The Game Plan

Joe Klein outlines what the McCain campaign has up its sleeves. A short essay but pretty juicy.

Angry Amateurs - Time - 03 Sep 08

"Steve Schmidt has decided, for tactical reasons, to slime the press.

He wants the public to believe that there is an unfair--sexist (you gotta love it)--personal assault going on against Palin and her family. This is a smokescreen, intended to divert attention from the very real and responsible vetting that is taking place in the media--about the substance of Palin's record as mayor and governor. Sure, there are a few outliers--and the tabloid press--who have fixed on baby stories.

That was inevitable....the flip side of the personal stories that the McCain team thought would work to their advantage--Palin's moose-hunting and wolf-shooting, and her admirable decision to have a Down Syndrome baby. And yes, when we all fix on the same story, whether it's a hurricane or a little-known politician, a zoo ensues. But the media coverage of the Palin story has been well within the bounds of responsibility. Schmidt is trying to make it seem otherwise, a desperate tactic.

There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is 'a task from God.' The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme."

The Game Plan

Joe Klein outlines what the McCain campaign has up its sleeves. A short essay but pretty juicy.

Angry Amateurs - Time - 03 Sep 08

"Steve Schmidt has decided, for tactical reasons, to slime the press.

He wants the public to believe that there is an unfair--sexist (you gotta love it)--personal assault going on against Palin and her family. This is a smokescreen, intended to divert attention from the very real and responsible vetting that is taking place in the media--about the substance of Palin's record as mayor and governor. Sure, there are a few outliers--and the tabloid press--who have fixed on baby stories.

That was inevitable....the flip side of the personal stories that the McCain team thought would work to their advantage--Palin's moose-hunting and wolf-shooting, and her admirable decision to have a Down Syndrome baby. And yes, when we all fix on the same story, whether it's a hurricane or a little-known politician, a zoo ensues. But the media coverage of the Palin story has been well within the bounds of responsibility. Schmidt is trying to make it seem otherwise, a desperate tactic.

There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is 'a task from God.' The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme."

Facts Are Funny Things

On the energy front there was a howler on the "American Gas for Americans" natural gas deal she's been working on. Her big thing is sending the gas to Alberta, Canada via Calgary-based TransCanada. She outsourced Alaska's gas.

She said in the speech:

"I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history. And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly 40 billion-dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart."

And here's what the local paper had to say about her mega-gas adventures.

Palin Pitches In-State Natural Gas Pipeline - ADN - 08 July 08

"Monday's announcement at Palin's downtown Anchorage office left many practical questions unanswered, however, and came only two days before state legislators are to reconvene in Juneau to continue hearings on TransCanada Corp.'s proposed megapipeline to Alberta.

Palin is urging the lawmakers to award TransCanada a state license and a $500 million subsidy for the project under AGIA -- the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act of 2007. Some lawmakers and other critics have accused Palin of focusing too heavily on shipping Alaska gas out of state and not enough on supplying local needs."

"State Rep. Jay Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican who's been outspoken on the need for cheaper Interior energy, applauded Palin's announcement but said he still won't vote for the TransCanada subsidy, which he sees as a waste of $500 million. 'Today I'm Sarah Palin's biggest fan on her energy policy, but AGIA is still stupid,' he said."

Facts Are Funny Things

On the energy front there was a howler on the "American Gas for Americans" natural gas deal she's been working on. Her big thing is sending the gas to Alberta, Canada via Calgary-based TransCanada. She outsourced Alaska's gas.

She said in the speech:

"I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history. And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly 40 billion-dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart."

And here's what the local paper had to say about her mega-gas adventures.

Palin Pitches In-State Natural Gas Pipeline - ADN - 08 July 08

"Monday's announcement at Palin's downtown Anchorage office left many practical questions unanswered, however, and came only two days before state legislators are to reconvene in Juneau to continue hearings on TransCanada Corp.'s proposed megapipeline to Alberta.

Palin is urging the lawmakers to award TransCanada a state license and a $500 million subsidy for the project under AGIA -- the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act of 2007. Some lawmakers and other critics have accused Palin of focusing too heavily on shipping Alaska gas out of state and not enough on supplying local needs."

"State Rep. Jay Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican who's been outspoken on the need for cheaper Interior energy, applauded Palin's announcement but said he still won't vote for the TransCanada subsidy, which he sees as a waste of $500 million. 'Today I'm Sarah Palin's biggest fan on her energy policy, but AGIA is still stupid,' he said."

