GlobeGazette.com :: Poll: Obama widens lead

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Sunday, October 26, 2008 12:57 AM CDT

Poll: Obama widens lead

By CHARLOTTE EBY, Globe Gazette Des Moines Bureau

They're taking no chances at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London. Despite the polls, the staff there have prepared clay head molds for both John McCain (left) and Barack Obama so a display featuring the new U.S. president can be moved into place quickly once the election is over. (AP Photo)

For a detailed breakdown of poll results, click here.

DES MOINES — Democrat Barack Obama has extended his lead slightly to 15 percentage points over Republican John McCain in Iowa, according to a new Globe Gazette-Lee Enterprises poll.

Obama leads McCain 54 percent to 39 percent in the poll, with 3 percent saying they support another candidate and 4 percent undecided.

Obama’s lead grew one point over a poll sponsored by Lee Enterprises last month. Obama continued to lead among independent voters 57 percent to 36 percent as well as with both men and women and every age group.

“I think Obama’s going to carry Iowa comfortably,” said pollster Del Ali, whose firm Research 2000, conducted the survey.

The poll of 600 likely voters who vote regularly in state elections was conducted from Oct. 19 to 22. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

A majority of respondents to the recent survey, or 54 percent, said they trusted Obama more to handle the economy compared to 34 percent who said they trusted McCain more.

Iowa voters also said they trusted Obama’s pledge to cut taxes more than McCain’s, with 47 percent trusting Obama and 40 percent trusting McCain.

Ali found it striking that a Democrat would score higher than a Republican on who voters trusted to cut taxes.

“I’ve never seen it in polling. Not even when Clinton was popular and winning big,” Ali said.

Brad Anderson, a spokesman for Obama’s Iowa campaign, said they are seeing momentum after Gen. Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama but aren’t taking a single vote for granted.

McCain’s Iowa chairman, David Roederer, said the campaign considers the race close.

“What we are seeing is that a lot of the electorate that are expressing some favor towards our opponents are still very open to being persuaded,” Roederer said.

One of the campaign issues relevant to Iowa’s agricultural economy — ethanol subsidies — appeared to have little significance with voters. McCain has been a vocal opponent of the subsidies and has even called for lifting the tariff om imported ethanol that would compete with Iowa’s home-grown ethanol.

Only 29 percent of voters polled said they would be less likely to vote for McCain because of that position and 54 percent said it had no effect on their vote. Only 38 percent of voters ranked the candidates’ positions on ethanol as important or very important in making their decision.

Poll respondent Kenneth Block, a retired optometrist from Northwood, has already voted for Obama. He was an early Obama backer, drawn to the U.S. senator from Illinois because of his stance against the war in Iraq.

“I see him as an inspiration; I see him as a man with integrity, although there would be those who would try to dispute that at this time,” Block said.

The 80-year-old Block is a former Republican, but said he now sees “a lot of greed on the Republican side.”

Judy Kruse, 64, of Cherokee, said she had been a supporter of John McCain but decided to back Obama after the candidates announced their running mates.

“I now support Obama because I think John McCain has shown terrible judgment in choosing Sarah Palin,” Kruse said.

Craig Larsen, a Republican from Red Oak, is behind McCain. Larsen, a part-time pastor and car salesman, supports the Republican nominee’s policies and says the country should provide tax cuts for businesses and people who have money to invest.

“When we lower taxes to them, I’m a firm believer that we’re putting money into our economy, not into Washington where it gets lost in a deep, dark hole of forgetfulness,” Larsen said.

In the Lee Enterprises poll, McCain saw his unfavorable rating rise slightly from the month before from 47 percent to 49 percent, while his favorable rating dropped from 47 to 45 percent.

Obama saw both his favorable and unfavorable ratings rise by 1 percentage point during the time period. In the latest poll, Obama had a favorable rating of 59 percent and an unfavorable rating of 32 percent.

Last month’s poll had Obama ahead by 14 points.

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Showing The Last 125 comment(s) Comments On This Story

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:03 PM:

" CYNIC
Thank God we had a Democrat in the Presdency for an eight year span during the period from 1980 till now. Perhaps this mess won't be quite as bad as the mess in the 30's because of it. "

my thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2008 8:19 PM:

" PS Yes, I checked out the website you listed so I know what it is, trash & lies. "

gitwitit wrote on Oct 28, 2008 8:13 PM:

" Brad...there you go again grasping for any last hope! You are comparing the dotcom bust to our current financial crisis! That is laughable. Sorry to break it to you, but the dotcom bust is a small blurb on the radar when compared to our current situation. In case you haven't read the news, our current situation is the worst it has been in about 70 years!

I am not a democrat and I never vote in line with one party, but I do know when times are good and when times are bad.

The current meltdown is not "a result" of Clinton's being in office. Granted Clinton did nothing to increase regulation, etc., but neither did any of the prior 5 administrations. So, to say he is to blame is ridiculous. I only say that I don't care what Clinton says because when it comes to the economy 99.9% of the American people should be listening to Alan Greenspan.

The mortgage meltdown began in 2001. At that time, someone should have realized we were being setup for disaster, but money was controlling the minds in Washington and no one could say no to an easy dollar. End of story! "

my thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2008 8:10 PM:

" My name is Sue.
Now that you have emptied the trash bin and posted it here, go to Snopes and find out the truth. "

Nick Henningsen wrote on Oct 28, 2008 7:49 PM:

" ZING! "

Cynic wrote on Oct 28, 2008 6:09 PM:

" xvolunteerfireman:

I'm going to guess that you're last statement is referring to how bad it would be if we had a Democrat controlled Presidency, House and Senate. I agree with you on that. That's like having 4 children and letting them vote on their bedtime and if they will be having ice cream for dinner for the next week. "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:26 PM:

" Did all you right wingers know that the Republicans controlled both the Presidency and Congress for 12 years starting in 1920, and what this country wind up in during that period. You guessed it THE GREAT DEPRESSION. "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:16 PM:

" MY NAME IS SUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Well what about Obama's fathers birth certificate, show me some proof. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 28, 2008 5:12 PM:

" xander:

Now THAT sounds like a victory celebration!!!!! DO YOU MEAN THAT ABOUT THE FREE DRINKS!?!?!?!?!? "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Comrades:

The "Obama is not a citizen" Right wing fanatic survivalist conspiracy theorist rant has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I hope none of the loons promoting this concept expect us normal folks to believe such garbage.

Maybe we should let Alaska walk and allow all the conspiracy theorist True Believers to migrate up there under the leadershi of Saint Sarah. It would be an armed camp among the nations of the world, kind of like North Korea. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:49 PM:

" wow, things look tense here, lets all hold our cyber hands together and sing Kumbia....Kumbia myobama kumbia....

"He" will be here soon to rest your weary bones, take the load off your shoulders, lighten your wallets, remove some of your freedoms.....never fear. I am from the Government and I am here to help. LMAO!!! What a bunch of snipped sheep that follow the "sheep leader." "

xander wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:43 PM:

" Yikes! Things are getting a little weird around here. Time to go to the Marina and start a week long celebration in honor of President-elect Obama. Let the Victory/Wet Tee-shirt party begin! Drinks are on me(if you're a liberal). Life really is awesome. "

rkelachim wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:39 PM:

" Hawaii is not part of the United States?

Give it up people. That argument is weak and stupid. Let's talk actual issues... "

skcusawoi wrote on Oct 28, 2008 4:03 PM:

" Obama is not a native born American do the research! Resistance if FUTILE! What a bunch of Sheep! "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:58 PM:

" MY NAME IS SUE
Only if you can tell me where you saw Obama's fathes birth certificate. "

my name is Sue wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:41 PM:

" XVOLUNTEERFIREMAN, I'M SORRY THE TRUTH UP SETS YOU SO. I PROMISE NOT TO CALL YOU A NAME. YET "

Cynic wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:37 PM:

" Did my 8 year old neighbor change his blog name to XVOLUNTEERFIREMAN? What a child. "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:31 PM:

" Did NOBAMA change his blog name to My NAME IS SUE? What a bunch of fruitcakes. "

Cynic wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:29 PM:

" comon:

I love you. If there was a way to vote up comments, I'd run proxies and vote it up several times. "

Cynic wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:27 PM:

" It's poll time!

Who here has changed their political point of view based on what someone else has said?

Nobody... That's right... so keep yelling at each other about who's right and who's wrong.

