tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog/258 2008-10-07T22:15:50Z amNewYork readers join staffers as we discuss all aspects--good, bad and ugly--of the 2008 presidential race, and local New York City politics. Movable Type 3.36 tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.133411 2008-10-07T22:14:09Z 2008-10-07T22:15:50Z

Dear John and Barack, You had a good thing going there for a while. We were all talking about things that mattered, such as health care and the meltdown on Wall Street but apparently it was too good to last....

Emily Ngo McCain: Hi, America. You guys don’t seem to like me when we talk about the economy, so I’m going to talk about something else: Barack Obama can’t be trusted. Obama: Oh yeah, John? Well, America loves me when we talk about the economy (Keating Five) so I’m going to keep talking about the economy (seriously, America, look up the Keating Five). See? I can fight! How do you like me now? Really, guys? Do we have to do this? John, this reeks of desperation. Your timing, as usual, sucks. Barack, if you take the bait and descend into the mud with John and Sarah, you will look like a tool. In short, boys, get your damn acts together. Preferably before 9 p.m. this evening. Kisses, Meg ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.133364 2008-10-07T20:18:01Z 2008-10-07T20:21:19Z

Who will your dog chew? Do you have a politically-minded pooch at home who's just, like, so over rope tugs and Nylabones and would much prefer a more intellectual chew toy? Well, you're in luck - now they can gnaw...

Lauren Johnston
Who will your dog chew? Do you have a politically-minded pooch at home who's just, like, so over rope tugs and Nylabones and would much prefer a more intellectual chew toy? Well, you're in luck - now they can gnaw on John McCain or Barack Obama. These campaign dog toys come to you from the creators of the Michael Vick chew toy, Headline Pet Toys. The stuffed toys measure 11 inches tall and are made of cotton canvas and stuffed with polyester, and of course a squeaker for maximum chew satisfaction. Maybe you want to get them the candidate they (you) support, or let them take a bite out of the White House hopeful they (you) just wanna sock every time you see them on TV. It's probably too late to get these toys for tonight's town hall-style debate but you could get them in plenty of time [purchase here] for the third and final debate. No word yet on whether the company will put out Joe Biden and Sarah Palin dolls. But as we told you last week, you can always dress your dog up like Sarah Palin -- either for the debate or Halloween. ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.133259 2008-10-07T17:04:29Z 2008-10-07T17:25:38Z

By Amara John McCain has to take advice from his running mate and take the gloves off. Barack Obama is going to win this election and the American people don’t even know what they are getting. The McCain campaign...

Emily Ngo By Amara John McCain has to take advice from his running mate and take the gloves off. Barack Obama is going to win this election and the American people don’t even know what they are getting. The McCain campaign must not be afraid to expose Barack Obama’s ties, Barack Obama’s friends, and Barack Obama’s admirers — the ones he knows, and those working on his behalf, and those who won’t vouch for him. On the issue of the friends he knows, we have to discuss businessman and convict, Tony Rezko; domestic terrorist and radical Leftist, Bill Ayers; and YES, the white man-hating, anti-American, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. These people are at best slimy, at worst America-hating domestic terrorists. Obama has broken bread with, shared a stage with and practiced his faith with all three of these men in their respective roles in Obama-land. And it’s John McCain going “sleazy.” Yeah, right … Where is the outrage? This is insanity! Can you imagine if McCain was EVER seen with a right-wing, white man who was speaking in tongues or something of the like. The Left and the media (if you can even separate the two anymore) would go crazy and yet, BHO gets a free pass. Let me be clear, Barack Obama WAS “palling around with terrorists.”]]> multiple thousands of dollars of merchandise bought up by Gaza Strip dwellers? Now today, Syrian “leader” Bashar Assad said that he NEEDS BHO to win the U.S. elections? Here’s the thing: I am in no way implying that the BHO campaign has organized Gazans to phone bank for him. The problem is that the same group launching Katyusha’s into Israel WANTS TO phone bank for Obama. They WANT TO fund his campaign. Assad WANTS Obama to win. This is a big problem. What about the friends Obama does not have? Have we ever heard a friend of his from high school vouch for his character? An old roommate — oh, right, he can’t be found. What about a cousin? Nope, nothing. Even John Kerry, who was a flawed candidate to say the least, had people to say, “This is a good, decent human being.” Besides his wife — who we can argue whether her endorsement is an asset or liability — the same is not true of the likely next president of the United States and that is just preposterous to me. But, unfortunately, I am not in charge of American hearts and minds. Is a good tactic or bad tactic? Should McCain be going negative? Is this an act of desperation? Whatever the reasons for McCain’s new-found guts to reveal the true man who is his opponent, America — the America not privy to an opposition research team — deserves to know the real Barack Obama. ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132424 2008-10-03T14:16:11Z 2008-10-03T19:35:53Z

By Meg Demerit: Lies, All Lies! It’s not like we need the VP candidates to be concerned with telling the truth or anything. Whoppers and exaggerations included “budget-neutral” vs. "government run" health care; records on taxes; Spain; funding the troops;...

