Did anyone else notice the rhetoric used in Obama's new ad attacking McCain's dismal record on the economy?
In addition to tying McCain to Bush, Iraq War spending and Iraq's Oil surplus, Obama talks about ending the war in Iraq, spending more on schools and a middle class tax break.
But there was an interesting phrase that stuck out for me.
A new Washington Blade article covers the latest incarnation of the discriminatory Federal Marriage Amendment, which would enshrine discrimination into the U.S. Constitution. U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R, GA-10) managed to get 29 co-sponsors for the bill, and we here in NJ were disappointed, if not at all surprised, to see that Rep. Scott Garrett (R, NJ-5) signed on, making him one of only two Northeastern co-sponsors.
It has been five years since the President used the back drop of the United States military for near perfect propaganda purposes. Standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier underneath a banner that read "Mission Accomplished," the President achieved what will be historically seen as simultaneously the highest point of his presidency and the lowest point for that office. Now five years later, with universal understanding that the mission was not only never accomplished, but was never even defined, it's clear that this Administration was at best incompetent. All of us need to gather and recommit ourselves to ensuring that such an infinitely destructive power grab never be allowed to happen again. I hope that you will help us do just that.
There was no event for my Congresswoman, Carolyn Maloney, so I created one. We'll be seeing her local staff at 10am on Thursday, at 3rd Avenue between 92nd and 93rd. We're expected. So Kossacks from her district, sign up. Email me with questions jayATackroyd.org. And if you aren't in her district, and nobody has set up an event yet....
However, you may not know about his challenger - Tom Perriello, who is an excellent candidate in his own right, let alone who his opponent is. And you can hear Dante Atkins (hekebolos) and I interview Tom today at 3:30 PM Eastern on our BlogTalkRadio show.
I met Darcy Burner for the second time last night.
It was pretty exciting, meeting a future president. If you have to ask why I would say that, why, then, you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Darcy Burner.
But, the Say Anything Senator, rather than standing by his opposition to the Responsible Plan and standing by his voting record to continue the war, takes hypocrisy to a new level by seeking credit for authoring the plan.
Hillary Clinton rested her chin on her right hand, and wore her glasses to read the poster board graphs. Barack Obama reclined in his chair with a studied look. John McCain exuded optimism.
Clinton and Obama are passive. But John McCain is actively exuding stuff even when he is just sitting in his chair. Or as Swampland commenter Paul-no not that one put it
Physical description, physical description, fan boy take.
The momentum is such that right wing attack groups such as "Freedom's Watch" are starting to directly attack the Responsible Plan and the Democrat's supporting it. Republican Oregon Senator Gordon Smith is so boxed in by his opponents support for the plan that he is both trying to claim credit for the plan and not endorse it all at the same time.
Today's Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker appeared before Congress as representatives of the Bush administration to report on progress in Iraq.
Many of us that support the Responsible Plan decided to ask our own questions of Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker...
I'm the Democratic candidate for congress in the 6th district of Florida. When General David Petraeus and U. S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker meet with Congress this week, I want them asked: “Is the continued American involvement in the Iraq civil war making America safer?”
Set forth here is a press release and an open letter to the House and Senate Committees conducting the hearings, in which I demand “answers to the questions the vast majority of American’s are asking. I raise several more questions for the general and ambassador about the threats to the safety of American troops abroad and civilians at home caused by continued U. S. participation in the hostilities.
Enough is enough. The leaders of Iraq have had a chance to reconcile and build a better country for their people; but, they have refused to do so. We must begin a responsible withdrawal of our troops to let them know we are serious, that their time is running out, and that they will not be supported in continuing their civil war over the dead bodies of American soldiers.
Same Cokie, same old story, five years and counting.
STEPHANOPOLOUS: But this is going to be a split in the party. You all (at The Nation) are backing a plan that a lot of Congressional challengers are backing (The Responsible Plan) saying, immediate withdrawal, unconditional...
VANDEN HEUVEL: that's right...
(crosstalk)
VANDEN HEUVEL: There are 42 Congressional challengers...
ROBERTS: But no major Presidential candidates are saying that, because they're sitting there saying look, we've been there, we've seen it, we think it's an irresponsible thing to do.