You're all idio... can I say that word? Even if it's my opinion? Or will this get deleted? "

my name is SUE wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Obama said "Selma March Got Me Born" NOT EXACTLY, YOUR PARENTS FELT SAFE ENOUGH TO HAVE YOU IN 1961- SELMA HAD NO EFFECT ON YOUR BIRTH, AS SELMA WAS IN 1965. OBAMA SAID " MY FATHER WAS A PROUD FREEDOM FIGHTER- NOT EXACTLY, HE WAS PART OF ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT AND VIOLENT GOVERNMENTS KENYA HAS EVER HAD. OBAMA SAID " MY NAME IS AFRICAN SWAHILI- NOT EXACTLY, YOUR NAME IS ARABIC AND 'BARAKA' (FROM WHICH BARACK CAME) MEANS 'BLESSED' IN THAT LANGUAGE. HUSSEIN IS ALSO ARABIC AND SO IS OBAMA. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS NOT BLACK. IF ELECTED, HE WOULD BE THE FIRST ARAB AMERICAN PRESIDENT, NOT THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS 50% CAUCASIAN FROM HIS MOTHER'S SIDE AND 43.75% ARABIC AND 6.25% AFRICA NEGRO FROM HIS FATHER'S SIDE. WHILE BARACK HUSSEIN OBABA'S FATHER WAS FROM KENYA, HIS FATHER'S FAMILY WAS MAINLY ARABS. BARACK FATHER WAS ONLY 12.5% AFRICAN NEGRO AND 87.5% ARAB ( HIS FATHER'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE EVEN STATES HE'S ARAB NOT AFRICAN NEGRO). FOR MORE GO TP: www.arcadeathome.com/newsboy.phtml?Barack Hussein Obama-Arab-American, only 6.25% African "

My thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2008 2:10 PM:

" I am sending this gem to my family for their laugh of the day: I can assure you that I have sympathized with your spouse often. I can only imagine that you rule your home with an iron fist that no one dares to challenge and that you are the Matron/Diva of your entire family."
You also answered the statement that you fell for that trap for awhile, but stopped. You got more than your foot caught this time and we can hear you howling a long ways off. Don't stop. I need the rediculous in my life to keep me feeling young.

Your 1:44 blog is well worth reading comon. I would suggest it to anyone.

And don't worry onlooker, God will help us when we ask him to no matter who wins, rep, dem, or ind.
Darn, I am getting dim, I don't get Keith's quip at all.
And I think anyone who has read any of the blogs knows that your time in the service makes you a key foreign policy advisor Brad. "

Venturabats wrote on Oct 28, 2008 2:03 PM:

" According to Gallup, more people believe in ghosts than believe in Obama & McCain. Happy Halloween! "

comon wrote on Oct 28, 2008 1:44 PM:

" No matter who, McCain or Obama, get elected we will be okay. The world is not going to end because of it. Both parties are going to keep us in survival mode and all these negative things being said are just distractions. We survived the last 8 years and that is probably as bad as it can get. We will get through our current problems but some people will still have to be unhappy because their toast is burnt too much or not toasted enough. People will still make stupid decisions in their own life but won't take responsibility and have to blame it on something else. Life will go on! "

Onlooker wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:56 PM:

" God help us if Obama wins!!!!! "

Keith wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:51 PM:

" Zeke - If we elect obama/biden, we'll all be little people when big people are taxed to oblivion. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:46 PM:

" getwitit,

I would imagine that you wouldnt care what Clinton said as it puts the blame of this financial crisis where it belongs. God forbid you give a Dem/Lib the facts, right? Yes, I am quite sure that the Secret Service is very aware of where McCain's family is, the problem isnt McCains, the problem is Obama and his extended family that are security risks in one of the most dangerouse parts of the world, but you have never set foot outside our country so you are now unequivocally Obama's foreign policy advisor.

Edwin Meese, yes I am going to blame Clinton for the dotcom bust! It happend on his watch, right? Using the Dem/Lib thought process, if it happened on their watch, then its their fault, as thats all i have seen regarding this financial crisis and Bush. What's fair is fair. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:41 PM:

" mythoughts,

So, you took a nice little shot at me? Well, I can assure you that I have sympathized with your spouse often. I can only imagine that you rule your home with an iron fist that no one dares to challenge and that you are the Matron/Diva of your entire family. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 28, 2008 12:21 PM:

" When in doubt, vote for Obama/Biden. They will work for us little people. "

comon wrote on Oct 28, 2008 11:54 AM:

" Halos....What you say is so true and I usually agree with your posts. I myself can see through the biased media and the fake campaign ads and the biased posts on here. It seems that the hard right wingers and the left wing liberals have to distort everything just to defend their party. I just don't want to address their lies and don't even think the deserve a response from me. Have a great day! "

Halos wrote on Oct 28, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Comon, you are absolutely right. The main thing that bothers me is that people refuse to look up facts for themselves and keep repeating things that have been proven false. Have a great day, everyone and remember to vote!
God bless America (and have mercy on us!) "

comon wrote on Oct 28, 2008 10:20 AM:

" There seems to be so much effort is expended to tear each other apart on these BB's. Tomorrow this site will be removed and then the same stuff and the same proccess will reaccure on another site. I do not understand how you can keep doing this day in and day out and not get depressed. Hopefully it is giving you a release so you don't go out and harm someone in the real world. May God help you all!! "

my thoughts wrote on Oct 28, 2008 9:53 AM:

" It will take all day to read all this but I am reading so much truth along with the other. Here is a question I would like to answer. "Do you think there is any risk involved electing an idividual to the highest office in the USA when half the members of his own family are not American citizens and live in Kenya? (brother, aunts, uncles, one grandmother all live in a foriegn country)"
What I do think is that this is another scare tactic. Do we even know where all the brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents of the competitor live. With all the claims that the media is biased, I have not seen his relation dragged out for everyone to view.

Panther 13 your blog does such a percise explanation to the question that keeps coming up as to why the Dems in Congress for two years have not done more. Thank you for this easily understood explanation.

Tibe, I would like to hear an explanation as to how this could be seen as anything but prejudiced: "Selling their vote to the highest bidder (Or biggest liar)(Or the guy that most resembles them) And when the next election comes, they walk into that booth and and vote a straight Democrat ticket again.Many of them never even bothering to find out where the canidate stands on any issues."

"You wont get a response from mythoughts on your query for information. Mythoughts doesnt do that, she just puts others down and then tries to get them to do the research for her. I fell for that trap for awhile, but stopped. Mythoughts wont come back with anything that makes sense to what you are asking as it will be a philosophical, and utopian response that isnt real world. "
Thanks for mentioning me in such a good way Brad. And you stopped. That's news. You just gave up when you found that I could research stuff as well as you could.

Tribe asked: "Explain to me why responsability begins after the woman becomes pregnant? what about her responsability before conception? It seems to me that you have given these women a pass when it comes to their pre pregnancy responsability. Please respond and let me know how you reconcile this in your own mind?"
For starters, why is it all the responsibility of the women? Where is the responsibility of the male who had the sperm that caused a pregnancy? How can you determine what part of responsibility was not done by the women? Where is her responsibility in rape? Where is it in contraception that did not work? And, if she follows the rules of one church, she does not use contraception. Where is the responsibility there? She is told to honor her husband's needs and if she gets pregnant doing so, too bad. She was not responsible. Is that enough of an answer. Sorry to prove you wrong Brad. You do know that "God helps those that help themselves" is not a verse in the Bible don't you, and I am delighted to learn from the blogs that you are a SINGLE parent. I have been sympathizing with a wife if you had one. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 28, 2008 6:25 AM:

" tribe:

The reason Republicans give more is that they CAN give more. I am an example; I'd LIKE to contribute to charity but can't because I am just getting by financially. MANY Democrats are in the same boat because they are "little people". "

tribe wrote on Oct 28, 2008 6:09 AM:

" Ezekiel; You posted earlier that people should vote for Obama because the Republicans don't care about the poor. I think you should get on the net and look up who gives what to charities. Republicans out give Democrats almost 2 to 1 in charitable giving. And thats their own money not someone else's. Take a look at your own canidates record on giving, until his run for president Obama gave about 4% of his income to charity. Since he threw his hat in the presidential ring that number has magically grown to approx 10% . Biden , not knowing he would be thrust into the spot light got caught giving less than 1% to charity. I guess if your a lib/ Socialist it's easier to give other peoples hard earned money away than your own. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 28, 2008 6:08 AM:

" I am glad to report that Comrade Obama's lead in the polls is ever increasing. SOON Old John and Saint Sarah will be historical relics. "

FreeSpirit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:09 PM:

" As I understand it, the hundreds of billions of dollars we owe for our "adventure" into Iraq is not even included in our massive debt. Are you aware of that, Brad? We're talking about a war that did not have to happen. That is a debt your 8 year old daughter will inherit. It's why the young people of this country don't trust McCain and they DO trust Obama. He spoke out aqgainst it, while he was still in Illinois. That shouldn't be too tough to figure out. In two out of three debates McCain has said he wants to INCREASE military spending. Frankly, many of us taxpayers are sick and tired of pumping so much into the military when we can already blow up the planet several times over!!! I would rather have my taxes go to pay for HELPING American citizens. Brad, your reasoning in so many areas is so flawed but it would take all night to write about them all! "

Veteran Biker wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:07 PM:

" Or I suppose we could all just make sure that our tires are inflated correctly...<sarcasim "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:05 PM:

" Brad

We seem to be debating nothing now.

I was unsure of nuclear energy but given what you said I am more comfortable about it. I wasn't saying the power needed for a gym is the same as a factory. I've been to a gym and used to work in a factory. I know the difference. My point was that if we have the technology to build eco-friendly facilities now, why not use it. We need to get off oil so let's use and develop our technology we have now. They have been building eco-friendly skyscrapers in NYC so why not take it further.

