VIDEO: Top McCain Aide Tells Gay Republicans, ‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’
VIDEO: Top McCain Aide Tells Gay Republicans, ‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has long opposed gay rights, stating that he is in favor of the “traditional definition of marriage.” Today, however, McCain’s chief adviser Steve Schmidt addressed a luncheon for the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay advocacy group. ThinkProgress attended the luncheon and captured exclusive video of the speech.
Schmidt opened by stating he has a personal connection to LGBT issues because his sister is a lesbian:
[I want to pay] my respect and the campaign’s respect to your organization. On a personal level, my sister and her partner are an important part of my life and our children’s life. I admire your group and your organization, and I encourage you to keep fighting for what you believe in because the day is going to come. You are an important part of our party.
Schmidt did not touch upon McCain’s opposition to gay rights and was cautious in expressing any support for the group’s agenda, simply saying that “over time” more equality for gays “will be reached”:
We as the Republicans are the party of freedom and as the party we strive to reach that goal and we’ll keep fighting as a party to reach it in full. And I think over time it will be reached. And you are an important part of this party.
Schmidt then changed the subject to politics and went after critics of Gov. Sarah Palin. Watch the full remarks:
Unfortunately, McCain campaign adamantly opposes the Log Cabin Republican’s agenda, which includes “equality for gay and lesbian people.” McCain said he couldn’t pick Michael Bloomberg as VP because Bloomberg is “pro-gay rights.” McCain opposes gay adoption of orphans, supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and opposes gay marriage and civil unions.
ThinkProgress also spoke to Jimmy LaSalvia, Director of Programs and Policy for the group, which has endorsed McCain. LaSalvia said McCain last met with the group in 2000. A McCain aide, Mike Duhaime, spoke to the group this week. LaSalvia expressed support for Gov. Sarah Palin:
Well, I think that we have a lot in common with Gov. Palin. She is a reformer who hasn’t ever been afraid to take on the party’s leadership and stand up for what’s right. And that’s what we do every day. We have taken on our party’s leadership when we felt they were going in the wrong direction, and that’s what Gov. Palin has done in Alaska.
When running for governor, Palin opposed civil unions as well as gay marriage. “I believe that honoring the family structure is that important,” Palin said in 2006.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
147 Responses to “VIDEO: Top McCain Aide Tells Gay Republicans, ‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
And you are an important part of this party.
Yeah, as a punching bag.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pmSchmidt brought Gannon to the White House.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:59 pmIf a member of the audience asked him to back up his statements would that be an attack on him and the McCain campaign, or would it simply be the audience recognizing the hypocrisy another lying piece of shit republican?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:01 pmRethuglikkin's on gays.
'you people' are real important to us, as long as you don't mind voting against your self interest. tap tap...
September 4th, 2008 at 8:02 pm“I believe that honoring the family structure is that important,” Palin said in 2006.
Which "family structure" are you referring to, Sarah? What about families with only one parent? Are you claiming that they can never produce wonderful children who grow up to be wonderful adults? Be careful, Sarah. That's a line you don't want to cross, let alone run over.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:03 pmWas Domehead Schmidt wearing a condom over his skull when he addressed them?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:04 pmCatch a clue gay republicans, if you are not in the closet, or bathroom stall, you are considered a pervert by these anti-christians that call themselves christians.
Wake up, they will never accept you for being yourself.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pmOT: Oh, NO! How many times we gonna hear Heart's "Barracuda" the next 60 days?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:14 pmThe Log Cabin Republicans are an absolute joke. No one takes them serious - not Democrats, certainly not Republicans and especially not by gays. They're pathetic rich gay men who would rather hold onto a few more measly dollars in taxes than elect a Democrat and move closer to getting the things that gays need like ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell and securing protection against hate crimes. They're a sad, sad bunch.
They endorsed McCain this week even though he's thrown his support behind proposition 8 which will eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry in California. The LCR say they are fighting prop. 8 but then they go and do something utterly moronic like endorse a candidate that wants the court's ruling to be reversed.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:14 pmHow about it Rapture Ready Darlyy? Gays an important part of your party? How about your late night party?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:15 pmAnd the self-hating GayGOP's will fall over each other trying to masticulate McCain's member, while he's telling them how repulsive they are to normal Americans.
