POLITICO MAFIOSO

McCain, Palin Rally Supporters In Colorado Springs

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Springs crowd cheers McCain, Palin
By John Ingold and Christopher N. Osher The Denver Post

09/06/2008 06:37:11 PM MDT

COLORADO SPRINGS — In just the second day of campaigning together, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, gave a command performance of their convention week speeches to a crowd of more than 10,000 here.

McCain and Palin hit popular notes from their big-stage speeches by promising to rein in government spending, lead America to energy independence and win the war in Iraq.

"There's no place more appropriate than here in Colorado Springs,
with all the great service of people from here, to tell you this: We are winning in Iraq," McCain said, drawing some of the biggest cheers of his 15-minute speech.

"We'll bring our men and women home in honor and in victory and not in defeat," he added later.

Palin, whose applause perhaps even eclipsed McCain's, attacked Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama for what she said was a lack of leadership. She said she and McCain were a "team of mavericks" who could change politics in Washington.

"There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you, and that man is John McCain," she said to huge roars from the crowd.

The pair did touch on one new issue amid the encore of their more familiar lines. In a nod to news that the federal government takeover of mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is possibly in the works, both McCain and Palin mentioned the troubled firms.

"The McCain-Palin administration will make them smaller and smarter and more effective for homeowners who need their help," Palin said.

Afterward, audience members were almost euphoric .

"It was fantastic. Exciting. Energizing," said Elizabeth Findley,
who brought her 4-year-old daughter to the speech and held up a sign reading, "A
Mom 4 a Maverick."

"It was so energizing to hear him in person."

"And they've got a good message," chimed in Brent Meyer, a Navy reservist and Findley's boyfriend.

Campaign staff say more than 10,000 people got tickets to crowd into and overflow out of an airplane hangar at the Colorado Springs airport. They began lining up as early as 5:30 a.m., even though doors for the event didn't open until 9 a.m.

By the time doors did open, traffic jammed for miles around the airport and the line of people waiting to get in wound for several hundred yards around large hangars.

"We wanted to be here for this memorable day," explained Patricia Strawser, who left her Denver house with her husband, Tom, at 5 a.m.

They arrived at the airport at 6 a.m. and found 50 people already in line ahead of them.

"I've never done anything like this before," said Tom Strawser, who wore a cowboy hat adorned with little American flags. "Nothing."

The crowd seemed made up of both veterans of political rallies and first-timers. Patricia Strawser said she worked for Democrat Al Gore's campaign in 2000. Tom Strawser said McCain's pick of Palin, the quick-witted, charismatic and conservative Alaska governor, made all the difference.

"Sincerity," Tom Strawser summed it up. "She's very authentic. I've
never been inspired by anyone else like this except Bobby Kennedy."

"It has energized the base," added Patricia Strawser, a naturalized citizen from Colombia who said she became a Republican because she feels it's the party of moral values. "And it shows how bright John McCain is. He knows how the game is played. It is game on now."

Indeed people in the crowd said Palin has brought an enthusiasm level to the McCain campaign that now rivals that of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama's famously devoted supporters.

"Military moms means what they say," Cathi Judy, 52, of Penrose, whose husband is serving in the Army in Iraq and who has two children serving in the military, said in reference to Palin and her son, who is also in the military.

Radio show host Dan Caplis stirred up the crowd by pointing out several Republican women who hold elected office in the state.

"It just seems funny to hear Barack Obama say that he's for equal opportunity for women," Caplis said. "Tell that to Hillary Clinton."

He then led the crowd in chants of "Palin power!"

Sitting high up in the bleachers adjacent to the stage, Lorena Mitchell said she thought McCain would have gotten a rousing reception in Colorado Springs regardless of whom he chose as his running mate.

"This is typical El Paso County," said Mitchell, a Colorado Springs resident who is a lifelong Republican and has served as a party precinct chair for several years. She said she has attended rallies for five presidents and several presidential candidates but has never seen McCain speak in person.

"I thought, 'Gosh, if he's this close, I ought to come see him and show people I support him,' " she said.

But sitting down in the crowd, Mitchell's brother, George Mitchell, said he wasn't so sure. Mitchell, a Democrat, said he came with his sister and his girlfriend, who is also a Republican. He held a sign reading "Maverick" over his head, but he said that was to block the intense morning sun.

"I'm still undecided," he said. "I came here to see what he looks like. Obama scares me, too."
And, as for Palin, he was equally skeptical.

"I have nothing against hockey moms, don't get me wrong," he said, invoking Palin's oft-quoted self characterization. "But c'mon, you've got to have a little more experience than that."

Lorena Mitchell chuckled at her brother's skepticism.
"I think this will change his mind," she said.

More than 10,000 people showed up for the John McCain rally in Colorado Springs on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

Zogby Poll: McCain/Palin UP by 4%

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:29:00 +0000

Released: September 06, 2008

Zogby Poll: Republicans Hold Small Post-Convention Edge

But the race is tight, as both campaigns consolidate support

UTICA, New York - Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin left St. Paul, Minnesota, with a smallish bounce overall and some energy in key demographic groups, as the race for the presidency enters a key stage and voters begin to tune in to the contest, the latest Zogby Interactive poll finds.

The McCain/Palin ticket wins 49.7% support, compared to 45.9% backing for the Obama/Biden ticket, this latest online survey shows. Another 4.4% either favored someone else or were unsure.