I am not adopted but one of my cousins is. I strongly advocate for it and support adoption. I don't know how many time I have to state I don't believe in violence and killing.

I dislike both parties but I happened to be a bit more irritated by one more then the other currently.
I will not argue that one is better then the other and leaders will never abuse power. This is ridiculous and untrue. Both parties have broken the law and abused power. I am an INDY so I would really like a viable third canidate. If you really wanna play the liberal versus conservative game we could talk about priests molesting boys and conservatives getting busted for embezzling money and sex scandels or how Ronald Regan sold blackmarket firearms in the Iran-Contra affair. Both sides are guilty of something or another. Either way I think most politicians are crooks and liars and it doesn't matter what team they play for. "

Veteran Biker wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:04 PM:

" Brad, not to mention that the Budget Surplus numbers everyone is quoting were only the estimates and the actual numbers didn't come close. Also, how did the budget get balanced? Who paid for that, it wasn't taxing the rich that balanced that budget, it was the surplus of revenue from the dotcom bubble and the gutting of the Military budget. The we get attacked on 9/11 and how much did it and is costing us because we were not ready either with training or equipment for our Armed Forces. As far as the oil agrument goes, power you factory with what ever you want, what you seem to forget is that power and fuel for such is only a part of our oil consumption. A vast amount is used in making all kinds of other stuff, that we all use on a daily basis, stuff that; if we didn't have it nothing would get done. Look around you, anything made of plastic is also made of oil, etc. get the picture? Oil is so ingrained in our daily lives that we will never be able to totally replace it. And I can bet you that no matter how hard we try, it will not happen within 10yrs, so the answer or best solution for our current priorities to bridge to the day when we can replace most of our use of oil is to drill and to drill now. Atleast we can try to become independent from countries that our enemies. "

gitwitit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:51 PM:

" Brad...you are really stretching now. I'm not saying Clinton did everything right as President, I'm not even saying he was a good President. I am however saying that the economy was in better shape when he was in office than when either GWB was in office.

I don't care what Clinton said about the current crisis, I watched Alan Greenspan's interview and he said it started long before Clinton. It's really irrelevant at this point because several different administrations could have done things differently. The next administration is where the focus should be and this whole deal started because I said that Obama will increase taxes on the wealthy back to where they were when Clinton was in office.

Some people act like Obama is invoking a huge tax hike when that is not the case at all. He is restoring the tax rate to where it was in the clinton era; a time in which the economy was prospering. "

EdwinMeese wrote on Oct 27, 2008 10:29 PM:

" Brad, you're going to blame Clinton for the dotcom bust? Not even republicans are that dumb. The dotcom bust was a result of investors making extremely poor choices, not a failure of policy. Nevermind that the burst altogether limited to those companies that were involved in those poor choices. Are you going to admit that you're just making up your positions as you go along yet? "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:08 PM:

" getwittit,

We can always go back to the 12.5% unemployment we enjoyed during the Carter Administration. The current unemployment is small potatoes compared to Carter, and I guess you totally forgot about the dotcom burst under Clinton? "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:07 PM:

" 2731,

I agree. However, I want to ask a logical question. If this financial mess is strictly a Republican issue that was caused by that party, then why havent the Democrats taken the responsible people and brought them before Congress to answer the very tough questions as to what happened? I can answer that for you. Its because the Republicans didnt do this mess. This started a number of years ago in another administration, who by the way, the President of that Administration stated it did start there with him. "

gitwitit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:06 PM:

" Brad...Clinton admitted that things could have been done differently under his administration as far as regulation, etc., but he did not say that his administration was the cause of the current financial crisis. Spin away though!

Alan Greenspan admitted he could have done things differently as well. Many historians and financial advisors would consider him the most brilliant reserve chairman in the history of the U.S. You know what they say about hindsight.

Things may have been put in motion long before Clinton, but unemployment was at an all time low under clinton and we had a balanced budget. 8 years later we owe how many trillions of dollars to China due to our over-spending? The mortgage crisis should have been recognized a few years back, but greed prevented anyone from actually doing anything about it. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:54 PM:

" Halos, thats a low blow. I am not a scrooge. I am a single parent, raising an 8 year old daughter. She's everything to me, she's why I do what I do. She's my life, and I do my best to provide for her as my parents did for me. I am deeply concerned for her as we are not giving these children the same that was given to us regarding our country. She will be saddled with a debt that cant be paid, she will be saddled with things that she has no voice in saying how it will or wont go for her later on.

To say that one political party is less or more selfish than the other is absolutely wrong. They are both selfish, its on how they paint the picture to us that is the difference.

That Christmas tree that Xvol talked about can be taken from any age of our country, it never changes. There will always be the people that have and the have nots. And since we are talking about that, what are either candidates doing about the homeless? I am far from a scrooge and if you knew me personally you would know that I would give you the shirt off my back if needed. I am just adamant about the fact that this rookie Democratic Party Presidental Candidate is qualified to run the entire free world, and the economy of the free world, and have control of the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. Thats a very scary thought to me. It would be like taking a 1st year med student and making him/her the Senior Professor of Medical Science, with only 143 days of experience. Would you let a doctor perform surgery on you with that little experience? "

2731 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:52 PM:

" Brad,
I am voting Democrat because the Republican Party is broken. The views are skewed, the leadership is lost and you can blame Bush for most of it. If the Democrats are the ones of Big Government how do you explain the last eight years? "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:52 PM:

" Sarge:

The republicans when in control are not responsible for welfare spending. It is spent because the Republicans haven't been able to get their way and cut that spending. Bush Jr deserves ZERO credit for any welfare/entitlement spending under his regeime. "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:46 PM:

" Chaffee, in order for xvol to pull on your heart strings, you have to HAVE some! I KNOW kids who have benefitted from these trees, and you should see them! It might even melt YOUR old Scrooge heart, but I doubt it. I am really happy that this blog doesn't seem to be representative of the people WITH and without money that I deal with daily. There IS a problem in this country, and no matter what brush you might want to paint it with, we have the EVIDENCE that what we've been doing is not working! I've had an interesting time on this blog site reading blogs from people like panther13, comon, xvol, Free Spirit, My thoughts, and even Ezekiel in his far leftedness...he doesn't seem to take himself as seriously as some of us do, me included. But all of these people have one thing in common...they care about more than their own selfish skin! The selfishness in this country is going to DESTROY us! Thank GOD there are still some left in this world with eyes to see! Now, I think I'd better quit blogging for awhile because, ultimately, we are getting nowhere, and I'm just wasting my time thinking I can make a difference to someone that just doesn't see what's going on in this world. MORE selfishness is just going to breed more selfishness! "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:41 PM:

" getwittit,

Your President Clinton, got on Larry King live about a month ago, and stated that this current financial crisis was essentially started in his administration and to NOT totally blame the Republicans. Look it up!!!! Check out any youtube video on Clinton on Larry King Live. Your President Clinton admitted this was pretty much his fault....... "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:37 PM:

" Zeke, my favorite communist. I havent responded to you in a bit. Normally I just chuckle, and am glad that I defended your right to express your views. However, you pushed a button with this statement, " Republicans could care less about the poor."

Please look at the FY 2009 Federal Budget outlays for Social Programs for this country. To include Social Security, it totals $1.142 Trillion dollars. Thats with a "T" and not a "B" and this is under a Republican President that doesnt care about the poor. Medicare/Medicade went up, Welfare/Unemployment went up, all social programs went UP! So, please, my Trotskite friend, show me the PROOF that Republicans dont care about the poor? Or is that just your way of stoking the fires??? You remember what stoking the fires can do, according to Marx? It can get you burned by the very people you say you want to help. "

gitwitit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Nick...your theory is so flawed I'm not sure where to begin. Obama wants to raise taxes on those who make greater than $250K a year. That makes up about 5% of the American population. Yes, these are employers who do control potentially hundreds of thousands of jobs, but these are also the same employers that were in place when Clinton was in office. Clinton taxed these same individuals at 39% rather than the current 36%. Let me put it this way:

Clinton is in office and taxes the wealthy at 39%; the economy prospers and we have a balanced budget for the first time in a couple of decades. Bush becomes President and lowers taxes for the wealthy from 39% back to 36%; the economy is in the worst shape it has been in for about 60 years. Obama wants to raise taxes back to where they were when clinton was in office and I don't have an issue with that.

The middle class is the primary consumer of goods and services produced in this country and if they cannot afford to purchase these items, that too, can result in less employment opportunities. It is not a coincidence that many of this country's wealthy are supporting Obama and helping to finance his campaign. These are the same people who will be impacted by this tax increase. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:26 PM:

" xvol:

Again, a good post. God bless you and your wife. You see things how they are. That is why I am BEGGING folks to vote for Obama. He will at least try to help the unfortunate. Republicans could care less about the poor. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:23 PM:

" Xvol, those christmas trees were that way 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago. Its always that way, no matter who is in charge. Nice try on pulling on the heart strings...... "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:22 PM:

" I pose this question to democrats and independents ready to cast your vote for Obama....

