McCain

“Yeah Q. Bite him, you jerk. Everyone knows that the Dems are my only hope. Quit stiring #&%!$ up!”

“Stratdewd can't even troll right.”

“WTF?

Where's the love?

It's easy to lose yer temper when yer getting trolled, right NP?


HATE MONGER!”

“Violin? Independent? Yeah right. And I bet that wasn't really a turd in your pack either, was it?”

“Operator: "Hello, Senator Miller's office."

NoProb: "What is Zell wearing?"

*CLICK*”

“McCain keeps making me proud of my vote for him in the New Hampshire primary in 2000.

McCain Condemns Anti-Kerry Ad
Republican Senator Calls Attack 'Dishonest and Dishonorable'
By RON FOURNIER, AP

WASHINGTON (Aug. 5) -- Republican Sen. John McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, called an ad criticizing John Kerry's military service ''dishonest and dishonorable'' and urged the White House on Thursday to condemn it as well.

The White House declined.

''It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me,'' McCain said in an interview with The Associated Press, comparing the anti-Kerry ad to tactics in his bitter Republican primary fight with President Bush.

The 60-second ad features Vietnam veterans who accuse the Democratic presidential nominee of lying about his decorated Vietnam War record and betraying his fellow veterans by later opposing the conflict.

''When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry,'' one of the veterans, Larry Thurlow, says in the ad. Thurlow didn't serve on Kerry's swiftboat, but says he witnessed the events that led to Kerry winning a Bronze Star and the last of his three Purple Hearts. Kerry's crewmates support the candidate and call him a hero.

The ad, scheduled to air in a few markets in Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin, was produced by Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potham, the same team that produced McCain's ads in 2000.

''I wish they hadn't done it,'' McCain said of his former advisers. ''I don't know if they knew all the facts.''

Asked if the White House knew about the ad or helped find financing for it, McCain said, ''I hope not, but I don't know. But I think the Bush campaign should specifically condemn the ad.''

McCain, chairman of Bush's campaign in Arizona, later said the Bush campaign has denied any involvement and added, ''I can't believe the president would pull such a cheap stunt.''

White House spokesman Scott McClellan declined to condemn the ad. He did denounce the proliferation of spending by independent groups, such as the anti-Kerry veterans organization, that are playing on both sides of the political fence.

''The president thought he got rid of this unregulated soft money when he signed the bipartisan campaign finance reform into law,'' McClellan said. A chief sponsor of that bill, which Bush initially opposed, was McCain.

In 2000, Bush's supporters sponsored a rumor campaign against McCain in the South Carolina primary, helping Bush win the primary and the nomination. McCain's supporters have never forgiven the Bush team.

McCain said that's all in the past to him, but he's speaking out against the anti-Kerry ad because ''it reopens all the old wounds of the Vietnam War, which I spent the last 35 years trying to heal.''

''I deplore this kind of politics,'' McCain said. ''I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As it is, none of these individuals served on the boat (Kerry) commanded. Many of his crew have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam. I think George Bush served honorably in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War.''




Retired Adm. Roy Hoffmann, head of the Swift Boat group, said they respected McCain's ''right to express his opinion and we hope he extends to us the same respect and courtesy, particularly since we served with John Kerry, we knew him well and Sen. McCain did not.''

McCain himself spent more than five years in a Vietnam prisoner of war camp. A bona fide war hero, McCain, like Kerry, used his war record as the foundation of his presidential campaign.

The Kerry campaign has denounced the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, saying none of the men in the ad served on the boat that Kerry commanded. Three veterans on Kerry's boat that day - Jim Rassmann, who says Kerry saved his life, Gene Thorson and Del Sandusky, the driver on Kerry's boat, said the group was lying.

They say Kerry was injured, and Rassmann called the group's account ''pure fabrication.''

The general counsel for the Kerry campaign and the Democratic National Committee sent television stations a letter asking them not to run the ad because it is ''an inflammatory, outrageous lie'' by people purporting to have served with Kerry.

Hoffmann said none of the 13 veterans in the commercial served on Kerry's boat but rather were in other swiftboats within 50 yards of Kerry's. The group claims that there was no gunfire on the day Kerry pulled Rassmann from a muddy river in the Mekong Delta and that Kerry's arm was not wounded, as he has claimed."”

“McCain's a real glimmer of hope. Uncommon as a human being and a role model for politicians of all parties.”

“I love McCain.

I voted for him when he won the 2000 Michigan primary - I yelled "Go McCain" as I put my ballot in the slot.

