Oh, Sarah, That Thing You do

I've talked to a lot of people about the debate. Just about everyone saw it that I've talked to so far. It was the most watched V.P. debate ever, with 70 million viewers, far surpassing last week's debate with McCain and Obama.

I can guarantee you that they didn't tune in to see Joe Biden. American wanted a good close look at this woman who is inspiring so much love and so much hate among all those political.

For those of us who love her, we continue to love her and smile when we see her. For those who hate her, they continue to hate her and nothing she does is going to change that. She is unapologetically conservative and they hate that. And because they hate that, they will slam her unfairly. The same can be said for those who feel the same way about Obama and his liberalism. Nothing Obama can do will change that either.

But I wanted to talk to people who aren't political, but certainly vote. Those were the ones tuning in as well. Lots of them. Maybe they didn't get the policy issues and what the candidates meant by each statement, but they did get the charisma and down to earth vibe that Sarah gives.

Every single person I talked to who didn't claim a party, the independents as it were, liked her. They felt she was real. They said She seemed like us. That is because she is like us.

When Sarah talks about what parents say to each other during soccer games, you can be sure she was doing just that recently. Biden tried to sound like one of us by asking people to come with him to Wilmington to Katie’s Restaurant or Home Depot where he says he spends a lot of time. Only problem? Katie's Restaurant closed in 1990, so it's been at least 18 years or more since Biden spent any time there.

People who don't care much for politics may not understand all the nuances of policy, but they know when someone is conning them. Sarah doesn't con. She just tells it like it is. And that is why people like her. That is why people wanted to tune in and watch her.

She is the new kid on the block. Different and historical. Just like Obama. It makes things very interesting for those independents that really are the ones who decide Presidential politics. She was under incredible pressure. Most of us would have crumbled long ago. Her tenaciousness and grit just make her that much more admirable to those who haven't chosen sides yet.

Imagine. No matter which way this goes in November, we will have have made history, either with the first black President or the first woman Vice President. I find it all very exciting.

The McCain camp made a big mistake not letting Palin be Palin and I think they are turning that around now. Ignore the critics on the left who will never treat her fairly or say one good thing about her.

She's the real deal. Let her get out there and show everyone what a smart tough woman can do.

Let her do that thing she does.

What Just Happened?

Oh, it's good.

via HotAir

Can I just say this...

Sarah Palin is stunningly beautiful and Todd Palin is stunningly handsome.

These are some pics from Gateway Pundit who was at the after party last night.

I can't wait for the V.P. Christmas card.

The V.P. Debate

I didn't expect Sarah to actually win this debate hands down, given her inexperience with such things, but she did. I thought She was personable, knowledgeable, and down to earth. Considering, as she said, she has been on the national stage for five weeks and was up against a man who had been Senator for 36 years and has run for President twice, she more than held her own (Noonan says, "She killed').

No one can argue that she is your usual politician. She is more than a breath of fresh air, she is amazing, while being completely natural.

Her best moments were when discussing healthcare, gay marriage, and defending the surge in Iraq. The surge discussion got Biden off his game. He seemed to just ramble on there.

Biden clearly loves to "sound" dramatic. But it seems he is trying too hard. He refers to himself in third person, which I always find bizarre. He says things that make no sense. Someone over at NRO pointed to this line: "The American public has a stomach for success." What? His rant on the constitutional role of the Vice Presidency was convoluted, and as I understand it, completely misstated.

Biden simply lied when he asserted that Obama had never said he would meet with Achmenijad. He lied about McCain voting for the Obama tax hike. (McCain has a list of his "14 lies).

I loved that Biden had no response when Sarah reminded him that he had once said that Obama was not ready to be commander-in-chief.

Some people are wondering why Ifill didn't bring up abortion, but I think people are just about sick of hearing questions about it coming from an obvious pro-choice stance. If you have been paying any attention at all you know she is unapologetically pro-life. That's it. You either like her position or you don't. So I am glad Ifill didn't bring it up.