Those 'Loggers are some twisted puppies.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pmI have a gay friend who retired from a career in the military. He was closeted, otherwise he would've lost his job. He believed in Bush and thought along the Log Cabin Republican line.
After he left the military cocoon, he became aware of the mixed messages (mostly negative) from the Republican party to gay people. I can only surmise Log Cabin gays want to remain in a Republican family or Republican oriented workplace.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pmKeith: Saracudda?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pmTop McCain Aide Tells Gay Republicans, ‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’
"After all, you're the ones we go to to find out where all the discreet meeting places are when we're in a new town -- y'know... the bars, nightclubs, airport restrooms..."
September 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pmI am sorry but the log cabin republicans are full of shit! Big time!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pmOh, by the way, I am gay.
What's funny is that Republicans are always boasting to be the "small-government" party. Less government intervention. So, why then, do they continue to regulate gay rights, stem-cell research, and abortions?
These are decisions that should be left up to the local state governments and not some fascist-evangelical zealot extremists in Texas.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pmYou are an important part of our party.
As a hood ornament, when we're cruising the wild side for votes...
September 4th, 2008 at 8:24 pmGo Pax! I, and my family fully support you!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:25 pmhttp://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/images/sanders_h.jpg
Yes and this guy used to tell Chickens they were an Important part of his party.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:26 pm"She is a reformer who hasn’t ever been afraid to take on the party’s leadership and stand up for what’s right. And that’s what we do every day. We have taken on our party’s leadership when we felt they were going in the wrong direction..."
BULLSH*T.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:27 pm*raises eyebrow*
More like Log Cabin Masochists, amirite?
But seriously. If that party wasn't clogged up to the rafters with roaring "Christian" bigots,
September 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pmI am an gay liberal. I see nothing wrong with a gay Republican group. They could be some of the people to bring the Republican Party back from their hardline rightwing extremism.
However, I don't understand how anyone, liberal or conservative, Democratic or Republican, could endorse someone who goes against their best interests.
McCain hates gays. Log Cabin Republicans, the GAY Republican group, endorses McCain. That makes absolutely no sense at all.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pm...it would be a lot easier for my mind to grasp the concept of gay Republicans.
dadgone computer posting the comment before I was done.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:29 pmBuckie Boy Says: #7
Wake up, they will never accept you for being yourself.
You're partially right Buckie Boy. They will accept them in a back room or some other seemingly discrete place.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:40 pmIt has been said that McFake is nothing but a Hot Dog with a fancy car and a rich wife. I ran across this little gem that my shed some light on the rumor.
The story has it that while walking on the beach at his Daddy's place in Florida after he checked out of the Hanoi Hiltonm John McPain came upon the proverbial lamp, out of which came the expected Genie with the allotted three wishes. For his first wish McSame asked for a new Cadillac convertible and it was done. For his second he wished the trunk of the car was full of $100 bills. Again a fiat accompli. He then asked the Genie if he could reserve his last wish for a later time to which the Genie agreed. McSenile then drove down I-10 toward Hollywood to enjoy his good fortune. Some where in the middle of Texas he began to sing along with a commercial on the radio "I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener."
That explains it all!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:41 pmThe Log Cabin Boys are in a dither. They want equal treatment but they want to be republics The two are diametrically opposed. I guess it must be some kind of a self imposed torment they feel a need to fulfill.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pmAdd to #25
I pushed the wrong button before I explained the caveat: He had to marry the Genie, who, obviously, called herself SINdy.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:45 pmO/T, I know, but the Republicans are running a "tribute" to the victims of the attacks of 9/11. (They actually said "September eleventh. Nine-eleven." As if people never connected the two before.)
What is repulsive to me is that they showed footage of the plane hitting one of the towers, and of one of the towers collapsing. People died when those things happen, and the Republicans are exploiting it for political purposes. I was so disgusted that I had to mute it so I wouldn't hear any more.
At long last, have they no decency left?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:46 pmWayne, I actually changed the channel. It was sickening how they exploit that day.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:48 pmWayne A. Schneider Says: "At long last, have they no decency left?"
