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McCain Needs To Reflect Conservative Anger

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, October 12, 2008 2:51:45 PM
In a rally last week in Waukesha, Wisconsin, there was anger. The anger was clearly based on a genuine fear that Barack Obama will become the next president of the United States, and along with Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, will take our nation in a direction so far to the left, that the system of government our founding fathers envisioned will be totally unrecognizable. And they are looking to John McCain and Sarah Palin to have the cojones to take Obama and the Democrats to task on it.

Barack Obama is a socialist, perhaps even a Marxist. His political ideology is so frightening, that the thought of him being elected should panic every critical thinker in this country. Yet, all indications are that Obama is clearly the preferred choice, due to the financial crisis we are facing. A poor economy always favors the Democrats, and the anger over the last eight years of Bush has anxious voters looking to send a message.

McCain has had opportunity upon opportunity to take this election from Obama by being more forceful in pointing out the numerous character flaws this radical leftist possesses. Obama's associations with such figures as William Ayers, Tony Rezko and the Reverend Jeremiah Wright should be hammered home by McCain not only at every political rally, but also at each debate between these two presidential contenders. But McCain has looked weak and diminished at the first two debates, and with only one left to go, it does not appear that he is suddenly going to change his delivery.

McCain has tried too hard to be polite and above board, taking the high road while allowing Sarah Palin to be the attack dog on Obama's connections to the radical extremists. But it's not Palin that needs to do this - it's McCain. He needs to do what Obama asked him to do in a recent interview on Good Morning America: say it to his face!

This Wednesday is MCain's last chance. He's running out of time. It's 4th and long. He needs to use the last debate to point out decisively everything Obama stands for; the far left radical agenda that will make our nation a suburb of France.

Will McCain reflect the anger of those conservatives who confronted him at that rally last week when he meets Obama for the third and final time? Or will he shrink away and allow Obama to get the better of him if not on points, then on presentation?

If McCain fails to bring it Wednesday night, this election may be lost.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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Now They're Trying To Paint Palin As Racist

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, October 05, 2008 3:22:44 PM
The Associated Press, in an analysis piece regarding Sarah Palin's attacks on the character of Barack Obama, has labeled her a racist.

Palin was quoted as saying that Obama "palls around with terrorists", referring to his connections to noted Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers. Ayers is unrepentant for his actions during the Vietnam era, has even stated that they didn't do enough when this terror group was active.

The AP article claims that Obama's relationship with Ayers is exaggerated at best, and tries to excuse their association despite that fact that they worked together on community boards, and that Ayers hosted a fundraiser for Obama early in his career.

Obama claims he denounces Ayers for his actions and political views. But one must question the sincerity of Obama's denunciations, as they always seem to come only after a story regarding his associations seems to become a sticky situation, from which he needs to extricate himself. Reference Jeremiah Wright, with whom Obama had a twenty-plus year relationship. In all the time he belonged to the First United Church of Christ in Chicago, Obama claims he never heard Wright spew the vitriolic hatred of America recorded and sold for not only members of the congregation to see, but for anyone else who might wish to view it. Obama would have us believe he sat in the pews of that church week after week, and never witnessed Wright's tirades.

Many of us don't buy it, including the McCain campaign, and we also don't buy that Obama's relationship with Ayers was so casual as to be non-existent. But apparently that is what the Associated Press would have us believe.

Sarah Palin's role in the remaining month of this election is to go on the offensive as the attack barracuda. Part of this is pointing out Obama's dealings with unsavory characters, and his cozying up with those who hate America and all it stands for. She has indicated that because of these associations, Obama does not see the same America that the rest of us see.

The AP has taken those words and twisted their meaning to imply that she is referring to his race.

The AP article states "Palin's words avoid repulsing voters with overt racism. But is there another subtext for creating the false image of a black presidential nominee "palling around" with terrorists while assuring a predominantly white audience that he doesn't see their America?...Whether intended or not by the McCain campaign, portraying Obama as "not like us" is another potential appeal to racism. It suggests that the Hawaiian-born Christian is, at heart, un-American."

Isn't it interesting that in that last sentence, the AP goes out of its way to point out that Obama is Hawaiian-born (there are still unanswered questions regarding his birth certificate), and Christian (if you call black liberation theology Christianity, not to mention his undeniable Muslim background).

To paint Palin as covertly racist by reminding Americans of Obama's questionable relationships is patently absurd, and highlights the fact that the mainstream media is in the tank for Obama, and will help him use the race card to fend off any legitimate criticism of him.

