Kyl: McCain’s earmark pledge is ‘more symbolic than it is signficant.’
Kyl: McCain’s earmark pledge is ‘more symbolic than it is signficant.’
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has claimed that he can cut up to $100 billion in earmark spending, a major tenet of his plan to balance the budget. The Wonk Room has noted, however, that McCain’s budget numbers do not add up. In a Tuesday event at the RNC, a host noted that the total cost of earmarks pales in comparison to the war in Iraq, Social Security, and health care spending. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) admitted that the earmark pledge is in reality just “symbolic”:
KYL: It is true that the question of earmarks is more symbolic than it is significant in terms of the total amount of money. But if he combines that with the notion of ending wasteful Washington spending…And so if addition to earmarks, which are relatively small, you begin to focus on not just raising taxes but to reducing spending here and there, that is a big deal.
Watch it:
Kyl also said that the frequent conservative catch phrase “wasteful Washington spending” is just political rhetoric. “The reason that I use it is because the consultants who look at the polls tell us that if there’s anything that drives American taxpayers crazy it’s that phrase ‘wasteful Washington spending,’” he admitted. “They hate it.”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
This type of talk is meant to speak to the fiscal conservative base of the republican party. Reagan and Both Bush’s talked extensively about cutting wasteful government spending and yet they drove the debt up massive amounts.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:53 amTHank you, Senator Kyl for admitting that John McSame’s primary governing proposals are nothing more than empty rhetoric intended to score points with focus-grouped catch-phrases.
Now, where’s your flag lapel pin?
September 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am“…begin to focus on not just raising taxes…”
Wait, did Kyl really say, in effect, that John McCain will raise taxes? WTF? If McCain does raise taxes, it’ll only be on the poor and middle-class.
How can they talk, even rhetorically, about cutting wasteful government spending when it appears that ALL government contracts are done on a no-bid cost-plus basis?
September 6th, 2008 at 11:58 amIt is true that the question of earmarks is more symbolic than it is significant in terms of the total amount of money.
I would counter that McStain’s entire campaign is more symbolic than it is significant. As is his “war hero” persona.
For a man who is bought and paid for by a young, rich woman and a team of lobbyists, he is more a milk cow than a maverick.
PEACE
September 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pmYes, Ralph, Kyl just told Americans that every platitude and promise that the McCain campaign has used is lie.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:03 pmOh, spencers mom, you have really been on fire lately. Excellent.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pmThank goodness the Bush administration’s wasteful spending of hundreds of billions of dollars is in Iraq, not Washington!
September 6th, 2008 at 12:10 pmI believe McCain also pledged to cut out
in foreign aid to countries that were not totally friendly to the United States.
Now that is a lot of pocket change. Did he mispeak or is he talking about over the next 20 years. It would be helpful if he would say which countries and what amount each country gets. He is obviously talking about Egypt and Pakistan. Who else?
I am surprised that the media did not pick up on this one specific proposal that McCain included in his acceptance speech. It seems as though he gets a free pass on everything he says, including the absurd.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:13 pm#8 DallasNE,
It is likely McCain was talking about Egypt. But there will be no savings of 700 million dollars in Foreign Aid,because one billion dollars will be going to Georgia.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:22 pmRmember what McCain said after the Russian/Georgian conflict started: “We Are All Georgians..”.
And Americans still don’t have free healthcare …
September 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pmKYL: It is true that the question of earmarks is more symbolic than it is significant…
Just like everything Republicans do.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pmSeems Freddie and Fanny are gonna be taken care of. Shit all I wanted was some help with managing my kids braces payments…
September 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pmSymbolic of a lie, of course.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:02 pmOT Since it’s a slow Saturday. This is still important I think.
Bush intends to punish Moscow for invading Georgia
September 6th, 2008 at 1:05 pmOT Here is another one you don’t hear much, at least it surprised me by just the sheer numbers considering there were probably on about 30 times as many people inside as were arrested outside.
