Stop the noise! Address issues

Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 - 11:17:41 am CDT

Our voice in Columbus, Nebraska, stands little chance of being heard above the din of this battle, but we call for a stop to the negativity ... the charges ... the counter charges.

This presidential election campaign has taken a lamentable turn into raging rhetoric and fear mongering.

The Associated Press reported Friday that John McCain’s advisers believe the 72-year-old four-term Arizona senator’s best chance to win rests with stoking voter unease about Barack Obama, the 47-year-old first-term Illinois senator who would be the country’s first black president.

Fear factor selling points include Obama’s age, experience, Chicago roots, glancing relationship with a former Weather Underground member now college professor and a “foreign” middle name.

People at McCain rallies shout out “traitor” ... “treason” and worse when the associations are made. Obama has decried the tactics while some efforts have been made from his camp to remind people of McCain’s relationship with Charles H Keating who was sent to prison for his role in a savings and loan crisis in the 1980s.

The contrasts between the two candidates are stark.

McCain was the son and grandson of Navy admirals whose path to a Navy career through the Naval Academy was smoothed by his legacy.

Obama was the son of an African man who came to the U.S. and a Kansas woman. His path to an Ivy League education, a credential held by our last three presidents, came through his academics and affirmative action.

The best known part of McCain’s background is the years he spent as a prisoner in North Vietnam after his plane was shot down. A fate that he has said he probably could have avoided had he heeded the warning that a surface to air missile had locked on to his plane. Regardless, those years appear to have shaped his political and world view: “I have survived. I will survive.” A self-described maverick, McCain has been in Congress 26 years, four as a representative and 22 as a senator.

Obama, a Columbia University and Harvard Law School grad who was president of the Harvard Law Review, worked in numerous community service positions before entering politics. Illinois’ political history is storied from Abraham Lincoln to Adlai Stevenson to Richard Daley and now, Obama. He got his start as a state legislator, a common first step for an Illinois political career, and served eight years in the Illinois Senate. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

McCain and Obama now are locked in a war of words and images that will end with one of them in the Oval Office as commander and chief of the most powerful nation in the world.

Sadly, this plays out against a U.S. financial meltdown that even the most talented spinmeisters have trouble describing.

America needs to hear the candidates’ views of what is to be done with the economy. Our future is of much greater importance than the pasts of these two men.

CBS’ Bob Schieffer will moderate the third and final debate of this election Wednesday night. The eight-segment format is designed to elicit a more cerebral and less caustic discourse.

We urge each of you to listen and watch carefully and to sort the facts from the fervor. This 90 minutes and the vote you cast on Nov. 4 are critical.

Lastly, we would remind you that you have until Oct. 24 to register to vote. Don’t neglect this privilege.

