18 February 2008
News and Comments - 02/18/08
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Uncategorized; What's News .
Many of you share articles and we appreciate your contributions. We want to provide a convenient place for those articles, also comments that you are not sure where else to put.
15 Comments so far...
Jesse Says:
18 February 2008 at 9:53 am.
There was just a huge explosion at an oil refinery in Texas. I hope no one was hurt and I hope it wasn’t terrorists and I hope it won’t raise the price of gas and I hope it was nowhere near Stumpy. His donkey might quit giving milk.
Matt Says:
18 February 2008 at 11:35 am.
I remember a couple of months ago reading an article about how GHW Bush, Jeb Bush and lots of other little bushes were all personally supporting Romney. None of them had the guts to come out publicly for him. This disgusts me. Where has courage gone? Reading this following article made me sick:
Elder Bush endorses McCain
HOUSTON (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush endorsed John McCain on Monday, a nod of approval from the Republican political dynasty’s patriarch that sends a strong signal to a GOP establishment wary of the Arizona senator.
“No one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Sen. John McCain,” Bush said, standing alongside the Republican nominee-in-waiting in an airport hanger. “His character was forged in the crucible of war. His commitment to America is beyond any doubt. But most importantly, he has the right values and experience to guide our nation forward at this historic moment.”
McCain, in turn, said he was deeply honored by Bush’s support. “I think that our effort to continue to unite the party will be enhanced dramatically by President Bush’s words,” he added.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-02-18-bush-mccain_N.htm
E.E. Says:
18 February 2008 at 12:53 pm.
Rush is saying the whole purpose of the super delegates is for the party leaders to take the vote away from the people. It is so crazy. I can’t figure out how things have gotten this bad for democracy. I am starting to think Hillary could win. If she has the super delegates and if they can get back the delegates from Michigan and Florida, she could have it. Obama didn’t campaign in those states because of their delegate penalty but if they turn that around, it would be a huge slap in the face for free choice.
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 1:10 pm.
I think, E.E. that people don’t consider the primaries as sacred as the General. That is obviously wrong headed. But don’t you think more people are paying attention to the primaries this time than before. Maybe that fact will help things.
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 1:12 pm.
Jesse, it might give the oil companies an excuse to raise the price even if it doesn’t affect the their capabilities.
Same goes for the price of donkey milk. Don’t this we don’t know, Stumpy.
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 1:16 pm.
About McCain, If you think about it, If Ford had beat Carter in 1976, it would probably have ended Reagan’s political career. Then where would we be?
M.G. Says:
18 February 2008 at 1:29 pm.
Right on, Cave. I’d never thought of it before but I’m sure you’re right about Reagan. Mitt is going to look so good after a democrat. Evangelicals are going to rue the day they let their hatred shoot them in the foot. I’m a good Methodist and I don’t like Mormonism but I like the values they believe in. Weird times we live in.
Jesse Says:
18 February 2008 at 2:03 pm.
I haven’t seen Cameron around. He is usually the one that posts the bulk of the articles so I thought I’d step up more.
Ex-President Bush says attacks on McCain “unfair”
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former President George H.W. Bush urged disgruntled conservatives on Monday to rally around John McCain, calling their criticism of the Republican presidential front-runner “grossly unfair.”
The father of President George W. Bush said he was annoyed by attacks within the conservative wing of the Republican Party against the Arizona senator, the all-but-certain Republican nominee to face Democrats in November election.
Many conservatives distrust McCain because of his moderate views on illegal immigration and campaign finance reform and for having originally voted against President Bush’s tax cuts. Persuading them all to vote for McCain in November will be a central challenge.
“You know, if you’ve been around the track you hear these criticisms and I think they are grossly unfair. He’s got a … sound conservative record but he’s not above reaching out to the other side,” he said.
“So I hear these criticisms and Barbara knows I get a little bit annoyed about them frankly,” he said, calling them “absurd.”
One of McCain’s top challenges is placating conservative activists in his party while continuing to attract moderate Republicans drawn to his positions on immigration, torture and global climate change.
“We as a party must unite and move forward and attract not only members of our own party but independents and the so-called Reagan Democrats,” McCain told the news conference after the elder Bush endorsed him.
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 2:17 pm.
Oh brother. Reagan democrats responded to Reagan’s message. Can someone find Reagan’s message in McCain? Good article Jesse.
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 2:18 pm.
Right on M.G.
M.G. Says:
18 February 2008 at 4:53 pm.
It must be nice going through life able to forget the past so easily. Some call it forgiving and some call it “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”. How many times does it take with this guy? I will not forget so I won’t be ashamed of my vote.
