http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014 The old straight shooter of the 2000 campaign is now controlled message McCain. New campaign strategist Steve Schmidt, carefully screens reporters that board the “Straight Talk Express private jet.  Journalists that ask those pesky questions McCain does not feel comfortable talking about (like the economy) will not get access to the nominee.  What self respected journalist would board that plane?  Can you imagine them bragging to their colleagues. "I'm one of the chosen few.”  There's a price to pay for that type of journalist, ask former New York Times columnist Judith Miller. Today ,CNN was allowed to carry a 10 minute live press conference with John McCain ,but his assigned press pool(the ones with the questions) were conveniently 27 miles away unaware of the press conference.  These are the same tactics, the Bush administration, was using prior to the invasion of Iraq. Selective coverage. Another tactic being used is a staged audience without protesters. Yesterday an elderly librarian was ticketed for carrying a McCain=Bush sign… She was told she would be arrested if she came back again. Now, Bush and McCain are both Republicans, so how is that a protest sign?I remember the questions Bush used to get at these controlled events,if it was not so laughable ;it would have been be sicking. Most campaigns use a first-come first-served, when dealing with call-in journalist, not the McCain campaign, conference calls will be screened for questions much like the Rush Limbaugh show or the president’s daily press conference. This not the maverick John McCain ,I admired in 2000. The old straight shooter of the 2000 campaign is now controlled message McCain. New campaign strategist Steve Schmidt, carefully screens reporters that board the “Straight Talk Express private jet.  Journalists that ask those pesky questions McCain does not feel comfortable talking about (like the economy) will not get access to the nominee.  What self respected journalist would board that plane?  Can you imagine them bragging to their colleagues. "I'm one of the chosen few.”  There's a price to pay for that type of journalist, ask former New York Times columnist Judith Miller. Today ,CNN was allowed to carry a 10 minute live press conference with John McCain ,but his assigned press pool(the ones with the questions) were conveniently 27 miles away unaware of the press conference.  These are the same tactics, the Bush administration, was using prior to the invasion of Iraq. Selective coverage. Another tactic being used is a staged audience without protesters. Yesterday an elderly librarian was ticketed for carrying a McCain=Bush sign… She was told she would be arrested if she came back again. Now, Bush and McCain are both Republicans, so how is that a protest sign?I remember the questions Bush used to get at these controlled events,if it was not so laughable ;it would have been be sicking. Most campaigns use a first-come first-served, when dealing with call-in journalist, not the McCain campaign, conference calls will be screened for questions much like the Rush Limbaugh show or the president’s daily press conference. This not the maverick John McCain ,I admired in 2000. en-us I knew full well what the sign implicated ,but the man is running for president of the United States and these protesters are some  of the  citizens he will represent.... protesters dressed in a "flip-flop outfit" were allowed at a 2004 John Kerry rally. Barack Obama speaks at large rallies which are almost impossible to control. If you can submit proof Barack Obama has selected people rallies,then I think that is wrong. Staged, controlled events are corny and are not useful IMO. No spin, the elderly nonthreatening lady was NOT  a John McCain supporter, but she did not have to be ticketed, she could have been easily told that anti-McCain signs would not be tolerated......You evidently do not know John McCain very much,because the old maverick would welcome the elderly lady and tried to convince her ;he wasn't so bad...The new John McCain should put  giant billboards at the entrance of his town hall meetings... Warning  No opposing view will be tolerated... this is a controlled event and violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. John McCain voted  for 100% of Bush's domestic and foreign policies in 2008 and 95% in 2007 ,but he hasn't voted since April of this year...These are the facts,why would card carrying Republicans run away from this? Name one economic policy McCain differs from Brush? He is using Bush's people.  You  know McCain is Republican. Spin 101 not hardly,memory, research, and daily reading... I do not use slogans or exaggerate my stance with feel-good talking points. