Sarah Palin, the brightest hope not just for America but for the Western World

I sent the following to 1,000-plus of my closest friends:

Dear Friends: I salute all of you who are involved in the Ground Game to ensure the election of John McCain and Sarah Palin. We need to reach out to friends, family, neighbors, and, yes, perfect strangers, to win on November 4.

The closeness of this election has been, at times, emotionally draining. But all of us have made many new friends and allies, some of them coming from unexpected backgrounds and political views. We need to ensure that never again does the U.S. have a presidential candidate like Barack H. Obama: inexperienced, unqualified, untrustworthy, and careless about protecting our country.

We in fact are going to take back this country. The goal of outstanding people like Chris Cook (http://modernconservative.com/), Jacquerie (http://wam98.com/), and Karen Hill (http://dncreform.com/) is to build organizations that will in combination be much bigger and stronger than the extremists' Moveon.org.

I urge all of you to join these groups now..We need to hang together and not demand total agreement on every issue, but rather aim for mutual understanding and unity on shared goals. There will be a lot more about this right after the election.

In her debate with the Washington Windbag Biden, Sarah Palin talked about an America chracterized by "liberty, tolerance/respect, and opportunity." That's a real good starting point.
God bless all of you.

How McCain Wins the Election

This message will go out to 1,000 bloggers and other onliners tomorrow. It's about how we are going to win this election for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Tracy (a political ally), Tracy, I'm going to distribute your site (http://talkstraight.org) widely tomorrow. I think we need to emphasize more and more practical steps (phone calls, contributing money, going door-to-door), the ground game, needed to win the election.

There are several issues that will continue to be "big," including William Ayers, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Obama's ties to the people (Franklin Raines, Jim Johnson, Goldman Sachs executives, etc.) that caused the financial crisis. (Also, we need to continue branding Obama as vaguely alien, un-American.)

In PA and Ohio, Biden's anti-clean-coal remarks will be significant. I'm finding a lot of practical benefits in going into the Beaver GOP office, making some calls (not a lot), and urging people who come in -- many -- to volunteer their time. To win the election, Obama MUST carry Pennsylvania, and it increasingly looks like he will not be able to do so.

We've got to emphasize the McCain Online Phone Bank (http://www.johnmccain.com/PhoneBank/NoPhoneBank.aspxand) and actually get people to use it.

The key is not to overwhelm people -- and to give them simple instructions on what to do . . . and say. I'm emphasizing McCain's "creative and dynamic leadership" in choosing a qualified woman -- a fellow maverick -- as his running mate. For most voters, that will be enough.

It's a big task. We need a million people to make an average of 25 phone calls each -- and then for them to make another 25 in the last 10 days of the election. If we do that, we will win.

We really need to get simpler and simpler as the campaign proceeds. People like Paul, who has great material on the ground game, Kathy Morrison, and Wendy are going to play more and more important roles. We also need to energize people in New Jersey (and perhaps even NY) to win those states.

This is a rather sobering message for bloggers, who like to debate sexy "issues," many of which are of little interest to the public. The election is now about character, who has it (John and Sarah) and who doesn't (Barack and Joe).

Hillary Clinton Replacing Joe Biden?

HILLARY CLINTON TO REPLACE JOE BIDEN?

I've been the main voice on the Internet discussing the story that Hillary Clinton -- early in October, it appears -- would replace Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket. I stand by this revelation because I believe it's true. The Houston Post-Chronicle recently printed a story suggesting such a "V-P Switcheroo" could be coming.

Remember that famous Friday a.m. (look back a couple of weeks) when I said at 2 a.m. that Sen. McCain would name Gov. Sarah Palin as his V-P? Many people, including some good friends, said I "must be mistaken." It must be Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty, right?

At 11 a.m. on Friday when it was clear the not-so-gentle lady from Alaska, Sarah, would get the nod, many members of the media were angry. Why hadn't anyone told them? Well, I told them. My view of the MSM is that it consists mostly of incompetents who couldn't break an egg let alone a real story.

One development you've been hearing little if anything about is the effect Sarah Palin's tremendous popularity is having on congressional races. Because of America's love affair with Sarah, many Obama Democrats are now afraid they will lose their seats. That has added to the desperation in the ranks of the Party's far-left wing.

Many of the members of Congress most worried are those who truly need their "job" and have been on the federal dole for many decades. Outside the comfy halls of Congress, many of these low-talent people would essentially be unemployable.

Thus, they despise Sarah Palin because she threatens their livelihoods. So, look for a growing number of calls for Obama to: (1) "get tougher" -- to sling more mud and be more negative than he already is; (2) get rid of Biden and replace him with Senator Clinton (or perhaps even someone else).

I hope all the thousands of bloggers and other onliners who are supporting McCain-Palin will highlight the "Hillary" story. That's exactly what Obama, Axelrod, Brazille, and Dean don't want you to do. Continued discussion will shed light on developments the Obama Campaign would rather spring on Americans at the last moment. Note: If you start hearing more stories, as we did last week, of Senator Biden's "health issues" (in actuality, he really doesn't have any), you will know the time is drawing nigh for Joe to exit Left.

My predictions for the Oct. 2 V-P debate (if Joe makes it that far)? Sarah will mop the floor with him. His antics and windbag nature will turn off a huge number of women voters. Sarah will continue to look more "presidential" than either Obama or Biden.

In the 1972 presidential election, George McGovern named as his V-P pick Senator Thomas Eagleton (a fine man, by the way). Then, it came out that Eagleton had once undergone electro-shock treatments for depression. Calls came in from Party leaders to get Eagleton off the ticket.

Senator McGovern famously said he was behind Eagleton "100% -- no, 1,000 percent." The next day McGovern dumped Eagleton, replacing him with Sargent Shriver (JFK's brother-in-law). In November, 1972, McGovern lost 49 states.

Keep in mind the date October 5 (three days after the debate) :-)

The Untold Sarah Palin Story

I broke the "Sarah Palin Choice" on my four blogs, including this one, early Friday a.m.

Sarah Palin reads this blog regularly. I used to get hits from her home town and the state capital of Juneau when she was there. When her son graduated from infantry training school at Ft. Benning, GA with Sarah and Todd present, I got my first hit from . . . Ft. Benning. You're always welcome Sarah!

Bookmark this site and return often! You're always welcome -- even if your name isn't . . . Sarah Palin.


Friday a.m. I had a short post up at 2:30 a.m. (above) that said I had information (from Sharon in Oklahoma and one other GOP operative) that Gov. Palin and her two teen-age daughters and perhaps others had flown from Anchorage to Dayton, where she would be named today (Friday) McCain's running mate. The story came from people who put two-and-two together, and the media was still falling all over itself at 11 a.m. this morning.

