Palin sounds familiar themes in Colorado

By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News , M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 12:05 a.m., October 20, 2008
Updated 07:25 p.m., October 20, 2008

Vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin spoke in Grand Junction tonight, where the Rocky's Sara Burnett blogged live. The Rocky's M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Bill Scanlon and Sara Burnett blogged live from Palin's appearance in Loveland earlier today. The Rocky's Ed Sealover blogged live from Palin's appearance in Colorado Springs.

7:22 p.m.

Palin wraps up her third speech of the night -- one that mirrored the other two -- by acknowledging today is the start of early voting.

"If you believe in what we believe in and if you’re ready to shake up Washington and clean up Wall Street ... John McCain and I are asking for your vote.”

Todd Palin will stick around to campaign in Colorado again tomorrow, but Gov. Palin is now off to Nevada, where she'll be in Reno tomorrow.

6:31 p.m.

Gov. Palin's plane landed in Grand Junction around 5:30, and as the motorcade traveled through town to Suplizio Field, people stood on street corners and stepped out their front doors to wave at the passing vehicles.

There were a few protesters near Mesa State College, but inside the stadium and on an adjacent track, there is nothing but Palin love. It's an overflow crowd, even with the Broncos kicking off any minute now for Monday night football.

Palin is expected to take the stage around 7 p.m. Meanwhile, her supporters are keeping themselves busy listening to music, waving red and white pom pons and small American flags.

Local Republicans wanted to attract more people than Sen. Barack Obama did when he was here last month, and it looks like that should be no problem. Obama drew about 5,000 people to that rally. There are easily two, maybe three or more times that many people here.

It is, after all, conservative Mesa County, where George W. Bush won 67 percent of the vote in 2004. Expect a raucous night.

3:13 p.m.

John McCain will be back in Colorado soon, Palin told an overflow crowd inside the West Exhibition Center after the Loveland rally.

The crowd, made up of people who couldn't get in the Budweiser Event Center, got less than 10 minutes of the governor's time.

But they got something the other crowd didn't: a few words from daughter Piper and her husband, Todd Palin.

"I just want to remind all you sportsmen and women to bring your fishing buddies and hunting buddies to vote," Todd Palin said.

He will stay in Colorado tomorrow, campaigning in Glenwood Springs, Eagle and Denver, while Gov. Palin heads to Nevada.

Piper Palin, 7, thanked the crowd "for letting us come" before the Palins headed for Grand Junction.

McCain could be in Colorado later this week, though the campaign has made no official announcement.

2:16 p.m.

Sarah Palin has left the building.

The Alaska Governor and sidekick Hank Williams Jr. stayed on stage for more than 15 minutes after her speech, signing autographs and posing for pictures with well-wishers.

Finally, they're gone, to the tune of Van Halen's "Right Now."

And right now, they're getting ready to head for their next stop: Grand Junction.

1:51 p.m.

Sarah Palin wraps up by selling America to the crowd in Loveland: “America is not the problem, it is the solution. We represent perfect ideals. We are the beacon of hope for all those who seek equality and opportunity.”

She starts the chant, “USA … USA .. USA” and the crowd joins in.

Palin tells the audience that there is only one man who will continue to fight for them: John McCain.

“God Bless Colorado and God Bless America.”

As the crowd cheers Palin’s words, the Brooks & Dunn country song, Only in America blares:

Sun coming up over New York City

School bus driver in a traffic jam

Starin' at the faces in her rearview mirror

Looking at the promise of the Promised Land

One kid dreams of fame and fortune

One kid helps pay the rent

One could end up going to prison

One just might be president

Only in America

Dreaming in red, white and blue

Only in America

Where we dream as big as we want to

We all get a chance

Everybody gets to dance

Only in America

1:44 p.m.

Palin avers that as vice president she will help families with children with special needs. Paraphrasing Mother Theresa, she said God created every child to love and to be loved.

“Every child does have something to contribute if we give them a chance. Every child is beautiful before God.

“John and I have a vision of America where every innocent life can live, where every child is cherished. "

Palin said the choice on Election Day is “The choice between a politician who puts his faith in government and a leader who puts his faith in you.”

“Are you ready to put the maverick of the Senate in the White House?

“November 4th is coming soon. It’s going to come down to the wire.

“What John McCain believes in is what Ronald Reagan believed in, the forward movement of freedom, not the constant expansion of government.”

1:42 p.m.

“We will balance the federal budget by the end of our first term” by imposing spending freezes on everything that is not essential in the federal budget, Palin tells the crowd.

“We haven’t been just talkin’ the talk, we’ve been forced to walk the walk.”

As president John McCain is going to end those abuses once and for all, she says.

She tells the audience that as mayor of a small town in Alaska, she promoted a pro-growth, pro-business atmosphere.

She said “we are returning a chunk of our state surplus right back to the people of Alaska. It is their money and they can spend it better than government can spend it for them.”

“Colorado, are you ready to send us to Washington, D.C. to clean things up?

“America, you are going to have such a clear choice on November 4.”

"Joe Biden has referred to environmentally friendly off-shore drilling as raping the continental shelf. Harnassing the wind and solar and others that God has so richly blessed this land with.

"We will safely drill for oil. We will drill here and we will drill now.”

She starts the chant, “Drill, baby, drill,” and the audience takes over, “Drill, baby, drill … drill, baby, drill.”

1:36 p.m.

Palin’s outfit is just as red as it was this morning, and her speech is very similar, so far, to the one she gave this morning in Colorado Springs. She asks veterans to stand up to be honored.

To Coloradans she says, “This is all about America’s future. Now, more than ever we need someone tough in the White House ready to lead from Day One.”

She contrasts Barack Obama’s short tenure in the U.S. Senate to McCain’s decades of service, 22 years in the

“We’re going to help our students pay their college tuitions.”

“How many of you are small business people? Were going to let you keep more of what you earn. We’re vgoing to cut the capital gains tax and we’ll cut business taxes. We will keep American businesses in America.”

“Driving into Loveland we saw the neatest banner so far,” Palin told the northern Colorado audience. “Welcome to Loveland, Sarah. I am Joe the Plumber, Joe the Bricklayer, Joe the Teacher, Joe the Nurse.”

She said Joe the Plumber was “the winner of last week’s debates.”

“Now is not the time to experience with socialism,” Palin said, saying Obama plans to redistribute wealth.

That will stifle the entrepreneurial spirit that has made this country the greatest nation on Earth.”

“We want to spread the opportunity so people like you and Joe the Plumber can spread new wealth.”

1:33 p.m.

Security has just escorted out at least one heckler from Gov. Sarah Palin's speech in Loveland.

The crowd booed loudly, but then Palin interrupted her speech to say: "Maybe it makes more sense for security to keep her in here so she can learn a little bit."

1:21 p.m.

The audience breaks into Rocky Mountain Thunder, stomping on the bleachers, after Hank Williams Jr. ended his media-bashing song and introduced Gov. Sarah Palin.

1:21 p.m.

Hank Williams Jr., ressed in a #7 John Elway Denver Broncos jersey, now launches into his media-bashing song, McCain-Palin Tradition.

Crowd eating it up...

1:18 p.m. Palin is accompanied byher husband Todd, “The First Dude” of Alaska, and three off her kids, Willow, Piper and Trig.

“Thank you so much for that warm welcome,” Palin tells an audience numbering in the thousands. “You deserve more than just a political talk. Before I go on ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hank Williams Jr. singing the Stars Spangled Banner.”

Williams give a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

1:15 p.m.

The lights have been darkened. The music is blaring -- almost like a hockey introduction.

Spotlights are circling. And Sarah Palin has taken the stage to the Rocky theme.

1:11 P.M.

Palin fans listen to George Strait’s Song about the Heartland as they wait for the Alaska Governor in Loveland.

Sing a song about the heartland,

The only place I feel at home.

Sing about the way a good man

Works until the daylight's gone.

Sing the rain on the roof on a summer night

Where they still know wrong from right.

Sing a song about the heartland.

Sing about my life.

Behind the stage are a banner that reads “Victory in Colorado,” a huge American flag and a banner that says “Country First.”

1:05 p.m.

Young teen-age girls are wearing red “Palin Posse” T-shirts, men and women are holding signs that say “Country First.”

Another teenager holds up a home-made sign that reads “Sarah Dominates.”

While they wait for Palin to reach the stage, they listen to country star John Rich’s made-for-the-campaign song: “We’re all Just Raisin’ McCain.

Well we're all just raisin' McCain

Everywhere across the USA

You can get on the train or get out of the way

We're all just raisin' McCain

Well he got shot down in a Vietnam town

Fighting for the red, white and blue

And they locked him up in the Hanoi Hilton

Thinking they could break him in two

He stayed strong, stayed extra long

'Til they let all the other boys out

Now we've got a real man with an American plan

We're going to put him in the big White House

12:50 p.m.

U.S. Senator Wayne Allard, a Republican from Larimer County, says the country needs McCain’s leadership.

“Joe the Plumber is right. Obama’s tax plan will hurt small business. My experience tells me that Obama is wrong.

“Higher taxes and more regulation hurts small business.

“”John McCain made his mark in the United States Senate by fighting abusive, wasteful spending.

“I can’t wait to see him become President of the United States.

“You can count on John McCain to support family issues.”

12:45 p.m.

Gov. Sarah Palin now is in the building. The crowd is pumped, the banner again says “Country First” and Put Me in Coach by John Fogerty is blaring.

But like a rock star waiting in the wings, Palin waits for a series of introductions.

U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer praises “The next vice president of the United States,” Sarah Palin. He laughs at a sign that says, “Pit Bulls for Palin.”

Schaffer: “From the Rockies we can see a little clearer. The rest of the country is watching Colorado. We have figured so prominently in past elections.”

When he says, “We helped elect President Bush twice,” there is huge applause.

“All nine of our electoral votes are important. And we need to deliver them all to John McCain.

“We care about the security of our nation. When it comes to the difference between John McCain and that other guy, our campaign stands head and shoulders on the side of freedom and liberty.”

Schaffer said McCain has promised lower tax rates that promote economic growth and that he will veto every spending bill that has even a single earmark in it.

Schaffer got in a plug for himself: “There’s going to be a little whining in Washington when President McCain gets out the veto pen.

“They might even try to override. He will need a fiscally responsible conservative center to stand with him. I will sustain those vetoes.”

12:29 p.m.

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave has just appeared to warm up the crowd for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, saying she is flattered to sometimes get called "the Sarah Palin of Colorado."

"Don't you love having a conservative, strong woman on the ticket," Musgrave asked, drawing a loud cheer from a hockey arena that's still not completely full.

"I thought, finally there's somebody who can identify with the average American," Musgrave said.

Musgrave, who is in a tough re-election fight with Democrat Betsy Markey, alluded to one of the groups that has joined the campaign against her.

"There's a group from New York that's working hard in Colorado. They're called the Defenders of Wildlife Action (Fund)," Musgrave said, calling them "radical environmentalists" who oppose drilling and put species like the Preble's Meadow jumping mouse ahead of development.

"They're comingn after Marilyn Musgrave and they're coming after Sarah Palin, and let's just say no," Musgrave said.

Musgrave left the stage to the song, Put Me In Coach...

12:21p.m.

Hank Williams Jr. might be singing later, but the crowd awaiting Gov. Sarah Palin's arrival in Loveland is definitely not ready for some football.

Smooth jazz is blasting over the public address system inside the Budweiser Events Center, putting the crowd in a somewhat sedate pre-event mood.

But wait...

Now, advance speakers are just about to begin speaking, so we hear the first hints of applause and cheers.

"Good afternoon everybody," the speaker said. The crowd responded mildly.

"Let's hear that again: Good afternoon everybody!" The crowd turned up the volume just a bit.

So far, however, the arena is about half full -- only because thousands more are stuck in the long lines outside.

Stay tuned...

11:37 a.m.

As the crowd trickles into the Budweiser Events Center for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's expected appearance in Loveland, audience members are greeted with a recorded voice over the public address system, commanding: "No moshing or crowd surfing."

Inside, local congresswoman Rep. Marilyn Musgrave is working the grandstands, shaking hands and posing for dozens of photographs.

Musgrave said Palin's Western roots make her a big draw in Loveland.

"It's really exciting, the fact that she is someone everyday people can identify with," Musgrave said.

11:22 a.m.

What says "Joe Sixpack" better than the Budweiser Events Center?

A massive crowd is waiting for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to arrive in Loveland at the home of the Colorado Eagles hockey team.

Outside, bumper-to-bumper traffic stretches for several miles.

While folks are in gridlock, they're treated to a smorgasbord of campaign signs, mostly for Republicans and conservative causes: Bob Schaffer for Senate, Sean Conway for Weld County Commissioner, etc.

Supporters of Amendment 48 have set up a series of hand-made signs featuring magic marker on day-glo placards: "Your life, my life began at fertilization," one says. ""In your heart you know it's true!" says another.

Nearby, a flat bed truck holds a pair of pudgy manequins depicting Sen. John McCain embracing President George Bush. And just before the parking lot entrance is single Democratic campaign volunteer holding a Mark Udall for Senate sign in one hand and a Barack Obama sign in the other.