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Fred
Oct 11, 2008 11:44 AM
Right On!
Attempting to incite a lynch mob is no way to win an election.
rob g
Oct 11, 2008 1:15 PM
It is not fear mongering to legitmatly point out what Obama is about. The common response to his relationship with ayers is that he was only 8 years old when ayers murdered poeple. I will tell you that Obama was not 8 years old when he kicked off his political carreer in the living room of this known terrorist! This is about judgment to keep yourself away from unAmerican individuals, and Obama has failed that test miserably. Ask youself if McCain would have kicked off his political carreer in the living room of a former KKK member. Without question he would not be running for president right now! Tell me where I am wrong!
fred
Oct 11, 2008 11:43 PM
I have hosted fund raisers for candidates I never met. He did not kick off the campaign, he held a fund raiser. Now lets get back to something that really matters.
rob g
Oct 12, 2008 1:47 PM
When was the last time that anyone in the National media has talked about illegal immigration or national sucurity? Issues that help McCain and hurt Obama are blacklisted just the same way Ralph Nader has been blacklisted. The elites in the National media have controlled this election cycle masterfully.
History Matters
Oct 12, 2008 2:27 PM
The past DOES matter! It shows exactly the kind of person that you were, that you are, and that you WILL BE!!!
CP
Oct 12, 2008 3:29 PM
I agree with Rob. An average person that isn't "in" to politics and hasn't taken the opportunity to go out and learn about the candidates will not know what either of them are all about. But they will most likely be for Obama becasue that is what the liberal media wants. Like all the kids I teach in school. They are all hot for Obama, like little sheep that believe everything they hear in the mainstream media. Luckily they aren't old enough to vote... but you that are... "baaa" or learn the truth for yourself.
Fred
Oct 12, 2008 3:29 PM
Ayers and Obama were appointed to a board by a freind of McCain. Ayers was a prominent citizen of Chicago at the time. They worked together on another non-profit board. Ayers hosted a fund raiser for Obama. That's it. That shows nothing about Obama's character. The accusation is at best, political correctness to the extreme. Rob are you responisble for the past of everyone you have had casual contact with? Or are you just another Republican that will say anything to win.
rob g
Oct 12, 2008 7:14 PM
What about the unAmerican preacher, what about the real estate swindler, and what about the acorn donations where his money went to pay for fraud. Not to even mention that he lived with a Pakanstani man as one of his best friends when younger. There is a very real, and undeniable, pattern here. Barrack Hussain Obama is not the anti Christ or even Bib Laden, but I will tell you he is not all apple pie either. We can find someone who loves this country much much more than Barrack Obama does to lead it!
Seriously
Oct 12, 2008 10:07 PM
Well, if you are going to start calling out people by their middle name, let's call out John "Sydney" McCain.... That sounds like a scared puppy dog who can't stick to the truth. His back is against the wall and the only thing John has on Barack is his middle name. Good luck with the rest of the campaign John!! Your gonna need it!!!
a vote 3 either...were doomed
Oct 12, 2008 11:30 PM
I believe the real issue today, is not whether or not you're a Republican or a Democrat
The issue is not are you are a liberal or are you conservative
Those titles are almost meaningless

The real issue today is you're either a globalist or you're an American.
and McCain and Obama are globalists and there are Americans running for President...really
check out your states ballot


Albert Einstein described insanity as
"doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

What if instead of supporting the media's anointed candidates, We The People voted our conscience for once?

Chuck Baldwin - Constitution Party - http://www.baldwin08.com/
Cynthia McKinney - Green Party - http://votetruth08.com/
Ralph Nader - Independent - http://www.votenader.org/
Bob Barr - Libertarian Party - http://www.bobbarr2008.com
Fred
Oct 13, 2008 12:16 AM
Rob,
I do see the pattern. If one lie doesn't stick, try another.
drak
Oct 13, 2008 1:26 AM
We all know that the political spin machine can make a mountain out of a mole hill. Why do you even bother to acknowledge that crap?
Neither McCain nor Obama has my trust to lead our nation. Neither will get my vote. I haven't heard a palatable word about real issues and solutions.
We must have pulled out of Iraq, haven't heard much at all about that either.
under weather
Oct 13, 2008 5:49 AM
I didn't realize that McCain's middle name was "Sydney". Now I'm changing my vote.
rob g
Oct 13, 2008 6:50 AM
If that is all you can defend is the middle name issue, everything else I am stating must be 100% factual(which it is). Thank you, and speaking of the middle name. Anyone who is proud of who they are should not be running away from there own name! That shows a severe character flaw!
rob g
Oct 13, 2008 7:04 AM
If it was just the name issue I would not have a big problem with it, but there is an unquestionable unAmerican pattern here over his entire life. And one more thing on the name, tell me honestly that if you were a flight instructor, and someone signed up for your class with the middle name Hussein that you would not think twice. If you say no you are most likely a hypocrit and a liar!
rob g
Oct 13, 2008 8:10 AM
Palin wants to talk about immigration and energy, McCain wants to talk about National securtiy and world affairs. Unfortuntly the boss's at Cnn, Fox, ABC, and Msnbc set the real agenda! They are the ones who will decide this election, our measly one vote will not do it! Well, in the case of the inner cities and college campuses, your measly 2 or 3 votes will not even do it! Ha Ha
CP
Oct 13, 2008 9:12 AM
Wow, Rob, you lost me there. I was with you until the middle name comments. Anyone who had done their homework and knows the history of Obama (who I do NOT support) knows that he was named after a man who left him when he was two and he met once more when he was ten. Yes, I agree that there are some nasty rumors about him being anti-American, and his wife has definatly seemed to bring those rumors home with her comments, but the name is nothing. The history is more important. If he truely refuses to wear a flag lepel pin (which I heard him say with his own mouth) then that is scary. If he truely refused to pledge allegience to the flag and WANTS TO BE THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY THAT FLAG REPRESENTS, that is a problem, although, I have yet to believe this one to be completely true. Going to Pakistan with a room mate for 3 weeks in college hardly makes you a terrorist sleeper cell, nor does going to a muslim school when you were NINE! I have a 9 year old and I can't even get her to clean her room, let alone scheme out the next 40 years of her life in a plot to take over the world! I am not for Obama, but seriously, the name means nothing. And take a hard look at the rumors that you believe.
Chicago Mike
Oct 13, 2008 10:26 AM
I am no big fan of McCain, though I will hold my nose and vote for him. I also thought Palin was a desperate choice, though I think she's a quick study, and certainly a lot easier on the eyes than your average politician. As my moniker suggests, I live in the Chicago area. I can tell you with absolute certainty that nowhere in this country are politics so dirty(with the possible exception of Lousiana)as in Chicago and Illinois in general. I would be very wary of anyone spawned in this cesspool. This is not my primary reason for not voting for Obama however, it's his thin resume and ultra liberal leanings. He's a little(a lot actually) too worried about "what will the French think if we do that", or "what will the Germans think". He's not running for president of the world, but president of the United States of America.
Klem
Oct 13, 2008 11:47 AM
Good post, CP.
pot kettle black etc.
Oct 13, 2008 12:23 PM
Hey Fred, that pattern certainly works for both sides of the fence.

