Obama's Tone Sharpens as Party Frets

One of Obama's accusations is that John McCain is computer illiterate, yet Sen.Obama stated in a Reader's Digest interview last month that he only uses the computer to check sports scores.


By JEFF ZELENY and ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: September 12, 2008

DOVER, N.H. — Senator Barack Obama intensified his assault against Senator John McCain here on Friday, drawing sharp connections between his Republican rival and President Bush through a coordinated, partywide message as he confronts an invigorated Republican ticket and increasing nervousness among Democrats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/13/us/politics/12cnd-candidates.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

The View: Girls Behaving Badly

McCain Says His Campaign Ads Are 'Not Lies'
GOP Presidential Hopeful Says He's 'the Same Guy' He's Always Been
By EMILY FRIEDMAN and JENNIFER DUCK
Sept. 12, 2008


On the usually friendly couch of the TV show "The View" today, Sen. John McCain found himself challenged about the truthfulness of his campaign ads and the consistency of his character.

Republican presidential nominee John McCain appeared on ABC's 'The View.' (Steve Fenn/ABC)
In the harshest moments of the show, co-host Joy Behar grilled McCain about two campaign ads released this week that imply Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was insulting GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin when he used the phrase "lipstick on a pig" during a stump speech and another ad that suggested Obama wanted to teach sex education to kindergartners.

"We know these ads are lies," said Behar. "But you say 'I approve these messages.' Do you really approve them?"

"Actually, they are not lies," answered McCain before being interrupted by Barbara Walters, who pointed out that McCain too had used the lipstick phrase during the campaign.

WATCH: McCain Gives 'View' on Roe v. Wade

WATCH: McCain: My Ads Aren't Lies

McCain said he used the "lipstick" quote while talking about Sen. Hillary Clinton's health care plan. Obama has argued he used the phrase while describing McCain's claim that he would be a force for change if elected president.

McCain also didn't give ground to the accusation that he had misstated Obama's position about teaching sex ed to kindergarten students. "Teaching kids sex is not all right," said McCain. "[Obama] shouldn't have said it. He chooses his words very carefully and this is a tough campaign."

Obama told Planned Parenthood last year that sex education for kindergarteners, as long as it is "age-appropriate," is "the right thing to do."
Behar argued that McCain, who has been on "The View" previously, has become "much more lockstep with George Bush's policies" and that that she doesn't "see the same old John McCain who used to really buck the system."
McCain insisted he's "the same guy."

"What specific have I, quote, changed? Nobody can name it," said McCain. "The point is, I'm the same person with the same principles, whether spending, climate change, the conduct of the war in Iraq, torture of prisoners – no matter what it is."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/comments?type=story&id=5789451

Palin leaves her rivals rattled

Palin leaves her rivals rattled
Peter Wallsten and Janet Hook, Los Angeles
September 11, 2008

THE emergence of Sarah Palin as a political force in the US presidential race has left many top Democrats fretting that, just two weeks after their convention ended on a emotional high, Barack Obama's campaign has suddenly lost its stride.

Senator Obama responded aggressively this week to Mrs Palin's presence on the Republican ticket, using television ads and campaign rallies to attack her contention that she is a political reformer who will take on the Washington establishment — a role Senator Obama has long claimed as his alone.

But some Democrats are now worried about the perils of Senator Obama's strategy, saying that his campaign, instead of engaging the Alaska Governor, should avoid any moves that draw more attention to her, which could enhance her appeal among the white, blue-collar voters who remain cool to his candidacy.

New polls suggest Mrs Palin has given a major boost to John McCain's campaign, exciting the Republican base, winning over white women and erasing Senator Obama's lead. Democrats expressed anxiety about the new challenge suggested by the recent surveys showing Senator McCain has gained ground among independent voters and women, who could decide the race in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Cont. Here:

http://www.theage.com.au/world/palin-leaves-her-rivals-rattled-20080910-4dru.html?page=-1

Paln; A Speaker to Admire

Michael Alexander, author of Competing Against America comments on the American Presidential elections.

I was sure that John McCain had made a huge tactical blunder when he chose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. McCain’s edge in this race is experience. He’s got a lot of it; Obama doesn’t. However, with a former small town mayor and first-term governor as his running mate, McCain made himself vulnerable to the charge that his running mate is neophyte who wouldn’t be able to take over in a crisis. Every time McCain attacks Obama for his lack of experience, Obama will go after Palin’s.

