Only a person (Dem or Repub) with a screw loose would support McCain

[ProSense]

First, McCain's background:

Voted against a bill declaring the third Monday in January a federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Voted to cut off federal assistance to public schools that prohibit prayer in school.

Voted to strike provisions of the Racial Justice Act that would prohibit the death sentence in state and federal cases if a defendant could prove with statistical or other evidence that the race of the victim played a role in sentencing.

Voted against a 1996 bill to prohibit job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Voted against measures to increase the minimum wage, against a woman's right to choose, and with Bush 91 percent of the time last year.

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Second, McCain gets no pass: HOW SEN. JOHN McCAIN'S TASTELESS TWO-LINER ABOUT CHELSEA CLINTON AND JANET RENO WAS CENSORED OUT OF THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS.

Third, McCain's current positions:

McCain on equal pay: ‘I don’t think you’re doing anything to help the rights of women.’

Last month, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) skipped the vote on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would have made it easier for women and other workers to pursue pay discrimination claims. At the time, McCain explained his opposition to the bill by saying that instead of equal pay protection, women simply needed “education and training.“ Asked about his opposition to the bill at a townhall today, McCain told a 14-year old girl that he didn’t think protections for equal pay would do “anything to help the rights of women“:

McCain singled out a 14-year old woman who questioned why he opposes eliminating the statute of limitations on lawsuits over workplace discrimination, arguing it amounted to opposing “equal rights for women.”

“If you eliminate the statutes of limitations, and you make it unending, you may be violating the rights of the individuals who are being sued, whether they’re a man or a woman,” the senator responded. “I don’t think you’re doing anything to help the rights of women, except maybe help trial lawyers and others in that profession.”

McCain has a long record of failure on women’s issues, earning him a 0 percent rating from NARAL ProChoice America six years in a row, from 2001-2007.

Lastly (for now):

McCain Sides With Bush On Torture Again, Supports Veto Of Anti-Waterboarding Bill

And it was comical watching McCain, who supported Bush 95% of the time in the past year, trying to distance himself:

I disagreed strongly with the Bush administration's mismanagement of the war in Iraq.

Which is quite different than what he had to say last month:

No one has supported President Bush on Iraq more than I have.

So, according to John McCain, John McCain is second to no one in supporting the mismanagement of a war that has cost more than 4,000 American lives. That must be some of that judgement that McCain is always talking about.

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[ProSense]

1. Obama Camp Release on McCain’s Opposition to National Catastrophic Insurance Fund

Obama Camp Release on McCain’s Opposition to National Catastrophic Insurance Fund

As John McCain visits Florida today, the Obama campaign released the following statement on McCain’s opposition to a National Catastrophic Insurance Fund:

“Once again John McCain has made clear that he is much more interested in standing with George Bush than getting the facts right or doing what’s right. But what John McCain doesn’t understand is that by choosing to stand with George Bush’s failed policies instead of standing with the families of Florida he can’t deliver the change the country needs and deserves,” said Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan.

While Governor Crist was under the impression in 2007 that McCain supported the idea, after the Bush Administration came out against a National Catastrophic Insurance Fund, McCain publicly hedged for months and eventually opposed the proposal. In defending his opposition to the plan, McCain said he was “not in favor of spending $200 billion a year simply for the state of Florida.” As the Sun Sentinel noted, however, CBO estimates place the cost of the proposal at $25 million per year. Please find more background on the issue below.

AFTER HEDGING, MCCAIN JOINED THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IN OPPOSING A NATIONAL CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE FUND

March 2007: Crist Praised McCain for Supporting a National Catastrophic Fund for Disasters. “McCain campaigned with Crist during his run for governor last fall, as did Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and on Tuesday Crist praised McCain for his support of Florida issues such as a national catastrophic fund for disasters and a continued oil drilling ban off of Florida’s coasts.” (Palm Beach Post, 3/28/07)

