Via Gallup: Bush Job Approval at 25%, His Lowest Yet
President Bush’s job approval rating is at 25% in the latest Oct. 3-5 Gallup Poll, the lowest of the Bush administration, and only three percentage points above the lowest presidential approval rating in Gallup Poll history.
Given that he was already hovering just above historic levels of low approval, it is hardly a surprise that in the wake of the financial crisis that he has hit his lowest level ever for this poll. Given the crisis, I am a bit surprised that the numbers aren’t lower than they are. Indeed, he has seemed a second tier (at best) player in this whole affair, with Paulson and Bernanke and congressional leadership more prominent actors in the process. He has hardly been the epitome of the leader, in any event. One would have thought that that might have further damaged his credibility and therefore his approval numbers.
It does make one wonder (and I am not being facetious) as to what the actual lower limits are for presidential approval numbers.
On a conference call today, a McCain attorney, John Dowd, described the Keating Five investigation as “classic political smear-job on John.” (The conference call be heard here, and the quote is at about 14:30). Around 14:10 he stated that there was “no merit” to the allegations against McCain.
Beyond anything else, this is a mistake for McCain tactically. As Ben Smith correctly notes:
I’d always thought McCain’s great strength in defending the Keating affair was that he’d acknolwedged making a huge mistake, and spent his career repenting by recasting himself as a reformer.
I agree. If the McCain campaign is now going to try and recast the investigation as nothing but an attack on McCain, then all that is going to do is create a broader public discussion about those events. Such an approach also damages the whole Road to Damascus/Born Again Maverick narrative.
It will be interesting to see how the campaign tries to deal with this. Dowd, in the conference call, appears aware that his views as McCain’s lawyer differs to some degree from McCain’s interpretation of events (which is an odd way for an attorney to present a situation, but ok).
That is a classic case of criminal behavior where no conviction equals no guilt. I’m still waiting to see
how the how the connection between his former campaign
managers as paid EADS lobbbyists and his ability to cancel the Boeing contract plays out. I am also curious about
his current connections to so many of the current financial firms that are tanking right now. The ‘Maverick’ appears to be surrounded by lobbyists for the financial industry.
With the economy tanking and the cause so closely linked to his dedication to eliminating government regulation, this can’t be good news for him.
Comment by dl from austin, tx — Tuesday, October 7, 2024 @ 4:43 pm
After watching Governor Palin and a number of McCain surrogates1 launch a new strategy over the last few days of trying to accentuate Obama’s associations with William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright and Tony Rezko, I figured that a Keating Five counter-punch was coming soon.
And the Politico reports: Exclusive: Obama to hit McCain on Keating Five
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Monday is launching a multimedia campaign to draw attention to the involvement of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the “Keating Five” savings-and-loan scandal of 1989-91, which blemished McCain’s public image and set him on his course as a self-styled reformer.
On the one hand, this is something of a blast from the past. On the other, it is a blast from the last time we had a major crisis in the finance sector and the last time that the federal government had to get involved in fixing it. It isn’t exactly the kind of thing that McCain should want to be in the middle of the national conversation at the moment.
McCain will try to counter the story by casting it as his Road to Damascus moment in terms of lobbyist and his rebirth as The Maverick. Still, in terms of the political narrative, this is not the kind of thing that McCain needs to be filtering into the story at this point in time.
It seems exceedingly unlikely that Ayers, Wright and Rezko are going to start resonating now when they haven’t to this point (it should be noted: none of these are new stories and have been in the mix for roughly a year). Given that fact, the “guilt-by-association” card was a dangerous one for the McCain camp to play given that they had to know that the Keating Five was the obvious counter-play.
I don’t think, by the way, that the Keating Five story is some super counter-attack that will lay waste to McCain’s campaign. However, it is more than enough to cause some voters to pause and wonder what McCain was up to during the Savings and Loan crash and to then draw parallels to the current financial bailout. Given that early voting has begun in a number of states, this isn’t good timing for McCain.
In terms of AyersWrightRezko: all that tactic will do is give hardcore McCain supporters and talk radio hosts another reason to dislike Obama. That simply isn’t going to be enough to win this election, not by a longshot.
To summarize: AyerWrightRezko isn’t new and isn’t likely to cause many to change their minds at this point. However, Keating hasn’t been a major focus to date and introducing it is a wildcard in the wake of the financial crisis. McCain’s campaign has made what may turn out to be a serious tactical error by taking this path.
James Joyner has a good write-up on this general story as well.
Sphere: Related Content
Apparently, the subject of Obama associates was the topic of Sean Hannity’s America on FNC last night as well. [↩]
This sort of baby slapping avoids the real issues at stake. Mccain pulled Obama into this, just like he politicized the economic crisis… is Mccain’s campaign still officially in “suspension?” There is no doubt that Mccain is openly embracing the Muslim charges against Obama, which cannot be perceived as anything other than prejudicial racism. SO WHAT!? Isn’t this a free country or not? Why is it such a big deal even if he is Muslim? Mccain and Palin are trying to paint him as a terrorist, just because they are convinced that he is Muslim. These idiots are quick to connect him to his former Christian pastor Jeremiah Wright, and then simultanteously slide over to charge him with the fallacious accusation of being Muslim. This is a serious disjunction in the thought patterns of many racist Americans. It’s unbelievable.
Anyways… Obama’s professionalism transcends any politician this year… it’s clear, because he ended up on top of a two year long presidential race. He will NOT be brought down to Mccain/Palin’s level. They will not win because of their inability to connect with the real DIVERSE American population that many Americans pick up arms and fight for.
Comment by Daniel — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 11:15 am
What I can not understand is why the DEMS keep praising McCain for his great service for being a pilot in the NAM war.
In fact the truth is McCain is not a smart man. He graduated 5th from the bottom in a class of over 750 people.
Why else would a fighter pilot crash more than 5 times. You really have to be inept at your job to crash more than 5 times. He got caught and I give him credit for not accepting a deal to be free sooner than his fellow prisoners. But that fact alone in no way makes him qualified to be President.