The Associated Press should be ashamed of itself.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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McCain Needs Stronger Showing In Next Debate

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, September 28, 2008 1:34:35 PM
Last Friday's debate between John McCain and Barack Obama proved to be a let down to most rational thinking conservatives. Sure, it would have been easy to claim victory as some on the right side of the political spectrum did. But in analyzing the debate from a critical perspective, McCain just didn't measure up.

Not that he didn't score several points on foreign policy and national security issues. This is McCain's strong suit. He vigorously defended the war in Iraq, the dangers posed by Obama's plan for a quick withdrawal without a clear plan for victory, and the threat from al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He seemed in complete command when discussing Obama's plan to cut off aid to Pakistan, something McCain is clearly not prepared to do.

McCain also chastised Obama soundly for his willingness to sit down with world leaders who pose a serious threat to other nations, such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without pre-conditions. Obama did not seem to present a clear defense of his arguments for such meetings.

But where Obama appeared to excel, and where McCain seemed weak, was in the area of the financial crisis. The first 39 minutes of the debate was devoted to the bailout and conditions on Wall Street, and despite what some conservative pundits would have us believe, Obama was well coached. He pounded away at what he said was eight years of Republican responsibility for the mess the nation faces due in large part to the tax policies of the Bush administration.

McCain missed a golden opportunity to point out that he called for reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and Democrats fought McCain's efforts to thwart the current financial crisis.

John McCain urged action more than two years ago, co-sponsoring legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac warning: "If congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole." McCain: "I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole." (Office Of U.S. Senator John McCain, "McCain Statement On Co-Sponsorship Of The Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act Of 2005," Press Release, 5/26/06).

In 2002, McCain called for greater oversight of financial markets following accounting scandals. "In the aftermath of the Enron collapse and other accounting scandals, he was a leader, with Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.), in pushing to require that companies treat stock options granted to employees as expenses on their balance sheets. 'I have long opposed unnecessary regulation of business activity, mindful that the heavy hand of government can discourage innovation,' he wrote in a July 2002 op-ed in the New York Times. 'But in the current climate only a restoration of the system of checks and balances that once protected the American investor -- and that has seriously deteriorated over the past 10 years -- can restore the confidence that makes financial markets work.'" (Editorial, "'Always For Less Regulation?'" The Washington Post, 9/19/08).

Why didn't McCain more vigorously defend his record of reform while making it exceedingly clear that it was the Democrats led by Barney Frank who opposed such reform every step of the way as far back as 1992?

Clearly, the financial meltdown is the front and center issue in this year's presidential election. McCain should have been all over this, and he was not. He also clearly looked tired, whereas Obama looked strong and in command. Those who expected Obama to stumble his way through this debate were sorely disappointed.

McCain must come out swinging in the next debate. And his running mate Sarah Palin, needs to have a strong showing this Thursday, as she goes up against Joe Biden, who by all accounts has his hands tied behind his back coming off of this past week's gaffes, such as who was president during the time of the stock market crash of 1929.

Time is running out. We are a little over a month away from the most serious election of our lifetime. If McCain hopes to have a chance, he must show strength, enthusiasm, and a vitality that was clearly not present in last Friday's face-off.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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Government Bailout: High Price With No Guarantees

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, September 21, 2008 2:57:55 PM
The last two weeks have been a wild ride for the United States economy and for the presidential campaigns. The stock market has taken a tremendous beating, and financial institutions once thought of as solid, have now reached the verge of collapse under the weight of bad decisions and lack of oversight.

The government has taken an unprecedented step at a bailout plan that will cost up to a trillion dollars of taxpayer money, while offering no guarantees that it will stop the bleeding. Treasury Henry Paulson, appearing on Fox News Sunday, said that our nation's still frozen credit markets are fragile, urging congress to act quickly on a $700 billion dollar package for financial firms. This plan will let the federal government buy up bad mortgages to prevent a complete economic meltdown. Not since the Great Depression has a rescue of such magnitude been attempted.

This legislation grants Treasury Secretary Paulson extraordinary powers to fund or buy mortgage assets from any U.S.-based financial institution, but limits his buying power to $700 billion dollars.

Congress and the Bush administration were to negotiate throughout the weekend in hopes of hashing out the details of this plan, which Paulson admitted offers no guarantees that further financial bleeding would not occur.

Politically, both the McCain and Obama campaigns took potshots at one another, with Barack Obama painting John McCain as a free-market buccaneer who until this past week championed the kind of deregulation that led to this crisis. McCain has portrayed Obama as having ties to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and called for more oversight and government intervention. McCain has also been highly critical of the idea of bailouts.

