Hill Yeah!

Last night Hillary Clinton, to say the least, did what she needed to do. I think she did the best she could to rally her supporters behind Barack Obama. Hillary's speech had Bill Clinton, along with so many others, in tears. Many people wonder if she meant what she said up there on that podium, if she really does want Senator Obama to win. All I have to say to those people is this: I don't know anyone who could fake a smile like that. Hillary was truly happy to be there and truly does want Barack Obama in the White House.

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I was confident that Hillary would do what she needed to do. I am a little more skeptical about Bubba (Bill Clinton) who is slated to speak tonight. It may be a good idea for him to repent a little bit, saying something like, "I have said some stupid things during this campaign, but that was the past. We don't have the time to think about the past or talk about the past. But we desperately need Barack Obama in the White House so we can fix the mistakes of the past." Bill cannot afford to make any blunders tonight; he has made enough this year. Bubba needs to make sure that his support for Barack Obama comes accross as genuine. Knowing him, we don't know what he'll say. But if for no better reason than your own reputation Bill, don't say anything stupid.

-Martin Page

Photograph Courtesy of Newsday

Senator McCain's Latest Hypocritical Ad

Senator John McCain has recently released a suprisingly positive political ad (I didn't know he knew how). In it one of the creepy narrators McCain has hired (some of them actually scare me) says three questionable quotes.

1. "We're worse of than we were four years ago."
You're right, but I don't think this helps your cause. This is because of Bush, who you support, and among other things the war, which you support. This is what we call a gaffe.

2. "Only McCain has fought corruption in both parties."
Maybe you have Senator, I don't know. But practice what you preach. You have 29 oil lobbyists in your campaign. You have taken $1.3 million in campaign contributions from big oil and promised $3.8 billion in tax cuts to the top 5 oil scam artist organizations (I mean companies).

3. "He'll battle big oil."
You make me laugh! Along with the facts above you oppose a windfall profits tax. You'll fight big oil Senator. Just like George W. Bush will sometime recover from his stupidity and admit he was wrong in invading Iraq. You won't battle big oil, Senator. I don't know how many times I'm going to have to tell you this: stop lying to me.

View the Progressive Accountatbility Video that Lays Out These Facts

View the McCain Ad: "Broken"

Source: Progressive Accountability Video, McCain Ad: "Broken"

-Martin Page

McCain Smear #2: Obama Cancelled A Visit With Troops

Senator John McCain has released a new TV ad saying that Senator Barack Obama cancelled a visit with troops because the Pentagon said he couldn't bring in cameras. The day Senator Obama was in Berlin NBC News reported that Obama cancelled the visit with the troops because the Pentagon said the visit would be innapropriate on a political trip. Smells like a smear to me, Senator McCain.

Many human behaviors in this world are natural. It has become natural for Republicans to smear Democrats, twisting the truth and distorting the images of fine upstanding American citizens. I was under the impression that Senator McCain was going to change this. He seemed different than the heartless neo-cons that have held office for eight years. There is no doubt he has a heart and is different than them, but not in all respects. He continues to use sneaky tactics in his campaign, much as George W. Bush did with the help of Karl "I look like a duck" Rove.

On The Hill's Pundits Blog, Brent Budowsky spelled out what McCain is doing: lying. It upsets me to see this, it upsets some McCain supporters to see this. I have a conservative friend who has been telling me that she wished McCain would stop attacking Obama and focus on laying out his platform. It is just sad to see lies like these out there on the airwaves.

The Washington Post accurately reported the lies. The rest of the media has not jumped on this. The media is always looking for meat. Well here's is a whole steak to gobble up. This is actually worth reporting, unlike sniper fire in Bosnia or all the other little things the media jumps on. Senator McCain has lied and continues to lie, like any Republican. Why would anyone vote for this guy?

