“The patient was fatally stricken on Sept. 15 — caught in the rubble when the roof fell in (at Lehman Brothers, according to the police report) — although he did linger until his final, rather quiet demise on Nov. 4.” — columnist Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post
“He consistently ran the wrong message. People aren’t afraid of the ice caps melting when their 401(k)s are melting.” — pollster Frank Luntz
“McCain bet his entire candidacy on the surge in Iraq. He was right, and Democrats were wrong. By any measure, he should have benefited, and Democrats should have suffered, when the surge worked. Instead, as Americans achieved greater success in Iraq — and as U.S. deaths fell to 13 last month, equaling the lowest total in a very long time — the war in Iraq simply fell off many voters’ radar screens. McCain’s resoluteness and good sense went largely unrewarded.” — Byron York, National Review
“As for the Republicans, the lesson of their defeat is the most fundamental in politics. When the party in power fails to deliver either peace or prosperity, voters typically send it packing.” — Wall Street Journal editorial
“Did you see the concession speech last night? John McCain was generous. He was gracious. He was statesman-like. And I was thinking well, he should have tried that earlier.” — David Letterman
50 Comments
I have breaking news: McCain and Palin are no longer in the race. Why continue to beat a dead horse?
McCain went 100% negative about 6 weeks before the election. No issues, just a blizzard of negativity. He came across as a hateful old man and Palin was a shrew.
I’m sure the results flabbergasted the Republicans since negativity had always worked before, but this time it didn’t. Nobody cared about an old washed up 60s radical. Nobody wanted to hear about a black firebrand preacher. And Joe the Plumber? Give us a break!
Next time, maybe Republicans should try campaigning on the issues.
LOL speaking of beating a dead horse and my fellow Paul supporters would whole heartedly agree.
man this turned out to be the prefect election for Ron Paul with his message of fiscal responsibility!
As for the expired horse McCain/ Palin, XXX hit it on the head their campaign treated this election as if it was the same ole same ole. If you can not think of anything meaningful or positive about yourself attack the enemy. The 2000 McCain would have stood a chance, the 2008 McCain turned out to not be Bush the third as much as Karl the third. As for Palin I still do not see the flash and appeal, those in real life I encountered said she was the new apostle of Christ and Obama was the anti-Christ. But then perhaps her appeal for others was she was the same old attack… attack politics that has caused more damage to this country then Bin Laden did.
writerdog
Posted November 9, 2008 at 7:29 am | Permalink
As for Palin I still do not see the flash and appeal, those in real life I encountered said she was the new apostle of Christ and Obama was the anti-Christ. But then perhaps her appeal for others was she was the same old attack… attack politics that has caused more damage to this country then Bin Laden did.
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I think Palin’s appeal amounted to this: if for whatever reason you found yourself frightened of an Obama presidency — if this condition is met — then for many Palin made them feel safer and more comfortable. If you were frightened by Obama, then seeing a woman with whom you identified as POTUS was a warmth many found irresistible.
Palin, with all her warts, was — and is — profoundly reassuring for these Americans.
If you’re in that camp, then you could care less how many gaffes she made or even that she’s obviously moronic. Didn’t matter, their fear of an Obama presidency was — and is still — that great.
By the way, I talked to my parents yesterday, both in south central Kansas. Dad’s pretty hard of hearing, a condition he’d rather bluff his way through than treat with his hearing aids, so conversations on the phone are pretty brief.
My parents are yellow dog Democrats. They’re are extremely socially conservative and fiscally liberal, but they’d vote for a Democrat even if he was a yellow dog.
Or an African-American. Or so my mother claims (I maintain some doubt that that either could actually pull a lever for an African-American, because although I love ‘em to death neither ever actually came aboard the Affirmative Action bus 40+ years ago) (they don’t actually say the words “African-American” either, fwiw).
For example, my mother is extremely frightened by Michelle Obama. She’s heard that the Obamas want to enslave white Americans, just as Africans were enslaved a couple centuries ago. She’s exasperated to see African-Americans who still need affirmative action, and she’s very worried that Obama will now rig government to favor African-Americans in more ways than it currently does (my parents have always had more than their share of nutty ideas, so eh). I think there were more rumors she’s heard and that frighten her, but my feedback closed off their expression.
At any rate, she likes Sarah Palin. A lot. I think if Palin had been at the top of the ticket, the GOP could have converted a couple more old yellow dogs.
If they didn’t already, lol.
Reminds me of the paranoia when the country elected it’s first Catholic president..John Kennedy. Many people thought the Catholic Church would be running the country.
I think some are just fearful whenever anything upsets the apple cart…in time having a black president will be no big deal.