Can you imagine what we would all know about Obama if the media had the - - - - - to pummel Obama like they have Palin and McCain! Too bad they are either paid off or scared to do that, I for one would love to know what he is all about because what we have been given certainly does not give us much to go on.
and thats that
Oct 13, 2008 1:54 PM
There is enough evidence for me to NOT vote for Obama. Even if McCain has a heart attack the day before the election I would NOT vote for Obama. This isn't a vote for McCain it's a vote against Obama.
Fred
Oct 13, 2008 2:52 PM
Pot,
Go to Obama's web site. Read his books. Listen to his speeches and interviews. Saying you don't know him after a year and a half of campaigning shows a lack of effort or more likely a lack of truthfullness. You cann't learn anything when you close your eyes and ears.
Amazing
Oct 13, 2008 3:58 PM
I find it very humorous that every election that the party that is behind manages to place the blame for them being behind on the media or the incumbent or some other lame excuse. I agree that some people do not look into the platforms of the different candidates and I believe that is wrong. But I also believe that this "blind voting" goes both ways for each party.

Time has revealed the following truths:

-The world will not end if your candidate of choice doesn't get into office regardless of what you may think

-Someones cousin's, wife's, uncle's, step son's, former roommate being being a terrorist (insert any vice) doesn't mean that they are one.