Sarah comes across as your next door neighbor, and she does it without having to mention the "kitchen table" over and over and how great Home Depot is, like Biden does. And I love the winks.

Biden was clearly staying away from attacking a woman and actually seemed to show affection for her. That worked in his favor. He didn't condescend to her. Good for him. When Biden isn't stating untruths, he is superb at being substantial in his arguments. He shines when he explains beliefs he has held his entire career. He is a lawyer and that comes though. He only stumbles when trying to explain how now he is on board with Obama on things he was not before.

I was glad that Sarah brought up the way she fought corruption in Alaska and the changes she made there that usually take most politicians years to accomplish. Her amazing job as Governor has been overlooked by the MSM.

When Sarah was referring to Biden's wife as a teacher saying, "her reward is in heaven," teachers everywhere must have said, "Amen." God knows they aren't rewarded on this earth for what they do. I loved that line though.

I love how she ended it with a line she has used from the start. "There is really only one candidate in this race that has ever really fought for you."

And that is John McCain and that is the "dog gone" truth.

Open overnight thread

Palin rocked! Debate it.

NPR

NPR is asking those who tweet to tweet them if Biden or Palin say something inaccurate. You just know they will be fair, right?

So go to the link and tweet them if you see Biden screw up. You may be the only one who reports it.

Follow me while you are at it.

I'm Voting Democrat

Too funny.

via twitter and Cao's blog

"Educate The Idiots"

Who are the idiots in the mind of "Democracy Alliance" in Colorado?

"minorities, GED's, drop-outs."

This particular campaign to "educate the idiots" was assigned to the state's AFL-CIO union.

Unbelievable. Wait...no it isn't.

via Drudge.

The Worst Lies About Sarah Palin don't compare with the Plain Truths about Barack Obama.

Sometimes a comment should be a post. Such is the case with a comment by Socky left at Ace's:

The Worst Lies About Sarah Palin don't compare with the Plain Truths about Barack Obama.

Lie about Sarah Palin charging for rape kits, we'll tell the truth about Obama arguing and voting to let babies die after botched abortions.

Lie about Sarah Palin banning books, we'll tell the truth about Barack Obama threatening to use the Justice Department against critics, and sending his supporters to bully radio hosts who interview his critics.

Lie about Sarah Palin supporting the Bridge to Nowhere, we'll tell the truth that Obama and Biden both voted for it, and voted for billions in other earmarks, including payoffs to Michelle Obama's employer and Obama's pals at ACORN.

Lie about Sarah Palin wanting to fire a State Trooper who tasered a ten year old, we'll tell the truth about Barack Obama fighting against state laws to curb gang violence.

Lie about Sarah Palin's connections to the AIP, we'll come back with the truth about Barack Obama's connections to ACORN and the Weather Underground.

I could go on like this for days.

History of collapse pop quiz

Here.

If you get an A, it doesn't matter because grades or integrity don't count in Washington.

Palin/Biden

I'm having "one of those weeks." If my blogging seems sluggish, that is why. Don't even ask.

I'm really looking forward to the debate tonight. I'm not sure if I will have a chat up or direct you to where I am, but check back.

I'm not all that bothered by Gwen Ifill writing a book about Obama. All of these moderators are for Obama and nothing is going to change that. We can't change the media, we have to work around them.

I do find it interesting that Biden "embellishing" about about his helicopter being "forced down" in Afghanistan. isn't getting the attention it deserves.

At a Sept. 9, fundraiser, Biden addressed his national security credentials by talking about "the superhighway of terror between Pakistan and Afghanistan where my helicopter was forced down. John McCain wants to know where bin Laden and the gates of Hell are? I can tell him where. That's where Al Qaida is. That's where bin Laden is."

The truth is that snow, not Afghan extremists, forced the helicopter down. And as just a side note, McCain doesn't want to know where the gates of hell are.