818 protesers arrested outside the gop convention
September 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pmonly about 30…..sorry
September 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pmWow, John McCain lie? Here’s his new theme song, to the tune of Eye of the Tiger by Survivor:
Eye of the Liar
Ragin’ hard, back on K Street
Delivered my lines, teleprompter dances
Rolled the dice with my VP pick
Now I’m hiding her, my need to survive
So many earmarks, they happen too fast
Stealing “change”, my ticket to glory
I lost my grip on dreams of Americans
But I pander, as I deliver them lies
Chorus:
It’s the eye of the liar, it’s the cream of victory
Risin’ up to our malor donors’ cries
And the last known survivor gets the big booty
And no media’s watchin’ the eye of the liar
Two faced, willing to cheat
Livin’ high, fat and happy
Diebold stacks the odds ’til we declare victory
We need the White House to start another war
chorus
Ragin’ hard, pumping my fists
Emotional upchuck, that’s my story
Went the distance, now I’m physically spent
Dress that woman and get her to hide
chorus
The eye of the cheater (repeats out)…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:13 pmOT This one is informative too.
US Government To Take Over 2 Top Mortgage Giants, Shareholders To Be Wiped Out
September 6th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
From Fred’s “Bush Intends to Punish Moscow” link:
“Administration officials determined almost immediately that Russia must suffer some consequences for its actions and wanted to take punitive measures in concert with Europe.”
And what happens when other nations finally determine that the United States must suffer some consequences for its actions, and decide to take punitive measures? Putin has already said that the U.S. instigated the Georgian conflict as a way to try to influence the American elections.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:15 pmOf course, God told McCain and Palin to lie…
September 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pmI just finished reading a really good article written by Charley James about Palin. This is not someone I want to be in charge of anything.
Link
September 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pmOT Another one that is a big issue and getting worse instead of better:
Federal Highway Trust Fund To Run Out Of Money
Once again bush was for it before he was against it and now is for it…..
yet,
and now:
US Federal Highway Trust Fund To Run Out Of Money
September 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pmThe entire free thinking world knows John McCain is a lying Neo Con, a pox that cannot be cleansed by taking a whore’s bath.
http://www.light-to-dark.com/finger_puppets.html
September 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pmI think the war machine has made it perfectly clear that we will punish them. We have the largest military on the face of the earth and we are not afraid to use it. God save us, if only.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:31 pmWhy is McCain still talking about earmarks? Hasn’t he learned his lesson by now? Every time he mentions earmarks, he gets skewered because he talks stupidly and doesn’t do his homework. He claims he will veto ALL earmark spending, but backtracks when it’s pointed out to him this would cut out aid to Israel. He declares war on earmarks and then chooses a running mate who has lobbied for them. And now he’s claiming that cutting earmarks will help him balance the budget.
Doesn’t he realize how idiotic he sounds?
September 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pmOT but related to the freddie mack/fannie mae link:
Dow plunges after warning of ‘financial tsunami’
September 6th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Mostly OT, it does mention “pork”, but for anyone who has not seen this article, it is well worth the read:
http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/09/05/alaskans-speak-in-a-frightened-whisper-palin-is-%E2%80%9Cracist-sexist-vindictive-and-mean%E2%80%9D/#more-954
PEACE
September 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pmMr Kyl: does the phrase “wasteful Washington spending” bother conservatives as much as “unwed, pregnant teenaged girls” with parents who are proclaimed evangelicals?
September 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pmThe only good news about Kyl’s statement that elimination of earmarks is “symbolic” is that it will make it possible to explain away Failin’ Palin’s pork-barrel past. You see, she was just “symbolically” at odds with McNumbNuts position on the matter.
With regard to the $700 billion in foreign aid, McNumbNuts has painted himself into a corner. Much of that returns to the U.S. in the form of foreign-purchased goods and services from U.S. companies (kind of a corporate welfare program, don’t ya know). If he diddles with that too much, he will be cutting off his nose to spite his face.
Perhaps Kyl can take one step further in disclosing the baselessness of the republican ticket’s policies and admit that McNumbNuts will have to raise taxes or print more worthless money or gut social programs.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pmshorter version. “If mccain says something he doesn’t have to do it.”
September 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pmDumb and dumber…no wonder this State is in the shi#$er!
September 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pmSarah Palin will be absent from the Sunday talk shows.
That Republican ticket is now officially POW/MIA.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pmHeh, speaking of the federal highway fund running out of money, didn’t Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina (I forget which) say that McBushalin were going to suspend the federal gas tax during the summer(s)? How many millions in revenue that CAN ONLY BE USED FOR HIGHWAYS is going to be lost over the summer? Where’s the money going to come from?