Wayne,
I would respond with an "absolutely not" but I would be implying that they, the Republicans, did have some decency at some point it time. I have found no evidence of same in the last 75 years.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:52 pm"You are important to our party"...BUT we don't want you to get married or have human rights like everyone else.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:54 pmRUCerious Says:
Keith: Saracudda?
Or McCheney
September 4th, 2008 at 8:57 pmrepugs actions speaks louder than word. All people should be able to live in peace. Repugs claim they want less government but they insist on dictating to others what we should do. This obvious an unreachable, unattainable goal.
OT some repugs talking points thusfar:
cino - children are running away from home to join and help the repug party. Did she say young children? An up-to-date pledge member of the idiot's ClUb.
GMAFB. The repugs September vid mentioned the date of chimpy's September Disaster. "It happened on September Eleventh; 9/11." WTF?
It figures the repugs invited sillyass gibbs to speak I don't think it ironic that he was the former head coach of the Washington "Redskins."
Like somebody said, "I waiting for Ashton Kutcher to show up."
September 4th, 2008 at 9:02 pmWayne, if you were watching MSNBC Keith broke away and said he is separating himself from the others to say that if any media outlet had aired that they'd have been chastised especially by the right. He said he's troubled because he had many friends die in that building and he's sorry if anybody watching it was troubled as well.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pmMcCain’s chief adviser Steve Schmidt said "we like wide stances"
September 4th, 2008 at 9:05 pmThanks, Shayne. I wonder if anyone at MSNBC (or any other network covering it, besides FNC) had screened that video ahead of time. If they did, they might have chosen to not show it and continue blathering away as they have been.
I'm glad Keith was upset about it. I hope others in the media are, too. It was more than repulsive, it was inhuman. I don't ever again want to hear a Republican claim to care about me. I had a hard enough time believing them before; I never will now.
But, I suppose I should try to stick to the topic of the thread. Like a good little TP poster.
The LCRs should just break up and join the Libertarian Party. At least the Libertarians don't support the idea of government intrusion in our lives. The Republicans want to do nothing but intrude into our lives. Not theirs, of course, just ours.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pmof course they are an important part of Gawds Own Party: they get GLBT folk to forget oppression long enough to enter a voting booth and vote for those who would continue the oppression.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:11 pmAnd I’m sure Steve Schmidt, at the end of his uplifting speech, said “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain pulling my strings”.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:18 pmYeah, for target practice.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:21 pmO/T, I know, but the Republicans are running a “tribute” to the victims of the attacks of 9/11.
Don't worry about being O/T. It looks like we'll have to hijack this thread for our live RNC funeral blogging -- or as I like to call it, Death Watch 2008.
Here's a powerful reaction to the video you described from Kos (the called it "War Porn"):
Congratulations, GOP, for the tackiest, bloodiest bit of propaganda devised in recent memory. Using footage of everything from the Marine barracks bombing to 9/11 in service to a vile, crass, ham-handed, historically botched propaganda piece for your convention.
And their little "film" didn't even make a bit of logical or historical sense. It was just the worst Republican masturbatory fantasies about how the world works, said in a grave voice while they showed pictures of people dead and dying. On their watch.
What trash these people are. Piss off, cretins.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:22 pmWas there a chyron running under the video of the plane hitting the tower that said in bold letters
"This happened on our shift, after we ignored CIA warnings"???
September 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pmLaSalvia expressed support for Gov. Sarah Palin:
Well, I think that we have a lot in common with Gov. Palin.
Apparently Mr LaSalvia is hearing and seeing something completely unrelated to reality.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pm[I want to pay] my [veneer of] respect and the campaign’s [veneer of] respect to your organization [while i'm here in person]. On a personal level, my sister and her partner are an important part of my life and our children’s life [in terms of an example of what not to do]. I admire your group and your organization because it's easier to say i admire you than that i agree with any of your views], and I encourage you to keep fighting [us] for what you believe in because the day is going to come [whether our party likes it or not]. You are an important part of [getting] our party [elected].
there! all better!
September 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pmWell the Cindy McBimbo video is running now. What an over-produced bit of fiction!
But I can hardly wait to see which $300,000 outfit the drug-addicted anorexic twit took out of her closet for tonight's affair.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:34 pmCan you believe they are showing a cindy's beer commercial and touting mcchimpy's adultery. Come on now!