Police on horseback direct people from the parking lots into the footpaths. (But they're having to pose for a lot of pictures, too.)

The line stretched the equivalent of four city blocks before the crowd began trickling through the metal detectors and into the arena. It was a captive audience for Conway, Sen. Wayne Allard's longtime chief of staff, to work the crowd for votes.

Looking at the long line, Conway challenged a reporter to make a comparison to the crowds Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden gets when he makes Colorado stops on Tuesday.

Earlier today in Colorado Springs

9:45 a.m.

Palin wound up her speech to the Colorado Springs faithful with words about the nation.

“We still believe that America is that shining city on the hill.

“I thank God we have a man ready and willing to lead it, someone who inspires us with heroic and trustworthy deeds, and not just words.

“He is ready to get this economy back on track and win these wars. John McCain and I are asking for your votes.

“In this campaign there is only one man who has ever really fought for you. He is John McCain.

“And thank you Colorado. God Bless Colorado and God Bless America.”

With her final words, the PA system blares, Shania Twain’s: “She’s not just a pretty face.

“She hosts a T.V. show--she rides the rodeo

She plays the bass in a band

She's an astronaut--

a valet at the parking lot

A farmer working the land

She is a champion--she gets the gold

She's a ballerina--the star of the show … “She’s not just a pretty face.”

9:40 a.m.

Palin tells the Colorado Springs crowd that “We will safely drill for billions of barrels of oil that we have underground and that includes off the continental shelf.

“We will drill here and we will drill now.

“We will set this country firmly on a path toward energy independence.“

Palin said that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, she eliminated personal property taxes. “We made our town a place where businesses were welcome.

“We made a vibrant, booming community with a pro-growth, pro-private-sector agenda. “We got government out of the way. We suspended our state fuel tax” and returned it to the people “because it’s their money and they can spend it better than government can spend it for them.

“In our administration we will never forget who we are accountable to – it is to the people who hired us, you the people of America.”

You have a clear choice, a politician who puts his faith in government and a real leader who puts his faith in you and will put this country back on track with free enterprise.”

“Colorado, are you ready to help us put the maverick of the Senate in the White House?”

“We believe in what Ronald Reagan believed in, the forward movement of freedom and not the constant intrusion of government.

“We believe in those of you who are protecting us and protecting the virtues of freedom.

“We believe that America is not the problem, America is the solution.”

Palin then led the crowd in a chant of “USA, USA, USA!”

9:28 a.m.

Sarah Palin doesn’t disappoint –- not her critics, not her fans, not her mimics.

As Hank Williams Jr. finishes us, “Family Tradition,” she says, “You betcha, Thank you Hank Williams Jr.”

She asked all the veterans to stand so “we can honor you.”

She introduced daughters Willow and Piper and then said, “We’ve also got Alaska’s First Dude. Todd Palin is here. A north shore fisherman. He works with his hands.”

Then she turned her thoughts to John McCain.

“We need a leader ready to lead on day one, someone with a bold and fair and free plan of action. We need John McCain.”

“Our plan will get the economy back on track. It’s not just words. We will bring tax relief to every American and every businessman.”

“John and I will actually lower your income tax. We are going to cut capital gains taxes. Business owners, we are going to cut business taxes to help keep American businesses in America.”

Palin said Obama isn’t being candid about his tax plans. “It is not mean-spirited and negative campaign when someone is called out on their record and their plans and on their associations.”

Palin told the crowd that a lot of American’s don’t pay taxes. Obama “claims he’ll cut the income taxes of 95% of Americans. But the problem is 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all. How can you cut income taxes for people who don’t pay them?”

She called Joe the Plumber “the winner of last week’s debate.”

When Palin said, “Senator Obama wants to ‘spread the wealth,” she evoked a huge “Booo!” from the GOP crowd.

Palin said spreading the wealth means “spreading it however government wants to.

“Joe Biden says higher taxes are patriotic. Joe the Plumber said it sounded to him like socialism.”

She said McCain will impose a spending freeze on everything except the most essential programs of government and said he’ll balance the federal budget by the end of his first term.

9:18 a.m.

After the “Star Spangled Banner,” Hank Williams Jr. sings the new version to his song “Family Tradition” with a swipe at the media:

The left-wing liberal media

Have always been a real close-knit family

But most of the American people

Don’t believe ‘em anyway, you see

Stop and think it over

Before you make your decision

You may smell something wrong

They’re gonna come down strong

In the McCain/Palin tradition

And it went from there, lyrics connecting Barack Obama to “terrorist” William Ayers.

“John is a maverick and Sarah fixed Alaska’s bad condition.”

“Sarah why do you hunt, John why do you fish? How can you be so smart and savvy and have such good lookin’ kids?”

9:14 a.m.

How much love does Palin engender among the Republican faithful in El Paso County? About 30 people are standing outside the right field fence here at Security Service Field to try to catch just a glimpse of her.

The majority are here because the stadium itself was too crowded to get into, and this was the best chance to see Palin. Lorie Fabian of Colorado Springs said that while she'd like to be sitting inside, she'd take her cheap seats because "I think she's going to be the next vice president."

Others were not as happy at their location, however. One woman complained that organizing was lousy and more people should have gotten inside the stadium, which has empty areas in the outfield and in the seats behind first base and third base.

9:12 a.m.

Sarah Palin is introduced after hearing “Eye of the Tiger,” a la “Rocky.”

Palin and her daughters, Piper and Willow, walk through the crowd on their way to the podium, winking, waving, smiling, her beehive up, sporting a red jacket and those Tina Fey glasses..

“Thank you so much, Colorado Springs, thank you. Thank you so much for that warm welcome.”

When the applause finally softens, Palin says, “OK so after a long wait then certainly you deserve more than just a political talk. We have our good surprise for you and that is singing the National Anthem, Hank Williams Jr.”

9:08 a.m.

It’s just 41 degrees at Security Services Field in Colorado Springs, but heavy coats and the hot licks of Hank Williams Jr. are keeping the GOP faithful warm enough as they await the feature event, an appearance by vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Williams keeps reminding the crowd that Sarah Palin is one of them, and so is he, and there can’t be anything more American than that.

“I’m a good old boy … all my rowdy friends have settled down …” he sings.

He reminds the crowd that “June Carter Cash is my godmother,” then played the Johnny Cash classic, “I Walk the Line.”

Hank Williams Jr. puts away his guitar, and the PA system plays, the Journey song, “Don’t stop believing.”

As the song ends, the crowd chants, “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!” and then the music switches to “Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People,” ..

“Different strokes for different folks … we’ve all got to live together …”

9:06 a.m.

It takes a national political star like Sarah Palin to bump some of the local political royalty down a little in their roles.

El Paso County Republican Party Chairman Greg Garcia, the guy who is normally behind the scenes running these big shows, was working the parking lot early on.

And Bentley Rayburn, a two-time congressional candidate, popped up as an usher. No name tag, no nothing: Just a paper sign pinned to him that said "Volunteer."

No one was complaining. The chance to see the potential vice president was all that was needed to get people to volunteer in all capacities, several of them said.

8:56 a.m.

In case you're watching the live stream of this event at home and wondering what it's like out here, be advised: It's cold. Damn cold.

One crowd member said that it was 41 degrees when she left her house around 5:30 this morning. And it's only gotten colder since then.

The weather seemed to have a chilling effect on the thousands of people gathered here at first. Paul Wiig of Colorado Springs tried to get a "No! Bama!" chant going before 8 a.m. - you know, the kind where half the stadium yells "No!" and the other half yells "Bama!" and was met with a lot of stares from people in scarves and big woolen gloves sucking on hot chocolate.

But country star Hank Williams Jr. is on stage now, turning some of his classics into "McCain/Palin-lyriced" songs - and the crowd is up on its feet and cheering. Just to add to the "It's Colorado and this is how you get people excited" feel of the event, Williams was presented a John Elway jersey at the start of the show.

8:53 a.m.

Hank Williams Jr. warms up the Colorado Springs crowd for Sarah Palin’s appearance with the Waylon Jennings classic, “Good Hearted Woman.”

“She’s a good-hearted woman in love with a good-timing man. She loves him in spite of his wicked ways ...” and then a twist for the local crowd: “

“All these good-hearted women in love with these good-timing Colorado men.”

Williams then took a break to say, “I have a daughter who owns a small business and I decided I’m not going to sit on my butt while this stuff is going on. I’m going to go out and talk to the American people. The American people are the jury and I don’t have any doubt about this election at all.”

Williams Jr. made it clear he’s a fan of Palin, the helicopter-flying, wolf-hunting, moose-dressing governor of Alaska.

He told the crowd that when he takes celebrities and athletes to his Montana ranch and see them get their first bass or first elk or first deer, “That’s the greatest reward I could ever see.”

8:48 a.m.

Hank Williams Jr., his cowboy hat decorated with bling, approaches the stage in Colorado Springs and says, “I want to go elk hunting in Colorado this time of year, but this here is more important.”

He then rouses the crowd with a medley including his trademark line, “Are you ready for some football?”

Next up for Hank Williams, Jr. is “The Conversation,” and the line, “Yeah, back then they called him crazy, now a days the call him a saint. Now the ones that called him crazy, Lord, are still writing on his name."

8:46 a.m.

So how early did one have to get here to get front-row seats at Security Service Field for the Sarah Palin rally?

Try 5:30 a.m. And Harriet Lewis was happy to do it.

Armed with a grande Starbucks coffee, the Colorado Springs resident packed in the first row behind the stage with several friends. All wore red jackets and red hats - they had gotten word to wear red and flood the stadium, they said - and made sure they were made up to catch the eye of the TV cameras. Lewis' friend Connie Espander even brought lipstick for anyone who'd forgotten it.

"I called my mom and said: 'Put on Fox News. I'm right over her left shoulder,'" said Mary VanHorn of Colorado Springs, who was sitting one row behind them.

Lewis was proud to sport a button on her scarf that reads: "It's a girl" and has a pink Republican elephant on it.

"We need to shake up Washington, because people in the Congress and the Senate need a kick in the blank," Lewis said when asked why she was so excited to see Palin. And yes, she actually said "blank."

8:37 a.m.

Red jackets, red cowboy hats, there’s red everywhere in the crowd at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs, as thousands await the appearance of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Colorado Springs is a Republican stronghold and John McCain knows he has to win big here to have a chance to take Colorado on Nov. 4.

A huge banner, “Country First,” forms a backdrop for the speakers.

8:35 a.m.

Four Republican luminaries from the area have preceded Sarah Palin to the stage.

First was State House Minority Caucus Chairwoman Amy Stephens of Monument. She was followed by Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs, Senate nominee Bob Schaffer and retiring U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard.

Schaffer drew the biggest reactions among the crowd by asking if they wanted a president who would raise or lower taxes.

Lamborn made a special point of emphasizing that the national deficit has passed $10 trillion. He really got the crowd going by noting Palin's strong anti-abortion record - an issue that largely has been downplayed in the race but still plays very well here in the hometown of Focus on the Family.

Every speaker, of course, mentioned Palin, and most plugged Schaffer's Senate bid. But the third-most-mentioned person over the past 15 minutes was "Joe the Plumber," the real but seemingly metaphorical Ohio small businessman that John McCain referenced repeatedly in the final presidential debate. Both Stephens and Schaffer used him to make a point.

8:31 a.m.

Wayne Allard, addressing the Colorado Springs crowd, prior to Sarah Palin’s big talk this morning, said, “John McCain will support the family.

“Joe the Plumber is right,” Allard, the outgoing U.S. senator from Colorado, said. “Obama’s tax plan will hurt small business. I was a small businessman. It’s not easy when you have an environment where you have higher taxes and more regulation. McCain and Palin will hold down taxes.

Allard told the crowd that on Sunday afternoon “I met a fellow at the hardware store. He said ‘Barack sure has a lot of money. It scares me to have a president who likes to spend money.’

“I agreed,” Allard said.

“I know John McCain. He fought abusive, wasteful pork-barrel spending. That has to stop.”

Allard called on those at the rally to turn out the vote because McCain and Palin need a big turnout of Republicans in Colorado Springs to win Colorado, perhaps the key to the election.

As he finished, the crowd picked up the chant, “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!”

8:26 a.m.

Bob Schaffer, warming up the crowd for Sarah Palin in Colorado Springs, said: “The way to grow an economy is through lower taxes, high economic productivity, free people and great education.

“This man in the front here says ‘more capitalism.’ You’ve got it right, sir.”

“If you’re sick and tired of spend, spend spend, send John McCain to the White House,” Schaffer said. “He has promised to veto any spending bill that has a single earmark in it.”

8:25 a.m.

Most of the crowd here is decidedly Colorado Springs-based. But Marjorie Turpin came all the way from another swing state, Virginia, for the event.

Turpin happened to be in El Paso County visiting her daughter for a couple of weeks when Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's visit to Security Service Field here in the Springs was announced. They got tickets, got here at 5:30 a.m. and got seats two rows from the field where Palin will speak.

Turpin said she is excited to see a woman on the presidential ticket but is even more excited because of Palin's conservatism.

"I believe that she does not have ties to the Washington circle and she doesn't owe anybody favors. She would make decisions for the good of the country," said Turpin of the southern Virginia town of Danville.