September 6th, 2008 at 2:14 pmAt the end of the recording Mr. Kyl then blames the Democratic congress for McAbsent from not being able to reduce wasteful spending. “John Bush” was in congress 26 years, 6 recent ones being Republican House/Senate/White House and the “wasteful spending” ballooned…Please explain again exactly what is going to be different under a McCain administration?
September 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pmIt’s all just a game to these people! When Rudy Ghouliani was asked if he believed in the harsh tone of his own speech towards Barack Obama he replied no. Then he was asked if he had a problem with the things he said and he replied “In front of this crowd, no way!”
Obviously both parties are guilty of serving up red meat to their rabid supporters, this has been going on forever but I am so proud of the democratic party for having the decency to point out their opponents flaws and differnces without sounding snide or nasty in the process…unlike the disgusting speeches made by Romney, Palin and especially the former Mayor of 9/11 Rudy Ghouliani.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:31 pmForgive me, please..I need some tutoring:) Just for giggles, I took a visit to John McCain’s website and looked at the blog to read the comments.It’s scary!!!! The whole site is scary!Do you visit those sites on a regular basis and comment?
September 6th, 2008 at 2:35 pmIt’s a cult!I’d never get anything done all day if I did that. Go check it out…quite enlightening…Ignorant AND dumb sheep…scary. I’ll take any tutoring I can get….thanks.
Little Freep Goofballs Says:
Sarah Palin will be absent from the Sunday talk shows.
That Republican ticket is now officially POW/MIA.
“““““““““““““““““““““`
LMAO! Love the name!!
So the GOP have Sarah Palin officially isolated in a “cone of silence” while Johnny McAngry refuses to show up on Larry King because republican journalist Campbell Brown had the nerve to ask McCain campaign person, Tucker Bound legitimate questions concerning Sarah Palin.
How in the hell are these two expected to deal with the pressures of dealing with the likes of Putin, China, Al Qaida or the problems in our own country when they cannot even handle tough questions and scrutiny from the media?
Whats even more pathetic about this is for the longest time the media was treating McCrazy with kid gloves while they attacked and question everything about Barack Obama 24/7 since he entered the race. Mean while St. Johnny Of Hanoi cuts and runs from CNN for being too mean!
You know something is very wrong with a ticket when the two people on it have to go into hiding and cry foul whenever the media has the balls to actually do their jobs and ask tough questions.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:41 pm“The reason that I use it is because the consultants who look at the polls tell us that if there’s anything that drives American taxpayers crazy it’s that phrase ‘wasteful Washington spending,’” he admitted. “They hate it.”
yeah wasteful..kinda like paying consultants to tell you which emotional strings pull the best…sooo CRAZY!
September 6th, 2008 at 3:09 pmApologies if someone pointed this out already but if according to Senator Kyl the earmark pledge is symbolic, and if it is combined with “wasteful Washington spending” which he later admits is mere “political rhetoric” then he’s confirming that McCain’s budget plans are just empty words and he’s full of shit, but he [Kyl] is still going to pitch for McCain and do his best to ensure another publicly disastrous but privately beneficial GOP Presidency—in other words Party First and Country Last.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:15 pmSince when does symbolic mean, literally, “Nothing”
September 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pmdesertflower1 Says:
Forgive me, please..I need some tutoring:)
Of course, McNumbNuts’ website is scary. It’s nothing more than a small group of wingnuts talking to each other in an echo chamber. I suppose the good thing about that is it keeps them occupied and off the street where they would be a danger to themselves and others.
Here’s a funny story about that website. I went there to register. There are questions you have to answer — kind of a “loyalty oath”, I guess. To the question, who are your political heroes, I responded “Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan” (I threw up a little bit in my mouth when I lied about that last one). To the question, why do you support the Republican party, I responded “I don’t really know”.
Now, I thought those were reasonable answers. After all, all those presidents were mentioned during the RNC funeral — er, convention. And most republicans don’t have a clue where their candidates stand on policy and issues so “I don’t know” is a reasonable answer. And McNumbNuts says that all the time when he is asked a question he doesn’t want to answer.
So what happened? I have not received the email response from them giving me a password so I get comment and/or set up a blog. This was over a week ago.
lol
September 6th, 2008 at 3:19 pmThis is the government you get when you let Frank Luntz vet policy.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pmDemocrats are doing well against McCain. But these poll results (if you believe polls mean anything) indicate a disconnect.