Sarah Palin has failed out of 2 state and 3 community colleges in her lifetime. How dumb is this VP pick ? She can not put two sentences together. Even a parrot can be taught to speak a few words, it does not mean it is smart. Notice how on Fox, she is so confident answering the newspaper question now after hours of coaching I believe. I think its a reflection of the people of Alaska who have chosen such a woman to be their governor.
We have lost the respect of the military in our country, and only making wise use of our forces will bring it back, but it will take decades. We need to stop using our military to fight unjustified wars. We need to stop policing the world and stop extending the US empire.
Another point I want to make is that Republicans are accusing Obama of being elitist. Well actually Obama is intellectual, and I would want a President who is intelligent and smart and opposed to Joe Six Pack and a dumb, stupid hockey mom. These words and associations do not mean anything as there is no substance in the Neo Con Ticket. And if money is the criteria of defining a elitist, then John McCain has 13 cars and 7 houses. His worth is upwards of 100 Mil.
One last thing, if Republicans want to bring up guilt by association. I would bring McCain Keating 5 scandal as a reflection on Johnny Mac, and also if Jeremiah Wright is allegedly a reflection on Obama, then why isn’t Karl Rove a reflection on George Bush.
I can not wait for when Mr. Rove is tried for his criminal activities after DEMS get the White House. I’d like to slap that stupid smirk off his face and while I am at it, throw in Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. That would be a good break from my everday job.
Comment by John (Oak Park, CA) — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 11:43 am
During the primaries, I was a big fan of Hillary. I did not get on the Obama wagan. I did not view John McCain negatively with exception that he is mostly for the wealthy. Despite that I wanted to give him an Obama a fair chance in listening to their campaign then have an opinion of whom would be best for the presidency. When he chose Palin, that really did it for me, this woman is bad for this country. Not only is she an airhead, but she is ding bat. She keeps smiling through her debate answer that she did not answered and winking not taking it seriously. Where I come from when you wink and talk you are talking smack and not taking seriously. I remembered McCain stating on national T.V. that he did not want to run a dirty campaign. He has flip flop on everything he said. He is not a man of his words and that is troublesome for me. Everyone in the media kept talking about him bringing back the Wright issue, which reminds me of children trying to spark a fight. So the media played a lot in this too. He roll the dice and Obama now have to roll back. This is so riduculous. Our country is in turmoil with the economy, people are broke and going broke and they think they can fool the American people with this blunder. We do not care. We want to survive. I really think McCain is a Maverick. Maverick don’t last very long. My parents once had a Maverick. It was a ugly Ford car back in the 70’s. Did not last too long on the market. I don’t see any around anymore. This old guy and his dumb beauty pageant assistant needs to go into retirement, rest his brain. He has turn me off.
Comment by Donna — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 11:44 am
The term “maverick” is an old western term describing steers which have wandered away from the herd. These are not the brightest cattle, and they usually end up contributing another sun-bleached skull to the desert landscape when they die of thirst or starvation. In the 1950’s, the term was reborn with the James Garner television series about two brothers who were professional gamblers. I don’t see either of these applications as being all that flattering to a presidential candidate. In any case, I think ‘loose cannon’ and hot-head are much more applicable to John McCain, who seems to pick positions that will advance his legend while he gets nothing done. If elected, McCain would be the lowest academic achiever to be president in U.S. history, graduating at the bottom of his Naval Academy class of nearly 900 midshipmen. His career as a naval aviator was marred by several mishaps, which were ultimately attributed to show-boating and poor pilot judgment. These themes have re-surfaced in his current campaign. Of course, the best example of his poor judgment has been his choice of running mate, a person who is less qualified to be vice president than any other person who has ever run for that office.
Comment by John RJ — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:08 pm
There you go again Joe talking about the past. This is what Sarah Palin said during here debate with Sen Biden last week. Now today Sarah Palin here you go again talking about the past in your comments about Sen. Obama and William Ayres. Its the past Sarah and has nothing to do about what your party and its leader have done to this country. Stick to the issues at hand (oh that’s right you have no clue about that) maybe you should call Tina Fey and get some help.
Comment by Gary B. — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:33 pm
McCain is reaching to far, the Tony Rezco, Rev Write, Ayers is old news, I’ve heard over the radio another stink ad about Obama, saying do you want a president who listens and dance to rap music of TI. John McCain approved of the message. If thats the kind of campaign McCain is running then he is racist. He did not want to vote for the King Holiday.
Comment by W.P — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:41 pm
The Republicans should shut Sarah Palin up, she’s only speaking out of turn and mouthing off to sound knowledgeable. she avoids real issues and this ranting about character is goin to backfire with her history of indiscretions, as well as her children’s.
Comment by vette — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:53 pm
Since the mainstream media is in the tank for Obama … he literally can get away with anything! When the media is one sided in reporting the truth, they are worse than a witness who is convicted of perjury. A biased media paves the way for despots and dictators who rise to power. Hitler could not have risen to power without his minister of propaganda, Joseph Gobbels … who controlled what the public saw,heard, and eventually believed. In time, a biased media can even revise history, turning young minds into automatons, who think and act in unison … even to the point of strapping on suicide bombs. I’m in my 60’s, and I’ve never seen such a biased media before. Our wonderful country is starting to change in very bad ways. It seems that an organized group of malcontents have infiltrated our media and our schools … in an effort to change America beyond recognition. These arrogant fools are going to turn America into a defenseless third world country. I believe that our only hope to save America, is to reject the biased media’s candidate, and elect the candidate who has always represented truth, jusice, and the American way. Elect Senator John McCain in November. God Bless America.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=obama+youth+junior+fraternity+regiment&search_type=&aq=f
Comment by Howard — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:53 pm
Thanks, Howard, for reminding us that Obama is like Hitler.
You are right to suggest that if we elect a colored fellow like Obama President that he’ll “turn America into a defenseless third world country.”
You forgot to mention that Obama (or, more appropriately, Hussein) is probably also a Muslim [or a Jew, take your pick] intent on selling the country out to some cabal of bankers/terrorists that want to put the US under a direct protectorate of the United Nations.
Comment by Ratoe — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 1:43 pm
They all need to stop acting like grade school children on the playground and start actually acting like adults. It still baffles me that adults who are actually looking for public support in some manner will resort to grade school tactics for attention. Is it any wonder why there is so little turn out during election day? Look at what we have to choose from!
