Evening buzz: Down the rabbit hole…
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/10/art.candidatesquad.jpg]
Cate Vojdik
AC360° Writer
Is it just us, or does it feel a little like Alice in Wonderland on the campaign trail? Not that we’re surprised mind you. In every presidential election, voters are catapulted through each party’s spin machine into parallel universes. In the final stretch of this electrified election, the spin cycle has shifted into overdrive. It’s hard to know which end is up. From “lipstick on pigs” to taxes to earmarks to abortion, the claims and counterclaims are all over the map. Since such relentless spin can easily reshape a closely contested electoral map, tonight we’ll spend a lot of time cutting through it and drilling down to the facts.
If you’ve been wondering exactly how much your tax bill will rise or fall under each candidate’s plan, tune in at 10. That’s one issue we’ll be fact-checking tonight. We’ll give you the hard numbers straight up. Ditto for the truth about earmarks and that bridge to nowhere in Alaska. We’ll also look at abortion and the surprising bit of common ground that Sarah Palin and Joe Biden actually share, though you’d never know it from the spin out there.
This was the first day that John McCain flew solo on the trail since naming Palin as his veep. How did it go? And how long will the solo act last? We’ve got new information on that angle of the race. We’ll also report on Barack Obama’s day on the trail and the challenges he faces in the battleground state of Michigan. With four new polls showing tossups in four key states, including Michigan, we’ll also talk strategy with our political panel.
We’re gearing up for breaking news as well. Palin returns to her home state of Alaska later tonight for the first time since accepting the V.P. nomination. A welcome home rally will await her in Fairbanks and Palin’s expected to speak to the crowd. We’ll have live coverage as it happens.
What about you? Are you dizzy from all the spin? What facts do you feel are getting lost in the campaign slugfest? We’ll see you at 10 eastern.
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Filed under: The Buzz |
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Sarah Palin is now threatening Russia with War if they invade Ukraine or Georgia, she would make a funny vp/president if it weren't so tragic...maybe, it's a new kind of TragicComedy Play:
The Political Ascendancy of Sarah Palin or how to make World War 3.
Thank Heaven recent polls show that there is a definite wave of Obama fatigue wafting across this country.
I had hoped that the American people would wise up to Obama's empty hat, and it seems they have. However, it's immensly sad that they didn't catch on before the extreme left wing of the democratic party and the national media doomed our party's chance of winning the White House by ruining Hillary Clinton's chance for the nomination.
For the third consecutive cycle the idiots running the Democratic party have found a way to lose the presidency. Alas, and woe is me!
Let me throw something out, for responses. How many black or Hispanic faces did u see at the Republican Convention. I saw a whole lot of lilly white, cowboy hat wearing folk. How 'bout you?
Yeah, I'm Black!!
I don't understand all the whoop-la over Sarah Palin's return to Alaska. Who cares that she went back to Alaska? Does the press report when Biden goes back home? Isn't his son deploying as well? Rhetorical questions I know, but I really don't see the point in covering this story. Please report on something worthwhile, such as... Why does Sarah Palin sound like a broken record? I've seen about 5 speeches from her, and they are the same speech she delivered at the GOP convention. I really don't care about the "bridge to nowhere". I want to know how they plan to improve the economy. They simply talk about tax cuts and changing Washington. Tax cuts have done NOTHING to improve the economy. The stimulus checks had absolutely no effect. We need more jobs, and we need real reform. Please talk about things that matter!!!
To me this is really getting funny and is reminding me of old people not really hearing but telling you what they really think of their candidate. "A pig with lipstick" is what they heard no wonder they don't get it.
Clean ears would be a help
Lost issue...crisis in the African-American community.
We need a president that is able to address these major concerns.
People are getting feed up.
Healthcare...Justice...Education – OBAMA/BIDEN '08
About Sarah palin being Pro Life... people just don't get it despite having a picture online in front of them depicting Sarah paling and her little daughter rejoycing in front of a dead antil that Sarah killed with rifle for SPORT (just to cut his head and put it on a wall as a trophy).
