Back to School
Obama Takes His Daughters Back to School (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
McCain Up in Polls
New Poll Shows McCain Up; Palin To Give First Interview (Ververs, V., Horserace, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 8)
Obama’s Faith
Oops! Barack Obama says 'my Muslim faith' in interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos (Nickerson, M., Chicago Sun-Times, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin and Feminism
Feminists Flip Out Over Palin (Newmark, B., Fox Forum, 2008 Sept. 8)
Palin’s Reception Among Republican Leaders
Rice Offers Less-Than-Hearty Palin Endorsement (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)
President Bill Clinton
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton To Do Lunch Thursday (Chozik, A., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Sept. 8)
Stupid Posts
Obama Military Service Claim Defies Credibility (“MCCAIN”, Right Pundits, 2008 Sept. 7)
OI Comments: Obama’s mention of signing up for Selective Service as a teenager is hardly a claim of military service. Every male American born since 1959 has been required to register upon reaching a certain age. Obama may have been stretching to find a way to connect to or communicate respect for military service, but he was hardly claiming to have served.
Incidentally, previous military service is not required to be a supporter of the military or commander-in-chief. Reagan broke the Soviets with a combination of military strength and economic pressure, but never served in the military. John Adams was not a military man, but he valued a strong military and his efforts in the Continental Congress helped keep George Washington’s little army going.
In contrast, great military officers don’t necessarily make great presidents. U.S. Grant was the great general of the civil war, but he was largely a flop as a political leader and businessman. Jimmy Carter was a successful Naval officer and in recent years made a name for himself as an author and peacemaker; his presidency might be seen as the low point in his career.
2008/09/11
McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 11
Endorsements
The New York Post has endorsed McCain. The Post endorsement contrasts the major candidates differences on national security (including their responses to terrorism and events in Iraq, Iran and Georgia), taxes, trade and energy (Post endorses John McCain).
Influencers
Some of those closest to McCain include Mark Salter, a speech writer who has helped shape the candidate’s image, Charles Black, a former lobbyist, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Orson Swindle, who was a POW with McCain in Viet Nam (Halloran).
Polls: McCain Takes Lead
In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, Mcain took a lead over Obama 50 percent to 46 percent (Baldwin & Booth, Page). A CNN/Time poll showed the candidates to be tied (McCain, Obama tied).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Some public relations experts think Palin presents an appealing story and image, but it doesn’t solve all of McCain’s image problems (Sunnucks). Pollsters found that about half of Americans had a favorable impressions of Palin, though this was higher among independents and much higher among Republicans. Even though a majority of those polled thought she was a good pick, fewer than half thought she had the experience for the job (Langer).
Sources
Baldwin, T., & Booth, J. (2008 Sept. 8). John McCain overtakes Barack Obama in opinion polls. The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4703189.ece, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
Halloran, L. (2008 Sept. 8). McCain relies on tight-knit circle of confidants to guide his campaign. U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/09/08/mccain-relies-on-a-tight-knit-circle-of-confidants-to-guide-his-campaign.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Langer, G. (2008 Sept. 5). Highly partisan reception greets Palin as V.P. pick. ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=5725793&page=1, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
McCain, Obama tied in U.S. opinion polls. (2009 Sept. 9). Reuters India. http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-35378820080908, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Page, S. (2008 Sept. 8). Poll: Convention lifts McCain over Obama. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-poll_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
Post endorsed John McCain. (2008 Sept. 8). New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/09082008/postopinion/editorials/post_endorses_john_mccain_128044.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Sunnucks, M. (2008 Sept. 5). Palin’s brand shakes up presidential race. Phoenix Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/09/01/daily50.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
The New York Post has endorsed McCain. The Post endorsement contrasts the major candidates differences on national security (including their responses to terrorism and events in Iraq, Iran and Georgia), taxes, trade and energy (Post endorses John McCain).
Influencers
Some of those closest to McCain include Mark Salter, a speech writer who has helped shape the candidate’s image, Charles Black, a former lobbyist, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Orson Swindle, who was a POW with McCain in Viet Nam (Halloran).
Polls: McCain Takes Lead
In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, Mcain took a lead over Obama 50 percent to 46 percent (Baldwin & Booth, Page). A CNN/Time poll showed the candidates to be tied (McCain, Obama tied).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Some public relations experts think Palin presents an appealing story and image, but it doesn’t solve all of McCain’s image problems (Sunnucks). Pollsters found that about half of Americans had a favorable impressions of Palin, though this was higher among independents and much higher among Republicans. Even though a majority of those polled thought she was a good pick, fewer than half thought she had the experience for the job (Langer).