Hillary got slammed over and over for her "Bosnia under fire" story, but I haven't even heard this story on the T.V. news about good ole Joe. Add this to the gaffes Biden has made just since he was picked for V.P. and you have someone who makes more gaffes in a week than Bush does in a year. But it's Palin that SNL makes fun of, of course.

I didn't watch the Palin/Couric interview because I literally can't stand to look at or listen to Katie Couric, (and apparently a lot of Americans feel the same way since her ratings couldn't be lower) but my lefty commenters told me Palin did terrible. But I have seen excerpts and I don't see that at all.

Couric seemed to ask questions that I don't think any other V.P. pick would have been asked about. She certaintly didn't ask Biden these questions. Questions about votes or decisions that McCain made in his 20 yr career in the Senate and about which Supreme Court decisions she disagrees with. Other than Roe, I can't name any by name, can you? Couric is the worst of the bunch as far as being petty, liberal, bitter, with a huge hidden agenda. Palin was going to be sliced and diced no matter what. Would or has Biden or Obama been grilled and grilled about abortion like that? Even though their positions are as "extreme" in the other direction? Of course not. Obama will never be asked about his statement that letting a baby born alive during a botched abortion would "burden the original decision." He was basically saying that a born baby should die because letting it live would burden the decision made by the mother. If that isn't extreme, I don't know what is. But the media lets that go. Biden would and has never been asked exactly what Obama did as a community organizer or Obama's worst or best votes as a Senator. These interviews are suppose to be about the issues, not trying to find a question you hope they can't answer.

Palin did wonderful in what I saw, and I can't wait for her to make Biden seem like the blowhard Uncle at Thanksgiving that laughs too loud and brags about everything until everyone is rolling their eyes at each other.

In other news...

The Fox has stopped asking to guard the henhouse and has asked that the Snake guard it instead.

"An Iranian envoy says Tehran has dropped its bid for a seat on the board of the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh said Iran wanted to make way for its regional ally Syria to become a board member instead."

Educate the Jews!

If you are elderly, Jewish, live in Florida, and are supporting John McCain for President, then you need to be "educated" by your much hipper and smarter Jewish grandchildren.

It's not like you would know more than they do about the Jewish experience, right? You are obviously too old to know what you are doing.

Check it out. It's some funny funny propaganda. I tell ya.

You can change the world if you can convince Grandma how stupid she is!

I learn something new every day

Which should come as no surprise to most of you.

Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn explains to Kathryn Lopez at NRO why she voted no to the bailout. First of all, she was influenced by her constituents, who called and e-mailed by the thousands. I figured that would be the case, but I didn't know this:

Lopez: Are you concerned by your vote you might have played a role in a pending market collapse?

Blackburn: The markets like certainty. We know that. We also know that the bill before us today did not solve the underlying problems. Some provisions that could have immediately addressed the liquidity issue, such as mark-to-market, uptick rule, increases in FDIC insurance could be done with immediate rule changes should be done.

So we can immediately address the liquidity issue? Then why don't we do that? Like.... now.

Lopez: Are you worried you might have just helped hand the election to Obama?

Blackburn: I don’t think this is handing the election to Obama. A more solid solution, crafted this week, will restore confidence in the market and in Congress. I do think it is important to get this done right so that we preserve free markets for the future.

Lopez: Some on the Right are arguing “no” votes were irresponsible. Why do you think they’re wrong?

Blackburn: The responsible action is to pass the most effective legislation in as short a time frame as possible. The bill before us didn’t do that. It leveraged too many federal assets and too few Wall Street assets. It also ignored some market-oriented solutions that could be carried out immediately. Again, I’d look to options like mark-to-market reform, increases in FDIC insurance, etc.

I think all this sounds great and I totally trust the integrity of people like Blackburn. But my concern is the timing. Let's get the changes done. Let's force Pelosi's back against the wall.

I feel like we are in a TV movie and the bomb is ticking. Let's get a move on. Let's go.

I don't want the last frame to be the bomb going off.