September 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pmWhat? No mention of her half-sisters? Why am I not surprised?
September 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pmI think I missed something. Did she introduce McNumbNuts' other kids. You know, the ones who won't talk to him anymore?
Sh!t, this already so sugary and smarmy. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:39 pmFunny how they glossed over that whole "he was still married" when they fell in love, and the minor legal issues that needed to be attended to (first wife?) before that storybook wedding.
St. Cindy - apparently not the c*unt you've heard about.
BTW, wonder how much St. Cindy had to pay those "other" kids to show up and smile for Papa?
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 9:39 pmIt is time, once again, to pray for Light to be brought to Truth.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:40 pmBased on the very heavy eyelids, I think the Xanax dosing was a little high tonight.
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 9:41 pmI have to hand it to them, the Republicans have managed to pull off some amazing lies this week. Gay people are important to the party that tries to restrict their rights and demonizes them to gain red state votes? The party that gave us record spending and deficits as well as out of control Big Brother government is the party of small government and fiscal responsibility? Democrats are the rich elitists, but we're going to openly gear our tax policy to help the most wealthy? Barack Obama was pretentious to have columns behind his speech, and we're going to criticize him about it before an enormous high definition jumbotron screen with a giant American flag waving on it? Career politician McCain is the agent of change? I mean, the layers and layers of complete BS shoveled this week alone would fill the Grand Canyon.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:42 pmLooks like McBimbo dress down for tonight. That ensemble couldn't be much more than $150,000.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:46 pmIs that really McNumbNuts' wife -- or is it Chertoff dressed in drag. Seen one Skeletor, you've seen them all.
By the way, is this the RNC funeral or a VFW convention? I'm confused.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:48 pmWhat is really going on here? Did the overnight polls show how badly Failin' Palin stumbled last night that they had to put McBimbo out there as a "bad example" to improve Mrs. Palin's approval ratings by comparison?
What a big steaming pile of cr*pola.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:54 pmIt's official now. Tonight has turned into such a disaster that new bumper stickers are being printed up:
"PALIN/mccain 2008"
September 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pmLog Cabin Republicans standing firm behind John McCain!
May prove the secret to erecting John McCain.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:59 pmMcCain brought down the house. In The Navy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YkyC1BKroM
September 4th, 2008 at 10:04 pmWayne A. Schneider Says:
O/T, I know, but the Republicans are running a "tribute" to the victims of the attacks of 9/11. (They actually said "September eleventh. Nine-eleven." As if people never connected the two before.)
I heard it too. But I took it they didn't reference the year.
They won't say the year because chimpy didn't keep us safe in a lot of places.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:06 pmDid they really just say that "above all else, John McCain is a Mama's boy"?
Wow! Did someone focus group that and think it was funny?
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:06 pmI'm glad to say that I haven't watched a single moment of tonight's coverage. But, I can't think of much that would be more damning than their continual celebration of the disastrous response to the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pmWow. This video is really over the top. I've had it on for les than 1 minute and I nearly vomited.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:07 pmThe republicans really eat this stuff up. Don't you remember how highly they regard the service of Max Cleland and John Kerry?
And, of course, that great American hero, George Dumbya who guarded the golf courses of Texas as a pilot in the TANG (until he deserted, that is).
September 4th, 2008 at 10:11 pmI think they have more black faces in the video than there are in the entire convention.
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:11 pmThere's the senile old fart himself! With his shoulders all frozen up (did you know that he was a POW?), his wave kinda looks like one of those "Zeig Heil" thingys. Anyone else notice that?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:14 pmSorry, I don't think he looks any better in front of a red screen than he did in front of the green one.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:15 pmAnd there's that green screen again! What are they thinking?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pmI just saw a protester with a sign "you can't win an occupation."
September 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pmThey just showed a great sign hanging up in the "nose-bleed" section:
"You can't win an occupation"
Wonderful!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 pmDidn't thy learn their lesson about green backgrounds?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 pmPaying homage to his butt-buddy, GDumbya. He's off-script already.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:17 pmThey didn't learn their lesson about McNumbNuts! The green background is minor in comparison.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm5 minutes of family nostalgia, then right into the lying.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:19 pmWhite is not her color.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:20 pmUh Oh
September 4th, 2008 at 10:23 pmWhen is McNumbNuts going to pack away the platitudes and explain what he's going to do to get the government back to work for Americans?