Comment by M.T. — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 1:50 pm
At least this is viable information. Those crazy Repubs are trying desperately to tie Obama to a man he met for 5 minutes. McCain was DIRECTLY involved in something serious. And he was not let off clean. He was admonished, but ultimately there was not enough evidence to stick him with the kind of punishment 2 of the other 4 got. Its still sad you have all these racist morons trying desperately to tie Obama to terrorism simply based on his race and name. Palin should stick to Beauty pageants, her scripture is better received there. McCain is a fraud - definately no hero. He needs to go back to school and at least try to graduate in the top 50 percent of his class this time. Embarassing old man. He should just retire.
Comment by Gia — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 2:16 pm
Obama can blame McCain for the economic crisis that only McCain, Clinton and Bush warned congress about years ago. Obama and friends have only profited from it all.
But, as it turns out, Obama trained “community organizers”, members of ACORN, nation wide as to how to intimidate bankers into giving high risk sub-prime loans to their constituents who vote as can be expected, Democratic.
What bothers me the most is how the main stream media is not giving us all the information to make a well informed decision. Too many red flags with Obama. You might cast aside one or two, but he has too many skeletons in his closet to trust a mere first term unaccomplished senator with being Commander in Chief.
Here’s just the short list of reasons to doubt this guy. There’s plenty more.
Close Association with Bill Ayers, unrepentant domestic terrorist, founder of the “Weathermen” who stated on 9-11 that he himself did not do enough to bomb federal buildings.
20 years listening to the rhetoric of Rev Wright, racist anti-white, America Hating preacher of christianity - really?
Questionable financial dealings with Tony Resko, currently being sentenced to prison for many of them.
His economic advisor, Franklin Raines, former CEO of Fannie Mae who resigned under scandal after filling his pockets with millions of taxpayer dollars and in large measure, personally responsible for the financial collapse of today.
Friend and neighbor, Louis Farrahkahn, leader of the nation of ISLAM, honored for lifetime achievement by Obama’s so-called “christian church”. No more needs to be said.
His work helping Rashid Khalidi, reportedly a PLO activist, a known terrorist group.
The racist and hate filled college thesis paper of his wife Michelle.
His own hidden from public view college thesis paper - wonder why?
But ignore all of it if you can.
Just try reading the “AUDACITY OF TRUTH” - That ought to give you some clue to what the truth about this guy might really be.
He so frighteningly resembles Adolph Hitler in his rise to unquestioned popularity, that I am amazed “skin heads” aren’t supporting the guy. Maybe they are confused by the white half of him.
One thing is for certain! If Obama was white… he would barley be a footnote in the primaries with what he has accomplished beyond his two memoirs.
Comment by Keith — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:59 pm
will somebody please call a news station and get the word out about palin and her husband trying to get alaska out of united states control
Comment by larry lindsey — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 4:15 pm
And a while back I had the naive audacity to hope this was going to be a clean presidential election between 2 candidates I liked and admired.
My foolishness is only eclipsed by the spectacle of these jackasses escalating their internecine slime contest, while trumpeting “country first” & other such drivel, at the very moment international stock and credit markets are freaking out over the potential failure of American politicians to competently & seriously address the financial crisis.
It’s like watching a 3 Stooges bit on the deck of the Titanic and being asked to choose between the antics of Moe or Curly to save the ship.
Comment by RandyB — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 8:12 pm
Do you want a pair of mavericks in the whitehouse? Someone who will do what they want dispite what is right or wrong? A loose cannon, so to speak. Someone who will zig when we need them to zag?
I hope not, people. If anything, we need someone with a direction. In both the economy and against an unrelenting enemy.
I recently read an article in my local newspaper about McCain’s time as a POW in Viet Nam. In that article it talked about how he formed his “view of the world” and the use of the U.S. military in the world. I wonder…I really wonder what that inner view really is. Does McCain want the inact some sort of revenge against an enemy that he choses? Regardless of the reason. And put our troops in more hot zones than we can support at one time?
I am sceptical of this Republican ticket. The corrupt ways in Alaska will not work in Washington…or will they!
I still have one question; is the Vice-President and part of the Executive branch or the Legislative branch of our government. What about the rest of the cabinet?
Comment by Randy — Tuesday, October 7, 2024 @ 10:24 am
One of the responses from the debate that I have been to go back to is the following from Biden. I was confused by it at the time, and wanted to see the transcript.
The question:
IFILL: What has this administration done right or wrong — this is the great, lingering, unresolved issue, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — what have they done? And is a two-state solution the solution?
The answer (with the bolded part being the subject of this post:
BIDEN: Gwen, no one in the United States Senate has been a better friend to Israel than Joe Biden. I would have never, ever joined this ticket were I not absolutely sure Barack Obama shared my passion.
But you asked a question about whether or not this administration’s policy had made sense or something to that effect. It has been an abject failure, this administration’s policy.
In fairness to Secretary Rice, she’s trying to turn it around now in the seventh or eighth year.
Here’s what the president said when we said no. He insisted on elections on the West Bank, when I said, and others said, and Barack Obama said, “Big mistake. Hamas will win. You’ll legitimize them.” What happened? Hamas won.
When we kicked — along with France, we kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon, I said and Barack said, “Move NATO forces in there. Fill the vacuum, because if you don’t know — if you don’t, Hezbollah will control it.”
Now what’s happened? Hezbollah is a legitimate part of the government in the country immediately to the north of Israel.
The fact of the matter is, the policy of this administration has been an abject failure.
And speaking of freedom being on the march, the only thing on the march is Iran. It’s closer to a bomb. Its proxies now have a major stake in Lebanon, as well as in the Gaza Strip with Hamas.
We will change this policy with thoughtful, real, live diplomacy that understands that you must back Israel in letting them negotiate, support their negotiation, and stand with them, not insist on policies like this administration has.
The response is a jumbled mess. He is referring to the period after the Hezbollah/Israel conflict in 2024, although he has the narrative rather confused.