Do you think there is any risk involved electing an idividual to the highest office in the USA when half the members of his own family are not American citizens and live in Kenya? (brother, aunts, uncles, one grandmother all live in a foriegn country)

Let's look into that risk a little. We are in a War on Terror after 9/11. Half of Obama's own family lives outside of the US with little or no protection avalible to them from kidnap, extortion, or worse. The secret sevice is limited in what it can do for them outside of the US. What kind of position could that put a US president in if he is comprimised in such a manor. Better yet, what position does that put the USA's security in? Iran, Syria, etc...I'm sure they all play fair, right? Your all living in a dream world.
Like it or not, the primary function of the president is protecting the country from foriegn and domestic threats....not as head accoutant watching over the budget or economy. The congress does that. The president has many powers in foriegn affairs. He can wage a 90 day war with no declaration of war from congress. His admistration sets foriegn policy, he appoints secretaries of defense and state...all with no approval from anyone.
When it comes to the budget, economy or spending...all the president can do is veto or pass what congress gives him. Wake up people. The congress has more impact on the economy...ask Barney Frank and Maxine Waters. Look at Fannie and Freddie. Obama is a huge liability plain and simple regardless of his socialist political views "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:20 PM:

" This is an example of how sickening and bad things are getting out there. My wife and I are getting ready to do what is called the Christmas Tree. Some of you may have even seen one of these Christmas trees in your local grocery store or other retailing business in your town. It is a program where we make small Angels and put a childs name on it, and hang it on the Christmas trees in these stores. This is for children who's family is poor either thru the fault of the parents or thru no fault of the parents, but that doesn't matter, because they are children. Anyway, anybody who wants to can come into one of these stores, and pick one of the Angels off of the tree with the kids name on it, and then they go home and put together a box of good used or new clothes, and then take them to one of the schools or a churches that is the pick up point for the boxes in the areas towns. The parents can then go to the school or church whatever it maybe, and pick up the box of clothes, and give it to their kid at Christmas time. A letter is sent out notifying that their child has been chosen. There are also a similar programs where toys, and food boxes are being gathered and the same thing is done with those also. There must be close to 750 of these children just in Winnebago and Hancock countys this year. That is an educated estimate by me. Shame on all of us for letting this happen in the greatest country in the world the United States of America. "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:16 PM:

" If each and every candidate tells the truth, I'm not sure how to explain the unfounded tripe in my mailbox today, and it wasn't from the Democratic party, either. Recycled aspersions that I had already checked for facts...and they weren't. I feel like I should head every post with "Independent" because if I'm for one person on a certain issue, people keep thinking I'm automatically for the other party. If I hadn't already voted, I think I'd just write in "panther13"!!! (not sure if he or she would appreciate that, though!) "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:12 PM:

" panther13,

There is a distinct power requirement between a gymnasium and a steel factory. I agree, all sources of energy need to be explored, to include using the 85 million acres that the oil companies have leased, as well as offshore drilling and exploration of the ANWR! Our drilling technology is the best in the world, and we learn our lessons regarding the environment.

Nuclear power is very safe, people on Naval warships literally sleep withing 50 feet of reactors, and a nuke is a nuke whether it be in a ship or a powerplant.

I adopted as well. I misunderstood you, I was sure you said ABORT! You made a big deal about Terrorist and how they are treated, I was giving you the legal precedence that Bush got, and he got it from a LIBERAL Democratic President that liked to shoot his "terrorists." Im sick of how people try to demonize Republicans yet forget the transgressions of past Democratic Presidents.

I dont have that answer about healthcare. The FY2009 Federal Budget outaly for Medicare/Medicade is over $300 Billion dollars. I dont know where people are falling through the cracks. I have insurance, employers offer it, or at least most that can afford it, there are health care pools, and most States have some type of medical coverage for people that dont have it. Thats a tough challenging problem that might never be solved. I have a fix, but it involves taking money from an inept, corrupt, old, outdated, Federal Program, but it would cause alot of grief in our farm states. I suggest we stop ALL farm subsidies, take those BILLIONS of dollars and start a National Health care sysytem with that money that Farmers get, which is really nothing more than corporate welfare. But, I would imagine that would never happen, as the Farm Lobbyists would be all over washington on that one.

Again, I will quote the FY 2009 Federal Budget outlays for social programs only. To include Social Security, our outlays are $1.142 TRILLION dollars for this coming budget year for social programs. How much more is needed??! "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:11 PM:

" The People of the USA are tired of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. We need MORE Socialism, not less. If Comrade Obama's initial measures don'r adequately help the poor, then I expect/hope he will reatchert up the Socialst measures like FD Roosevelt did. A measure to consider would be ending the war in Iraq/Afghanistan/Pakistan/God knows where else and diverting the money to free health care for all Americans that make less than say 100,000/year. "

Nick Henningsen wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:59 PM:

" Obama will help the poor by raising taxes on the people that produce jobs and goods. That will make those people raise the price of goods and reduce workforce to continue to make the profit they are used to. Kind of like how auto insurance companies raise rates if they had more then usual accidents the year before. This in turn will make more of the working class poor because of job loss and increase in goods price. Therefore giving the poor more people in the unemployment line.

What I don't get is most people, at least I hope most people, see our current welfare system a disaster. Yet you want that same government to run everyone's money? Your joking right. People will abuse Obama's (punish the successful and reward the little guy) mentality just like they do the Welfare system. You wouldn't give the keys to your brand new car to a person with a history of bad driving would you? "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:58 PM:

" For those of you DO NOT think that the Media is in the tank for Obama, please read the below article/

""Example: NO Times-Picayune reporter Chris Rose: "There's no pretending to be objective. What we're fighting to save here is our city, our culture, and by extension, our jobs, our houses, our schools. When we write this s---, we don’t just report the stuff and let it fall where it may. We’ve got way too much at stake to be dispassionate observers covering a sporting event and not caring who wins," Rose said in an interview with Vermont Web site, 7D."

Even Democrat columnist Orson Scott Card challenges his fellow journalists with maintaining their integrity and duty to report the news. http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081017light.html
"If you had any personal honor, each reporter and editor would be insisting on telling the truth — even if it hurts the election chances of your favorite candidate. Because that's what honorable people do. Honest people tell the truth even when they don't like the probable consequences. That's what honesty means . That's how trust is earned." "If you do not tell the truth about the Democrats — including Barack Obama — and do so with the same energy you would use if the miscreants were Republicans — then you are not journalists by any standard. You're just the public relations machine of the Democratic Party, and it's time you were all fired and real journalists brought in, so that we can actually have a news paper in our city."""

Nee anything more be said? "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:56 PM:

" Brad

For the record Im an Indy and I don't really like either political party but I must deal with the choices at hand. That being I said Im not sure if you remember me saying Im not opposed to nuclear energy, I just question it's safety. You seem to make very valid points and to be honest if we built more nuclear power plants that would be fine by me. I have researched nuclear power so do not accuse me of not knowing about it, My point is why don't we strive for energy that is 100% eco-friendly and efficient that doesn't produce any toxic by products.

You also seem to of forgot that I said I do not support abortion in any shape or form but Im not nieve enough to think outlawing it will make it go away. Im pretty sure I said ADOPT not ABORT!!!

Last time I checked I never said it was ok for FDR to round up the Japanese. I think both parties have horribly abused their power and have done illegal things. Remember I am an INDY and I don't really care for either party.

We don't NEED oil because we could power factories with wind and solar energy or we could even use your beloved nuclear energy. At my old college they have a rec and fitness center that is being powered by geothermal energy. As it stands now it will be awhile before we are completely oil free but we do have alternatives. We just need to develop them further. We should be figuring out ways to reverse the damage we have done to the planet and not damage it further while trying to develop these technologies.

If we have the best healthcare in the world why do we rank 23rd in quality care and have 47 million Americans without healthcare? Yet for some reason we pay the most and it is the number one cause of bankruptcy. I like your healthcare idea but I don't think the farmers would like it too much. lol

I agree on that last bit about not helping yourself to others money and what not. However there are alot of people who work hard everyday trying to make an honest living, people who may have made a few mistakes or dealt a bad hand in life and when they are looking for a helping hand they get a foot in the head instead. To me that is unacceptable, especially in America. Everyone needs some help sometime and everyone should help others. I don't think it is right that the top 3% of Americans control over 90% of the wealth. I don't believe in free rides but i don't believe in cold shoulders either and the government should take care of everything but some things they need to take care of. Capitalism and Socialism both have one fatal flaw in common and it is GREED. No matter what people will always want more, whether it be the worker in a socialist society who is unmotivated and wants more money or the CEO in America who never seems to be happy with profit growth. We need to find a mix of both that benefits everyone. We as a country need to start looking out for eachother because if we don't we will surely crumble. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:42 PM:

" tribe:

Much more affordable, equitable health care for starters.

Pulling all tax breaks from the unAmerican US corporations that outsource jobs out of the country.