The Dummies Guide to how this crisis happened

Jay Tea at Wizbang:

When Bill Clinton pushed through the expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act in the last 1990s, the theory was to get more people into homes. At that point, the banks -- who would be making the loans -- balked. "Yeah, we can get them into the homes, but a good chunk of them won't be able to stay there. We'll end up having to foreclose, and then we'll be owning a bunch of homes we don't want."

"Don't worry," said the Democrats. "We'll take care of that. We'll let you sell off the loans as 'investment-grade assets.' You won't get stuck with them."

"But who the hell would buy them? They're still shaky loans, no matter who owns them or what we call them."

"It's OK, we'll get Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to insure them. With those folks behind the loans, they'll sell like hotcakes. And later, if they bust, you'll be off the hook."

"I dunno... it's still a shaky deal. I think we'll just pass, thanks. You can't make us give mortgages that we think will go bad."

"Actually, we can. You see, if you ever want to merge with any other bank, or make any other major moves, the public can sue to stop it -- and one of the grounds will be if you're in compliance with the CRA. In other words, you start making these loans, or our buddies at ACORN and the like will shut down any big moves you want to make. But really, that shouldn't be necessary -- you'll still make money off these bad loans, so what's the problem?"

Bill Clinton goes to bat for us...again

I'm waiting for Clinton to just come out in full support of McCain any day now. That it how surreal this has all gotten.

via Wizbang

Reason 137 I love my girl Palin

From NRO, this is part of her stump speech now:

Third, I'll be helping families who have children with special needs, which is an issue close to my heart. That great governor, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, he was asked once how society should treat the most vulnerable among us, such as children with special needs. He said it simple. He said, you put them first in line. Governor Casey reminded us that these beautiful children, who we are to cherish, they can inspire a special love. They're not a problem. They are a priority.

Governor Casey, you might recall, was one of the...umm...one of Democrat leaders that actually did stand up for the most innocent and vulnerable among us.

L'shana tova

"Never again will we risk another Holocaust. And this is not a wish, a request, or a plea to Israel's enemies. This is a promise that the United States and Israel will honor, against any enemy who cares to test us. It is John McCain's promise and it is my promise." -- Sarah Palin, 22 September 2008

Rove sums it up....

This audio is making the rounds because Karl Rove really gives us an inside look at how the Republicans are getting completely screwed on this vote. When he starts listing all the Democrats who voted no on this, including one on the banking committee, you will want to scream. Pelosi blames Republicans when she gave Democrats in safe districts (and many in swing states) permission to vote no.

Pelosi is a complete and utter scumbag.

via HotAir

Hurricane Bailout

That is what this is beginning to feel like.

The week before Hurricane Ike hit the Galveston/Houston, the skies were blue with wispy white clouds. They were beautiful warm clear days that gave no hint at the disaster that was coming. That Monday I heeded the warnings on the radio and went to the grocery store to stock up on water, batteries, and food. No one else was doing the same. I figured they were waiting until the last minute. On Wednesday I filled up the cars with gas. No lines.

By Friday the dire warnings coming from the news and weather channel had finally gotten some worrying. Galveston enacted mandatory evacuation and still 40% of the city stayed.

Why? Because it's hard to imagine a horrible storm when the skies are blue and the breeze is sweet.

I have a bad feeling that that is what is going on right now. I'm like most Americans. I think this bill stinks. It's ridiculous that we have to fund this bailout. The reasons, complicated as they are, are not American's fault. We are naturally ticked.

I've read and listened to people I trust on things like this. Smart people who know the markets and the banking system. They see a market disaster worst than what Hurricane Ike left in Galveston. I also listened to Lou Dobbs, who I have great respect for, rant until he his dimples turned red on how we should not do this bail out and there will be no disaster in the markets.

But I am a cautious person. I don't take chances. After listening and reading so much on this, I think we better stop looking at the blue skies and thinking the dark storm will never come, and we better do something to avoid what I'm afraid will bring us so much loss.

