20 okt 2008
McCain Speechwriter Trying To Write Lines That Don't Lead To Creepy Smile
McCain Vows To Replace Secret Service With His Own Bare Fists
PHOENIX, AZ—According to campaign sources, Joseph Chappel, a 38-year-old speechwriter for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), has spent the last two weeks attempting to combine words and phrases in such a way as to not provoke a tight-jawed, dead-eyed smile from the presidential hopeful. Dreading a repeat of last month's speech to a group of businesswomen in Ohio, during which McCain followed a mention of his wife with an awkward and eerie smirk, Chappel has avoided personal anecdotes for the new speech, omitted any mention of "God" or "this great nation," and cut several phrases that had the potential to draw the 72-year-old candidate's mouth open in a horrifying display of teeth and gums.
"I've managed to make two out of every three sentences a question, but I'm not sure that will help," Chappel said shortly after deleting an introductory paragraph in which McCain welcomes the crowd. "Jesus, that [smile] makes me feel cold inside."
Chappel told reporters that if he is not able to write an appropriate, smile-free speech in time for the Republican National Convention, he will resign his position and return to his previous job, taking photographs of abused children for police reports.
Collin Powell: Support for Obama does not mean Iraq war was wrong
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama Sunday during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama," Powell said. Powell spoke to reporters afterward outside NBC.
The following is a transcript of that conversation.
Reporter: Do you think that Sen. Obama will be a better transitional president than potentially Sen. McCain?
Colin Powell: I think that Sen. Obama brings a fresh set of of eyes, a fresh set of ideas to the table. I think that Sen. McCain, as gifted as he is, is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda with a new face and with a maverick approach to it. And he'd be quite good at it. But I think we need more than that. I think we need a generational change. And I think Sen. Obama has captured the feelings of the young people of America and is reaching out in a more diverse, inclusive way across our society. Watch Powell tell why he supports Obama »
Reporter: Could you talk to us about when your decision was made final? When did you finally set your heart on Sen. Obama?
Powell: I have been watching, as I said [on "Meet the Press"], for a long time, and then, within the past couple of months, I really said, you know, you just can't keep watching. You've got to kind of settle down.
And frankly, it was in the period leading up to the conventions, and then the decisions that came out of the conventions, and then just sort of watching the responses of the two individuals on the economic crisis. It gave me an opportunity to evaluate their judgment, to evaluate their way of approaching a problem, to evaluate the steadiness of their actions. And it was at that point that I realized that, to my mind, anyway, that Sen. Obama has demonstrated the kind of calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach to problem-solving that I think we need in this country.
Reporter: Mr. Secretary, there were a number of chinks in your own armor, actually, because of the lead-up to the Iraq war and the events. How much did that play into your decision about this? And will it be taken perhaps by some, because of your previous high-profile position, won't it be taken by some as a repudiation of the Iraq war?
Powell: I don't know why. The Iraq war is the Iraq war. We now see that things are a lot better in Iraq. Maybe if we had put a surge in at the beginning, it would have been a lot better years ago, but it's a lot better now, and we can see ahead to where U.S. forces will start to come out. And so, my concern was not my past or what happened in Iraq, but where we're going in the future. My sole concern was where are we going after January 20 of 2009, not what happened in 2003.
I'm well aware of the role I played. My role has been very, very straightforward. I wanted to avoid a war. The president agreed with me. We tried to do that. We couldn't get it through the U.N. and when the president made the decision, I supported that decision. And I've never blinked from that. I've never said I didn't support a decision to go to war.
And the war looked great until the 9th of April, when the statue fell, everybody thought it was terrific. And it was terrific. The troops had done a great job. But then we failed to understand that the war really was not over, that a new phase of the war was beginning. And we weren't ready for it and we didn't respond to it well enough, and things went very, very -- very, very south, very bad.
And now it's starting to turn around through the work of Gen. Petraeus and the troops, through the work of the Iraqi government, through our diplomatic efforts, and I hope now that this war will be brought to an end, at least as far as American involvement is concerned, and the Iraqis are going to have to be responsible for their own security and for their own political future. ...
Reporter: Sir, what part did McCain's negativity play in your decision, the negative tone of the campaign?
Powell: It troubled me. We have two wars. We have economic problems. We have health problems. We have education problems. We have infrastructure problems. We have problems around the world with our allies. So those are the problems the American people wanted to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who's a Muslim or who's not a Muslim. Those kinds of images going out on Al-Jazeera are killing us around the world.