April 2007: Bush Administration Noted Opposition to a National Catastrophic Insurance Fund. The Tampa Tribune reported in April 2007 that the Bush administration opposed the creation of a national catastrophic insurance fund: “The Bush administration said Wednesday it opposes a national catastrophic insurance fund, even as Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida’s two U.S. senators urged a congressional panel to help create one. … But Edward Lazear, chairman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, testified that the Bush administration thinks catastrophic risk insurance at the federal level, ‘although well intentioned, would have significant adverse consequences on the economy, and would be unfair.’” The Tribune’s editorial board later wrote that “the administration’s uncompromising opposition is disappointing. The creation of an emergency fund deserves a hearing in Congress, and the president need not get in the way.” (Tampa Tribune, 4/12/07; “President Should Stay Out Of Fight To Create Federal Disaster Fund,” Editorial, Tampa Tribune, 4/14/07; Testimony of Edward P. Lazear, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers Before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 4/11/07, http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/lazear20070411.pdf )

September 2007: McCain Appeared to be Uncommitted to a National Catastrophic Fund. “For most of the presidential contenders courting votes in Florida, it’s a no-brainer: Declare full support - heck, even vague interest works - in creating a national catastrophe fund to alleviate Florida’s property insurance crisis by spreading the risk to taxpayers across the country. … And McCain? ‘If people are going to build homes where hurricanes hit, they have to assume a great part of that liability. We don’t have that many hurricanes that hit Arizona, as you know,’ he declared in a Political Connections interview airing today on Bay News 9. ‘We need to all work together and see if the present unacceptable situation can be remedied, and if that requires some federal action, I’m for it - but not just insuring anybody for any circumstance. I’m not going to do that. I would not support such a thing.’” (Adam C. Smith, St. Petersburg Times, 9/2/07)

January 2008: McCain Said “I Do Not Support a National Catastrophic Insurance Policy.” As the Miami Herald’s political blog noted in January 2008, McCain is “not taking up Crist’s call for a national catastrophic insurance fund. McCain seemed to suggest that the government needs to improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency instead. ‘I do not support a national catastrophic insurance policy,’ McCain said in Coral Gables. ‘That insurance policy is there and it’s called FEMA and it’s called national disaster preparedness…I still do not have confidence that FEMA is capable of handling those responsibilities.’” ("Naked Politics" blog, Miami Herald, 1/21/08, http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/01/so... )

January 2008: McCain Citied Incorrect Cost Estimate as a Central Reason for His Opposition to a National Catastrophic Insurance Fund; Said He was “Not In Favor of Spending $200 Billion a Year Simply for the State of Florida.” Campaigning in Florida in January 2008, McCain reiterated his opposition to a national catastrophic insurance fund, saying that one of his central objections to fund was its cost. McCain said that he was “not in favor of spending $200 billion a year simply for the state of Florida.” However, as the South Florida Sun Sentinel noted, “(t)he Congressional Budget Office estimated the cost at $25 million per year, nothing close to the billions McCain suggested.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), 1/23/08)

February 2008: McCain Highlighted His Opposition To A National Catastrophic Insurance Fund in a Speech to Conservative Activists. In a February 2008 speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, McCain highlighted his opposition to the national catastrophic insurance fund, stating, “I campaigned in Florida against the national catastrophic insurance fund bill that passed the House of Representatives.” (John McCain, Remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Federal News Service, 2/7/08)

CRIST HAS FOUGHT FOR A NATIONAL CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE FUND

Crist: A National Catastrophic Insurance Fund Would “Provide Protection for American Homeowners.” In April 2007, Gov. Charlie Crist testified before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee where he called for the creation of a national catastrophic insurance fund: “The work of the Florida State Legislature has begun to address the insurance crisis in our state, but federal action is also necessary. I implore Congress to take the next step to ensure the affordability and availability of property insurance. … A federal catastrophe fund would provide protection for American homeowners throughout the nation. A national program would spread the risk across the country, thus strengthening our insurance markets. Capital for the plan could come from a portion of the property insurance premiums already collected by insurance companies. The funds could grow tax-free, provide the financial capability to cope with the catastrophic risk and allow affected regions the ability to recover more quickly from natural disasters. This federal backstop for insurers is an essential step to addressing the insurance crisis.” (Testimony of Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida, before Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, 4/11/07, http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/crist.pdf )