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57831 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57831 I knew full well what the sign implicated ,but the man is running for president of the United States and these protesters are some  of the  citizens he will represent.... protesters dressed in a "flip-flop outfit" were allowed at a 2004 John Kerry rally. Barack Obama speaks at large rallies which are almost impossible to control. If you can submit proof Barack Obama has selected people rallies,then I think that is wrong. Staged, controlled events are corny and are not useful IMO. No spin, the elderly nonthreatening lady was NOT  a John McCain supporter, but she did not have to be ticketed, she could have been easily told that anti-McCain signs would not be tolerated......You evidently do not know John McCain very much,because the old maverick would welcome the elderly lady and tried to convince her ;he wasn't so bad...The new John McCain should put  giant billboards at the entrance of his town hall meetings... Warning  No opposing view will be tolerated... this is a controlled event and violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. John McCain voted  for 100% of Bush's domestic and foreign policies in 2008 and 95% in 2007 ,but he hasn't voted since April of this year...These are the facts,why would card carrying Republicans run away from this? Name one economic policy McCain differs from Brush? He is using Bush's people.  You  know McCain is Republican. Spin 101 not hardly,memory, research, and daily reading... I do not use slogans or exaggerate my stance with feel-good talking points. First things first ,John, I do not hold animosity toward civil pollsters like yourself.... we don't have to agree on everything.  That would be boring. Whether John Kerry won or lost is a moot point,we were talking about control events>>>Yes,Barack Obama had Secret Service early on because his life was threatened ,but I've have not heard him having controlled events... He does not give easy access to the press,but once he does it on a first-come first-served basis, and all questions are answered.... He has not appeared on Bill O'Reilly show, for obvious reasons... He was racially vilified on numerous occasions,but I do believe he will appear on that show,because he would do the same thing to Bill O'Reilly  as what Bill Clinton did to Chris Wallace...Expose  them for what they are ,and overshadow them with intelligent responses. George W. Bush had  controlled events with selected questions and answers, so if Steve Schmidt (Rove's man) has the same in mind for John McCain, then that statement was not too harsh. I don't worry too much about political rhetoric on the campaign trail, because I know Nancy Pelosi has to submit any bill or proposal, unless ,it is an executive order before it becomes law.For example , this gas tax holiday John McCain is proposing does not have Republican or Democratic support in Congress,so it is just political rhetoric. This election is about Barack Obama for several reasons. 1) John McCain is a known quality. 2), Democrats  will maintain control  of the House and the Senate, so John McCain will have a difficult time nominating conservative judges or make the Bush tax cuts permanent. 3) If the Democrats maintain and increase their seats in the Senate ,then McCain will be unable to veto a responsible and timely withdrawal from Iraq. 4) Currently the polls show Democrats have a 15 point lead in congressional races. 5) Party partisans will vote for their respective nominee, but if the Independents do not like what they see in the junior senator from Illinois,  then McCain will win the presidency... The stars are aligned for a Democratic sweep except for the oval office. This election will restore  the three coequal branches of government,so I'm not worried about my choice. We do not vote for dictators.   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57839 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57839 First things first ,John, I do not hold animosity toward civil pollsters like yourself.... we don't have to agree on everything.  That would be boring. Whether John Kerry won or lost is a moot point,we were talking about control events>>>Yes,Barack Obama had Secret Service early on because his life was threatened ,but I've have not heard him having controlled events... He does not give easy access to the press,but once he does it on a first-come first-served basis, and all questions are answered.... He has not appeared on Bill O'Reilly show, for obvious reasons... He was racially vilified on numerous occasions,but I do believe he will appear on that show,because he would do the same thing to Bill O'Reilly  as what Bill Clinton did to Chris Wallace...Expose  them for what they are ,and overshadow them with intelligent responses. George W. Bush had  controlled events with selected questions and answers, so if Steve Schmidt (Rove's man) has the same in mind for John McCain, then that statement was not too harsh. I don't worry too much about political rhetoric on the campaign trail, because I know Nancy Pelosi has to submit any bill or proposal, unless ,it is an executive order before it becomes law.For example , this gas tax holiday John McCain is proposing does not have Republican or Democratic support in Congress,so it is just political rhetoric. This election is about Barack Obama for several reasons. 1) John McCain is a known quality. 2), Democrats  will maintain control  of the House and the Senate, so John McCain will have a difficult time nominating conservative judges or make the Bush tax cuts permanent. 3) If the Democrats maintain and increase their seats in the Senate ,then McCain will be unable to veto a responsible and timely withdrawal from Iraq. 4) Currently the polls show Democrats have a 15 point lead in congressional races. 5) Party partisans will vote for their respective nominee, but if the Independents do not like what they see in the junior senator from Illinois,  then McCain will win the presidency... The stars are aligned for a Democratic sweep except for the oval office. This election will restore  the three coequal branches of government,so I'm not worried about my choice. We do not vote for dictators.   