Democrats have successfully attacked the Bush Administration (with a lot of help from the administration) and it’s reflected in in Bush’s low approval ratings (23%). And Obama has run an excellent campaign in a cycle that should belong to Democrats.
Democrats have worked hard to paint a McCain presidency as merely a continuation of Bush’s.
If the public believed that McCain is really McSame, I don’t think he’d be running even with Obama in the polling.
I think the progressive attack, that McCain is the same as Bush, is effective and progressives should keep it up.
I just think, that so far, many (or most) haven’t bought it.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:33 pmZooey Says:
KYL: It is true that the question of earmarks is more symbolic than it is significant…
Just like everything Republicans do.
_______________
Uh, the lying and the stealing is real… Botch really did run up a huge deficit… and all those Iraqis really are really, really dead.
See? Not everything the GOOPers do is symbolic. Some of it is real…
September 6th, 2008 at 3:36 pmbackup Says:
Democrats have worked hard to paint a McCain presidency as merely a continuation of Bush’s.
___________
They don’t have to work to do it all… McSame has bragged about it publicly.
You really are out of touch w/ reality, aren’t you?
___________
I just think, that so far, many (or most) haven’t bought it.
The MSM is SOOOOOOOOOOO pro-McStain it’s embarrassing, and it’s way too easy to frame a poll to reach the desired result. You, on the othre hand, appear to have bought into the “myth of the maverick” completely.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pmTom, that’s kinda scary shit. I’ve never had to answer questions like that while registering to comment on a blog. They’re probably having the FBI or CIA check you out, that’s what’s taking so long.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pmRepublic. I may be out of touch. It’s also possible that Gallup is relatively objective and it’s polls are representative of the American people. And it’s possible that you are formulating your opinions about this campaign among a population (and with less than objective information) that is not fully representational of the American people. Resulting in a skewed view of the situation.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:46 pmWell, the “psychological” impact of this “pledge” has had an affect on me similar to my awakening from the “mental recession” I thought I had been experiencing.
Knowing John McCain’s heart goes out to the couple from Ohio whose “investments” were devastated by the collapse of the housing market has me thinking that tax cuts for the richest 5% of the country is exactly what this country needs.
McCain/Palin ‘08 – Worse than it ever was!
September 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pmXisithrus Says:
Since when does symbolic mean, literally, “Nothing”
__________
Prolly about the same time “torture” became “enhanced interrogation” and the C02 from cars got all different and more acceptable from other C02..
September 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pmbackup Says:
Resulting in a skewed view of the situation.
_________
Course… there’s always a chance you simply have your head up your Cheney, AGAIN… saaaaaaay, aren’t you the twit in the smoking jacket tryin’ ta float the idea that “uppity” might not be a racially charged term?
But none the less, it means the part in question doesn’t know its prpoer place, huh, you uppity, disingenuous nitwit.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pmbackup:
And it’s possible that you are formulating your opinions about this campaign among a population (and with less than objective information) that is not fully representational of the American people.
However, polls show americans favor democratic policies – even Gallup.
“Fully representational?”
An impossible standard to meet.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pmThey’re probably having the FBI or CIA check you out, that’s what’s taking so long.
I anticipated there would be some hurdles put in the way so I used an alias ISP, name and a “blind” email address. I also gave them a phone number that I know to be disconnected and a bogus rural delivery route for an address. I sure don’t want their fund-raising requests or propaganda.
If the FBI or CIA is on the task, I doubt they will find me. They can’t even seem to track down bin Laden after all.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pmbarfly Says:
“Fully representational?”
An impossible standard to meet.
___________
I’m not even sure you can define that phrase meaningfully. Just more double talk from someone determined to come across as smug and condescending.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:55 pmbarfly. I agree with the democratic policies argument. It just won’t make much difference if McCain wins in November. Today, it’s pretty much a toss up, unless the electoral college matchups are significantly different than the nationwide polling.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:55 pmIt just won’t make much difference if McCain wins in November.
Like the polling also doesn’t show a democratic blowout, in the House and Senate?
Get real.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:59 pmRepublic. You work on trying to make a point without insults or namecalling and I’ll work on the condescension. There could be some relationship between the two.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pmbackup, either way you look at the stats, McCain will be a political eunuch, if he somehow wins.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:02 pmYou work on trying to make a point without insults or namecalling and I’ll work on the condescension. There could be some relationship between the two.
On the other hand, there is definitely a connection between your stupidity and your condescension.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pmtom Says:
September 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Wow, you were really thorough!