How can she be talking about pro Life on abortions while she herself is a killer that hunts defenseless animals that did not attack her in any way? A killer is a killer, no mater who or what she kills and thats whay they call her "pistol packing" Sarah.
I don't have any respect for people that kill animals for their entertainment.
Is this an election? We need to think with our heads instead of our eyes. Mr. McCain is using Mrs. Palin to reinvent himself. He is now an agent of "change" instead of talking about his excellence in war. He has hypnotized us, waving Mrs. Palin like a pendant. Many have fallen under the spell like zombies. Mrs. Palin is a beautiful person with a great smile, but keep in mind what comes with that smile. It's the same Bush administration that has had a stronghold on us for eight years. While people in Michigan have lost jobs that were the backbone of their community, we have Sarah Palin action-figures for sale. We have to wake up. When that pendant stops swinging, then we will see the real John McCain. It's just the same old song. God bless us on our choice.
what does sarah Palin know about joblessness or poverty in New York , detroit , Baltimore Etc. the hardest thing in her life in Alsaka is aiming that gun, she can't help us common folk and she won't . don't let the mcain campain fool you by opening arms to women and independent voters his agenda has not changed from the reason you did not like him in the first place so don't be sucked in cause you will be sorry
I think it's a waist of time carrying on about pigs and stuff, but that 's the republican party for you they love to play the victum Obama should stick the facts and just put mcain to sleep in November, the republicans made fun of community organizing they are so out of touch if the goverment did it's job and helped poor communities u would not need community organizers their job is to help the people left jobless or homeless get back on their feet something the Mcain campain claims to be about instead they laugh at the poor and people who put their time and lives on the line to help Americans the government cares nothing about
It seems to me that the media has done a complete 360. Since the McCain campaign slapped the media on the wrist about it's coverage and tried to lay a guilt trip, the media is now covering stories that have nothing to do w/issues. The issues are the news, not lipstick docudramas.
You're being played by the Republican campaign. For all of us out there that watch intently for issues, let's tune out until we get them.
Ditto to the hundreds of people before me, all the networks are
doing is giving way to much attention and free time to Sarah Palin, it
just reinforces the amount of control the right wing seems to have
over the media. Has anyone else noticed the increase in the number
of movies being shown in the past few weeks stressing patriotism and war heroes, so many sublingual messages, again the same thing for Christianity. The Republicans fight dirty, but they usually win,
Obama needs to stick with the facts, while other members of his
party fight fire with fire. Too much at stake here .. Palin is appealling
because she can relate to the hard working, average Joe, and she lies to them in simple terms.Regaring the Democratic Convention ; enough with the "best analytical team in
television" , while you guys were so busy talking (mostly about Hilary
and Bill" and if they would be there to offer their support, (of course they will), the public was missing out on all of the wonderful people
who were speaking on the platform about their real concerns. I switched to PBS and got a real sence of what's going on in America and how strongly Americans feel for Obama.
I believe at this stage the GPO is creating dis-stability among the voters and is focusing on what would creat war among them rather than assisting the people of the USA in uniting and becoming a better country than they are at present. It is shameful in the eyes of other countries the way in which the Macain GPO has changed this election which stated with a positive aim now to negativity and less hope for the nation.
I am watching the coverage of Sarah Palin's arrival in Fairbanks.
Folks, she just said....nucular energy!! Just like GWB!!!
It's NUCLEAR Sarah!!!
John McCain...self-confessed adulturer (numerous times)
Sarah Palin....opportunist and liar.....(numerous untruths)
In the military, soldiers/sailors can be court-martialed for adultery and making false statements. How can these two be our Commanders-In-Chief of our military with these kinds of ethics?
Doesn't our country deserve better????????????