8:24 a.m.

Sarah Palin supporters cheered wildly in Colorado Springs this morning as speakers warming up the crowd at Security Service Field noted that the Alaska governor has a 100 percent rating from the National Rifle Association, opposes abortion and wants to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

“Drill baby drill” said one of the speakers, and the crowd responded, “Drill, baby, drill.”

U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer said the election is about choosing people who want a low tax burden on Americans versus those who want a high-tax burden. “It’s about creating a world of prosperity for our children.”

“We have to have leaders in Washington who represent our values and who stand for freedom.”

7:56 a.m.

Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor who vaulted into the nation’s conscience as John McCain’s vice-presidential pick, is in Colorado today, hoping her down-home charm and energizing persona can turn a very purple state just a shade red.

And with two weeks left before Election Day, how Colorado goes, so may the nation.

Palin speaks at 9 this morning in Colorado Springs, at noon in Loveland and at 6 this evening in Grand Junction.

Pundits tend to agree that Sarah Palin is one of us, but depending on who you ask, that can be either bad or good.

Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts says she’s “the lowest common denominator of us, the us of myth and narrative, the us of simple mind, the reactionary, ill-informed, impatient with complexity, utterly shallow us.”

But New York Post columnist Ralph Peters says she is one of us because, like most of us, she doesn’t have an Ivy League education, she believes in God, she juggles job and family.

Those who smear Palin are “smearing every American who actually works for a living, who doesn’t expect a handout, who doesn’t have a full-time accountant to parse the family taxes,” Peters wrote recently.

Palin’s first event today will be at Security Service Field, home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. A rally begins at 8. She should start speaking about 9.

In Loveland, she’ll speak at the Budweiser Events Center. The program begins at noon.

And at 6 this evening she’ll be at Suplizio Field at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction.

Right behind Palin will be Democratic vice-presidential pick Joe Biden, who will speak at several events in Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• October 20, 2008

  5:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  EXrepublican writes:

  Biden is going to be in my neighborhood... I will make the time to go hear him.

• October 20, 2008

  5:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  This in today's NY Times:

  "Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, 44, Mr. McCain’s running mate, has released no medical information."

  Why am I not surprised?

• October 20, 2008

  6:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  A Sleeping Giant Awakens: The Power of the Latino Vote

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=644HeI...

  U.S. Senator Barack Obama

  “This election is about the 12 million people living in the shadows, the communities taking immigration enforcement into their own hand. They are counting on us to stop the hateful rhetoric filling our airwaves, and rise above the fear, and rise above the demagoguery, and finally enact comprehensive immigration reform.”

  http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09...

  WE CAN STOP THE HATE!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ4Y-9...

  GO BARACK GO!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo...

  YES WE CAN!

• October 20, 2008

  6:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  EXrepublican writes:

  Poncho,
  Yeah Secessionist Sarah would not even do a scripted, make believe press conference on SNL.

  She will not release her medical records. As Now that she released her tax statements, she appears to be a tax evader too.
  Sarah thrives on and stirs up racial animosity, with her appearances. Something America can do without.

  At least Biden is honest and will answer questions.
  Like Colin Powell said Joe Biden is capable to step in and become president "from day one" should something happen to Obama.
  Sarah Palin is not.

• October 20, 2008

  6:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  YES WE CAN!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqc...

  GO BARACK GO!

  GOP = HATE, RACISM, WAR MONGERING, WELFARE FOR WALL ST, INCOMPETENCE, LIES!

• October 20, 2008

  7:01 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  EXrepublican, thanks for your post. Couldn't agree more.

  Here is a quote from Secessionist Sarah last week, where she explains to us what parts of America are patriotic and which parts are not patriotic:

  Sarah Palid said "[w]e believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe" -- here the audience interrupted Palin with applause and cheers -- "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us. Those who are protecting us in uniform. Those who are protecting the virtues of freedom."

  I wonder if I live in the "REAL America". I wonder if I am deemed by her Governorship to be part of the "best of America"? Golly, I hope so! I wonder if Sarah will tell us today. The divisive, polarizing rhetoric of Sarah Palin would be harmful to America.

  We can't trust Sarah Palin.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  7:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  RideWinter writes:

  Hey everyone,
  It seems like the GOP email smear campaign is picking up steam. Be sure to pro-actively respond to your friends and family when they forward you these types of emails. Here's an example of the response I give:

  Colin Powell addressed your question about these rumors in a very clear and powerful way on Sunday morning. If you have the chance, I suggest watching the interview, it's pretty moving:
  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

  -Dan

• October 20, 2008

  7:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  RideWinter, beautiful! Thanks!

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  7:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  PanchoVia- Medical records are PRIVATE. If and when, she'll release them when she's ready to make her medical history known. Maybe, she'll even let the country know when mother nature gives her "her monthly bill'. Or would that be too much information for you? I got my tickets to see Sarah today. Can't wait!!!!!!

• October 20, 2008

  7:48 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  EXrepublican writes:

  trinidad,
  running for President or VP, One gives up the right to privacy...
  As America is too sacred for a blind choice in president.
  Obama releaced his medical records, and his (real Hawaiian) birth certificate. yet republicans refuse to acknowledge these two facts.
  want it both ways do ya?
  ya know living in Denver (according to Secessionist Sarah) you are not American enough.

  I hope to see Joe Biden. However his and Obamas POPULARITY might just prevent me. Its ok though. I will still cast my vote for them both.

  Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  8:18 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  radagan writes:

  So why hasn't Obama released any of his info from Harvard? His transcript or how he paid? That s/b more public than any medical info.
  Regarding Palin - well she's certainly not as experienced as Cheney huh, but at least she has some major accomplishments of which Obama has none.
  Also poncho - I really don't think the best of America is in Wash DC or NYC either, but apparently you do.

• October 20, 2008

  8:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  UNV_ME writes:

  Coming soon to a government near you....
  Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  8:43 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  riverrafter writes:

  The best of America does not reside in any one place more than another- it is in the heart of every American. We have become jaded by the greed and corruption of the very people we have entrusted our nation to...we have sold ourselves by allowing them to direct our lives without more than passing thought about their leadership. Barak obama is asking us to change by STARTING WITH OURSELVES...to rededicate ourselves to the stewadship of our nation. He doesn't say it will be easy or without sacrifice. All I know is that I feel that i can trust him to make change happen. I don't feel that confidence about McCain or Palin.

• October 20, 2008

  8:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Romanesco writes:

  “He has promised to veto any spending bill that has a single earmark in it.”

  Yet he supported the bailout, which had many earmarks...

• October 20, 2008

  8:50 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  ExR- Why does running for office mean having one's privacy taken away? Because liberals say so? I don't care about nobamas health records. What do they say? That he has regular bowel movements. I never questioned your messiah citizenship. Kerry was POPULAR, too. Palin,in your opinion may be a secesionist, but at least she isn't a socialist elitist smooth-talker like nobama. Yeah ExR, How did nobama pay for his Harvard education? His grandmother couldn't have scrimped that much money. I've been asking about this for quite sometime and no one has answered this question for me. When I had a question about the involvement of Tony Rezko in the purchase of nobamas house that was refuted right away. So please, once in for all, can anybody refute the rumors that nobamas Harvard tuition was paid for by saudi billionaires associated with Khalid al- Monsour?

• October 20, 2008

  8:51 a.m.

  benn writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• October 20, 2008

  9:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Danchan writes:

  The Salt Lake Tribune (in freakin' UTAH!) just endorsed Senator Obama, largely because of the bad judgement Senator McCain showed by picking Governer Palin to be his running mate. They have never endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate before.
  http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_1075...

  The Chicago Tribune has never, in 150+ years ever endorsed a non Republican candidate, but last week they also endorsed Senator Obama for President.
  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ch...

  Please take the time to educate yourself about this man and stop listening to the nasty garbage coming out of the right wing fringe about him.
  Yes, he has met a man who was a terrorist 40 years ago – this is not important.
  Yes, he is ready to be president, ask Colin Powell.
  Yes, he can not only lead America in these difficult times, he can bring us together to fight for a better America.

• October 20, 2008

  9:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  benn-" Who cares?" What don't you care about? The tuition thing? I care about that. If saudi billionaires paid his Harvard tuition, I wonder what he has to give in return or what they expect in repayment. I'm sure they didn't give nobama the money out of the kindness of their hearts.

• October 20, 2008

  9:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  B300 writes:

  Danchan; I heard that there were more murders in Chicago in recent months than killed in Iraq! The schools are trashed as well!
  With many other problems in Illinois, what makes you think he can run the country? Out of these two candidates... I'm not sure. I am glad there are people like you that have hope! Good Luck!

• October 20, 2008

  9:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  amaikovich writes:

  It's not that Sarah Palin doesn't have a good heart. It's her lack of knowledge and experience that Hank should be singing about.

  Clearly, there has never been a more polarizing VP nominee than Ms. Palin. And the last thing the country needed was more polarization. Shame on Senator McCain, when there were so many qualified women he could have placed on the ticket

• October 20, 2008

  9:28 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  Danchan-
  Mummar Gadhafi,Castro, PLO and Hamas endorsed nobama, too. Yousef said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election." Why? because he said "He has a vision to change America." In what way does Yousef want America to change? To benefit them somehow? Gadhafi is under the impression that nobama is a Muslim? What's your opinion on these endorsements?

• October 20, 2008

  9:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Oh_Wise_One writes:

  We want Obama's college transcripts. The guy is an affirmative action genius with a C average.

• October 20, 2008

  9:34 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ClintEastwood writes:

  I'm in LOVE!!!

• October 20, 2008

  9:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmannino writes:

  Sarah Palin is only polarizing to the left because the left fears her. She is a bright, articulate conservative with a strong following among conservatives. Obama is an extremely polarizing candidate. He has little experience except for community organizing and bringing lawsuits to force banks to make risky loans. He has far left views and associations. His close friendships with Wright, Ayers, and Rezco are extremely polarizing.

  Individuals who vote on the basis of a candidate's personality are misinformed. The candidates support much different visions of the country's future. You should understand the policy differences and determine which policies you support. If you want a much larger government role, you should support Democrats. If you want a larger role for the private sector, you should support Republicans. You should look carefully at the policy differences in health care, labor, energy, taxes, welfare, education, and other issues.

• October 20, 2008

  9:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ghoax writes:

  when you read the liberal outrage, you are reading exactly what keeps this country divided and separating further. The democrats have been swindled by the lefties who are controlling the party, and apparently the thinking of the masses. Instead of supporting socialism and the vicious attacks on the "evil" Republicans , dems should be rallying around solutions that involve Republicans to today's problems. Republicans are fighting for the rights of exactly those who are attacking them the most. Even 15 years ago, those democrats were much more pro-American, and willing to work things out for the benefit of all of us.

  Todays democrats get their marching orders from elitists desiring socialism with them in power, environmental groups, and people that hate America. You think I'm kidding? Explain Pelosi's daily briefings from the Kos? The problem is not the Republicans, it is the left movement of the democrat party. The big o means well but takes his marching orders from the same, the shadow puppeteers behind the scenes that dress up oppression with decency.

  Even if the left takes control of our country, we will be fine for the American people are much wiser than they believe and will eventually figure out the agenda and demand we get back to keeping America Strong instead of Changing America to Europe.

  What we are seeing is the clash between heated emotional thinking and logic, we need leadership that is balanced and can do both, unfortunately, I haven't seen a democrat besides Clinton that has been able to get there, of late its nothing but save the planet, save the poor, save the world, evil Bush, big bad oil, they make too much money, we feel bad, ...all emotionally driven but no solutions.

• October 20, 2008

  10:02 a.m.

  leatherneck writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• October 20, 2008

  10:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  Hank. Why do you roll smoke?

• October 20, 2008

  10:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  chaka419 writes:

  If Govenor Palin had the exact same experience, faith and personality but was picked by Obama the left would love her!!!! It is not her views it is the fact that they think they own the right to have the first minority President. Feminists are not for ALL women's rights only for LIBERAL women's rights. I know as a Republican woman they could care less if I have equal pay for equal work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If McCain and picked a perfectly qualified young good looking conservative black man the liberal left would hate on that person also. (i.e. Clarence Thomas).

• October 20, 2008

  10:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cowboy63 writes:

  Somebody better call the Leftwing PC police! Sarah Palin quoted the Bible! I forgot. The Left doesn't have a problem when you quote the Bible - they just have a problem when you believe in it. THAT'S the root cause of why the Left finds her so "polarizing".

  amaikovich writes: "Clearly, there has never been a more polarizing VP nominee than Ms. Palin. And the last thing the country needed was more polarization. Shame on Senator McCain, when there were so many qualified women he could have placed on the ticket."

  I laugh every time I hear the Left complain about McCain choosing Palin for VP as if they actually would have considered him if he picked someone else. The only female running-mate McCain could have chosen who they wouldn't think was 'polarizing' would have been Hillary Clinton!

  When you run for President - you can choose whoever you want. If you don't like it; don't vote for him. Since when does a presidential candidate choose his running mate to please the other side?! I didn't notice Obama consulting with Republicans to see if Biden would be "acceptable".