The Ticket Horserace
9-5/6

McCain-Palin 49.7%

Obama-Biden 45.9%

Others/Not sure 4.4%

In a Zogby Interactive survey conducted last weekend, just after the McCain announcement that Palin would join his ticket, McCain Palin won 47.1% support, while Obama/Biden won 44.6% support.

The interactive survey of 2,312 likely voters nationwide was conducted Sept. 5-6, 2008, and carries a margin of error of +/- 2.1 percentage points.

Pollster John Zogby: "Clearly, Palin is helping the McCain ticket. She has high favorability numbers, and has unified the Republican Party. The striking thing here in this poll is that McCain has pulled ahead among Catholics by double-digits. On the other hand, Palin is not
helping with likely voting women who are not aligned with either political party. The undecided independent women voters decreased this week from 15% to 7%, but those women went to Obama. Palin is also helping among men, conservatives, notably with suburban and rural voters, and with frequent Wal-Mart shoppers, who tend to be "values" voters who like a good value for their money."

McCain's favorability rating increased from 50% favorable last week to 57% favorable now, a significant jump that indicates the GOP convention was a success. Among independent voters, 61% now have a favorable impression of him, compared to just 49% who said the same a week ago.

Nearly half - 49% - said they had a favorable opinion of Barack Obama, while 50% they had a negative impression of him. Among independent voters, 47% gave him favorable marks, compared to 46% who said the same thing last week.

Among the vice presidential candidates, 54% said they now hold a favorable view of Palin, while 42% hold an unfavorable view. While 49% have a favorable opinion of Joe Biden, 47% hold an unfavorable view of him.

Just one week ago, 23% told Zogby that they did not know enough about Palin to make a judgment about whether they held a favorable or unfavorable view of her - but this most recent survey shows just 4% were unfamiliar with her - another indication that likely voters paid attention to the GOP convention this week, which won the highest television viewership numbers ever earned by an American political convention.

Zogby International was the most accurate pollster in every one of the last three presidential election cycles, and continues to perfect its telephone and interactive methodologies using its own live operator, in-house call center in Upstate New York, and its own secure servers for its online polling projects.

In the 2004 presidential election, not only was Zogby's telephone polling right on the money, its interactive polling also nailed the election as well. In 2006, the Zogby Interactive online polling was on the money in 17 of 18 U.S. Senate races (the 18th was within the margin of error) a record of accuracy that is unmatched in the industry - as no other leading firm even attempts to poll statewide political races using an interactive methodology for public consumption.

For a complete methodological statement on this survey, please visit:
http://www.zogby.com/methodology/readmeth.dbm?ID=1332

(9/6/2008)

THE ALASKA MAVERICK

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:18:00 +0000

McCain, Obama plan joint stop at Ground Zero

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:12:00 +0000

September 06, 2008

The Associated Press

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama said Saturday they will put aside partisan politics for a joint appearance at Ground Zero to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The Democratic and Republican presidential nominees, in a statement, said they will appear together at the World Trade Center site on Thursday "to honor the memory of each and every American who died" in the 2001 attacks.

The campaigns already had agreed to suspend television advertising critical of each other on Sept. 11. The McCain campaign has said it will air no ads that day.

Both campaigns have been running negative television ads and, at the just-concluded political conventions, pulled no punches in exploiting partisan differences.

Obama and McCain said Thursday will be different.

Joint Statement from John McCain and Barack Obama

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, John McCain and Barack Obama issued the following statement on coming together to mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"On September 11, 2008, we will join together to mark the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at Ground Zero.

"All of us came together on 9/11 -- not as Democrats or Republicans -- but as Americans. In smoke-filled corridors and on the steps of the Capitol; at blood banks and at vigils -- we were united as one American family. On Thursday, we will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honor the memory of each and every American who died, and to grieve with the families and friends who lost loved ones. We will also give thanks for the firefighters, police, and emergency responders who set a heroic example of selfless service, and for the men and women who serve today in defense of the freedom and security that came under attack in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania."

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN: AN AMERICAN WOMAN Sat & Sun on Fox News Channel 8:00pm EST

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:31:00 +0000

Watch Greta's Special!

Get an exclusive look at GOP's history-making VP candidate, Gov. Sarah Palin, as Greta hosts "Governor Sarah Palin: An American Woman," this Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm ET.

WATCH: Sneak Preview• OTR Video: Colleagues on Palin's leadership

• Share your thoughts on GretaWire

The odd choices in Barack Obama's career By J.R. Dunn

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:07:00 +0000

Special Thanks to HJS for passing this on to me:

It's time to throw my hat in the ring as regards predicting the election results. So here it is: Barack Obama will be defeated. Seriously and convincingly defeated. Not due to racism, not due to the forces of reaction, not even due to Karl Rove sending out mind rays over the national cable system. He will lose for one reason above all, one that has been overlooked in any analysis that I've yet seen. Barack Obama will lose because he is a flake.

I'm using the term in its generally accepted sense. A flake is not only a screwup, but someone who truly excels in making bizarre errors and creating incredibly convoluted disasters. A flake is a "fool with energy", as the Russian proverb puts it. ("A fool is a terrible thing to have around, but a fool with energy is a nightmare".)

Barack Obama is a flake, and the American people have begun to see
it. The chief characteristic of a flake is that he makes choices that are
impossible to either understand or explain. These are not the errors of the poor dope who can't grasp the essentials of a situation, or the neurotic who ruins things out of compulsion, or the man suffering chronic bad luck.