Read Brent Budowsky's Post

-Martin Page

McCain Smear #1: Senator Obama Would Rather Win the War than the Election

"It seems to me that Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign," John McCain said in a town hall meeting in New Hampshire on July 22. Even Joe Scarborough, the Conservative co-host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," thought that accusation was a little over-the-top. Here are some other over-the-top accusations.

1. Senator McCain likes to kill American troops because he wants to stay in Iraq for longer than Senator Obama.

2. Senator McCain hates Muslims because he supports the war in Iraq.

3. Senator McCain is a closet Democrat because he believes that climate change exists.

4. Senator McCain doesn't want to find Osama bin Laden because he doesn't want to withdraw from Iraq and put troops in Afghanistan.

5. Senator McCain likes war because he fought in one.

All of those are overexaggerations, distortions, and flat out lies, much like Senator McCain's suggestion that Obama would rather win an election than the war. Senator McCain, listen to yourself. You sound like a candidate begging for attention, begging for coverage, because the other guy is so much better than you. Senator, stop the lies and distortions. It's your only chance at winning.

-Martin Page

"He Doesn't Understand"

John McCain has recently emphasized that presumptive Democratic Nominee Barack Obama "doesn't understand" the situation in Iraq. McCain, who calls for a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq, considers Obama naive for supporting a plan for troup withdrawal. Senator McCain, you and your Republican hounds are the only ones left who support a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq.

Senator McCain, is it possible for you to listen to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki? He supports Obama's plan for withdrawal. Is it not important to listen to the man who is in charge of the country you have caused so much trouble in? Senator, in 2004, you said, “If it was an elected government of Iraq ... I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.” Conditions on the ground have only improved, so I don't see the difference.

President Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to "a time horizon for meeting aspirational goals in Iraq." This is a step in the right direction. Even President Bush is beginning to warm up to the idea of withdrawal. So what comes next everybody? A semi-flip-flop.

"John McCain supports reducing troop levels based on the conditions on the ground and the security of Iraq and if, and only if, that is consistent with a ‘time horizon’ then of course he would support that policy,” a McCain spokesman said.

Here is what this boils down to: John McCain, not Barack Obama, doesn't understand the situation in Iraq. To some degree it doesn't even matter how long we want to stay in Iraq. America has a say no doubt, but when they want us out we should respect Iraqi wishes. It's their country. Senator McCain, it's not your war, it's the Iraqi's war. You don't know best about when to leave. Leave this decision to those who do know best.

Image Courtesy of NY Times
Spokesman quote courtesy of politico.com

-Martin Page

Obama's Move to the Center

Lately Barack Obama has been moving toward the center of the politicial spectrum, from his vote on FISA to his Patriotism Speeches. As a liberal, he is dissapointing me to the point where I wish I had Hillary as the nominee of the Democratic Party.

I first supported Barack Obama back in January after John Edwards dropped out of the race. I thought Obama was going to save this country. To me he was a different type of politician, and I thought he really was going to bring about change. I wasn't really worried about experience at the time, I knew he would find a way to get things done as president. Now I am worried about an Obama presidency.

With his latest flip-flops, Obama has shown he is weak , naive, and pandering. He doesn't understand that we don't need to have an unconstitutional FISA bill to fight terror. He doesn't understand that feeding the hungry is more important the feeding a Hummer that should be illegal (he supports ethanol). I am beginning to doubt his ability to deal with countries like Iran. He is too much of a naive idealist. He needs to be a realist like Hillary.

He has also flip flopped on Iraq, backing down from a previous position that got us out in 16 months. He says he agrees with the supreme court in striking down the DC Gun ban, but before he was for it. I am glad he flip-flopped on these issues, as these I like the new positions better. But flip-flopping makes him look weak, like a regular politician.

I cannot support John McCain. His policies are terrible and I know that another Republican would be bad for this country. I know party unity is most important, and I know we cannot have Hillary and party unity at this point. I will still be volunteering Obama, because I know he is the best choice. I just want to put it out there that the Democratic Party could have done better.

-Martin Page