September 6th, 2008 at 4:10 pmOne thing MCain has yet to flesh out, is how he will achieve anything, legislatively, with a veto-proof democratic House and Senate. His POW card will be worthless once he assumes the office, if elected.
Voters won’t accept his biography as an excuse for incompetence.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:13 pmDid you know Americans only hate the phrase “wasteful Washington spending”?
We love it when those bustards actually go out and blow our money on silly crap, like enriching their already rich friends!
Arizona, please send Mr. Kyl packing…
September 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pmbackup Says:
There could be some relationship between the two.
_____________
Naaah… I have NO use for you at all. All you ever do is come here and try to manipulate the conversation in a very sneaky, high-handed manner. You have no interest in the truth or REAL dialogue. See? No names, and a real point.
The Gallup poll that’s got you all hot and bothered was base on roughly 2,750 people… in a nation of 300MM plus… who were those 2,750? Why were THEY chosen? WHO chose them?
_________
On the OTHER hand…
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gGbLj-FsYsWCA3DHTeEr-MnG0lQA
Obama Piles Up 10 Million Dollars After Palin Attacks
ST PAUL, Minnesota (AFP) — Barack Obama has taken in a record 10 million dollars in campaign cash since Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin’s scorching assault on the Democratic White House nominee.
“Palin’s attacks have resulted in our campaign raising over 10 million dollars — a one day record — I hope she gives a speech every day,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.
The Alaska governor has electrified the conservative Republican base vote (the stone 23%ers…) since she was named to the ticket by White House nominee John McCain.
But the avalanche of cash into Obama’s campaign suggests that her withering assaults may have also energized Democratic voters as well, raising doubts about her ability to bring crucial swing voters McCain’s way.
Sorry, I trust this FAAAR more than Gallup or your “persuasive argument…”
Uh… isn’t the smoking jacket a bit much this time of day?
September 6th, 2008 at 4:15 pmbarfly. Progressives are in a great position. Even if McCain wins, there will be a Democratic House and Democratic Senate. Additionally, McCain is very moderate for a Republican. If he did win the election, I assume he’d govern significantly left of where he’s campaigning today. About the only thing Democrats wouldn’t have, is the ability to steamroll a progressive agenda (without the threat of the veto).
I believe the choice of McCain (republican primary) highlights what you are saying. The country is moving left. McCain was chosen in large part because of that shift. If McCain wins, it’s still a move towards the left. If Obama wins, it could be an all out progressive sea change.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pmbackup Says:
Additionally, McCain is very moderate for a Republican.
__________
See, you disingenuous twit? McCain a moderate?
Bomb, bomb, bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran??? TWF??? Keeeee-rist, he doesn’t even know which state he’s in half the time, let alone how many houses his wife owns.
You simply insist on pursuing the self-serving fiction you can somehow buffalo us here w/ your condescending swill.
And what about Ms Half-Baked Alaska and her “Creationism s/b taught in schools” or book-banning nonsense?
Is “moderate” the new GOOPer double-speak for “delusional”???
September 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pmRepublic. Okay. McCain’s crazy. Palin’s radically half baked. I’m trying to buffalo you with my condescension. Only delusional 20% ers suggest that there is any credible McCain challenge.
But, yet, Gallup shows a dead heat. Are the pollsters really as delusional (or deceptive) as I am?
September 6th, 2008 at 4:33 pmOh, yes. McNumbNuts is a “moderate”. Just like Hitler was the Mother Teresa of his era.
By his VP selection, McNumbNuts has exposed himself as a tool of the right-wing of the right-wing party. The only thing moderate about him is his “moderate” interest in vetting her. I think he is very interested in drilling her, though (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean?).
September 6th, 2008 at 4:34 pmAbout the only thing Democrats wouldn’t have, is the ability to steamroll a progressive agenda (without the threat of the veto).
He can threaten til the cows come home, and still be ham-strung.
And I don’t think democrats will be in any mood to be conciliatory, after the way he’s trashing them in his speeches, day in, and day out.
Get used to saying “President McIrrelevant,” if he somehow gets elected.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:36 pmJane E. Schneider Says:
From Fred’s “Bush Intends to Punish Moscow” link:
“Administration officials determined almost immediately that Russia must suffer some consequences for its actions and wanted to take punitive measures in concert with Europe.”