His campaign manager for Michigan in 2000, Joe Schwarz, just won the Congressional race in my district (MI-7th). McCain campaigned for him and many of the same crossovers showed up.

He's a truly unifying figure and will be the cockroach that survives the Republican destruction this November.”

“just an aside ---

Be advised that according to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, television stations are now under their 8 year review.

This morning on Washington Journal, he said the review once consisted of an announced comment period and a detailed survey every three years. Now it's a postcard every eight.

The new rules for station ownership that were rejected by the Senate after the public uproar were sent back to the House, but the House leadership would not allow a vote on the matter (see Hastert, DeLay). It is now back in the hands of the FCC.

Airplay on this issue has been extremely scant. Copps said he and another commissioner were holding a public hearing in Arizona. They asked one man how he found out about it... and he'd heard it on the BBC.”

“I saw the "Anti Kerry Add" while watching the evening news in the Indianapolis market tonight. I lowered my head in shame. When will this country clean up it's act?”

“I might not agree with ya'll on alot of issues, but mcCain is truelty an americain hero!”

“Yup, McCain has graduated from politician to statesman. Bushie confirmed his idiot status by staying with "shut the &*(% up Dick" when he might have been able to wooo McCain. I think McCain is too smart tho.”

“When McCain runs in 08 the Dems will demonize him just the same that they have with everyone else. I respect the fact the Bush has the fortitude to stick with Cheney.”

“I wish we could clone McCain.”

“McCain's awsome statement on the gay marraige issue.

Gawd I wish he would have been elected president in 2000.”

“When McCain runs in 08 the Dems will demonize him just the same that they have with everyone else.

This statement can't be further from the truth. I, for one, would support the man, as would many of those on here that don't support the current prez”

“I voted for McCain in the 2000 primary, although by that time he had no chance whatsoever of winning. I voted for Bush in November. I will vote for Kerry this election. If McCain runs in 2008 against Kerry, I will have some thinking to do.

McCain is, above everything else, a highly principled man. In politics these days, that is both unusual and something to appreciate.

This attack ad is in the same genre as the "Bush on Drugs" drivel on Capitol Hill Blue. Yes, there will probably be some idiots who will buy into one or the other.”

“Yes, there are people of all persuasions who have supported McCain and would do so again. A great many voted for him rather than the current empty suit in 1999, demonstrating an ability to unite diverse people in reality rather than simply making a bogus assertion in a flood of 30-second commercial spots.

I don't think McCain is extreme enough for some folks, though.... Perhaps Davis would rather have the GOP dig up Strom Thurmond?”

“I think there is less and less room in the GOP for moderates these days. They effectively booted the liberals out years ago, and I fear the moderates will either depart or lose their voices.

It's a self-defeating thing, too. Without the moderates in a coalition, the GOP will become a minority party rather quickly. It will make their dim-witted heads spin how quickly it will occur.

The Democrats have an opportunity to create a coalition of the middle if they continue to moderate their platform and present candidates with centrist views.

The center, with people belonging to both parties, probably represents the majority of the electorate. If the Dems lean too far left and the GOP too far right, the middle will be left unrepresented, which could ultimately trigger a third party.”

“The page cannot be found

The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”

“Or, from the Boston Globe: Veteran retracts criticism of Kerry

and New Anti-Kerry Ad: FOX and MSNBC Roll the Tape, Don't Check Facts”

“Veteran retracts criticism of Kerry

By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | August 6, 2004

WASHINGTON -- A week after Senator John F. Kerry heralded his wartime experience by surrounding himself at the Democratic convention with his Vietnam ''Band of Brothers," a separate group of veterans has launched a television ad campaign and a book that questions the basis for some of Kerry's combat medals.”

“<grrrrrrrrr>”

“Hey, mtn, your link didn't work. However, I would like to read the article.”

“Thankyou, Tilt.”

“Well, hey, let's just create the thing. We all know what it says.

Detroit (AP) - A veteran, quoted in recent Bush television commercials, has recanted his statements against Kerry's wartime heroism.

"I was brainwashed," the veteran said. "The spacecraft landed and a woman named Jenna gave me some punch. I don't remember anything after that."”

“I don't know if I'd vote for McCain or not but I'd know I could trust him and I could base my vote on what he says he'll do.”

“I think McCain might be trying to point out how chicken*&%@ some people are, even though they swagger and speak with Texas accents.”

“If you havent seen it......

Key Figure in Anti-Kerry Book Recants; Admits He Lied


A key figure in a veterans' anti-Kerry campaign, Kerry's former commanding officer, admitted today he lied when he said the Democratic candidate for President did not deserve the Silver Star.