Charles Krauthammer said at 11 McCain should choose Fred Thompson. Good God!At that point, I said to my wife we already had enough old white guys (Biden, McCain) and we needed a woman, preferably Sarah . I went to sleep believing it was Sarah and woke up to her smiling face on the screen on FOX (and others?).

I never bought the Campaign's decoy statement that, well everybody on the list was flying in (Romney, Pawlenty, Huckabee, the Easter Bunny, Peter Rabbit?)

More tomorrow (Saturday).

"The U.S. IS ready for a Black President. It is ready for . . . Michael Steele."

"Vote McCain, not Hussein"

I'm delighted that hundreds of people every day -- sometimes more -- read my blogs (listed at the bottom of this piece). Currently, I'm "managing" a critically important group, NoBama Mission Bloggers. The blogroll (see the sidebar) continues to grow, and right now there are 150-plus blog.

My goal, a very ambitious one, is to get to 300 by mid-September. That will be a "critical mass" which will allow us to improve our Google and Technorati "rankings" and begin to have a real influence on the election.What if you want to establish a blog (or two, or three), but don't know how to do so? What I'd suggest is that you click on the following link: http://mccainbloggerresources.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-create-pro-mccain-blog.html

It's a piece by blogging expert Kathy Morrison, a person who does web pages for a living, and it's all you'll need to establish your own blog. Also, if you want to get people -- and eventually, a lot of people -- to visit your blog, e-mail me at: TalkTop65@aol.com. I'll send you material that shows how to use key words to help people find and visit your blog. And, of course, when you establish a blog, you can join NoBama Mission Bloggers

As the weekend goes on, I'll write more about the role bloggers and other onliners can play in helping ensure that the next POTUS is NOT named Barack Hussein Obama. In political activity, it turns out that it's both WHO you know -- and HOW MANY people you know. (Hint: have a real long e-mail address list.)

McCain, not Hussein, HS Howlers

I received the following message from a person (don't know name, but must find it out) at http://www.hillaryisourchoice.com/: "She" is joining NoBama Mission Bloggers. Her site is: http://hillaryisourchoice.com/ [Note: Take a short break from politics and scroll down to read the posting on "High School Howlers." They're priceless]



She adds, "I also have a very extensive email list..so let me know when you want a mass mailing. Thanks."We need the names (first name is okay) and e-mail addresses of people like this. I told her that the mailing list is "golden." If this person has 50 (or 100 -- or 500 -- or 5000) on the her list, she can ask people to join her in opposing the election of Barack H. Obama.


If friends, family members, and other connections realize this person is opposing Obama -- for some compelling reasons -- it will influence how they vote. The reasons for opposing Obama? That he is unqualified (no foreign policy or military experience), inexperienced (half a term in the U.S. Senate, most of it spent on the campaign trail), too untrustworthy (telling false stories about his life and "accomplishments"), and too dangerous (suggesting that the U.S. might "reinvade" Iraq and that we might invade Pakistan, an ally and one with nuclear bombs). This message (inexperienced, unqualified, untrustworthy, and dangerous) works to create doubts about -- and opposition to -- Obama.


What about positives regarding Obama's opponent who, in the General Election, would be John McCain? That time will come (soon), and the positives are the opposite of Obama's deficiencies. McCain is qualified, experienced, honest, and NOT dangerous.


He is right on critical issues (such as producing more domestic energy and thus helping keep prices down) where Obama is just plain wrong. Rather than having to invent imaginary "uncles" with bogus military "accomplishments," McCain (and his father and grandfather) achieved exemplary records of military service and foreign policy knowledge.


The key is to contact people who will in turn contact others. The goal is to send out messages that have a cascading effect. If someone sends out 60 "NoBama" messages to people who in turn send out 60 messages (some will send more, some will send fewer), then there are 3600 contacts. If each of the 3600 new contacts send out 60 messages, we're up around 200,000. If the 200,000 send out another 60 e-mails, then we're up around 12 million. And if the 12 million in turn send out, then the total contacts could exceed the population of the U.S.!


Of course, it won't be exactly that easy. It will necessary to urge people to contact everyone they can -- face-to-face, over the phone, or through the Internet -- in order to ensure victory in November. The point to get across to people like "hillaryisourchoice" is that "somebody else" is not going to do the job of making important contacts about the need to defeat Obama. You and I, along with everyone else in the NoBama Movement, must do the things -- make the contacts -- necessary to win the Nov. 4 election.


Within a day or so, you will be able to find NoBama fliers at: http://clintons4mccain.com/. What if you don't like something in the fliers made available? In that case, use the fliers as a model -- and create your own. This is largely a "do-it-yourself" effort.


Winning the Nov. 4 election is crucail to achieving the other changes many people want, such as reforming BOTH political candidates and ensuring that future candidates don't come with the liabilities of a Barack Obama. Right now, we have a Congress controlled by Nancy Pelosi, one of the main villains who torpedoed the campaign of Hillary Clinton. That Congress, rather than dealing with sky-high energy prices, has now gone on vacation for five weeks! The lack of concern for the American public is appalling.


We can do better. We MUST do better.

HIGH SCHOOL HOWLERS BELOW

My favorite: "John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met." Though "shots rang out, as shots are wont to do" is a close second.
Love help: Funny metaphors used in high school essays - Help.com

Funny metaphors used in high school essays

Just in case you need some writing inspiration. Every year, English teachers from across the USA can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. Here are last year’s winners:
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli, and he was room temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife’s infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you’re on vacation in anothercity and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease. 14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan’s teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

The Conscientious Conservative Blasts Barack

Me, Myself, and I -- very much "at home" in Beaver County, PA

A liberal reader of mine from eastern PA (I live in western PA) wrote me a long, mostly autobiographical e-mail asking why I -- living in a supposedly semi-distressed area of Beaver County -- believed generally in conservative principles. He (?) also asked me if I voted for GWB and Rick Santorum (our former Republican Senator). I replied at length, focusing mainly on why I oppose Obama and support McCain. In case you've been wondering about similar things, here's my reply:

Did I vote for GWB? Only twice. I think highly of him and his family.

Did I support Rick Santorum? I supported him when he ran the first time in 1994 against Harris Wofford, who was a man of extremely limited talents. I voted for him when he ran against Ron Klink (2000), but I always had problems with Santorum as a person.

I can support individuals of various views -- I might vote for Specter in the primary and general election -- but I do want to see in any candidate signs of real affection for our diverse and sometimes irritating fellow human beings. Over the years, I started to see less and less of that in Santorum (whom I know but not really well).