And we have got to say to the world, it doesn't make any difference who you are or what you are, if you're an American, you're an American. And this business, for example, of the congressman from Minnesota who's going around saying, "Let's examine all congressmen to see who is pro-America or not pro-America" -- we have got to stop this kind of nonsense, pull ourselves together and remember that our great strength is in our unity and in our diversity. And so, that really was driving me.
And to focus on people like Mr. Ayers and these trivial issues, for the purpose of suggesting that somehow Mr. Obama would have some kind of terrorist inclinations, I thought that was over the top. It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth. I think it went beyond. And to sort of throw in this little Muslim connection, you know, "He's a Muslim and, my goodness, he's a terrorist" -- it was taking root. And we can't judge our people and we can't hold our elections on that kind of basis.
So, yes, that kind of negativity troubled me, And the constant shifting of the argument. I was troubled a couple of weeks ago when in the middle of the crisis, the [McCain] campaign said, "We're going to go negative," and they announced it, "We're going to go negative and attack [Obama's] character through Bill Ayers." Now I guess the message this week is, "We're going to call him a socialist, Mr. Obama is now a socialist, because he dares to suggest that maybe we ought to look at the tax structure that we have."
Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who paid them, in roads and airports and hospitals and schools. And taxes are necessary for the common good. And there is nothing wrong with examining what our tax structure is or who should be paying more, who should be paying less. And for us to say that that makes you a socialist, I think is an unfortunate characterization that isn't accurate.
I don't want my taxes raised. I don't want anybody else's taxes raised. But I also want to see our infrastructure fixed. I don't want to have a $12 trillion national debt, and I don't want to see an annual deficit that's over $500 billion heading toward a trillion. So, how do we deal with all of this?
Reporter: Are you still a Republican?
Powell: Yes.
Reporter: Have you conveyed your decision to Sen. Obama?
Powell: Calls are being made. Thank you.
Dont Be Shy, Show Your Ply!
"The gloves are off," Sarah Palin said and this is what you see: it's true.
Republicans think that you can win the presidency in KKK-style.
Part of their voters like the idea to hang the black candidate on a tree like strange fruit, decorated with a David's Star and SS-signs. The other part blames the "fascist liberals" for the insult of reporting the phenomena. There is nothing wrong with this kind of freedom of expression. That's the message.
So, why is it insulting to report it yet?
The answer is that blacks are racists when they vote for a black candidate.
Yes, but sorry, there are almost no black Republicans and Democrats are used to vote for the candidate of the Democratic Party and John McCain opposed the Martin L. King Memorial Day.
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19 okt 2008
Powell endorses Obama as 'transformational'
More in The New York Times
Politico reports:
Retired General Colin L. Powell, one of the country's most respected Republicans, stunned both parties on Sunday by strongly endorsing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president on NBC's "Meet the Press" and laying out a blistering, detailed critique of the modern GOP.
"I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said. "He is a new generation coming ... onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
Powell, making his 30th appearance on "Meet the Press," led into that by saying: "We've got two individuals — either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now — which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time.
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities — and you have to take that into account — as well as his substance — he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Powell, speaking live in the studio, told moderator Tom Brokaw that he is "troubled" by the direction of the Republican Party and statements by the campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and said he does not believe Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is ready to be president.
The statement will help Obama convince skeptical centrists that he is ready to handle the challenges of commander in chief, and undercuts McCain argument that he is better qualified on national security.
Powell, 71, criticized McCain for invoking the former domestic terrorist William Ayers as an Obama associate.
"They're trying to connect him to some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that's inappropriate," Powell said. "Now I understand what politics is all about — I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me.
"And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficult with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration."
Powell said he has "heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion [that Obama's] a Muslim and might be associated with terrorists."
"This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point," Powell said. "We have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."
Powell, a four-star Army general, was national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when George H.W. Bush was president; and President George W. Bush’s first secretary of State.
Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general’s camp has indicated in the past that he would not endorse.
"I've really been going back and forth," he said. He added that if he were choosing on the basis of race, he would have made his choice months ago.
Powell said McCain “was... unsure about how to deal with the economic problems.”
Powell said a big job of the new president will be “conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America’s role in the world.”
“I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward … restoring a sense of purpose,” he said.