While this week's presidential debates will focus on foreign policy, it's clear that the economy has taken center stage as the pivotal issue in this election cycle. A poor economy has traditionally favored the Democrats, yet Barack Obama has said he will hold off on announcing what he would to to act in this situation. McCain, on the other hand, has said he would call for the creation of something he referred to as a Mortgage and Financial Institutions trust, which would identify problems in an institution and solve them before they go bust.

It will be interesting to see what congress comes up with in the next few days. Jon Kyl, the number man on the Finance Committee, and Chuck Schumer, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, said there was little better than a 50 percent chance that a package will be hammered out by the end of this week.

Strong conservatives, although ceding that not acting in such a dramatic way might lead to the collapse of the economy, nonetheless cringe at the thought of the government taking over control and saving private institutions that go belly-up due to poor decision making and bad leadership.

Whatever happens, the United States debt will increase to never before seen levels, and without any assurances that this bailout will work.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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ABC Attempts To Smear Palin And Fails

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:44:20 PM
Sarah Palin's interview with Charlie Gibson was an appalling attempt at smearing her, even to the point that some in the mainstream media even took Gibson and ABC News to task on it.

From the outset, it was clear that Gibson planned to paint her as completely inept and unqualified. The very first question, asking Palin if she hesitated when McCain offered her a spot on the ticket, dripped with condescension. Here was Gibson, looking professorial with his glasses down at the end of his nose, eyebrow cocked, as if to portray her as a liar, or so self-assured as to be arrogant. But Palin handled it quite well, explaining that if she felt she could benefit McCain and be of service to our nation, there was no need to hesitate.

On her faith, Gibson misrepresented what she had said about God's role in the Iraq war. Through careful editing, viewers of the interview did not get an opportunity to hear her full answer. Gibson asked Palin: "You said recently in your old church, 'Our national leaders are sending U.S. soldiers on a task that is from God.' Are we fighting a Holy War?"

Palin answered, "You know, I don’t know if that was my exact quote."

"It’s exact words," Gibson said.

But Gibson’s quote left out what Palin said before that:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God. That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan."

This response appears in the transcript but was edited out of the televised version. That leaves a false impression of her answer and is a deliberate smear.

Palin also told Gibson that she was referring to Abraham Lincoln’s words on how one should never presume to know God’s will. She said she does not presume to know God’s will and that she was only asking the audience to "pray that we are on God’s side."

The liberal press even took ABC to task. The far left L.A. Times rebuked Gibson for distorting Palin's remarks.

Gibson also ambushed Palin with the question regarding the definition of the Bush Doctrine. No official doctrine exists, and the definition of the term was coined by Charles Krauthammer. In a column appearing in the Washington Post on September 13th, Krauthammer wrote "There is no single meaning of the Bush doctrine. In fact, there have been four distinct meanings, each one succeeding another over the eight years of this administration -- and the one Charlie Gibson cited is not the one in common usage today. It is utterly different."

So it becomes exceedingly clear that ABC and Gibson were going for the 'gotcha' moment. They failed to get one. Palin acquitted herself well in the interview.

The elite media had better be careful as to how they attempt to paint Sarah Palin. The more they go after her, the more invincible she becomes. At one time, Barack Obama was the Teflon candidate. But as time goes by, people are seeing that the emperor has no clothes. Obama is sizzle and no steak. And the sizzle is cooling off, as polls seem to show a growing admiration and respect for the McCain-Palin ticket by conservatives, independents and women.

Democrats are running scared. They are not sure Obama is the candidate that will make it over the finish line. They are beginning to regret that Hillary Clinton was not offered the number two spot on the ticket. And democrats are even worried about congressional races as the bloom fades from the Obama rose.

Palin is the real deal. Obama is an empty suit. The closer we get to this election, the clearer it becomes.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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Conservatives Shouldn't Get Cocky

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, September 07, 2008 2:22:35 PM
There's a huge buzz in the conservative community. Republicans are finally on board with John McCain's candidacy, what with his excellent accounting of himself at Rick Warren's Civil Forum at Saddleback and the addition of Sarah Palin to the ticket.

We should feel excited, even proud to be Republicans again. We appear to have finally found our way, recovering from the mistakes that were made which led to the Democrats taking over both houses of congress in 2006. But lately I've been sensing a certain feeling of cockiness. Democrats, we are told, are running scared. Palin has the Obama camp shaking in their collective boots, so it is said. Polls do show that the race is very close, which leads many to believe that it is only a matter of time before McCain overcomes Obama's slight lead and takes off like a rocket. That may very well be true. We all certainly hope that this will come to pass.