In closing, stop complaining and bad mouthing other candidates and speak your mind based on your candidates stance on the issues you believe in.
MT
Oct 13, 2008 9:09 PM
Fred: Another one of those pesky facts about BHO comin' at ya---BHO did not write any books, let alone two. He had a ghost writer. Samples of his writings, poetry from college show his writings would compare with a Jr. Hi student. He also cannot verbalize on his own...not without a script in front of him (written by someone else, of course). You have surely heard him hem and haw for something to say when he is caught off-guard without his script. This man is merely a facade. You need to look inside the suit to see who is controlling him. And Fred, listen to your own advice. Look to see, beyond what the media is feeding you, what BHO is all about. It may very well frighten you...because it terrifies those of us who have dug deep enough to see a little bit of what he is about. Why are his college records such a closely guarded secret, Fred? Liberals insisted on seeing Bush's records. Why can't we see BHO's? Why hide something so inocuous? He is a carefully chosen front man..nothing more.
For crying out loud
Oct 13, 2008 9:35 PM
Fear and prejudice is alive and well in Columbus Nebraska.
CP
Oct 13, 2008 11:27 PM
For crying out loud! Yes! Again, I state that I am not for Obama, I will vote for McCain and really think he will make a decent president. BUT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! This is real life, not some sci fi movie or action movie. Obama is a man, a smart man. I consider myself a fairly smart person and I wouldn't be able to even come close to doing what Obama does, even if he isn't calling all the shots. Once you get this far into a political campaign, your life is not your own anyway. I am sure both our men are constantly being told what to do. A campaign is not a one man job! ISSUES! ISSUES!! People who keep stating stupid facts and fictions about Obama are making other people like me who want to vote for McCain look bad! SO STOP IT!
Matt
Oct 14, 2008 12:27 AM
If voting could change anything, they'd make it illegal.
rob g
Oct 14, 2008 6:52 AM
CP, Please read my post again, the name is a very small part of an UNQUESTIONABLE PATTERN of unAmerican friends and activities. The pakastani friend was not for three weeks. It was a years long relationship with a drug dealer. Again, a small thing, but part of the LARGER PATTERN! He is the most Liberal member of the Senate, and as Chicago Mike correctly points out "his political career was "created in a cesspool". Obama might not have actual contempt for our military, like Clinton did, but he sure does think that we are "indiscrimatly bombing civilians in Afganistan", does'nt he?. You really have to read alot to find that one! Just one more example of the press downplaying qoutes that will hurt Obama.
rob g
Oct 14, 2008 6:59 AM
Also CP, Please point out and be specific on what you call "rumors", and I will gladly present you the facts! Believe me, I am licking my chops on that one! I can't wait!
Abomination
Oct 14, 2008 8:15 AM
"He is a carefully chosen front man..nothing more."
Someone is paying the bills and they're going to want interest on those payments once they have their man in place. Expect carnage.
BO
Oct 14, 2008 8:33 AM
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
It is the outrageous statments such as those on this web site that are helping me become the next president of the United States.
To rob
Oct 14, 2008 9:32 AM
So he said the US is indiscriminately bombing civilians? I would be willing to bet that that statement came from some civilians being misstakenly killed and that proper rules of engagement might not have been followed. At any rate, who are you to speculate on what is happening in a foreign war? Are you there on the ground or do you attend or have access to any of the high level meetings??
phreakwars
Oct 14, 2008 9:57 AM
Yeah, don't vote for Obama, he is an angry black man with terrorist ties to Islam and domestic terrorists, don't forget his ties to the Chicago mob scene, and a RADICAL Revrend. Obama plans on bombing the white house, converting us all to Islam and declaring Sharia Law, all while making us live off food stamps and government medicine..

Meanwhile.. in the real world, I've been tracking my 401k online, I've lost almost $4,000 so far just this month. I wanna know who's gonna pay that back to me.
TO phreakwars
Oct 14, 2008 11:12 AM
I'll write you a check as soon as you vote me into the Whitehouse. wink, wink

BO
drak
Oct 14, 2008 1:33 PM
How many of you have looked up the voting records of both canidates?
That would be on more solid ground to make a decision, than what the media puts out.
I'm an indepentent, niether McKain or Obama will get my vote. I am amoung the growing number that say enough of this partisan bickering. Fix the system so that the interest of the nation is the priority. Time for a 3rd party to break up the school yard fights.
rob g
Oct 14, 2008 7:59 PM
Here is the exact qoute from Obama " Obama Said American Troops Were "Just Air-Raiding Villages And Killing Civilians" In Afghanistan: FACT... Try the next one and I will come back with more FACTS, I see phreakwars can not try to dispell one fact that anyone has stated about Obama on this page. I did have a little respect for you phreakwars, but your last post iS filled with nothing but hyperbole. Are you scared of facts!
Fred
Oct 14, 2008 10:17 PM
Rob,
As you said earlier, "McCain ... kicked off his political carreer in the living room of a former KKK member."
CP
Oct 14, 2008 10:27 PM
Rob, Rob, Rob! :) Lighten up. I really like Matt's take on everything! Really, if we could screw it up too much, then we would be able to vote without the electoral college, who, by the way kept out that Gore freak! :) Gotta love that electoral college! (some sarcasm is implied, but not too much)

Okay Rob, you wanna play a FACT game with me. Thanks! Do some research for me and find out TRUTH and FACTS about the subject I mentioned earlier about Obama refusing to say the pledge. I have heard him say that is not true when he was asked in an interview. That one picture of him without his hand on his heart that has been e-mailed to me numerous times is not gonna do it for me, so you have to come up with more proof then that. Be sure to include the link so I can check your research for myself.