• October 20, 2008

  10:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  leatherneck writes:

  chaka419: So true....Liberals don't care who is on the ticket. They are haters and would discredit anyone for any reason.
  Very good comment.

• October 20, 2008

  10:23 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  cassidy22 writes:

  B300 said: "Danchan; I heard that there were more murders in Chicago in recent months than killed in Iraq! The schools are trashed as well!"

  Same can be said of LA, Detroit, Cleveland, New York - are those all Obama's fault, too?

  People are so one-sided when they close their minds and decide to be defiant instead of trying to see the truth.

• October 20, 2008

  10:30 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  Apparently, taxation is socialism and welfare only when levied by a Democrat.

  Also, if you're reading this Hank...thanks for ruining what was once a great song!

• October 20, 2008

  10:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  UNV_ME writes:

  You McCainiacs are currently the minority. Soon enough you will be forgotten. ...but fear not... you're memory will remain in the butt of jokes.

• October 20, 2008

  10:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  WestminsterJ writes:

  leatherneck- You call liberals haters? That's called PROJECTION. All thru the Clinton presidency all you guys could do, led by the fat man behind the microphone, was talk about how Hillary had Vince Foster killed. The fat man began every broadcast with "America held hostage".
  And now it is you jerks who grasp at every possible smear to hurl against Obama. You guys are the haters. And your days are numbered.

• October 20, 2008

  10:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  amaikovich writes:

  Taking from this article, Governor Palin said, "Joe the Plumber was the winner of last week’s debate."

  Then, "Joe Biden says higher taxes are patriotic. Joe the Plumber said it sounded to him like socialism."

  Even after being totally discredited (they couldn't find a Joe who actually would be adversely affected by a Senator Obama presidency? Or a Joe who pays his current lower taxes?), Ms. Palin continues with the soundbites. And they wonder why the media doesn't take her seriously.

  I repeat, "Oh my."

• October 20, 2008

  10:39 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Here's what Palin said last week about which parts of American are patriotic and which parts of America are not patriotic:

  Sarah said, "[w]e believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe" -- here the audience interrupted Palin with applause and cheers -- "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us. Those who are protecting us in uniform. Those who are protecting the virtues of freedom."

  I'm perfectly happy with Palin continuing to play to the Republican base. Keep it up! All that divisive rhetoric isn't going to earn McCain a single vote from uncommitted and independent voters!

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  10:48 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  leatherredneck

  Did you get to see your movie "W" this weekend. I bet you voted for that joker twice. You are funny to call us haters. Have you read any of your posting as of late?

• October 20, 2008

  11:02 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  FCZ writes:

  the problem is 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all.

• October 20, 2008

  11:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  There he goes again.... Joe Biden inserts foot into mouth and ADMITS THE TRUTH!

  Biden told supporters that if Obama is elected, there will be serious disasters caused by Obama being elected!!

  He also said that Obama will do things that Americans will NOT SUPPORT!

  He even admits that Obama's approval in polls will CRASH!!!!

  And THEN after admitting all this, Biden realizes there are reporters at the event, so he starts back peddling faster than a retarded Democrat on a unicycle going downhill backwards!!

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  11:06 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  FCZ writes:

  "the problem is 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all."

  Obama plans to raise taxes on those who work and give the money to those who don't!

  Obama likes to call it "spreading the wealth". And all morons support it because they don't know better.

• October 20, 2008

  11:08 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  FCZ writes: "the problem is 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all"

  Could you please clarify if you mean 40% of working Americans, or 40% of the actual populace? If the latter, I can understand why, as children, retirees, many of the disabled, etc. aren't working.

  And if the former, it is hard for me to believe that 40% of American workers are receiving paychecks with no income taxes taken out of them.

• October 20, 2008

  11:09 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Shaupeen writes:

  A good friend of mine said it best--Obama picked a running mate to help him run the country. McCain picked a running mate to help him win the election.

  The people who understand the difference--Republicans and Democrats--are the ones who will vote for Obama. The hate-spewing ditto-heads will never understand, or admit their errors, and I can only hope they will shut up once they lose.

  But I'm not holding my breath.

• October 20, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  VoiceOfTheRockies writes:

  Obama = Socialism = (you may find out real soon...)

• October 20, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  me2 writes:

  Secessionist Sarah. Thank you all for noticing what the MSM apparently dismisses as unimportant. If they lose she can go back and be Queen of Alaska United.

• October 20, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jay writes:

  'America is that shining city on the hill'

  she may indeed be...but the policies you support continuing have lessened her luster.

  which brings us back to the question of the campaign.

  how can you justify a vote to continue the policies that have brought us the Track Record of the last 8 years?

  can't do it...which is why we here so much ranting about "race" and "palling around with terrorists" and birth certifigate.

  the hate and fear just aren't going to work this year...so with two weeks left...is that really what you guys on the right are going to go with?

  this is just one guy talking....but you may want to reconsider...

  http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

• October 20, 2008

  11:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  Turns out we've got some corporate welfare queens in America, according to the Government Accounting Office:

  http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOn...

  Yet the Republicans are strangely hesitant about calling McCain's plan for additional corporate tax breaks "welfare and socialism."

• October 20, 2008

  11:20 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  mytwosense writes:

  "And if the former, it is hard for me to believe that 40% of American workers are receiving paychecks with no income taxes taken out of them."

  Check out the facts yourself. Out of 135 million tax returns filed, 43 million owe ZERO taxes.

  http://www.taxfoundation.org/research...

  Obama's claims are mathematically impossible. He claims that he will lower income taxes on 95% of Americans, which is impossible since only 60% of Americans even pay taxes.

  The facts prove it. Obama is a liar. And those who believe him are mentally deficient.

• October 20, 2008

  11:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmannino writes:

  mytwosense,

  The percentage (40%) applies to taxpayers. The percentage is about 32% in 2006 as 43 million returns out of 135 million paid no federal income taxes. A large number of these taxpayers paid negative income taxes meaning the value of refundable tax credits exceeded the amount of tax owed. These 43 million still have taxes deducted unless they claim many deductions on their W-4. They receive refunds matching or exceeding taxes owed when they file. Obama's tax plan will add a number of new and expanded refundable tax credits. A large part of his tax cut is welfare disguised as a tax cut. You cannot get a tax cut unless you pay taxes. Please do not tell me that these taxpayers pay payroll taxes. Payroll taxes are devoted to specific causes. Social security and Medicare were never intended as welfare although the benefits are highly skewed towards low wage earners. If you do not pay payroll taxes, you should not be entitled to the benefits.

• October 20, 2008

  11:24 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  McCain's health plan will tax health insurance benefits as income for the first time in history.

  Tax health insurance benefits as income? Thanks but no thanks!

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  11:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  rickg, I just briefly checked out that link. They make a distinction that you don't. They say that percentage of taxpayers have no *tax liability* after completing their returns. That doesn't mean they didn't pay any income taxes. I think you're overlooking payroll taxes. A portion of those are paid by employees and they aren't refundable. Technically, they're supposed to go towards Social Security and Medicare funds.

  Also, the link you provided does state the obvious: those people don't make that much money, thus, lower taxes. If the percentage is really what the link you provided purports, that certainly says something about the large number of crappy-paying jobs in this country.

  Gee, what a trade off. Make a low salary, pay low taxes.

  Why some of you are so resentful of this group is beyond my understanding. Any thinking person would be happy with their higher position on the economic ladder, instead of seething with rage at those behind them.

• October 20, 2008

  11:36 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  gwats writes:

  I'm not seeing a lot of Black and Latino faces at the McCain/ Palin events. if this doesn't worry them, it should.

• October 20, 2008

  11:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  kris writes:

  After watching the Republican Party humiliate themselves on SNL Saturday night, How can anyone possibly take this woman seriously? Powell was right when he questioned McCain's judgement in selecting Palin as his running mate. This speaks volumes !!!

• October 20, 2008

  11:44 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  sweetater writes:

  America is a shining city on a hill ? By no means did I pass geography or goverment classe when I was in school,BUT isn't America a country?

• October 20, 2008

  11:48 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  mytwosense....

  If they have NO tax liability on their tax return, then they get every penny they had withheld from their paychecks back as a refund.
  So they paid ZERO income taxes that year!

  You're making a common mistake that many Americans make (thanks to politicians who set up the system to make the tax burden look less than it really is).

  When taxes are withheld from your paycheck, it's only a downpayment on the actual taxes you owe at the end of the year. That's why you have to complete a tax return. When you complete your tax return for the Apr 15 deadline, you are THEN determining whether you and your family actually owe any taxes or not. If you end up with enough deductions, credits, exemptions, etc,, or did not make enough taxable income, then you will owe zero taxes, and get a refund of the entire amount that was withheld from your paychecks the previous calendar year. That means you didn't owe ANY taxes that year.

  Check out the link that was embedded in the Tax Foundation link....

  http://www.taxfoundation.org/research...

  "Tax Foundation economists estimate that for tax year 2004, a record 42.5 million Americans who filed a tax return (one-third of the 131 million returns filed last year) had no tax liability after they took advantage of their credits and deductions. Millions more paid next to nothing. In addition to these non-payers, roughly 15 million individuals and families earned some income last year but not enough to be required to file a tax return. When these non-filers are added to the non-payers, they add up to 57.5 million income-earning people who will be paying no income taxes. "

  57.5 million income earning people paid NO INCOME TAXES!

  Here's some other interesting facts that politicians want to hide from you.....

  "One of the biggest obstacles facing President Bush’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform is the fact that America has become divided between a growing class of people who pay no income taxes and a shrinking class of people who are bearing the lion’s share of the burden. "

  "Despite the charges of critics that the tax cuts enacted in 2001, 2003 and 2004 favored the “rich,” these cuts actually reduced the tax burden of low- and middle-income taxpayers and shifted the tax burden onto wealthier taxpayers. "

• October 20, 2008

  11:50 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cowboy63 writes:

  DenverDan writes: "Did you get to see your movie "W" this weekend. I bet you voted for that joker twice."

  Typical Liberal! Gets all their "facts" from something they saw at the movies! Hollywood tells the Liberals what to think and they just fall into line.

• October 20, 2008

  11:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmannino writes:

  mytwosense,

  No one resents this group for the income earned. However, everyone should pay taxes because everyone should share the cost of government. This group is now getting a free ride. Many in this group are receiving welfare through refundable tax credits as the money received exceeds income tax liability.

  The Democrats want to expand this situation. Under Obama's proposal, the number of non tax payers will approach 50%. The amount of welfare received by this group will substantially increase. I think that welfare should be temporay, designed to provide a helping hand when individuals encounter difficult situations beyond their control. Refundable tax credits are permanent welfare, a type of guaranteed income support.

  The Democrats have a European vision of big government providing lots of work and welfare guarantees. Old Europe has experienced high unemployment (10%+) for 10 to 20 years because of this structure. If you have a job in Europe, you have many protections. However, employers are relunctant to hire and invest because of labor laws. In addition, many lack motivation to find work because welfare pays better.

• October 20, 2008

  11:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  mmanino: "Please do not tell me that these taxpayers pay payroll taxes. Payroll taxes are devoted to specific causes. Social security and Medicare were never intended as welfare although the benefits are highly skewed towards low wage earners. If you do not pay payroll taxes, you should not be entitled to the benefits."

  But they do pay payroll taxes. Your assertion that they don't is odd. It doesn't matter that those taxes go towards Social Security and Medicare, what matters is where they are taken from: income/ paychecks.

  However, if you want to insist that it matters, SS funds have been diverted to other purposes for years. By both parties.

• October 20, 2008

  11:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  Cowboy63

  Do you mean the Hollywood that gave us Ronald Regan and Swartzaneggar?

• October 20, 2008

  12:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  rickg: "Here's some other interesting facts that politicians want to hide from you.....

  "One of the biggest obstacles facing President Bush’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform is the fact that America has become divided between a growing class of people who pay no income taxes and a shrinking class of people who are bearing the lion’s share of the burden. "

  Well, if the concentration of net wealth in this country was likewise skewed to favor those who pay less taxes, I would probably share some of your concern.

  However, according to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Finances Report, the top 1% of income earners in this country own a third of the net wealth. The top 10% own 70% of the net wealth.

  So in a progressive taxation system, I can see how the math would end up with the smaller percentage paying a higher amount of taxes. They own most of the taxable wealth.

  And if we moved to a flat-rate system, they'd own even more of that wealth, and who knows if that wouldn't mean they'd still end up paying the majority of the taxes?

  Meanwhile, the other 90% would be paying a higher proportion of their salary in income taxes and, as they already do, in sales taxes. While owning only a small portion of the nation's wealth.

  I suppose the answer to all this could just be to eliminate taxes for everyone, but this country is too big at this point to efficiently and peacefully run without tax funding.

• October 20, 2008

  12:06 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  rickg: "If they have NO tax liability on their tax return, then they get every penny they had withheld from their paychecks back as a refund. So they paid ZERO income taxes that year!"

  I don't *think* that some of the payroll taxes I've been discussing in the last couple of posts are subject to refunds, at least not for the entire 40% of income earners your article is quoting. Are you quite sure about that?