Why Palin's So Good on Camera

People also generally don't know that Palin's degree is in communications-journalism with a minor in political science. She was a sports reporter for one of the NBC television stations up in Canada.

So she was also one of the evil liberal media people in an earlier life and no one should be surprised that she would be comfortable in front of a camera. In this sense, she IS a bit like Reagan.

She didn't just exit the PTA with this ability. Funny how this minor detail seems ignored by the broadcast media.

Why Palin's So Good on Camera

People also generally don't know that Palin's degree is in communications-journalism with a minor in political science. She was a sports reporter for one of the NBC television stations up in Canada.

So she was also one of the evil liberal media people in an earlier life and no one should be surprised that she would be comfortable in front of a camera. In this sense, she IS a bit like Reagan.

She didn't just exit the PTA with this ability. Funny how this minor detail seems ignored by the broadcast media.

Biden Big Bush Booster?

Here's a fun one for a little political reality check. One reason I've not been much for Democrats in recent years. Nice graph with the link.

Presidential Support Scores - Pollster.com

"Using the same figures the Obama campaign has used to tie John McCain to President Bush, Biden was a 77% supporter of President Bush's positions in 2002, 70% in 2004, and over a 50% supporter of Bush in 4 of the president's 7 full years in office.

Up through the August 2008 congressional recess, Biden had supported Bush's positions 52% of the time since January 2001. Obama himself supported the president's positions just under 50% in 2006 and 40% since he joined the Senate in January 2005.

It is doubtful that many Americans hearing the Obama team's 90% charge against McCain realize that Obama and Biden themselves have supported the president anywhere from 33 to 77% of the time during his term."

Biden Big Bush Booster?

Here's a fun one for a little political reality check. One reason I've not been much for Democrats in recent years. Nice graph with the link.

Presidential Support Scores - Pollster.com

"Using the same figures the Obama campaign has used to tie John McCain to President Bush, Biden was a 77% supporter of President Bush's positions in 2002, 70% in 2004, and over a 50% supporter of Bush in 4 of the president's 7 full years in office.

Up through the August 2008 congressional recess, Biden had supported Bush's positions 52% of the time since January 2001. Obama himself supported the president's positions just under 50% in 2006 and 40% since he joined the Senate in January 2005.

It is doubtful that many Americans hearing the Obama team's 90% charge against McCain realize that Obama and Biden themselves have supported the president anywhere from 33 to 77% of the time during his term."

Richard Daley Would Have Loved This

Is this a great country or what?

Taxpayers Off the Hook for GOP Convention Lawsuits - Star-Tribune - 03 Sep 08

"Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican National Convention under a first-of-its-kind agreement. The deal required the Republican Party's host committee to buy insurance covering up to $10 million in damages and unlimited legal costs for law enforcement officials accused of brutality, violating civil rights and other misconduct."

"The deal could save taxpayers millions. Police have arrested nearly 300 people, and many protesters are threatening lawsuits. New York City still faces more than 400 lawsuits from some of the 1,800 people arrested at the 2004 GOP convention, said Laura Postiglione, a spokeswoman in the city's law department.

In St. Paul, some critics say the agreement has only encouraged police to use aggressive tactics knowing they won't have to pay damages."

Richard Daley Would Have Loved This

Is this a great country or what?

Taxpayers Off the Hook for GOP Convention Lawsuits - Star-Tribune - 03 Sep 08

"Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican National Convention under a first-of-its-kind agreement. The deal required the Republican Party's host committee to buy insurance covering up to $10 million in damages and unlimited legal costs for law enforcement officials accused of brutality, violating civil rights and other misconduct."

"The deal could save taxpayers millions. Police have arrested nearly 300 people, and many protesters are threatening lawsuits. New York City still faces more than 400 lawsuits from some of the 1,800 people arrested at the 2004 GOP convention, said Laura Postiglione, a spokeswoman in the city's law department.

In St. Paul, some critics say the agreement has only encouraged police to use aggressive tactics knowing they won't have to pay damages."

Jon Stewart On a Roll

The last two episodes of The Daily Show have been classics. I've never laughed so hard.

Now if someone can just talk the Obama campaign into cut-and-paste, they should have this race in the bag. Thanks to haddayr for the clip address. More available from Hulu.com as well as The Daily Show website.

( From last night . . . )

Jon Stewart On a Roll

The last two episodes of The Daily Show have been classics. I've never laughed so hard.

Now if someone can just talk the Obama campaign into cut-and-paste, they should have this race in the bag. Thanks to haddayr for the clip address. More available from Hulu.com as well as The Daily Show website.

( From last night . . . )