Emily Ngo Demerit: Lies, All Lies! It’s not like we need the VP candidates to be concerned with telling the truth or anything. Whoppers and exaggerations included “budget-neutral” vs. "government run" health care; records on taxes; Spain; funding the troops; sounding the bell on Fannie and Freddie; the surplus in Iraq; shall I go on? Gold Star: “Hey, Can I Call You Joe?” Whoever told her to ask that is a genius. Palin knew that Biden would not risk being labeled sexist by returning the favor and calling her Sarah. It was a power play, and it was brilliant. Demerit: Screwing Gays (Not Literally) Both candidates showed about as much warmth towards our homosexual brethren as Cardinal Egan would at a drag show. Same-sex benefits fall stunningly short, period. I was so pleasantly surprised to hear that Sarah Palin “tolerates” homosexuals, though. That’s really, really big of her. I think we found the next Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade! Gold Star: Gwen Ifill Any question of partiality left my mind after she uttered the words that every viewer wanted to hear: “Neither of you really answered that last question.” Demerit: Doggone It, You Betcha, Darn Right, Golly Gee, Aw Heck, Say-It-Ain’t-So, God Love Ya! ]]> Gold Star: Podiums Having the candidates stand rather than sit gave them each more of an opportunity to go on the attack and took away the “Shhh! People are trying to read!” feeling that the Cheney/Edwards debate had four years ago. Demerit: Parapraxis, Perhaps? While neither candidate had a debate-wrecking gaffe, there were some delicious little nuggets on which to snack. Do Americans want John McCain to leave? How am I going to eat my house this winter? How?? Demerit: Flirting Your Way Out of a Tight Situation Governor, every time you wink or do that really cute gee-I-don’t-know-what-happened-to-my-homework squirming thing you do so well, you set us back about 50 years. Gold Star: Biden Tears Up I don’t need my candidates to be warm and fuzzy but I was surprised and touched to see Biden struggle when speaking about the loss of his late wife and daughter. Demerit: They Both Sucked Joe, you consistently lose me about 10 seconds after you start talking. Learn to shut the hell up already. Sarah, you just should not be up there. ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132402 2008-10-03T13:06:26Z 2008-10-03T13:16:08Z

(AP) By Adrian She wins by default! Sarah Palin did not win last night’s debate, let’s be clear about that. What she did was speak to the core base of the Republican party. She looked like “a good ol'...

Emily Ngo (AP) By Adrian She wins by default! Sarah Palin did not win last night’s debate, let’s be clear about that. What she did was speak to the core base of the Republican party. She looked like “a good ol' girl” as we’d say back in Texas. She was “one of us” and a true “red, white and blue American” like our beloved Ronnie. Still, I think most people will view her rambling, obviously rehearsed answers, and her complete lack of skill in handling issues on an in depth level as a death knell to the idea of her being the president of the United States. Let’s be realistic, John McCain is as old as Methuselah! If he has a heart attack guess who would be in charge? Who would you trust more with nuclear weapons, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Sarah Palin? Back on issue, the expectations of Gov. Palin were so low that she did remarkably well. For my part, I think the highest political position she should hold is president of the PTA. Oh, I forgot, she likes to ban books. Never mind ...]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132365 2008-10-03T03:52:48Z 2008-10-03T14:15:43Z

(AP) Lynne: all in all, i think they both did well. i do wish to have heard a little more about each of them, and less about their respective presidential candidates Dontre: Overall, I think Sarah stepped up to...