• October 20, 2008

  12:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  tdaniels writes:

  I posted this in the comments section for Palin introducing "Ed the Dairyman," but I think it bears repeating here. I personally find it interesting that folks still espouse "trickle-down" economics when we've seen these past years how well that works. Regarding the point of whose economic policies would be more effective, I think this article from The Economist is instructive: http://www.economist.com/world/united...

  Regarding the "welfare" claims McCain makes, factcheck.org has done some analysis on just these claims (http://www.factcheck.org/elections-20...):

  "The fact is, a worker can be a "taxpayer" whether or not they owe any income tax. Just about every worker is subject to federal Social Security and Medicare taxes totaling 7.65 percent on every dollar of earnings, up to $102,000 per year. (For earnings over $102,000, only the 1.45 percent Medicare tax applies.) Low-income workers, and retired and jobless persons as well, also pay federal excise taxes whenever they buy gasoline or pay a telephone bill, for example. Obama and other Democrats argue that for low-income workers, refundable tax credits are not “welfare” but, in effect, a reduction in their overall federal tax burden, counting payroll taxes.

  Congressional Budget Office figures show that even those in the lowest-earning fifth of households pay an effective federal tax rate, on average, of 4.3 percent of their income, despite benefiting from existing federal refundable tax credits to a major degree. This group had average income of $15,900 in 2005, the most recent year for which CBO has done the calculations. But despite receiving "a federal check" through the income tax system that boosted income by an average of 6.5 percent (this shows up as a negative tax rate in the CBO tables), they still paid an average of $600 in federal taxes. That's true even after subtracting the effects of refundable tax credit "welfare." "

• October 20, 2008

  12:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  tdaniels: "Just about every worker is subject to federal Social Security and Medicare taxes totaling 7.65 percent on every dollar of earnings, up to $102,000 per year. (For earnings over $102,000, only the 1.45 percent Medicare tax applies.)"

  Thanks. Assuming factcheck.org is correct, of course. Also, my understanding is those particular payroll taxes aren't refundable.

• October 20, 2008

  12:24 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  mytwosense....

  There are two forms of "income" related taxes.

  One is the income tax (which you complete tax forms for each April 15) and the other is the FICA/SECA tax, which is more commonly called Social Security/Medicare taxes.

  Both are taken out of your paycheck, however only the income tax requires you to complete a tax form at the end of each year to determine if you owe additional taxes, or entitled to a refund because your tax liability is lower than the amount withheld.

  For Obama, he has stated that he will not change the Social Security Payroll tax rate which is currently at 12.4%, however he will raise it for anyone making more than $200k. That means NO cut for ANY Americans.

  For income tax rates, Obama has also stated that he will retain the Bush tax cuts (funny how Democrats support it now), and increase rates for anyone making more than $200k. The Tax Foundation has found that the actual changes Obama promises, will affect anyone making $186k, however we'll let Obama round it up to feel better. So again, NO cut for ANY Americans.

  Obama has also stated the following....

  No cut in capital gains or dividends.
  An increase in the death tax (aka estate tax).
  No change in the current AMT patch.

  Now.... the mystery....

  Obama is not cutting taxes anywhere, then how can Obama honestly claim to be reducing the taxes on 95% of Americans?

  He can't. That's why he refuses to explain the details of how he achieves that mathematical impossibility.

  It's called a lie. And any objective, rational, honest person will say the following... "Obama is lying in an effort to win the election."

• October 20, 2008

  12:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  rickg, tax credits can cut taxes too, remember. Unless you want to be a stickler for semantics here and insist because these aren't deductions in the tax rates they don't qualify as tax cuts. Anyway, Obama is proposing many such credits for families and small businesses, and he's also proposing the elimination of income taxes for seniors making less than $50K a year.

• October 20, 2008

  12:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  mytwosense....

  Sure tax credits reduce tax liabilities. But the math still holds true. It is impossible for 95% to get a tax cut, and that's why Obama refuses to explain how he achieves that mythical number.

• October 20, 2008

  12:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Amikeb1 writes:

  Vote early today, there as lines out the door and the ballot is 13 pages. I was one of the first and it still took 20 mins. It will be HOURS in Colorado on November 4th.

  Palin and her husband are meeting investigators this week to see if they violated ethics policies. The fact that they even are doing an investigation into her behavior should be enough to turn you off...

  Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  12:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Tax credits reduce tax liabilities only to the extent that there are tax liabilities. If not, then the tax credits become tax refunds. However, if a taxpayer historically and habitually only files tax returns, not to pay taxes, but to receive tax refunds, this is a pattern on redistribution. Plain and simple.

  Obama's 95% makes no sense and is intentionally shrouded in mystery and covered up by his willing allies in the left media. Read this Wall Street Journal piece on just this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12238... ("Obama's 95% Illusion")

• October 20, 2008

  1:04 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  GiovanniJones writes: "The Obamanites are sure going to be disapointed and kick themselves in the rear when this anti-American, closet racist doesn't deliver and they will help vote him out in 2012."

  I wouldn't exactly call myself an "Obamanite." Although I'm likely going to vote for him instead of my first (third-party) choice.

  Nor do I expect him to deliver anytime soon after getting in office. We have enormous work ahead, from domestic economy challenges to strengthening our global alliances to resolving our military conflicts. I will be happy if he at least lays some solid groundwork for these efforts in his first four years, with the exception of Iraq. I want us out of there much sooner than four years.

  Plus, I don't expect Obama or the government in general to solve all our problems. As citizens there is much we can do and change ourselves, and business, as always, will play a critical role too.

• October 20, 2008

  1:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Buffs writes:

  GiovanniJones,

  You have issues, I'm black and I don't like Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton, guess that makes me a racist against my own kind huh? Just the mere fact that you're speaking of racism in your post says that you're obviously a racist....the pot calling the kettle black.

  Stop repeating everything you hear about "black people". We have brains and can decipher want we want in this world.

  I expected your comments about Powell for if he would have endorsed McCain, you would have said he was the greatest man alive. If you actually LISTENED to his entire endorsement, you wouldn't have made your snide comment. You can now head back to your racist closet. Just enlightens the rest of the world to the true ignorance of some people.

• October 20, 2008

  1:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  GiovanniJones

  That is what you are hoping for? Wow just like the 1950's We have come a long way! People who feel that way are the base of the Republican party. The same ones that say he is a terrorist, the Swift boat people. The Hate people. People like your self and redneck and his sister rick.

• October 20, 2008

  1:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  I don't know why a woman would vote for someone who would take away their rights and give control over their bodies during pregnancy to the government.

  Here's McCain saying he supports a Constitutional amendment banning ALL abortions, regardless of rape or incest:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAYaQM...

  Here's McCain derisively mocking the "health" of the mother, using air quotes, and stating that the "health" of the mother is an EXTREME position:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGZOyx...

  Since when is the "health" of the mother an EXTREME position? Make no mistake, McCain/Palin do not care about women's rights or health. They want the government to control women's bodies from conception to birth.

  The government controlling womens' bodies during pregnancy? Thanks but no thanks.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  1:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  Even Democrats are getting worried about what will happen to the USA if Obama is able to con his way into the White House.

  Even Joe Biden!

  Biden predicts that if Obama wins, then there will be immediate and dangerous foreign policy disasters awaiting the USA. Even to the level of Cuban Missile Crisis!

  ""It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." "

  Thanks Obama! Your inexperience is putting every American at risk!

  ""And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."" THANKS OBAMA! You need others to bail your failing arse out of the fire!

  Biden predicts that Obama will do things that the American people reject, and his approval ratings will collapse. A collapse within one year!! And none of the nuts supporting Obama will be willing to admit it by then.

  "I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?'"

  And then Biden discovers that he's revealed what Democrats thought they were keeping to themselves.....

  "After speaking for just over a quarter of an hour, Biden noticed the media presence in the back of the small ballroom. "I probably shouldn't have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here," he joked."

  Oh well... Democrats can always correct their mistake and nominate Hillary in 2012 on a "I Told You Obama Wasn't Ready" campaign platform.

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  1:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Danchan writes:

  B300 writes:
  "Danchan; I heard that there were more murders in Chicago in recent months than killed in Iraq! The schools are trashed as well!
  With many other problems in Illinois, what makes you think he can run the country?"
  My optimism concerning Senator Obama has to do with his education and background in the legislature (despite the constantly repeated lies, he has done a lot of work in the state and federal legislature), and with his pragmatism. By that I mean that, he seems to have no hesitation making decisions that go against the party line when the situation calls for it.
  trinidad writes:
  "Danchan- Mummar Gadhafi,Castro, PLO and Hamas endorsed nobama, too. Yousef said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election." Why? because he said "He has a vision to change America." In what way does Yousef want America to change? To benefit them somehow? Gadhafi is under the impression that nobama is a Muslim? What's your opinion on these endorsements?"
  My opinion on these endorsements is that they are political statements from political leaders and should not be taken for face value. Besides, the ENTIRE FREAKIN’ WORLD (non millionaires that is) is looking for America to return to the moral and ethical standards we held before Bush. People can go on and on about Clinton’s moral failure, but it does not remotely compare with authorizing torture and the loss of habeus corpus that has taken place in the last 7 years. They had to rewrite the ethics policies of the White House to accommodate Cheney and Rumsfeld because they were so shady. Senator Obama will make mistakes, and he will make enemies, but by electing him we send a message to the world that we will no longer be settling all our problems with threats and bombs and that diplomacy is on the table again. Senator Obama is an articulate, pragmatic, and honorable leader who will help motivate Americans to save our country.

• October 20, 2008

  1:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Hank Williams' "media-bashing song". The blog writers above from the Rocky can't handle the truth! Pertinent lyrics here:

  The left wing liberal media have always been a real close knit family
  But most of the American people dont believe em anyway you see
  Stop and think it over
  Before you make your decision
  If they smell something wrong, they're gonna come down strong
  You know McCain-Palin tradition

• October 20, 2008

  1:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LOL writes:

  I'm a republican woman who will not be voting for Palin/McCain. Their entire campaign has been about Obama, all I know about them is that she likes killing animals and cannot form an intelligent sentence. Obama's campaign has been about who he is and what he plans to do. It's real and it makes sense.
  Palin doesn't want to 'spread the wealth', and so many times I hear Republicans say "why should we pay for people who made BAD DECISIONS". I'm dumping the party because of it. Not being a rich heartless thug doesn't mean you made bad decisions. Loosing your spouse and struggling to feed your kids isn't due to a bad decision, having a family member with cancer isn't due to a bad decision. No one stays on top forever, beware republicans, when you fall you will be trampled by your own. And you will deserve it.
  Pew on Palin, she stinks to the ends of eternity!

• October 20, 2008

  1:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  rickg19611, I'm not sure where you got all that stuff above the link, but the article you linked to quotes Biden as saying: "We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America."

  You may be interested to know that the majority of Americans disagree with you. Virtually every poll shows Obama well ahead of McCain:

  http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics...
  http://www.pollster.com/
  http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
  http://www.realclearpolitics.com/

  Despite Obama's clear lead, I will be volunteering my time the next two weeks to ensure his victory.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  1:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  rickg, we're all used to Biden's stream-of-consciousness speech at this point. Just an FYI. I'm sure it's an occasional headache for the Obama-Biden campaign, but they knew what they were getting. And his candor is often rather likable and refreshing.

  Also, I agree with his take that a world crisis will be generated to test him, somehow. Even if one that's rather over-exaggerated by the media. It's a pretty chaotic place, plus we're in two wars. To think it's going to be smooth sailing for whoever the new president is is pretty unrealistic.

  That's one reason I prefer Obama. He seems to have a better grip on himself than half-cocked crazy McCain. He won't just blindly, knee-jerk react to whatever comes his way. Say what you will about him, but Obama's got a pretty cool head.

• October 20, 2008

  1:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  rickg19611 writes:

  Cheer up everyone.... even Joe Biden admits his true feelings about a future under Obama.... it's bleak and risky.

  Biden publicly stated that if Obama wins, you will see.....

  1. Within 6 months, America will face an international crisis that rivals the Cuban Missile Crisis. Biden said that America's enemies will be quick to test Obama in a crisis that will rival a time when the world faced global annihilation. I don't recall that "benefit" of electing an inexperienced empty suit in the Democrat talking points!!!

  "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008

  2. Biden predicted that if elected, Obama's approval ratings will collapse so far that even Democrats will be questioning their support for him.

  "I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' " - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008

  3. Biden said that Obama will be begging you to save him from his failures. And that what Obama is doing "isn't right".

  "And he's (Obama) gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right." - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008

  And THEN, after 15 minutes of revealing how he expects Obama to fail when tested in his first year of "on the job training" at the White House, Biden realizes that he's revealing the secrets the Democrats thought they were keeping to themselves....

  "After speaking for just over a quarter of an hour, Biden noticed the media presence in the back of the small ballroom.

  "I probably shouldn't have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here," he joked."

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

  No wonder Obama can't seal the deal with American voters, despite having the best political conditions imaginable.

• October 20, 2008

  1:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  rickg19611
  And may I ask you what Palin would do if she is tested? Now that is d--m right scary. Good to see your still an idiot.

• October 20, 2008

  2:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Mayor_Quimby writes:

  Obama is a joke. Palin is a babe.

• October 20, 2008

  2:06 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  leatherneck writes:

  PonchoVia writes: Despite Obama's clear lead, I will be volunteering my time the next two weeks to ensure his victory.

