Sensationalism

We haven't exactly harkened back to the days of yellow journalism just yet, but if reporters get off on anything, it's being right at the scene of near-disaster, even when it's not necessary. They get a pat on the back for covering the story from the "eye" of the storm and the dramatization of an already sensational event sure gets those ratings higher for the networks. Case in point: Geraldo Rivera, FOX News. See below.

This is really more comical than it is sensational, though, I must admit.

[Source: jossip.com]

More to come

Click here to watch the second portion of Gov. Palin's sit-down interview with Charlie Gibson. It's quite interesting to learn more about this relatively unknown figure in politics. Gibson and Palin discuss earmarks, abortion, gun control and Hillary in the latest interview. Frankly, this woman scares me.

Barack cancels SNL appearance

The Obama camp issued the following statement yesterday:

"In light of the unfolding crisis in Texas, Sen. Obama has decided it is no longer appropriate to appear on Saturday Night Live tomorrow evening."

[Source: reuters.com]

Ike

My thoughts are with anyone affected by this deadly hurricane slamming into the coast of Texas and some parts of Cuba. Be safe Texans/Cubans and for God's sake listen to the mandatory evacuation. Don't be foolhardy, this hurricane is as bad as Katrina, and it has been said that 40 percent of people in the mandatory evacuation zones refused to evacuate for various reasons. Get out.

[Source: nytimes.com]

'The View' couch not so cozy

If Sen. McCain was hoping for a fun-loving tete-á-tete this morning on The View, he had another thing coming. Check out the highly contentious interview below. Those ladies have tenacity.

Live from New York

It's Barack Obama! No, not his doppelganger, seen below.

The Democratic presidential contender will be making an appearance on Saturday Night Live's season premiere this weekend, alongside 14 Olympic medal winner Michael Phelps.

"The details of the sketch are still being worked out," said an Obama campaign spokesperson.

Will John McCain be making a future appearance as well?

[Source: people.com]

Exclusive Palin interview

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin sat down for a much anticipated exclusive interview with Charlie Gibson in her home state of Alaska last night. The full interview hasn't been posted online as of yet, but click here to watch selected clips of the governor in the hot seat.

She looked like a student who pulled an all-nighter to cram for the big test the next day, except instead of an all-nighter she had a good two weeks to prepare. At points, specifically when Gibson brought up the Bush Doctrine, I thought her brain was going to implode.

[Source: abcnews.go.com]

2008 deadliest for U.S. in Afghanistan

Insurgents killed two U.S. troops in Afghanistan on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks today, making 2008 the deadliest year for American forces in that war we should be fighting.

[Source: ap.org]

McCain's latest ad distorts Obama policy

I'm lovin' the reality checks the New York Times is doing lately. This is what it comes down to in the final months before Election Day, unfortunately. Instead of focusing on the issues, we're focusing on spin. And accolades are in order to the media (correction: some media) for doing their job properly and calling these politicians out.

Perhaps you saw Mr. McCain's most recent TV spot chastising Mr. Obama on his education policies. It criticized the Hawaiian native for favoring "comprehensive sex education" for kindergarten students.

"Learning about sex before learning to read?" the narrator asks. The accusation however, disproportionately skewed the record.

The main objective of the legislation McCain speaks of pertaining to kindergarteners, is to teach them how to defend themselves against sexual predators, not to teach comprehensive sex education like it would for age-appropriate students. In fact, the legislation WAS comprehensive, vis-á-vis grades K-12, not education-wise.

Nice spin there Mac. I wonder if Barack will deem him a "skilled politician" as well.

[Source: nytimes.com]

Wow

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

Watch this tirade in its entirety! Keith Olbermann just put into words what I'm sure many a people have thought, but dare not say. This is some divisive stuff.

[Source: msnbc.com]

American Hero

Old footage found. You must take a look!

[Source: ap.org]

Pretty people

Demoting himself from perfection to near perfection, Chace Crawford discusses the famous hockey mom's veneer to a crowd at the Stand Up For A Cure Concert Series at Madison Square Garden yesterday.

"I'm not gonna lie. Sarah Palin is quite attractive," said the Gossip Girl heartthrob.

So, who is Crawford in bed with this election season?