Thanks again.
rob g
Oct 15, 2008 7:34 AM
I do not believe anyone here has mentioned the flag pin or the pledge controversy. Those were never a issue in any honest thinking persons mind. I do not believe Obama does love this country as much as McCain, but there is plenty of real evidence to support those beliefs by his " real life associations" rather than by any "percieved symbolism"! Please try again to dispell any facts that I, or I believe anyone else, on this forum have stated that you believe are rumors and fiction!
rob g
Oct 15, 2008 7:43 AM
Fred, you are not proving yourself worthy of any kind of honest debate. Come up with something just a little clever, factual or insightfull, or go back to recess!
Rick
Oct 15, 2008 10:30 AM
Wht is it when the republican candidates are doing well in the polls and the public eye there is never any mention of the media and how they are brainwashing the masses? But when times are bad and the thinking American people figure out the cause, and decide to make a thoughtful choice for change, we are brainwashed?
Dubya
Oct 15, 2008 12:17 PM
I'm not sayiny that O'bama is a terrorist I'm just saying that he wants to play "Hands across the World" with everybody and be their friend and give away the US. At least you know McCain won't give away the country.
rob g
Oct 15, 2008 2:56 PM
Rick...., Gerald Ford was one of the best athletes to ever hold the presidency but he was portrayed as clumbsy by the media elite and it stuck. Sara Palin is portrayed as a dimwit by the elite media and it will stick this time as well. THIS IS NOT ANYTHING NEW! That is why quality of life has declined since the 50's. Do you really believe a majority of voters actually think for themselves? If you do then you need more help than I can offer! I believe only about 30% of voters actually think for themselves. One thing we have on our side is that elections are usually decided by the center, and the left and right wing loons usually counter each other!
CP
Oct 15, 2008 9:28 PM
Rob, you asked me to be specific about rumors and I did so. I told you a rumor and you claimed you can prove it fact or fiction and you failed to do so.

With your sorry attempts at sarcastic put-downs and the despicable grammar and wording of your blogs, I am quite lost in how to respond. I will just consider this arguement closed... see you on another blog Rob!
Fred
Oct 15, 2008 10:12 PM
Rob,
All I did is give a partial quotation that totally changed the meaning of the sentence. Just like your quote from Obama. I followed your example.
rob g
Oct 16, 2008 8:37 AM
CP, I am just asking for one thing that anyone has been critical of Obama on in this forum that is a rumor or fiction! Just One. You are the only one here that has brought up the Pledge thing. I have talked about a "real and undeniable pattern" of unAmerican friends. Try to dispell that instead of creating things in your own mind that you dismiss as rumors. As far as my wording I believe I make my points pretty clear! You obviously have no trouble understanding them. The problem is you are running away from any challange I have given you! Try again, give me just one thing here that I have brought up that is a rumor or fiction! Obama has a world socialist view and if that is what you strive for you may be in the majority right now. I will admit I am in the minority, but that alone certainly does not make me wrong. Majority public opinion is wrong frequently.
rob g
Oct 16, 2008 9:04 AM
Fred, That qoute was not taken out of context. His opposition to every military action we have taken in the last 30 years in well documented. This qoute was given during a news cycle when our enemies claimed we killed 80 civilians. He thought he could score some political points with it and that is where is came from. Remember, this was at a time when he was trying to seperate himself with Clinton on her vote for the war! It was a stupid and political thing to say, hopefully he regrets it now. But please be honest and do not try pretend it did not happen or displace it as a rumor or fiction! Everything needs to be out in the open. That is all I ask!
exactly what drak said
Oct 16, 2008 9:39 AM
VOTE 3RD PARTY--USA IS going to be ICELAND