The clock is ticking . . . he's had about 26 years to do that. What's the hangup?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:24 pmWell, that's what you get when you have tons of empty seats.
WOW! there are a LOT of protesters in there!
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pmAs soon as he figures that out, he'll let you know, Tom. It may take another 26.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pmAll the USA chanting . . . did they fly these dimwits in right from the Beijing Olympics?
It does look like the "synchronized swimming" crowd.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pmShe's worked with her hands and nose?
Sorry, I just can't help with the snide comments.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pmWe're at about 15 minutes, and tell me, has he said anything about anything?
Palin is still getting more applause than J. Sydney. That can't sit well with Senator Ego.
He's going to introduce Palin to Washington... how about the press first?
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:28 pmWell, McNumbNuts is proving his campaign manager right tonight -- "this election isn't going to be about issues, it's going to be about character and culture."
The "characters" (that is, the usual suspects) are making that clear!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:30 pmUm, am I the only one who is completely underwhelmed with this speech so far? And this is the speech he's been practicing non-stop for the last 3 - 4 weeks?
I'll veto pork spending and you will know their names! Yes, we do! Sarah Palin!
He fought lobbyists? If by fought, you mean hired, okay then!
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:31 pmThe enthusiasm is decidedly underwhelming.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:32 pmAnybody tune it to something interesting tonight?
I don't have cable but I am aching to hear how Obama's appearance on O'Reilly's show went.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:32 pmam I the only one who is completely underwhelmed
Nope. As I say, watch for the new bumper stickers:
"PALIN/mccain 2008"
September 4th, 2008 at 10:34 pmThe idiots are clapping like idiots because mcchimpy sent more of our soldiers to die. No mention of the Awaking.
The cow jumped over the moon.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:34 pmHe's downright terrible. He looks angry when the crowd shows support. His delivery is monotone. He stares at the teleprompter, and most importantly, he has nothing to say.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:34 pmSorry Tom. I forgot all about the O'Reilly deal. I have no idea how it went.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:35 pm"We lost their trust and we're going to change that"
I wish he would do something about that all right. May I suggest he resign and refuse his Senate pension?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:36 pmYep the crowd looks "energized."
mcchimpy: "We are going to change" once again clapping like idiots. How? How? How?
mcchimpy: "We believe"
September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 pmbut rudy said hope is bad.
Tom, Obama did great against O'Reilly (thank God for the DVR with the fast-forward) But tonight was only about 5 or so minutes of the whole interview, and the balance of the interview will be next Mon, Tues and Weds nights. I guess there's going to be some crafty editing over the next few days.
And let me tell you, I found it very disrespectful how often O'Reilly cut him off and talked over him. But Obama held his ground and was clear and concise in his answers. Much faster on his feet than at Saddleback.
And I guess the fact that I'm writing all this while J. Sydney is speaking tells it all about how interested in what he is saying.
Yawn.
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe boy whose DESCENDENTS arrived on the Mayflower? Uh, ancestor?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:40 pmHe's going to help a worker who lost a job that won't come back to find a job that won't go away.
Um, what will those jobs be, John?
Even the crowd is slowing down the applause...
September 4th, 2008 at 10:42 pmOMG! They just focused in on some guy yawning, and I mean a huge yawn!
Is this really FOX on the cameras???
September 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pmI live in Minneapolis. I get really depressed when I see 15,000 or so idiots like this gathered at a funeral -- er, convention -- right here in the Twin Cities.
Then I realize that they had to import 98 percent of them from the rest of the 50 states.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:45 pmHoly Cow. It just keeps getting worse. Palin is definitely the rock of this ticket.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:45 pmEven the crowd is slowing down the applause…
Time to pass out another round of kool-aid.
BTW, I heard they re-did the stage with a cat-walk so McNumbNuts could stroll out into the crowd. When is he going to do that? Or didn't they get the hand-rails up in time?
September 4th, 2008 at 10:47 pmI'm sorry, but this guy seems better suited to a career in Amway than in politics.
He probably could have build quite a pyramid!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:48 pmHey tom. I'm just across the river in St. Paul and I just hope the RNC is over before someone reads my internet correspondence and decides I'm an "anarchist".