And what happens when other nations finally determine that the United States must suffer some consequences for its actions, and decide to take punitive measures? Putin has already said that the U.S. instigated the Georgian conflict as a way to try to influence the American elections.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jane I’m afraid that will be the downfall of our once great country! The arrogance of the Bush administration to think that we have moral standing with the rest of the world anymore. The rest of the world isn’t blind, they see us in a position of great weakness, no longer as the worlds super power or beacon of hope. This has all been eroded away in the last eight years.
What would our country and government do if the rest of the world started judging our governments military and criminal actions of the past? What would such an effect have on the citizens of our country? Perhaps this has been part of some sinister plan all along?
How to take down the mighty USA. The world now realizes it doesn’t necessarily need military invasions or bombs to defeat the USA. Thru greed, arrogance and the stupidity of our own leaders they know we will be the cause of our own demise. With the help of some stealth economic warfare, a continued perpetual war that bankrupts our country while our reputation has sunk world wide.
Who will be there to save us when our country falls? What will be the conditions? What will we lose? Is this part of the plan for a one world government? Time will tell!
September 6th, 2008 at 4:38 pmum. did you get the part about “not just raising taxes” ???
translation: in addition to raising taxes…
September 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pmbarfly, I am not sure that even minority-party republicans would be all that supportive of this highly-speculative idea of a McNumbNuts presi-dunce-y. He and Failin’ Palin are going to be poison for the downstream ticket. In addition, he is trashing them with his whole phony “reform” act . . . that is, accusing them of being “do-nothing” for the first six years of the GDumbya administration. I don’t think they will be all that interested in cooperating with the old fart (did you know that he was a POW?).
September 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pmKaty, see my comment at #3.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pmI’d have to look at other conservatives and liberals for comparison, but this information makes McCain’s positions look relatively moderate.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pmi’ll tell ya who’s uppity – sarah palin …
September 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pmthe more i listen to and read about that one, ugh…
I’d have to look at other conservatives and liberals for comparison, but this information makes McCain’s positions look relatively moderate.
When the large number of votes he’s missed, this isn’t accurate, or intellectually useful.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:51 pmSorry, that should be “With.”
September 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pmbackup Says:
Are the pollsters really as delusional (or deceptive) as I am?
____________
Apparently so… I like the condescending manner in which you immediately dismiss my REAL points, and go back to trumpeting about something as transient as a poll based on 2,750 unidentified peoples’ choice, in the moment.
John McCain didn’t know that Czechoslovakia doesn’t exist anymore, or that Pakistan and Iraq don’t have a common border. He thought Putin was president of Germany. I’m sorry, but for a man who touts his foreign policy expertise as one of his qualifications for POTUS, this is unacceptable.
How you gonna try and twist that?
You try to control the framing… if you can sell the concept that McCain is a “moderate”, you’ve redefined the debate, which I’m not going to let you do, just like you kept trying to reframe the POTUS race w/ that ridiculous “Obama and Palin” nonsense last week.
McCain joked about “Bomb, bomb, bombing Iran”… that’s DISGUSTING… or was it really just a joke? Only for the mentally ill… care to comment on THAT?
Or are you just going to immediately dismiss that too, and go back to floating silly crap like “McCain’s actually a moderate”???
September 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pmdid you know that he was a POW?
I had heard rumors…
September 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pmexactly, jayne!
September 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pmi just started reading, scimming, the comments…
For 2005–2006, McCain’s average ratings were as follows: the economic rating was 59 percent conservative and 41 percent liberal, the social rating was 54 percent conservative and 38 percent liberal, and the foreign rating was 56 percent conservative and 43 percent liberal.
I wonder how many votes he missed that year. I wouldn’t put it past him to skip out on votes that would’ve make his voting record a true reflection of his sentiments – were he to actually vote.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:03 pm$1 billion dollars in aid to Georgia, plus another $175 million from the corrupt IMF.
$2 billion dollars annually goes to our Israel.
Now I don’t want to sound like I’m anti Israel but why do we continue to give them $ 2 billion dollars a year? Do they not have their own economy, their own military (with nuclear weapons) Don’t get me wrong I feel for the people of Israel and for the people of Palistine as they are ruled by governments just as evil as our own.
Why doesn’t our leaders follow the constitution when it tells them not to get involved in foreign affairs? When will we learn from our mistakes? We create, arm and fund our future enemies time after time after time.