The flake has a genius for discovering solutions at perfect right angles to the ordinary world. It's as if he's the product of a totally different evolutionary chain, in a universe where the laws are slightly but distinctly at variance to ours. When given a choice between left and right, the flake goes up -- if not through the 8th dimension. And although there's plenty of rationalization, there's never a logical reason for any of it. After awhile, people stop asking.

Obama's rise has been widely portrayed as a kind of millennial Horatio Alger story -- young lad from a new state on the outskirts of the American polity, a member of once-despised minority, works his way by slow degrees to within arm's length of the presidency itself. That's all well and good -- we need national myths of exactly that type.

But what has been overlooked is the string of faux pas marking each step of Obama's journey, a series of strange, inexplicable actions, actions bizarre enough to require some effort at explanation, through such efforts have rarely been offered. It's as if the new Horatio made it to the top by stepping into every last manhole and open trapdoor in his path. And we, the onlookers, the voters who are being asked to put this man in the White House, are supposed to take this as the normal career path for a successful chief executive.

What are these incidents? I'm sure many of you are way ahead of me, but let's go to the videotape.

Here's a young man who graduated from Columbia with high marks, with a choice of positions anywhere in the country. He comes from a state generally held to be a close match to Paradise. One, furthermore, that can be characterized as the most successful multiracial society in the world, with harmonious relations not only between whites and blacks, but also Japanese-Americans and native Hawaiians as well. To top it off, a state controlled in large part by a smoothly-functioning Democratic machine. So where does he choose to go?

To Chicago. One of the windiest, coldest, most brutal cities in the
country. One that is also infinitely corrupt in a sense that Hawaii is not. One that remains one of the most racist large cities in the U.S. (Cicero, Al Capone's old stomping grounds, a suburb that is effectively part of the city, is completely segregated to this day.) It would be nice to learn which of these aspects most attracted young Obama to the city. But if you'd asked at the beginning of the campaign, you'd still be waiting.

And what does he do when he reaches the city? Why, he joins a cult. Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church has been turned inside out since the videotaped sermons appeared early this year, without anyone ever quite explaining exactly what Obama was thinking of when he joined up in the first place. Street cred, so it's claimed. But there are a plethora of black churches that would have provided him that without the taint of demented racism that Wright's church offered.

Obama apparently had to swear an oath of belief in "black liberation theology" when he joined the church. (It is the little touches of that sort that make it a "cult", and not simply a "church".) Did the thought of his career ever cross his mind? Didn't he realize that church would inevitably cause him trouble somewhere down the line? That he'd be required to repudiate it and its ideas eventually? We can ask -- but we won't get an answer.

Back at school, Obama got himself named editor of the Harvard Law Review. This is a signal achievement, no question about it. The kind of thing that would be mentioned about a person for the rest of his life, as has been the case with Obama. But then... he writes nothing for the journal.

Now, let's get this straight: here we have one of the leading university law journals in the country, one widely cited and read. Entire careers in legal analysis and scholarship have been founded on appearances in the Review, including some that have led to the highest courts in the country. Yet here's an individual who, as editor, could easily place his own work in the journal -- standard practice, nothing at all wrong with it. But he fails to do so. And the explanation? There's none that I've heard. We can go even farther than that, to say that there is no explanation that makes the least rational sense.

We follow Obama down to Springfield, where as a state legislator, he voted "present" over 120 times. What this means, as far as I've been able to discover, is that he voted "present" nearly as much as he voted "yes" or "no".

Now, statehouses work very simply: a member approaches his colleagues and asks them them to vote for his bill. Some comply, some do not. Some ask, "Is it a good bill?" and some don't. Either way, they customarily, except in unusual circumstances, vote "yes' or "no". All except for Barack Obama. And how did get away with it? How did mollify his colleagues? How did he square himself with the party bosses? Echo answereth not.

(A good slogan could be made of this: "You can't vote present in the Oval Office." I hereby commend it to the McCain campaign.)

We turn eagerly to learn what his term in the U.S. Senate will reveal, only to be disappointed. But it's not surprising, really. After all, he was only there for 143 days.

CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

DEMOCRATS IN TROUBLE By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:51:00 +0000

Published in the The New York Post on September 5, 2008

Printer-Friendly Version

The convention floor was abuzz all yesterday with the news of the CBS poll showing a dead tie (42-42) in the presidential race. And the poll, conducted through Wednesday, couldn't reflect the impact of John McCain's speech, or the full impact of Sarah Palin's late Wednesday night. It reflected opinions only after the Democrats' convention, Barack Obama's incredible speech, the Palin selection and the early, Gustav-depressed GOP gathering.

That augers ill for the Democrats. Tonight's polling could bring evidence that the Obama candidacy is in big trouble.

First, the GOP convention managed to disprove the central premise of the Democratic assault on McCain: that he is a clone of President Bush. The Republicans wisely marginalized Bush to a non-prime-time videotaped speech, and sprinkled disappearing dust on Dick Cheney.

The speeches, and the very fact of the Palin designation, repudiated Washington and focused on how McCain is an agent of change - this ticket is populist, reformist, anti-establishment, grass-roots and anti-corruption.

And McCain last night made the point plain: "Let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending, do-nothing, me-first-country-second Washington crowd: Change is coming."

If Bush were the nominee, this campaign wouldn't suffice to push voters away from Obama. But now that McCain has moved decisively away from the administration, Obama's lost much (at least) of his advantage on the issue of reform. Now other doubts about Obama could elect McCain.