Tio Tomas, doesn't get it.  At one time I thought John McSame was a "maverick".  I wish he had been president instead of his new best frien-- George W Bush.  He has become a bigger flip-flopper than Kerry ever thought about being.  "I'm not for the tax-cuts."  I'm for the tax-cuts."  Torture is wrong, never mind, we need torture.  Uphold the 4th amendement, no a few wire taps won't hurt anything.  The religious right are the "agents of intolerance."  Whoops no they aren't!"  Slurp, slurp.  Against the GI Bill, for the GI Bill. More Flipping below! http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=3478      But I will not tolerate questions about his service or his POW years.  He is a great American. But nope--he can't be president. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57897 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57897 Tio Tomas, doesn't get it.  At one time I thought John McSame was a "maverick".  I wish he had been president instead of his new best frien-- George W Bush.  He has become a bigger flip-flopper than Kerry ever thought about being.  "I'm not for the tax-cuts."  I'm for the tax-cuts."  Torture is wrong, never mind, we need torture.  Uphold the 4th amendement, no a few wire taps won't hurt anything.  The religious right are the "agents of intolerance."  Whoops no they aren't!"  Slurp, slurp.  Against the GI Bill, for the GI Bill. More Flipping below! http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=3478      But I will not tolerate questions about his service or his POW years.  He is a great American. But nope--he can't be president. I agree ragman, John McCain's courageous military service should be off-limits. Sometimes I just don't understand John, he was a big Hillary Clinton supporter and he must relize that she tied John McCain to George W. Bush, and now he disagrees with that tactic...  Personally I think John is anti-Obama and a disgrunted ex-Clinton supporter.   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57933 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57933 I agree ragman, John McCain's courageous military service should be off-limits. Sometimes I just don't understand John, he was a big Hillary Clinton supporter and he must relize that she tied John McCain to George W. Bush, and now he disagrees with that tactic...  Personally I think John is anti-Obama and a disgrunted ex-Clinton supporter.   Hello John Thanks for responding, but let’s do a little housekeeping first. 1) Your vote is your own, and I will no try to influence it, look at my posts I do not push Obama I just try to correct the occasional myths. 2) I do not think the Latino vote is going to necessarily vote as a group for either candidate, even thou polls show Obama having a substantial lead over John McCain,  it is fickle…. Puerto Ricans in New York normally vote according to their unions wishes, Cubans in Florida normally vote Republican because the GOP will not lift its trade embargo with Cuban, because of Fidel Castro and his brother.. Mexican-Americans supported John McCain and George W. Bush because of their stance for comprehensive immigration reform… John McCain backed off his support for the bill he sponsored with Ted Kennedy, because of the right wing rhetoric. He said in a debate that he would not sign the bill he sponsored, he is currently for border enforcement first, and then maybe some type of guest worker program…Barack Obama is still for the old bill McCain said he would not support today. 3) Americans are hurting and 85% of them thinking, we are going in the wrong direction, and the upcoming debates will show each candidate's plan for the path forward.   I don't know who this US is, because I seriously doubt your supporters will turn the election. I suspect Governor Bill Richardson will have more impact, and he is an avid supporter of Barack Obama.   I look for action, not rhetoric and I am not shy when it comes to criticizing Barack Obama, such as voting for recently passed FISA bill given immunity to the telecoms…But he manned up, and voted at least. Barack Obama voted yes for the new GI bill, John McCain did not vote at all but he was against it even thou 300 in the house and 75 in the senate voted for it.   I've been a political junkie for over 30 years, so I don't need to wait around to see how the Republican or Democratic party feels on a particular issue, it is predictable…Same with candidates, if you don't know their positions by now, then you aren't paying attention….Granted between now and November, an October surprise such as a last-minute DUI conviction George Bush had to do a mea culpa for, can change minds.   I too enjoy these civil discussions. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57957 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57957 Hello John Thanks for responding, but let’s do a little housekeeping first. 1) Your vote is your own, and I will no try to influence it, look at my posts I do not push Obama I just try to correct the occasional myths. 