Excerpt:

The essential problem coming to light is a profound disconnect between the Barack Obama of the candidate's speeches, and the Barack Obama who has actually been in politics for the past decade or so.

Speechmaker Obama has built his campaign on the promise of reform, the need to change the culture of American political life, to take on the special interests that undermine government's effectiveness and erode trust in the system itself.

Politician Obama rose through a Chicago machine that is notoriously the most corrupt in the country. As David Freddoso writes in a brilliantly cogent and measured book, The Case Against Barack Obama, the angel of deliverance from the old politics functioned like an old-time Democratic pol in Illinois. He refused repeatedly to side with those lonely voices that sought to challenge the old corrupt ways of the ruling party.

Speechmaker Obama talks about an era of bipartisanship, He speaks powerfully about the destructive politics of red and blue states.

Politician Obama has toed his party's line more reliably than almost any other Democrat in US politics. He has a near-perfect record of voting with his side. He has the most solidly left-wing voting history in the Senate. His one act of bipartisanship, a transparency bill co-sponsored with a Republican senator, was backed by everybody on both sides of the aisle. He has never challenged his party's line on any issue of substance.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

Obama's Record Doesn't Match His Words - Gerard Baker, Times of London

Excerpt:

Here's the real problem with Mr Obama: the jarring gap between his promises of change and his status quo performance. There are just too many contradictions between the eloquent poetry of the man's stirring rhetoric and the dull, familiar prose of his political record.

It's been remarked that the biggest difference between Americans and Europeans is religion: ignorant Americans cling to faith; enlightened Europeans long ago embraced the liberating power of reason. Yet here's an odd thing about this election. Europeans are asking Americans to take a leap of faith, to break the chains of empiricism and embrace the possibility of the imagination.

The fact is that a vote for Mr Obama demands uncritical subservience to the irrational, anti-empirical proposition that the past holds no clues about the future, that promise is wholly detached from experience. The second-greatest story ever told, perhaps.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article)

Gallup's Quick Read on the Election

Excerpts:

Democrats' "structural" election advantage has faded in the immediate aftermath of the Republican National Convention. Americans have become more likely to identify as Republicans than before the conventions, although Democrats retain a slight edge on this measure. The Republican Party is now seen almost as favorably as the Democratic Party. There is low approval for the incumbent Republican president. Voters want a change in leadership. Democrats now have only a slight edge on generic ballots for Congress. A key question is whether or not these Republican gains will remain in place, or fade in the weeks after the GOP convention.


Broadly speaking, the structure of this race has been similar to 2000 and 2004 -- very close elections. Both candidates this year have a high percentage of their party's vote, although McCain has a slightly higher "partisan loyalty" factor. McCain, in the days after his convention, made a significant gain with independents, among whom he now leads Obama. To win by a large margin, a candidate needs a significant advantage among independents and needs to perform at least marginally better among their own party identifiers than the opponent does among his partisans. This is McCain's current pattern, and he is ahead in the trial heat ballot at this time.

Turnout will be a key factor. Obama would benefit from unusual (and unprecedented) enthusiasm among young voters and minority voters. McCain would benefit from a more typical higher turnout among Republicans, highly religious white voters. Results of likely voter modeling this summer so far have been mixed. In the days after the GOP convention, McCain benefited from a surge among likely voters. Overall enthusiasm about voting, which had dropped off significantly earlier in the summer, resurged after the Republican convention. Democrats did not gain enthusiasm as a result of their convention, but Republicans did gain after theirs, reducing the Democratic advantage on the "enthusiasm gap."

Gallup's polling showed a decline in the estimate of "swing voters" as a result of the conventions -- those who said they either had not made up their mind or could change their mind about their candidate support. Both Obama and McCain's supporters became a little more certain in their vote choice. It's still too early to estimate election probabilities, but if McCain retains a lead going into the weeks after his convention, history says that he has a better than even chance of winning the election.


Pattern of candidate support is similar to 2000 and 2004 elections. Obama's strengths: non-white race and ethnic groups, including blacks and Hispanics; 18-29; those with postgraduate educations; women; those with very low incomes; those who have no religious identification/for whom religion is not important/do not attend church; those who are unmarried. McCain's strengths: non-Hispanic whites; 65 and older; those who are married; white Protestants and non-Catholic Christians; whites who attend church frequently/for whom religion is important.

McCain Closes to Within Two Points of Obama in Washington

Washington is the latest state to show a strong western surge for John McCain since he added Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Washington finds Barack Obama still ahead, but barely. It’s Obama 49%, McCain 47%. A month ago, Obama was up by twelve percentage points. Recent polls have shown McCain gains in Montana, New Mexico and North Dakota.