The turning point was the designation of Palin and the personal attacks on her. By stirring up a storm, Democrats assured that Palin would speak to 37 million Americans - just a million fewer than watched Obama's acceptance speech.

Anecdotal evidence already suggests that women may have a gut reaction to the establishment's sexist assault on a woman
candidate - and flock to McCain. They've seen him stake everything on this one big move of turning toward a woman - in direct contrast to Obama's deliberate decision not to name a woman.

They've seen the media and Democrats gang up on her and do their worst. And they've seen Palin stand up and stuff the challenge right back down the establishment's throat. All this may have created an entirely new dynamic in the race.Now the Republicans must battle to underscore the threats this country faces, economically and internationally, and that we can't let an ingenue take over. They must capitalize on McCain's aggressive determination to bring reform to Washington and to emphasize Obama's inexperience and failure to grasp how to change Washington.

But it was McCain's gutsy selection of Palin that opened the door to victory.

Go to DickMorris.com to read all of Dick's columns!

Intentionally false claims in Lord campaign attack ad

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Home About John Energy Committee On The Issues News & Views Action Center Events Contribute Contact

To: Shadegg Insiders and Friends

From: John Shadegg

Re: Lord Attack Ad

As you might expect the Lord campaign attack ad now running is false and deceptive. Please take a few minutes and read the message below: I need your help in refuting the false claims my "MoveOn.org" Democrat opponent is making. Yesterday, he began airing
the first of many attack ads. I want you to know the truth
behind the deceitful claims in this ad and I need you to tell your friends the real facts. We don't have enough money to run a television ad refuting each of the falsehoods he has already spread, much less the false claims he will likely make between now and election day. That's why I need your help in spreading the truth.

Here are the real facts behind his new cheap shot attack ad--please tell your friends.

First: I have never said "Washington changed me."

Perhaps more than anyone in the entire Congress, Washington hasn't changed me. I lost not one, but two, leadership races precisely because I refused to be a go along to get along Congressman! I have never stopped fighting for the strong conservative philosophy you and I share. The fights I have led (most recently on energy when Speaker Pelosi turned off the lights and microphones), my voting record and my ratings by the various conservative groups (Citizens Against Government Waste - 98%, Americans for Tax Reform - 100%, Club for Growth - 100%, American Conservative Union - 100%, Non Commissioned Officers Association - 92%) prove this point.

Washington, regrettably, has changed too many of my colleagues, but it hasn't changed me and it never will. Mr. Lord and his paid leftist political consultants know I never said "Washington changed me."

His ad is deceit, plain and simple. It's false and he knows it. He can't win on the truth so he's running on distortions and half-truths. I have said, candidly and truthfully, when Republicans began spending like Democrats and when we allowed corrupt members to damage our reputation, that Washington changed "us" referring to those Republicans who stopped fighting for what we ran on. As a Party, its no secret that we lost our way.

Heck, John McCain said the same thing, using the exact same words, in his speech last night. Washington did change too many Republicans. But not John McCain. And not me!

Bob Lord is cynically trying to deceive the people of Arizona, plain and simple. And, I need your help to stop him.

Second: I have consistently supported our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan

I have voted to support our troops throughout my entire political career. I have voted for pay raises for our soldiers at least twelve separate times and increased health care benefits for our soldiers, time after time after time. Mr. Lord's deceptive ad saying I opposed "health care and bonuses for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan" is flat wrong. The specific vote he cites was an amendment to an Iraq funding bill in 2003.

It was a part of an effort by the Democrats to cut the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund by over a billion dollars.
Republicans opposed this amendment because gutting
reconstruction funds as the Democrats wanted to do was intended to and would have seriously hurt our effort to win the support of the Iraqi people and win the war. In fact Arizona's own Congressman Jim Kolbe, the Chairman of the subcommittee, and even the Democrat ranking member, Jack Murtha, opposed this amendment.

Throughout my career in Congress, I have voted for every National Defense Authorization Act that contained a pay raise for our men and women in uniform, including this year when I voted in favor of a 3.5% increase in basic pay and an increase in hardship duty pay from $750 to $1,500 per month.

It's shameful that Bob Lord is using our soldiers to score cheap political points.

In his effort to deceive Arizona voters Mr. Lord cherry picked the vote to misrepresent my record. Again Mr. Lord can't run on the truth. He has to rely on deceit.

Third: Pay raise half-truths

Lord's attack ad says I have "vote[d] [my]self nine pay raises." In fact I have voted against congressional pay raises eleven times. Moreover, I have never voted for a pay raise for myself. The votes Lord's ad cites were procedural votes to "block" automatic pay increases under a law passed by the Congress before I was even elected. Again, Mr. Lord and his attack dogs, know the truth. They just choose to ignore it and will say or do anything to attack me, defeat me, defeat you and defeat freedom!
You deserve to know the real facts.

You deserve to know the deceit and corrupt tactics our opponents will use to beat us and gain power. Please tell your friends. Let them know the facts behind Mr. Lord's false claims and unbounded ambition. Please forward this e-mail to everyone on your personal e-mail list. We can't wait. We can't sit still. Please send it today! And, tell everyone else you know, your family, friends, and coworkers what's really behind Lord's false claims. Your help right now in getting the word out is critically important. Thank you very much.

Please Note: A charge from Online Donation will appear on your credit card statement. Contributions are not tax deductible. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. An individual may contribute up to $2,300 for the Primary election and $2,300 for the General election for a total of $4,600. Federally registered Political Action Committees (PACs) may contribute up to $5,000 for the Primary election and $5,000 for the General election for a total of $10,000. Contributions from Corporations, Foreign Nationals, and Federal Contractors are not permitted in federal races. You must be at least 18 years old to contribute..