Senator Bob Casey: I don't believe he is a honest man. If he's so ardently pro-life, which I don't for a minute think he is, why did he support the most pro-abortion candidate in American history: Barack Obama? This is not an issue of whether you're pro-choice or pro-life, but rather a question of basic honesty. I didn't like the Santorum-Casey choice, and I wasn't at all surprised when the electorate sent Rick on his way. My wife despises Santorum.

I believe most people can rationalize endlessly when it comes to political choices. I don't do a lot of rationalizing. For example, do you believe Rev. Wright's views really came as a surprise to Barack Obama after he spent 20 years listening to Wright's views? If your answer is "no," then of course you would have trouble voting for Obama (although you might do so).

There, I just screwed up any serenity you might have about voting for Obama. (It's what I do.)

Beaver County: I believe its future over the next generation can be very bright. There is good public transportation in the country and back-and-forth from Pittsburgh. The people here are generally wonderful. I have Black neighbors on both sides of our (modest) house -- we live right across from Ambridge H.S. Everything I need (almost) is within walking distance. It surely isn't suburban, affluent, but for our purposes it's a great place to live.

Members of my family, including two daughters, are like the many people who voted in the Primary, and thus opted for Sen. Clinton. I voted for John McCain in the Republican Primary.

The folks here in small-town Beaver County are not the "bitter" people that Obama described as clinging to religion, guns, racism, and xenophobia. (Yes, those are the people whose votes he now covets.) Obama knows nothing about the people in Beaver County or the many similar counties in PA, OH, IN. His foreign policy adviser (Samantha Power), the one who called Hillary a "monster," also called the people of Ohio (I mean almost all of them) "obsessed." I don't know exactly what she meant, but I think it was a forerunner of the bitter comments.

Generally, I'd call the "race relations" here in this county very good. They are a whole lot better than what exists in Obama's Chicago area, which MLK described as the worst he ever saw.

Philosophically, my problem with liberalism is that it preaches collective responsibility while denying the existence of individual responsibility. It's a view that makes no sense. How are we to take care of others if we can't take care of ourselves?

People who absolutely can't take care of themselves should receive help from those who can provide it. My wife has been disabled since 1991, but she does a great job of taking care of herself -- with some assistance from me and a daughter and some from Social Security/Medicare.

Many years ago I had a girlfriend in my single days. She told my mother (an artist and writer), "Oh, Mrs. Maloney, Steve and I will always take care of you." My mother said, "C, I think I'd prefer to take care of myself." The girlfriend was something of a legendary Democratic political figure in the Pittsburgh area. We eventually parted ways.

I haven't answered all your questions, but I've tried to be as candid as I can. Of course, I've also been challenging your beliefs, which is the way I conduct my life. As I suggested earlier, several of the members of my immediate family voted either for Mrs. Clinton or Sen. Obama (in various primaries). The children are a very diverse group, and that's fine with me.

I spend a whole lot of my time "campaigning" (mostly online) for Senator McCain and others in whom I believe.

I very much fear an Obama presidency because of his weakness and self-absorption (he's already written TWO autobiographies). I read a while back that 20% of Democrats are rooting for the U.S. to lose the war in Iraq. I believe much of Obama's financial support comes from that group -- Moveon.org and Daily Kos types.

I am going to be writing this week about some of the comments in my "Black Conservatives" group. A big issue there is whether Obama's policies would help or hurt the Black community. I may send you one or two of the pieces I'll be using.

Sometimes policies designed to "help" people end up hurting them unintentionally. For example, the welfare policies of the Great Society ended up providing economic incentives for families to splt up. Thus, we now have twice as many single-mother Black families (percentage basis) as we did a generation ago. Obama alluded to this in his Father's Day speech but didn't seem to grasp exactly what had happened.

As bright as he appears sometimes, Obama is generally clueless about his own country.

As for me: To paraphrase Albert Camus' description of Sisyphus, "one must imagine Steve happy." I hope you and yours also are.

On my Hillary Supporters for McCain site, I wrote (Thurs.-Friiday column) about the many strengths of Hillary Clinton -- and contrasted them with the many weaknesses of Barack Obama. The battle for the Hillary Supporters is the highest stake game in contemporary politics.

MAHHS Flocking to John McCain

What is/are "MAHHS?" Read on.

The web site -- a critically important one -- is called Clintons4McCain. I'm going to ask everyone who comes here (or to my other blogs) -- Democrat, Republican, Independent -- to go there right now, register, and participate in it. (http://clintons4mccain.com). I did.

I'm also going to ask you to contribute $10 or more. I did.

The site now has about 1250 registered members (including me). That's a lot for a web site, but it shows every sign of continuing to grow rapidly.What exactly is Clintons for McCain? It's a site for MAHHS ("Mad as Heck Hillary Supporters).

They are now committed to supporting John McCain for President. To overtures from the Democrats' presumptive nominee, they say: "NoBama!" They think Obama used race and gender improperly to win the nomination. They also believe the national media dumped endless truckloads of garbage on Sen. Clinton.

I agree with them. But even if you don't agree, go and join (and contribute a few bucks!) anyway. If you're not an American national, you can still contribute, because Clintons for McCain is an independent group not subject to FEC regulations. Heck, send them a tiny chunk of your stimulus check. (And if you're in generous mood, do the same for John McCain.)

No, it isn't a site where you should argue the fine points of the abortion issue -- or the merits and demerits of Mrs. Clinton's health care plan. It's a place to be respectful and supportive of people with the same primary goal as yours: Remember, joining this group does not mean you need to "worship at the altar of Hillary."

Will you feel welcome there? Yes, because here's their basic message: "Welcome to the official website of the Clintons for McCain movement. We're still working on it and it will always be a work in progress. We welcome contributions and suggestions, and of course volunteer help!Please create an account and participate in our forum. Unlike what we have seen with the DNC and the Democratic party of late, we welcome all and no one's disenfranchised. Join us and help stop the home-grown terrorist sleeper cell Obama and help instead elect an honorable, trustworthy and honest man -- Senator John McCain -- to our nation's highest office."

Bingo, there's the link -- the common thread: the election of a "trustworthy and honest man -- Senator John McCain -- to our nation's highest office.

I've asked three trustworthy and honest congressional candidates from Pennsylvania -- Melissa Hart, Toni Gilhooley, and Marina Kats -- to join Clintons4McCain. After they get over the initial shock, I think they will all join. I also asked them -- as I am you -- to make a small contribution to the group.