"I can't talk politics," he said.

Hey, as long as he's pretty.

[Source: perezhilton.com]

Brown backs Obama

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has broken with British convention and asserted that he favors Barack Obama as the next U.S. President. 

Brown lavishes praise on the Illinois senator and his plans to get the country out of its current housing slump in an article he wrote himself for The Monitor magazine.

"Around the world, it is progressive politicians who are grappling with these challenges...In the electrifying U.S. Presidential campaign, it is the Democrats who are generating the ideas to help people through more difficult times," said Brown. "To help prevent people from losing their home, Barack Obama has proposed a Foreclosure Prevention Fund to increase emergency pre-foreclosure counseling, and help families facing repossesion."

Why is it that the Brit Prime Minister is concerning himself in American politics? Well, he's addressing the fears people around the globe have with the current economic slowdown, and there is no doubt that America plays a role in it.

Should he have been a neutral bystander or does it really not matter? It's not everyday those Brits break with convention.

[Source: waugh.standard.co.uk]

Obama on Letterman

I can't seem to find all the clips from presidential hopeful Barack Obama's appearance on Late Night With David Letterman last night. But, the middle portion of the show can be seen below.

Remembering 9/11

Hi all, once again due to my schedule today, I won't be able to post much.

I'd like to address today's significance, though. September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in infamy, but I think it's important that we take time out of our busy schedules and reflect and remember those who tragically lost their lives. Much has happened in the intervening years since that day, but we can still all come together and pay our respects for each and every human life that was lost. Please check out this website when you have time today, and most importantly of all, remember.

Bill Clinton to campaign for Obama

Once a foe, now a friend.

[Source: nytimes.com]

Just for LOLs

Awwwwwwwwwww.

In non-politics related news, Anderson Cooper fills in for Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. Watch and swoon below.

As the Silver Fox's numero uno fan, I couldn't NOT post this.

[Source: perezhilton.com]

Gee, what a surprise

A McCain camp aide suggests they are "very seriously considering" having McCain and Palin campaign together more often than not in the next two months.

"Sometimes these vice presidential selections, the pairings, work in a magical way," says the aide.

Subtext: No one was excited about McCain before the snow princess came along and now that she's outshining him in the practically two weeks since she was tapped for veep, he wants to continue to draw large crowds with her by his side.

Hey, why risk it?

Sources say this could be the most a presidential and vice presidential candidate campaign in tandem in recent history.

[Source: firstread.msnbc.msn.com]

Is Palin anti-Semitic?

Probably not. 

Of course, she could be, but I wouldn't get your panties in a bunch over the latest news from Gawker.

As it turns out, the gun-happy Alaskan quoted anti-Semitic author, Westbrook Pegler, in her now famous pithy speech at the RNC last week. 

"We grow good people in our small towns," said Palin, "with honesty and sincerity and dignity."

The thing is, the guy Four Eyes quoted was a staunch anti-Semite and incredibly right-wing, so much so that he openly wished for the assassination of Franklin Roosevelt.

Yeah.

What I'm getting at here is, do those 14 words amount to anything? Not really. Should her speech writers have paid a little more attention to their choice of words? Hell yes.

That or they had some real chutzpah.

[Source: gawker.com]

Hillary love

"Hillary is as qualified or more qualified than I am," said Democratic veep nom Joe Biden at a Nashua, New Hampshire event.

Um, we know. But, duly noted anyhow.

[Source: thepage.time.com]

"Spare me the phony outrage"

Sen. Barack Obama responds to the latest mudslinging at a campaign stop this morning. 

The fact of the matter is, he used a colloquial phrase that he not only has used before Gov. Palin entered the picture, but that his Republican counterpart has used in the past as well.

Issues people!

[Source: msnbc.com]

World for Obama

Although John McCain has surpassed Barack Obama in the latest polls, a new poll shows where the rest of the world's support lies.

All 22 countries that were polled would rather see Sen. Obama, and not his opponent, in the big house next January.

More importantly, in 17 of the 22 nations polled, people expect relations between the U.S. and the rest of the world to improve if Sen. Obama wins in the upcoming election.

Looks like the world will be bracing itself for November.

America, make sure you're doing your part. Register to vote here.