PAID FOR BY JOHN SHADEGG'S FRIENDS

Lets ALL Help David Schweikert Take Back CD-5!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:16:00 +0000

THANK YOU!!!

I would like to personally thank you for your hard work and dedication during this tough Primary Election. Your support allowed us to communicate directly with the voters of CD5 to share our vision of Lower Taxes, Government Reform and Border Security.

However, Tuesday’s election was not the end goal and that is why I need your help once again.

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE THE BATTLE.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has bought roughly $100,000 worth of television ads per week to distort my record. I NEED YOUR HELP TODAY to combat the falsehoods and misrepresentations of my record and our message.

Please visit my website at http://www.david08.com/ and make a contribution today.

With your help, we can ensure that our message of changing Washington will not be drowned out by Mitchell/Pelosi and the Democrat Machine.

YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT WILL HELP US WIN IN NOVEMBER AND ULTIMATELY REFORM CONGRESS.

Sincerely,

I NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!!

BROADCAST TV AD - $1000
PRIME TIME CABLE - $250
BASIC RADIO AD - $100
BASIC CABLE AD - $50
OFF PEAK RADIO - $25

NFL week one - Touchdown's pix

noreply@blogger.com (Touchdown) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:18:00 +0000

Introducing our new Football Prognosticator - TOUCHDOWN!

HOMERGOprano has retired (yeah, yeah Thank God)! So here are TD's Week 1 Picks:

PHILADELPHIA over St. Louis - Lams lame.

Seattle over BUFFALO - Gulls gut Bison.

NY Jets over MIAMI - Favre skins fish.

NEW ENGLAND over Kansas City - Marsha,Marsha, Marsha (get it? Tom Brady)

Detroit over ATLANTA - lions beat Bad-lanta.

NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay - Bush beats Florida.

Cincinnati over BALTIMORE - Ocho Cinco (former BEAVER).

TENNESSEE over Jacksonville - Oilers over next team to move (Jax).

PITTSBURGH over Houston - Stealers (stole SB XL from SEA) win.

SAN DIEGO over Carolina - SUPER Chargers.

CLEVELAND over Dallas - Browns (Derek Anderson - former BEAVER).

Arizona over SAN FRANCISCO - Niners stink worse than Cards.

INDIANAPOLIS over Chicago - Da Bears will lose.

GREEN BAY over Minnesota - Pack attack.

Denver over OAKLAND - Doncos over Raiders.

SB SEATTLE over SAN DIEGO

John McCain's Acceptance Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:46:00 +0000

By John McCain

September 5, 2008

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO

"Thank you all very much. Tonight, I have a privilege given few Americans -- the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for President of the United States. And I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence. In my life, no success has come without a good fight, and this nomination wasn't any different. That's a tribute to the candidates who opposed me and their supporters. They're leaders of great ability, who love our country, and wished to lead it to better days. Their support is an honor I won't forget.

I'm grateful to the President for leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history, and keeping us safe from another attack many thought was inevitable; and to the First Lady, Laura Bush, a model of grace and kindness in public and in private.

And I'm grateful to the 41st President and his bride of 63 years, and for their outstanding example of honorable service to our country.

As always, I'm indebted to my wife, Cindy, and my seven children.
The pleasures of family life can seem like a brief holiday from the crowded calendar of our nation's business. But I have treasured them all the more, and can't imagine a life without the happiness you give me. Cindy said a lot of nice things about me tonight. But, in truth, she's more my inspiration than I am hers.

Her concern for those less blessed than we are -- victims of land mines, children born in poverty and with birth defects -- shows the measure of her humanity. I know she will make a great First Lady. When I was growing up, my father was often at sea, and the job of raising my brother, sister and me would fall to my mother alone. Roberta McCain gave us her love of life, her deep interest in the world, her strength, and her belief we are all meant to use our opportunities to make ourselves useful to our country. I wouldn't be here tonight but for the strength of her character."

As a longtime supporter and friend of JOHN MCCAIN, I couldn't have been prouder of him than I was last night. JOHN MCCAIN showed America why he should be the next President of the United States of America! The people watching the speech along with me agreed. JOHN MCCAIN has the courage and experience to lead us in these trying times. GOD BLESS JOHN MCCAIN!!!

What They're Saying About John McCain's Address To The Republican National Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:32:00 +0000

John McCain -- "The Maverick"

Boston Globe: John McCain Accepted His Nomination "With A Promise To Shake Up Washington." "Senator John McCain, returning to the themes that saved his once flailing presidential quest, last night accepted the Republican nomination with a promise to shake up Washington with a bipartisan strategy and patriotic flair, warning political stalwarts that 'change is coming.'" (Susan Milligan, "A Pledge Of Bipartisanship," Boston Globe, 9/5/08)

The New York Post: "John McCain Last Night Returned To His Maverick Roots." "Having comfortably shored up the Republican base with Sarah Palin, John McCain last night returned to his maverick roots - accepting the party's nomination with an appeal to the moderates and independents outside the party who've been the foundation of his political career." (Charles Hurt, "Rebel Reaches Beyond Party Lines," New York Post, 9/5/08)

The New York Post: "And, equally incendiary among many conservatives, McCain regaled Republicans with tales of so many of his efforts at reaching across the aisle on thorny issues - which drove his colleagues bonkers." (Charles Hurt, "Rebel Reaches Beyond Party Lines," New York Post, 9/5/08)

