Johnnie Byrd’s Weekend

1.         Obama Weighs Quick Undoing of Bush Policy

           Starting with “change” to tax-funded abortions: “In January 2001, on his first full day in office, Mr. Bush reinstated the so-called global gag rule, initiated during the Reagan administration and overturned by President Bill Clinton, which prohibited taxpayer dollars from being given to international family planning groups that perform abortions and provide abortion counseling. After Mr. Obama’s victory last week, the Center for Reproductive Rights delivered a 23-page memorandum to his transition team, calling for ‘bold policy change,’ including a repeal of the gag rule.”

[NYT]

2.         Bush ‘Gave Secret Orders For Al-Qaeda Attacks’

           The U.S. military were reportedly authorized by Bush administration to carry out attacks in Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere since 2004.

[UK Times]

3.         Obama Backs Car Industry Bailout Plea

           President-elect joins Nancy Pelosi in demanding Treasury offer a financial lifeline to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

[NY Times] [UK Times]

4.         Obama Advisers Signal Republican Roles in Administration

           From the Boston Globe: “Valerie Jarrett, a longtime friend to Obama who is cochairwoman of his transition team, suggested that Obama intends to appoint Republicans to his cabinet or other important posts and does not rule out keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates when he takes power in January.”

[Boston Globe]

5.         ‘In Churches, Prayer, Thanks For Obama’

Two contrasting messages from the piece: #1: “For so many years, people have said to little black boys and little black girls, you can be anything you want to be, even president of the United States,” Dickerson told the crowd. “Now they can point to a reality of a black man becoming president.” #2: “The message here is simple,” Braxton said. “Stop complaining. Get to work. No excuses.”

Were there not any other black men and women they could “point to” before Barack? Also, wasn’t the message “Stop complaining. Get to work. No excuses” just as relevant prior to November 4?

[Boston Globe]

6.         ‘Schwarzenegger: Proposition 8 Fight Isn’t Over’

           From the story: “As protesters took to the streets for a fifth day, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8.”

[Boston Globe]

7.         Iranian Economists Pressuring Ahmadinejad

           For a man who is “not in charge of Iran,” why would they address him?

[Boston Globe]

8.         Coleman vs. Franken Recount To Remain Nonpartisan

           Recounting 2.9 million ballots continues.

[Mpls. Star Tribune]

9.         The Story Behind Those Who Protest The War With Crosses

           Question: How many of those who protest in this fashion actually believe in the cross they are displaying? Or is it simply a tool to cause outrage?

[LA Times]

Flashback to another tax showdown

Published May 12, 2003

“Neither Senate pressure nor editorial jabs have budged the House speaker during a budget showdown.” St. Pete Times - STEVE BOUSQUET

TALLAHASSEE - A smiling Johnnie Byrd arrives for his daily news conference, trailed by an entourage of aides and lawmakers. The House speaker from Plant City sees a tape recorder on a lectern and leans over the machine.

“No new taxes. Live within your means,” Byrd says in a self-mocking tone, drawing laughs. “Just when you’re tired of saying it, maybe it will sink in with this crowd.”

Byrd has been saying it for months, and the message, replayed over and over, has sunk in. Senate President Jim King has ended his quest for more money and will enter this week’s special session in agreement with Byrd on the bottom line. King said senators won’t be “obstructionists.”

By standing firm, Byrd looks like the winner of the tax brawl.

A new St. Petersburg Times poll shows more voters agree with him than disagree, but it is a mixed message. A majority of 55 percent said they do not support an increase in state taxes, but 52 percent said they would support higher taxes to avoid layoffs or cuts in summer school.

“The bottom line is that a majority of the people put Republicans in office, and the Republican philosophy is one of fiscal restraint,” said Byrd, who keeps a copy of the book Those Dirty Rotten Taxes on his desk in the Capitol. “You don’t raise taxes in the bottom of a recession. You cut taxes.” MORE

1.         More Gay Marriage Protests in California, ACLU Helps Fight Against Voters

            This CNN story notes “The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints insisted Thursday that their support for a proposition to ban same-sex marriage in California did not target any group.”  But it was California voters who approved of Prop 8 (CNN).  This story notes that the gay community is upset that blacks voted in favor of traditional marriage (Washington Post).  A look at what the victory means (NRO).  Meanwhile, a report of “homosexual pledge cards” given to kindergarten students (One News Now). 

2.         Anonymous McCain Staffers Attack Palin

            Post-election loss, of course (LA Times).  The claims don’t hold much water (Weekly Standard).  From Byron York:  John McCain ran for president, to some large degree, on the character he had displayed throughout his life.  Not so for some of those around him.  What a bunch of losers (NRO).  It’s so out of hand, even CNN is defending Palin (CNN). 

3.         Some Races Still Too Close to Call

            Including the Coleman/Franken race, where Coleman leads by a couple hundred.