September 4th, 2008 at 10:50 pmPalin is definitely the rock of this ticket.
I agree; however, I would call Failin' Palin the "millstone" of the ticket. In any case, it's a sad commentary on the ticket.
When is this interminable sermon going to come to a merciful end? The only exciting part of this evening is going to be the balloon drop.
"I know how to ______________________ (fill in the blank)."
B as in B; S as in S.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:50 pmFrom Josh Marshall's live blogging over at TPM:
10:44 PM ... Did anyone else notice this? A few lines back I think he called for abolishing unemployment insurance. Here's the line: "I know some of you have been left behind in the changing economy and it often seems your government hasn't even noticed. Government assistance for unemployed workers was designed for the economy of the 1950s. That's going to change on my watch."
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 pmTop McCain Aide Tells Gay Republicans, ‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’»
The phrase you people comes to mind....
Don't the Log Cabin Republicans realize they are being grouped as that... 'you people'? Or as they are Republicans quite possibly they do not as they are too busy viewing other groups as 'you people'...
September 4th, 2008 at 10:52 pmHe probably could have build quite a pyramid!
He has build quite a pyramid . . . or is it better described as "a house of cards"?
Stick a fork in him. He's done.
Now he's talking about changing the way we do business because of the technological revolution . . . does that mean he's going to start using The Google? What an absolute idiot.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:53 pmI think he's painting a very clear picture to the American public.
He's old, he's not going to live through his term, Palin is next in line, and we don't have any reason to believe she is remotely qualified for the job.
I think they got McCain's meds out of balance tonight. There can be passion in the voice of this man, albeit misdirected, but tonight he just sounds flat and tired.
I almost feel sorry for him. Almost...
September 4th, 2008 at 10:54 pmOh, oh. He just said "my friends". Does anyone have a current count on that?
I suppose, if you're playing the "my friends"/maverick/POW/9-11 drinking game, you've probably passed out by now.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 pmYou are more generous than me, spencers_mom. All I hear is false modesty, self-ingraciating unctiousness and revolting disconnection.
It is nice, though, that he has lived long enough to deliver his own eulogy.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:57 pm#
#
spencers mom Says:
From Josh Marshall’s live blogging over at TPM:
10:44 PM … Did anyone else notice this? A few lines back I think he called for abolishing unemployment insurance. Here’s the line: “I know some of you have been left behind in the changing economy and it often seems your government hasn’t even noticed. Government assistance for unemployed workers was designed for the economy of the 1950s. That’s going to change on my watch.”
September 4th, 2008 at 10:51 pm Add Karma Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
And he says it with such a kind gentle voice.
Kill America... vote for McCain.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pmtom Says:
It is nice, though, that he has lived long enough to deliver his own eulogy.
Best line of the night, Tom!
As I read elsewhere, "What are the odds Governor Palin drops McCain from the ticket?"
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pmSomebody, please, please, please . . . take him off-stage and "work him over again real good". Please!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pmTom, the last count I saw at TheZoo was at 7.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:01 pmIn business, we have a saying that describes what we are witnessing from McNumbNuts tonight:
"Selling from an empty wagon."
This poor, senile old fart has got nothing.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:01 pmYou know, during Obama's speech, most of the speeches last week for that matter, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, and couldn't be interupted for anything.
Yet tonight, it's like white noise in the background while I make mental grocery lists and figure out what I need to get done at work tomorrow.
Honestly, I think it is far more than party loyalty. I don't think many Americans are getting inspired by this man tonight.
It's kind of like that fleeting feeling you get for the other team when they are getting crushed during the 4th quarter. But then you realize that you really want your team to win, and that thought is immediately gone.
"Fight with me! Fight with me! Fight for what's right for our country!"
I will, John, I will fight for what's right for our country!
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 11:04 pmHe looks so proud of what he just did. Reminds me of when my son pooped in the potty the first time...
Oh well...
At least he's stuck with public financing now. Let me go donate some more cash to Obama.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:07 pmThat was some fake ending. I swear the crowd was cheering to drown out Mcnsane.... he sounded absolutely pitiful.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pmGawd what idiots. It would be pointless to even try and hit all the low notes but, I noted the enthusiasm for education, which is ironic from people who want nothing more than eliminating science from public schools. Unless it's the elimination of public schools all together?