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Saturday Night Live: Sarah Palin Rap
Transcript
JASON SUDEIKIS – 'Good evening, I'm Tim Lydecker Sarah Palin's spokesman and we're very excited to be holding the Governor's first official press conference. Now tonight, nothing is off-limits while at the same time, I urge you guys to 'be cool.' Seriously guys just be cool. And one last thing: no recording devices and don't write anything down.'
(Gathered 'reporters' react)
SUDEIKIS – 'Worth a shot. Can't blame me for trying. Without further ado, I present Governor Sarah Palin.'
(TINA FEY enters as GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN)
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – 'First off, I just want to say how excited I am to be in front of both the liberal elite media as well as the liberal regular media. I am lookin' forward to a portion of your questions, so let's get started. Yes, you?'
FRED ARMISEN (as reporter):
'What were your thoughts on Senator McCain's debate performance Wednesday?'
FEY AS GOV. PALIN --
You know, I just thought he was great. Because the American people are angry. And John McCain is angry too. And you can tell he's angry by the way he sighs and
grits his teeth and he's always goin' like (MAKES FACE AND GROWLING NOISE). And that Barack Obama? Well if he's angry, I certainly can't tell. His voice is smooth and when he's talkin' it's like an angel whispering in your ear. He makes John McCain sound like a garbage truck unloading trash at a landfill. So to answer your question, yes, I think John McCain did great. You guy?
WILL FORTE (as reporter) – 'At a rally in North Carolina this week you said that you like to visit the quote pro-America parts of the country. Are there parts of the country that you consider un-American?
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – Y'know , that was just my lame attempt at a joke. But um, yes – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware and California (SHE GIVES A THUMBS DOWN). But then also too you have states like Ohio and Pennsylvania and Florida which could be real real anti-American or real real pro-American. It's up to them. (SHE winks) And now I'd like to entertain everybody with some fancy pageant walkin.'
(CUT TO: 'SNL' Executive Producer LORNE MICHAELS and the real GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN standing next to a monitor watching the scene)
MICHAELS – 'I really wish that that had been you.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Well, Lorne, you know, I just didn't think it was a realistic depiction of how one of my press conferences woulda gone.'
MICHAELS – 'Yes, but it's obviously it's a heightened reality.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Why couldn't we do the '30 Rock' sketch I wrote?'
MICHAELS – 'Honestly, not enough people know that show.'
(MARK WAHLBERG ENTERS)
WAHLBERG – 'Hey, Lorne?'
MICHAELS – 'Mark!'
WAHLBERG –I'm looking for Andy Samberg. Where is he?'
MICHAELS – 'Mark, that was all in good fun.'
WAHLBERG -- 'Are you gonna make me bust your head open too? Because I will. Where is he?'
MICHAELS – 'Third dressing room on the left.'
MW – Thank you
(WAHLBERG storms off)
MICHAELS -- He didn't like the impression we did of him on the show.
GOV. PALIN – 'Tell me about it.'
(ALEC BALDWIN enters)
BALDWIN – 'Hey Lorne. Hey, Tina. Lorne, I need to talk to you. You can't let Tina go out there with that woman. She goes against everything we stand for. I mean, good Lord, Lorne, they call her...what's that name they call her? Cari ... Cari -- what do they call her again, Tina?'
GOV. PALIN – 'That'd be Caribou Barbie.'
BALDWIN – 'Caribou Barbie. Thank you, Tina. I mean this is the most important election in our nation's history. And you want her, our Tina, to go out there and stand there with that horrible woman. What do you have to say for yourself?'
MICHAELS – 'Alec, this is Governor Palin.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Hi there.'
BALDWIN – 'I see. Forgive me, but I feel I must say this -- you are way hotter in person.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Why thank you.'
BALDWIN – 'I mean, seriously. I can't believe they let her play you.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Thank you, and I must say that your brother Stephen is my favorite Baldwin brother.'
BALDWIN – 'You are a delight. Now come, let me take you for a tour of the studio. You know, I've hosted the show ... how many times, Lorne?'
LM – 175 times.
(THEY walk away, the scene cuts back to the press conference)
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – 'To answer your question – y'know I don't worry about the polls. Polls are just a fancy way of systematically predicting what's gonna happen. The only pole I care about is the North Pole and that is melting...it's not great.
(BALDWIN walks on stage and whispers in FEY's ear)
FEY AS SELF
'What? The real one? Byeee!'