Tampa Tribune Headline: “Crist Leads Push For U.S. Disaster Fund.” “The Bush administration said Wednesday it opposes a national catastrophic insurance fund, even as Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida’s two U.S. senators urged a congressional panel to help create one. ‘We have a national defense in this country to protect us from foreign invasion. That makes sense,’ said Republican Crist, pressing his case before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Development. ‘Wouldn’t it make just as much sense to have a fund to protect us from natural disaster?’ Crist said. ‘Don’t we have a duty to protect our people, whether it’s from a foreign invasion or from a natural catastrophe?’ But Edward Lazear, chairman of the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers, testified that the Bush administration thinks catastrophic risk insurance at the federal level, ‘although well intentioned, would have significant adverse consequences on the economy, and would be unfair.’” (“Crist Leads Push For U.S. Disaster Fund,” Tampa Tribune, 4/12/07)

[glowing]

2. I beleive so too.. once Hillary gets off the stage... in a couple of weeks

her supporters will simmer down, open their ears, watch the daily show, talk with their family and kids.. and realize that they are going with the Dem.. Its just too soon (believe me it took quite a while after Edwards and still some Edwards supporters are still very upset). Eventually, reason takes over.. but Clinton needs to give her supporters the go ahead to mourn.. she's keeping them in the fold and continues the division.

You know, Edwards didn't leave saying, "you'd better make me the VP". None of the contenders did. Let's not pretend, we were left with 2 options at the end. Most normal candidates would have suspended after Super Tuesday. Hillary switched every protocol. She tried every trick; including changing the rules and counting U.S. territories in her "popular" vote. She seems to be acting like a spoiled brat to me, and you know what, I raise my child to be fair and share and don't be mean. Her actions are not what I'd show my children.

[ProSense]

3. Thanks for responding. Time to start paying attention to McCain:

McCain's Money Starts Flowing -- He Raises $22 Million In May

[Zenmaster]

4. Most of her supporters will come around

Hillary is not holding nearly as many cards as her supporters want you to believe.

Most of her supporters will come around. People that actually post on the internet, call into radio shows, and travel to protests are never representative of the general population. They are always the extreme and diehards. And even the most populated Hillary websites have what, maybe 2,000 individuals?

[ProSense]

5. This isn't about Hillary's supporters, really. It's about

15% of Dems and anyone committed to McCain. As the chart in the OP shows, 76% of Dems support Obama. Not sure where the other 9% are, undecided?

On edit: In most elections, about 6% to 8% of Dems will support Repubs, but 15% (for McCain, and possible 9% undecided) is ridiculous.

[ProSense]

6. Obama will win

Before getting to the different voting blocs, it's worth a look at Gallup's rundown of how the Red vs. Blue states are sorting out. In states that President Bush won by more than 6 points, he leads Obama 52 percent to 39 percent. In states John Kerry won by similar margins, Obama leads 53 percent to 39 percent. In states where the margin was 5 points or less, Obama has a slim 47 percent to 44 percent edge.

link

[ProSense]

7. Napolitano: McCain can't take Arizona for granted

Napolitano: McCain can't take Arizona for granted

June 5th, 2008 @ 7:42am
by Kevin Tripp/KTAR

Gov. Janet Napolitano says Republican presidential nominee John McCain cannot take his home state for granted in November.

Napolitano points to a Rocky Mountain Poll that shows the Arizona senator has only an 11-point lead in Arizona over Democratic nominee Barack Obama, a senator from Illinois.

``I think this state will be the site of some very interesting campaign activity," she said.

Rapidly-changing demographics mean McCain doesn't have the same base of support he once did, the governor said.

``There are a lot of voters in Arizona who have never voted for him," she said. ``That's how much in transition our population is. I think I saw a number that something like 25 percent of the voters in Arizona have never seen McCain on the ballot, and something like 50 percent have only seen him once."

more

Make it bluer or win.