  That's special.....I wonder if NOBAMA knows he has such a screen warrior like yourself to back up his lies.

• October 20, 2008

  2:07 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  sunshinestate writes:

  Familiar theme indeed- and misrepresenting Obama's positions.
  Weak campaign effort.
  Way too lengthy 'reporting' profile.

  Is Colorado Springs as ugly as they say it is down here in Florida??

• October 20, 2008

  2:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmannino writes:

  SimpleMind,

  Obama has proposed a wide array of new taxes. He has promoted increases in marginal tax rates, the income limit for payroll taxes, phase out of deductions, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, and corporate taxes especially for non favored industries. The increase in payroll taxes and income taxes on the rich (his definition) would push the effective federal marginal rate from 38% to almost 55%. This level of tax increase would trigger less private investment, less production, and more capital flight from the country. Since you are in favor of confiscatory tax rates, perhaps you would not mind paying higher taxes. Joe Biden has said that it is patriotic to pay taxes. If you and other leftists volunteer to pay higher taxes, I might agree with Joe Biden. Obama can then raise taxes to achieve an even higher level of patriotism. Perhaps 90% would be a more appropriate level of taxation.

• October 20, 2008

  2:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  leatherneck writes:

  PonchoVia writes:Despite Obama's clear lead, I will be volunteering my time the next two weeks to ensure his victory.

  That is special, you are a dedicated liberal, and I bet you need NOBAMA to take care of you also. I wonder if NOBAMA knows that he has such a screen warrior like yourself to push his lies.

• October 20, 2008

  2:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  leatherneck, it's disappointing that you feel the need to lash out in such negative attacks. You seem very sensitive.

• October 20, 2008

  2:29 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LoDoBuffFan writes:

  America knows better than to give either party control of Senate, House of Representatives AND Executive.

  As history shows, everytime we over correct we live to regret it. Obama has potential to be great leader, just not in 2008. Maybe 2012?

  McCain/Palin get my vote 2008!

• October 20, 2008

  2:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Danchan writes:

  In response to rickg19611 statements about Joe Biden:
  “Cheer up everyone.... even Joe Biden admits his true feelings about a future under Obama.... it's bleak and risky.”
  Biden publicly stated that if Obama wins, you will see.....”
  1. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008
  Does it surprise anyone that being in the middle of two wars right now that it’s likely that someone is upset enough with America to take a swing at our new leader? This is a statement of probability and confidence, not a condemnation.

  2. "I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' " - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008
  President Obama is going to make enemies here as he tries to get America back on track. Again, who is surprised by this statement?!?!

  3. "And he's (Obama) gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right." - Joe Biden, Oct 19, 2008
  President Obama will be asking the American public to step up and help heal our country. Instead of waiting for it to “trickle down” on us, we’re going to save our own country under his leadership. This is very frightening to both the elitist and the barely literate far Right fringe.

• October 20, 2008

  2:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coloradovet writes:

  rickg19611, you are forgetting many things when you say 40% of americans pay no taxes. You are forgetting:

  -Payroll Taxes (Social Security)
  -Medicare Tax
  -Sales and Property Taxes
  -Value of Tax Withholding

  Last time I checked the Bush administration looted all these tax sources to spend 10 billion a month in Iraq, so everyone is paying taxes.

• October 20, 2008

  2:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  O_TRAIN writes:

  dilligaf - I know you asked rickg...

  "...what Palin would do if she is tested?" She would fail miserably, then look to blame someone else - probably the media.

  PonchoVia - take it easy on leatherneck. I think with all this reality setting in, the leather may be coming apart at the seams.

• October 20, 2008

  2:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dilligaf writes:

  To think in 2 weeks we can send Palin back to her little hick town and be done with her. That is until she does a spread for Playboy. And of course don't forget the massive articles in the tabloids.

• October 20, 2008

  2:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dirkle writes:

  Not in my lifetime. Please declare Colorado in the future to be a "no-fly" zone for Palin. Go back to Alaska, Barbie

• October 20, 2008

  3:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigSky182 writes:

  Why won't Obama salute the flag?

  From Sunday's Televised 'Meet the Press' Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag. Obama Explains National Anthem Stance

  Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

  The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code,

  Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are "expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, 'Stand and Face It' "

  Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression.

  And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice.

  My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine'. Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forwar d to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America .

  SERIOUSLY???

  You want THIS guy leading the greatest nation on Earth? He wants to replace the National Anthem with a COKE JINGLE!!!

• October 20, 2008

  3:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmannino writes:

  coloradovet,

  Payroll taxes are largely devoted to specific programs. You should not get benefits if you do not pay taxes for these programs. Sales and property taxes are largely local taxes, not federal taxes. There are a variety of federal taxes that are similar to sales taxes such as the telecommunications taxes. Almost everyone pays taxes although not everyone is a net tax payer. There is a sizable segment that are net tax users receiving various welfare and other benefits far exceeding taxes paid.

  The issue raised involved federal income taxes, the primary tax collected by the federal government. In the current tax structure, 1/3 pay no federal income taxes. A large part of this group receive payments (negative taxes). With Obama's proposed tax structure, the non paying (and negative tax groups) will grow substantially. If Joe Biden is correct, paying income taxes is patriotic. This group is not patriotic because they do not pay federal income taxes. I would like this group to share their patriotism with comrades Biden and Obama. I also encourage other comrades to express their patriotism. You can surely afford to pay higher income taxes. Your leader thinks that sharing the wealth is a great idea. Please do not disappoint him.

• October 20, 2008

  3:17 p.m.

  BigSky182 writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• October 20, 2008

  3:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Danchan writes:

  BigSky182 - if it sounds untrue, maybe you should check to see if it IS untrue:
  http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/...

• October 20, 2008

  3:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  Crazy how a Black man with power scares so many people but I guess 219 years of White Presidents hasn't been good enough. Obama is a Muslim, Hangs with Terrorist (Republicans have been seen with this guy too), Hates white people, was a C student are excuses and what they really mean is "I'm not voting for him because he is Black ". Your Paranoia is sad.

  The comments that are made About Powell are even more ridicules since he was loved by the republicans his whole military career and political career but as soon as he says he backs Obama he is and was nothing.

• October 20, 2008

  3:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  GiovanniJones wrotes:
  "You know what you can do with your white liberal quilt!"

  Now that fall is here, I imagine long nights snuggling warmly on the couch. Or - perhaps a safety blanket for the truck.

  White Liberal Quilt - non-allergenic, free of toxins, stain and Republican-resistant!

• October 20, 2008

  3:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Danchan, thanks for clearing that up for BigSky. BigSky and his/her ilk are not concerned with the truth of things they hear or receive in their email boxes. They simply assume everything they get in their email box is true, perhaps because it's in writing, and perhaps because it agrees with their preset prejudices.

  Colin Powell tried his best to clear up some of the rampant lies yesterday in his endorsement. Every American should listen to his endorsement, and really think about it...:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo_WZi...

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  3:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jjwood64 writes:

  "Palin Not Qualified? You Betcha!"

  I look forward to November 6th, when Sarah Palin's 15 minutes of fame are over.

• October 20, 2008

  3:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cowboy63 writes:

  ALL McCain has to do between now and election day is keep running ads of OBAMA repeating such gems as...

  "spread the wealth"

  "bitterly clinging to their God and guns"

  "punished with a baby"

  "back in 1929... President FDR went on TV and reassured the nation that there wasn't any problem" (my personal favorite)

  Obama's own words are McCain's best weapon!

• October 20, 2008

  3:52 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bob299 writes:

  McCain claims that Obama’s policies would lead to economic disaster. But Bush’s policies have already led to disaster — and whatever he may say, McCain proposes continuing Bush’s policies in all essential respects.

  You can either vote for the current state of affairs or vote for real change.

• October 20, 2008

  3:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coloradovet writes:

  mmannino, social security and medicare are almost half my taxes. You didn't mention those in your response. And you also didn't mention the fact that taxes are withheld for most of the year. You also have to be on a payroll to get any of Obama's tax credits. Also, in regards to social securty, the wealthy stop paying that once they reach a certain amount. So, for most of the year, the wealthy aren't paying what the poor are paying a large chunk of their wages. Yeah, state and local taxes aren't federal, but their taxes none the less. These people are going to see less taxes, but no way this is going to exceed the TOTAL amount of taxes they are paying (state, local, sales, property, social security, medicare).

• October 20, 2008

  3:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  QueenBee61 writes:

  Thanks for that link Danchan. I doubt it will completely shut up BigSky182 because his ignorance runs deep. If you notice all of the McCain supporters just spew hate and racism. All of the McCainiacs follow their leader's campaign standards and spend their nickel's worth of time trying to disparage Obama rather than discuss the merits of their own candidate. Perhaps because there aren't any merits to discuss.

  And that idiot rickg19611 who thinks the Saudi's paid for Obama's Harvard education!! Oh my God!!! How insane is that? My youngest brother graduated from Harvard, and my postal service retired parents could NEVER have afforded it. I thought he got a full scholarship for his awesome grades and ACT score, but I guess the Saudi's must have paid for it. LOL!

  And I don't even remember which of these fools accused the Obama supporters of criticizing Sarah Pailin. Last I checked, it was the Republicans complaining about her. For most of us, her dumb arse has been nothing more comic relief! LOL!

  On a serious note, my husband and I both made an observation today. With just a little over two weeks to election day, we noticed that NO ONE in our area (upper middle class, 98% white), there is not ONE lawn sign in support of EITHER candidate. Is this true in anyone else's neighborhood?

• October 20, 2008

  4:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  pete10000ft writes:

  Cowboy63: McCain's own words are McCain's worst enemy: "I voted with Bush 90% of the time" (I hope the staff doesn't remove my comment for being too SCARY,lol) that's why all McCain can do is cleverly edit soundbites that are clearly taken out of context. Sadly the ignorant citizens take them at face value...I assume, from your comments, you are part of that group.

  BTW: it's not all McCain HAS to do..it's all McCain CAN do as he has no real strategy for this country other than to run it into the ground for his own personal gains.

• October 20, 2008

  4:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mytwosense writes:

  BigSky182 is also spreading lies on other threads about Obama's birth certificate. I can tell you one thing, if liberals were writing out fictional posts about McCain on these forums, I'd call them out on it if I saw one. I see not a single McCain supporter is bothering to do this with BigSky's posts.

  The "values" party? Yeah, right.

• October 20, 2008

  4:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gary writes:

  sorry to bother you Mr. Obama, Sir
  Excuse me Mr. Obama, I mean Senator Obama, sir. Um . . know you are busy and important and stuff. I mean running for president is very important and . . . ah . . I hate to bother you. I will only take a minute ok, sir?
  See, I have these missing pieces that are holding me up, and I was wondering sir, if you could take time out of your busy schedule and help me out. You know, no big deal, just some loose ends and things.
  I can't seem to get some information I need to wrap this up. These things seem to either be 'locked' or 'not available'. I'm sure it's just some oversight or glitch or something, so if you could you tell me where these things are . . . I . . I . . . have them written down here somewhere . . . oh wait. Sorry about the smears. It was raining out. I'll just read it to you.
  Could you help me please find these things, sir?
  
  1. Occidental College records -- Not released
  2. Columbia College records -- Not released
  3. Columbia Thesis paper -- not available, locked down by faculty
  4. Harvard College records -- Not released, locked down by faculty
  5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
  6. Medical records -- Not released
  7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
  8. Law practice client list -- Not released
  9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
  10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
  11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
  12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
  13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
  14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'

  You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.

  You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.

  BUT....

  'From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After
  143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World .... 143 days.

  We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.

  AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with this for the President of the United States of America ? Come on folks, we are not voting for the next American Idol!

• October 20, 2008

  4:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gary writes:

  sorry to bother you Mr. Obama, Sir
  Excuse me Mr. Obama, I mean Senator Obama, sir. Um . . know you are busy and important and stuff. I mean running for president is very important and . . . ah . . I hate to bother you. I will only take a minute ok, sir?
  See, I have these missing pieces that are holding me up, and I was wondering sir, if you could take time out of your busy schedule and help me out. You know, no big deal, just some loose ends and things.
  I can't seem to get some information I need to wrap this up. These things seem to either be 'locked' or 'not available'. I'm sure it's just some oversight or glitch or something, so if you could you tell me where these things are . . . I . . I . . . have them written down here somewhere . . . oh wait. Sorry about the smears. It was raining out. I'll just read it to you.
  Could you help me please find these things, sir?
  1. Occidental College records -- Not released
  2. Columbia College records -- Not released
  3. Columbia Thesis paper -- not available, locked down by faculty
  4. Harvard College records -- Not released, locked down by faculty
  5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
  6. Medical records -- Not released
  7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
  8. Law practice client list -- Not released
  9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
  10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
  11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
  12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
  13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
  14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'

  You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.

  You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.

  You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.

  BUT....

  'From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After
  143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World .... 143 days.

  We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.

  AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with this for the President of the United States of America ? Come on folks, we are not voting for the next American Idol!

