McCain in 1999: Bush "As Dumb as a Stump"

I found this interesting, as there is speculation at the Huffington Post, on whether or not McCain voted for Bush in 2000. Arianna Huffington says No, but in fact he might have, only he and possibly his wife know for sure. The author in this article, had a fond memory of a vacation she took with the McCain's in '99, and this occurred. I strongly agree with her conclusion.

Always the goods hosts, the McCains also invited us to spend the day with them, including for barbeque, a favorite of John's. And as McCain flipped burgers, I could not help but ask his views about then candidate George W. Bush.

"He's as dumb as a stump," McCain offered. We then went on to discuss other matters (including Vietnam) but that quote remains seared in my memory.

So how the McCains actually voted that November is between them and their voting booth. But if John McCain did end up voting for Bush, then by his own admission he voted for a stump.

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Bill Clinton's Angry Confrontation With Voter

While campaigning in Fayetteville, W.Va., Bill Clinton argued with an audience member over claims made by Hillary Clinton that she improved health care during his administration.

I find this remarkable, that here is a man, a former President, who fully understands his wife is trying to run a legitimate campaign, and he is causing controversy on the road. Why not just stay quiet Bill, that might do your wife less harm in the long run.



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Californians Would Switch Clinton Vote For Obama

As a fellow California resident, and one who is registered to vote, this is rather interesting to me. Although I voted for Ron Paul, its funny to see that many of those who voted for Clinton would now vote for Obama. Even more hillarious is the fact that if many do feel this way, and yet Clinton is raving about how she won all the big states, then its almost all in vain.

While voters in the California Democratic Presidential Primary backed Clinton by a 10-point margin, a new SurveyUSA poll shows that if given the chance to vote again, Californians would choose Barack Obama by a 6-point margin, 49%-43%.

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Hillary Is Done, Say Media Overlords

Hey, look, Matt Drudge did something nice for the entire country: He ended the Democratic primary, even though it was supposed to continue until eternity. See the picture and headline at left, which ran atop Drudge Report tonight. Drudge's link went to a video of Meet The Press anchor Tim Russert calmly explaining to America that "we now know who the Democratic nominee is going to be" and that Hillary Clinton is probably about to quit (she cancelled her TV appearances and everything!). Then David Gergen, the Bill Clinton aide turned talking head, said on CNN the election is over, partly because Chelsea looked sad during Hillary's last speech. "You could see the anguish on her face," Gergen said. "I think the Clinton people know the game is almost up." Remaining voters, politely thank your media overlords for deciding the election on your behalf. Clips of Russert and Gergen, and a bigger pic of the Drudge page, after the jump.

Obama wins, as declared earlier by the blogger of all bloggers, Matt Drudge. +1 for New Media. Very interesting in the way this was reported.

Exit Polls: Limbaugh Effect Seems To Rear Its Head

Once again, the role of media in so far as transforming elections, whether that includes delaying the inevitable, has occurred again. This time its Rush Limbaugh, who has caused "Chaos".

The loud-mouthed radio talk show host has been encouraging Republicans to vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton to continue the "chaos" in the Democratic race. And a sampling of some key exit poll information suggests he may, to a certain extent, be having an effect.

Thirty-six percent of primary voters said that Clinton does not share their values. And yet, among that total, one out of every five (20 percent) nevertheless voted for her in the Indiana election. Moreover, of the 10 percent of Hoosiers who said "neither candidate" shared their values, 75 percent cast their ballots for Clinton.

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Economists Criticize Clinton, McCain Gas-Tax Plans

I found this Bloomberg article interesting, while it also coincided with Clinton saying economists aren't really needed for advice. Obama seems to be the only one dismissing this idea as absurd, while both Clinton and McCain proceed on.

More than 200 economists, including four Nobel prize winners, signed a letter rejecting proposals by presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain to offer a summertime gas-tax holiday.

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Obama's Reverend Wright Press Conference

It seems like this Rev. Wright issue will just not die. Now, Obama is denouncing him once more, in this latest press conference.

I'm outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw yesterday. I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992 and have known Jeremiah Wright for almost 22 years. The person I saw yesterday was not the person I met 20 years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive, but they also give comfort to those that prey on hate and I believe they do not accurately portray the perspective of the black church. They certainly do not accurately portray my values and beliefs. If Reverend Wright thinks that is political posturing on my part, he does not know me very well.

I have already denounced those comments that have come out of these previous sermons. I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia, explaining that he has done enormous good in the church, has built a wonderful conversation. They are a wonderful people and what attracted me has always been the ministries reach beyond church walls. But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions, that the U.S. government is involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Louis Farrakhan represents one of the greatest voices of the 21st century, when he equates the United States' wartime effort with terrorism, then there are no excuses. They offend me, they rightfully offend all Americans, and they should be denounced. That is what I am doing very clearly and unequivocally here today.

I have spent my entire adult life trying to bridge the gap between different kinds of people. That's in my DNA, trying to promote mutual understanding to insist that we all share common hopes and common dreams as Americans and as human beings. That's who I am, that's what I believe, and that's what this campaign has been about.

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