stood by while Hillary, leading up to the Indiana Primary, lied about who was really responsible for the loss of Magnequench jobs and sensitive missile technology, on Gov. Bayh's watch,  that eventually went to China ending in 2003.

What a snollygostering weasel.

Clara,
   Before I forget, please in your next response, try not to make so many assumption and stop putting words in my mouth about "everyone owning a franchise" and what not. It makes you sounds crazy. All I did was use a franchise as an EXAMPLE! I thought I pointed that out.

Donna, just out of curiosity, What type of law did you study? (and yes I am honestly curious, no hidden agenda)

this guy.. if Obama picks a candidate that is prolife, anti gay rights, come out against stem cell research, now while Obama Biden Dodd and the rest are trying to get the country to see that the oill companies are just trying to ignore the oil that they already have access to becvause they think they can get bigger profit margins with the other areaas...all in the name of jumping on the oil company gravy train)

if McCain who is gay friendly, and fought for stem cell research picks a prochoice VP...

and Obama looks worse because he ignored his own weaknesses to pick some personal or tactical choice that ignores the value of experience (change and experience are NOT mutually exclusive) I am sure it will be portrayed as arrogant...and having been one of the supporters who was trhown a left jab by a Kaine nomination for VP...

Obama would have a heap of trouble on his nhands...never mind that a McCain ridge ticket...2 vets in a highly military, usually red leaning state like Virginia would beat Kaine on the ticket...and would gain PA.

this is all why I do not think Obama would be dumb enough to pick Kaine.

Full Moon....that's Jon Voight the actor, right?  From Hollywood?  Oh, everyone will get right on that suggestion I'm sure.

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