[Source: abc.net.au]

Food for thought

Good Will Hunting star Matt Damon has some choice words for former mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin.

He makes a prescient point. The Republican VP pick IS a scary thing. And more people should be talking about it. People may try to draw parallels between Gov. Palin and Sen. Obama experience-wise, but they're missing one key point. The American public CHOSE Sen. Obama to be our Democratic nominee and potential president. But, in the case of Sarah Palin, she was chosen for us, and quite hastily by GOP nom John McCain. The situation is a serious one, I hope ya'll give it some thought before you head out to the election booths November 4.

[Source: perezhilton.com]

Miscellaneous

I won't be able to post much today due to my schedule, but be sure to follow this link for the latest quasi-scandal!

[Source: news.yahoo.com]

McCain hits back hard with new education ad!

Requisite reply from Obama camp:

"It is shameful and downright perverse for the McCain campaign to use a bill that was written to protect young children from sexual predators as a recycled and discredited political attack against a father of two young girls - a position that his friend Mitt Romney also holds. Last week, John McCain told Time magazine he couldn't define what honor was. Now we know why," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Mudslinging: always entertaining, often perverse. Your turn Sen. Obama.

[Source: thepage.time.com]

Undecided voters shift to McCain

According to a CBS News poll, 20 percent of voters who were uncommitted in August have moved to McCain, 14 percent shifted to Obama and 64 percent are still undecided.

Oh how I miss you Hillary.

[Source: thepage.time.com]

About that "Bridge to Nowhere"...

You know, the one Sarah Palin smugly said "Thanks, but no thanks" to?

Well, what she really means by that (and I'm paraphrasing Stephen Colbert) is:

"Yes, please" to the Bridge to Nowhere...

and then, "Thank you" when she received the federal money...

and THEN, "Thanks, but no thanks" when it became a national scandal...

and thennnnn, was polite enough to keep all of that money.

Those small-town folks sure know their manners.

[Source: thepage.time.com]

ABC interviews Palin's closest friends

Since Alaskan governor Sarah Palin likes to play hide and seek with the press (more hide than seek, I would say), it took a sit-down with her closest friends for ABC to glean any information about the Republican VP nom.

The Elite 6, as they call themselves, actually give a pretty funny-slash-awkward-slash-oblivious interview. Funny because several of them stress they're pro-choice and pontificate about how they don't agree with everything Palin has done, awkward because 3 of the 4 of them won't say they're voting for their friend and oblivious because none of them realize how quickly the press just disbanded their friendship with Palin.

[Source: huffingtonpost.com]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck zings Michelle Obama

The View co-host and Republican cohort Elisabeth Hasselbeck makes her case for Transylvania native, Cindy McCain.

Mmmmkay, do you really want to talk about having something to hide, Hasselbitch?

GOP ticket gives $$$ to Obama campaign!

Inadvertently, that is.

When the band Heart heard their song "Barracuda" being played at the RNC in a rallying promotion of Sarah Palin's old moniker "Sarah Barracuda", they wasted no time in telling McCain no way, no how.

Well, since the McCain camp already obtained and paid for the necessary licenses to use the song, they paid no heed to Heart's request to stop using it.

That's right, in honor of Sarah Palin and to the horror of Heart, the song was blasting through the streets of Lebanon, Ohio this morning at a Republican rally.

Only thing is,  Heart gets headlines and royalties now, and guess who they're donating it to? Yep. Obama.

Let the beat go on!

[Source: cnn.com]

If she wasn't every teenage boy's wet dream before...

This is not a joke.

You see, I don't see this as an objectifying affront on women of authority everywhere, but rather, a helluva way to engage the apathetic youth of our great nation in politics. If Sarah Palin can't do it, no one can.

[Source: queerty.com]

Obama on Countdown

Democratic nominee Barack Obama appeared on Keith Olberman's eponymous Countdown last night, in part to discuss the lies running rampant in the Republican campaign, as well as to discuss his response to the GOP ticket's latest ad, seen below.