Emily Ngo (AP) Lynne: all in all, i think they both did well. i do wish to have heard a little more about each of them, and less about their respective presidential candidates Dontre: Overall, I think Sarah stepped up to the bar and held her own. What's unfair is that she'll be judged favorably for being competent, when she should have done that from the outset. Biden is not only an experienced debater, he is a Senate speaker and that sometimes can be long-winded and circuitous. However, he made great points. They both were cheerleaders! Bragg: final thoughts (somewhat reiterative): biden was good. made those who don't support obama (like me) feel reassured that he would be there with obama if they win. palin was good as well -- not as strong as biden, but she probably wasn't expected to be. she also made no major gaffes, and likely even one would have been the nail in the mccain campaign's coffin. BUT...i don't think she was good ENOUGH to resuscitate what is clearly a declining mccain campaign. i would expect no major shift in the polls -- no major news either. the focus will return to the two men at the top of the tickets and the final two debates. again, obama's election to lose.]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132363 2008-10-03T03:49:42Z 2008-10-03T14:14:46Z

Emily: Do you all think these two sound a little TOO blue collar? Lynne: oh, hey emily - what did YOU think? Bragg: not right now Kimberly: Biden got more blue collar as the night went on Bragg: people want...

Emily Ngo Emily: Do you all think these two sound a little TOO blue collar? Lynne: oh, hey emily - what did YOU think? Bragg: not right now Kimberly: Biden got more blue collar as the night went on Bragg: people want to hear politicians relate to them (or try to at least) Dontre: The Republican dissenters can stuff it, there is nothing that you can say about Gwen! Kimberly: did you hear Gwen!? Adrian: Turn her Mic off before she says something stupid! Dontre: She was top-notch. Kimberly: she told Biden he did great Dontre: Keep it on!!! Kimberly: whoa~ Lynne: oh, i missed that Dontre: Wait, here's the kids!!! i'm waiting for them to pass him around Kimberly: where's the pregnant daughter?! Dontre: In a black dress, I'm sure Bragg: wow. pretty petty, personal stuff. Dontre: it's slimming Kimberly: hahahaha]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132340 2008-10-03T02:33:03Z 2008-10-03T14:12:11Z

Adrian: Calling a spade a spade is not going after someone. Asking someone what Supreme Court decisions they oppose and gettiing crickets in reply is not going after someone. Dontre: Here is here memorized closing Bragg: he'll have a memorized...

Emily Ngo Adrian: Calling a spade a spade is not going after someone. Asking someone what Supreme Court decisions they oppose and gettiing crickets in reply is not going after someone. Dontre: Here is here memorized closing Bragg: he'll have a memorized close as well Dontre: let's see more natural not so rehearsed Lynne: hello, it's a staged two-party debate - of course they have both memorized their closings. Dontre: it just shouldn't LOOK so rehearsed. Lynne: so you'll drink the coolaid as long as it looks like diet coke? Bragg: he's got more practice. Kimberly: Kim's final thoughts: Break through moment with Joe Biden hearing about his "champ" moment and seeing him show some emotion. Regarding Palin, she's a quick study but I still find her annoying. I can't wait to see this weekend's Saturday Night Live parody.... Dontre: I don't drink Kool-Aid]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132337 2008-10-03T02:29:35Z 2008-10-03T14:10:56Z

Kimberly: hahaha. she hasn't found something to compromise on because they've always found a way to..... compromise? Dontre: right! I was JUST thinking that! Kimberly: haha.. it was like when McCain last week was like "I don't want to disagree...

Emily Ngo Kimberly: hahaha. she hasn't found something to compromise on because they've always found a way to..... compromise? Dontre: right! I was JUST thinking that! Kimberly: haha.. it was like when McCain last week was like "I don't want to disagree and.... debate?" duh! you're in a debate! Bragg: as this begins to wind down, i think this likely keeps the race as is. she held her own, made no major gaffe, but didn't excel to the point that she'll provide a real boost to the mccain-palin campaign. it remains obama's race to lose. Kimberly: again with the diverse family! come on, people! Lynne: for me, since the expectations were so low for her (both democrats and republicans helped set that up), i think she probably helped swing a few voters their way, since she assuaged some concerns Dontre: Her popularity is going to spike again. Just 'cause she showed us she's not the idiot we know her to be--she just trains well. Bragg: she's no idiot. Dontre: i disagree! Bragg: she may be inexperienced, but she's no idiot. Lynne: oh, oh oh - no, she didn't need to go after the media. Dontre: the "media elite" Bragg: why not? they went after her. Dontre: she gave no interviews! Lynne: puts her on the defensive Dontre: they had to dig! if she was forthcoming, they wouldn't have to go dig a pipeline into her backyard! ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132331 2008-10-03T02:23:24Z 2008-10-03T14:09:22Z

Meg: Yes, Sarah, you are correct: John McCain needs to leave. Lynne: Oh good, Biden is taking on the "maverick" issue Dontre: good for him! he needs to debunk that frivolous moniker and now she's one, too. . .please! I...