Among Democrats, Obama now attracts 83% of the vote, down six points from last month. However, the big change comes among unaffiliated voters who now favor McCain by a 48% to 43% margin. In August, before the two parties held their conventions, Obama led by twelve among voters not affiliated with either major political party (see demographic crosstabs).

RCP Electoral Count: 217 - 216

RCP Electoral Count: 217 - 216

 Map w/No Toss Ups: Obama +8 EVs

(Click on the item to read the full articles)

Obama's Altitude Sickness - Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON -- The Democrats are in a panic. In a presidential race that is impossible to lose, they are behind. Obama devotees are frantically giving advice. Tom Friedman tells him to "start slamming down some phones." Camille Paglia suggests, "be boring!"

Meanwhile, a posse of Democratic lawyers, mainstream reporters, lefty bloggers and various other Obamaphiles are scouring the vast tundra of Alaska for something, anything, to bring down Sarah Palin: her daughter's pregnancy, her ex-brother-in-law problem, her $60 per diem, and now her religion. (CNN reports -- news flash! -- that she apparently has never spoken in tongues.) Not since Henry II asked if no one would rid him of his turbulent priest, have so many so urgently volunteered for duty.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

Why 'The Media Are Getting Mad' - John Hinderaker, Power Line

Excerpt:

The truth is that Sarah Palin has been the object of the most vicious and concerted smear campaign in modern American history. But that fact doesn't cause the media (or Howard Kurtz) to get mad.

It's not too hard to diagnose why, as Kurtz correctly says, "the media are getting mad." They're getting mad because their candidate is losing. They've spent years building him up and covering for his mistakes and shortcomings, and he is such a stiff that he can't coast across the finish line. I'd be mad too, I guess, but I think I'd have the decency not to take it out on Sarah Palin.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article)

The Sarah Surge in Black and White

Excerpt:

Even though Sen. McCain is now riding Gov. Palin's skirt tails, he was the one who made the brilliant decision to put her on the ticket. And the louder the Left screams the better Sarah seems to do. So much better that for the first time the Intrade pay-to-play prediction market -- which long has had Obama winning by 20 to 25 points in November -- now shows a McCain lead. Unbelievable

 (Click on the title of the post to read the full article)

  

Words Obama Will Regret - Ken Blackwell, New York Sun

On Monday, Senator Obama uttered one sentence that could haunt him until Election Day. He said of Senator McCain and Governor Palin telling voters they would bring change, "they must think you're stupid." Given his stances on the surge, social issues, and his past, Mr. Obama will regret those words.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

Video: Dennis Miller on O'Reilly, "Palin is Deep Deep Inside Obama's Melon"

Click on the title of the post to view the video.

Democrats Must Shake Elitist Label - Lynn Forester de Rothschild, WSJ

Excerpt:

Despite Mr. Obama's assertions that his campaign is about "you," much of his campaign is, in fact, all about him. In the months since the primaries ended, his creation and display of a mock presidential seal with his name on it, his speech at a mass rally at the Prussian Victory Column in Berlin, and his insistence on delivering his acceptance speech in front of fabricated Greek columns in a stadium holding 80,000 chanting supporters have crossed the thin line that separates galvanizing voters and plain old demagoguery.

In this context, it should come as no surprise that Sarah Palin, mother of five, hockey mom turned governor and maverick reformer, would instantly zero in on the inherent weakness in Mr. Obama's candidacy, and contrast it with her own compelling life story.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

Obama's Problem is Pride, Not 'Lipstick' - Howard Fineman, MSNBC

Excerpt:

Obama seems to want to do things on his own, and on his own terms. It’s understandable. Obama has his own crowd – from Chicago, from Harvard, and from a new cadre of wealthy, Ivy-educated movers and shakers.