• October 20, 2008

  4:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gary writes:

  sorry to bother you Mr. Obama, Sir
  Excuse me Mr. Obama, I mean Senator Obama, sir. Um . . know you are busy and important and stuff. I mean running for president is very important and . . . ah . . I hate to bother you. I will only take a minute ok, sir?
  See, I have these missing pieces that are holding me up, and I was wondering sir, if you could take time out of your busy schedule and help me out. You know, no big deal, just some loose ends and things.
  I can't seem to get some information I need to wrap this up. These things seem to either be 'locked' or 'not available'. I'm sure it's just some oversight or glitch or something, so if you could you tell me where these things are . . . I . . I . . . have them written down here somewhere . . . oh wait. Sorry about the smears. It was raining out. I'll just read it to you
  Could you help me please find these things, sir?
  
  1. Occidental College records -- Not released
  2. Columbia College records -- Not released
  3. Columbia Thesis paper -- not available, locked down by faculty
  4. Harvard College records -- Not released, locked down by faculty
  5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
  6. Medical records -- Not released
  7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
  8. Law practice client list -- Not released
  9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
  10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
  11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
  12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
  13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
  14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
  You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.
  You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.
  BUT....

  'From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After
  143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World .... 143 days.

  We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.

  AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with this for the President of the United States of America ? Come on folks, we are not voting for the next American Idol!

• October 20, 2008

  4:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  gary writes:

  Missing from Borack Obama
  1. Occidental College records -- Not released
  2. Columbia College records -- Not released
  3. Columbia Thesis paper -- not available, locked down by faculty
  4. Harvard College records -- Not released, locked down by faculty
  5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
  6. Medical records -- Not released
  7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
  8. Law practice client list -- Not released
  9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released
  10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
  11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
  12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
  13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
  14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
  You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.
  You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after 143 days of experience.
  You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience

• October 20, 2008

  4:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ifyem writes:

  Gary is the big e-knucklehead of the day..He not only posts his rhetoric once, but three times!! Way to be productive Gary....

• October 20, 2008

  4:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BenchBoss writes:

  gary:

  Triple-point that garbage just makes it 3 times as annoying.

  And - that's all you got?!?!?!?!?!? Enough of McCain's PUBLIC record makes he not want to vote for him. So - I'm voting AGAINST McCain and not FOR Obama. If that helps ease you sad, pathetic little brain. Or what's left it.

• October 20, 2008

  4:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Hola writes:

  McCain has plenty of experience but no judgement.
  He's full of empty rhetoric -'Stand up and fight!'

  The odds of him dying in the next 4 years are about 1 in 3. If that happens Sarah Palin becomes president. If you care about experience, she aint got it.

  The Republicans have lead us to a needless war under false pretenses, financial devestation, and ecological disaster. I hope those of you who voted for Bush the past couple of times got what you wanted.

• October 20, 2008

  4:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  WestminsterJ writes:

  gary- Sorry, pal, nobody gives a damn. You might as well put something about Vince Foster in there too.

• October 20, 2008

  4:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  speakthetruth writes:

  Caribou Barbee is just wasting her time here. CO is a loser for her and Old Man McSame. Bye Bye.

• October 20, 2008

  4:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DenverDan writes:

  Gays for Gary!

• October 20, 2008

  4:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Devil_Dog writes:

  Question: What is America's first line of missile interceptor defense
  that protects the entire United States?
  
  Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.

  Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on permanent active duty?

  Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard
  
  Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense
  Battalion of Alaska National Guard?
  
  Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
  
  
  Question: What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on highly classified
  military issues, homeland security, and counter terrorism?

  Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
  
  Question: What U.S. governor has a higher classified security rating
  than either candidate of the Democrat Party?
  
  Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska
  
  According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain in
  February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used to keeping
  secrets. She can be entrusted with our national security,
  because she already is.
  
  
  Now you DO know!

• October 20, 2008

  4:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Reason writes:

  "So you censored my Big_D account because you can't think of one thing to say positive about McCain. You are a bunch of losers."

  Wow, paranoia runs deep in the "share the wealth" mindset. Maybe you should take off the tinfoil hat and go back on your meds, then the big bad bogeyman of anyone who's not on food stamps won't be so terrifying to you.

• October 20, 2008

  5:03 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Devil_Dog writes:

  hey big dumpster aka big Dummy

  Wha Wha Wha

• October 20, 2008

  5:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  seeker writes:

  Devil_Dog writes:

  "Question: What is America's first line of missile interceptor defense
  that protects the entire United States?

  Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.
  Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on permanent active duty?
  Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard

  Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile Defense
  Battalion of Alaska National Guard?

  Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska"

  You should know better than this Devil_Dog. Your comments are not quite true.

  Governor Palin is in charge of the National Guard when it comes to events that occur on a state level. When they are activated for national security or acts of war her power is suspended and goes directly to the President of the United States.

• October 20, 2008

  5:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  JonBen writes:

  I am a 50-something white middle-class guy who is solidly pro-Obama. He will be a GREAT President.

  Colin Powell is a patriot and one of the best generals and foreign affairs experts this country has ever had, and he supports Obama. Anyone who says he's doing so just because of race is an idiot. Just read all of his remarks on exactly why he supports Obama.

  Sarah Palin can't even hold a PRESS CONFERENCE let alone be the potential leader of the free world.

  People who say Obama was an 'affirmative action' pick for Harvard are idiots. The guy was president of the Harvard Law Review. That is not an 'affirmative action' pick. He is brilliant. Unlike McCain, he wrote his own books. Read them!

  You pro-McCain zealots are really pathetic. You don't have anything positive to say about McCain so you continue to peddle your tired attacks. You can read Obama's detailed plans at barackobama dot com. Where can you read similar plans for McCain? Nowhere!

  Obama-Biden '08!

• October 20, 2008

  5:48 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bushmaster writes:

  hate to burst your bubble, but the dems are going to lose AGAIN. Don't you think they should just dissolve as a party when they lose?

• October 20, 2008

  5:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  JonBen,EXrepublican,coloradovet,or any liberal-
  Can anybody tell me when nobama provided his official birth certificate? Still waiting on a response to my question as to how nobamas Harvard education was paid. Has nobama given any info on this topic?

• October 20, 2008

  6:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  drkenne writes:

  The Dems will only lose if voters again fall prey to the fear mongering, slandering, lying republican machine. I hope voters have become smarter than that after witnessing the the past 8 years.

• October 20, 2008

  6:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  FCZ writes:

  The top 1% pay 40% of all income taxes.

  The top 5% pay 60% of all income taxes.

  The top 10% pay 71% of all income taxes.

  The top 25% pay 86% of all income taxes.

  The top 50% pay 97% of all income taxes.

• October 20, 2008

  6:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bronco writes:

  The country will be better off when her 15 minutes are finally up. This woman and the lot of you who actually think "liberals" are the reason for the current shape of our country make me sick. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE AND WHY HAVE THEY BEEN AFFLICTED UPON US?

• October 20, 2008

  7:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coloradovet writes:

  McCain is running the most hateful, negative, rotten campaign I've ever seen. The guy is just plain scary. McCain sold his soul, and he deserves to lose. Even if he was somehow able to turn his debacle of a campaign into a win, he would have won by taking the lowest road to the highest office. The guy is a total scum.

• October 20, 2008

  7:05 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  Hey Liberals, what do you think about Biden saying that nobama will be tested within his first 6 of office IF elected? I can't tell if Biden is saying he's ready for the job or that he knows nobama has no experience and that Russia or the Middle East is going to take advantage of that? I don't think Biden really likes nobama nor does he respect him. But this is just my opinion.
  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  7:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CO_bro_overseas writes:

  The celebrity chosen to highlight Palin's rally is Hank Williams? He would be considered about E list celebrities.

  I wish someone would ask Palin to define socialism and what nations currently use it. She wouldn't have a clue nor would most other people on Hank William's and Palin's bandwagon.

• October 20, 2008

  7:16 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"
  l
  October 20, 2008 7:35 AM
  ABC News

  ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Hussein Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.

  .......Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Hussein Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

  "I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."

  .........I've forgotten more about foreign policy than most of my colleagues know, so I'm not being falsely humble with you. I think I can be value added, but this guy has it," the Senate Foreign Relations chairman said of Obama. "This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."

  "There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound."

  Cont'd through link..................

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  7:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"
  l
  October 20, 2008 7:35 AM
  ABC News

  ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Hussein Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.

  .......Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Hussein Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

  "I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."

  .........I've forgotten more about foreign policy than most of my colleagues know, so I'm not being falsely humble with you. I think I can be value added, but this guy has it," the Senate Foreign Relations chairman said of Obama. "This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."

  "There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound."

  Cont'd through link..................

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  7:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  I need to add the word - months - after the # 6 in previous post

• October 20, 2008

  7:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"
  l
  October 20, 2008 7:35 AM
  ABC News

  ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Hussein Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.

  .......Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Hussein Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

  "I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities.

  .........But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."

  "There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound."

  Cont'd through link..................

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  7:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CO_bro_overseas writes:

  Trinidad: I think it's pretty obvious what Biden was saying. Basically our country is in the poo right now and anyone who takes charge of it will have to deal the economy, Middle-east relations in general, healthcare, education, etc. You should learn how to interpret and analyze. Basic high school education.

• October 20, 2008

  7:22 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Read what Biden himself just said about Obama........Even he knows that Obama is NOT ready to be President of our country!!!!

  http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalrad...

• October 20, 2008

  7:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  QueenBee61 writes:

  Can just one of you McSame supporters please tell me why ANYONE should vote for your candidate? You all have spent a lot of time and gone to great lengths to try to convince us all that Obama is not the man for the job. Can you tell us why you believe that the USA under McCain wouldn't be another eight years of the same crap? Please, enlighten us with your great wisdom.

• October 20, 2008

  7:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Sorry!!! I did NOT mean to post that article so many times.......

  It was not showing up!!!

• October 20, 2008

  7:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Co_Paul:

  "Trinidad: I think it's pretty obvious what Biden was saying. Basically our country is in the poo right now and anyone who takes charge of it will have to deal the economy, Middle-east relations in general, healthcare, education, etc. You should learn how to interpret and analyze. Basic high school education."

  ==================================

  Sorry, you are WRONG.

  Obama has said that he will have a tea party with Iran, North Korea, Castro, etc............

  They perceive him as WEAK-----they are going to manipulate and test him.

• October 20, 2008

  7:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Sue3275, do you stutter?

• October 20, 2008

  7:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Sue, Colin Powell does not perceive Obama as weak. I respect Powell's opinion more than yours.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  7:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CO_bro_overseas writes:

  Sue3275: So you don't think our next president is going to face challenges? If not, you should take a step back. It also sounds like you the fear tactics have completely engulfed your thought process.

• October 20, 2008

  7:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Reason writes:

  "Can just one of you McSame supporters please tell me why ANYONE should vote for your candidate? You all have spent a lot of time and gone to great lengths to try to convince us all that Obama is not the man for the job. Can you tell us why you believe that the USA under McCain wouldn't be another eight years of the same crap? Please, enlighten us with your great wisdom."

  I don't consider myself a McCain supporter, but I'll tell you why I ultimately voted for him instead of Nader, who I actually do support(and why couldn't the GOP have nominated Ron Paul, there's a good candidate). It's exactly the same reason a lot of people voted for Kerry even though they didn't really like his stances. I'm disappointed that I get to choose between two guys who will ultimately get the country to the same place, the only difference between them is the rate of rxn.

• October 20, 2008

  7:42 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  QueenBee61:

  You said you want just one reason why McCain should be elected???

  McCain was willing to give up his life in order to defend US citizens and our country................

  Expecting him to do what is best for citizens and our country while President is a smaller feat-------he has already proven himself!!!

• October 20, 2008

  7:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  CO_Paul- Why would the middle east care about what nobama will do about healthcare or education. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Hussein Obama like they did John Kennedy." I think Biden was referring to the Cuban Missile Crisis and that Russia or the Middle East will do the same. You obviously didn't read the whole story. Read the whole story like I did. I knew being a "celebrity" was important to the jackass party. They only like A-list celebs like the once sexiest man alive -Brad Pitt, butt jiggling- J-lo, American Sweetheart turned Bad Girl- Lindsey Lohan, doesn't like anyone that is not African American- Kanye West, the just barely getting around to marrying the momma of his 3 illegitimate kids- Mark Walhberg and finally the cuss out his own daughter- Alec Baldwin. I'll take Hank any day over these representatives of the Jackass Party.

• October 20, 2008

  7:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  PonchoVia:

  I once had GREAT respect for Colin Powell.........

  But his support/endorsement for the inexperienced Obama-------PLUS his connections to Rev Wright, William Ayers, Tony Rezko, Louis Farrakhan, etc..............just proved that Powell is ONLY supporting Obama because he is black.

  There is NO WAY that Powell would have EVER supported a white man/woman with the same resume and questionable friends/associations as Obama has.

• October 20, 2008

  7:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  McCain campaign reportedly giving up on New Mexico, Colorado and Iowa:

  "While Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado are still officially listed as McCain target states, two top strategists and advisers tell CNN that the situation in those states looks increasingly bleak. Iowa and New Mexico always have been viewed as difficult races, but the similar assessment of Colorado reflects a dramatic shift for a campaign that had long counted on the state.