Higher taxes on the rich (as discussed, those making over 250,000/year). Soaking the rich is always a good idea as the reverse process, Ronnie Reagan's voodoo trickle down economics, utterly failed miserably as the rich hoarded their wealth. "

tribe wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:26 PM:

" Ezekiel; Please explain how Obama will help the "POOR" "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:24 PM:

" JUSME
About your 1:57 p.m. blog. You said that the E-mail was hypothetical. Fine IT'S A MADE UP STORY, JUST LIKE ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE YOUR SIDE POSTS ON HERE. IT IS ALL MADE UP TO. NOW I DO GET IT. YOU GUYS ARE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF STORY TELLERS. THANKS FOR ENLIGHTNING ME. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:18 PM:

" Comrades of any political persuasion:

Please help America's poor by voting for Obama 11/4/08.

Thanks "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:13 PM:

" tribe,

You wont get a response from mythoughts on your query for information. Mythoughts doesnt do that, she just puts others down and then tries to get them to do the research for her. I fell for that trap for awhile, but stopped. Mythoughts wont come back with anything that makes sense to what you are asking as it will be a philosophical, and utopian response that isnt real world. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Panther13,

I have to comment on your nuclear power analogy. Please DO NOT compare our Nuclear Power Regulatory people and our plants to the Russians/Soviets. Their technology, at best, was 20 years behind us and it was their fault. If Nuclear power is so bad, and so unsafe then why is most of Europe on nuclear power? Germany, is the most anal retentive and green society in Europe, I know I lived there for three years, but there are Nuclear Power plants EVERYWHERE!! They had no choice, with gas at $6 a gallon!! Nuclear power is safe, its used in our Naval Warships with NO accidents, and even Jimmy Carter tried getting more built and was stopped. He knew how safe it was, he had a very extensive nuclear power background. Dont be scared of something you dont know anything about, its a pointless arguement. Its a safe way to produce the power and energy we need, and our NRC is the best in the world. "

tribe wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:43 PM:

" Mythoughts; your response to Renee confuses me. You said that the abortion issue keeps getting voted against. As far as I know this issue has never been put up for a vote by the American public. But the public has been polled many times and has always favored the side of Pro Life. It also sounds as if your dismissing this issue, because your tired of the same old arguments. Just because your bored dosen't mean that it will just go away. It is still very much an issue for many of us. Also I have read alot of Pro Choice comments about the mothers responsability. Explain to me why responsability begins after the woman becomes pregnant? what about her responsability before conception? It seems to me that you have given these women a pass when it comes to their pre pregnancy responsability. Please respond and let me know how you reconcile this in your own mind? "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:32 PM:

" crdr,

Im like you, I will not vote straigh ticket this time. I am voting OUT any of them that voted for the Bailout plan, and voting in anyone that makes sense. They ONLY true change is to get rid of the very people in congress, which is the most unpopular congress in history at about an 8% approval rating, and get rid of them, all of them. Thats how Im voting. "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:30 PM:

" Renee', you go girl!!!

Panther13, I personally do not have an issue with abortion if it endangers the life of mom. My ex-wife lost her mother on the delivery table due to complications that could have been prevented if detected earlier. It was devastating for my Ex, and she never got over it. What I do not agree with is the liberal use of abortion as a birth control method. Now that may not be prevalent in Iowa but in the major large cities of our country, if a girl gets pregnant by accident, they get aborted or take a morning after pill. I dont believe the framers of Roe V. Wade intended for abortion to be a birth control method, there are already plenty of OTC and prescibed ways to prevent pregnancy if you are intelligent enough to do so. A Republican President or any President isnt going to touch Roe v. Wade, its a political nuclear bomb. This is all campaign hype, all of it. Everytime someone attempts to overturn Roe V. Wade its squashed. Its here, its the law of the land but its not a constitutional right like so many think it is. I looked and nowhere in the US Constitution does it gaurantee abortion.

Panther13, I want you to google the Quirin ruling regarding the powers of a wartime President. It deals with FDR, who as a liberal Democratic President. He actually took prisoners out and had them SHOT. And his anctics with the OSS (CIA) are legendary and he put his best friends in charge of it. Wartime presidents push the power that is granted to them, and in times of War, they have that right, and we are in 2 wars right now. I have yet to hear of any Gtmo Prisoners being taken out and shot! I have yet to hear of any muslims rounded up and put into camps like FDR did with the Japanese. They attacked us, he put them in camps. Radical muslims attacked us, the precedent was the for Bush to round up all muslims and put them in camps, in fact Bush got the legal precedent for Gitmo from FDR and his wartime policies. War is war! The enemy wants to destroy us, so deal with them accordingly like its been done in the past.

Oil, we need it, we have to have it and our economy is driven on it. you can NOT make cars in factories on wind and solar power, not yet. Maybe never. But with our own domestic sources we can lighten the load and get other sources of power up and running. We are the ONLY nation in the world that has its own resources but outsources those very needs, that is just stupid. I think we can use that money to alot better use than giving it to the Middle East. Lets keep it here, where it belongs. Is that so bad?

We have the best health care in the world, and the most expensive. I concur it needs reform, but it doesnt need replacement. I have a very WILD suggestion that could easily pay for healthcare and I am going to get beat up for it but I dont care. Take ALL Farm subsidies and remove that money, and put into a National health care plan. An incredible amount of money is wasted EVERY year on Farm subsidies which is a program from the Depression that isnt needed anymore. Did you know that Sen. Grassley got $225,000 farm subsidy check?! Why? Now i know that doing that will hurt car dealerships as I know that most farm wives drive around in 1 or 2 year old cars and then trade them in with the subsidy but whats more important? A program that is over 70 years old that isnt needed or health care? just a thought.

Lastly alot is said on these boards regarding religion and Christ and His teachings, etc. Thats great, and its usually talked about by Liberals.......fine. I have something for you...

"God helps those that help themselves"

That dosen't mean help yourself to other people's money "

crdr wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:26 PM:

" I am a Republican, I also vote for the candidate that I think is most likely to accomplish headway on the issues that are important to me. No way on earth I'd vote straight party this year but I can't rule it out for the future. I'd never say I wouldn't vote for someone, because you just never know. Except Pelosi (of course since she's from CA so its kind of a nonissue)! Education, Healthcare, Human Rights, the Environment, these and other issues like National Defense, Energy and the Economy are important to me. I would like to think that most people will vote because of issues that are important to THEM, and most probably will, but I'm afraid that many don't understand the issues and will base their vote on some other factor. I thank God that we live in a country where the right to vote is extended to all regardless of religion, race, sex, or social standing. I also thank God for those who have fought to secure those rights "

comon wrote on Oct 27, 2008 6:03 PM:

" I am not sure but I think the reference to kool-aid goes back to the Jim Jones religious cult. Jim Jones and his followers went off to another country. When Jim Jones thought they were going to be rounded up he had all the followers drink poison kool-aid. "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:41 PM:

" As I am Independent, I vote for the candidate that I think is most likely to accomplish headway on the issues that are important to me. No way on earth I'd vote straight party! I'd never vote for Reed, and DEFINITELY not Pelosi! Education, Healthcare, Human Rights, the Environment, these and other issues are important to me. I think most people will vote because of issues that are important to THEM. I thank God that we live in a country where the right to vote is extended to all regardless of religion, race, sex, or social standing. I also thank God for those who have fought to secure those rights. "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:37 PM:

" Tribe

I thought we established that both parties have their flaws and haven't exactly done their job right. Secondly unless one party controls everything then whatever agenda they may have will not happen.
Right now Bush could road block and veto any bill he wants to because the house and senate do not have enough of the majority to overturn his veto. They only have enough of an majority to get their bills through the house and senate. Say for example the Dems decide that instead of buying bombs we should buy some books for schools so they write up an education bill that cuts defense spending and channels it into education funding for inner city schools. The house passes it and then the senate would pass it because the dems have the majority then it lands on GW's desk and he vetos it because he doesn't want to cut the defense budget and the house/senate would not be able to overturn the veto. This is our current situation. "

tribe wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:21 PM:

" Halos: Speaking of follow through. How about the Democrats? Every election black voters support them in mass. Has anything really improved for them? Daily we're told nothing has changed and things have even become worse. How about union workers? same story, different players, every election they support the same party. And afterwards they get the same results, (Little or no change) You would think these blocks of voters would get the hint after awhile, but they keep selling their vote to the highest bidder (Or biggest liar)(Or the guy that most resembles them) And when the next election comes, they walk into that booth and and vote a straight Democrat ticket again.Many of them never even bothering to find out where the canidate stands on any issues. It would be interesting to poll people and find out if they were allowed a lifetime vote how many would go vote Democrat and how many would vote Republican without ever having to consider the issues. My guess is Harry Reed and Nancy Pelosi would be all for a liftime voting bill. "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:21 PM:

" Halos

Im still trying to figure out this kool-aid thing too.
Im also trying to find all this free money and shopping days they say the poor are getting with these "socialist" welfare programs. All the poor people I know work their butts of to survive and they still can't make ends meet. I guess they better work harder and earn their money. "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:15 PM:

" My Thoughts

Panther, I can not agree with this statement: "unless her heart is made of stone she will carry the burden and guilt for a lifetime" When a woman prays and feels God does not condem her having an abortion because of the circumstances she will not have guilt.