CBS' Jeff Glor: "John McCain Is A Republican Who During A Lot Of His Speech, Sounded Like An Independent, Stressing Above All That He's A Reformer." (CBS' "The Early Show," 9/5/08)

CNN's David Gergen: John McCain Saying He Will Be "Your Warrior In Washington Worked For Him." "One, the recounting of his days in that prison. I don't think he's ever done it in quite so much detail before a large public audience. And it was moving and it helped set up very nicely the character point that Alex was making a few moments ago. People do vote to a significant degree upon the character of the candidates. And here, he was able to really underscore the argument. First I was a warrior overseas, now I'm going to be your warrior in Washington. And I thought that worked for him." (CNN's "CNN Election Center," 9/4/08)

Fox News' Juan Williams: "And when he spoke about bipartisanship, again he said, 'I have the scars.' And I think that was a
shot at Senator Obama, saying, you know, 'I really have been in the pits battling for immigration reforms and scarred by his own party.'"
(Fox News' "American Election Headquarters," 9/4/08)

The New York Times' David Brooks: John McCain's Passion For Change "Led To The Crescendo Of Raw Energy That Marked This Convention's Conclusion." "Through it all, he communicated his burning indignation at the way Washington has operated over the last 12 years. He communicated his intense passion to lift government to a plane the country deserves. He did note that he has fought to change the Republican Party during its period of decay. And he diagnosed that decay Thursday night (to the tepid applause of the faithful). And this passion for change, combined with his proven and evident integrity, led to the crescendo of raw energy that marked this convention's conclusion." (David Brooks, "A Glimpse Of The New," The New York Times, 9/5/08)

The Washington Post: Sen. McCain Offered Himself As An "Imperfect Servant Who Will Never Surrender In His Fight To Change Washington." "Sen. John McCain of Arizona completed a long and often improbable journey to the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night, offering himself as an 'imperfect servant' who will never surrender in his fight to change Washington and the country." (Robert Barnes, "'Change Is Coming,' McCain Says," The Washington Post, 9/5/08)

The Washington Post: John McCain "Burnished His Reputation As A Truth-Teller In Congress." "He burnished his reputation as a truth-teller in Congress, telling delegates he had 'fought corruption, and it didn't matter if the culprits were Democrats or Republicans. They violated their public trust, and had to be held accountable.'" (Robert Barnes, "'Change Is Coming,' McCain Says," The Washington Post, 9/5/08)

The Wall Street Journal: John McCain Pledged To "Rise Above Washington's Acrimony." "Sen. John McCain claimed the Republican party nomination he has sought for almost a decade by pledging to rise above Washington's acrimony as president and strike a new tone by reaching across partisan divides." (Gerald Seib and Laura Meckler, "McCain Vows End To 'Rancor,' Betting On Maverick Appeal," The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/08)

The Wall Street Journal Editorial: John McCain "Remains A Formidable Contender Because He Can Credibly Claim To Be A Reformer." "Yet Mr. McCain remains a formidable contender -- in part because of his opponent's weaknesses, but also because he can credibly claim to be a reformer who often fought his party's worst instincts, notably on spending and immigration." (Editorial, "The McCain Change," The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/08)

CNN's Anderson Cooper: John McCain "Offered More Specifics Than We Heard" From Barack Obama. "But certainly from John McCain, we heard in his acceptance speech, a lot of specifics, arguably more specific than we heard in Barack Obama's acceptance speech. After several nights, where many commentators said were lacking in specifics." (CNN's, "CNN Election Center," 9/4/08)

CNN's Campbell Brown: John McCain Spoke About The Economy "In A Very Personalized Way." "Yes, I think you're right. And there was all this talk I think before the speech about how much he needed to focus on the economy because that's perceived by many to be his weakness. And I thought when he went through it at the beginning, he did it in a very personalized way or a way in which he tried to say to people, telling people stories individually, I feel your pain, I connect with you, I hear you, which had been one of the criticisms going into those." (CNN's, "CNN Election Center," 9/4/08)

The Wall Street Journal Editorial: "Moreover, Mr. McCain Is Proposing A Policy Agenda That Really Would Shake Up The Status Quo." (Editorial, "The McCain Change," The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/08)

The Wall Street Journal: John McCain "Spoke Bluntly And At Length Of The Economic Concerns Of Middle-Income Americans." "Substantively, Sen. McCain, whose strength as a candidate is his national-security experience and expertise, spoke bluntly and at length of the economic concerns of middle-income Americans -- directly taking on the theme Sen. Obama increasingly has made the centerpiece of his campaign." (Gerald Seib and Laura Meckler, "McCain Vows End To 'Rancor,' Betting On Maverick Appeal," The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/08)

Rich Lowry: John McCain Is "Exactly Where He Heeds To Be." "But as a basis of the fall campaign, it puts McCain exactly where he needs to be - Johnny the Fighter, on a last mission to protect the people's interest in Washington." (Rich Lowry, "The Right Themes," New York Post, 9/5/08)

The Denver Post Editorial: "As McCain Left The Stage, He Left A Republican Party That Was Not Only United Behind His Candidacy But Suddenly Thrilled By It." (Editorial, "McCain Reaches To The Middle," Denver Post, 9/5/08)NBC's David Gregory: "Senator McCain Emerges From This Convention The Head Of A More United And Enthusiastic Republican Party." (NBC's "Today," 9/5/08)

Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol: "I Would Say They Have Come Out Of These Two Weeks In Pretty Good Shape Going Into The Final Two Months." (FOX News' "On The Record," 9/4/08)

John McCain Energizes

FOX News' Megyn Kelly: "Intense Reaction" From The Crowd. "I'll tell you, watching this crowd during John McCain's speech, they had an intense reaction to him, Brit. They were very focused on every word he said. You got the sense that they wanted to love him. It wasn't the kind of love that may have been there initially, but they were rooting for him, and I tell you what, as the speech went on, he got them."