Although Sen. Obama has Olbermann in his pocket, the interview helped shed some light on just where his campaign will be going. Especially in regards to how vitriolic the Republican campaign has become. Check out the interview of the liberal bedfellows below:

[Source: msnbc.com]

CNN just made my morning

 

Obama upbraids McCain on education

In a new TV spot, the Illinois senator takes aim at the self-proclaimed agent of change for his plans on education. 

[Source: my.barackobama.com]

Bush to order withdrawal

Reminding us all that he's still here, President Bush plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February.

However, the withdrawal is smaller and has taken longer than anticipated.

By the time this withdrawal has taken effect, we'll have someone else calling the shots. For better or for worse.

Click here to read more about the expected withdrawal.

[Source: ap.org]

The pot calling the kettle liberal

For shits and giggles, try and watch this video the whole way through. It's worth it to note, they're absolutely spot-on in their analysis. 

But, Fox News delighting in MSNBC's political leanings is like President Bush calling someone out for their verbal faux pas. Kinda freakin' hilarious.

[Source: jossip.com]

It's just too easy

As long as there's Sarah Palin there will be something to write about. With so many rumors hot off the presses about the Ice Princess, Gawker has decided to compile a list and do some fact-checking on the hot mess of rumor-mongering the past few weeks.

Just for LOLs

PEOPLE actually had the deranged notion that this question was a debatable topic.

Everyone knows it's that sexy librarian vibe her policies and political ideology the former Miss Alaskan has going for her.

[Source: people.com]

Reprimanding the media is never a smart tack

So GOP campaign manager Rick Davis lets us know that VP nom Sarah Palin would agree to an interview "when we think it's time and when she feels comfortable doing it."

"Why would we want to throw Sarah Palin into a cycle of piranhas called the news media that have nothing better to ask questions about than her personal life and her children?" said David. 

"Until...we feel like the news media is going to treat her with some level of respect and deference, I think it would be foolhardy to put her out into that kind of environment."

Yeah, you're right. Ya know, with less than two months before Election Day, naturally, the American public is going to agree with that. We don't really want to know anything about this governor of less than 2 years from the frozen tundra of nowhere who just came into the spotlight and might potentially have to run the country for the next 4 to 8 years, but, of course, the likelihood of that is slim being that Republican presidential hopeful McCain is 72 years young and has had cancer before. 

Take your time, GOP! Wait until she's comfortable, please. After all, if the American population decides to elect the next presidential ticket as hastily as you chose your running mate, John, then I'm sure we'll be in good hands.

In the words of Stephen Colbert, "Seriously though, 9/11."

Gov. Palin will be appearing on ABC with softballer Charlie Gibson later this week. Don't hurt her feelings, Chuck.

[Source: FOX news]

New York Post endorses more of the same!

Surprised? You shouldn't be.

The New York Post, famous for its Page Six section, has gone ahead and "enthusiastically" urged the election of Sen. John McCain for president. The rag is owned by parent company, NewsCorp. NewsCorp is owned by Mad Dog Murdoch himself, and therein lies the element of non-surprise.

After highlighting Sen. Obama's "tissue-paper-thin resumé" (that's right, not just paper-thin), the Post went on to laud GOP hopeful McCain:

"McCain has been in Washington for many years now, but he is not of Washington. He knows where the levers of power are located - and how to manipulate them - but he is not controlled by them."

They don't need to tell us that! He's a maverick ya'll, 'memba?

[Source: nypost.com]

MSNBC tries to revive their good name

Or rather, their unbiased name. Ohhhh, that's right, they never had one.

MSNBC has demoted Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews to every reporter's nightmare, mere analysts. This is their punishment for failing to eject their liberal bias from their coverage of the election.

After months of accusations of political bias and tension between MSNBC and its parent network NBC, it was decided that David Gregory would succeed the role of anchor in the network's election coverage.

The problem with this scenario, is the majority of MSNBC's viewers tune in to hear that liberal bias. MSNBC intelligently emulated FOX' success with political leaning.

Something tells me they will try, and subsequently fail with their "straight talk" experiment.

[Source: nytimes.com]

Russell Brand gets political at the VMAs

In the most crass of ways.

In an effort to urge young voters to elect Barack Obama this November, Brand actually suppressed any hopes of the Democratic party appearing intelligent.

"Please, America, elect Barack Obama. On behalf of the world," said the Brit host.