Let me clarify my statement.
Firstly not everyone believes in God, what if she prays to Allah or even mops. The point is it doesn't matter who she prays too. I believe in freedom of religion and freedom from religion.

Secondly you illustrated my main point. Unless her heart is made of stone ie she is heartless and cold then she will feel guilt and will have to live with it for the rest of her life. I was referring to human nature and human nature says that she will feel guilty. I can't imagine that women would not feel some form of guilt and remorse after getting an abortion and if she doesn't then she must be pretty heartless. As I said before that is her choice to live with and she will have to deal with the consequences. "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:08 PM:

" Uh, sorry to sound dumb, but I don't watch TV, what is it with the kool-aid pushers? I also refuse to listen to the hateful, inaccuracies spouted by Limbaugh, but this sure sounds like it could be something he'd come up with, if it's what I think it is..... "

My thoughts wrote on Oct 27, 2008 5:02 PM:

" Oh my, I can't begin to answer all the trash this time.
xfireman, Gitwitit, Panther, and Halos, thank you for seeing that there are some items posted that make sense.

Yes, Renee, we do get tired of the same old arguments over and over again. You refuse to accept the reasons why items you mentioned are voted against. You take one thing out of the whole bill and ignore everything else. I must ask, are you a doctor or nurse that you know everything about abortion and the rest of us are so uncaring. I have mentioned this before but shall again.
Why do you make it seem like caring about a Mother's life is so unnecessary?
Who will take care of any other children in the familyl if she dies giving birth? Before you say the Dad, who is going to make money to support the family if he is staying home to bring up the family? It is not stupid to consider wether the mother's health
is good enough to carry and deliver another baby.
Where have you obtained the authority; and distinction to declare: "the man who is so staunchly PRO-ABORTION? He is not pro-choice, he is pro-abortion. Actions speak louder than words, talk is cheap, blah, blah, blah..." Just who are you to make this decision? And your talk is just as cheap.

Panther, I can not agree with this statement: "unless her heart is made of stone she will carry the burden and guilt for a lifetime" When a woman prays and feels God does not condem her having an abortion because of the circumstances she will not have guilt.

dbir I know I'm not the sharpest tack in the world but neither am I the dullest. I just do not understand your blog of 3:50. Can you make it more clear? "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:57 PM:

" Just a point. Abortion is still going to be legal if McCain wins the presidency. We also need to worry about the living. I wouldn't use that one point to make all decisions, but that's just me. "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:55 PM:

" Amen HALOS!!!

We think very much alike!! "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:53 PM:

" As far as oil goes, why drill? Right now we could be working towards becoming completely oil free and eco-friendly. We should look towards the future and not stay stuck in the past, we have the technology to become a leader in wind, solar and geothermal energy.
Look at the computer or cell phones, we could do the same with clean energy but we won't do it if we cling to oil, coal and nuclear energy. Clean energy is a win-win just think of the jobs and money to be made. Look at the foreign car companies, they are kicking our butts because they are embracing and developing new technology unlike American companies who finally figured it out that's what people want and need. We could do it in less then ten years so why drill? Why not spend some money and invest in the future? "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:44 PM:

" No, I don't believe in abortion, either, but the legality DOES save the life of the mother. They no longer go to back alley coathanger unlicensed abortionists which cause hemorrage, infection and death. SHE has to live with the consequences of her actions, actions she would have taken whether it was legal or not. Yes, I read all the info that came my way about Obama, and actually checked it out. I realize that when there are millions of children starving in a country with wealth such as ours, something needs to be done. We need to have a conscience for the LIVING children, too. How about the over 18,000 uninsured U.S. citizens that die yearly from preventable illnesses? In a country that boasts the best health care...but only for the wealthy? We gripe about spending money for the poor, but don't appear to have a problem with bailing out the rich. ???? We cut educational funding and Medicare, but we make sure corporations get their tax breaks??? I know, it's to create jobs...where are those jobs? Why are companies closing? Are you doing better than you were 8 years ago? Many are not, and many are getting desperate because the more jobs, better healthcare and better education that were promised 4 years ago, and 8 years ago have never materialized. The party in office did not follow through with their election promises, and I'm not saying a different party is going to follow through with every promise made, but I know if MY company doesn't follow through, we get fired from the job and they give it to another company. No one wants to take everything from the rich and give it to the poor, but we need to get back to a more stable ground. Economically, we can not survive as a country with this gross inequity. There IS research to back this up.
My thoughts, a cup of tea with milk would be lovely! Anyone that drinks THAT can't be all bad! (My grandma says so. HER I listen to. Oh, BTW, she voted today, and for the first time ever, she voted for a Democrat for president.) "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 4:37 PM:

" Renee

I DO NOT support abortion. I do not believe in killing period. I think every person has the right to life. I think if you don't want a child then you have much much better options then abortion. However some people choose to get abortions, this is where personal choice and responseability come into play.
The repubs harp on this, they don't want the government involved in peoples business unless there is some "moral obligation" behind it, for example gay marriage and abortion. Then it seems ok for the government to come in and tell people how to live. I don't think making it illegal is the answer. It will only make it worse, look at everything else that has been driven underground like drugs or alcohol during prohibition. I wish more then anything that people would stop getting abortions because they are wrong but just because you make it illegal doesn't mean they will stop. It will just perpetuate the situation. As it is right now if a women choses to get an abortion she may not go to jail but she still has a very heavy cross to bear for the rest of her life. She has to live with that decision for the rest of her life, her decision is between her and God. Let them sort it out. "

dblr wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Seven years before Barack Obama's "spread the wealth" comment to Joe the Plumber became a GOP campaign theme, the Democratic presidential candidate said in a radio interview the U.S. has suffered from a fundamentally flawed Constitution that does not mandate or allow for redistribution of wealth.

In the tape, Obama is heard telling Chicago's public station WBEZ-FM in 2001 that "redistributive change" is needed, pointing to what he regarded as a failure of the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren in its rulings on civil rights issues in the 1960s. "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:26 PM:

" GITWITT
They all know about the abortion law you are talking about, but they are just unable to believe it. They would rather listen to BILL OLIELY, and believe him instead. "

Renee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:14 PM:

" Panther: You are right, abortion has been around for centuries, but it has not only recently become legal. Abortion was legal in many variations in recent history. For example, it used to be legal to bludgeon a baby's head during birth. As long as it was not completely out of the womb, it was not infanticide. (Can anyone say "partial-birth abortion?) Or it used to be legal to leave a child outside immediately following birth and the child would die of starvation or exposure (legally referred to as "natural causes"). It is the same game today, just newer equipment, technology and players. And then people are shocked at school shootings and mass killings. How can anyone be shocked? We live in a culture of violence, and I am not talking about war. I am talking about everyday life. The message is clear: 4,000 innocent lives taken daily, no one cares, no one blinks and there is even a small cheering section. I guess that beats the heck out of a few mothers who were trying to kill their child dying along with the child, huh? Again, terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens have more rights than a baby. "

Gitwitit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Renee "He oposed the BAIPA. If a child is born alive, doctors are not required to maintain it's life (they can just let the baby "expire" legally.) "

Didn't he vote against the passing of this because there was already a similar law in the state of Illinois? I thought that they discussed this in the 2nd debate and that Obama defended his position by stating that because Illinois already had a law in place it seemed unnecessary to pass something additional that wouldn't accomplish anything more that what was already in place.

Abortion is a very important and sensitive topic and I understand your concern. Panther also makes some good points though; is banning abortion going to prevent abortions from taking place or is it is going to drive them underground where the practice is not safe for mother or child? Very controversial topic. "

dblr wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:05 PM:

" We could have oil from the capped wells off the coast of Calif in under 18 months if we lift the ban. But if you know about the capped wells you would press the Senate and Congress to act but if your kept in the dark they can keep the lie going that of it will take 10 years before we could see any oil from off shore. You do know they have tried to get off shore drilling opened back up for over 10 years now and back then they kept saying it would take 10 or more years to get any oil, if we had drilled 10 years ago we would of had oil and I doubt it would of hit $147.00 a barrels this summer. The longer we wait the longer OPEC can cause us more problems like cutting oil production to force the price of oil higher because Iran needs oil at or above $90.00 or it will hurt there economy and they would not be able to balance there budget. "

Renee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Panther: So in this abortion debate, you (and others) maintain that an adult female has more basic human rights (life, for example) than an infant, correct? I mean, if you do not want to ban, outlaw, regulate, etc. abortion because then you know that mothers will still have them in unsafe places that will also put the mother's life at risk (legal or illegal baby still dies), it seems the biggest concern here is STILL the mother. Whether it is legal or illegal, the baby will still die! I can appreciate your preference that woman choose something other than abortion, but you don't want to endanger the lives of women by ouitlawing it? I think women may be more inclined to consider other options if abortion posed a threat to their health! "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 2:22 PM:

" More "crazy" Liberal idea

Terrorists and POWs deserve to be treated humanly and with dignity. They may be the enemy but they are people too. Torture should never be used no matter what.

Illegal immigrants have no rights, no matter what some people may say they are taken advantage of by employers who know they can exploit them without recourse.