Emily Ngo Meg: Yes, Sarah, you are correct: John McCain needs to leave. Lynne: Oh good, Biden is taking on the "maverick" issue Dontre: good for him! he needs to debunk that frivolous moniker and now she's one, too. . .please! I know a maverick, Governor, and McCain is NO maverick! Lynne: Look UP Bragg: i think her record is one of a maverick. there is no denying that she took on the establishment republican party in alaska and made significant changes and reforms. Dontre: we throw these terms around so loosely!]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132329 2008-10-03T02:21:29Z 2008-10-03T14:08:09Z

Lynne: dude, Obama-Biden don't support gay marriage either. "champ" -- say it ain't so, joe Kimberly: hmmm, single parent stuff is interesting Dontre: it's not about MARRIAGE, it's about RIGHTS she said she's tolerant, dude Lynne: these two crack me...

Emily Ngo Lynne: dude, Obama-Biden don't support gay marriage either. "champ" -- say it ain't so, joe Kimberly: hmmm, single parent stuff is interesting Dontre: it's not about MARRIAGE, it's about RIGHTS she said she's tolerant, dude Lynne: these two crack me up. Bragg: (that was his nickname growing up) Adrian: Biden, SHUT UP! Dontre: Did he just tear up? Bragg: he did Dontre: Oh. My. God! Kimberly: he's attempting to connect with the "common man" Lynne: yeah, the right to get married. Dontre: No, the right to visit a dying partner the right to have insurance benefits the right to even HAVE insurance when one is HIV+]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132327 2008-10-03T02:19:31Z 2008-10-03T14:06:53Z

Kimberly: you lack discipline! - arnold ala Kindergarten Cop Lynne: Wow- the job interview question: what is your biggest weakness. Bragg: that's pretty speculative, dontre...with all due respect... Dontre: that's why I said ALLEGEDLY Adrian: I don't think Palin understood...

Emily Ngo Kimberly: you lack discipline! - arnold ala Kindergarten Cop Lynne: Wow- the job interview question: what is your biggest weakness. Bragg: that's pretty speculative, dontre...with all due respect... Dontre: that's why I said ALLEGEDLY Adrian: I don't think Palin understood the question Palin, your not from the "heartland," you are from the "hinterland!" Dontre: it's in the electronic ether. . .one just has to verify it, it 's true equal rights? um GAYS!!!! ]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132325 2008-10-03T02:16:49Z 2008-10-03T14:05:31Z

Kimberly: i'd like to point out they have not mentioned 9/11 once (or a veiled reference) Adrian: She's rambling again... Lynne: That's right - Cheney SHOT someone Dontre: IN THE FACE! Adrian: Did Palin' own a lemonade stand? Dontre: no,...

Emily Ngo Kimberly: i'd like to point out they have not mentioned 9/11 once (or a veiled reference) Adrian: She's rambling again... Lynne: That's right - Cheney SHOT someone Dontre: IN THE FACE! Adrian: Did Palin' own a lemonade stand? Dontre: no, a snowmobile company with her husband Bragg: she should come back with "joe, i don't know what the vice president's hunting accident has to do with anything"... Dontre: which they bowed out of, allegedly, when she had an affair with the other co-owner]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132323 2008-10-03T02:15:23Z 2008-10-03T14:04:19Z

Lynne: Children of special needs ARE part of the eduction discussion, Joe. Dontre: I think it's interesting that she's more popular than the man who heads the ticket. Adrian: So much for fear of them getting a second job! Lynne:...

Emily Ngo Lynne: Children of special needs ARE part of the eduction discussion, Joe. Dontre: I think it's interesting that she's more popular than the man who heads the ticket. Adrian: So much for fear of them getting a second job! Lynne: Wait...I thought he wanted to talk about education. Kimberly: ha Dontre: No, they're talking about what they would do as VP and how they would support their candidate in their role]]> tag:weblogs.amny.com,2008:/news/politics/newyork/blog//258.132321 2008-10-03T02:14:22Z 2008-10-03T14:03:12Z

Dontre: Are you serious? He moves through the line faster. . he's a Senator! He takes Amtrak. . McCain flies! Bragg: An Everyman on the Trail Dontre: which is better? Lynne: Any parent with a 3rd grader (or 2nd or...

Emily Ngo Dontre: Are you serious? He moves through the line faster. . he's a Senator! He takes Amtrak. . McCain flies! Bragg: An Everyman on the Trail Dontre: which is better? Lynne: Any parent with a 3rd grader (or 2nd or 4th) is probably liking the shout out Adrian: I'm glad the VP candidates are poor comedians. ]]>