The women cited in the previous paragraph CAN win their congressional races, but they can't do it by appealing only to Republicans. (I write regularly about the Hart, Gilhooley, and Kats races on my Pennsylvania for John McCain blog.)For just about any Republican -- from John McCain on down -- to win this year will require boldness and imagination. It will also offering a hand of friendship to Democrats profoundly dissatisfied with their Party.

The people of Clintons4McCain already are receiving a stream of vitriol from Moveon.org and the Daily Kos, both pillars of the "Hate America" movement. The Clintonites want nothing to do with those unsavory groups.


As elements of the McCain Campaign, let's give them our praise and support. Join now. Contribute now. I did, and it made me feel very good.

Can McCain Get Women's Votes?

On my Pennsylvania blog Thursday afternoon, I put a posting about the last undecided Democrat Superdelegate in America -- Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Holden. Some compare Holden to Prince Hamlet, although I actually see a strong resemblance to Harpo Marx.

The material below this italicized section is from Jean Avery of Moms for McCain. A resident of Seattle, Washington, Jean is one of the most important political operatives "you've never heard about." She's an absolute VIP when it comes to understanding women voters -- and attracting them to the cause of John McCain. Her comments on "what do women want?" apply not only to the presidential election, but also to every race for the House and Senate. Thus, this is a high stakes discussion.

On my Pennsylvania blog today, I discuss how candidates in the Keystone State can pick up major support -- including financial contributions -- from voters who were committed to the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Come visit! Jean Avery's comments follow:

"Last week, Howard Dean and friends gave delegates to someone who wasn't even on the ballot and took half the delegates from a candidate who was. And, by the way, she was also the first woman with a serious shot at the Presidency. Suddenly millions of American women who hung their hopes on Hillary are the Desirable Voting Bloc. (Sure, Hillary had male supporters, but because many women's motives differed, their response to her rejection may differ too.)

So, what happens now for Hillary's women? Do they ride what one disgruntled Mom called the "unity pony"? Do they stay home to 'send a message'? Or do they rise up like the poetic Scorned Women of yore, uniting as "PUMAs for McCain" (party unity my....well....you can figure it out).

Gloria Steinem and friends are confident (too confident?) that the same women screwed over by their own party will come home to roost because a lefty novelist thought he heard a nasty remark or because McCain refused to pander on an 'equal pay' lawsuit bill.

But I believe women voters are smart enough to look at what the remaining men have to offer as President, and can judge them on that basis. So what DOES McCain have to offer women?

Here are a few thoughts.

More money in your pocket(book). Despite humorous greeting cards to the contrary, most women I know are very careful with their money. We work hard for it and when we spend and save we have priorities in mind. We are more likely to drive the gas-guzzling minivan and buy the overpriced groceries. A McCain presidency maintains tax cuts which put more money into the pockets, purses, and bank accounts of the vast majority of Americans. This is not a vague promise, this is a specific, concrete commitment from both candidates - one of them will take more of your money than the other. Figure out your family's costs under Obama here.


More safety for your country. If Obama is elected, regardless of what is happening on the ground, he has to uphold his devil's bargain with the anti-war lobby and retreat from Iraq - even if maintaining a presence makes logistical and strategic sense. John McCain's positions on the war are shaped by a lifetime of personal investment - including heroic suffering, family sacrifice, and yes, logistical hands-on experience. Hillary said it best herself, when the phone rings at 3 am, I want someone answering it who has not only experience, but is unfettered by political fears and promises when making those split-second life-and-death decisions.

Hillary herself observed that McCain was much better qualified choice than Obama on national security issues. If she can see it, so should her supporters.

Education and healthcare. The only thing worse than having a seriously sick child in the middle of the night is getting an administrative run-around at the emergency room when you bring them in. Hillary made government-led 'universal healthcare' a cornerstone of her First Ladyship and her campaign. I personally dislike any system that takes money from your pocket and your paycheck FIRST and THEN you (hopefully) have a procedure they approved done by a provider they choose in a location they deem affordable and appropriate.

But for those Hillary supporters whose hearts were set on health care solutions, consider the viable, easily-implemented alternatives McCain proposes, including tax credits, drug price management, and increased portability of coverage.

Life and moral issues. Despite bellyaching to the contrary, a majority of Americans - including women - are against partial-birth abortion (sucking a baby's brains out), government funding of abortion at home and abroad, and other frightening policies espoused by Obama [like the hideous "live-birth abortion"]. If you're pro-life, McCain is your ONLY choice.

But even if you're pro-choice, you should ask yourself if this is how you want your tax dollars being spent - and if you're willing to put your country in a rookie's hands over this issue. Hillary herself knew it in her heart - John McCain will make a better President than Barack Obama.

You'll note that I have fought the (substantial) urge to rant about crazy pastors, terrorist friends, etc. - because all those distractions put together are less important than what each candidate will actually DO in office.

I believe women are smart voters, I believe we are capable of identifying good and bad judgment when we see it, and I believe we understand what is best for our families and for our country.

To all women who are politically 'homeless,' take some time to get to know John McCain. You'll like what you see.

Steve add: McCain needs to sell his proposals on pocketbook issues, family and community security, and moral issues in simple, compelling ways. He needs to distinguish between his straight-talk and Obama's endless blasts of hot air. He also need to attack Obama on the change issue, outlining how the Senator from Illinois is offering big government solutions that just don't work. Overall, he must emphasize how he advocates positive change, while Obama relies exclusively on -- in McCain's word -- "platitudes.

Why Hillary Supporters Hate Barack

Above: Alaska Gov. Sarah Heath Palin with baby son Trig swaddled. Picture is with Sarah and legislators on capital steps in Juneau. Sarah is now the front-runner for the GOP vice presidential nomination. This weekend I'll have separate columns about Gov. Palin on this national blog and my "Hillary Supporters for McCain" blog. I urge you to visit and bookmark those sites.

Above: A very tough Governor, Sarah Palin, with some very tough soldiers from Alaska.

The biggest buzz in the blogosphere nowadays reflects the vast number of Hillary Clinton supporters who intend to vote for McCain. As I explain on my Hillary Supporters for McCain blog -- the original such site -- one of the Hillary supporters for McCain may be the New York Senator herself. Here's the link:

Doesn't Hillary Really Favor McCain?

On the above column on that popular site, I assert the following: Tomorrow, Senator Clinton will endorse a man she despises: Barack Obama. Her heart definitely will not be in it.

I believe Hillary Clinton will be "blowing smoke" at us in her Saturday endorsement of Barack Obama. She's going to have her fingers crossed. Everything Sen. Clinton does between now and November 4 is going to be based not on the 2008 election, but on the one in 2012.

Right now, she's in full "grin-and-bear-it" mode. Conversely, her supporters are not grinning -- and, as we hear in the movie "Network," they're "not going to take it any more."