(Fox News' "American Election Headquarters," 9/4/08)

The New York Post: John McCain "Had The GOP Faithful On Their Feet." "McCain had the GOP faithful on their feet when he vowed to wean America off foreign oil." (Carl Campanile, "Fierce War Cry For McChange," New York Post, 9/5/08)

The Denver Post Editorial: John McCain "Brought The Crowd In St. Paul To Its Feet." "But toward the end of his speech, as he implored delegates and Americans to stand up and fight with him to fight 'for what's right for our country .. for our children's future' McCain brought the crowd in St. Paul to its feet." (Editorial, "McCain Reaches To The Middle," Denver Post, 9/5/08)

John McCain's Powerful Life Story Of Serving This Country

Boston Globe: John McCain "Spoke Movingly" About His Life Story. "McCain spoke movingly about his years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and how it changed him from a selfish and brash young man to a mature 'servant' of his country. 'I've never lived a day, in good times or in bad, that I don't thank God for that privilege,' he said." (Susan Milligan, "A Pledge Of Bipartisanship," Boston Globe, 9/5/08)

Larry Sabato: "The strength of that speech was the biography part of it because it's so powerful, that story about his time in the prisoner-of-war camp. I thought he was also very credible again in his
role as a maverick. That's the real John McCain. Look, do you know, this is the first time ever that I can remember or know about in history that a party nominee condemned in part his own party? He went after congressional Republicans in particular for overspending. That was all very credible."
(FOX News' "America's Newsroom," 9/5/08)

The New York Post: John McCain "Ended In A Patriotic Flourish." "McCain, sounding Churchillian, ended in a patriotic flourish. He mentioned the word 'fight' or 'fighting' 24 times, with activists so fired up, they drowned out some of his lines. 'Fight for what's right for our country . . . Stand up, stand up. We're Americans and we never give up,' he said." (Carl Campanile, "Fierce War Cry For McChange," New York Post, 9/5/08)

Rich Lowry: John McCain "Joined His Traditional Theme Of Patriotic Service To A Message Of Change." "McCain joined his traditional theme of patriotic service to a message of change and work-a-day populism given new oomph by his pick of the GOP's new popular hero, Sarah Palin. He buttressed these themes with his personal narrative, of sacrifice in Vietnam and of service to country rather than party in Washington." (Rich Lowry, "The Right Themes," New York Post, 9/5/08)

The Rocky Mountain News Editorial: "Most Memorable, Deeply Felt And Authentic Moments Of His Speech Occurred When He Spoke Of His Love For His Country." "Without a doubt, though, the most memorable, deeply felt and authentic moments of his speech occurred when he spoke of his love for his country and dedication to the concept of service. And the reason is obvious: his utterly compelling life story, defined by captivity and torture in Vietnam." (Editorial, "McCain Brings Back The Maverick," The Rocky Mountain News, 9/5/08)

Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol: John McCain "Moving" At The End. "McCain's life speaks for itself, in the sense that the eloquence at the end of the speech was not eloquence in a way, it was just the facts of what had happened, narrated by McCain in a pretty straightforward way. It wasn't an artificially eloquent way, but it was moving." (FOX News' "On The Record," 9/4/08

CBS Poll: McCain, Obama Tied

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:19:00 +0000

Sept. 4, 2008

McCain Closes Eight-Point Gap From Poll Taken Last Weekend

The presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain is now even at 42 percent, according to a new CBS News poll conducted Monday-Wednesday of this week. Twelve percent are undecided according to the poll, and one percent said they wouldn't vote. This is in contrast to a poll conducted last weekend, where the Obama-Biden ticket led McCain-Palin by eight points, 48 percent to 40 percent. McCain has also closed the enthusiasm gap some with Obama, but it still exists.

Fifty-five percent of Obama's supporters are enthusiastic about their choice, and now so are 35% of McCain's. Last weekend, just 25 percent of McCain's supporters were enthusiastic about him, compared to 67 of Obama's supporters.

This week's polling continues to show voters waiting to decide about Sarah Palin (see yesterday's poll on Palin). But in interviewing done yesterday, 83 percent of registered voters said that spouse and family of a candidate will not affect their votes.

Other factors within the race and overall opinions of the candidates, however, have remained similar from this weekend. Thirty-eight percent say they have a favorable view of Obama, compared 34 percent unfavorable and 27 percent undecided.

For McCain, it's 37 percent favorable, 36 percent unfavorable and 27 percent undecided. McCain maintains his large advantage on the likelihood of being an
effective commander-in-chief - 46 percent of voters say it is "very likely" McCain would be an effective commander-in-chief, compared to 24 percent who say that about Obama.
But McCain still has one big deficit to make up -- just 44 percent of voters say he understands their needs and problems, compared with 60 percent who say that about Obama.

