Yesterday, pundits took to the airwaves to say Barack Obama has faltered a bit in his campaign, was off his groove this week, and allowed John McCain to catch up.
Today, the consensus seems to be that the Democratic contender is finally fighting back against McCain and the GOP's attack dogs, not taking the hits lying down.
Only to be shown in Atlanta, the TV ad draws a connection between McCain's past decision not to call Ralph Reed before his Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and Reed's involvement in an Atlanta fundraiser for the Arizona senator this week.
Here's the script: "It was one of Washington's biggest scandals. And the Republican power broker Ralph Reed was in the middle of it. In deep with convicted felon and lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
"But when the Senate investigated, the senator in charge never even called Reed to testify....And that senator? John McCain. And who's now raising money for McCain's campaign? Ralph Reed. For 26 years in Washington, John McCain's played the same old games. We just can't afford more of the same."
McCain's Indian Affairs Committee two years ago was looking into the scandal surrounding Jack Abramoff, the conservative lobbyist who pleaded guilty in 2006 to conspiring to corrupt public officials and cheating some Indian tribes that he represented out of tens of millions of dollars.
A 2006 Senate report found that Abramoff arranged for Reed and his companies to receive $5.3-million to rally opposition among Christian groups to gambling operations competing with those of Abramoff's tribal clients. The decision not to call Reed was based on the belief that Indian tribes were not defrauded by Reed directly.
One Republican insider told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that any fraud Reed committed was against the Christian troops, for not telling them where the money was coming from for their anti-gambling operation. That wasn't the business of the Indian Affairs Committee, the insider said.
Liza Porteus Viana has been a political journalist for almost 10 years, both in Washington and New York. She loves politics - the smell of it, the sport of it...more
MESA, Ariz. -Sen. John McCain says Americans are in the toughest times he can remember and that President Barack Obama hasn't brought the change in Washington that he promised. McCain spoke at a town...
Very interesting. Is that guy on the voice over the busiest man in show biz or do they all talk like that.
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tfitz1017
7:56PM Aug 20th 2008
Why only Atlanta?
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Bo Snerdley
11:36AM Aug 21st 2008
'George' Sydney McCain III was also deeply involved in the Keating 5 S & L scandal back in the 80's I think it was thatg cost American taxpayers a couple hundred billion dollars. One of 5 senators.
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mIND bENDER
9:48PM Aug 20th 2008
It Doesn't Matter If We, Republican's Have Faults!!!
You liberals, are the Unpatriotic Racist with all the skeltons in your closets!!!
So, We are Racist, Adulterers, who get kick-backs from the oil companies and lobbyist!!!
John McCain is our Racist, Adulterers, who get kick-backs from the oil companies and lobbyist!!!
Vote McCain 08
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TRogers
11:53PM Aug 20th 2008
I AM AMAZED AT ALL THESE STUPID, STUPID VOTERS WHO THINK VOTING JOHN MCCAIN WILL CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER! DO YOU THINK MCCAIN WILL STAY IN WASHINGTON ALONE LIKE A KING? YOU SAY WHEN HILARY WAS WINNING, ALL THE OLD CLINTON PEOPLE LIKE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK! A VOTE FOR MCCAIN MEANS CHENEY, BROWNIE, CONDI, ASHCROFT, RUMMY, ALL THE REPUBLICAN FREAK SHOW WOULD BE BACK ON THE JOB!! THEY ARE INCOMPETANT AT HANDLING WARS, OR HURRICANES OR BRIDGE COLLAPSES. NO PARTY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE AFTER THAT!!
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Dan
12:14AM Aug 21st 2008
"Today, the consensus seems to be that the Democratic contender is finally fighting back against McCain and the GOP's attack dogs, not taking the hits lying down..."
Woof.
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Freddy Vicente
1:08AM Aug 21st 2008
SORRY OBAMA. MOST AMERICANS DO NOT SUPPORT ISLAMIC TERRORISTS(HAMAS) ---- DO NOT SUPPORT DOMESTIC TERRORISTS(WILLIAM AYERS)--DO NOT SUPPORT RACISTS AND BIGOTS(REV WRIGHT, FLEGER, FARAKAN)---DO NOT SUPPORT HIGHER OIL PRICES---GIVING ILLEGALS HEALTH INSURANCE--GIVING CHILD RAPISTS MORE RIGHTS---YOU ARE A DANGER OBAMA!