Her heart definitely will not be in it.More to follow here about why I believe Hillary Clinton will be "blowing smoke" at us in her Saturday endorsement of Barack Obama. She's going to have her fingers crossed.

Everything Sen. Clinton does between now and November 4 is going to be based not on the 2008 election, but on the one in 2012. Right now, she's in full "grin-and-bear-it" mode. Conversely, her supporters are not grinning -- and, as we hear in the movie "Network," they're "not going to take it any more."

Let's see, what did Barack and his surrogates (including Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger) say about Hillary? That she's a chronic liar, that she's a warmonger (for supporting the Iraq War Resolution), and a racist. They also profoundly misrepresented the assasination of Bobby Kennedy. Other than those things, I guess, they feel she's okay.

Hillary was badly trashed in the Democratic primaries. And the person running the trash machince was none other than Barack Obama. His windy rhetoric somehow prevailed over Sen. Clinton's issues-oriented campaign. As history will record, he scooped up such huge majorities in Black communities that Sen. Clinton had no real chance to win enough delegates.

In the primaries, Blacks voting in lock-step for Obama was somehow an issue of pride. In contrast, white voters supporting Clinton apparently was a manifestation of racism. As Obama put it, the Clinton supporters were "bitter" people, "clinging" to their religion, guns, and racial prejudices. That "contrasted" with his supporters, whose heart were supposedly pure.No wonder so many Hillary Supporters are sickened by the outcome.

Obama has a history of being associated with black racists (Wright, Farrakhan) and white racists (Pfleger), and militant anti-Americans (add in the name William Ayers). Somehow, those associations didn't disqualify him for the presidency -- as they would have surely if he were seen as a "white" candidate. When Obama's wife made anti-American statements ("America in 2008 is a mean country"), the candidate proclaimed she was not open to questions.

Senator Clinton has a political history of supporting causes favored by American Blacks. Her "reward" for that record has been to be characterized as a racist.

Hillary, Bill: Barack's Worst Nightmare

Let's make a major effort to support Republican congressional candidate Dana Walsh. I am going to put up on every blog (and I have a bunch) an appeal to send a contribution to Ms. Walsh. She's pro-military and running against Cindy Sheehan and Nancy Pelosi, "the witches of the West." I hope a whole lot of people online will feature Dana Walsh at: http://danawalshforcongress.com. Her web site is terrific. It has pics of Sheehan and Pelosi playing huggy-bear with dictators (Chavez and Assad). Please contribute whatever you can to this courageous woman.


I put up late Tuesday columns on: (1) the Pennsylvania blog about a new, unified, national effort to elect Republican candidates; (2) the Hillary Supporters for McCain blog about the Obama campaign and its surrogates "sliming" (Bill Clinton's word) Mrs. Clinton. If you're a "mom," you'll want to take a look at Jean Avery's blog: http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com/. (On the Hillary Supporters site, I have a picture of Bill's supposed girlfriend (Gina Gershon), as well as a quote from a friend in Ambridge, who said, "As Bill gets older, the girlfriends get better looking." Can't quarrel with that.

The pundits last night didn't really "interpret" Mrs. Clinton's "concession speech" (more properly, her "non-concession speech"). Instead, they mainly had a befuddled look on their faces. Some wondered if she was not perhaps launching the first shot in her 2012 campaign for the presidency.

(I suggested that the next presidential election -- the one after this year's -- might end up pitting Senator Clinton on the Democratic side against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the Republicans. (In this scenario, President John McCain would have -- as we said in business -- "elected to take early retirement.")

Of course, the major question the Senator left is whether she wants (expects?) the vice presidential nod. CNN"s David Gergen suggested that Mrs. Clinton seemed to be indicating that she wanted Senator Obama to agree to some sort of "coalition" government -- or perhaps a co-presidency. On that point, what about a "troika," that would have three equal parts: Barack, Hillary, and -- of course -- Bill?

The problem with Hillary as a vice-presidential nominee is this: she has supplied the Republicans with all sorts of ammunition. Famously, she once said, "I have a lifetime of experience; Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience; Senator Obama has a speech [against the Iraq War] that he delivered in 2002." When Obama runs against McCain, he will hear those words used in ads -- again and again and again.

Mrs. Clinton's slogan in her campaign was "Ready on Day 1." She has implied that John McCain would also be ready to serve as President on Day 1. Of course, her words mean that Obama would NOT be ready. If she thought the Illinois Senator had the appropriate seasoning (and as Prince Hamlet said, "The readiness is all"), then her slogan would have made no sense.

Bill Clinton said on June 2 that the Obama campaign was "sliming" his wife. Again, if Hillary Clinton accepts (the proper word may be "seizes") the vice-presidential nod, Bill Clinton's words just might ring throughout the fall campaign. The former President indicated that Obama is relying on "surrogates" to hurl mud at his wife.

Are Hillary and Bill Clinton really ready to mend fence with Obama? Are they willing to say, in essence, "all is forgiven, Barack. We really didn't mean all those nasty things we said about you."

Is this to be a ticket that contains a undertone of the following: "It's true that I said Barack wouldn't be ready on day 1; however, since he will have me with him (in the White House? perhaps the Lincoln Bedroom?), he won't have to worry about not being quite ready for prime time."

And what would the presence of Mrs. Clinton on the ticket do to Obama's seminal message of change? In fact, the "Billary" triplex would be a continuing reminder of the ghosts of American politics past. Barack would learn that it's impossible to fire a vice-president (or a former President).

For Senator McCain, campaigning against an Obama-Clinton team might not be the daunting task it appeared to be yesterday. The Republican message -- one of them -- is going to highlight Obama's unsuitability for the highest office. And the main "spokesperson" for that position might not be John McCain, but rather Hillary Clinton -- with occasional assists from her husband.

Let the games begin!

McCain Comes Out Swinging

I'm putting up new columns tonight (Tuesday) on: (1) the Pennsylvania blog about a new, unified, national effort to elect Republican candidates; (2) the Hillary Supporters for McCain blog about the Obama campaign and its surrogates "sliming" (Bill Clinton's word) Mrs. Clinton. If you're a "mom," you'll want to take a look at Jean Avery's blog: http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com/. (On the Hillary Supporters site, I have a picture of Bill's supposed girlfriend (Gina Gershon), as well as a quote from a friend in Ambridge, who said, "As Bill gets older, the girlfriends get better looking." )

The column about Barack Obama's "fictional autobiography" is available by scrolling down to yesterday's post.

On Wednesday, John McCain sent the following message. It's very well done.