Lieutenant Commander George Elliott now says he made a ''terrible mistake" in signing an affidavit that suggests Kerry did not deserve the Silver Star -- one of the main allegations in a new book, "Unfit For Command," which questions Kerry's fitness for President.

In the book, which is being promoted on conservative web sites, Elliott is quoted as claiming Kerry ''lied about what occurred in Vietnam . . . for example, in connection with his Silver Star, I was never informed that he had simply shot a wounded, fleeing Viet Cong in the back."

Elliott's statement refers to an episode in which Kerry killed a Viet Cong soldier who had been carrying a rocket launcher, part of a chain of events that formed the basis of his Silver Star. Kerry critics who were not present at the event have questioned whether the soldier posed a danger to Kerry's crew but his crew members have said Kerry's actions saved their lives.

Elliott now says he regretted signing the affidavit and feels Kerry deserved the Silver Star.

''It was a terrible mistake probably for me to sign the affidavit with those words. I'm the one in trouble here," Elliott added.

Elliott said he was no under personal or political pressure to sign the statement, but he did feel ''time pressure" from those involved in the book. ''That's no excuse," Elliott said. ''I knew it was wrong . . . In a hurry I signed it and faxed it back. That was a mistake."

The affidavit also contradicted earlier statements by Elliott, who came to Boston during Kerry's 1996 Senate campaign to defend Kerry on similar charges, saying that Kerry acted properly and deserved the Silver Star.

"What I did (signing the statement) was wrong," Elliott said. "Terribly, terribly wrong. I'm sorry."”

“I hope the Republicans run this ad everywhere, because it will backfire. You can disagree with Kerry's ideas and record. But he is an American hero, beyond dispute.

BTW, the administration announced the "progress" made in the past few days - 300 Iraqis killed. No objective achieved. No new infrastructure built. Just another big pile of bodies.

Since when did this nation start gloating about the death it caused?”

“I remember the body count every night on the news back in the 60s. It was like a damn football score. We always killed at least 2 or 3 times as many of them.... and lost the war anyway.

I thought the DOD was making a concerted effort not to repeat that kind of 'scorekeeping'.... but you say some of that aspect is sneaking back into the reporting (at least as far as the opposition is concerned)?

I was just noticing that I hadn't heard any of our casualty numbers lately.”

“54 American soldiers dead in July, up from 45 in June. This does not count any civilian contractors. The pay they get apparently absolves them of the honor of being remembered.”

“When the republicans finally achieve thier goal of privatizing everything, will there be no casualty rates in wars because the soldiers are hired by companies? Probably.”

“I personally find this whole affair of McCain calling for Bush to condemn these ads. After all it was HIS bill that spawned these 527s. Quit bltchin’ McCain. This is a monster of your own creation.”

“Sorry, I gotta call 'bullshit' on that one. McCain-Feingold didn't specify that a bunch of no-class liars should be put on television.”

“Have you read the book tilt?”

“Sign the petition in support of the McCain anti-torture amendment: http://www.petitions.ws/rangel/petition.php?id=15


I really can't believe that it's come to this... but it has.”

“If Rangel is involved with it, it's bound to be something! LOL”

“Done.”

“I just pray it includes a ban on pictures of Hillary's thunder thighs. ;-)”

“How many of you who signed this would not cause physical or emotional harm to an enemy combatant who had information of a plot to blow up some of your fellow soldiers to get information from them in a real life situation?”

“Hill's thighs would certainly cause physical or emotional harm.”

“Done

BTW, feel free to torture Sarge. It's hard to inflict pain on a dead mutha f'er...”

“HaHa!

Seriously, what would you do Treebeard?”

“Sarge, you can't even pull a hoax off. Don't ask me questions unless you want to take some lessons from me. I reiterate that I won't charge you much. Insider rates for you, bub!!”

“McCain is right. The loss to the US of condoning and routinizing torture is far greater than the benefit of information gathered through torture. Torture often results in the extraction of false information. I also agree with what he said regarding the ticking bomb scenario: if there are truly extraordinary circumstances there may be reason for a person to do what they have to do and those extenuating circumstances can be taken into consideration. But condoning torture as a matter of policy is beneath us and dangerous.

Israel has a no-torture policy. I'm sure they'd make an exception in some very very extreme cases. If they can live with that, we should be able to do so as well.”

“Israel has a no-torture policy. I'm sure they'd make an exception in some very very extreme cases. If they can live with that, we should be able to do so as well.”
pedxing
10:23:04 AM
11/15/05

Well said, pedx.
Many military leaders say torture just doesn't work for information.”