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joedenver60
1:51AM Aug 21st 2008
These attacks by obama will only benifit Mccain.......I'm sure the DNC will realize real soon that their liberal candidate will not be able to take on the onslaught of the republicans............sooooooooooooo most of the delagates will be forced to make a crucial decision..........to be or not to be.....we screwed up, and should we bring Hillary back in?.."THAT IS THE QUESTION"
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scroatie
1:55AM Aug 21st 2008
Obama thinks us Indins are "rich white people". Good thing that he didn't show his "lie-mercial" in Indin country!
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ANYBODY BUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA !
4:05AM Aug 21st 2008
Saddleback — Warren’s question was: At what point does a baby get human rights in your view?
The question was simple, Warren wanted to know, in the candidate’s minds, when rights begin. Using the word “rights” and asking for their view made it plain that Warren was talking about legal rights.
The two separate answers from the candidates showed a huge contrast between the two.
McCain’s Answer: At the moment of conception. I have a 25-year Pro-life record in the Congress and in the Senate. And as President of the United States, I will be a pro-life president and this presidency will have pro-life policies. That’s my commitment. That’s my commitment to you.
Obama’s Answer: Well, I think that whether you are looking at at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is above my pay grade.
Then he went on to speak in more general terms, completely sidestepping the actual question itself. He's simply no good without his advisors, his prepared speeches and a teleprompter.
We need an experienced leader!
I'm voting for John McCain.
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1ProudAmerican
12:11PM Aug 21st 2008
All you Obama lovers need to remember the fiascos of defense the last dem commander in chief did for us. Black Hawk Down, USS Cole, the awesome destruction of an aspirin plant, Kosovo --- ya we still are there aren’t we??
BO wants to reason with the terrorist, which is about the same as trying to reason with democrats they both want to destroy America and kiss the world’s butt.
I remember when I served in the Marines, we always did our best when we appraised the situation and reacted.
Now all the progressive Kool-Aid drinkers think we are going to think and ponder responses to the insane behavior of the extremists in the world.
It didn’t work for Clinton --- it won’t work for obama!
McCAIN IN 2008.
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martin
4:54AM Aug 21st 2008
We are in the correct cycle.The beast has destroyed the air and the sea by the hands of the oil corporatocracy, the earth by the hands of white supremacist republicans.Many people in goverment and in mutinational corporations have recieved the mark of the beast and have benfitted.Soon we will be in the NEW CITY for his time is short.The time of prophesy is at hand.Old wine in new skins can only cause the skins to burst.He was again betrayed by his brother of ministry, but he prevailed.The beast mimMicks the words of the annointed, for he is truely an anti-christ.He is wise in deceit for he is ancient and a legion.His rise to power will mean the end of the holy land, but he will not prevail.The true christ returns with an age old message of HOPE,LOVE AND LIGHT as he did before.People of america...sister of the holy land, do not be fooled by the deceipt of the legion of the beast in media. Do not despair, for that which is written will come to pass.Obama will defeat the beast and the air..and the sea...and the earth once again become an EDEN.
AMEN...
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Jerre
5:05AM Aug 21st 2008
Obama can attack all he wants at this point. He'll get the full response from McCain once he's the confirmed Dem candidate. I don't think McCain wants to fight Hillary. He'll beat Obama.
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John Weston
6:53AM Aug 21st 2008
Would you guys that think Senator Obama is a Muslim just give up. He is a bright, younger politician with great ideas, and has support of some of the best political minds, including some key Republicans. Obama's response about Pro Choice is exactly right and is the view of many Americans. But, low and behold, McCain is "the original Maverick". All that means is that he is hiding cards up his sleeves!! He used that religious forum to campaign with many "when I am President" and "as President" comments. What a joke, and given any other forum, Obama would have kicked butt, just not the evangelicals.
God Bless Stephanie Tubbs Jones who passed away suddenly yesterday from a brain annuerism. She was one of the most influencial people in Ohio and in Congress, and we have lost a great voice in politics.