Don’t forget to call Spirit One today to protest their disparaging sign about Obama…#303 0095, punch in Pastor Mike’s extention.
The old racist fear is dying out and soon. I know its hard for some who think equality means that they won’t be ’superior’ anymore, but I don’t really care what they think anyway.
I have to say, I’m rather impressed with the racists I know. My own father actually voted for Obama, and he regularly uses the N word which always prompts me to hang up on him. He actually campaigned *not officially* for him among his racist neighbors. Turns out my dad dislikes Republicans more than he is racist. Who knew.
My second surprise came from my ex-husband, who out of the blue contacted me via email last week after something like 15 years.
Turns out he’s not a racist anymore, he found ‘God’, and was campaigning officially for Obama. I asked what he did about his many swastika tattoos and he said he keeps them covered up.
These things really show change that happens in people.
Mary, I would, but there is no way I want those people to have my phone number.
Please do run Palin. Please. I beg you.
It is quite telling the mentality of picking someone even dumber than Bush.
Sings and wonders that foretold doom for McCain…
“What part of it Charlie?”
Palin was nothing more than George W. Bush in a dress.
As for Republicans running on the issues, wasn’t it reported the McCain campaign saying that if they ran on the issues, they’d lose?
I used to respect John McCain – especially when he ran against George W. Bush and told Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson they were agents of intolerance.
Now, that McCain, might have just won the election.
Since I will be secluded in the boondocks tomorrow without access to my computer I would like to wish a Happy 233rd Birthday to XXX and Nathan tomorrow.
We took the fouled anchor from the navy,
We took the rope from the army,
We took the eagle from the air force,
and on the seventh day, when God rest……
We took the world.
Semper Fi!
(And good-night Chesty Puller, whereever you are!)
PS: I know this isn’t the appropriate thread for this, but the libs will post more on a Palin thread even after the election – then before.
I had to get my two-cents worth!
Half the population is of below average intelligence. Kansas has a disproportionate number in that category and another large number who feel morals can and should be legislated. They are comfortable voting for an old coot with no ideas, and a person of average (at best!) intelligence and education — disciples of Rovian politics of fear and hate. It worked again in Kansas, but I don’t see it ever again working for the entire nation.
“Don’t forget to call Spirit One today to protest their disparaging sign about Obama…#303 0095, punch in Pastor Mike’s extention.” — Mary.
The more you call, the more they are encouraged. Ignoring and ridiculing them is way more effective.
What’s your IQ Linda?
outlander
Posted November 9, 2008 at 12:24 pm | Permalink
What’s your IQ Linda?
—————-
My guess: about one sigma left of the mean.
“The more you call, the more they are encouraged. Ignoring and ridiculing them is way more effective.” — beber
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True, beber. They wouldn’t have posted their hateful lies on the marquee if attention wasn’t their goal. Don’t give it to them.
The advertisement they posted in front of their “church” acts as a warning of the hate inside.
“What’s your IQ Linda?”
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High enough not to fall for Rovian politics of hate and fear. High enough to recognize our country needs our most brilliant, most talented, most highly educated people who are capable of critical thinking skills as leaders — not old coots, average hockey moms and plumbers.
What McCain wanted to say –
If McCain’s Concession Speech Was As Bitter As His Campaign — powered by Cracked.com
Actually,Linda’s IQ is above average when it comes to picking the winner – what does backing McCain say about your IQ Golfie?
Ahhh, as if to say “public opinion” has anything to do with intellect.
I suppose, “mom”, using your logic – Lincoln emancipated the slaves when it was WILDLY unpopular (far greater than the 52% that voted for “O”), so his intellect must’ve been, uh…low.
Huh?
64% of Republicans support Sarah Palin as presidential candidate in 2012.
Heh, heh, heh!
“The more you call, the more they are encouraged. Ignoring and ridiculing them is way more effective.”
I disagee, to ignore such wrong doing is equal to agreeing with them. If they have to wade through hundreds of calls everyday to get their messages, it may be enough of an inconvenience to make them think.
I gladly give them my name and phone number each time I call…so far they don’t have the guts to call me back…I would welcome it if they did.
“The only thing for evil to reign is for good people to do nothing.”
“What’s your IQ Linda?”
MUCH higher than your’s judging by your posts, Outlander. I know it’s frustrating for you because Linda absolutely refuses to get down on your level…so you resort to personal insults hoping to get a reaction…you’re as predictable as the day is long and dumber than a doorknob as far as I’m concerned.
I have not heard if the Palin’s dropped off their campaign wardrobes at Goodwill yet. Has anyone heard if the clothes have been donated yet? I think a couple of her jackets would make good Christmas presents.