Some of the problems:
-The US never kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon, with the help of the French or not. That is simply nonsense. One might think that he means they were kicked out of Israel, but apart from the initial cross-border raid that sparked the conflict, I am fairly certain that the fighting consisted mainly of bombardments from Lebanon into Israel, with any actual fighting taking place in southern Lebanon. Beyond that, neither the US nor the French were involved at that point.
-It is true that the French participated in a peacekeeping force after the end of the conflict.
-The mission was a UN one, not a NATO one. Indeed, it was an enhancement of an existing mission that was started in 1978 (UNIFIL).
-Hezbollah was already a member of the Lebanese government prior to the conflict, so it wasn’t as if some failed policy of the Bush administration led to that outcome. (Indeed, I noted Hezbollah’s status as a political party here, in one of the few (only?) instances in which I favorably quoted John Bolton).
Really, Biden’s answer makes no sense, and had Palin said anything along those lines, she would have been skewered.
Here’s an honest truth that based on a couple of posts I’ve made here you’ll find surprising.
I think it makes more sense than you’re giving it credit for (though not much). I think that you have the wrong incident that he was talking about. I think he substituted the word Hezbollah for Syria, and was talking about 2024 when the Lebanese people, along with backing of US and French diplomatic corps, forced Syrian forces out of Lebanon.
Now, putting in any forces we control, whether US, NATO, or UN was never an option in this case. It’s possible, but doubtful, that he ever mentioned anything along these lines publicly. I’m pretty sure that Obama was probably too smart to say something that off the wall.
Which brings the real problem with a Biden vice presidency. I always thought that Obama picked Biden because he wanted a traditional party stalwart, but was fearful of allowing the Billary two headed monster into his inner circle. Anybody that has ever had to work with an uncontrollable, unpunishable subordinate knows the special kind of chaos they can create.
If Biden has shown anything in this election he’s shown that he doesn’t give a flying fig about what the Obama folks think. He says what he wants when he wants. Thirty years of being called ’senator’ have ingrained his infallibility into his DNA. An Obama win will give Biden a standing invitation to all of the Sunday talk shows where he can give his own special form of commentary of the days events. And only 1 person necessarily comes out looking good in a Biden tale, and it ain’t Obama.
You once made a post about different types of Veep picks, concluding that Biden was a governing pick. I’m guessing before this is over Obama will be looking in Dante’s Inferno to see which level of Hell is reserved for unfaithful vice presidents.
Comment by Buckland — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 7:02 pm
No. impossible, dr. Taylor. She would not have been skewered. She would have been gently criticized in some categories, and then she would have been defended by a throng of R’s who think it perfectly legitimate to have someone on the ticket who knows nothing about foreign policy. and they would have sighed and put their hands over their heart in great admiration because she mentioned a proper name like hezbollah at all. “ahhh….see? she’s smart. she said Hezbollah.”
okay, i’m just being silly. and at the time of the debate when biden said that i made one of those scooby-doo noises. “errr??” thanks for recapturing that.
Comment by mbailey@berry.edu — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:48 am
The real question - while he no doubt is being Joe Biden - is he being the best Biden he can be? (see January 8, 2024)
Comment by RandyB — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 8:28 am
Thanks for the post. This went over my head when watching the debate. I think the moral of the story is to hope that both Obama and McCain manage to find competent Secretaries of State.
Comment by Black Political Analysis — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 10:47 am
I heard this clip the next day and was similarly puzzled. Did he really say that he and Obama called for a NATO mission in Lebanon? Because that would be quite some proposal for an expansion of NATO’s raison d’etre.
On the statement right before that, I have heard Obama state that he argued against elections in the Palestinian Territories. (I do not know if he was on record with that statement or not, but the claim is part of his whole “judgment” over “experience” argument.) This, too, is something on which he has not been asked to explain himself, to my knowledge. It is an implicit statement that elections are not a way to resolve internal conflicts. But then what is? Independent of our hindsight regarding what happened, what would have been better than letting Hamas and Fatah contest an election? And what guide is this to future policy that an Obama administration would follow?
[This may appear twice or not at all. I got a WP error in trying to post it the first time/]
Comment by Matthew — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:49 pm
Via the Columbus Dispatch: Obama opens lead on McCain Columbus Dispatch Politics.
The numbers are:
49% Obama
42% McCain
8% Undecided
1% Others
The MOE is +/- 2%, making Obama’s seven point gap rather substantial.
These numbers are far more significant than the previously noted Minnesota polls. While not impossible, it is extremely difficult to envision a McCain victory if he loses Ohio.
Via Rasmussen: 59% Would Vote to Replace Entire Congress
If they could vote to keep or replace the entire Congress, 59% of voters would like to throw them all out and start over again. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 17% would vote to keep the current legislators in office.
And, I have no doubt that if we had a national referendum, that there might be a support to actually push the reset button. However, the real question is whether the voters will toss out their own reps en masse. This strikes me as rather unlikely.
The fourth graf of that article gives a plausible explanation for Palin’s’ selection and continuing popularity:
Only half (49%) believe that the current Congress is better than individuals selected at random from the phone book. Thirty-three percent (33%) believe a randomly selected group of Americans could do a better job and 19% are not sure (see crosstabs).
Maybe that “random people could do better” idea is why Palin has been talking about representing Joe sixpacks and hockey moms so much.
Comment by Len — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 6:30 pm
Indeed.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 6:40 pm
i kind of understand the populace’s anger, especially since it seems there was some real warrant for their concern about the bill. i, in contrast, blithely followed our elite’s lead, clucking my tongue at all these left and right-winged populist nutjobs who’d rather let the country go down a depression than do what’s sensible. but the more i hear about the entire deal, i’m beginning to have doubts i didn’t have at the time.
elitest that i am and all.
Comment by mbailey@berry.edu — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:51 am
Since I’ve now come to view the congressional problem as systemic, I suspect the public frustration will continue to grow unabated, whatever the results of the elections.
Comment by Polimom — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 9:19 am
It has been a bit difficult to get a good feel for Peggy Noonan’s view on Governor Palin. A few weeks ago, an unknown open mic seemed to indicate that Noonan was far from impressed with Palin. Then, on Thursday night after the debate, she was quite effusive in her praise of Palin’s performance (stating, amongst other things, that she “killed”). Her post-debate column was a bit of a mix. In that column she did ponder a not so complementary notion:
A question is at what point shiny, happy populism becomes cheerful manipulation.