My friends, we can say with confidence the primary season is over, and the general election campaign has begun. Each American faces a decision this election and the choice between my candidacy and Senator Obama's could not be more clear.

This is a change election. But the choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward.

The right change recognizes that many of the policies and institutions of our government have failed. The right kind of change will initiate widespread and innovative reforms in almost every area of government policy from energy to taxes to government spending and the military.The right change will stop impeding Americans from doing what they have always done, overcome obstacles and turn challenges into opportunities.

Today, I humbly ask you to join my campaign for the right change, as we move forward together as a nation. Please follow this link to make your generous campaign contribution right away.

The wrong change looks not to the future, but to the past for solutions that have failed us before and will surely fail us again. Like others before him, my opponent seems to think government is the answer to every problem. That's not change we can believe in.

My friends, we're not a country that would rather go back than forward. We're the world's leader, and leaders don't hide from history. They make history. If we're going to lead, we must reform a government that has lost its ability to help us do so. You can take direct action today by making a donation of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or any amount up to the legal limit of $2,300.

Your generous support will enable me to take my message of the right change and reform directly to the American people. I don't seek the presidency on the presumption I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need.

I seek the office with the humility of a man who cannot forget my country saved me. I assure you that if I'm elected president, the era of reform and problem solving will begin. From my first day in office, I'll work tirelessly to make America safe, prosperous and proud. And that, my friends, is the kind of change we need.

Sincerely, John McCain

P.S. We need change in this country, but we need the right change. I am prepared to lead this country in the right direction, but I will need your help to get elected. Follow this link to make a donation of any amount up to the legal limit of $2,300. Your generous support will make all the difference in determining the type of change our next president brings to this nation. Thank you.

Obama: A Campaign Unravelling

Hillary Clinton giving advice to her door-to-door campaign workers in Philadelphia, April 19: "Well, I think, just knock on the door and say 'She's really nice,' or you could say it another way, 'She's not as bad as you think.'"

"Seventeen percent of Pennsylvania voters said they will either not vote if Mrs. Clinton gets the nomination or will vote for Mr. McCain; 25% said they will do likewise if Mr. Obama wins the nomination." (The Economist, April 26 - May 2, 2008)

If Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, he absolutely must prevail in Pennsylvania -- the nation's sixth largest state -- if he hopes to win the election. But the exit polls in the recent primary show that the Illinois Senator is unlikely to win the Keystone State.

Consider the views of Catholic voters -- about one-third of registered Democrats -- in Pennsylvania. Of the ones who voted in the primary, six-out-of-10 say they'd vote for Obama in the general election. However, more than two-out-of-10 (21%) say they'll vote for John McCain.

Among white voters, almost one-in-six (16%) said that race had an influence on their vote. And of those, nearly one-in-twelve (8%-plus) said they would not vote for Obama in November.

When Gov. Ed Rendell make a similar observation months ago, he was condemned as uttering racially insensitive comments. Insensitive? Perhaps. Correct? Absolutely.

In the Pennsylvania exit polls, many Democrats made sarcastic references to Obama's "bitter" comments (about people clinging to religion, guns, racism, and xenophobia). Some of those voters joked that they were much too "bitter" ever to vote for Obama. Others, according to The Economist, accused Obama of "clinging" to a religious figure (Rev. Jeremiah Wright) notable for hating America and white people.

Especially in Rust Belt States (including Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, and Michigan), Obama has a real problem attracting white voters. According to the Senator's campaign managers, that's because the the voters don't "know" him.

But whose fault is that? Many Caucasians are evaluating Obama on the principle that you know a man by the company he keeps. As long as that company includes Rev. Wright, terrorist William Ayers, and influence-buyer Tony Rezko, the electorate doesn't like what it sees.

Obama's problems run deep. For example, four weeks ago -- as the Wright controversy -- approached white heat, Obama delivered what his minders called "a major speech on race." I saw the entire speech and paid careful attention, but now -- less than a month later -- I can't recall a single phrase. Can you?

Obama: More White People Needed

"Get me more white people!" -- Said by an Obama campaign coordinator looking for Caucasians to put behind Michelle Obama at a rally at Carnegie Mellon Univeristy (CMU) in Pittsburgh (as reported by CNN).

"America in 2008 is a mean country." (Michelle Obama, a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate who makes $300,000-plus annually working in "community outreach" at a Chicago hospital)

"A typical white person." (Obama in Dreams From My Father talking about his white grandmother)


Note: Tomorrow (Friday) I'll have a column (mildly) critical of John McCain for asking North Carolina Republicans to withdraw a commercial critical of the Obama/Wright connection and the pro-Obama Democratic gubernatorial candidates in NC. I know John McCain is a thoroughly decent and honorable man, but sometimes I wonder if he fully grasps the kind of opposition he's up against. Also, I don't believe he's in position to tell a state party how to conduct its campaigns -- any more than they are to give him instructions. I hope you'll visit.

Here's what a friend said about my forthcoming criticism of John McCain: "I'll be very interested to read it. I personally think that mild (or at times heavy) criticism of McCain is a good thing. Leaders should be open to advice from supporters, and supporters who view their candidate as perfect (see: Obamamania) are kidding themselves, proving a lack of intellectual compotence, and doing a disservice to their candidate by not offering advice. in short, supporters who are able to criticize their leader are far more useful and productive than those who are not."

Hillary Winning in PA, Nationwide

NOTE: MY MONDAY (AND TUESDAY) COLUMN WILL COME UP ABOUT 7 P.M. THIS EVENING. I'M STICKING BY MY PREDICTION THAT HILLARY CLINTON WILL WIN BY DOUBLE-DIGITS IN PA. GOV. ED RENDELL, A HILLARY CLINTON BACKER, IS PREDICTING A SINGLE-DIGIT WIN, BUT I BELIEVE HE'S ENGAGING IN THE TIME-HONORED TRADITION OF "LOWERING EXPECTATIONS."


The column below is reposted from my Pennsylvania site (http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.com. In this year's election, Pennsylvania is going to be what the pundits call "highly competitive." Generally, the columns on the Pennsylvania site will be "states-specific," recognizing that PA is going to be a critical battleground state. Later today, I'll be putting up a new -- and extremely important -- blog called: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com. When Obama wins the nomination, as he presumably will, many Hillary supporters -- perhaps one-in-four -- will be inclined to vote for John McCain, and the Hillary site will involve discussions about that development. I urge you to visit both these sites.

On Sunday, April 20, the results of the latest Gallup "Tracking Poll" were released. They showed Hillary Clinton leading nationally among Democrats by one percentage point. A week ago, Obama's lead in the Gallup Poll was about 11 points, so there's been a dramatic drop in his national support.

