While everyone was waiting for John McCain to appear on Letterman (btw, when did David Letterman start doing the job of journalists - and doing it better?), the following happened:
Oh, and there's this. Everyone say it together, "Oh...crap...."
Showing posts with label John McCain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John McCain. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Debate Talk, Part Deux
So about Joe Daplumber's taxes...
According to CNNMoney.com, McCain has been fairly off-track about which small businesses would end up paying more taxes under Obama's plan. I'll let you pause for a minute to regain your composure from that shocker.
To scare those Joe Sixpacks and Joe Daplumbers out there, McCain has been insisting that many - not some, not a few, but many - small businesses would see tax increases.
He said it last night, in fact. "The small businesses that we're talking about," he said after Joe Daplumber was brought up, "would receive an increase in their taxes right now."
On other occasions, he insists Obama's plan would tax half the income of small businesses.
But hold on here just a gosh-darned minute. It seems that nobody checked the definition of small business - and McCain is using this one: Anyone who files a Schedule C, E or F with the IRS. Under those guidelines, along with some IRS data, McCain is sort correct - half would be taxed under Obama's plan. Out of 34.7 million filers of C,E, or F's, only 479,000 fall into the top two brackets Obama wants to raise taxes on. I'm no math major, but that seems like a lot less than half.
What does the Small Business Administration call a small business? A company with less than 500 employees and with staff on the payroll other than the owner.
However, just saying anyone who files a Schedule C is kind of a really broad definition of a small business. People who file these forms aren't running a business, per say. They're freelancing, reporting rental income and the like.
Do you know who falls into that majority of filers that won't be affected? Joe Daplumber, aka Joe Wurzelbacher. According to an interview with WTOL, Wurzelbacher said he would like to buy the company he works for eventually, but said, "Currently I would not fall into Barack Obama's $250,000-plus."
According to the NFIB's most recent member survey, only 14% said they had $200,000 or more in annual income.
There's also the amount taxed - it's not like if you edge into that 33% bracket you're going to pay more taxes on your whole taxable income - just on the part that is exceeding the cutoff.
So...about that debate...
Before I get to a wrap up of the live blogging of the debate on m-pyre, I thought I'd give some just gut reactions (OK, things I ranted about for a full 15 minutes before I went to bed).
McCain is going to rue several comments in the next 20 days. One, the "health" of the mother air quote combo, which will upset not only undecided women voters, but also men. husbands and partners of women of childbearing age. Because in the situation where it comes between the baby's life or the mother's, the mother is many times incapacitated, and it's the father that has to make that heart-wrenching decision.
And that snide, flippant comment just turned their stomachs.
He will also rue referring to Obama's responses as "eloquent." Used as McCain used it, it became an epithet, or even an obvious substitution for a bad word he really wanted to say. And you could tell. Every time.
And then there was the part where he pretty much implied that Ayers and ACORN wouldn't have been brought up at all if Obama had just agreed to those town hall meetings. "I don't care about some washed-up old terrorist," McCain said. Really? Then why bring it up? And does that mean it won't be brought up again, and those ads will go away? Have you sent that memo to your running mate?
And then there was the general talking over and interrupting of Obama, the sighs and the snorting during his comments. It all goes back to the disrespect we talked about before. Yes, Obama may have chuckled incredulously a couple of times, but he did bring up that stupid overhead projector again, even after it was explained that it wasn't the kind used in schools where a teacher writes with a dry erase marker, but a giant piece of sophisticated machinery used to educate people about the universe. McCain is lucky he didn't earn an outright guffaw.
That being said, what did our live bloggers over at m-pyre say?
I'm not exactly sure what to expect from McCain, but I fully expect it to be different from both his first and second performances.
McCain's going to use the phrase 'middle class' as much as possible tonight... got reamed for that last week
Obama looks beyond tired and I think he has always been weaker when he sits during a debate.
Is this Joe Six Pack or Joe Plumber?
Nah, it's Joe Butt Crack.
third time we've heard the same tax argument. boring.
Can I speak as the wife of Joe the electrician that the Joe referencing is wearing on me?
how is the U.S. supposed to pay for its debt if we don't pay taxes?
How 'bout cut this war?!
Maddow is right. He needs to make the point that JM is lying about him, and quit saying, "I'm not raising taxes."