However, keep in mind that there are less than 60 days left until the general election. Anything can happen. Sarah Palin, although a truly dynamic figure who has added spark to a campaign led by a not altogether exciting 72 year old politician, is still untested. She has yet to debate Joe Biden, and her handlers are keeping her as far away from the press as possible. Rick Davis, appearing on Fox News Sunday, indicated that they will determine when and if Palin does any interviews. This is understandable, given Palin's treatment by the leftist mainstream media. But until we can get a more in-depth look at her and hear her address issues such as foreign policy, we cannot assume she is the weight that will tip the scale to victory in November.

Keep in mind also, that there are still many disgruntled Americans who feel that electing John McCain is giving us another four years of George W. Bush. Most of them are angry, bitter Democrats who are disgruntled about the war. They just want to cleanse Washington of what they believe is the stench of failed Republican policies. And right now, with many people hurting financially, they don't think Republicans can pull us out of the economic malaise.

Neither candidate has been substantive about the issues and what they are going to do to turn things around. We do know, however, that Obama would raise taxes, the hallmark of liberal answers to all fiscal problems. McCain would keep taxes low, as the conservative philosophy is that government actually gains more money when they let people keep more of what they earn.

One would assume that most critical thinking Americans would understand this, but in 2008, things are different. We cannot count on critical thinkers to go to to the polls this November. This year, the election will be based on emotion more than anything else. Despite her conservative credentials, Sarah Palin was put on the ticket to invigorate the conservative base, and much of that energy has manifested itself in emotions. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I welled-up with emotion when she was announced as McCain's running mate. Tom Ridge, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty or Bobby Jindal would not have elicited that kind of response.

The Democrats, as stated earlier are also very emotional. Their emotions, however, are anger and hatred. Anger at having lost two hard fought elections to the party diametrically opposed to everything they stand for and hatred directed at George W. Bush. And anger can be a powerful tool when directed like a laser beam at its target.

Since 2006, that anger has resulted in the Democrats adding 2 million to voter rolls in the 28 states that register voters according to party affiliation. The Republicans have lost nearly 344,000 thousand voters in the same states. Despite the high most Republicans are on right now as we head into the last eight weeks of this election, the momentum is still with the Democrats.

I am not saying we are going to lose this election by any stretch of the imagination. It's a very close race, and there are indications that McCain could get a very big bounce in the polls from the Republican National Convention. Should McCain acquit himself well in the upcoming debates, should Palin handle herself well against Joe Biden on such issues as foreign policy and should she make her case to the media, we can win this thing.

But we cannot be arrogant, and we cannot assume that Obama's campaign is going to suddenly collapse. Obama has dodged many shots to his character, lack of experience, etc., but to many, he is still the messiah who is going to save not only the United States, but the world.

So we need to remain on guard. We need to proceed with this election being confident, but not cocky.

It's not over till the polls close on November 4th.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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McCain Hits A Home Run

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:14:25 AM
A few months back I wrote a blog post in which I gave several reasons why I would not support John McCain for president. I had and still have several issues with which I disagree with McCain.

However, since that posting, several factors have changed my stance. The biggest thing that has led me to re-evaluate my position is that fact that Barack Obama has emerged as the most dangerous candidate to ever run for the presidency. His political ideology is so far to the left as to be considered Marxist, and his ties to unsavory characters such as William Ayers can only lead one to conclude that he would forever change our country in such a way that the founding fathers would be turning over in their graves. And in an age in which we are fighting a global war on Islamic extremism, Obama's willingness to sit down with leaders of terrorist sponsoring nations absolutely sends shivers up my spine.

Recently, John McCain and Barack Obama sat down with Rick Warren for a civil forum at his Saddleback Church. Both were asked a series of questions which raised issues of concern to social and religious conservatives. Obama failed to make his case in such things as the rights of the unborn and how to deal with evil in the world. McCain, on the other hand acquitted himself well, leading most to conclude that he clearly won the night, and would most likely do well in the upcoming presidential debates.

Then, this past Friday, McCain made a stunning announcement. He had selected Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska to be his running mate.