            USA Today

4.         He’s Back!  Media Suddenly Remembers Jeremiah Wright

            He spoke at a small church Thursday and blamed the media, of all people, for trying to derail Obama’s campaign.

            FOX News

5.         Lieberman Not Tossed from Chairmanship Yet

            But it’s still on the table.

            FOX News

6.         Kicking the GOP While They’re Down

            From the story:  Beyond demography, the party is now, thanks to the outgoing president and some members of Congress, perceived by many voters as either incompetent, corrupt, or just not standing for much.  Even on fiscal issues - for decades central to the GOP’s appeal - Republicans now lag.  Not mentioned in the story:  The media has worked endlessly to portray the Republicans this way.

CBS News

7.         Markets Continued Tumble After Obama Election

            Biggest two-day loss since 1987.

            Bloomberg

8.         Comedians Set Sights on Obama

            To show how blind some in Hollywood are to Obama’s many faults, Bill Maher seems to think Obama is tough to do jokes about because “he’s not stupid. He’s not angry. He’s not a phony. He’s not fat. He’s not cheating on his wife.”  Is Maher not aware of Obama’s extreme liberalism, socialistic attitudes, thug friends, extreme nutcase friends, inability to add numbers (his economic plan) and his delusions of grandeur?  He’s a comedy routine every day.   It doesn’t get easier than Obama.  (CNN).  Note to Bill Maher, you can start finding your comedy here, here, here and here.   Other comedians have begun to realize there’s plenty of material in Obama (AFP).  

9.         In the Middle East, They Love Obama

            Funny to see this sentence:  Of course we are with Obama. Everybody in the Middle East is with Obama, because everybody hates Bush.  You can take out the words “Middle East” and insert “Hollywood” or “Media” and nobody will notice.

            The Globe and Mail

10.        College Applicants Judge by Appearance on Facebook

Not a new concept, but interesting nonetheless.

            WSJ

1.         Biden: No on Prop 8 or Anything Like It

            He admits, with that statement, the Obama/Biden ticket backs gay marriage.  Biden congratulates Ellen DeGeneres on her marriage, completely contradicting his lie during the debate with Palin.

2.         Crowds Protest LA Times for Refusal to Release Obama Tape

            Pictures and video of the protest (Jewish Journal).  McCain discussed the tape and other issues with Hugh Hewitt (Townhall Transcript/Audio) While ignored by nearly all but FOX News, ABC News finally covered the story, only to put out a commentary to say the Times shouldn’t release the tape (ABC News). 

3.         Krauthammer: Obama’s Dangerous Domestic Agenda

            From the story:  What will you get?  (1) Card check, meaning the abolition of the secret ballot in the certification of unions in the workplace. Large men will come to your house at night and ask you to sign a card supporting a union. You will sign.  (2) The so-called Fairness Doctrine — a project of Nancy Pelosi and leading Democratic senators — a Hugo Chavez-style travesty designed to abolish conservative talk radio (Townhall)  A look at Obama’s welfare plan (Philadelphia Business Journal).  Focus on the Family founder James Dobson runs through the vast differences between the candidates (Citizen). 

4.         As Polls Vary, Pollsters Worry about Reputation

            The story notes “Pollsters are becoming punchy as the presidential race tightens just as final predictions are being prepared” (Boston Herald).  FOX News claims the gap has closed from nine to three.  From the story:  The race has tightened in part because of changes in a couple of important swing voting groups. Independents back Obama by 5 percentage points today, down from a 9-point edge last week. Similarly, among white Catholics, Obama held an 11-point edge over McCain last week and today they split 46-46 (FOX News).  Zogby still has it at seven (Zogby)  CBS News, which has had Obama’s lead in double digits for several weeks, still has Obama up by 11 (CBS News).  As before, the CBS poll uses far more Democrats than Republicans (CBS News). The Human Events prediction:  Obama will win, but it won’t’ be a blowout.  Dems will gain in House and Senate, but won’t gain the 60 Senate seats they desire.  If their prediction is correct, McCain is one state away (Pennsylvania) from victory (Human Events).  Byron York gives advice on winning Pennsylvania:  If you really want to win Pennsylvania, you might want to make sure that everyone in the state hears Obama’s “bitter clinging” soundbite at least once an hour from now until Election Day.  And while you’re at it, send Palin to central, southern, western, and northern Pennsylvania — pretty much every except Philadelphia. “I love her, and I was so thrilled when John McCain picked her,” a woman named Janice, from Mechanicsburg, tells me. “I think she’s more qualified than Barack Obama. They say she’s not qualified, but they ought to look at the top of their ticket” (NRO).   In Pennsylvania, one recent poll has Obama up 13, another recent poll has the lead cut to 4 (RCP). 

5.         Colorado Professors Back Ayers

            An amazing look at the lunatics teaching your kids.  (Denver Channel)  Meanwhile, another story notes that Obama is the only politician Ayers has ever donated money to (Seattle Post Intelligencer). 