How many of you have looked up the voting records of both canidates?
That would be on more solid ground to make a decision, than what the media puts out.
I'm an indepentent, niether McKain or Obama will get my vote. I am amoung the growing number that say enough of this partisan bickering. Fix the system so that the interest of the nation is the priority. Time for a 3rd party to break up the school yard fights.
REVOLUTION
Oct 16, 2008 9:45 AM
Do any of you voting for mccain or obama, ever heard of the REVOLUTION?
Go read up on the Constitution and you will see the fraud being committed.
Federal reserve=fraud
IRS=fraud
700b bailout=fraud
martial law??-signed 2 weeks ago by bush
looting of America
Oct 16, 2008 9:50 AM
Final looting of America by outlaws in D.C. Outlaw is defined as: a person, group, or thing excluded from the benefits and protection of the law. Americans who care about freedom and liberty have known for a long time that Congress has simply become a lawless group of political animals who care nothing for the supreme law of the land. For decades they have turned a blind eye to other outlaws operating on their behalf: non elected officials in the various cabinets and agencies who have been destroying a free market system and the Bill of Rights.
A 3rd Party is needed NOW
3rd Party Debate on CSPAN Sunday
maybe it should be watched by ALL
Rick
Oct 16, 2008 10:41 AM
No Rob, I believe no one votes for themselves. Our beliefs and opinions are formed from what we hear and see around us! Whether it is from the newspapers T.V. media, Radio or the loudmouth at the end of the bar, our opinions are formed by what we hear and experience. Now if you mean do I think that people vote for themselves and their own selfish reasons, I would hope not but I know that many do. There is something called the Common Good that we as citizens should always consider. This along with your own beliefs and principles should be considered. Regardless of how informed and smart we think we are, most of our thoughts are spawned by someone elses thoughts or actions. It is up to the individual to decipher the noise and make a sound decision. I do agree with you about the far left and right canceling each other out. They do not speak for our country or their respective parties. It is up to thr rest of us to take the responsibility of a thoughtful election.
WW II vet suporter
Oct 16, 2008 11:01 AM
Does anyone out ther know of one World War II vet who will vote for a guy who refuses to respect the American flag?
I agree with drak
Oct 16, 2008 11:35 AM
I too am voting 3rd party! Voters have not only the right, but the responsibility to look into each and every candidate and make an informed decision. Stop relying on mainstream media, who are only giving you two choices when there are five candidates, to make up your minds for you.
Wheres GW TJ BF
Oct 16, 2008 11:48 AM
Rick;

If everyone worked/thought/voted for the common good of the citizen we wouldn't need an election. We are all working for the common good of the wealthiest companies/individuals that can afford to lobby and sway votes. The truly independant thinkers are a very small group. The passion for America has faded since the revolution. The new America is ruled by wealth and power. The Tories are giving the country to the new kingdom. Would the next president use his own cash to pay troops if the government couldn't? That's the kind of individual we need for a president.
rob g
Oct 16, 2008 4:19 PM
All of this discussion and no one has even mentioned anything about "clinging to your guns and religion" or "spreading the wealth around"! I think we have been pretty nice to Obama up to this point, but I guess those are just nasty mean rumors anyway!... Obama is great speaker and someone that I personally like as one of the few descent left wing guys. He is just way too far to the left and the wrong person to lead the this country!....

Rick....., You and I will agree on the elite running this country. What we differ on is how to change it. When we can not discuss the entire record of what will be the leader of the free world we have no chance for change. There are many factual things that Obama is trying to hide and it is fair game to demand explanations about past associations without being labled a racist or hate mongerer!
Chicago Mike
Oct 16, 2008 7:05 PM
One last comment: As a resident of Illinois, I've had a bit of a head start on the rest of you on the subject of Obama. I've seen and heard him before most of you have ever heard his name. I am not an Obama expert, and don't claim to be one. My observation has been that he's charming and articulate, but lacks substance. I don't like McCain, because he's a crabby old man born with the silver spoon, his dad and grandfather both being admirals. I belong to a labor union, and McCain sees unions as a blight on the Earth. But in reference to Hilary's ad, when the phone rings at 3am, and a hard decision has to be made, I would rather have the crabby old guy making the decision than the charismatic celebrity. Why, because he will act in the interest of the United States even if it means ticking off the Elitist Europeans. I've been to Europe over 200 times, and believe me, most of them hold us in contempt, especially the French. They act in their own self-interest, why shouldn't we?
unamerican friends
Oct 17, 2008 7:35 AM
So what is the potential implication with un-american friends?? I am willing to bet everyone out there knows someone who has or is doing drugs of some sort. Does that make us less american??????? The real question is which candidate will conform to the views you hold closest to your heart not who their acquaintances were in the past.
ACORN
Oct 17, 2008 8:15 AM
"...our Las Vegas Quality Control program has identified a canvasser who appears to have knowingly submitted a fake or duplicate application in order to pad his or her hours. "
ACORN pays workers per signature and at or near minimum wage to get registrations.