During WWII we trained 15-19 year old Chinese to become fighter pilots at Pensacola. We later fought against these same fighter pilots flying Russian MiGs during the Korean war. We over threw the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran and replaced him with a dictator and US puppet which we can now link to todays problems with Iran.
We armed, funded and trained “freedom fighters” including Osama Bin Laden and the presursor to the Taliban and Al Qaida during the Soviet/Afghanistan war. We sold chemical weapons to Saddam Hussien, the very weapons that Hussein then used own his own people and on Iran (Why do you think we rushed his execution? The trial of his use of chemical weapons was coming up next, we could let the world hear about the weapons we sold him) Now we have an unstable Pakistan to deal with and whats next? Georgia getting pulled back into Russia?
September 6th, 2008 at 5:08 pmbarfly. I believe this past year McCain missed 60% of the votes. And Obama missed 45% (clinton was the third most absent (I believe she missed mid 30’s). Seems like a function of running for president.
Another issue is the point that McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. That’s not all that significant when you consider that Obama voted with his party 96% of the time. It is generally rare when politicians part with their party. But, if that’s the measure – McCain has crossed the aisle more than Obama.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pmmy numbers aren’t good in the previous post, here’s link with better info:
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_it_true_john_mccain_voted_with.html
September 6th, 2008 at 5:16 pmThese guys say one thing while they do another. The deficit created by Bush and McSame is $10 trillion. What has McSame said about reducing it? How do you pay your bills without receiving revenue (paychecks))? Revenue for the government is taxes. How do you pay the $10 trillion credit card bill you owe to China? The GOP is a dishonest or just plain stupid. George McSame is not different than John Bush.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pmbackup Says
September 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Another issue is the point that McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. That’s not all that significant when you consider that Obama voted with his party 96% of the time. It is generally rare when politicians part with their party. But, if that’s the measure – McCain has crossed the aisle more than Obama.
_________________________________________________________
This is one of the favorite rebuttals people using when defending McCain for voting with Bush and the rest of the neocons as often as he has. “…but…but…but…Obama votes with HIS party MORE!”
This has nothing to do with who “crossed the aisle more” — why does everything have to be a p!ssing contest? There is nothing wrong with voting with your party when your party is doing the right thing. It’s when your party is taking the country completely on the wrong track and you are running a campaign where you are trying to distance yourself from what your party has done for the past eight years that a high percentage of agreement becomes a problem.
If Obama was condemning the party he voted with 96% of the time, you can bet we would be calling him a hypocrite — just as we are with McCain for doing precisely that.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:42 pmbackup Says
September 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’d have to look at other conservatives and liberals for comparison, but this information makes McCain’s positions look relatively moderate.
________________________________________________
Don’t bother. You’re using the McCain of 2005 – 2006 as a yardstick, and that McCain no longer exists. Every “maverick” position he ever had has been morphed and flip-flopped until it matches the basic neocon model. He once had a principled stand against torture, which he has all but abandoned. He once stood up to tobacco companies — but voted against the SCHIP expansion because of the tobacco tax. He once championed the environment and alternative energy — now he’s in bed with Big Oil.
McCain may have once been a moderate on some issues. He no longer is.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:49 pmUHHH… It was the Republicans that squandered the “surplus” was it not?
September 6th, 2008 at 7:09 pmbackup Says
September 6th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Another issue is the point that McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time. That’s not all that significant when you consider that Obama voted with his party 96% of the time. It is generally rare when politicians part with their party. But, if that’s the measure – McCain has crossed the aisle more than Obama.
Apparently, you miss the point. Obama is not trying to run away from Democratic policies or principles and is not making that claim. McBush is making the claim that he is different than the policies of President Bush.
September 6th, 2008 at 7:12 pmKyl: McCain’s earmark pledge is ‘more symbolic than it is signficant.
Isn’t the whole republican platform symbolic?
Political gestures such as the anti-choice plank, the anti-gay (pro-straight marriage) plank, the tax cut plank, and the anti-environment (pro-drilling) plank?
September 6th, 2008 at 7:18 pmLibertyLover that is a good point.
September 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pmbackup Says:
LibertyLover that is a good point.
____________
But… but… McCain is a MODERATE!!!
Hey, wanna hear John’s latest rape joke???