VANDEN HEUVEL: It is not, but you know what, the responsible thing to do is withdraw.... If we withdraw responsibly, the region would be more stable in the long term, America will be restored as a responsible global leader, and there are 42 challengers, you are absolutely right Cokie, who have a responsible plan to withdraw.
ROBERTS: Convincing the electorate of that I think would be very difficult, and I also agree that the notion that Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham you heard this morning putting forward, that Americans would prefer to win, is--
VANDEN HEUVEL: But what is winning? This war is unwinnable, there are no military solutions. And Cokie, Americans are already behind this, 2/3 of Americans believe this war was a mistake to fight. And when Dick Cheney said to ABC's Martha Raddatz last week, "I don't care what Americans think." The contempt, the disdain for Americans and for what this war has done to the military, to our economy, and to our future as a nation. If you care about responsible....
Of course Americans would prefer to win. In the immortal words of Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, winning is "like, you know, better than losing!" The thing is, we're not going to win and the American people are actually smart enough to realize that.
It's time to talk about what "winning" would really mean, in the real world--the one outside of the fevered imaginations of Roberts, Broder, et al. It means, in large part, what the Responsible Plan is calling for: a solution that reengages the international community, that puts diplomacy above military posturing, that soberly assesses where we are in order to get us out as quickly, as efficiently, and as responsibly as possible. "Winning" in Iraq at this point can only mean limiting further destruction and death.
The majority of Americans know that. And as a reflection of that reality, more than 50 Congressional challengers, as well as a number of military advisers, recognize it, too. They're so convinced of it that staking their future careers on it.
For those of you who are joining us for the first time, welcome! This is another in our weekly liveblog series. A little about myself: I spent seven years on active duty in the Air Force, flying missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. While on active duty, I earned my Master's Degree in Economics, and I currently teach Economics at a local community college. I also still serve as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve. I am running for Congress to get our troops out of Iraq, balance the budget, and make sure that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Last Wednesday, I endorsed Darcy Burner's Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. We need to get our troops out of Iraq so that we can rebuild our military and focus on Afghanistan. But beyond the military reasons, we also need to rebuild our economy, which we cant do while we are spending 12 billion dollars a month in Iraq. The video from my speech and more details on the military side under the fold.
It's worth watching just to see Cokie Roberts melt into a puddle. But public opinion polls that show more and more Americans understand that invading Iraq was simply stupid are forcing the MSM to actually address the idea of pulling our troops out.
As a responsible citizen and congressional candidate I have decided to endorse the Responsible Plan to end the occupation of Iraq. This plan encompasses more than withdrawal from Iraq: it addresses other imperative issues that have arisen as a result of our invasion. Iraq is one of the worst foreign policy debacles in the history of our nation and has resulted in far more devastating consequences beyond Iraq. The Responsible Plan is a responsible course of action with steps to be taken that we as a nation must embrace in order to ensure that when we leave Iraq we restore more than Iraq.
As a reaction to these posts, I have edited my comments. I apologize to the Carter campaign for causing any trouble. I am personally aggravated with way the Esch has run him campaign so far and do not feel that he is doing anything but riding the coat tails of his 2006 run and is not paying attention to the issues or the candidate that he pledged to support before re-entering the race. My endorsement of Carter is still, whole-heartedly valid, and I feel that my argument for him is as well. As I said, I came into this race as an Esch supporter, but I have found that Carter is the best candidate. Again, my endorsement still stands, and I would like people to read this diary, now edited, with forgiving eyes, and don't let the previous edition reflect poorly toward Mr. Carter or his campaign.
As released yesterday, and broken here the day before, Richard Carter, candidate for Congress in the Nebraska Second District, has endorsed Darcy Burner's Responsible Plan to end the War in Iraq.
As I mentioned yesterday, this is proof that we can run progressive candidates everywhere, even in Nebraska, so long as we are honest with the people about the most important issues.
The transcript of the entire speech is below the fold.
I wanted to post a diary to tell everyone here that we just sent out a press release announcing that Richard Carter, democratic candidate for Congress in NE-02 (that's right, Nebraska) is going to be giving a major address on the Iraq war tomorrow. During that address, he will endorse The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.