Palin has an impressive resume which is pleasing to the palette of virtually all conservatives. She is pro life, pro gun, a mother of five whose oldest son is about to be deployed in Iraq. She took on her own party in Alaska and fought corruption. She is a fiscal conservative who has the credentials and the integrity needed to assume the highest office in the land. To those critics who will challenge her lack of gravitas, it can easily be argued that she has more executive experience under her belt than Barack Obama. As a governor, she has had to make more decisions than Obama has as a legislator. Also keep in mind that with the McCain campaign, Palin is at the bottom of the ticket. The one running for president has plenty of knowledge regarding foreign policy, and Palin will be a quick study. With the Obama campaign, the weakness is at the top of the ticket, relying on Joe Biden's acumen on foreign relations to carry the day.

Actually, the only thing Sarah Palin has to remember is that you don't sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad while discussing Iran's nuclear program. She will do just fine, thank you.

Biden is also a loose cannon, a plagiarist, bigot and a sexist. Any attempt in the upcoming vice presidential debates to take a shot at Palin will blow up in his face and make him look like a complete idiot.

In recent weeks, the McCain campaign has done everything right. They have offered olive branches to Obama, praising him on becoming the first African-American candidate to get this far in a presidential race, while going after the jugular on his celebrity status and lack of experience. They have presented their candidate as a maverick who is not a Bush clone, while remaining true to his conservative roots. And they have brought us a running mate who has energized the base, and made us believe once again.

We still have a long way to go and a tough fight ahead, but the eighth inning of this game, McCain has hit a home run.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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Meet The Team Of Obama bin Biden

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, August 24, 2008 10:21:44 AM
Barack Obama finally opened the heavens, and like a light shining down from above, let the world know his selection for a vice presidential running mate. And he did it via a text message in the middle of the night. Considering who he chose, I would have waited until everyone was asleep to announce it also.

Obama may not be prepared to answer the phone at 3 am, but apparently he expects his constituents to do so.

And what an interesting choice he made. Joe Biden.

The thinking is that Biden brings solid foreign policy experience to the ticket, making up for Obama's lack of gravitas on international matters.

But Biden is a loser who has failed as a presidential candidate before because like Obama himself, he hasn't got an original thought in his head. Remember the plagiarism scandal which forced him out of the race back in 1987? Biden was accused of stealing a speech from Neil Kinnock, head of the British Labour Party. He supposedly had credited Kinnock in other instances where he used his words, but at least one time Biden did not credit him, and he was caught on tape.

You say, let's give him a pass on that one. Okay.

Except that as a first year student at Syracuse Law School, he plagiarized a law review article in a class paper he wrote.

Biden has repeatedly lied about his academic performance and records.

Let's also not forget that Biden has a tendency to run off at the mouth and that some of his comments are considered racist. Biden said of Obama, "I mean, you've got the first sort of mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Biden also said "You cannot go to a 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian Accent."

Whoa.

Nevertheless, the dog and pony show of Obama bin Biden has hit the road, already slamming John McCain as being out of touch with reality and a George Bush wannabe. Yet for a campaign that has as its message "change", Obama certainly went for a Washington insider who is part of the same old establishment.

McCain, for his part, issued a blistering new ad accusing Obama of passing over Hillary Clinton for the number two spot because she dared to point out his flaws during the primaries.

It's going to be interesting to see how Biden plays out at the convention this week, especially among Hillary supporters who now know that she was disrespected by not even being vetted.

Let the games begin.


Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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The Vice Presidential Circus

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, August 17, 2008 10:39:31 AM
As we get closer to the Democrat and Republican conventions, the rhetoric regarding the John McCain and Barack Obama vice presidential picks looms large.

In recent days, there have been names mentioned that are patently absurd. On the McCain side, Joe Lieberman and Tom Ridge have been tossed out there for public consumption. Lieberman, although strong on national defense and a supporter of the war, is very liberal on many domestic issues. And the bitter aftertaste left from the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act has most conservatives who pooh-pooh the global warming junk science appalled at the prospect of putting Lieberman on the ticket.

Conservative Republicans would be outraged at the prospect of a McCain-Lieberman ticket. The only way they might tolerate the idea is if Lieberman was part of a McCain pledge to serve only one term, so that there would not be a possibility that Lieberman would succeed McCain as president. And if Lieberman were to ascend to the presidency, he would have to promise to honor McCain's domestic priorities and appoint constitutional judges. This is highly unlikely.

There has been talk in the McCain circles that he intends to serve only one term, which is why Lieberman's name has been floated.

The other name that has been mentioned this past week is Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security Secretary. Again, he comes with baggage of his own. He is pro-choice, which would not sit well with most conservatives and the evangelicals whose vote McCain has been courting of late.

Selecting Lieberman or Ridge would indeed cement McCain's reputation as a maverick, but is that really the image that he wants to imprint on the minds of the conservative base at this most crucial time?