Abortion is a horrible thing but driving it underground be making it illegal won't make it any better......or safer.

I don't celebrate winter solstice, am I supposed too?
I don't care what you celebrate during the holidays.
In fact I don't care what religion you are.

We are the only industrialized without universal healthcare. I find it interesting that we pay the most for our healthcare but we rank around 23rd in quality of care.

If we drill for oil offshore we won't even be able to use it for 10 years. The same goes for the land in Alaska. Have you ever heard of Chernoble and do you know what China's number one source of energy is? I am not opposed to nuclear energy but I am not sold on it's safeness. China uses alot of coal and the air over there is terrible. Have you noticed how many windmills have popped up around here?
We already have the technology for wind, solar and geothermal energy, we use it now so why not invest and make it bigger and better NOW!!

I know people who worked full time at a fast food place and they were not able to get government aid because they made too much but they also couldn't pay their bills. Alot of people have no idea how many people struggle to better themselves or even just survive but when they reach for a helping hand they get a foot to the head instead.

We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world but we have children who go to schools that are falling apart, have outdated books and underpaid and overworked teachers. Don't ask the kids in Iowa about this but ask the kids in inner city LA.
To me that is a problem.

We spend trillions on tanks and bombs when millions in our own country go to bed hungry and homeless.

Im sorry Im not the evil and greedy liberal some of you would like to paint me to be. "

jusme wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:57 PM:

" OMG! No doubt the story is hypothetical, ya just don't get it do you? Of couse this site is getting weirder by the minute, after all this is mason city. Renee...I will NOT drink obama's koolaid, I will stand up and fight! Stand up and fight for this country damnit!!! "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:54 PM:

" Renee

I admire your passion on the abortion issue however I think you are overlooking some things. I do not support abortion because I do not believe in violence and killing. I would urge those who are even considering abortion to instead give it up for adoption or keep the child. However I realize that some people will choose to get an abortion and I would rather have them doing it in a clean sanitary environment then some back alley or somebody's basement. Abortion has been around for centuries and until it was legalized it was done under very horrible conditions. The women and the child were often killed during the procedure. If a women wants to get an abortion that is her business and ultimatly she will have to live with the consequences. Abortion is a horrible thing but it is not going away. I suspect your passion stems from religious beliefs and the Bible says that those who are free of sin shall cast the first stone and it is God's job to do the judging. A women may not go to jail for getting an abortion but unless her heart is made of stone she will carry the burden and guilt for a lifetime. "

Renee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:37 PM:

" mythoughts; I don't know Brad, but I like the way he thinks. And everyone drinks the kool-aid, the only difference is who is serving it. "

Renee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:34 PM:

" I know some people get really sick of the abortion issue (it's never going to change, it's non-issue, etc.) But I really do not understand how Obama supporters cannot wonder at the character of the man who is so staunchly PRO-ABORTION? He is not pro-choice, he is pro-abortion. Actions speak louder than words, talk is cheap, blah, blah, blah...
Obama supports legislation that woud repeal the Hyde Amendament (keeps your tax dollars subsidizing abortion). he has promised that "the first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." This would eliminate virtually EVERY limitation on abortion, including late-term, partial birth, parental consent, funding restrictions. In the Illinois legislature, he opposed the ban on partial-birth abortions. He oposed the BAIPA. If a child is born alive, doctors are not required to maintain it's life (they can just let the baby "expire" legally.) He has publicly stated that he opposes the ban on partial-birth abortion because it makes no provision for the health of the mother. However, the medical community has stated that in the unlikely event that a medical situation arose threatening the mother's health, there is no benefit to killing the child that is three-fourths of that way out of the womb. The child can be delivered at that point and the needs of the mother still met. In essence, the "no provision for the mother argument" implies that a woman could be 3/4 of the way through the birthing process and encounter a medical emergency that would threaten her life unless the baby's life is terminated immedaitely. WHAT?! Here is test to see if Obama is really pro-CHOICE (or pro-ABORTION). Members of his own party have urged him to support or endorse the "Pregnant Women Support Act." This is a bill by the Democrats for Life and is meant to reduce abortions by providing assistance for women facing crisis pregnancies. He has not only opposed it, he has opposed key provisions of it, including informed consent (education and awareness)for women about the effects of abortion and the gestational age of their child, and providing coverage of unborn children in the state's health insurance program. This does not outlaw ANY abortion, it simply makes it easier for women to make the choice not to abort. All of the above info is factual and can be checked by looking at his voting record. Again, abortion may be the last thing that is personally relevant to a lot of voters, but I just have to ask if Obama's seemingly strong support FOR abortion creates any curiosity about his character as a human being? "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:25 PM:

" You're OK Sarge. I hope you don't have a stroke when you read about Comrade Obama's landslide win in the paper "

Halos wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:17 PM:

" panther13, thanks for pointing out the obvious (to some of us) falsities in the "Why I'm Voting Democratic" in the below post...
Here's some facts, too...
We have a Republican president currently...
Abortion is already legal.
The polar icecap is melting at 20 times the rate forecast in the 50's (scientific evidence), the occurence and severity of hurricanes, flooding, etc. is drastically rising due to the the rate at which global temperatures are rising...
I could go on, but have my own job to do helping those that CAN NOT help themselves....
Our deficit is the highest it's ever been. "

My thoughts wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:15 PM:

" I wonder if Brad is also posting under Renee, or maybe just a buddy he drinks kool-aid with "

xvolunteerfireman wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:09 PM:

" Did NOBAMA change his name to JUSME, or is he really sending out his blog from last week that was on here about the homeless guy with a sign hanging around his neck, and the server with an Obama tie on. JUSME if you are not NOBAMA how can you believe such a far fetched story as that? Did he send you an e-mail about the guy on food stamps that drove a new car that he turned in to the proper authorities because he was such a good citizen to. This blog site is getting more weird by the second. "

Renee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 1:00 PM:

" Brad: Good reasons to vote Democrat! Here are a few others.....I bet you are voting Democrat because you beleive terrorists should have the same rights as American citizens....because partial birth abortion is okay, but waterboarding a terrorist is inhumane...likewise, murderers and rapists deserve life, but the innocent unborn deserve death...you don't mind pushing "one" for English, who needs a national language?....celebrating "winter soltice" shows comapssion for the handful of people who do not celebrate "Christmas"....because if you are not taking advantage of the many government programs, you obviously have too much money and should pay higher taxes..because illegal aliens deserve the same rights as American citizens, plus a few extra rights...you believe in eliminating our dependence on foreign oil, but are opposed to offshore drilling,nuclear power plants, and clean coal...you understand that groups who register felons, drug addicts illegal aliens, dead people, children, etc. to vote makes your vote count more...you believe that free government health care will provide quality care and that the medical community, drug companies, etc. will gladly donate their time, products, services, facilities, etc., (they don't really care about making money anyway). You are a smart man, Brad! "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:47 PM:

" BRAD!!!

You must be a mind reader because that is EXACTLY what I believe or it could be a biased and untruthfull piece of garbage!!! It is crap like this that keeps us divided.
My "crazy" Liberal views

For your information I own several guns and hunt, however im not afraid they will ever be taken away because of my right to bear arms. It has been ruled on and nobody can take it away.

I have no problem with oil companies, it's the speculators I have a problem with.

I think that as a citizen it is my duty to give back to my community and country and that means paying taxes to fund the police, quality schools, safe roads, firedepartments, ect. Im not selfish enough to want more then I need.

As far as Iraq goes, if we are sending our troops into battle we better make sure it is for a darn good reason and we take care of them 100% at home and abroad. These people are heros and should be treated that way. We shouldn't send them into a war based on lies and when they are there they should have the best equipment and if they are killed or wounded they should have the best care and their families should be taken care of. We as Americans have failed to do ALL of these things for our troops!!

I believe anybody has the right to say anything they want but they better be able to handle the consequences and defend what they said.

Global warming has been proven and your local weatherman and his buddies arn't the ones who proved it or discovered it was happening.

I have no problems with businesses making money but I do have a problem with corporate executives making billions meanwhile working class Americans work maxium hours for minium wage and they still can't make ends meet. As a part of society bussinesses should give back to it and provide equal pay for equal work.

I believe liberal judges should rewrite laws as they see fit just like conservative judges should rewrite laws as they see fit.

This is just a sample of my "crazy" Liberal beliefs.Im sorry that I don't fit into your little world view expressed in the dribble you posted. "

panther13 wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:22 PM:

" It must be that liberal media again, it couldn't possibly be bad Republican politics and policies. I am sick of the scare tactics and mudslinging. We need unity and not division!!