  'Gone,' was the word one top McCain insider used to describe those three states.

  This source said while the polls in Colorado remain close, he and most others in the operation were of the opinion that the Obama campaign and its allies have a far superior ground/turnout operation and 'most of us have a hard time counting on Colorado.'"

  Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/...

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  7:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  Comrades Bush, Paulson and Bernanke have arranged fat welfare checks for WALL ST WELFARE QUEENS!

  * $29 billion to JP Morgan to swallow Bear Sterns

  * $300 billion in earlier loans to Wall Street Firms

  * $300 billion to the Federal Housing Administration

  * $200 billion for Fannie and Freddie

  * $87 billion to JP Morgan Chase for Lehman Financing

  * $85 billion for AIG (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)

  * $50 billion to prop up the Money Market Funds . . .

  We can't feed and clothe all of America's children, but we can afford $60 billion to bail out Bear Stearns.

  We can't provide decent medical care to America's seniors, but we can give $85 billion to AIG insurance.

  We can't lift one finger to help out Americans losing their homes, but we can hand over up to $1 trillion to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

  We haven't the funds to provide proper care and support to American VETERANS, but we can afford up to $600 billion to buy pledged Lehman Brothers assets.

  We can't do a thing to stanch to flow of jobs offshore and alleviate the suffering of out-of-work Americans, but we can hand $700 billion over to a guy who, until two years ago, ran the main problem-creating company: Goldman Sachs.

  We can't afford to properly educate our children to fit into a changing America, but we can afford $3 trillion for a war that Cheney and Bush knowingly LIED US INTO!

  Professor Joseph Stiglitz receiving his nobel prize for economics;

  http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/ind...

  Professor Stiglitz;

  "THE Iraq war has cost the US 50-60 times more than the Bush administration predicted and was a central cause of the sub-prime banking crisis threatening the world economy"

  Professor Joeseph Stiglitz ; The 3 TRILLION dollar war

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

  GOP = HATE, RACISM, WAR MONGERING, WALL ST WELFARE QUEENS, INCOMPETENCE, LIES!

• October 20, 2008

  7:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  McCain has taken the lead AGAIN in Ohio and Florida!!!

• October 20, 2008

  7:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  Comrades Bush, Paulson and Bernake have arranged fat welfare checks for WALL ST WELFARE QUEENS!

  * $29 billion to JP Morgan to swallow Bear Sterns

  * $300 billion in earlier loans to Wall Street Firms

  * $300 billion to the Federal Housing Administration

  * $200 billion for Fannie and Freddie

  * $87 billion to JP Morgan Chase for Lehman Financing

  * $85 billion for AIG (Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed)

  * $50 billion to prop up the Money Market Funds . . .

  We can't feed and clothe all of America's children, but we can afford $60 billion to bail out Bear Stearns.

  We can't provide decent medical care to America's seniors, but we can give $85 billion to AIG insurance.

  We can't lift one finger to help out Americans losing their homes, but we can hand over up to $1 trillion to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

  We haven't the funds to provide proper care and support to American VETERANS, but we can afford up to $600 billion to buy pledged Lehman Brothers assets.

  We can't do a thing to stanch to flow of jobs offshore and alleviate the suffering of out-of-work Americans, but we can hand $700 billion over to a guy who, until two years ago, ran the main problem-creating company: Goldman Sachs.

  We can't afford to properly educate our children to fit into a changing America, but we can afford $3 trillion for a war that Cheney and Bush knowingly LIED US INTO!

  Professor Joseph Stiglitz receiving his nobel prize for economics;

  http://nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/ind...

  Prof Stiglitz;

  "THE Iraq war has cost the US 50-60 times more than the Bush administration predicted and was a central cause of the sub-prime banking crisis threatening the world economy"

  The 3 TRILLION dollar war

  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

  GOP = HATE, RACISM, WAR MONGERING, WALL ST WELFARE QUEENS, INCOMPETENCE, LIES!

• October 20, 2008

  7:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BrandiWine_84 writes:

  Sue, any posting from you is excessive. Posting once or posting several times is all the same to me and probably to any person who can think for him/herself. Where in this example did Biden say that Obama was not ready to be president? I must have missed that part but I'm sure you can show me. Everything that he said would apply to whoever is the next prez; it is a job of much gravitas, even more so in present times. Please humor me and try to think for yourself, instead of spewing out what you heard on FuxNews.

• October 20, 2008

  8:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Sue3275, Did you watch Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama? Here it is, so you can watch it and really pay attention:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo_WZi...

  Don't you realize how ugly, hateful and arrogant your comment is that Powell only endorsed Obama because of color of skin? Listen to Powell again, REALLY closely and you might just start to understand the truth.

  We don't need anymore hate and polarization in the country. That's why I'm NOT voting for McCain/Palin.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

• October 20, 2008

  8:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  trinidad writes:

  PanchoVia- Do you have a JOB? You know the place where people drive to in the morning, stay for 8-10 hours them come home and at the end of every 1-2 weeks gets a paycheck. You've been blogging all day since 7a.m. I can blog the amount I do because I'm stay at home mommy/wife. I work the blogging in around my family and what's going on at the moment. If you do have a job, HOOK ME UP. I would love to have a job where I get paid to blog all day.

• October 20, 2008

  8:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  WHATRIGHTS writes:

  Geez, I wish I had your time Poncho to sit on here and post from 6 am to 8pm, oh but I can't, I have to go to work in order to pay my 40% in taxes.

• October 20, 2008

  8:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  Sorry for the double post folks, I thought I was having computer problems...

• October 20, 2008

  8:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Kukulcan:

  Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank----and the majority of the other Dems------have already given Freddie Mac and Frannie Mae their welfare checks.........and ACORN as well.

  That is why the country is currently in the position that it is now!!!!

• October 20, 2008

  8:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LeLo writes:

  Hey Sue, here's the latest ...

  "The McCain strategy depends on holding a handful of Bush '04 states that are now rated tossups: Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri and Nevada. It also depends on keeping Virginia, which is now considered leaning Democratic, in the GOP column. But even if McCain won all six of those states, in addition to those in which he is already favored, he would still be shy of the 270 electoral votes needed to claim the presidency."

  Huh, interesting, McCain and his pet could run the table in the tossup states and still lose.

  You should start practicing Sue. Go ahead. Say it with me now. President Barack Hussein Obama. President Barack Hussein Obama. Get used to it, Sue. You'll be saying it for years to come.

• October 20, 2008

  8:21 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  coloradovet writes:

  DEMSBETTER writes:

  I never have seen a single article in the RMN on how the NSA has been listening in on our servicemen with software from Israel in conjunction with a company that’s leader is a US fugitive. Yes, NSA outsourced our national security and our privacy and they are providing intelligence for foreign countries with it. That is what you get with GOP leadership and lack of oversight.

  If you think I need a tinfoil hat go look it up and learn the truth for yourself.

  THANK YOU DEMSBETTER FOR NOT LETTING THIS BE FORGOTTEN!! I SERVED IN IRAQ 2X AND IT MAKES ME SICK TO THINK SOMEONE WAS LISTENING TO MY CALLS HOME. WHEN OBAMA GETS ELECTED, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO OWE UP TO THIS.

• October 20, 2008

  8:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  The Salt Lake Tribune of the red, red state of Utah has endorsed Obama. Prior to now, the SLT has never endorsed a Democrat. Here's what the SLT had to say about Palin:

  "Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency."

  Source: http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_1075...

  ps, I'm self-employed and thought I'd spend the day razzing McCain supporters, since you all seem so concerned about it. ;)

• October 20, 2008

  8:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  The GOP inherited a $236 dollar budget along with a $4 trillion accumulated national from President Clinton--America now faces a TRILLION dollar deficit next year and the accumulated national debt now stands at 10.2 TRILLION!

  U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK

  http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

  The estimated population of the United States is 304,945,527. Each citizen's share of this debt is $33,924.57.

  The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $3.45 billion per day since September 28, 2007!

  Stirring up fear, hatred and animosity will NOT save the GOP rascals this time!

  THROW THE BUMS OUT!

  Obama = HOPE!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo...

• October 20, 2008

  8:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  WHATRIGHTS writes:

  coloradovet,
  Curious, how come all of the active soldiers I have spoken to and their families are voting McCain based on their knowledge that they cannot just leave Iraq and the devastation there? Just asking, really.

  I have so much respect and am so grateful for all who serve in order to keep this country safe (I will include McCain with that as well) but anyways...thank you very much for your sacrifice!

• October 20, 2008

  8:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Speak writes:

  From: Zipline Conservative, Beatdown on the Arrogant Left

  "Is it not bizarre that a candidate for the President of the United States could not pass a FBI background check? McCain, Biden and Palin with their baggage would pass such a test. Do you really believe that if we had the associations that Obama has had, that we would pass any portion of a FBI investigation? Common sense says we could not pass the test and common sense says Obama is unfit to be President. Simple until one bumps up against the equally simple fact that no one cares. Hence, we should amend the FBI back ground tests to provide for greater inclusion of previously considered inappropriate applicants. If the political and ethical culture are compromised then it is only logical to allow for trickle down corruption, mediocrity, complacency and
  CHANGE you didn’t plan for".

• October 20, 2008

  8:36 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Sue3275 writes:

  Obama ends any hope!!!!

  Obama will DESTROY our economy and country.

  I hope that all of you Obama zombies will be able to forgive yourselves!!!

  Hmmmmmm.....actually, no I don't. I hope that you live with the guilt for the rest of your lives......as your kids/grandkids will be stuck living with the results of your mistakes as well.

• October 20, 2008

  8:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  PonchoVia writes:

  Kukulcan speaks the truth. I'm going to bed now, but I'll let Kukulcan fend off the evil McCainiacs!

  trinidad and WHATRIGHTS, I'll work tomorrow and won't blog, IF you promise to vote for Obama, ok? Don't be afraid of voting for Obama. Don't be taken in by the McCain campaign fear mongering. The Bush/Rovian technique of breeding irrational fear in people to obtain their goals is well known. That's the same thing McCain is doing now - irrational fear mongering. Don't vote based on irrational fear.

  Vote Obama/Biden '08

  Nighty, night.

• October 21, 2008

  1:43 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Cheryl1946 writes:

  I love Hank Williams, Jr.'s music - - but his political views are questionable. While he sings for the common man, his choice of the republican party is a joke. I think I will stop listening to his music for a while until I get over the shock of his turncoat choice. I can not believe that he, or for that matter anyone, could support McCain and Palin. Stephen Baldwin is ugly too and knows nothing about politics. They talk about the American Public like they really know about it. These people are not at all aware of the American Public.

• October 21, 2008

  4:26 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jameseveritt writes:

  Our Best Hope For America On Election Day - McCain-Palin!

  I believe that McCain-Palin with the rest of our ticket for reform best represents our best hope for America and are ready to serve our country. With your help and support, we can make this happen on November 4th. Stand with us now and join our team. We need your support, James Everitt http://www.johnmccain.com

  I’m for lower taxes and smaller government, because lower taxes are better for families, property owners, and small businesses. With lower taxes, businesses have more money to invest, hire, and provide services. Less government bureaucracy improves the business climate, promotes economic growth, and reduces unemployment.

  How are you "Joe the Plumber"?
  Tell us in 30 seconds...

  We want you to tell us how you are "Joe the Plumber" and why you're supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin in thirty seconds. You could even see your video http://www.johnmccain.com/joe/ as an official McCain TV ad.

  Thanks,
  James Everitt
  http://www.everittjames.blogspot.com
  
  Advocates for Self-Government Quiz: http://www.theadvocates.org/quizp/ind...

  P. S. Just take a couple of minutes to view our ads and I'm certain that you will understand the importance and the urgency of our message. You can see them at http://www.neverfindout.org

• October 21, 2008

  6:41 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  @ jameseveritt

  Sen McCain says he will keep US troops in Iraq until "we win". (whatever that means)

  Bush Administration Treasury Secretary Paulsons proposed bail-out package for the Wall St WELFARE QUEENS is expected to top 1 $ TRILLION! (with a T)

  http://www.politico.com/news/stories/...

  The Bush Administration has already increased the national debt from $4 TRILLION to $ 10.2 TRILLION!

  http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

  Thus, how do you expect Sen McCain cut taxes Einstein?

  Is the republican motto BORROW and spend on unwinnable wars and goodies for the Wall St WELFARE QUEENS?

  THROW THE BUMS OUT!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQPkLr...

• October 21, 2008

  7:14 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Kukulcan writes:

  @ jameseveritt

  Dude, you say you are for "smaller government".

  If thats the case, then you must be LIVID about how republicans like Comrade Bush, Paulson and Bernanke have SOCIALIZED Americas banking system!

  Socialized Banking--brought to you by the "small government" republicans!

  U.S. to Buy Stakes in Nation's Largest Banks

  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12239...

• October 21, 2008

  10:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigSky182 writes:

  I concede that I jumped the gun with post relevant to the American Flag remarks. My apologies.

  That article came to me through channels that normally do not spread unchecked information.

  The questions regarding Obama's Citizenship status remain, however, and all that I have asked in that matter is a very simple question:

  If Obama is a natural born citizen then why has he refused to provide proof of such to the judge presiding over the lawsuit?