Even more of a shocker that emerged this past week was the possibility that Barack Obama would pick John Kerry as his running mate. Are you kidding me?

The idea here is that Kerry brings more name recognition to the ticket than any other name on the list so far. He apparently solves the problem of Obama's lack of foreign policy experience because he is a decorated veteran and a longtime member of the senate foreign relations committee. The thinking is also that America loves a comeback kid. Kerry ran a very sloppy campaign in 2004, and was soundly trounced. Apparently Obama must really believe he is the second coming of Christ because choosing Kerry as his running mate would be the equivalent of raising Lazarus from the dead.

We are getting down to the wire here. The conventions are almost upon us. And the vice presidential lists have turned into a circus which may amuse most Americans, but will not serve them well in making a voting choice come November.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Friday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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McCain's Attack Ads On Target

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, August 03, 2008 6:00:22 PM
John McCain's latest campaign ads attacking Barack Obama on his celebrity status and his messianic persona are hitting their marks. Obama has helped to paint himself as the second coming of Jesus Christ...and now those chickens are coming home to roost.

His arrogant, elitist attitude has struck even some of his most ardent supporters as over-the-top. McCain, for his part, has up till now, refrained from going after Obama on his exaggerated sense of importance. Instead, he has preferred to paint Obama as just "not getting it" when it comes to such issues as the Iraq war, negotiations with Iran over their nuclear ambitions and the energy crisis. My sense is that McCain had hoped a series of town hall style debates would reveal the truth about Obama; that he is an empty suit being propped up by the likes of George Soros and the MoveOn.org crowd, who wish to see their agenda pushed forward through the coronation of a king rather than through a democratically held election based on issues and ideas.

Since it would appear, however, that Obama is backing away from the formidable challenge that McCain would present in an open forum style free-for-all, McCain has no choice but to go for the jugular.

 The more effective of the two ads is the one released this past Friday, presenting Obama as "The One". It nails Obama's comparison to the Lord God, even pulling an excerpt from a speech in which he says "a light will shine down from somewhere. It will light shine upon you. You will experience an epiphany and you will say to yourself 'I have to vote for Barack'.

Talk about blasphemy.

In any case, McCain can only hope that these ads resonate with conservatives, moderates, independents and undecideds. The far left have anointed Obama their Savior, and the far right consider Obama the most dangerous candidate to ever run for president. But because the conservatives don't feel McCain meets their criteria for the office, they might just sit out this election, or vote for a third party candidate in protest.

As some have stated, this election is not McCain versus Obama. It's Obama versus himself. And John McCain needs to point out the dangers of electing someone who fancies himself a god.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Thursday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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Is McCain Running For Obama's VP?

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, July 27, 2008 10:15:47 AM
John McCain is making it increasingly difficult for conservatives to support him. His lack of passion and enthusiasm for this race has left many dumbfounded. The mainstream media's love for Barack Obama has kept McCain out of the spotlight for the longest time, and this past week with Obama on his "magical mystery" tour, McCain was virtually nowhere to be seen.

One exception was when Obama was giving his "citizen of the world" speech in Germany. McCain made an appearance at a German restaurant...in Ohio. How lame is that?

On those notable occasions when he pops his head out of his hole like Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day, McCain says things that leave many scratching their heads, wondering if he really wants to win this election. Such was the case this past Friday when he said he thinks Barack Obama’s proposed timetable for withdrawal in Iraq is on the right track, even though he spent the last week hammering Obama for his military plans.

What is that?

Obama has been calling for a 16-month troop withdrawal timetable, a view he says has been reinforced by his trip to the middle east. McCain had been hammering away at this idea, calling Obama's plan politically expedient. Of course, the press was paying no attention to McCain until he gave an interview to CNN, in which he appeared to agree with Obama.

“I think it’s a pretty good timetable, as we should — or horizons for withdrawal,” he added, echoing a phrase President Bush used in recent days. “But they have to be based on conditions on the ground.”

Now McCain has maintained that conditions on the ground are a predicate for any reduction of troops. And he has said that Obama's withdrawal plan is based on an arbitrary timetable without regard to conditions in Iraq.

Why then he he suddenly sounding the praises of Obama's plan? Why is he even giving an iota of noteworthiness to an idea which could pose a serious threat to the stability of that region?

I can see the Obama campaign using McCain's words in a television spot. "Even Senator McCain agrees with Barack Obama's plan", the announcer would intone.

If John McCain doesn't want to fight for this election, if he doesn't want to go after Obama tooth and nail and get down and dirty (which is what it is going to take to prevent Obama from ascending to the presidency), then perhaps McCain should throw his hat into the ring for another position.