Sources
Baldwin, T., & Booth, J. (2008 Sept. 8). John McCain overtakes Barack Obama in opinion polls. The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4703189.ece, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
Halloran, L. (2008 Sept. 8). McCain relies on tight-knit circle of confidants to guide his campaign. U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/09/08/mccain-relies-on-a-tight-knit-circle-of-confidants-to-guide-his-campaign.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Langer, G. (2008 Sept. 5). Highly partisan reception greets Palin as V.P. pick. ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=5725793&page=1, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
McCain, Obama tied in U.S. opinion polls. (2009 Sept. 9). Reuters India. http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-35378820080908, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Page, S. (2008 Sept. 8). Poll: Convention lifts McCain over Obama. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-poll_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
Post endorsed John McCain. (2008 Sept. 8). New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/09082008/postopinion/editorials/post_endorses_john_mccain_128044.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.
Sunnucks, M. (2008 Sept. 5). Palin’s brand shakes up presidential race. Phoenix Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/09/01/daily50.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.
Courts Intelligencer 2008 September 11
Recent posts and articles on activities in the courts:
Court rulings could settle water war (Shelton, S., Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008 August 21)
Water Resources News (Infrastructure Watch Blog, 2008 Aug. 27)
Court rulings could settle water war (Shelton, S., Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2008 August 21)
Water Resources News (Infrastructure Watch Blog, 2008 Aug. 27)
2008/09/04
Blogspeak 2008 September 4
McCain’s Comments on Western Water Resources Compact
McCain in hot water out west (Plenty, 2008 Aug. 22)
On the Eve of the Convention, an Opening for Obama in Colorado? (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Aug. 21)
Republican National Convention
How a Curtailed Convention Helps McCain (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Sept. 1)
Vice Presidential Candidates: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin
“Gorgeous” Joe Biden Praises “Good Looking” GOP VP (Bruns, A., Embeded Producers, Fox News, 2008 Aug. 31)
McCain in hot water out west (Plenty, 2008 Aug. 22)
On the Eve of the Convention, an Opening for Obama in Colorado? (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Aug. 21)
Republican National Convention
How a Curtailed Convention Helps McCain (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Sept. 1)
Vice Presidential Candidates: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin
“Gorgeous” Joe Biden Praises “Good Looking” GOP VP (Bruns, A., Embeded Producers, Fox News, 2008 Aug. 31)
Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 4
Accusations of Socialist Connections and Opposition Advertising
American Issues Project ads that attempt to link Obama to William Ayers have begun running in Virginia. The Obama campaign has answered with ads of its own and taken legal action to stop the ads (Farnum, Sizemore).
Endorsements: Foreign Socialist
Francois Hollande, leader of France’s Socialist Party, has endorsed Obama (France).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised the selection of Biden as Obama’s running mate based on the senator’s history of support for gun control laws (Senator Obama’s choice).
Sources
Farnum, T. W. (2008 Aug. 29). Legal controversy erupts over TV ads linking Obama to ‘60s radical. Wall Street Journal, p. A5. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121996889132881757.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.
France: Socialist chief endorses Obama. (2008 Aug. 31). Associated Press in International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/31/america/France-Socialists-Obama.php, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.
Senator Obama’s choice, Joe Biden, a good one for gun violence reduction. [News Release]. (2008 Aug. 25). Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=1001, accessed 2008 Aug. 27.
Sizemore, B. (2008 Aug. 31). Fight for Virginians’ votes spills over into airwaves. Virginian-Pilot. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/fight-virginians-votes-spills-over-airwaves, accessed 2008 Sept 3.
American Issues Project ads that attempt to link Obama to William Ayers have begun running in Virginia. The Obama campaign has answered with ads of its own and taken legal action to stop the ads (Farnum, Sizemore).
Endorsements: Foreign Socialist
Francois Hollande, leader of France’s Socialist Party, has endorsed Obama (France).
Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised the selection of Biden as Obama’s running mate based on the senator’s history of support for gun control laws (Senator Obama’s choice).
Sources
Farnum, T. W. (2008 Aug. 29). Legal controversy erupts over TV ads linking Obama to ‘60s radical. Wall Street Journal, p. A5. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121996889132881757.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.
France: Socialist chief endorses Obama. (2008 Aug. 31). Associated Press in International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/31/america/France-Socialists-Obama.php, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.
Senator Obama’s choice, Joe Biden, a good one for gun violence reduction. [News Release]. (2008 Aug. 25). Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=1001, accessed 2008 Aug. 27.
Sizemore, B. (2008 Aug. 31). Fight for Virginians’ votes spills over into airwaves. Virginian-Pilot. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/fight-virginians-votes-spills-over-airwaves, accessed 2008 Sept 3.
Putin Intelligencer 2008 September 4
International Trade & Nuclear Materials
Putin has announced that Russia will be withdrawing from some agreements it made during negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, saying they are no longer in Russia’s interest. This could signal an intent to reverse some reforms made when Putin handed the presidency to Medvedev (Shuster).