Matt Says:
18 February 2008 at 4:59 pm.
I just heard a video with Michelle Obama saying that for the first time in her adult life she is proud of her country. I can’t believe she could be our first lady. Even with all the troubles we are facing I have ALWAYS been proud of America. She said that she doesn’t feel so alone because finally people are uniting around a set of issues that will change the country. Okay so that is why she wasn’t proud of the country. We weren’t socialist enough for her and now we are heading that way fast. I know a few other countries she might like to look into moving to.
Joy Bischoff Says:
18 February 2008 at 5:22 pm.
This is from the Salt Lake Tribune:
Rolly; for Utah McCain Once had Disdain
Now that former Salt Lake City Winter Olympics boss Mitt Romney has endorsed GOP presidential candidate John McCain and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has been a McCain campaign water boy for months, does anybody remember the Arizona senator’s disdain for us?
McCain was the leading anti-Utah Olympics voice in the U.S. Senate during the critical time when Sens. Bob Bennett and Orrin Hatch and other Olympics supporters were trying to secure federal funds to improve the infrastructure and security for the Winter Games.
“That is outrageous,” McCain said in 2000 on the Senate floor in one of several speeches he made against federal funding for the 2002 Olympics. “I will filibuster and do everything in my power to delay any more appropriations bills that have this pork-barrel spending for Salt Lake City.”
Cavetrollhead Says:
18 February 2008 at 8:11 pm.
Well just goes to show that McCain doesn’t understand the principle of return on investment. Didn’t the SLC Olympics draw a profit? Maybe I am wrong but I understood that SLC Olympics we an unprecedented financial success. (Another feather in Mitts hat) If someone knows better let me know.
E.E. Says:
18 February 2008 at 9:18 pm.
Cave, you are right, McCain does not understand money.
I copied this article from about half way down. I like the sentence that reminds me how bad McCain is with finances. It is very interesting to read about his top advisors. Talk about a Washington insider…
McCain tries to keep freewheeling style
Sure enough, by last summer, McCain found his campaign account drained of some $25 million he had raised; staff layoffs and top-level management changes followed.
McCain went forward in his own way, and, by necessity, with a pared-down campaign.
Several people, including Michael Dennehy (politics), Carla Eudy (finance), Brett O’Donnell (debates) and Jill Hazelbaker (communications), played significant roles. And some Republican politicians, most notably South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, have been all but attached to McCain’s side.
But five seasoned political operatives closed ranks to form McCain’s inner circle through his improbable primary comeback and now as he embarks on the general election. They travel frequently with the candidate; a few were in Houston on Monday to see him pick up former President George H.W. Bush’s endorsement.
This is McCain’s brain trust:
_Rick Davis: One of McCain’s closest advisers for more than a decade, Davis managed his first presidential campaign in 2000. A longtime Washington lobbyist, Davis has strong ties to major GOP fundraisers. He also is close to McCain’s wife, Cindy. Davis was chief executive officer as McCain’s second campaign began. By summer, the staff shakeup resulted in Davis’ elevation to campaign manager. His objectives then were to stabilize finances and let McCain be himself. His objective now is to guide the inevitable growth.
_Mark Salter: His links to McCain are so long and deep that that Salter can sometimes seem to know just as much about McCain’s life as the candidate himself does. Salter is often called McCain’s alter ego. He spent years as McCain’s Senate chief of staff and is the co-author of several of McCain’s books, including “Faith of Our Fathers,” the story of his military career. Among his duties these days: writing McCain’s campaign speeches, flawlessly capturing the candidate’s voice.
_Charlie Black: Involved in GOP politics for dozens of years, Black was a senior adviser to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also has a close association with the current president. Now chairman of the lobbying firm BKSH & Associates, Black signed on with McCain in an informal capacity last year, but his role quickly mushroomed after McCain’s near implosion. He’s now considered the dean of the group, with a historical knowledge of campaigns and GOP establishment connections.
_Steve Schmidt: A veteran of President Bush’s 2004 campaign and the White House, Schmidt managed California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful re-election bid two years later. Now a partner of Mercury Public Affairs and based in California, Schmidt was an informal adviser in the McCain campaign’s early months. He established a rapport with McCain that withstood the summertime turmoil. By late fall, Schmidt was heavily involved in the campaign’s communication and strategy.
_Mark McKinnon: Bush’s media adviser in 2000 and 2004, McKinnon has been with McCain from the start and leads the small team making his TV ads. A Public Strategies vice chairman and Maverick Media’s president, the former country-rock songwriter splits his time between Texas and Washington. His future with the campaign is unclear. Having worked for Democrats before, McKinnon has signaled that he will support McCain “from the sidelines” if Obama, whom he respects, is the Democratic nominee.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080218/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_inner_circle
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