She expanded on that populism note this morning on MTP:
MS. NOONAN: Oh, but some people are naturals. She is a natural. I, I will tell you, I, I feel increased concern about her, I think, what she thinks of populism, as her populist approach. There are two ways—you know, her stuff about “I’m Main Street, you’re not, you’re the elite. I’m not the East Coast, I’m Joe Six-Pack.” She actually says, “I’m the Joe Six-Pack candidate.” This left me thinking, “Gosh, would Lincoln say, ‘I represent the backwoods types?’ Would FDR say, ‘Yeah, the New York aristocracy deserves another moment in the sun. Vote for me.’” It—there’s something weird about it. But there’s also something, for me, concerning populism as a tactic is justified often in politics. “I need this program, the people want it.” Populism as a strategy, “We’re the good guys, you’re the bad guys,” is not good, and, and if that’s the road they’re going, that’s not a good road to be on. It’s not helpful to the country.
(She made a similar point in her column).
Really, Palin’s basic appeal is populistic, plain and simple. She isn’t from Washington, she is a working Mom, she is small towner, she isn’t an “East Coast elite” and so forth. She is “just like you” (well, some of you). The problem, of course, for the McCain ticket, is that that populistic appeal only is likely to influence certain segments of the base. I don’t think it will resonate beyond there.
One thing that also strikes me: one is an “outsider” only up and until the point that one wins. And, further, in the case of someone as inexperienced as Palin, one has to rely very heavily on “insiders” for information and advice.
Bring it back to her column, Noonan notes the following, connecting this populistic appeal to a means of deflecting criticisms of Palin:
I find obnoxious the political game in which if you expressed doubts about the vice presidential nominee, or criticized her, you were treated as if you were knocking the real America—small towns, sound values. “It’s time that normal Joe Six-Pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency,” Mrs. Palin told talk-show host Hugh Hewitt.
She also connects it to the current administration:
As for the dismissal of conservative critics of Mrs. Palin as “Georgetown cocktail party types” (that was Mr. McCain), well, my goodness. That is the authentic sound of the aggression, and phony populism, of the Bush White House. Good move. That ended well.
Indeed, there is a lot about Palin that reminds me of Bush, and that isn’t a compliment. Specifically that lack of specific knowledge is somehow a virtue (or, at a minimum, an unimportant fact).
Noonan is out promoting her book right now, and she’s given a lot of good interviews in the process. She was on the Daily Show last week, and she and Jon Stewart had a conversation that hit on a lot of these points as well- particularly with a lot of the “code speak” that these campaigns are using.
And I have to admit. It really shows that she wrote speeches for Reagan. You can almost hear her words coming out of his mouth when she speaks.
Comment by ALmod — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 1:36 pm
Specifically that lack of specific knowledge is somehow a virtue (or, at a minimum, an unimportant fact).
It’s interesting that you’ve shown lots of concern over the past month over Palin’s lack of specific knowledge. However Biden’s wholesale invention of facts isn’t interesting.
The one that I still find interesting was the whole Hezbollah comment by Biden in the recent debate. Forget the earlier Biden inventions (President FDR on TV in 1929, etc.), this one was kind of a trifecta in itself:
- Inventing the result of a conflict that never existed. Hezbollah was NEVER driven from Lebanon. It was formed in the early 80’s in Lebanon and has never left.
- Came up with a solution that no sane person would back. NATO troops are never going to Lebanon, not in the current configuration. There’s no interest in NATO allies to send troops there, and especially for American troops (and especially since the marine barracks bombing in ‘84). NATO troops don’t go where they’re not invited.
- Then criticized the Bush administration for not following his silly advice on an imagined conflict.
Biden has said several silly things, indeed, all 4 of the contenders have said things that come out wrong. However this comment was in a class by itself. He showed that he had no knowledge of the Middle East, no knowledge of the role of NATO, and absolute confidence in that lack of knowledge.
There’s an old saying (source unknown) on the order of “It’s not what you don’t know that kills you, it’s what you know that ain’t so”. Biden’s absolute knowledge of something that is so easily proved untrue is much more worrisome than Palin’s occasional vapid answers.
Comment by Buckland — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 3:45 pm
A couple of things:
The bottom line is that I blog about what is interesting me at a given moment. I am not all that interested in Biden, and I am interested in Palin, hence the disparity in coverage. And really, the bottom line is that I am hardly bound to “equal time” in terms of whom I critique
Part of why I am interested in Palin is that there is a very really chance that she should become the president, and I must confess I find that disturbing. Also, the odds she becomes president are higher than for Biden becoming president.
Further, I have a general sense of who Biden is, not so Palin.
Beyond that, I do think that Biden has spent some time thinking about these issues, I am not convinced that Palin has at all.
I have honestly been meaning to get back to the Hezbollah thing from the debate.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 3:52 pm
The U.S. and France pushed for a U.N. resolution demanding the withdrawal of Syrian troops, and France deployed troops in Lebanon in the wake of that.
The U.S. would not send troops into southern Lebanon as part of an international peacekeeping force, as was being negotiated when Israel was demanding return of its troops and began its incursion. NATO agreed to only if Hezbellah agreed, but the force would not have included British or U.S. troops. Italy agreed to send troops.
He seems to have meant that the U.S. would not join France during the Cedar Revolution, but is also conflating it with the July War a year and a half later.
Comment by bluespapa — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 7:24 pm
Hmmm… I hope I don’t throw everyone off by responding to the actual post this thread started with, but here goes:
In my view, Palin’s performance in the VP debate was an utter disaster for the campaign.
How can I say that, when there has been so much praise slathered over it? Simple.
She wasted 90 minutes appealing to the people that were going to vote McCain/Palin anyway.
What is being sold as her solid performance by the GOP spin-doctors and the right-wing pundits was no such thing.
Anyone who has been following the campaigns with any more than a passing interest should be well-aware that John and Sarah have their Core vote wrapped-up.