ACORN is non-partisan, though it is often aligned with the Democratic Party on policy.

Obama and two other lawyers represented ACORN in 1995 in a lawsuit against the state of Illinois to make voter registration easier, and hired a firm with ties to the group for a massive get-out-the-vote effort during this year's primary.

Obama paid an ACORN affiliate, Citizens Services Inc. $800,000 for "get-out-the-vote" projects for his 2008 presidential primary campaign.

Investigations resulting in charges or convictions of ACORN voter-registration employees occurred in Ohio, Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri, Washington state.
CP
Oct 17, 2008 11:05 AM
To anyone but Rob,

Obama's un-American past IS a serious problem. Obama's words he as spoken many times SHOULD have made his numbers drop in the polls many times. If anyone else had said many of the things he said, the media would have crucified him/her. Go ahead and read Rob's blogs and take them to heart. Just don't look at the middle name comments or the attiude problem and he is right on.

I really enjoyed both candidates comedy routines at the Al Smith benefit last night. I learned that McCain has a much much better sense of humor then Obama, even the dems agree with that on all the comentary after. Obama did say one thing that I wanted Rob to know, though. He said, "Obviously my middle name was given to me by someone who never thought I would run for President!" He CAN decide who his friends are and he has chosen wrong, but he did not chose his middle name. Whether he realizes it or not, that was what my origional comment to Rob was. I have agreed with him on nearly all the other things he has said when he said it clearly and without attitude.

Dems, FORGET THE RACE THING. Don't be so impressed with having the first black president! That would be awsome, but NOT like this! NOT someone who will be so blatant about is un-American tendancies. May God have mercy on us all if we vote him in.
Rick
Oct 17, 2008 11:26 AM
God have pity on us if we don't vote him in!!!
un-american
Oct 17, 2008 11:42 AM
You guys kill me with the "un-american" stuff. In my opinion it has little relevance to how he stands on the issues. He didn't wear a lapel pin. BIG DEAL!!! Past presidents that had several misteresses (prior to clinton) didn't recieve any "unamerican" labels. Is that because infedelity is considered to be the american way?

The american way is being able to openly express your opinions without fear of reprisal. If anything, having a president that is unwilling to express their opinions would be more detrimental than one that does.
Joe the plumber
Oct 17, 2008 2:06 PM
I think someone needs a plunger.
rob g
Oct 17, 2008 6:48 PM
All I hear is the flag pin thing. The only person that brought that up was CP. (Who by the way seems to have an infatuation with me even though he thinks I do not word things well). Anyway, back to the point: Can Some Obama supporter please try to dispell one single FACT, (I stole the caps effect from you CP, I hope you do not mind since your are such a good editor) that any McCain supportor has stated on this forum that you think is fiction. I will say it again, Obama is running away from his past associations and all we ask is the entire truth from what may be the leader of the free world!
rob g
Oct 17, 2008 6:58 PM
To UnAmerican friends: I have done plenty of illigal drugs myself and I will admit I did inhail and even enjoyed it. Stop running away from the real question. It is the entire pattern of his associations with people that think this country has harmed the world. This country, and everyone who "clings to their religion and guns", has done more good for mankind than everyone but Jesus Christ himself!
rob g
Oct 17, 2008 7:55 PM
I do not think I trust anyone who has come of age in the last 35 years and has not tried drugs. This is not about drugs, it is about characer, honesty and telling the truth about your past associations. Things we expect of the President. Obama is kind of like Clinton: he says that Ayers was in the neiborhood, but he did not "inhale him".
Pre-Existing Condition
Oct 17, 2008 10:34 PM
How can BO promise that insurance companies won't turn down anyone with PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS?
If that happens, then I won't buy insurance until I know I really need it. That will save me thousands in unnecessary premiums. It will also cause all Insurance Companies to go bankrupt (and get a huge bailout!). Can someone (BO worshiper) please explain how this is supposed to work? I can certainly see why it would appeal to so many, but seriously, how can it possibly make sense?
to rob
Oct 17, 2008 10:39 PM
I think I am getting the point. The point is who cares what his past associations are? If I were friends with you in your "experimental" days and ran for office now someone would likely bring up the fact that I was associated with a drug user. Does that make me less qualified for office????