However, after hearing Palin’s speech acceptance speech on Wednesday night, I changed my mind. Palin was under immense pressure. The Democrats and media pundits were appalled by her small town roots, her lack of foreign policy experience, her gun-toting ways, her pro-life position and her pregnant teenage daughter. Though pleased with her right-wing bona fides, some Republicans feared she wasn’t ready for prime time. And her first major political speech would be broadcast to 40 million Americans and millions more across the globe. If she failed to meet expectations, she and McCain would be toast.

But Palin didn’t flinch. She delivered with poise, bravado, and humour, and managed to talk tough without being abrasive. (Hillary, take note.) She also proved to be telegenic in spite of her nerdy glasses and retro hairstyle. (Jon Stewart couldn’t decide whether she resembled Tina Fey or a seductive librarian. I thought she looked like a back up singer for the B-52s.) And she turned out to have that one essential quality that a leader must have to succeed in a televised world: She’s likeable.

The speech itself was superbly written. And I say that without passing judgment on the substance. It clearly indicated where she stands on some key issues such as offshore drilling and also demonstrated that she can throw a wicked punch at the Democrats.

Strategically, the speech also did a lot for McCain. The Republican base has always been suspicious of his maverick ways. Palin’s strong stand put to rest fears they had about a McCain presidency veering to the middle.

Palin’s debut as speaker tells me a lot about her fitness to be vice-president. As a political performer, she’s a natural. Furthermore, she’s got nerve, is a quick study and doesn’t shy away from a challenge. If McCain is elected, give her a year working with his foreign policy advisors and she’ll be ready to play a major role in his administration.

Cont. Here:

http://www.speakers.ca/blog/?p=32

The Real Sarah Palin Vogue Photo

Someone out there in the Blogosphere with too much time on his hands used Photoshop to produce a fake cover of Sarah Palin.

http://dunningrb.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/sarah-palin-on-the-cover-of-vogue/

And just so you know how it turned out, here it is:

And here is an actual Vogue photo made of Sarah Palin:

I don't know about the rest of you, but I, personally am just thrilled that a 44 year old woman is considered "too young". And a mother of five has become the symbol of glamour and good looks the world over. And that Sarah Palin is also very intelligent, extremely talented, a marathon runner and a super Mom is just icing on the cake!!!

And now from a fellow blogger who actually attended the convention, a very cute article from a male perspective:

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin–Shock and Awe

Shock and Awe has just entered the 2008 Presidential campaign in the form of Arizona Senator John McCain choosing Alaska Governor Sarah
Palin as his Vice Presidential nominee.

The coldest state has brought America the hottest Governor.

The Tygrrrr Express arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the 2008 Republican Convention. The Chicago Cannonball is joining me just long enough to go to the great Mall of America. Then I will get down to the business of blogging from the 2008 version of “Repub Hub.” It will be a fabulous experience thanks to John McCain choosing the phenomenal Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential Nominee.

First I would like to give credit to the news organizations that put out the headline that is bound to spawn a million jokes by the adolescent male population, of which I am often accused of being a part of. “McCain taps Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.” My desire not to have the Secret Service shut down my blog prevents me from commenting further, although she did make my list of the “Top 120 political yummy bouncies.”

As hot as she is, make no mistake about it. She is tough, smart, and a solid choice for Vice President based on her ability to govern effectively. Before offering some thoughts on Governor Palin, kudos need to be given out to John McCain. I have repeatedly stated that I am “often wrong, but never in doubt.” My advice to John McCain, which was never solicited or accepted, was that he go for the ultra safe choice.

My dream choice was Rudy Giuliani, but my realistic choice was Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Tall, good hair, and inoffensive…safe, boring, and not harmful. This is not John McCain. He took all of his poker chips and pushed them to the center of the table. He is now “all in.”

Perhaps a guy that spent 5 1/2 years as a POW is just not going to be afraid to take risks. Sarah Palin is the epitome of a riverboat gambler choice. It also might very well work.

cont. here:

http://www.tygrrrrexpress.com/2008/08/alaska-governor-sarah-palin-shock-and-awe/

Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech

Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin (AK) Full Speech at the RNC