(FEY walks off stage, passing PALIN as she exits)
GOV. PALIN – 'Thank you. Now I'm not gonna take any of your questions but I do want to take this opportunity to say Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!!!'
Palin's almost rap number follows:
MEYERS – 'And now, here to clear up some misconceptions about her campaign, Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin.'
GOV. SARAH PALIN – 'Thank you Seth, Amy. And thank you for the chance to come out here. But I've been thinking it over and I'm not going to do the piece we rehearsed.'
MEYERS – 'But you were so good at it.'
GOV. PALIN – 'I know. It was really fun. But my gut is telling me this is a bad idea for the campaign.'
MEYERS – 'Are you sure?'
GOV. PALIN – 'Yes, after a lot of thought. I think it might just cross the line.'
MEYERS – 'Ok, well...in that case, Amy, do you want to do Governor Palin's part instead, Amy?'
POEHLER – 'I guess I could give it a try...'
MEYERS – 'Do you remember it?'
POEHLER – 'I kinda remember it ... (IN HARDCORE RAP DEMEANOR) 1. 2. 3...'
(A Beat kicks in)
'MY NAME IS SARAH PALIN, YOU ALL KNOW ME,
VICE-PREZZY NOMINEE OF THE GOP,
GONNA NEED YOUR VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION,
CAN I GET A WHAT-WHAT FROM THE SENIOR SECTION,
MCCAIN GOT EXPERIENCE,
MCCAIN GOT STYLE,
BUT DON'T LET HIM FREAK YOU OUT,
WHEN HE TRIES TO SMILE,
CUZ THAT SMILE BE CREEPY,
BUT WHEN I'M V.P.,
ALL THE LEADERS IN THE WORLD GONNA FINALLY MEET ME,
(FRED ARMISEN & ANDY SAMBERG enter as ESKIMOS)
POEHLER -- (cont'd) HOW'S IT GO ESKIMOS?TELL TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW ESKIMOS!HOW YA FEEL ESKIMOS?TELL TELL ME WHAT YOU FEEL ESKIMOS! SAMBERG/ARMISEN -- ESKIMOS!ESKIMOS!ICE COLD!SUPER COLD!
POEHLER –
'I'M JEREMIAH WRIGHT CUZ TONIGHT IM THE PREACHER,
I GOT A BOOKISH LOOK AND YOU'RE ALL HOT FOR TEACHER,
(The camera cuts away to Meyers and Gov. Palin enjoying themselves)
(JASON SUDEIKIS enters as TODD PALIN and stands next to POEHLER)
TODD LOOKING FINE ON HIS SNOW MACHINE,
SO HOT FOR EACH OTHER, NEED A GO-BETWEEN,
IN WASILLA, WE JUST CHILL BABY CHILLA
BUT WHEN I SEE OIL, IT'S...'
ALL -- 'DRILL BABY DRILLA!'
POEHLER –
'MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE,'
FROM MY PORCH I CAN SEE,
RUSSIA AND SUCH.'
ALL THE MAVERICKS IN THE HOUSE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP,
ALL THE MAVERICKS IN THE HOUSE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP,
ALL THE PLUMBERS IN THE HOUSE, PULL YOUR PANTS UP,
ALL THE PLUMBERS IN THE HOUSE, PULL YOUR PANTS UP,
WHEN I SAY OBAMA,
YOU SAY AYERS,
OBAMA!
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'AYERS!'
POEHLER –
'OBAMA!'
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'AYERS!'
POEHLER –
'I BUILT ME A BRIDGE AND IT AINT GOING NOWHERE!
OOOOOHHHHHHHH.
MCCAIN/PALIN
GONNA PUT THE NAIL IN
THE COFFIN... OF THE MEDIA ELITE'
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'SHE LIKES RED MEAT!'
(A MOOSE ENTERS)
POEHLER –
'SHOOT A MUTHA HUMPIN MOOSE EIGHT DAYS OF THE WEEK,
NOW YOURE DEAD
NOW YOURE DEAD
CUZ I'M AN AMINAL, AND I'M BIGGER THAN YOU
HOLDIN' A SHOTGUN, WORKIN' THE PUMP
Everybody party, we GOING ON A HUNT
LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
YO I'M PALIN I'M OUT!
(AMY, SUDEIKIS AND SAMBERG/ARMISEN EXIT AS SNOW FALLS)
MEYERS – 'I think you made the right decision not to do that.'
GOV. PALIN – 'You betcha.'
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