In Pennsylvania, the average of polls shows Mrs. Clinton's lead at about five points.Some analysts, including this one, believe it's entirely possible that Clinton will win in the Keystone State by approximately 10 percentage points. I've guessed it will be about 55% to 45%, although it could conceivably be by as much as 57% to 43%.

Senator Clinton is stronger in Pennsylvania than you might have been hearing on TV. Right now, she's tied or leading in every demographic except Blacks and the wealthiest of Democrats.If Mrs. Clinton has a double-digit win in Pennsylvania, look for to call on Super Delegates to support her. Presumably, she will point directly to the Gallup Poll as illustrating that she's the most electable candidate. She would have a powerful argument in her favor.

Clearly, Obama has been hurt by two factors: (1) his "bitter" comments about small town America; (2) his poor performance in the recent debate. The national media, many of whom obviously support Obama, have been slow to report on the dramatic changes taking place in the Democratic race.

Keep a close eye on those Gallup Tracking Polls. If Senator Clinton extends her lead, the Democratic race may become more chaotic than it already is. My own guess? That the battle will go right to the convention floor in Denver, an eventuality that will help John McCain.

In fact, McCain is looking like a probable general election winner in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and even New Jersey, usually thought of as a solid "Blue State." Mrs. Clinton had solid wins in Ohio and New Jersey, and she should have a similar result in PA. In today's complex political environment, that's good news for John McCain.

Melissa Hart: Pulverizing Jason Altmire

"America in 2008 is a mean place." (Michelle Obama, who apparently wants to be First Lady of that "mean place.")

As you'll notice, my views about a Melissa Hart victory over Jason Altmire are not all that different from what McCain has to do to win over Obama in Pennsylvania. It's important to understand that Jason Altmire, who's one of Nancy Pelosi's and John Murtha's "pets" in Washington, will try to portray himself -- falsely -- as a centrist.

Also, as the campaign goes on, he and his surrogates and financial backers will try the same approach they relied on in 2006: to use their slime buckets in an attempt to heap mud on Melissa. Since Altmire will say anything and do anything to win, it's important that voters know exactly why so many observers describe him as a political guttersnipe.

I'm working to get bloggers and other onliners to "link" (technically, emotionally, and politically) to Melissa's site -- and to keep going there. I also ask them to make small contributions (I mention $20 to $50) on the theory that if they make one, they'll make more.

The 4th congressional district (north and west of Pittsburgh) is not a household term in, say, Texas or Oregon, but if it gets portrayed accurately as the most important congressional race in the country (and one that's critical to McCain's future), then it should get people's attention.

It's important to keep reminding people that Altmire called Murtha his "campaign manager" because, outside the 12th congressional district Murtha is as unpopular as it gets. I also link Altmire's name with that of Pelosi, on the basis that Altmire voted for her as Speaker and regularly votes with her on critical issues. On insignificant issues, Pelosi occasionally allows him to vote in accord with the wishes of voters in the 4th.

Also, on the Obama comments: he portrayed Pennsylvanians as a bunch of Bible-thumping, gun-toting rubes who take out their economic frustrations on immigrants and people who are "different" from Obama's supporters. Altmire apparently agrees on that point.

Finally, there's the issue of Altmire's radical donors, as revealed on www.opensecrets.org (go there and type in Altmire's name). Somehow he believes he can accept huge amounts of money from radical left-wingers -- and somehow continue to portray himself as a centrist.

In fact, Altmire is getting his "donations" from the same people who cheered Obama's sneering comments about Pennsylvanians and other average Americans. The contributors are people who believe in economic protectionism and in waging the War on Terror with rhetoric and platitudes rather than real resolve. In May, I'll be launching a national boycott of the radical interest groups who are supporting Altmire.

The America-haters of Moveon.org play as big a role in financing Altmire's campaign as they do in Obama's. (I'm going to write extensively in coming days about Altmire's money-men.) It's eminently fair to use Altmire's radical donors against him. What's more, he needs to explain why he's taking money from union dues paid under duress by union bosses from members who support Melissa Hart.

Because of his actions, Altmire should always be on the defenstive -- right through November 4. Overall, it's critical for people in the 4th who vote for John McCain to vote for Melissa Hart. She will support McCain's practical, yet visionary, policies. Altmire would not.

In the 4th, the numbers look good. McCain will win the district by tens of thousands of votes (perhaps as many as 40,000 -- Bush having won in 2004 by 30,000). Thus, McCain should be putting wind in Melessa's sails.

Despite the vast amounts of money the far-Left is pouring into Altmire's campaign, Melissa Hart is looking more and more like a winner.

NOTE: ON MY OHIO AND NEW JERSEY SITES, WHICH I HOPE YOU'LL VISIT, I HAVE A SHORT PIECE TODAY ON BARACK OBAMA AS "AMERICA'S PET ROCK." Those sites are at: http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com and http://newjerseyforjohnmccain.blogspot.com. In general, those sites focus on the particular states, although on occasion I cross-post. I have yet another site (yikes): http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com. Its emphasis is on the relationship between the McCain Campaign and efforts by Republicans to take or hold congressional seats. I'm looking to hand off the Ohio and New Jersey sites to willing bloggers from those states.

Your comments are always welcome.

McCain Supporters: Reject Altmire

In the 4th congressional district of Pennsylvania (north and west of Pittsburgh), perhaps the most important race in the country (aside from the presidential battle) is shaping up. It pits former congresswoman Melissa Hart against Rep. Jason Altmire.

Altmire seeks to portray himself as a "conservative" Democrat. However, he voted for the Iraq War timetable (after telling voters he would not do so). He also voted for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (after telling voters he was pro-life). And he opposes the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit (after telling seniors they had his undying love). Recently, one of Altmire's minions challenged me on my statement that Altmire supports the largest tax increase in American history.

The situation is this: the congressman backs Nancy Pelosi's and Charlie Rangel's effort to let the Bush tax cuts die in 2010. If that happens, it will re-impose the marriage penalty, reduce deductions for children, and bring back the "death tax," which means you'll still be paying taxes after your demise.

Of great significance, an end to the Bush tax cuts will raise the lowest tax category from 10% to 15%. In other words, it will hit hardest those least able to pay, essentially raising their tax bill by 50%.

Obviously, there are many reasons to oppose Jason Altmire. However, perhaps the most important consideration is the need John McCain will have for a supportive Congress.

Recently, Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama made comments denigrating the religious beliefs and "hunting culture" of Pennsylvanians. Essentially, Obama called the people of Pennsylvania a bunch of gun-toting, Bible-thumping rubes and bigots. We are not.So far, Jason Altmire has made no statement criticizing Obama's statements. Senator McCain and Melissa Hart strongly disagree with Obama's offensive comments.