Where they’re running into trouble is with Independents and Undecideds. Two groups who are notorious for hating BS. Which is all Palin had to offer during the debate.
I challenge anyone to quote me a specific answer to ANY question she was asked. Her supporters will trumpet her bravery (or is it “Maverickism”?) in openly defying the moderator. To me, that was pure bluster and misdirection.
Anyone looking for actual answers is likely to feel the same. So, for those of you who have already chosen the GOP ticket - I understand why you’ve deluded yourselves into thinking she performed well. She made you feel good about your positions - which I’m sure can be tough at times.
But for those of us who (oddly enough) expect to hear an actual answer to a definite question… she blew it.
There are a lot of us who don’t care how “folksy” a candidate is. There are a lot of us who don’t consider $200K in income as “middle class” (as Palin seems to). And there are a lot of us (I hope) who can see through her veneer.
She’s clueless. She’s unqualified. And you should have a problem with that. You should also have a problem with the fact that she didn’t even TRY to win over the votes you need to win.
My impression of the conversation back-stage after the debate:
Spin Doctors: Are you Effing kidding? You just set us back 6 months!
Palin: What’re you talking about? They LOVE me!
Spin Doctors: YEAH… the same people who loved you when you walked onstage still love you. The people who hated you when you walked onstage hate you even more (and now have more ammunition)… but the people who weren’t sure? With them you dug us a hole. They actively don’t like you now. They don’t trust you. You seem like a liar to them.
Palin: But I didn’t lie about anything!
Spin Doctor: No… you just failed to tell the truth on anything. On any… single… thing. She asked you questions that could have been homeruns for you. Weren’t you listening over the last 10 days? Are you aware that you didn’t answer a single question?
Palin: Uh huh…
Spin Doctor: Why the F didn’t you?
Palin: Our supporters don’t like to hear the truth.
Spin Doctor: But we’ve been rehearsing all week how to make the truth sound less horrific. And besides, didn’t you hear me tell you that our Base isn’t the issue? That we need to connect with the Undecideds?
Palin: Uh huh.
Spin Doctor: Then what the F?
Palin: People like it when I’m Folksy.
Spin Doctor: Ahh.. for F’s sake.
Palin: Didn’t you hear me say “… dog-gone-it Joe…” People eat that stuff up.
Spin Doctor: Nevermind…
So… a back-handed thanks to Gov. Palin for being so obvious in her obfuscation. And a whole-hearted “Wake UP” to the folks who missed it.
I make no claim on telling you who you should vote for, but for the sake of America, for the sake of our children, for the sake of your own piece of mind - at least do it with your eyes open.
Go to the campaign websites. Do some research. If after that it still doesn’t bother you that McCain’s policies don’t match his rhetoric - or only for an hour at a time - that’s on you.
But PLEASE stop this mindless parotting of the campaign and the pundits.
This is exactly how Dubya snuck into the White House, and we’ve all lived through the aftermath.
Don’t you want your candidate to be accountable? Go to sites like FactCheck.Org and Snopes.com to learn some facts about both campaigns.
I don’t expect (or want) everyone to agree with my viewpoint.
I just want us all to make informed decisions.
And in my opinion, anyone who says Palin did anything other than dodge, misdirect and sidestep during the debate wasn’t paying attention.
Comment by CowboyGP — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 1:33 am
I feel like paraphrasing Jerry Seinfeld about his neighbor:
“Noonan!!”
I read that article, too, and there’s something about that woman (Noonan) that makes me….well, I’m not a fan. Something I’ve noticed about the character pushers. You know, the type of person who says that character and personality that make all the difference, and what we need now are people with good character. Despite stating the obvious, these folks also seem to lack in modesty of any kind. As does ol’ Peggy. Good grief, is she pompous. I saw her give a speech at the university of texas, and both my wife and i came away needing to wash our hands. she more-or-less put herself at the center of the reagan revolution. and, you know, she can turn a good phrase now and then, but aren’t there, oh, about 13,000 better writers in the u.s. now? is she really that good??!!
but that article, grrrr….. i don’t know. i need more than a wink from a veep. again, call me elitest.
Comment by mbailey@berry.edu — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:56 am
Cowboy, all due respect, but this:
“Don’t you want your candidate to be accountable? Go to sites like FactCheck.Org and Snopes.com to learn some facts about both campaigns.”
You may or may not have picked up on the rhetoric by now, but guess who is the new “liberal media.” You guessed it. The pundits have been trying their darndest lately to discredit and debunk the independent fact checkers. My particular favorite was the “debunking” of an “incorrect” fact checking of an NRA ad- which was done by the NRA and then later spoonfed to right-wing bloggers.
Comment by ALmod — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 9:16 am
ALmond~ Thanks for the heads up… I wasn’t aware of that. Can’t say it really surprises me much, though.
So I’ll amend my statement to include visiting the campaign’s own websites. That was when McCain started really going south for me (not that he had far to fall in my graces)… when I saw first-hand that he was flat-out lying about not only many of Obama’s policies, but some of his own as well.
Comment by CowboyGP — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 11:09 pm
Via the Strib: Minnesota Poll: Obama leaps ahead of McCain
The poll, conducted last week among 1,084 likely voters, found that 55 percent support Obama, while 37 percent back McCain.
That’s a huge difference from the last Minnesota Poll, conducted in September, which showed the race dead even, with each candidate backed by 45 percent of likely voters.
The issue at hand in the poll is, not surprisingly, the economy.
On the one hand, Minnesota hasn’t gone Republican since 1972 and the Nixon landslide. Indeed, it was the only state to go against Reagan in his landslide of 1984.1 On the other, there was, at one point, a serious possibility that McCain could challenge Obama in Minnesota, given that the gap in 2024 was only two points (Gore won 48-46, of course Nader had 5%) and three points in 2024 (Kerry won 51-48).
Part of this is the normal shaking out of states that at one point seem to be in play, but end up not being such. However, it is also about two important dynamics in this campaign.
First, it shows (along with the Michigan retreat) that the McCain camp cannot hope to do anything other than to seek to repeat Bush’s electoral victories. As such, so much for the notion (which, really, has been dead for a while2 ) that McCain really is a Maverick in an electoral sense (i.e., that he had a real chance to appeal to moderates in some “blue” states and therefore win some of them).