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J. McKelvie
7:59AM Aug 21st 2008
For the first time in my more than three score plus a decade and one half years, I attended a political affair. When I was born, a Black man could not vote in many places in this country. let alone run for public office. A sad fact was, Black men or women were not allowed in or could not even be seen in many public places, in this country.
Many Blogs are quite uncomplimentary to Obama, this of course is to be expected after all he is running against a Republican, and a conservative which is even worse. One of the most common misconceptions or just plain lies proffered by the opposition is Obama cannot speak extemporaneously. Wrong! They claim he is only effective when he leans on a Teleprompter. McCain on the other hand is the straight talker. Well I am here to bear witness that Obama is not only a brilliant and energetic inspirational speaker, but the Brother has a fantastic memory. Of course a significant part of his presentation is stump. That is to be expected, how else is he to get his message across. This was a town hall meeting forum, and Obama took several questions from the audience. Most of the questions were two three and four part questions. In every case Obama addressed his answers directly to each question. I had the opportunity to ask the final question, He answered my question about Education and how he intended to lead the Democratic party making it take the lead to improve Education. There was no Teleprompter, he answered all of the questions put to him without hesitation
As far as McCain and his response to the questions at saddleback, Stop and compare his responses to questions in every other setting. He is considerable less than erudite in his replies. It is obvious that McCain unlike Obama, had a heads up on the questions. That entire episode was staged, it was designed to favor McCain.
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Suzanne
9:15AM Aug 21st 2008
Its not about anything Obama or even the dumb* McCain anymore. Its about we, the people. We have to make a decision among ourselves with a clear majority of the direction this country needs to take. We are the voters. To me, its so obvious the Republicans have the less educated populace sewn up with their sexism, racism, and general "lets kick everyone's ass" attitude. I don't think it could be said any clearer. Those who vote for McCain long for the 1950's. Those who vote for Obama are ready to move forward. So to all of those forward thinking people out there, lets get this thing DONE and put to rest.
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bambi
4:17PM Aug 23rd 2008
Martin, You are right, but you have it completely Bassboma--backwards!! Poor thing ( and I mean intellectually!)
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justliloleme
4:08PM Sep 7th 2008
MR. OBAMA IS A THREAT TO AMERICANS!!!! DOES ANYONE REALLY THINK HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT??? NO SUBSTANCE, NO DEPTH, NO SMARTS!!! NOW WE HAVE TWO MEN SCREAMING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SPEACHES TO A CROUD WHO IS OVERLY IN LOVE WITH BHO.. BUT, HE LOVES YOU TOO!!! OBAMA YOU ARE NOT A ROCK STAR, YOU ARE AN ORDINARY MAN WITH NOT SO ORDINARY RELATIONSHIPS, SHALL WE REPEAT THE ASSOCIATIONS AGAIN??? YOU ARE ONE SCARY MAN!!! WE ARE SO SICK AND TIRED OF USING THE LAME, "WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF BUSH" McCAIN IS HIS OWN PERSON, ONE WHO WILL PROTECT US, MAKE UP HIS OWN MIND, AND HAS GONE AGAINST OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT... WHO ARE WE TRYING TO KID HERE??? YOU VOTED FOR HOW SHALL I SAY THIS WITHOUT BEING TOO GRAPHIC.... OK, HOW DARE YOU KNOWINGLY THAT MANY UNBORN BABIES, 4TH TERM NO LESS LIVE TO ONLY DIE HOURS LATER. DO YOU THINK THESE BABES FELT THE PAIN WHILE THEY SUFFERED, BECAUSE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN SEE TERMINATING A PREGNACY IF THE MOTHER IS IN DANGER. THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY ONE SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER LIFE. DON'T BE CRUEL MR. OBAMA!!!!! STOP ACTING LIKE THE NEW "ELVIS" TOO... WITH YOUR THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I LOVE YOU TOO!!! YOU ARE SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH AMERICA AND AMERICANS. YOU ARE FAKE, FLOPPY, TRANSPARENT, SHALLOW, SHALL I GO ON??? NO, I WILL SAVE MY WRITINGS FOR TOMORROW AND THE REST OF THE WEEK WHILE YOU ARE IN DENVER..