In the poll, Obama continues to have a lead with women voters, 43 percent to 38 percent, while McCain has the edge with men, 46 percent to 41 percent. As has been standard in this campaign, voters under age 45 are backing Obama, while older voters are supporting McCain. McCain wins the support of married voters and Obama has the backing of voters who are not married. It should be noted, though, that most married voters are older while those who are not married tend to be younger. Independents in this poll are divided.

In the poll conducted over the weekend, Obama had a six-point advantage with this group, but now the lead is three points, 39 percent to 36 percent. The poll also shows that the majority of Clinton supporters continue to support Obama - 67 percent in this poll, up from 58 percent last weekend. McCain has seen a similar uptick from white evangelicals since the weekend - 66 percent now, up from 57 percent.

Read The Complete Poll

John McCain On Today's Jobs Report

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:06:00 +0000

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the jobs report:

"Americans are hurting and we must act
to create jobs. Unfortunately, while millions of Americans are gathering around
the kitchen table and questioning how they can keep their homes, pay their
medical bills and afford their children's education, Washington has failed to
act. As I promised last night, I will fight for those that lost their jobs,
savings, and real estate investments.

Some Americans have been left behind in the changing economy, and it often seems your government hasn't even noticed. We must prepare every worker for the jobs of tomorrow. We will use our community colleges to help train people for new opportunities in their communities. As President, I will enact a Jobs for America economic plan that creates jobs, helps small businesses, expands opportunities and opens markets to American goods. Washington must stand beside the American people, not in their way.

"Sadly there are those who believe that to grow this economy we must raise taxes, impose costly new mandates and isolate America from the global economy. When our economy is hurting, the last thing we should do is raise taxes as Barack Obama plans to do and has done. The American people cannot afford a Barack Obama presidency."

McCain beats Obama by 500,000

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:59:00 +0000

September 05, 2008

John McCain has won the ratings race.

The Republican nominee beat Democratic challenger Barack Obama's record-setting convention speech viewership by 500,000.

McCain's address at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night was seen by about 38.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Obama

received 38.4 million.

That means McCain's speech is now the most-watched in convention
history -- 41% higher than President Bush's acceptance speech four years ago, and 1% higher than Obama's address last week.

Looking at the speech's audience demographics, McCain

drew significantly more male viewers than Obama (16.2 million). McCain also drew more white viewers (32.2 million), while Obama was seen by more African Americans.

Though anticipation has been running high for McCain's address, the speech also may have benefited slightly from a

strong NFL lead-in on NBC. Initially Republicans feared McCain might have to compete with the game for viewers' attention. But the NFL match started early, then put about 13.6 million viewers on the doorstep of NBC's 10 p.m. coverage of McCain's speech.

Still, NBC has aired the most-watched convention coverage among the broadcaster nets all week, and its numbers compared to rivals were not much different than on previous nights. In other words: the game may have helped, but it wasn't a major factor in McCain's massive viewership (even with the NBC receiving an NFL lead-in, Fox News is expected to win the network-by-network breakdown).

Also, with interest in his running mate Sarah Palin spiking viewership for the RNC on Wednesday, the convention was able to gain some significant momentum after losing its first night to Hurricane Gustav coverage. McCain received 5% more viewers than his running mate.

UPDATE:

FOX NEWS: 9.1MILLION

NBC: 8.7 MILLION

ABC: 6.0 MILLION

CBS: 5.3 MILLION

CNN: 4.8 MILLION

MSNBC: 2.5 MILLION
(from 10 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)

Read all of THR's convention coverage

AZGOP Chairman Randy Pullen on McCain's nomination acceptance speech

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Tonight John McCain began talking about his wife Cindy, his mother, and progressed into a hearty but respectful call for common ground and patriotism.

He called up his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, and said that her experience and accomplishments would help him reach across the aisle.

He alluded to her toughness, and gave an advance warning to the advocates of the status quo in Washington, DC.

He mentioned his status a maverick, fighting the big spenders in government and groups like the trial lawyers and union bosses.

He congratulated General Petraeus as a fellow warrior, and said that while fighting is one thing, what you’re fighting for is something quite different.

He blamed both parties for losing the trust of the American people, and promised to change that by getting back to basics, and included an attack on judges that legislate from the bench.

He advocated for more competitive schools, school choice, better teachers and parental accountability.

In the end, to my ears, he got the wildest and greatest applause when he spoke of energy independence, through both drilling and nuclear power plants.

Most importantly, he spoke of the importance of solidarity and military strength, and promised to use his experience to ensure “a stable and enduring peace.”He said he was blessed by misfortune, and realized his own youthful selfishness, as a captive in Vietnam.

He said they broke him during his captivity, but that with encouragement he stood up again. He said he was not running because he saved his country, but because our country saved him. Ending his speech with a litany of responsibilities that touch every American, he urged us all to all to stand up and fight with him.

He received instant and heartfelt approval from our GOP delegates, and we’re all looking forward to victory in November.

Tim Bee: Quite an honor for Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Tony GOPrano) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:26:00 +0000

Tucson, AZ - Senator Tim Bee congratulated Arizona’s own Republican Presidential nominee John McCain.

“It’s quite an honor for Arizona. Senator McCain persisted when no one believed he could win. John McCain will be the true instrument of change that Americans can count on. McCain will continue to be the maverick he has been; true to the people, not to a party. He’s shown the courage to go against his own party leadership when America needed solutions, not stalemates.”

“I will go to Washington, stand by our new President and fight for the American people.”Senator Tim Bee is the only
Congressional challenger nationwide that has received John McCain’s endorsement.

Paid for by Tim Bee for Congress