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
I would like to know who is running for president is it John McCain or is it Sarah Palin
The Obama camp needs to stick to the facts. I believe that Obama supportes are looking for leader(s) that inspire them in new ways. They can win this election by educating the common american with facts... that is relevent facts. The election is moving the wrong way and the media is helping the republicans gain a lead by selling out to this nonsence.
Anderson, it must be so frustrating for you to have to play the role of mediator, and to not sometimes just call out the hypocrisy right to the camera.
XO
Allen, Outer Banks, NC
we are looking at the classic case of "playground games" in politics. McCain says Obama cannot use or incinuate anything about race but his camp can (Guiliani says " He is a community organizer"). Mccain said once during a quest about Hilary's stands " you can lippstick on a pig but it's still a pig" which is a clear proverb used in politics. No one called him sexist. As we all can see this is a deformation tactic if I can not out speak him and reach the people I will make them hate and distrust him. Pure Bush like scare tactic John MORE OF THE SAME McCain old school politition trying to pull the wool over the people's eyes..Dangle some eye candy infront of them and keep the slug behind.
Please allow Hillary to come back!! All of her voters can't stand Obama!! He is not independent enough! Very anti-women kind of candidate!! Biden was a poor choice! Hillary would have been a better choice of VEEP's- another slip of the lipstick in OBAMA's face!!
Why is Sarah Palin getting so much attention from the media ?
You keep complaining about her not giving any interviews, she doesn't have to, she is on the news every day, why do the American people care so much about her policies, have they forgotten the Presedential race is between McCain and Obama? or is she going to run the country? if McCain is elected ?
We here in Canada are very affected by the American politics and are getting very sick of watching Sarah Palin getting the attention. Please
CNN give us some information about the real people running for office
I'm am so confused as to why we are still talking about useless information. If I have to hear one more time about how Palin has her own action figure I'm going to throw my TV out the window. What does that have to do with what's wrong with our country?! Why isn't everyone (media, political spin machines, the American public) focusing on the actual presidential election and the serious issues that our country is dealing with, not twisting some random comment about a pig! Seriously? WAKE UP PEOPLE! There are much bigger things at stake.
We are Americans living overseas (in Vietnam), and CNN (and BBC) are just about our only source of information about this election (we also receive Time magazine, but a week late). I am sometimes quite embarrassed by how Americans are perceived abroad, based on what is broadcast by television media. Larry King-Lipstick and pigs for heavens sake! (Thank God we don't have FOX here or it would be worse). I have spent the last eight years embarrassed by the current administration's tactics, manipulations, and agenda. I do want to see both candidates talk about the real issues, real solutions, and how each candidate plans to deal with taxes, the Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae federal bailout, unemployment especially in the auto industry, rising fuel costs, lack of health insurance, and the seeming endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few. I tire of political smear tactics. I want Obama to win but he has to prove himself to more people or I fear the result, which would be four more years of Republican bungling. Less bravado and chest thumping...more substance please!
I do not understand why it was necessary to air the entire speech from Palin this evening when it is the same regurgitated stump speech over and over . . .
Guys, please remember your influence and start getting back to balanced coverage of the candidates.
The way I see it, when Obama was continually in the limelight earlier in the campaign, AC360 covered it. Now, Palin seems to be of interest and in the limelight so AC360 is covering it. As a viewer, that's what I would expect. It appears many of the viewers and bloggers here are leaning to the left so will do nothing but complain about the GOP coverage on AC360. However, rather than complain, perhaps they should listen to what the opposition is doing. They could learn something. I'm finding it simply fascinating, BTW.
With that being said, thanks AC360 for covering live the Palin speech during the 2nd. hour. I liked to be informed and getting it live is much better than getting soundbites tomorrow morning. Anderson, keep doing what you are doing!
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
Folks!!! somewhere between 3 and 4 you can filter what Palin is saying and cut out her shrieking!!!
I was a Clinton supporter because I truly believed that she was and is the best qualified to be president, however I no longer have the option to vote for her. I now need info to decide who I think will be the best leader for our country.