Obama's VP.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Thursday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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The Forgotten Man

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, July 20, 2008 3:48:24 PM
We are in the eye of the hurricane; past the primaries and caucuses, not quite to the conventions, debates and the general election. This should be a time for both candidates to be pounding home their messages. Barack Obama is getting all the support he needs from the mainstream media. They love him, adore him, worship him. He is the second coming of Christ, or so it is believed.

But what of John McCain?

During the primary season, when McCain had already wrapped up the Republican nomination, and Clinton and Obama were duking it out, several pundits were saying John McCain had time to just sit back, formulate policy and strategy, and get his ideas out before the electorate. But that didn't happen. Everyone was enjoying watching Hillary and Barry fight to the last drop of blood for the hearts and minds(well, maybe not minds...after all, they're liberals) of the democrat base. MCain was virtually ignored, save for the occasional comment taken out of context such as the one about staying in Iraq for a hundred years.

Then, once Hillary fell on her sword so that Barack could carry the democrat torch like an Olympic runner all the way to Denver, the pundits again weighed in saying MCain no longer had the distraction of the bitter rivalry between those two to get in the way of his "straight talk". Still, nobody paid attention. All eyes were focused on the lord and savior Obama, as he traversed the countryside throwing water bottles to swooning multitudes of enthralled disciples.

In recent days, even more things have gone Obama's way. He is going on "The Barack Obama World Tour", travelling with an entourage of roadies which includes all of the major network TV news anchors. Probably vetting them out for a possible press secretary.

He has stated repeatedly that he wants to sit down with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, roast some marshmallows over the fire and discuss Iran' s plans to develop a nuclear weapons program. A couple of months back, in addressing the Israeli Parliament, President Bush took a shot across Obama's bow by referring to those who would consider negotiating with governments like the one in Iran "appeasers."

Now, a U. S. decision to bend their policy and sit down with Iran, seems to have signaled that Obama's ideas are not completely without merit. To be fair, the talks appear to have fizzled, indicating that perhaps the Bush administration is trying to do some "appeasing" of his own; namely with those critics who fear the U.S. is getting ready to launch a military strike against Iranian nuclear targets, or at least support a possible decision by Israel to do so. It's a case of, "See? We tried to handle this diplomatically one more time, but they just wouldn't listen" before the bombing starts. It still, however, is something that, on the surface, helps Obama and hurts McCain.

Couple this with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki saying Obama's 16 month time frame for a withdrawal from Iraq is the right one, and you have a one-two punch which seems to leave John MCain unable to catch a break.

In any event, time is running out (and so is money) for McCain. He better find a way to get on message and soon if he hopes to make this a horse race. Because the way things are going now, MCain is looking more like "the forgotten man".

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Journalism Loses Another Great

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, July 13, 2008 11:02:18 AM
The profession of journalism has lost another great. Tony Snow, the affable anchor of Fox News Sunday, host of his own radio talk show and Press Secretary under President Bush, lost his valiant battle with colon cancer on Saturday at the age of 53.

Snow left a legacy of true professionalism and fair play in a business that can often be brutal and harsh when covering the political landscape. To a person, he had the respect and admiration of those he encountered; from the high and powerful in Washington, to the press corps he had to deal with as the spokesperson for the leader of the free world.

Snow's colleagues considered him a dear friend who always had a kind word for everyone he came in contact with. He showed a genuine interest in the lives of people. He cared about them as human beings. When someone Snow knew had a personal crisis going on in their lives, he was there with a kind word and a warm embrace. Even while battling his own cancer, he had words of encouragement for those who may also be fighting the disease.

Tony Snow took on his cancer with a tremendous amount of courage and grace. His deep and abiding faith in God helped him to face his illness with a positive attitude and a spirit that lesser men could not muster.

Above and beyond all else, Tony Snow loved his family very much. Although he harbored no anger at having been dealt a bad hand, one which had taken the life of his mother when he was only 17, he regretted that he would not be there to watch his children grow into adulthood, and to help his wife raise them. Snow's wife and children were everything to him. Their solace is knowing he treasured them and every moment he spent with them.

In just the span of a few weeks, we have lost two of the greatest journalists the profession has ever known. Tim Russert, and now Tony Snow.

Both are irreplaceable. Both will be sorely missed.

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Independence No More?

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, July 06, 2008 11:29:21 AM
I have a ritual that I observe every 4th of July. It's a movie that I watch, one that brings out the patriotism in me and reminds me what this great nation of ours is all about. The movie is called 1776 and is based on the Broadway musical. It tells the story of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and the great men who helped to found our country.