2) I do not think the Latino vote is going to necessarily vote as a group for either candidate, even thou polls show Obama having a substantial lead over John McCain,  it is fickle…. Puerto Ricans in New York normally vote according to their unions wishes, Cubans in Florida normally vote Republican because the GOP will not lift its trade embargo with Cuban, because of Fidel Castro and his brother.. Mexican-Americans supported John McCain and George W. Bush because of their stance for comprehensive immigration reform… John McCain backed off his support for the bill he sponsored with Ted Kennedy, because of the right wing rhetoric. He said in a debate that he would not sign the bill he sponsored, he is currently for border enforcement first, and then maybe some type of guest worker program…Barack Obama is still for the old bill McCain said he would not support today. 3) Americans are hurting and 85% of them thinking, we are going in the wrong direction, and the upcoming debates will show each candidate's plan for the path forward.   I don't know who this US is, because I seriously doubt your supporters will turn the election. I suspect Governor Bill Richardson will have more impact, and he is an avid supporter of Barack Obama.   I look for action, not rhetoric and I am not shy when it comes to criticizing Barack Obama, such as voting for recently passed FISA bill given immunity to the telecoms…But he manned up, and voted at least. Barack Obama voted yes for the new GI bill, John McCain did not vote at all but he was against it even thou 300 in the house and 75 in the senate voted for it.   I've been a political junkie for over 30 years, so I don't need to wait around to see how the Republican or Democratic party feels on a particular issue, it is predictable…Same with candidates, if you don't know their positions by now, then you aren't paying attention….Granted between now and November, an October surprise such as a last-minute DUI conviction George Bush had to do a mea culpa for, can change minds.   I too enjoy these civil discussions. It makes me feel good when Phil Gramm, McCain's top economic adviser stating that the recession is "mental" and we have become a nation of "whiners".  Tell that to the thousands who have lost their jobs over the last several months. I hear the bus coming, Phil. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57962 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57962 It makes me feel good when Phil Gramm, McCain's top economic adviser stating that the recession is "mental" and we have become a nation of "whiners".  Tell that to the thousands who have lost their jobs over the last several months. I hear the bus coming, Phil. Yea,Barack just shot back "We don't need two Dr. Phils "but it goes along with the gas  tax holiday that John McCain admitted, really wouldn't do anything except make to Americans feel better mentality....... Don't know about you,but I  will wonder is that bridge been repaired lately, because we're using the money to repair it  with a  two-month holiday. This is comic relief , substituting for news, until the Dallas Cowboys get cranked up...LOL http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57965 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57965 Yea,Barack just shot back "We don't need two Dr. Phils "but it goes along with the gas  tax holiday that John McCain admitted, really wouldn't do anything except make to Americans feel better mentality....... Don't know about you,but I  will wonder is that bridge been repaired lately, because we're using the money to repair it  with a  two-month holiday. This is comic relief , substituting for news, until the Dallas Cowboys get cranked up...LOL I got a kick yesterday when McCain was asked his position on insurance companies covering Viagra but not birth control. In 2003, he voted against a bill that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control.  And last year he couldn’t tell reporters if condoms stop STDs or if he supported Bush’s abstinence-only education. Maybe he should've called Bob Dole? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57972 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57972 I got a kick yesterday when McCain was asked his position on insurance companies covering Viagra but not birth control. In 2003, he voted against a bill that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control.  And last year he couldn’t tell reporters if condoms stop STDs or if he supported Bush’s abstinence-only education. Maybe he should've called Bob Dole? LOL Yea, he kind of froze and stuttered saying" I forgot how I voted on that one" ... Senior moment? Today, he's stumbling over Social Security, knowing full well he wants to privatize it, but if he actually says that., there goes Florida.  One of the reporters told McCain that we increased our imports to Iran, under the George W. Bush administration(McCain's party) by 10% , cigarettes being the major export....McCain, jokily said said that's how we'll kill them...Combine that with "bomb bomb Iran "and you don't have the makings of a good negotiator for peace with Iran. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57973 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/Mike/8014/#c_57973 LOL Yea, he kind of froze and stuttered saying" I forgot how I voted on that one" ... Senior moment? Today, he's stumbling over Social Security, knowing full well he wants to privatize it, but if he actually says that., there goes Florida.  One of the reporters told McCain that we increased our imports to Iran, under the George W. Bush administration(McCain's party) by 10% , cigarettes being the major export....McCain, jokily said said that's how we'll kill them...Combine that with "bomb bomb Iran "and you don't have the makings of a good negotiator for peace with Iran.