There are several questions that I want someone, (you) to ask. Does John McCain plan to reinstate the draft? We did break Iraq, and we do have a forgotten war in Afganistan. Also things are not looking good in Iran, North Korea, Israel, Russia, etc. How does McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden plan to take care of military staffing needs?
Please let's get away from religion in politics, remember "separation of church and state". That was a really good idea.
I want to know what kind of change Obama has been talking about. Now McCain is talking about change. Would you ask them to define the change in detail or not use the word anymore.
I've been in healthcare for over thirty years. I have been waiting that long for preventative health care to be available to everyone. Once a person is very ill, they show up at the Emergency Department. That usually cost taxpayers a lot of money because the patient will require much more care than would have been necessary with preventative maintenance.
You are a good reporter with the ability to be a great reporter (like Bob Woodward). I'm counting on you to report truth so that I can vote this year. I'm 60 and have voted since I turned 18.
These working mothers that support and "relate" to Sarah Palin and fail to realize that Palin is not running for the Presidency...thus perfect choice or not, she's being used by McCain. Watch the broadcasts and observe him with his grim smile as he introduces her again and again...translation he is using her to get what he wants! Can we please stop talking about Palin and go back to the issues. No #1 which Anderson did very well in today's program is to start with looking at how Obama's tax plans favor so called "working moms" that think Palin is the "Pick".
I think that the media is just giving more of the same cheap and easy talk, CNN included. Just discusing on the comments and agressions of the campain instead of really discussing the issues. As far as I know Obama has been talking about education, and Mc Cain about the energy. Instead of the media elevating this discussion and adding facts and valid information about this important issues, so that the viewers could decide better, most of the time is used to repeat the small and stupid talk. It is a shame for this country that the media is wasting a great opportunity to do what it should do, enrich and enhance democracy.
Sarah Palin appears to be an intelligent woman and very capable at her level. She seems to have honestly held values, some of which differ radically from mine, but that's okay. All of that notwithstanding, anyone who honestly thinks that she is capable of taking over the Presidency is him- or herself incapable of rational thought. It's true enough that Sarah would be far superior to George W Bush, but that's irrelevant. There's a nation full of recent high school graduates who are already deeper intelectually and much more commited to the moral highground than is George W. Bush.
I'm not alone in those thoughts, but I nonetheless feel like a voice crying in the wilderness. I am astounded by the number of informed people who seem honestly now to consider this woman, who they could not have identified on a multple choice test two weeks ago, to be FDR, Harry Truman, George C Marshall, Jack Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhauer and Barry Goldwater rolled into one. They're lieing to themselves. She nas no place at that table.
The way I read the numbers, Obama would lose badly were the election to be held tomorrow. Considering the last eight years and the state of the economy, he should be up twenty-five to thirty points. It might be the color of his skin, and, if so, he possibly has no chance. On the other hand I wish that he'd forget Sarah Palin and who said what yesterday. Were he to campaign against the last eight years; against turning a 200 billion dollar surplus into a 3 trilion dollar debt, against sending with bald-face lies American infantry where he was afraid to go himself, against condoning torture of prisoners to the total disgrace of every America, against creating and shielding a singularly criminal Dept of Justice, and outing an American Agent, and were he, Obama, to make clear that McCain intends to continue with more of the same, he might still not be elected, but the American voters would know precisely what they would be voting for and have nobody other than themselves to blame for the downward vortex to third-world status which ensues.
Now I see why we need to spend tax dollars to cover the
conventions. It is about the only quality time my favorite news
network devotes to covering the well thought plans for our nations
future leadership!
Hi Anderson, i don' t know what is wrong with the American people they can' t see when someone has a bad experience in the politics. America wake-up! You need change. Think for yourself before anything.
What has this country come to? If you're talking VP's in the event one of them would ever have to take over this county in an emergency, Biden is way more qualified. Palin only was mayor for a small town and governor of a small state of people for a few years. It's scarey to think people think she could run this country if she had to.