September 6th, 2008 at 7:36 pmbackup Says:
my numbers aren’t good in the previous post, here’s link with better info:
____________________
No wonder you like this source… they’re as good at pretzel logic as you are…
“However, McCain’s support of President Bush’s position has been as low as 77 percent (in 2005), and his support for his party’s position has been as low as 67 percent (2001).
Democrats are, of course, attempting to make the case that a vote for McCain is a vote to continue the policies of Bush, whose approval ratings are, to put it charitably, not a political asset for McCain.
Is 95% “Significant”?
As for whether voting with Bush 95 percent of the time last year is “significant,” that’s a matter of opinion that we leave to readers to determine for themselves.
___________
Oh yeah, and they’re non-partisan.
September 6th, 2008 at 7:42 pmWhat’s makes mcchimpy of today different than mcchimpy of yesteryear? he hasn’t changed one bit to me. it just shows ya how he fooled one before. he’s the same condescending assy mcgee he’s always been. I bet these same people believes that crazy ray was just as good as nancy says. I’m I wrong?
repugs don’t know how to run on truth, fairness and honesty. when they try to they look fake, over-the-top (something like a drag queen.) no offense to drag queens.
Ain’t nobody surprised that one-time pta member repug mom was chosen. It’s so convoluted, a hot mess.
I don’t whether to laugh or cry.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:06 pmback up,
think before you start your ridiculous opposite bs comments.
you don’t understand how silly and off the fly your bs sounds. doyoua?
I like a good debate as anyone here. but you are playing stupid very well. instead of become informed you become more of an uneducated dingbat. Use the internet to back up your bs.
I know it’s a trait you are born with and something you can not help. I know this.
TP will help you to stop your bs. TP will help you to refrain from looking silly and naive.
to help you with you plight, take issue with the “Recommend” numbers. Locate between the parentheses. Note the parentheses “(0)” (w/o the quotes.)
Zero on all your comments means, I will try to be kind to you because I know you need it, you sux big
time all the time.
there are sites set up for your troubles. seek them.
September 6th, 2008 at 11:24 pmI believe we should change the phrase “wasteful Washington spending” to reflect reality, and instead repeat loudly and often “wasteful Republican Washington spending.”
After Republicans took over control of Congress in 1994 and Republicans assumed committee chairmanships, earmarks in the House increased dramatically, rising to record levels, up until Republicans lost control in January 2007 of House committee chairs.
Since then, Democrats in charge have actually addressed the obscene level and number of earmarks generated under Republican mis-rule, decreasing their number and aggregate taxpayer dollar amount.
So, once again, the culture of corruption and greed Republicans misrepresent something, trying to lay blame on “Washington” when it is really them. They have proven that they have been and are still responsible for “wasteful Washington spending.” (Iraq War, SDI, no-bid contracts to crony Republican companies, government bailouts of malfeasant corporations, etc etc etc, ad nauseum).
“Wasteful Republican Washington spending” has driven up the federal deficit, mortgaged the future of our nation’s children and when combined with the constant, insane calls by Republicans to keep cutting taxes for our nation’s wealthiest citizens, keeps digging our nation into a deeper and deeper fiscal hole.
I’m not fooled. The Republicans are the ones who are solely responsible for many of the major disasters our nation has experienced over the past thirty years, and if they are allowed by We The People to continue dragging our nation down the path to Armageddon, then our nation, and our nation’s children, will suffer even more disasters in years to come, disasters that would have been wholly preventable if not for the Republicans and their completely insane ideology.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:03 ambarfly Says:
“…the anti-choice plank, the anti-gay (pro-straight marriage) plank, the tax cut plank, and the anti-environment (pro-drilling) plank?”
September 6th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Barfly, you left out the ‘anti-plank’ plank.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:09 amSo in Kyl’s mind it’s OK to lie to the American people about cutting back earmarks. THAT is today’s Republican Party folks. A bunch of selfish jerks with an immoral and corrupt political philosophy of governing. Look around the country today, those are the results of that philosophy…they’ve stolen from America for the last 8 years and our country is going into the crapper as a result.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:14 amI can’t believe Kyl told the truth. Was it at a private function and he didn’t think his words would be made public?
September 7th, 2008 at 6:40 pmWhy is McCain still talking about earmarks?sohbetVoters won’t accept his biography as an excuse for incompetence.
February 28th, 2009 at 12:07 amBedava mp3 indirYou really are out of touch w/ reality, aren’t you?