Crooks and Liars: Why are Republican pundits allowed to lie with impunity on television?

Crooks and Liars
Posted: 21 Jun 2008 05:00 PM CDT

And why do “Democratic strategists” — who are supposedly on to balance them out — let them do it? While discussing Barack Obama’s decision to air his first national campaign ad in traditionally unfriendly states, Republican strategist Joe Watkins advises McCain just to be his McMavericky self, because people appreciate someone who won’t go back on their word, obviously alluding to Obama’s “broken promise” on accepting public financing. What Joe neglects to mention, and what David Shuster and Morris Reid forget to remind him of, is that John McCain is breaking his own campaign finance laws as we speak

To his credit, Reid mentioned McCain’s flip flop on the Bush tax cuts, but calling out his blatant and perpetually ongoing hypocrisy and lawbreaking on his signature issue would be far, far more effective. Josh Marshall sums up the case against McCain quite nicely:

[…] McCain himself is at this moment breaking the law in continuing to spend over the spending limits he promised to abide by through the primary season in exchange for public financing. (By the FEC’s rules, we’re still in the primary phase of the election and will be until the conventions.)

I want to return to this subject though because this is not hyperbole or some throw away line. He’s really doing it. McCain opting into public financing, accepted the spending limits and then profited from that opt-in by securing a campaign saving loan. And then he used some clever, but not clever enough lawyering, to opt back out. And the person charged with saying what flies and what doesn’t — the Republican head of the FEC — said he’s not allowed to do that. He can’t opt out unilaterally unless the FEC says he can.

I understand that it’s difficult to stay on top of every nuance of every issue, but this is undeniably McCain’s biggest vulnerability right now. It’s simply astounding that McCain is allowed to hold others up to standards (aka laws) that he himself is violating. Even worse, it’s Democrats on TV who are letting him do it.

In other words, the media narrative is now that Barack Obama is a “flip-flopper” for opting out, and John McCain is a “straight-shooter” for opting in, then out, then in again, all the while breaking the law by spending more than he’s allowed to. Damned liberal media.

Urgent Action on Global Warming

You Can Change the World

John McCain in 2009…what terrorists crave

We have heard republicans saying that with a democrat in the White House, America is weaker.

 

It is actually the other way around. Terrorists gain more if John McCain and republicans wins the 2008 election. Islamic radicalism has grown and multiplied more under the Bush administration than any other administration. Bush, Cheney and Rice policies have done more to inflame the anti-American sentiment around the world than anything else we have done.

 

A John McCain administration will be just a third administration of George Bush and that's just what terrorists need and hope. An administration that gives them a reason to keep anti American sentiments high, so they can continue recruiting and fundraising.

 

A democratic administration will restore America's image around the world which will be a big blow to Osama Bin Laden and all others.

 

It is actually a John McCain administration what terrorists crave.

It's time for Hillary to start closing shop.

It has been a great campaign and both candidates, Hillary and Obama has done a lot to motivate the democratic base, add republicans, new and undecided voters to the democratic rolls.

However all good things has to come to an end. Hillary needs to start thinking on her exit strategy and her lagacy and contribution to the democratic sweep of November 2008. This is her great opportunity to go in history as a pilar of victory.

Note to Hillary Advisers: Apply the Same Standards

It was funny seeing a Hillary campaign adviser (I think it was Lanny Davis) trying to spin the "unspinnable". He mentioned that funny argument of "Why Obama can't close the deal on Hillary?" Obama is ahead in the popular vote, pledge delegates and adding more super delegates everyday, so I think that Obama is closing the deal on Hillary pretty well. T the end of the process Obama will be the nominee.

But the real question is why Hillary cannot close the deal on Obama? It's funny that the Clinton campaign keeps repeating the big states she won, the governors that supports her, the x, y or z demographics and populations that supports her. So, my question to Hillary and her campaign is...why is not Hillary then winning? And the answer is because she cannot sell it. Hillary has won some and Obama has won some. But at the end when you add it all up Obama is the front runner and no spin from the Hillary campaign can change that.

OBAMA BIG WIN ON TUESDAY MAY 6

There are times where losers are winners and winners are losers and tonight is one of those times. Nobody can deny that the big winner tonight was Barack Obama!

Hillary needed one of two things tonight to keep her hopes alive: win both states, North Carolina and Indiana or at least win one of them big time; she did none. Hillary's campaign is over and she knows it!

On the other side, what Tuesday May 6 showed is the character, skills and problem management ability of Barack Obama. Qualities that we need in our next President to be a great President.

It is time for the democratic party voters and superdelegates to start closing the loop, tie loose ends and rally behind the candidate that has proven over and over that can win even against all adversities. Obama has the support of democrats, will have the support of those who voted for Hillary and surely will kick John McCain's old ass to kingdom come.