I think the House Republicans have made their points and have gotten their concessions. I understand the unfairness of Pelosi's attack and I understand their anger, but it's time to face what is coming.

If they have to change a few things more, then change them. Stop the bickering. Just do it.

I feel the wind blowing. Just do it.

Oops

“When Barack Obama released remarks today that praised the passage of America’s economic rescue plan, just before his allies in Congress voted to kill it, it revealed just how out of touch Barack Obama has been during this crisis. As our country stares economic disaster directly in the face, Barack Obama has called for higher taxes we can’t afford, more federal spending we can’t afford and shown failed leadership we can’t afford.” ---Tucker Bounds, spokesman McCain-Palin 2008

Pelosi blows it

I think anyone who views the video from 2004 below a few posts down, showing the Democrats involvment in the economic fiasco, will understand why some Republicans turned their vote at the last minute because Speaker Pelosi opened her big stretched mouth and tried to blame this all on Bush.

The Republicans are saying that Pelosi had the votes but because of Pelosi's statements, 12 Republicans turned their votes.

Update: I thought it curious that Pelosi went on a rant basically offending those whose votes she wished to have.

I've asked this before, but I really want an answer from all my lefty friends. Has Pelosi or the Democrats in Congress done anything that you wanted them to do? They let the offshore drilling ban expire. They caved to Republicans on that.They didn't end the war. They caved on wiretapping (FISA bill). They voted for the surge. They voted to continue funding the war. They didn't so much as hint at any investigation of Bush going into the war. They are now in bed with Pres. Bush, of all people, in this ridiculous government bailout. And this is with you guys in the majority!

Add to that, Speaker Pelosi has the social skills of a porcupine, which may have just killed any progress made on this bill. Let's face it, the more time the American people have to look at the bill and the more we understand it, the more likely it is that it will never pass. Not the way it is written now, anyway.

Why the bailout bill didn't pass the house

via Urbangrounds

This is when Youtube really comes in handy....

It's 2004, Democrats insist that there is nothing wrong with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and are insulted that Republicans are insisting that there is. Republicans try to insure regulations and are shot down by Democrats. The first speaker is boring but stick with it to the second speaker, Maxine Waters and then it gets better. It's worth it. via HotAir

The Bailout Negotiated

It's no wonder that Democrats (specifically Harry Reid and Chris Dodd) were so angry at McCain for inserting himself in the bailout deal. Reid said that McCain hurt the process. McCain did hurt the process and thank God for that. Because the process needed to stopped in it's tracks. The Democrats were trying to ram sweet deals for themselves down the throat of Republicans (read about the concessions below).

John Boehner, the Republican Minority Leader for the House of Representatives said yesterday that if it hadn't been for McCain the Democrats would have run over him "like a freight train" and kept him from putting more taxpayer protections in the bill

McCain is sorta known for ticking off the most conservative of Republicans, but this time he stood up for them in negotiations that they had no control over.

What is clear to me is that there was no way Pelosi and Dodd were going to get enough Republican support for this bill to make it bi-partisan without McCain stepping in and making conservative's like Republican leader John Boehner (who had called the bailout a "crap sandwich) happy enough to encourage other Republican members to vote yes.

Here are the details at Time Magazine:

The 106-page bill gives Paulson the $700 billion he requested in a three-page proposal 10 days ago but divvies the money up: $250 billion immediately, another $100 billion upon request of the President; the rest, if and when it is needed, will require the approval of Congress. And the money comes with strings. Paulson must report back to Congress more often and transactions must be posted online within two days. The House is expected to take up the bill on Monday and the Senate aims to pass it by Wednesday.

Once the bill is signed into law, Paulson has many options open to him on how unclog the credit markets, which Senator Judd Gregg, the top negotiator on the bill for Senate Republicans, described as a massive car accident in the middle of the highway. The government must clear the accident away by buying the toxic debt so that normal traffic can flow freely. One avenue will be to do a reverse auction, where banks compete to sell the Treasury their bad paper, with the Treasury choosing the lowest offers. The Treasury may also directly negotiate with companies, though no one knows exactly how that will work.

