Wednesday edition - September 10, 2008

Obama's New Campaign Strategy

Only Republicans can keep a straight face and pretend to be insulted by a common phrase.

"The government is spending, what, $200 billion to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Unemployment, five-year high. Foreclosures are at a 19-year high. This means the Democrats are going to have to work extra hard over the next eight weeks to blow this election." –Jay Leno

The-World-Is-A-Safer-Place-Without Saddam

• US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,155 AP

• TV journalist escapes assassination in Baghdad AP

• Petraeus' former deputy returns as Iraq chief The Associated Press

• Georgian officer reported killed near Russian post The Associated Press

• Pakistani and Afghan leaders eye new ties Reuters

• Amidst Major Buildup, Iraq Now Seeks 36 F-16s Fighter Jets Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, District of Columbia 

• Iraqi panel to resolve election law dispute AFP

Another Secret Program? Yawn.

The dramatic drop in violence in Iraq is due in large part to a secret program the U.S. military has used to kill terrorists, according to a new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward.

What's the difference between Palin and a pit bull? The pit bull doesn't embrace earmark funding

Disturbing News

• Ike gains strength over Gulf, aims for Texas AP

• Reports: US remains 'dangerously vulnerable' AP

• More people calling suicide prevention hot line AP

US Allies Withdrawing From Iraq

The number of countries fighting in the US-led coalition in Iraq is set to fall to a "handful" over the next three months, according to a senior US official.

President George W. Bush announced yesterday that the US troop presence in Iraq would fall by about 4,000 this year, and another 4,000 early next year, as the Pentagon prepares to boost the US military presence in Afghanistan.

The US official said that most of the 29 countries fighting alongside American and Iraqi forces would withdraw their troops this year.
 

A Sarah Palin action figure came out today. And, apparently they’re working on a John McCain action figure. The best part, you can change his diaper. They’re also coming out with a Barack Obama affirmative action figure. - Craig Ferguson
 

Email

Subject: Obama Strategy

Hi Lisa,

Love your site.

You nailed it when you said McCain picking Palin was a smart move. Obama has barely been in the news. What do you think of Obama being interviewed by O'Reilly?

I wonder if Obama realizes it was a humongous mistake picking Biden instead of Hillary? My guess is no but I bet when Obama has lunch with Bill Clinton tomorrow in Harlem Bill will give him an earful and Obama better listen.

My suggestion is Biden should bow out and Hillary should step in because Obama can't t even keep female Democrats from going over to Palin. I'm puzzled how Obama has handled his campaign.

Anna

Whew.

I felt picking Palin was a smart move at the moment. Although I do feel the pit bull with lipstick can easily be neutered and probably will be by her own words -- once McCain allows her to be interviewed. The mainstream media is chomping at the bit and McCain and Palin bashing/ignoring the media may backfire.

It was about time that Obama appeared on FOX. O'Reilly brought out more passion in Obama than I have ever seen. I wish we'd see more of his passion instead of the professor.

This race reminds me of the 1988 election with Dukakis and Papa Bush. Dukakis was leading by double digits (mostly because the country was disgusted by the Republican led Iran/Contra mess) and was methodically thumped by Papa Bush because Dukakis was being unresponsive and unemotional to all the attacks on him. Dukakis wasn't a fighter, he was a gentleman. I see the same thing in Obama.

I bet Bill Clinton will tell Obama exactly how he feels when they lunch together. I hope no blood is shed.

John Kerry tries to put a bunch of fancy, fancy talk -- tried to disguise that record, sort of like his fancy haircut, fancy manicure, tried to disguise the whole thing. (Laughter.) But there is nothing you can do to really -- to really obscure that record. You can try, though. And in Wyoming, we've got a saying for what it is when you keep trying to make something that's not so good look good, we call it putting lipstick on a pig. (Laughter.) Yes. (Applause.) And it doesn't work.  - Mrs. Dick Cheney, October 2004, White House Archives
 

Republican-Shenanigans News

• Rice finalizing US-India civil nuclear accord AP -

• Losing patience, US demands Russia quit Georgia AP

• Bush visits wounded troops at Army hospital AP

• Bush challenges country to volunteer AP

• E-mails, conspiracy rumors plague Palin Politico

• Republicans call for Rangel to step aside Reuters

• House GOP Threatens Shutdown Over Drilling CQPolitics.com

There are only 56 days until the presidential election, and most of the attention now is centered around John McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin. They’re already selling Sarah Palin action figures online, and there was a sad incident at Toys R Us today when the Sarah Palin dolls shot My Little Pony. - Jimmy Kimmel

Rock-The-Voter News

• Clinton questions US freeze on Russian nuclear pact AFP

• Lagging in polls, Obama lashes McCain International Herald Tribune

• Obama accuses McCain camp of lies, phony outrage AP

• Al Franken wins Senate nomination Reuters

" A lot of people now are criticizing Governor Palin for her lack of foreign policy experience. They say she won't be able to deal with other countries. But is that a big deal? I mean, hey, how many foreign countries even talk to us anymore? See what I'm saying?" –Jay Leno
 

"It surprised me. It looks like John McCain's speech last week beat Barack Obama's speech in the ratings. Isn't that amazing? Honest to God. That's like 'American Idol' being beaten by a rerun of 'Matlock.'" –Jay Leno
 

Biz-Tech News

• Oil prices slip even after inventory drops The Associated Press

• Greenspan says Fannie, Freddie takeover won't be costly to taxpayers Asbury Park Press, NJ 

• Boeing hails US decision on tanker competition Reuters

• Walgreen Sues To Stop San Francisco's Ban On Tobacco Sales CNNMoney.com

The Real Surge

An independent study of oil markets concludes that speculation by large investors was a primary reason for the surge in oil prices during the first half of the year and for the more recent price declines.

"Experts say -- this is interesting -- that since Sarah Palin became the vice presidential nominee, there's been an actual spike in the sales of her style of eyeglasses. Gone way up. Yeah. Yeah, with Palin's glasses, you'll be able to see everything, except what the hell your teenage daughter's up to." –Conan O'Brien

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• Briton held in Guantanamo hits out at 'disgraceful' UK Government Independent, UK 

"There is some good news for John McCain. According to the latest polls, which came out today, John McCain has started to open up a lead over Barack Obama. This is true. Yeah. The USA Today poll has McCain ahead by ten points. The 'CBS News' poll has the two tied. And the MSNBC poll says that Obama won the election last week." –Conan O'Brien

Go-F**k-Yourself News

• Cheney says Georgia's territory must remain intact The Associated Press 

"The Republican convention is over, the Democratic convention over. Just one left. Next week, Ralph Nader's convention. It'll be at his apartment. He says you have to park on the street." –Jay Leno
 

Stop the Swiftpigging!

Offline Donation - Lisa Casey - PO Box 88 - Ashford, AL 36312

Email All Hat No Cattle

Odd News

• Black performer: Israeli security made me dance The Associated Press

• Armstrong coming out of retirement for Tour The Associated Press

• Mickey Rourke is the Comeback Kid: Part 1 Los Angeles Times

• Large Hadron Collider doesn't cause the end of the world - yet Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom

• Hubble Shuttle Flight Faces Higher Space-Junk Risk Sci-Tech Today

A small dog wipes-out while riding a wave during the small dog heat at the 3rd annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon held by the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Del Mar, California September 7, 2008.
Photo/Mike Blake

Peace.