And apparently they are utterly ignorant of the fact that oil prices, in response to the divine pressure of the "free market", have been going down for months as the new reality of oil prices has caused a significant reduction in demand. And the world oil market is, apparently, confident enough about supplies that prices went down despite a major hurricane resulting in widespread shutdowns in the Gulf region.
An inevitable increase in demand has been exposed as myth. And much of the world has already learned that conservation and increased efficiency is the only viable approach. It's the only energy strategy which provides both immediate and long-term positive results.
"Drill more, drill now" is the most asinine message of the entire RNC with the possible exception of that old madman's final remarks. How stupid does one need to be to tell a bunch of God-plagued rednecks to "stand up and fight"? Why doesn't the old reprobate just go out and bomb "librul" institutions himself?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pmAh, the balloon drop . . . best part of the evening. Obama didn't have one of those. How can he expect to be a good president without a balloon drop?
Looks like the crowd is already making a bee-line for the exits. Can't blame them. Four hours is enough time to spend in an echo chamber. The hookers, booze and blow awaits! It is time for the grieving to begin in earnest.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:10 pmHe's working the rope line. Is Michelle Bimbo Bachmann going to "mash" him? Ya think? He'll probably mistake her for his running mate.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:11 pmWell, I just lost any interest after 20 minutes. That was the worst political speech of this magnitude I have ever seen. And that includes Chimpy. Chimpy sucked in his own way, but this was just terrible. Terrible delivery, terrible enthusiasm, terrible speech writing, you name it. What did he accomplish with that? Will the conservative media even be able to buff this turd?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:12 pmThis could have been a two-day funeral -- er, convention. Tonight was a complete abomination.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:14 pmFrom the Boston Globe:
One of the most enduring taboos in American politics, the airing of graphic images from the September 11 attacks in a partisan context, died today. It was nearly seven years old.
The informal prohibition, which had been occasionally threatened by political ads in recent years, was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 CST, when a video aired before delegates at the Republican National Convention included slow-motion footage of a plane striking the World Trade Center, the towers' subsequent collapse, and smoke emerging from the Pentagon.
The September 11 precedent was one of the few surviving campaign-season taboos. It is survived by direct comparisons of one's opponents to Hitler.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pmtbone- i agree, his speech was VERY boring.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pmIf convention enthusiasm is any indication, McPalin is in for a long couple of months.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:18 pmMcCain tried to say, "well I was a POW and Obama wasn't, therefore, I'm qualified." Good one, John.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pmI just donated 50 bucks to Obama. The Republican Convention has reminded how much the Republicans are full of hypocrisy, failures, and lies.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:20 pmDid he actual say he accepts the nomination? I didn't hear it.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:21 pmSome idiot named Michael just tried to claim it was "certainly the greatest speech of his career" on PBS, then Mark Shields spent bout seven minutes demonstrating exactly what an asinine statement that was. Even that gasbag Dave Brooks couldn't manage to spout the party line with any enthusiasm.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:23 pmGOL:
September 4th, 2008 at 11:24 pmI think that was one of his first comments, but I could be wrong. The last two weeks are blending together.
Did he actual say he accepts the nomination?
Yes, he did. But after his dismal performance tonight, the offer may well be withdrawn.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:27 pmmcchimpy admitted he sold-out the US during his time of captured. So what makes him a hero?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:28 pmI couldn't believe all the praise on PBS, either. Thank goodness, Mark Shields set the record straight.
Perhaps, those other got caught up in McNumbNuts "auto-eulogy" and thought it would be unkind to speak ill of the dead.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:29 pmIf those conventioneers were hoping for a home run, by about 10 minutes in they were just hoping he'd step in front of the ball so he could get a walk to first.
I'm done for the night. Maybe I should have DVR'd that speech for a future sleep aid. It sure worked tonight.
Later all!
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 11:32 pmI was wondering that too. He said others had been tortured worse. And I bet many of them didn't "break".
September 4th, 2008 at 11:34 pmThere were more balloons than people. Is that the normal ratio?
September 4th, 2008 at 11:34 pmOne more thing. Here's Obama on O'Reilly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE6gMeIJySU
After listening to McCain for, what, seven or eight hours, tell me who sounds more presidential.