“He’s an arrogant S.O.B.,” one of the latter told me today. “He wants to do it his way, and his way alone.” But politics doesn’t work that way. And has Obama should know, or is about to find out, that everyone needs a little help.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

Obama in Seismic Meltdown, Rush Limbaugh

Excerpt:

You know, folks -- (laughing) -- if I were advising Sarah Palin -- (laughing) -- starting with her next speech, I'd have her take out a white cloth handkerchief.  I'd have her wipe off her lipstick.  I'd have her say, "There, now I'm just a pit bull."  And then I'd have her give the speech.  The dam may have busted, ladies and gentlemen.  Biden said yesterday electing Sarah Palin would be a step backwards for women.  He has commented on her looks.  Obama had a top financial finance guy say that Palin was irresponsible for running for vice president, even though she's already a governor, because she has a family.  We've got tape, Biden in Missouri yesterday, Columbia, Missouri, at a campaign rally telling a guy in the wheelchair to stand up, "Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see you!"  Wait 'til you hear this.  Barry is melting. (laughing) It's another Joe Biden blunder. (doing Biden impression) "Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see you.  Oh, oh, okay, everybody stand up for Chuck." (laughing)  Here's The Messiah melting down yesterday.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article)  

Democrats just don't get it as Sarah Palin pounds 'em

By Micheal goodwin

Excerpts:

Someone said Obama has had a bad few days. Actually, he's had a bad few months. He peaked before Hillary Clinton got out of the race in June and, with a few exceptions, has stagnated or trended lower in most polls ever since.

....To say Dems haven't figured her out understates their cultural disconnect. They still haven't figured out why Ronald Reagan beat Walter Mondale and President Bush beat John Kerry.

And Obama is falling into the trap of whining that everything that goes against him is a "distraction." That's what he called his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, too. A distraction.

He makes a careless statement about putting "lipstick on a pig" a week after Palin made the lipstick joke heard 'round the world, and he wonders why everybody is picking on him.

It's very possible Palin will yet destruct by making some killer gaffe that shows she's not up to the job. Or maybe ABC will come up with a video of her talking in tongues or beating her children or something else that will make her an overnight disaster.

But just in case Santa Claus doesn't hand them the election, the Obama-bots ought to stop feeling sorry for themselves and start feeling the pain and hopes of ordinary Americans. Maybe then they'd understand the remarkable appeal of Sarah Palin.

 (Click on the title of the post to read the full article)

Autumn Angst: Dems fret about Obama

Excerpt:

Polls showing John McCain tied or even ahead of Barack Obama are stirring angst and second-guessing among some of the Democratic Party’s most experienced operatives, who worry that Obama squandered opportunities over the summer and may still be underestimating his challenges this fall.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article)

ACTION!! Urgent- contact Don Fowler AGAIN!

Excerpt:

Don Fowler who recently grew tired of the citizens of this country is now Pimping off his Wife Carol. She is out attacking Sarah Palin saying her only qualification to run for office is that she did not abort her baby. I wonder what qualifies her to speak for the rest of us women. She certainly does not speak for me - in fact she is a disgrace - I want not association with. She should immediately be removed as a representative. She has stepped over the line of human decency.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article) 

"Just Words"

Posted by LondonAmerican.com, reposted here to share....

Clinton Dem Action Alert! 11SEP08

 Calling all Clinton Dems!

Hillary will be attending a reception for Sheila Jackson Lee on September 21st in Houston Texas and they need your help! This is no ordinary fundraiser...

There appears to be an all out effort on to oust representatives that supported Hillary from their congressional seats. Sheila is one of them.

Big money players are supporting Sheila's opponent and really putting the heat on. The "politics of personal destruction" is their game. The smear campaign is in full swing.

Sheila stood with Hillary though her entire primary run and received threats, intimidation and namecalling just for supporting her. This kind of behavior can not be rewarded! Please come to her defense by attending this Houston fundraiser.

If you can't be there, please consider donating to her campaign.

JOIN HILLARY IN HOUSTON, SEPT 21, 1.30 PM

Invitation (Please RSVP):

www.sheilajacksonlee18.com

In the Message box, please type "HOST: ANN MacNAUGHTON".
 
Donate To Shiela Jackson Lee's Campaign

It is important that Hillary keeps as many of her friends as possible in office to help carry out her work for the American people...us!

Please support Sheila if you can.

Pam
Clinton Dems

Why Obama's "Community Organizer" Days Are a Joke

By Michelle Malkin











Excerpts:

Let me clarify something. Nobody is mocking community organizers in church basements and community centers across the country working to improve their neighbors' lives. What deserves ridicule is the notion that Obama's brief stint as a South Side rabble-rouser for tax-subsidized, partisan nonprofits qualifies as executive experience you can believe in.

What deserves derision is "community organizing" that relies on a community of homeless people and ex-cons to organize for the purpose of registering dead people to vote, shaking down corporations and using the race card as a bludgeon...

....Now, don't you dare challenge his commitment to following tax and election laws. And don't you even think of entertaining the possibility that The One exploited a nonprofit supposedly focused on helping low-income people for political gain.

He was just "organizing" his "community." Guffaw.

(Click on the title of the post to read the full article)