I'm sick of the whole thing.
Focus on Obama and McCain, they are the Presidential candidates! Not Palin!
Seems to me, Governor Palin has too much air time. What a story about her glasses. Richard Nixon made sure that in his famous Checkers Speech that Pat had a good Republican Cloth Coat. Governor Palin's three hundred dollar plus Kawasaki eyewear should probably be under the same srutinity as well as her twisting of the facts. This is too much for too little.
We have heard how confused and disorganized the Obama campaign is now that McCain has completely absorbed the theme of change. Phooey. Indeed, I recommend our generations extend a hand to Sarah Palin to join us as we work together to genuinely solve serious global problems. She is clearly talented and destined for an important role. We respect her views on right-to-life and she should address women's health issues around the world. There is so much need. It appears her role in the McCain administration or whoever runs the presidency should he pass on, will be the puppet to deliver endless speeches of the same words over and over again to pacify the base. Right now, on CNN, there is somekind of over-the-top royal celebration taking place. This is bizaar.
Note: I am not supporting any candidate. I am only concerned about where this nation is heading, because of my love for her.
When you apply for a job and go for interview, you there not lie on your resume or during interview. If the interviewer find out that you've lied, you will loose the job. Why is it that Americans don't learn from past mistakes with the Republicans especially during the 2000 and 2004 elections.
When Mcain and Palin, Christian conservatives are lying on campaign rally to the whole world about what they are not, somebody need to speak out. Politics as usual is what is ruining this great nation. I am really disappointed at people who call palin an evangelican christian. Christians don't lie. i am a christian and I am outraged at the way they use christianity to win elections like George Bush did in 2000 and 2004.
Why is this nation still trusting people who hang unto christianity , when they are not, to win elections.
America need to wake up. Elect people of substance and integrity and not liars. The politicians, whether they win or not will not suffer, but the citizens whose money they are using for campaigns.
We have had 8 years of a maverick in the white house. Do we really want 4 more years of 2 mavericks doing what they darn well please and to hell with America???????????
Just reminded me about the horrible experience we had at a recent concert by a very young performer... hours and hours of openers... great video... but it seems like NO ONE had done a "Sound Check"... meaning, we paid premium prices for tickets that eventually left us with ringing ears... get the analogy? it was a CONCERT!... we were there for the music!
I don't know about you, but wasn't it a bit sad to see the amounts of money spent on the convention itself?
When compared to the RNC, I'd say, the Democrats threw everything at this "show", including the "kitchen sink" of that day-long show at the stadium?
Is that NOT a philosophical posture as well?
Call me puritanically frugal, but to put on such a lavish show, with multiple screens, megawatt sound, and only God knows how many other expensive "frills", does it not point to a "pattern"
I've been straddling on the fence, had been hoping to see a "change" by having a woman like Hillary give everyone an interesting and above all, historic election... but if you're talkin' about "more of the same", yes, just look at what the Dems have done – to themselves.
"Raise and Spend", perhaps?
enough is enough, are we going to televise Bidens home trips too, media is elctrifying Palin and its beyond me as to why CNN is doing this. I think it's time to go back and start campaigning with some real issues, economy, healthcare, education etc,,,,,,,
It's obviously you can spin anything you want to the direction you choose – Commercials and Advertisements sell you stuff you don't need everyday. It's important for Americans to filter through the hype and determine the best course for their own lives regardless of personality. With that said; I believe that a good leader inspires you as much as he/she serves the public.
Granted Obama's speeches are a couple sentences off JFK, but they inspire me to get off the couch and do something. This was the first year I walked the two blocks to caucus. I can only imagine what I will be inspired to do if he becomes president.