Im still trying to figure out how a 3% increase in taxes for people who make over $250k is a huge deal. The way things are going now we are bound to pay higher taxes eventually no matter who is elected if we ever want to get out of debt. Also why are taxes such a bad thing, if you think about you're contributing to society and helping your country. I would also like to know where this kool-aid is that alot of you speak of, perhaps it's in the United Church of Obama...btw where is our local church or do they give it out at the rallys? This whole idea that those who are wealthy all worked hard and earned it and those who are poor are that way because they are lazy. What about Paris Hilton or that guy who works 50hrs a week in the factory and still can't make ends meet? Paris gets drunk every night and has more money then she knows what to do with meanwhile this guy is struggleing to put food on the table. Im not saying Paris shouldn't have money but when is enough enough and when do we decide to help everyone out and make the country better for everyone. You can quit being scared because your guns will never be taken away especially since the last supreme court ruling and for America to become socialist our ENTIRE ECONOMY would have to be rebuilt, not gonna happen. Obama even said he was a free market guy and if you actually look at his website would realize he is NOT going to take away your guns!! "

bradchaffee wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:19 PM:

" Why I'm Voting Democrat:
I'm voting Democrat because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from
murderers and thieves.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same
gallon of gas at 15% isn't.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would. (my favorite)
I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it. (good one too)
I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good
people. ( the best one yet)
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving less.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and
give the rest away to the government for redistribution as THEY see fit.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would
NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."

I'm voting Democrat... NOT "

jusme wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:48 AM:

" Why on earth would all these wealthy people back someone knowing full well it will have a negative impact on them??
THAT makes no sense whatsoever. Living in a dream world I guess. Won't it be something if obama gets in, we will have a dem pres, a dem congress, a dem senate, what does that say to you? Think of America as an eagle...with a left wing and a right wing...you cut the right wing off, or the left wing for that matter, what happens? Can't fly, crash and burn! I fear for this country, I never thought I would ever live to see the day it would turn socialist, but it may be comming. "

Gitwitit wrote on Oct 27, 2008 11:31 AM:

" "Spreading the wealth" is McCain's last ditch attempt to try and close this gap, and if you ask me it doesn't hold water. You keep hearing that phrase over and over and McCain is trying to push the idea that the harder one works, the more he/she will be taxed. If you make greater than $250K your tax bracket will go from 36% to 39%. This equates to less than 5% (estimate) of all Americans being impacted by this. While every hopes to one day be rich and famous, the likely hood of this 5% figure changing dramatically, well, is just not all that likely.

By changing this tax bracket from 36% to 39% we will be changing it back to where it was during the Clinton era, when the economy prospered and we had a balanced budget for the first time in forever. Setting taxes at 39% for wealthy people is not unchartered territory like McCain wants to make it seem. It has been done before and the economy was much better off.

Many of the wealthiest people in the country are supporting Obama. These are the people who will be impacted by this change the most. Why on earth would they want to support someone if it is going to have a huge negative impact on them personally. It just doesn't make sense! "

jusme wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:55 AM:

" The following is an email I recieved....

This was emailed to me and many others may have seen it but just in case I would love to get it out to others. It struck home as the "spread the wealth" is so simple to understand as putting in this fashion. As well as being so true. I should have used this on a waitress that stated she was for O yesterday. I wonder if it would have made an impression. Maybe we should all try this on all those who believe in "spreading the wealth".

Here is a creative approach to redistribution of wealth as offered in a local newspaper...

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read 'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
OR IS IT.........REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE'S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA..............or just a fools game!! "

jusme wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Des Moines Register...liberal
Anchorage Daily News...liberal
It's not surprising they have endorsed Nobama. It just unreal how so many have been transfixed by this man and have become Obots. By the time you get off the koolaid it will be too late. You'll get your "change", but it won't be what you thought you were getting. God help this country for it will be a dead and distant memory. "

Keith wrote on Oct 27, 2008 9:16 AM:

" >>>And who keeps Rush on the air?

Capitalism. He draws an audience that advertisers are more than willing buy ads on his program in order to reach them. "

My thoughts wrote on Oct 27, 2008 8:37 AM:

" Gee Betty girl, you had it made until you added that silly last bit.
In another blog I told someone else who sounded much like you that his desperation was showing al. I have also stated that the media doesn't need to mention the things you listed because the e-mailers, bloggers, and coffee shop tiraders are doing it for them. And I do remember items in the "Biased" (your description, not mine) newspapers whenever something new was drug up by the Rep committee. They have had trouble lately finding anything. Too many people agreed that it was the right thing to do to visit his ailing grandmother.
You ask where the nasty jokes are on Letterman and such. Simple, they approve more of Obama. Why vilify your own choice?
I have no idea how much tax payer money goes to NPR. Enlighten me please. I do know Public TV gets funding from individuals who approve of their programing. And who keeps Rush on the air? "

bettygirl wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:55 AM:

" It will be just great when Obama gets elected. All will be well. Everyone will have health care and nice big tax breaks. We'll take away from the evil rich (money that most of them earned through hard work and ingenuity and by creating jobs), and spread that wealth around to those less productive so we’ll all be equal. The poor will become middle class, and the middle class will be rich, and they won’t even have to work for it! It will all be so wonderful! Terrorists will give up their naughty ways, the Middle East nations will love us, and all the other countries in Europe and elsewhere who turned away from us in the past will come back and be our BFF's. The lion will lay down with the lamb, swords will be turned into plowshares, and the dead will rise again...oh wait...I got mixed up...that's the Other One! My bad. "

FreeSpirit wrote on Oct 26, 2008 6:13 PM:

" Arthur, I think MSM stands for main stream media? "

RJ wrote on Oct 26, 2008 5:29 PM:

" If you vote for somebody based on a newspaper endorsement you shouldn't be eligible to vote. "

Arthur wrote on Oct 26, 2008 5:23 PM:

" QUOTE: al4usa wrote on Oct 26, 2008 1:16 PM:… Why hasn't the msm been pressing him on the accesibility issue? … The msm TV networks (ABC, CBS NBC etc)are dropping viewers by the millions…"UNQUOTE

Who or what is “msm” ? "

comon wrote on Oct 26, 2008 5:05 PM:

" I understand that Anchorage Daily News has endorsed Obama. They also said that Palin wasn't qualified. Locally the DM Register has also endorsed Obama. Sounds like there are more endorcements with alot more coming out this week. "

Another Day Older wrote on Oct 26, 2008 4:42 PM:

" I'm thinking of naming my next male child Hussein! Happened with JFK! "

al4usa wrote on Oct 26, 2008 1:57 PM:

" Hey, what happened to the previous post? In the interest of "fairness" put it back up. Who runs this thing anyway? "

al4usa wrote on Oct 26, 2008 1:16 PM:

" Cynic, Then do the abusive attacks, name-calling and sexual perverted graphics against Governor Palin on programs like SNL, Letterman, Weekend News, Daily Kos, and Air America offend you as well? They ought to offend you so much that you lash out against your side for allowing this to happen instead of me. I am merely stating a fact and calling someone by their given name. If you cannot handle this as fact then maybe you harbor an underlying prejudice against Senator Obama. Oh, by the way where has your Hussein been lately? Why hasn't he made himself accessible to the media? Why hasn't the msm been pressing him on the accesibility issue? Why aren't they demanding answers to tough, probing questions like they do with Gov Palin? Where are the nasty and tasteless jokes and skits about Hussein and Biden on SNL, Letterman and the like? I'll bet you're one of those that claims to support the "Fairness Doctine" aren't you? Look at what's happening around you. The msm TV networks (ABC, CBS NBC etc)are dropping viewers by the millions, leftist newpapers like the NYT are nearly bankrupt, Air America faulters nearly everywhere it trys to broadcast, NPR sucks taxpayer money in order to stay on air. "

Cynic wrote on Oct 26, 2008 12:48 PM:

" hey al:

I just love how you have to use his middle name. It makes you look childish, and completely invalidates everything else you say. "

Halos wrote on Oct 26, 2008 11:46 AM:

" Just curious...does that mean that those that voted for Bush just got what they deserved? Just making a point that all the finger pointing can work either way.
We need to try to WORK TOGETHER as a country, and stop the mudslinging and divisive tactics. I read a wonderful post by 'hootchild' on one of these blogs talking about the divisiveness we all seem to be falling prey to. He or she has a point...I also once heard a judge say that if either party in the courtroom left completely happy, then he felt he hadn't adequately done his job. Here's a proposition; Get rid of Palin/Biden...Put both McCain & Obama in the White House...flip a coin as to who gets primary leadership...but specify that any decisions made had to be hammered out between the two of them until they come to an agreement. Granted, not a very logical proposal, but then how much intelligent logic has been in the mud that has been slung??? "

rj wrote on Oct 26, 2008 11:07 AM:

" "Iowa voters also said they trusted Obama’s pledge to cut taxes more than McCain’s, with 47 percent trusting Obama and 40 percent trusting McCain." This proves how stupid we Iowans are. Just like electing Grassley and Harkin to cancel each other out. Remember we deserve what we get because we vote these idiots in. "

comon wrote on Oct 26, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Keith.....That is one of the lines that the underdog usually comes up with. As an independent voter I still haven't made up my mind. "

Ezekiel wrote on Oct 26, 2008 9:59 AM:

" More good news. Say goodbye, John and Sarah. "

Keith wrote on Oct 26, 2008 7:32 AM:

" Media Polls are not done to reflect public opinion - they are done to shape it. "

Vince wrote on Oct 26, 2008 6:28 AM:

" I'm glad to see Iowa leads the way in common sense, with their support of Barack Obama :) "

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