PEACE
September 4th, 2008 at 11:38 pmI saw a person with a long 2x4 stick poised horizontally across his shoulder. He had attached, on top of the stick, painted heads placed next to each other. So actually it looked like 7 people from afar.
.:snark:.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:43 pmI don't recall who said it but, one of last weeks talking heads said; "McCain is an elitist. Obama is an elite intellect." or something very close to that.
I don't think the two conventions could have demonstrated that any more than they did.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:47 pmPete:
September 4th, 2008 at 11:57 pmI long for the day when bright, educated people are no longer belittled. Whenever you talk to anybody, they understand the value of education. They want their kids to get as much education as possible to maximize their opportunities for success. So, why, when a product of that education that has succeeded at every level becomes available, do people become dismissive of that very accomplishment they value themselves?
I think Palin, when she took the stage tonight after Flub Flub's half speech/half already said and much stated grandiose biography, was dressed in a manner that sent a message to the GOP male elite that she's ready to trade in her "alpha" status for..."more gloss and less bite". What failure awaits, she'll probably skate free from it...like most who invoke Reagan and -insert other famous Repub here- do.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:44 amSteve Schmidt said:
Is Steve suggesting that RepubliCONs are for gay marriage and that RepubliCONs are pushing the issue FOR the Log cabin RepubliCONNED?
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:20 am.
Yo Steve,
B L O W
M E!
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:21 amSteve Schmidt said:
<blockquote>"... I will just tell ya that over the last 48 hours the smearing and defamation of this family is unlike anything that I have ever seen..."
Hea Steve,
If the Party of “Family Values” wishes to put their V.P.’s family up on a stage before the entire world, why should they be allowed to cry, “Please don’t judge us for our family’s values”?
That's not defamation when you exploit your own family and the entire world laughs... that's a sad case of hypocrisy coming from the most bigoted, anti-family values Party America has ever had.
Abstinence... unless you're GOP?
No premarital sex... unless you're GOP?
Homophobic... unless it's a GOP?
Sex ed... pray to god, especially if you're GOP?
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:34 am#28 Wayne A. Schneider,
They've been an empty shell for quite a while now...
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:41 am.
What Log cabins don't understand because of their BLIND LOYALTY to "The Party" is that they ARE important to the RepugniCONs as having them around, the RepugniCONs have someone to defame and smear.
Sad that gays RepubliCONNED don't get it. That they ARE the lawn boys/girlz of the RepugniCON Party, standing fastly with that lantern in their hand to illuminate the lane to massa's White House.
These Log Cabin RepubliCONNED make me think of a black slave owner of prior centuries gone by. The hypocrisy reeks...!
.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:50 amI didn't know that Separate but Equal was considered full equality...
September 5th, 2008 at 3:19 amI couldn't stand to listen to John Sydney tonight, but I did read the text of the speech. Suprisingly, one of the few areas of the stated policy differences between McCain and Obama is that John wants to build 45 Nuclear (or is it Nukuler) power plants. As if we can irradiate ourselves out of our dependency on oil. I've been a long-time proponent of Nuclear power, but I've watched WPPSS completely mess things up by trying to build 5 completely different plant design simultaneously. The only way it could work, is to basically have the French come build the plants, and it's still not terribly economically viable electricity generation. Besides, as far as I understand it, we are not particularly strapped for electricity capacity, unless the oil companies let the car companies make electric cars, that is.
Anyway... I find it hard to believe that JSM is out there trying to differentiate himself by taking this stance. I rarely hear it mentioned.
September 5th, 2008 at 3:35 am‘You Are An Important Part Of Our Party’
September 5th, 2008 at 12:22 pmOnly because human sacrifice to Satan requires victims.
Obama shares McCain's views on gay marriage (the Saddleback church appearance was very clear). Obama has different views on other issues: Repealing DADT, allowing gays to adopt, discrimination, etc. Obama does support repealing DOMA.
It's worth noting that Obama also had ex-gay activist Donnie McClurkin sing at one of his rallies - and McClurkin used the opportunity to go on an anti-gay rant.
Log Cabin Republicans play an important role. If McCain wins, it's important for a gay organization to have some influence with him.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:24 pm