NO.
Fred
Oct 17, 2008 10:50 PM
Get used to it, Rob. The next President of the United Statesw is Barack Obama. You will see that all this hate vomit you have been puking wasn't worth your time.
phreakwars
Oct 18, 2008 1:00 AM
My wife is actually scared to death for Obama's life. It's not that she is into politics whatsoever, it's just that she see's all this absolute hatred and anger and racism and misguided fear coming from every angle about the guy. Can't say I disagree.. yes the fear mongering is pretty high here in Nebraska, but no where as awful as the garbage being spewed at rallies in other states. I'm not even gonna mention any examples, youtube is your friend. Obama WILL be the next President, whether he does a good enough job or not remains to be decided in 2012'. I simply can not fathom all the racism and outright BS that I have seen come from America's worst of the worst lot. No I don't mean Republican's or Conservatives, I mean sincerely ignorant, prejudice, racist, people who live their lives in fear of a black man, or in fear of a name, or a fear of terrorism. It's just downright ridiculous. I sincerely hope the better half of the Republican party does something about this ignorance so that the whack jobs don't send the entire party into extinction.

BTW, SO WHO IS THE TELEGRAM ENDORSING ???
rob g
Oct 18, 2008 8:56 AM
Fred, Please be specific about any hate that you think I have been spewing. I do not hate Obama but I do want him to be honest. Only a selfish political hack on either side would want anything less! You are doing a great disservice to this nation by letting any politician run away from their record and who they associate with!
just a thought
Oct 18, 2008 2:13 PM
How many of you don't like obama because of his ideas or his past, by the way ( we all have one) or because of his color! because i think some of u are looking for an exuse. Mccain has been in the white house for how long??? Has anything got better? So why put him back or should we leave the troops where they are, keep going in debt as a nation. think about it, obama would do some good for middle and lower class. but as i said i think majority of you are being racist!
to just a thought
Oct 19, 2008 11:54 AM
how many people are just voting for him BECAUSE HE IS BLACK? Starting with Colin Powell today ... color is colorless unless it is played to his favor .....
Label Maker
Oct 19, 2008 3:52 PM
Just a thought, I believe I am seeing the results of Rock The Vote, and other such nonsense.

You ask how long has McCain been in the Whitehouse, and why we should put him back. Let me make this simple for you; McCain, has not, is not, and probably never will be President. How could you be so confused about this?

Please do us all a favor, and do not vote until you become informed. Ignorance is no defense in law, but it is a good reason to stay away from the polling booth.
rob g
Oct 19, 2008 4:21 PM
Powell's endorsement is a little confusing. He is a great man like McCain, so I am not going to criticize him for it. My best guess is that he has been promised the Secretary of State position back. If Obama is the President that would be a great choice and McCain would make a great Secretary of Defence. The problem is that I believe Obama is way to far too the left to do it. I hope I am wrong!
phreakwars
Oct 20, 2008 1:35 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243gXtXtEwc
Rob
Oct 20, 2008 6:32 PM
Rob,
You asked for examples of your hate speech. Just go back and read your posts. Each one smells of hate.
Jimmy
Oct 21, 2008 4:36 PM
NEXT PLEASE THIS ONE IS BURNED OUT !