After their McCain-backed White House rebellion last week, House Republicans won a few concessions in the compromise: they had funding for a controversial housing program taken out and a bankruptcy provision that they argued was a giveaway to trial lawyers removed. They also got the Treasury Department to establish a federally backed insurance program for the debt — an alternative solution that is easier on the taxpayers but more expensive for the already cash-strapped banks — though the Treasury would not be required to actually use the program and Paulson has expressed opposition to such a route.

The issue of executive compensation nearly blew up the bill in the final talks that for some staff went well past 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning. But a compromise was reached that places a tax on executive salaries and bonuses of $500,000 or more at companies where the Treasury has bought more than $300 million in assets at auction. For companies where the Treasury intervenes directly, a 20% surcharge on "golden parachutes" is instituted.

It was a strange situation where McCain went up against Pelosi and the Democrats AND the President.

Personally I find this bill to be "the crap sandwich" Boehner referred to. The government created this problem and now the government is suppose to solve it? No thanks. But the pressure is too great, so I think they will get the bi-partisan support they need.

I haven't looked at my 401K or investments. It would be too depressing.

There really aren't any winners here. None. We all lose.

Yikes!

Newsbusters is reporting that the family of the fallen soldier whose name is on the bracelet that Obama referred to in the debate, has asked him to stop wearing the bracelet and using their son for political purposes:

Radio host Glenn Moberg of the show "Route 51" asked Mr. Jopek, a man who believes in the efforts in Iraq and is not in favor of Obama's positions on the war, what he and his ex-wife think of Obama continually using their son's name on the campaign trail. (h/t D. Keith Howington of www.dehavelle.com)

Jopek began by saying that his ex-wife was taken aback, even upset, that Obama has made the death of her son a campaign issue. Jopek says his wife gave Obama the bracelet because "she just wanted Mr. Obama to know Ryan's name." Jopek went on to say that "she wasn't looking to turn it into a big media event" and "just wanted it to be something between Barack Obama and herself." Apparently, they were all shocked it became such a big deal.

But, he also said that his ex-wife has refused further interviews on the matter and that she wanted Obama to stop wearing the reminder of her son's sacrifice that he keeps turning into a campaign soundbyte. This begins at about 10 minutes into the radio program. (Download radio show HERE)

TRANSCRIPT

Brian Jopek: Because of some of the negative feedback she's gotten on the Internet, you know Internet blogs, you know people accusing her of... or accusing Obama of trying to get votes doing it... and that sort of thing.

Radio Host Moberg: Yeah

Jopek: She has turned down any subsequent interviews with the media because she just didn't want it to get turned into something that it wasn't. She had told me in an email that she had asked, actually asked Mr. Obama to not wear the bracelet any more at any of his public appearances. Which I don't think he's...

Moberg: It has been a while since he's brought it up.

Jopek: Right. But, the other night I was watching the news and he was on, uh, speaking somewhere and he was still wearing it on his right wrist. I could see it on his right wrist. So, that's his own choice. I mean that's something Barack Obama, that's a choice that he continues to wear it despite Tracy asking him not to... Because she is a Barack Obama supporter and she didn't want to do anything to sabotage his campaign, so, if he's still wearing the bracelet then, uh, that of course is entirely up to him.

Moberg: Maybe there's a difference between wearing it and making a point to bring it up in your speeches?

This radio show was back in March. Now, since Mr. Jopek is supporting McCain and his ex-wife is clearly supporting Obama, I would rather hear this straight from his ex-wife, but I can understand her not wanting to hurt Obama's chances by making a big deal out it.

But like Newsbusters pointed out, if this were John McCain and any member of the family of the soldier on his bracelet had said the same thing, it would be front page news.

If we win this thing it will be against a tsunami of media love for Obama.