For most people, I daresay, the Independence Day holiday is nothing more than an opportunity to eat, drink and be merry. Hot dogs, beer and apple pie may be in abundance as America takes a break from its travails to relax and enjoy warm weather and sunshine. But what our forefathers did to make it possible for us to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy should never be forgotten.

We have an election coming up in a little less than four months. On what will probably be a cold, gray day in many parts of the country, will we think back to a July day some 232 years ago, when men of courage and valor dared to put at risk their very lives to form a new nation and break away from oppressive government? Or will we choose to elect a president that will return us to that same oppression?

Even though the 4th of July has come and gone, it is not too late to find a copy of 1776 and remind ourselves what the United States is all about. Especially before we make a decision which could forever change what this country stands for.

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A Birth Certificate Could Doom Obama

Posted by David Zublick on Sunday, June 29, 2008 9:14:38 AM
Barack Obama is on fire. The presumptive democratic nominee for president has thoroughly defeated Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House, the two of them have apparently kissed and made up, she's now on the campaign trail hawking his wares, and all is right with the world as far as the Democratic National Committee is concerned. All polls seem to indicate that Obama is beating his republican rival John McCain. McCain himself has indicated that he is the underdog in this race, and has a lot of work to do between now and November. Obama is the oncoming juggernaut that cannot be stopped.

Hold the phone.

Obama may not even be qualified to run for president. And I don't mean because of his lack of experience in any of the areas that the commander-in-chief and the leader of the free world has to deal with. No, I mean he may not meet constitutional requirements to run for the highest office in the land.

You see my friends, there is a little question of his citizenship. And Obama may be covering up the truth.

For several weeks now, the Internet has been abuzz with reports that Obama may not meet the citizenship requirements as laid out in the United States Constitution. Those requirements state that a candidate must be a natural born citizen. Obama's status has come into question. Supposedly, Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, after it became a state on August 21, 1959. Obama became a citizen at birth under first section of the 14th amendment.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside...."

Case closed. But wait.

Some questions have arisen about whether there is proof that Obama was really born in Hawaii in 1961, as well as the legal status of his mother at that time, and what is exactly on his original birth certificate...which by the way, may not even exist. When bloggers brought Obama's citizenship into question, the Daily Kos published what purported to be the original State of Hawaii birth certificate. The problem is...the document appears to be a fake, and a poorly executed one at that. Examination of this document indicates it has been modified with Photoshop or other image-editing software, rendering it a forgery.

This could prove very troubling for the Obama campaign for a number of different reasons. If a true certificate of live birth cannot be produced to prove that Obama is a natural born citizen rather than a naturalized citizen, one would have to question whether Obama is qualified under the constitution to run for president.

So why wouldn't the Obama campaign just lay all of this suspicion to rest by producing the real documentation rather than this cheap imitation which doesn't cut muster? Could it be that The father listed on the birth certificate is not Barack Hussein Obama? Or the father's race is listed as something other than African, perhaps Muslim or Arab? Or the mother was no longer at that time an American citizen? Or the child's name is not listed as Barack Hussein Obama II?

Jim Geraghty, reporting on the Campaign Spot blog of the National Review, cited the "rumor" that Obama was born not within the United States, but elsewhere, possibly Kenya.

Geraghty stated that "If Obama were born outside the United States, one could argue that he would not meet the legal definition of natural-born citizen -- because U.S. law at the time of his birth required his natural-born parent (his mother) to have resided in the United States for '10 years, at least [f]ive of which had to be after the age of 16.'"

He then points out that Ann Dunham, Obama's mother, was 18 when Obama was born "so she wouldn't have met the requirement of five years after the age of 16."

If the rumors that Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen are true, it would stop the campaign in its tracks. So far, no major news organization appears to be following this important story. The blogosphere appears to be the only quadrant of the journalistic universe that is attempting to bring this story to the forefront.

And this most recent development regarding the fake documentation published by the Daily Kos and touted by the Obama campaign as enough evidence to lay these "smear rumors" to rest only adds to the mystery.

Someone had better pick up the ball on this story and run with it.

If Obama is truly eligible under our constitution to run for president, then let's get the proof out there and move on to finding other ways to prevent Obama from being elected. But if this story has legs, let's expose it and stop Obama dead in his tracks.

Now.

Listen to America Talks Monday through Thursday at 6 pm eastern time at www.blogtalkradio.com/americatalks. Visit our website at www.americatalks.com.
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