What’s your IQ Mary?
I reply to a post in which Linda impunes the intelligence of half the country with her insufferable liberal snootiness. Of course, I ask her her IQ because I want to know what half she is in.
You are about as blind a partisan as I have seen.
The point Mary missed is that, in my opinion, there is reason to question someone’s IQ if they would judge another person’s intelligence by their political leanings.
I’ll try to spell it out next time.
What I know is that most Americans only read on an 8th grade level..and those who bought into the fear, lies, and paranoia of McCain’s campaign obviously aren’t the brightest people in the country. That’s a fact, Jack.
“there is reason to question someone’s IQ if they would judge another person’s intelligence by their political leanings.”
Isn’t that what YOU do all the time on this blog?
p.s. I’d vote for a muslim before I’d vote for a fundy xian.
Well Mary, I am pretty careful about that. So the answer to that is no. In fact, there are a few very smart liberals on this board. Misguided, but smart. And to be fair, some really dumb liberals too. But they are just stupid people. Not stupid because they are liberals.
But if you want to play that game, go for it. But I’ll call you on it and question your intelligence, just like I did Linda’s.
“In fact, there are a few very smart liberals on this board. Misguided, but smart”
Your opinion that those who don’t agree with your views are “misguided” is pretty telling of your arrogance. It’s hard for me to fathom that someone so narrow minded can be intelligent enough to judge who’s smart and who’s not.
“In fact, there are a few very smart liberals on this board. Misguided, but smart” – outlander
“Your opinion that those who don’t agree with your views are “misguided” is pretty telling of your arrogance” – Mary Caruso
———
Chuckle… Argue minutia much, Mary?
Oh, and in case there were any doubt, you weren’t one of those Mary.
BTW: I’m the smartest person on this blog. Search no further.
…add narcissist to that also.
That was meant for Out, not you Beber!
Doubting the intelligence of Republicans is not that much of a stretch.
f of all voters rich?
It only makes sense to vote for Republicans if you are rich. Any not rich person that votes Republican is clearly not very bright.
You rich outlander? Or just not very smart?
Dang, OK, I admit, I had to look up “narcissist”.
Ain’t it great that Mary and I can argue, yet she still likes me? She just won’t admit it. But I’ll admit that I like Mary. She is spunky. And she is pro-life.
Go away BJ. I’m talking to Mary.
Tina Fey should get an Emmy for her fantastic take on Sarah Palin.
I would bet that there are voters who saw Fey’s impression and really thought they were watching Palin.
The REAL upshot here?
McCain ran a disastrous campaign following a disastrous President. His choice of Palin was rank incompetence.
Yet he STILL managed to finish reasonably close.
This means that somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 million people are either stupid or crazy.
Is it not time to move from the election results to a discussion of policies we need to have put in place to solve some of America’s most pressing problems–like our present economic problems or the great increase in the number of unemployed or the pending collapse of our auto industry or bringing our 2 wars to good conclusion so the troops can come home?
These items need more discussion than the IQ’s of conservatives vs liberals and trying to one up each other.
It was Karl Rove who said half the population is below average intelligence and ran the bush campaigns on that premise. His protegees ran McCain’s campaign.
Who is energized by Palin? Who thinks she is qualified to be a leader at the national level? Isn’t it 64% of Republicans who support Sarah Palin as a presidential candidate for 2012?
Karl Rove knows who he can use to get Republicans elected.
I like the plan! Palin 2012! GOOOO Palin!
outlander, you really should not be attacking other people’s intelligence.
outlander does not seem to understand the basis and science of AGW — yet he foolishly claims, “I don’t think AGW exists”.
http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2008/11/open-thread-118-2/#comment-465543
Sarah Palin also denied AGW, until selected by McCain, who believes it is happening. And then she started making vague, incoherent sentences about it.
Oh Coz buddy; you weren’t one of the smart liberals that I was talking about. You weren’t one of the dumb ones either. You are just one who thinks he is smart.
On 2nd thought though, if you could read and weren’t stupid, you would have realized that my point was that one should not judge folks’ intelligence based on their political leanings. Since you didn’t get it, well…
Good night Coz. Don’t let those AGW gremlins bite.
outlandish,
If you were intelligent, you would’ve noticed that my post was NOT about judging “folks’ intelligence based on their political leanings”.
Good night outlandish, and don’t let reality, facts, and science bite you.
Say, let’s play Bash Palin! (again)
Wow…check out the crazies on that link posted by Iknowit. Freaky wack jobs! LOL!
Palin bashes herself every time she opens her mouth.
Wow mom, that was brilliant.
Any more words of wisdom for the blog?