Are we to take Altmire's silence as a sign that he agrees with Illinois Senator? Jason, in some cases "silence is golden," but in this case it's a sign of political cowardice.

If you're voting for McCain, it makes no sense to vote for Altmire. Why elect McCain and at the same time tie his hands behind his back? Why make it impossible for him to carry out the mandate he will get from American voters?

In other words, anyone who wants to support John McCain should avoid sending Altmire back to Congress. One of the best ways to stand with McCain is to cast a ballot for Melissa Hart. Please go to her web site to see how you can help.

Ways to Help McCain Win

Note: Until Wednesday of this week -- April 9 -- I'll be spending my time asking many bloggers and onliners to use their blogs and e-mails to build support for John McCain. I'd ask you to do the same thing on your blog, as well as to e-mail friends and family members and ask them to back John McCain. I hope you'll ask McCain supporters to contribute to his campaign, which they can do by going to: http://johnmccain.com and clicking on the "contribute" button. If you want to learn some techniques that will help McCain win the presidency, please go to Kathy Morrison's http://mcccainbloggerresources.blogspot.com. I always appreciate your visits, and I enjoy your comments.

RNC Posts New Web Video: “Politics vs. Petraeus”

WASHINGTON – Today the RNC released a new Web video, titled “Politics vs. Petraeus.” The video highlights Senators Clinton and Obama’s politicization of the War on Terror and complete disregard for the facts and the warnings made by General David Petraeus during his last congressional hearing on September 11, 2007.

After consistently promising to “always listen to our commanders on the ground,” Barack Obama has blatantly ignored Gen. Petraeus’ recommendations and pledged to enact an immediate and dangerous withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq if elected President. And despite warnings from Gen. Petraeus that “a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences,” Senator Clinton has promised to begin a precipitous withdrawal of American troops within 60 days.

“Politics vs. Petraeus” can be viewed by clicking here.

MCCAIN MUST CONFRONT OBAMA DIRECTLY

I'd like to thank all the visitors for coming to this site. My main goal is to analyze ways that John McCain can run effectively against Barack Obama -- and ultimately win the election on November 4, 2008. I'm interested in the race in all states, but especially in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.
http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com
http://ohioforjohnmccain.blogspot.com
http://newjerseyforjohnmccain.blogspot.com
I hope you return frequently.


If you read my previous columns, you'll see that I strong recommend that John McCain not continue to allow Barack Obama to make false statements -- about McCain's positions, about the War in Iraq, and about the economy.

On the economy, Obama has said the following: 'We are seeing an economy that is not working for the American people." Frankly, the economy seems to working just fine for multi-millionaires Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (who lives in a $2 million house).

Economist Walter Williams recently wrote a piece in Townhall about "The Poverty Hype," and I urge you to read it. The following is my reaction to Williams' essay:

I read recently (through the Tax Foundation) that the top 1% of wage-earners (key term) pay 29% of the federal income taxes. That is something you will NEVER hear from Barack Obama (or even Mrs. Clinton). In fact, one of the intriguing thing about the Clinton tax returns is that they showed the couple paid income taxes of $31 million-plus.

Admittedly, there are some super-wealthy individuals (Ross Perot being a famous one) who have most of their wealth in tax-free municipal bonds, but those bonds are how communities finance their infrastructures (roads, water and sewer systems) and the like.A man like Obama bases his entire campaign on the "myth" that the "wealthiest Americans" (like Clinton? like multi-millionaire Obama himself?) don't pay their fair shares in the running of the government.

Of course, that's not true, but it is a temptation that a demagogue like Obama can't resist. It feeds into our unlovable human tendency to "envy" others who are better off than us. It implies that we somehow have the "right" to other peoples' incomes, which in some circles is known (correctly) as theft.

The media should be challenging Obama on these points, but instead they have decided to function as cheerleaders rather than as honest brokers.

OBAMA: NOT AN 'HONORABLE" MAN

Patrick Hynes of the McCain Campaign sent me two e-mails today, one about Barack Obama's false, malicious statement that McCain wants to continue the Iraq War "for 100 years," and another about the Obama supporter who called McCain a "warmonger." I sent Patrick two responses, both of them making the point that McCain is being much too nice to Obama.

Response one: Patrick: Thanks for the piece on "Mr. New Politics.' I'm not sure that Senator McCain is aware what kind of campaign the Democrats will wage in the general election -- and are already beginning. John McCain seems to believe that Barack is a good man -- and even an honorable one. In those assessments, he is dead wrong. Obama is a Chicago pol whose main financial backing comes from Moveon.org types, and he's only too willing to do their bidding. It's time to start hitting back -- hard and often.

Response two: Patrick: I agree that bloggers should react to the Ed Schultz remarks (calling McCain a "warmonger") and the tepid comment by Obama's "spokeswoman." But that's not enough. John McCain has to step up to the plate and question the honesty and character of Barack Obama and his campaign.

He cannot proceed under the illusion that Barack is "one of the guys in the Senate," somebody to go across the aisle to, pat on the back, and josh with (as McCain did two weeks ago). Obama will interpret actions like those as a sign of weakness.

Steve adds: If I believe Barack Obama was an honorable man who loved his country I'd probably be voting for him.

After reading what Obama has written and what his "spiritual advisor" has taught him, I believe no such things about him. Patrick Hynes has provided a great deal of information about the McCain family's remarkable record of serving their country. The McCain family must be a mystifying group to someone like Barack Obama, whose life demonstrates service not to our nation, but to himself.

If you want to receive daily updates from Patrick Hynes with the McCain Campaign, you can do so by e-mailing him at: phynes@calypsocom.com. If you want to contribute to the McCain effort -- and I hope you do -- go to: http://johnmccain.com/ and click on the contribute button. McCain needs your vote, your vocal support, and your donations.

Note: Patrick was kind enough to reply to my comments above, and I responded to him:

Here's Patrick reply to me: Stephen: I appreciate the note. However, it would be a mistake and out of character for Sen. McCain to personally question Sen. Obama’s character. But we have already called Sen. Obama’s remarks on “100 years” dishonest and McCain criticized Obama himself:Here's my reply: Thanks, Patrick.

Here's my response: If a man makes dishonest statements -- even Hillary Clinton says Obama is "mischaracterizing" the 100 years comment -- then he defines his character himself. Obama is saying that McCain wants to continue the Iraq War ("live on CNN!") for 100 years -- and he will continue saying it. If he doesn't get challenged ferociously, then voters will believe it. If Sen. McCain thought South Carolina in 2000 was nasty, he hasn't seen anything yet.