This goes back to the critique we've all raised since Debate 1, wanting Obama to straight-on confront JM about lying, and he won't do it.
During the Depression, which I remember vividly because I'm ancient ...
Maggie, I think he could civilize himself right out of the race. There's still 20 days, and he needs to be specific.
And this is the last time he can do it to McCain's face.
I'm watching ABC, and the split screen kills me with the smirking while B.O. is talking.
Strong statement from JM r.e. Bush. Commercial in the make already?
He has got to stop giving McCain props. McCain *never* gives him props.
Pookie, those scars aren't from the Senate. Those were from when you were a POW. Remember?
OK, McCain spends 3-to-1 on negative ads compared to Obama, and that point deserves to be made here
JM: "I regret these negative attacks and will feel slightly bad when I urge my rallies to lynch Obama tomorrow afternoon"
Wait a minute - ads about your policies ARE NOT out of line. Those are about the issues.
Hinting that Obama is a terrorist is something else entirely.
Ooh, LOVE that Obama's taking JM and SP on for not doing anything to the "kill him!" folks in their audiences
Yeah McCain is freaking out right now, and interrupting.
Uh oh, did JM almost say "breast?"
So far, John McCain has given us "freth of bresh air" and "nuclear pants."
I totally want some nuclear pants.
BS's questions are great bc of their specificity.
"my friend" !!!! I missed you!!
Does he not realize that some of the Joes out there find him arrogant????
A friend of mine just IM'ed me asking if I thought McCain was blinking in code?! Morse code, I'm not familiar with...so I had to shrug my shoulders.
I can't BELIEVE I didn't do a "Joe" count
Sad? John just said he was a Federalist, and somewhere, Palin gasped and said, "But we're on the Republican ticket!"
OMG did BO just bring up Lily Ledbetter! I LOVE him! We SO must have a smart president!
McCain already had single-issue abortion voters locked up. Why even go there?
Maggie: He's been engaging in the biggest mistake the past few weeks - igniting your base, but nobody else.
Obama believes that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.
..Give them a sense of pride....
Way to end the debate with a hearty snort.
Why does he keep bringing up autism? Simple Trig has Downs.
You know, I still don't think JM has said 'middle class.' I was dead wrong on that one.
I was wondering that, too, Bethany. Maybe JM thinks autism and DS are the same condition.
Rachel Maddow: I can't be sure I didn't miss a mention... and there was that moment when my audio went buh-bye... but as far as I can tell -- I think that McCain's just made his way through all three presidential debates without saying the phrase "middle class".
omg Rachel Maddow and I said the same thing!!!!
I'm sorry - when I hear the phrase "future of the children," or "children are our future," I automatically go all Whitney.
Mr. Presidential 3, Old Lawn Guy 0, Bob Schieffer 1
Can someone give me context on the '"Find bad teachers another line of work" another line of work comment?
On the one hand, I've taught with a couple (most of my co-workers are awe-inspiringly good) who definitely needed to find a new line of work...
MB or Bethany, if you're still online... can you help out Saleem? I was actually in the other room during that line.
Yeah, sorry - I was trying to get health insurance quotes on a white male, birthdate 8-1936, history of cancer.
So I just now saw that question. I think you can go here to get a running transcript, though: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS...ript/ index.html
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Re: A Sense of Decency
Yes, today John McCain (at least a week and a half too late, IMO) told some supporters to shush when they started to yell the more vile things they yell about Obama.
But if you think actions don't have consequences, we're reminded of this, which leads to this.
The Week Didn't End Well ...
... for the McCain campaign. Just a few minutes ago, the Alaska legislative panel investigating Troopergate voted to release its report - which found that Sarah Palin abused her power as governor by firing the state's public safety commissioner.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Debate
Pretty much a draw, although Pat Buchanan did say that Obama appeared more presidential in demeanor than McCain.
But the real puzzler came after the debate, when John and Cindy McCain high-tailed it out of there, and Barack and Michelle Obama stay and shake hands, take pictures. Hello? Room full of undecided voters, more undecideds watching on TV, and you leave while your opponent stays to hug it out?
So here's the fun game for Wednesday: Where did John McCain have to get to in such a hurry that he left his opponent with chum-filled waters?
Please be snide, snarky and sarcastic.
Update: Maggie asked in the comments, and so ye all shall receive. However, feel free to snark about in the comments if you want.