Australia has balked at ratifying a deal to sell uranium to Russia after its recent aggressions in Georgia. Russian officials have pushed back, saying the uranium deal and the Russo-Georgian war are unrelated and that backing out of the deal could be harmful to Australia’s economy (Flitton & Nicholson).
Unusual: Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Putin visited a wildlife reserve to view a rare tiger that had been captured. The tiger escaped and the Russion Prime Minister snatched up a rifle and shot the beast with a tranquilizer dart, saving a television crew. (Putin wields tranquilizer gun).
OI isn’t generally cynical, but we wouldn’t put anything past Putin. What tiger is he planning to tame next? I can almost see already the mural of triumphant Putin, lovingly kissing the vanquished tiger the way he lovingly watches over the nations he has brought under Russian protection, 50 feet high on the side of some new public building in the USSR—um, Russian Federation.
Sources
Flitton, D., & Nicholson, B. (2008 Sept. 2). Putin’s ultimatum to Rudd over uranium deal. The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/putins-ultimatum-to-rudd-over-uranium-deal-20080901-4770.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Putin wields tranquilizer gun at escaped tiger. (2008 Sept. 3). NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94223446, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Shuster, S. (2008 Aug. 25). Putin says no advantages for Russia from WTO. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7750592, accessed 2008 Aug. 25.
Putin has announced that Russia will be withdrawing from some agreements it made during negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, saying they are no longer in Russia’s interest. This could signal an intent to reverse some reforms made when Putin handed the presidency to Medvedev (Shuster).
Australia has balked at ratifying a deal to sell uranium to Russia after its recent aggressions in Georgia. Russian officials have pushed back, saying the uranium deal and the Russo-Georgian war are unrelated and that backing out of the deal could be harmful to Australia’s economy (Flitton & Nicholson).
Unusual: Tigers and Bears, Oh My!
Putin visited a wildlife reserve to view a rare tiger that had been captured. The tiger escaped and the Russion Prime Minister snatched up a rifle and shot the beast with a tranquilizer dart, saving a television crew. (Putin wields tranquilizer gun).
OI isn’t generally cynical, but we wouldn’t put anything past Putin. What tiger is he planning to tame next? I can almost see already the mural of triumphant Putin, lovingly kissing the vanquished tiger the way he lovingly watches over the nations he has brought under Russian protection, 50 feet high on the side of some new public building in the USSR—um, Russian Federation.
Sources
Flitton, D., & Nicholson, B. (2008 Sept. 2). Putin’s ultimatum to Rudd over uranium deal. The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/putins-ultimatum-to-rudd-over-uranium-deal-20080901-4770.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Putin wields tranquilizer gun at escaped tiger. (2008 Sept. 3). NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94223446, accessed 2008 Sept. 4.
Shuster, S. (2008 Aug. 25). Putin says no advantages for Russia from WTO. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7750592, accessed 2008 Aug. 25.
McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 4
Environment
McCain drew fire for comments indicating support for a renegotiation of the multi-state compact that governs water use on the Colorado River. McCain says his comments were misunderstood and he does not support a change of the agreement (Wyatt).
Vice-Presidential Selection
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be the Republican vice-presidential candidate. Some have suggested that she is a double portion of appeal, being attractive to both evangelicals who have previously supported Republicans and blue collar families that had supported Hillary Clinton’s run for the presidency (McCain’s secret woman business).
Sources
McCain’s secret woman business. (2008 September 1). Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/mccain146s-secret-woman-business/2008/09/01/1220121053338.html, accessed 2008 September 4.
Wyatt, K. (2008 August 20). McCain now says Western water pact should stand. Associated Press in National Examiner. http://www.examiner.com/a-1546777~McCain_now_says_Western_water_pact_should_stand.html, accessed 2008 August 21.
McCain drew fire for comments indicating support for a renegotiation of the multi-state compact that governs water use on the Colorado River. McCain says his comments were misunderstood and he does not support a change of the agreement (Wyatt).
Vice-Presidential Selection
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be the Republican vice-presidential candidate. Some have suggested that she is a double portion of appeal, being attractive to both evangelicals who have previously supported Republicans and blue collar families that had supported Hillary Clinton’s run for the presidency (McCain’s secret woman business).
Sources
McCain’s secret woman business. (2008 September 1). Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/mccain146s-secret-woman-business/2008/09/01/1220121053338.html, accessed 2008 September 4.
Wyatt, K. (2008 August 20). McCain now says Western water pact should stand. Associated Press in National Examiner. http://www.examiner.com/a-1546777~McCain_now_says_Western_water_pact_should_stand.html, accessed 2008 August 21.
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