Anderson,
I enjoy your show, but you are just as bad as the rest of the media and you fascination with Sarah Palin. I watch your show so I can see how each candidate is on the issues, and what do I hear the lipstick thing AGAIN, put it to bed. You keep beating the thing like a dead horse, and stoping whining about Palin not giving interviews, and do something about it and force the issue to get an interview, it appears to me if she won't give any additional interviews, she is doing nothing but taking McCain's stance on everything he says. Instead, all we've heard tonight is when Palin's plane is going to land in Alaska, so she read the same speech she's read for a week. The campaign coverage has turned into what Sarah Palin ate for breakfast, what's she going to wear today, and every little move she makes. Until she does/says something that actually means something, stop covering her. To date, I have yet to hear anything new out of this woman, all I've heard are a bunch of lies and half-truths (airplane, bridge to nowhere). Let's focus on the top of the ticket, rather than Obama vs. McCain/Palin.
It saddens me to know how divided this United States of America is. MCcain can you stick to the issues and stop the swift boating as usual.This is not a poparity contest people are in trouble we can't afford 4 more years.
Marquis
Sorry I meant "Please don’t soil yours and a lot of your anchors, award winning (in my option) journalism with shameless silly reporting."
Now, I'm just keeping me honest
It is time Americans recognize the real truth of the Republican platform. This platform is all about a popularity contest. All I am hearing is rhetoric from Senator McCain and this rookie of zero experience for the White House Governor Sara Palin. The Republican political machine led by Senator McCain has employed dishonorably a tactical smear and discredit campaign that has generated enough smoke, fog, and fiction with one clear objective: to derail hardworking struggling Americans from the real issues of a failed economy, numbing unemployment, and a presidential administration that used Iraq as a smoke screen to deepen and fatten their political and business alliances pockets full of hard earned taxpayers money.
Barack Obama has the leadership experience, definitely the education, and the personal integrity, values and moral character and charisma to resurrect America from eight years of destruction that Senator McCain will only continue to endorse and carry out. McCain is only interested in surpassing his father's accomplishments and doesn't care about the middle class, which quite frankly there no longer is a middle class, but only the haves and have nots, the rich and the poor, the needy and the greedy.
It is time for Americans and the news media to stop pouncing on one-liners and concentrate on the real issues and Barack Obama is campaigning on fact and substance not the Republican led popularity contest.
I am voting for change that I can believe in and that change is Obama/Biden 2008.
Why doesn't Barack speak directly to women telling them he understands that the Palin choice was strictly political and that he has faith in them to believe they will see through the obvious reason he chose Palin. That being she is a woman. The republican smoke screen being administered is an insult to women so why not say so? I think he would get much more traction if he were a little less politically correct at this point in the game. I say the same thing about the blue collars he is trying to court. If anyone would respect him for calling out McCain/Palin for their political games and failed republican economic policies it would be the blue collars. They want it straight–no sugar coating. If he spoke right to them I think it would help.
One more comment. It seems clear that large oil interests are deeply connected to the McCain campaign. It is also clear that Sarah Palin is talented and charismatic. Having the reputation of talking back to her party and sniffing out corruption and having enough character to have actually accomplished something (so the spokespeople say) , might be a liability to the oil interests who intend to "harvest" the natural resources of Alaska. If one looks around at the folks attending the McCain campaign rallies, she is giving the same "dial up the base speech" over and over again. Have the oil interests in the McCain campaign co-opted a talented member of our generation? What if Alaska gained independence, what would happen to oil profits?
LOOK at what Mccain endured running against Bush, Swift Boat of Kerry, Dukakis... THESE were NOT women!!!!!!!
Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Bhutto and the the 4 DOZEN other elected women leaders, who BROKE the glass over the past1/2 Century; did NOT get or ASK for the mamby pamby hands off treatment that Clinton and Palin are supposed to get!!!???
They mixed it up and did not whine about SEXISM!!!
American MALE candidates have endured hard against tactics, WHY is Palin supposed to be UNtouchable?
Please CLEAR up whether her husband was an Alaskan Separatist???