Second, the gap in the Minnesota numbers above (and the already mentioned Michigan pull-out) show the way that the economic crisis is roiling through our politics, and acutely so in some states. This will not help McCain.
Sphere: Related Content
The Democratic nominee that year was Minnesota native son Walter Mondale. Mondale also won DC. [↩]
Comment by MSS — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:39 pm
Oops. Thanks for noting that and it is now fixed.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:41 pm
It looks, at one month out, as if neither candidate will realize the potential that each seemed to have earlier of appealing to demogpraphics in the other party’s usual territory, and hence shaking up the map.
Instead, it is looking to be just as partisan as the last three presidential elections. The difference, of course, is that one party is in serious electoral trouble and so a partisan contest this time means the Democrat will turn some Republican states his way. Those are states that have been trending Dem, anyway, such as Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, and Iowa.
Comment by MSS — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:44 pm
I think that that is about right.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:50 pm
[...] numbers are far more significant than the previously noted Minnesota polls. While not impossible, it is extremely difficult to envision a McCain victory if he loses [...]
Obama’s credentials:
- community organizer and attorney representing acorn, a socialist group which strong-arms banks and lending institutions with threats of law suit over discrimination if they don’t approve mortgages to unqualified recipients. acorn has deep ties to fannie/freddie and the 2024 financial disaster.
- 20+ year relationship with ayers, a convicted terrorist and community organizer
- 20+ year relationship with rev wright, the most prejudice and dispicable person, who openly screams how much he hates the USA.
During 2024 presidential campaign, obama constantly blames Bush and the Republicans for this financial mess when in fact Bush warned of this as early as 2024, but nobody listened. Greenspan warned of this in 2024, but nobody listened. In 2024 McCain warned of this and tried to rally Congress to pass a bill to provide more oversight over fannie/freddie, the Republicans supported the bill, the democrats, led by Dodd, Schumer, and Frank, fought it while insisting there was nothing wrong with fannie/freddie. Look up the FoxNews archives if you don’t believe this. CNN, ABC, NBC will never report this.
Even with all these facts, the Democrats still believe obama’s lies.
Why are Democrats so blind to all this?
Comment by socalitman — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 2:53 am
mccain is becoming insane! he went nuts today bashing obama on tv. he’s becoming a joke just like his side kick. those who throw stones should not live in glass houses. palin has her own issues to deal with. abuse of power is pretty important.
Comment by joan — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 4:40 pm
So, you manage to get off on a double homicide and end up spending a lot of time “looking for the real killer” on the golf course.
So, what do you do? You manage to get yourself thrown in jail over sports memorabilia.
As the commercial says: priceless.
Via the BBC: OJ Simpson convicted of robbery
OJ Simpson has been found guilty on 12 charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to kidnap and assault with a deadly weapon by a court in the US city of Las Vegas.
The former US football star and actor was accused of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers a year ago.
The armed robbery charges carry a mandatory jail sentence, and kidnapping carries a possible life term.
Only our legal system could aquit Simpson of butchering his wife and instead imprison him for stealing sports memorabilia.
If I didn’t see verdicts of both sorts every week, I’d be in tears over what has become of the rule of law in this country. Sadly I see it all the time and have become a little numb, if inwardly angry and spiteful.
Most of the judges in our country should be thrown off the bench in disgrace.
Comment by Western Man — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 2:16 pm
Only our legal system could aquit Simpson of butchering his wife and instead imprison him for stealing sports memorabilia.
Sadly, yes.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 2:22 pm
WM,
Just curious, are judges in your area appointed or elected? (not speaking of Federal of course)
And do you know many people who have - on an informed basis - voted to elect, retain or not retain judges if that option is open to them?
I think it’s tough to keep up with this stuff. And I’m friends with a number of lawyers. I personally would never vote one way or another (judges are elected here in ILLINOIS) unless I was informed.
Not to excuse MY ignorance - but unless it makes the headlines how often is one exposed to how a particular judge conducts court?
And when the local Bar association makes a recommendation how many voters pay attention?
In short, on a state level, there often is a means of removing judges - but how often do the voters care enough to learn who should go?
Comment by RandyB — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:10 pm
hey, do you remember back in the day when i was the only white guy alive who believed that oj was innocent? and do you remember how we’d go on and on about it?
how could you stand me?
you know, being so dead wrong and all.
Comment by mbailey@berry.edu — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 3:58 am
I only vaguely remember arguing over that one.
I do distinctly remember being on campus the day of the verdict and going over to The Drag to get some lunch and hearing the verdict over the radio and some guy (a white guy, in fact) tossing up his arms in the air and going “woo-hoo!”
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 9:23 am
Of all the things that I have blogged about of late, the posts about her have generated the most traffic and the most comments (not to mention the most arguments).
You are quite right about Palin. She is like a 7th grader in the school play. She would probably be a great actress. She has the ability to memorize lots of information. What she forgot during the debate, she read from her index cards. Sad part is that she probably do idea what she was saying - just repeating talking points.
Comment by Lonnie2000 — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 8:35 am
EVERYBODY REPEATS TALKING POINTS!!!!
THAT’S ALL POLITICIANS DO!!!!!
NOTHING ELSE, EVER!!!!!
WHAT PLANET DO YOU PEOPLE LIVE ON?!?!?!
Comment by Western Man — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 1:18 pm
WM:
True, all politicians spout talking points.
However, some do it more than others, and some at least spout their own talking points.
You noted before you are all about the honesty in this context-do you really think that Palin is, on balance, provided her own talking points or the ones that the campaign has coached her to say?
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 1:29 pm
I think that ALL of these people are providing talking points that they have been COACHED to SAY. Palin included. I just think that since Obama has been planning to run for close to two years -and has had the same coach for all that time (DAVID AXELROD, WHO GOOGLES REALLY WELL), so maybe it’s a LITTLE less obvious. But SO WHAT? It’s still talking point, talking point, talking point. They’re just more “polished”. He’s also a better BS artist; we get really good at BS in law school, I can tell you that from experience.