[ProSense]

8. The lobbyist contrast

Damning: Enron and housing crisis-linked lobbyist writes McCain's housing policy


Barack in Bristol, VA: "They do not fund my campaign. They will not fund our party."

[ProSense]

9. McCain fails to appreciate his Bush problem

McCain fails to appreciate his Bush problem

Posted June 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm

In an interview that will air tonight on ABC, Charlie Gibson asks John McCain about one of the principal criticisms he receives from Democrats in general, and Barack Obama in specific.

Though the general election has yet to hit high gear, in the latter stages of his primary fight against Sen. Clinton, Obama did turn his sights on McCain. And the line of attack was clear: a vote for McCain is a vote for a third Bush term, Obama contends.

“I hear that over and over from the Democrats and from Senator Obama, and I understand that political tactic. I don’t think it’s going to work,” McCain told “World News” in an interview Thursday.

“What Americans want now, in my opinion, from having literally hundreds of town hall meetings, what are you going to do about gas prices? What are you going to do about health care? What are you going to do about the threats that we face from radical Islamic extremism?”

“I haven’t heard anybody at a town hall meeting, although I’m sure that it’s on their minds, say, “Well, you’re too close to President Bush.” What they’ve said is, “What’s your plan of action?” That’s what they’re interested in, and that’s how I think that I can meet that particular campaign tactic,” McCain countered.

McCain’s response suggests he doesn’t really understand the problem he’s facing. The issue isn’t whether he’s “too close” to Bush (though you can expect to see the picture of them hugging quite a bit); the issue that he agrees with Bush on everything that matters. When he hosts town-hall meetings and people ask him, “What’s your plan of action?” no one cares whether he and Bush are buddies, but everyone cares that his “plan of action” is identical to that of Bush.

Indeed, McCain is making this easy. Which issues does he bring up? Energy, healthcare, and foreign policy in the Middle East. And how is McCain different from Bush in these areas? That’s just it — he isn’t different at all.

On Iraq, for example, this video helps drive the point home nicely:

(Video: McCain&Iraq: No One Has Supported Bush More)

<...>

And the senator still thinks the problem is Obama thinks McCain is “too close to President Bush.” McCain doesn’t, in other words, even understand the challenge in front of him.

[ProSense]

10. McCain Frames Himself as the Underdog

McCain Frames Himself as the Underdog

[ProSense]

11. McCain Democrats?

Put down the crack!

[ProSense]

12. Dems for McCain (led by Lieberman?)

Dems for McCain

Joe Lieberman is heading John McCain's new "Citizens for McCain," Jonathan Martin reports:

The McCain campaign yesterday launched a new coalition meant to target to independent and Democratic voters.

"Citizens for McCain" will be spearheaded by Joe Lieberman, and in an email sent in the Connecticut senator's name it's plain to see what they have in mind by launching the coalition now.

"The phones at the campaign headquarters have been ringing with disaffected Democrats calling to say they believe Senator McCain has the experience, judgment, and bipartisanship necessary to lead our country in these difficult times," Lieberman writes. "Many of these supporters are former supporters of Senator Clinton."

In case you didn't catch that, Lieberman continues: "Senator McCain has had a very good working relationship with Senator Clinton and will continue to do so in the future." Lieberman then quotes in full McCain's generous homage to Clinton in his New Orleans speech Tuesday.

To drive home the point further, McCain's campaign this morning issued statements from Charlie Crist, Tom Ridge and Mitt Romney seperately addressed to residents of Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan, praising the new coalition.

Besides being key swing states that could ultimately decide the election, they are all states where Clinton defeated Obama (insert Michigan/Florida Dem primary caveat here).

It's a smart move, though Lieberman has lost the affection of Democrats, as he's so associated with Bush and the Iraq war. Recent polling suggests he'd lose his seat in a rematch with Lamont.

And, in general, as you read reports of disaffected Clinton supporters, keep in mind that this happens, and these stories are written, after every primary. And that Hillary Clinton will spend the next five months asking her voters to support Obama.

Lieberman Calls Dems The "Democrat Party"

[ProSense]

13. Perils of YouTube (starring McCain)

Video: Perils of YouTube