Pre-Debate Mash-up
So here I am, waiting for the pizza to finish cooking, and for the debate to start - which we'll be live blogging at m-pyre, as always. Before that happens, shall I show you what I've been scouring the Internets for today?
In short, election-related things that will make me giggle, such as:
1. Something you can do to your poor dog.
2. You can drink systematically, if it makes you feel better.
3. Lil O'Reilly, in case you're feeling pinko lefty-ish
See more funny videos at Funny or Die
And finally, this thought, as we inch toward the witching hour:
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."- Charles M. Schultz
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Of this, and that: The Thursday is Not Friday, Unless You're Me Edition
1. How about this bit of awesomeness? Can. Not. Wait.
2. I have no idea why they'd want to do this. None at all.
3. The Chicago Tribune's Mary Schmich just discovered Internet commenters are sometimes lowlifes spewing mean awful stuff.
4. Cindy Adams: How can you get even a correction wrong? The DMN reported already that your source never talked to you, and your subject hasn't picked a neighborhood. So you're wrong. Still.
5. Princeton Professor Julian E. Zelizer asks, "If we're gonna be reforming stuff, why not the electoral system as well?"
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
McCain, the Original Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robot?
John, John, John. While I understand your visceral reaction to that young whippersnapper, John Cornyn, you can't go around slapping the elderly, even if they're the same age as you.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Community Organizers - or an Open Letter to Sarah Palin
Dear Sarah Palin (and your speechwriters);
I'm sure that, when crafting your speech for Wednesday, you meant to only attack the Obama campaign. But in attacking his record, you also managed to insult thousands of Americans who, for little or no pay, choose to make their community a better place by taking an active role in it. And I'm sure, as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, and later as governor, you did make decisions that affected thousands of people (670,053, to be exact, according to the 2006 census).
But just as important and just as worthy is the one-on-one attention to detail that a community organizer gives his or her particular cause. Is helping someone find a job unworthy of you? Is helping one family find a clean, safe and affordable home beneath your efforts?
Better yet, is rallying your neighbors to fight a far-away ruler bent on milking you for taxes merely tilting at windmills? For without community organizers like Sam Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Paul Revere, you wouldn't even be running for vice president - you'd be paying exorbitant taxes to the British Empire. I don't think that anyone mocked Thomas Jefferson or John Adams for their roles as community organizers when they became president - we had to wait more than 200 years for you to come along and do that, I suppose.
I don't know if you recall this, but the current president made a great to-do about faith-based initiatives. Who do you think runs those wonderful causes that - as President Bush pointed out - often serve the needs of their communities far better and quicker than the government can?
Community organizers.
Calling into question a candidate's experience is one thing - after all, nobody runs for the office expecting sunshine and lollipops. But slamming an entire group of very worth individuals is the exact reason you played to a lot of empty seats this week. If it was on purpose, then it shows how out of touch your party is. If it was unintentional, it shows how out of touch your party is.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Which Candidate Hates Art?
Over on KERA's Art & Seek blog, Jerome Weeks dissects both candidate's stances on art, and the NEA. Interesting read, regardless of who you're planning on voting on.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
The John McCain I Would've Voted For ...
existed in a different election cycle, and looked like this.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Of This, and That ... "Is It Friday Yet?" Edition
1. Maybe the "Straight Talk Express" talks straighter than it drives.
2. DNS, blah, blah, blah, hackity, hackity, hackity, something something Dan Kaminsky!
3. Is it just me, or are other girls of a certain age out there vaguely bothered by the fact that a song they used to sing into a hairbrush with their friends was penned by a guy?
4. Dear Patrick Crayton: I know in last night's "Hard Knocks" you said you wouldn't be dropping any more important, game-winning balls, but do you have to um, run your mouth before the season ever starts, thereby adding to our long list of probable jinxes, IJS?
5. Somebody is lookin' for love.
6. Need a job? Can you point and move your hands back in forth, palms parallel to the floor, while appearing to have massive loads of fun with, say, a Frigidaire? Then go here.
7. I'm not telling you where the body is. No, you can't make me, because I don't know anything about any murder. I'm not confessing to anything. I don't know anythi...wait, is that chicken?
8. The Dallas Morning News debuted a feature about, oh, five seconds ago that allows readers to comment on stories posted online. I'm test driving it now.
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