And then, naturally, the shambolic mess referred to President Bush as "that retarded cowboy fellow."

Umm, thanks, but no thanks Russell. How about you keep your mouth shut and let the rest of Hollywood malign the Democratic name in their support of Obama.

To top things off, he lampooned the Jonas Brothers for their vows of chastity. America really hates you now.

The politics of rhetoric

So, I was in a conversation just a few short hours ago with my dad, and he literally said snippets of the following article practically verbatim. I just ran across this article, and it makes for an interesting read, and most definitely is something to think about.

Take a gander.

It's all about oratory and rhetoric. Two of the hottest topics of the week! Regardless of your political stripes, you've got to admit that delivering a great speech is nothing to chide a person for.

[Source: poynter.org]

Pandering to their constituencies like good boys

I-have-7-houses McCain and I've-written-two-memoirs Obama are all about the moolah as of late.

This comes as no surprise after this morning's news.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama insists that the campaign should not be reduced to a "resumé contest" between tickets, but rather a choice over which party would offer a new direction for the nation's economy.

"The American people, who are awfully smart, they're going to be able to make their assessment," Mr. Obama added. "They're going to say, you know what? If we choose John McCain, for all of his good qualities, we're going to get the same kind of government, and if we choose Barack Obama, we're going to get a different one."

As for McCain, he said on CBS' "Face the Nation": "Americans are hurting in a way that they have not hurt for a long time." 

He went on in what I can only describe as some weird reference to the hinterland of his running mate's home state, Alaska. "You know, we've got a very tough sledding to go through."

O.K., that was probably a stretch. But still.

[Source: nytimes.com]

This is great

Steve Almond, of the Huffington Post just wrote this witty little number. 

Dear Barack,

Next time someone asks what you think of Sarah Palin, please don't just call her a "skilled politician" with a "compelling biography." Call her a liar, too. Here's how that would work:

Click to read article in full.

ABC secures first Palin interview

In what will be the VP hopeful's first TV interview since joining the Republican ticket, Gov. Palin will sit down with Charlie Gibson later this week in Alaska.

[Source: thepage.time.com]

Crying sexism?

I am an ardent supporter of women's rights. But, I have to ask: when do questions that would normally be asked of any VP hopeful, become sexist? Is the media really being sexist? Or are they trying to get to the bottom of who this rising star that showed up out of nowhere is?

I'm inclined to believe the latter. Naturally, any minority in the spotlight will have their suspicions whilst under intense and vicious scrutiny that they're somehow being marginalized for their accomplishments. And it's understandable.

But, I am of the opinion that anyone racing towards the White House, should be subjected to intense scrutiny, should be thoroughly vetted and should go through the rigmarole of media inquiries.

Yes, there's a line that can be crossed. The above does not justify calling Hillary Clinton a bitch, when she's merely assertive. The above does not justify asking Sarah Palin if she can "handle" the VP spot with her growing family, because well, that would never be asked of a man.

But, I believe it does justify asking the former mayor of Wasilla, and anyone for that matter, what kind of parent would agree to take on the potential 4 to 8 years of D.C. politics and responsibilities and put aside a four-month-old baby with special needs.

Well, probably the parent who will benefit politically.

[Source: huffingtonpost.com]

Government bail out of mortgage giants!

Now, I'm certainly no economy expert, but I found this dire enough to post.

According to the NYT, the government is planning a takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which own $5.3 trillion in mortgages. What does this mean exactly?

Well, Ali Velshi, CNN's senior business correspondent and host of Your $$$$$ and Minding Your Business, just gave the economy-for-dummies run down of what's happening here.

It looks like the cost of the government's intervention could end up being tens of billions of dollars and will probably be among the most expensive rescues ever financed by taxpayers. That's right - TAXPAYERS.

The thing is, regardless of your ideological stripes, the move is essentially a necessary one. Both Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain have expressed their support for the plan.

As a result of the government-conservatorship, the cost of borrowing for the mortgage giants should decline, and they will continue to buy and sell home loans.

Make of this what you will people. I am no money maven, but as I understand this is a BIG DEAL. And I know the economy will be of paramount importance for me in the upcoming election.

[Sources: nytimes.com, CNN]