Come on, Prof - you really, really think this race is about the candidates? You’re still clinging to those beliefs that the most worthy man is elected by a system that serves the people? It has nothing to do with any of that. It’s all about which way the wind is blowing. This “economic crisis” blew up, and for reasons that make no sense at all people turned to Obama in its wake. And the “crisis-ness” of this “economic crissis” is very much worthy of debate. And so is who caused it. There is certainly blame to spread around, as it involved LENDERS, BORROWERS, AT LEAST TWO PRESIDENTS AND AT LEAST THREE CONGRESSES. But who do people blame? The incumbent president, of course!
Tomorrow some other wind that has NOTHING to do with Barack or John might blow, and turn the tide for McCain. These FOOLS have far less to do with their own elections than they think they have. Our electoral system in its present form is nothing more than a glorified CRAPSHOOT, with the winner being the man left standing when CHANCE knocks everybody else down. You call a system where one news headline can change the political wind, a working system?
If I could tell you half of what I’ve seen in the last ten years in our courtrooms, you’d probably be speechless. Our laws mean nothing anymore. Our system is failing.
If you’re an American and you do not have a passport and a bailout plan - YOU NEED TO GET BOTH. This place could implode on itself within your lifetime and you need to be prepared by knowing where it will be safe to go, and how you will get there.
Comment by Western Man — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 2:10 pm
Let’s put it this way: I am naive enough to think that all of this is about elected the special person who will fix all things, or whatever.
Still, that doesn’t mean that one cannot critique given candidates. Of the four running: Obama, McCain, Biden and Palin is the clear that one of these things is not like the other, so to speak. I have no doubts that Obama, McCain and Biden have spent a great deal of time thinking about a wide range of policy issues. Palin has not, and that is clear.
I think that matters.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 2:25 pm
We can critique all we want. But you know the sad truth? No one is listening to REAL criticism. No one has the patience. No one cares.
The election will go to the guy that luck does not blow down. That’s it. That’s all there is. Critiques of candidates may be fun as academic exercises for the tiny minority who are capable of such things, but they have no meaning or ultimate impact on the election. It’s luck, the timing of world events, who happens to be incumbent and with which party, and nothing more. Elections aren’t won by debates or by critiques of candidates. They’re won by chance.
To come to think of it - that makes my participation in said debate a waste of my time. Hadn’t really thought about it like that before, but now that I have -I shan’t bother you with my presence anymore. Good luck with your blogging, God bless all you people who still have a shred of hope in this system.
Maybe divine intervention will right what is wrong. It’s the only thing that can - and I’m not holding my breath.
Comment by Western Man — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 2:45 pm
Dr. Taylor -
While I readily agree with your first point, I am not so sure that I agree with the second. What is it about Gov. Palin that is so polarizing? Is there anything in her past record or current statements that puts her outside mainstream conservative thought? It seems that the visceral responses pf many who oppose her being on the ticket reveals more about them than it does about her.
Comment by ts — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 6:43 pm
She is polarizing insofar as it seems that people either really like her or really don’t.
At a minimum, she certainly has polarized my commenters!
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Saturday, October 4, 2024 @ 6:54 pm
I find it not at all surprising that Palin is so polarizing. To my mind Karl Rove has been the most polarizing and damaging “strategist” in memory - and I’ve had a genuine interest in politics since my 60’s HS days.
When McCain’s campaign was apparently floundering, Steve Schmidt, a Rove disciple, was given the nod to take more control. Since that time, IMO, the whole campaign has been more negative, more polarized, more patronizing to the base (to include the choice of Palin) and more likely to not only fail but leave a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth.
Palin - partially because she is attractive and folksy - will be utilized for some nasty negative attacks on Obama as well as other food for the base. Due to her previous disinterest in many worldly matters as Steve mentioned above, she will also be more susceptible to appearing a shallow Rove-bot transmitting familiar talking points & messages formulated by the Rove disciples now in command of the former “straight talk express.”
I don’t think it’s Palin as much as the Rovian practices and legacy.
Sadly, ISTM neither campaign seems interested in an “educational” thrust - one designed to win over the Independents through an appeal to common ground an logic (of all things).
Rather both camps seem hellbent on beating the other through motivational, get-out-the-base strategies which tend to be more hard edged, abusive, misleading and polarizing.
Just what we needed as our economy is on the brink of failure and our sole super- power status appears waning.
Comment by RandyB — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 11:39 am
Randy,
Valid points.
An interesting element of the Rovian approach is that base excitement for the GOP simply isn’t going to be enough this go ’round.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Sunday, October 5, 2024 @ 12:09 pm
Perhaps Schmidt and company were hoping for the ever popular October surprise. (however, the administration currently seems a bit too hamstrung by the financial calamity, practicle considerations and international pressure to try something like a shooting incident with Iran)
More likely, I guess, they are banking on some Hillary backers and independents coming over due to demographics. Further, they are probably hoping to get independent voters turned off through a battery of negative media presentations by Palin, talk radio and 527s revved up over Obama’s connection to Rev. Wright, William Ayers, Louis Farrakhan etc.
Finally, there are legitimate policy questions the GOP can and should present to independents concerning the economy.
The Democrats are doing themselves no favor beating their chest over Obama’s tax & spend class warfare economic platform.
It is not enough to blame our current mess on the incumbents and then steadfastly propose policy likely to exacerbate the situation. A truly transformational campaign would be modifying positions and explaining changes in policy in response to the emergency. However, it still appears both camps are basically clueless re management of the biggest financial crisis in a generation or two.
SO if everything remains static - you’re right the Dems win because their base is larger. But in these interesting times appealing to the base & banking on the status quo may prove incredibly shortsighted and certainly not in the national interest.
Comment by RandyB — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 12:34 am
i think the most important thing to take away from this exchange, taylor, is that you worked western man down to a comment with only one all-cap word.
good work, prof.
Comment by mbailey@berry.edu — Monday, October 6, 2024 @ 4:02 am
Who ARE these people that approve of Bush (other than Hugh Dimwitt & my brother-in law)?
Comment by RandyB — Tuesday, October 7, 2024 @ 11:30 am