6.         Iraqis Worry about Obama Presidency

            From the story: “The Iranians believe that if Obama is elected he will not take action against them despite their nuclear ambitions. That worries me,” said Ali, sitting on an old bench in Al-Zahawi coffee shop (AFP)  Meanwhile, another story notes the Saudi’s are pulling for Obama (Saudi Gazette). 

7.         Two Arrested for Hanging Obama Effigy

            Interesting because no charges were filed against the man who did the same with Sarah Palin.  Notice the remarkably different language used to describe the events.  From the college campus president on the Obama incident:  “As outrageous and offensive an act as the effigy was, I truly believe it has mobilized our campus, the community and the state in an effort to battle racism” (Herald-Leader)  But, from a city spokesman involved in the Palin story:  “People have First Amendment rights (to free speech.) I would speculate that if it’s part of a Halloween display then its political satire” (Reuters). 

8.         Catholic Church Urges Followers to Vote Pro-Life

            They story ends “Polls show a majority of Catholic voters plan to vote for the Democratic presidential ticket of Barack Obama and Joseph Biden. Both are pro-choice — and Biden is a Catholic.”

            KKTX

9.         Cliff the Mailman Does Ad Against Franken

            Also in this ad, Victoria Jackson, who was on Saturday Night Live with Franken.

            YouTube

10.        Pro Marriage Gaining in California

            But still trailing by five, according to the story.

Sacramento Bee

11.        Los Angeles Councilman Proposes Tax on Large Homes

            Another attempt to punish/gain from the rich and redistribute the wealth.

            LA Times

12.        Woman Buys House at Auction, Gives Back to Prior Owner

            A citizen doing what some are demanding of the government.

            FOX News

1.         Obama Airs Infomercial

            Surprisingly, this AP story begins “Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was less than upfront in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office” (AP).  From CBS News:  But the very bigness of his ideas is the problem: he seems blind to the concept his numbers don’t add up (CBS News).  Interestingly, this comes just as a story released reveals Americans believe too much is being spent on the campaigns.  But then comes this disturbing paragraph:  Even so, Democrat Barack Obama hasn’t paid much of a political price for opting out of public financing this year, the first major-party nominee to do so since it was established after the Watergate scandal. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they aren’t sure whether Obama or Republican John McCain are participating in the system (USA Today).  Another story notes of the infomercial “The campaign hired Davis Guggenheim, executive producer of former Vice President Al Gore’s Academy Award-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” (MSNBC). 

2.         LA Times/Obama Story Still Ignored by Nearly All Mainstream Media

            Except FOX News.  From Hugh Hewitt on the significance of this story:  This is an astonishing moment in the history of journalism.  In the last presidential campaign, an arm of MSM attempted to influence the race by inventing a major story.  This time, a different arm is influencing the race by censoring the news (Townhall).  From John McCain:  I guarantee you, if there was a tape with me and Sarah Palin and some neo-Nazi or one of those, you think that that tape wouldn’t be made public? Of course, Americans need to know, particularly about Ayers, and also about the PLO. So hopefully there will be enough pressure on the L.A. Times that it’ll come out, but it’s really unfortunate that we have to go through this (FOX News).  The Times didn’t hesitate to expose Schwarzenegger right before the election in 2006 (LA Times). 

3.         Obama Dodges Socialist Label

            In a strange rebuttal of McCain’s warning of Obama’s Socialist talk, Obama said “I don’t know what’s next.  By the end of the week, he’ll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich” (AP).  But Obama’s socialist talk also comes from his wife Michelle, who said earlier this year “The truth is, in order to get things like universal health care and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more” (Weekly Standard). 

4.         Sowell:  Fear the Obama Judges

            He notes “We can vote a president out of office at the next election if we don’t like him. But we can never vote out the federal judges he appoints in courts across the country, including justices of the Supreme Court.  The kind of judges Barack Obama wants to appoint can still be siding with criminals or terrorists during the lifetimes of your children and grandchildren.”

            Washington Times

5.         Frank Pastore:  The Christian Case Against Barack Obama

            Salem host (KRLA) Frank Pastore examines Obama’s faith, in three parts on You Tube.

            Part one

            Part two

            Part three

6.         Polls: Obama Gets a Few Points Back.  Maybe

            Though the gap was at three on Rasmussen and Gallup yesterday, Zogby, which has been spastic over the last week, has Obama back up 7 this morning.  In the last week, Zogby had Obama up 12, then it dropped to 4 and back up to 7 (Reuters).  Time Magazine claims Obama is gaining in key states (Time).  One story claims, at least in Nevada, the young and Hispanic voters they are expecting in record numbers aren’t materializing (Las Vegas Review-Journal).  Another oddity that may help McCain:  In Florida, Democrats are thrilled that they are greatly outpacing Republicans in early voting.  But, this story notes, “A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll gave McCain a 49-45 lead over Democrat Barack Obama among Floridians who have already voted” (Florida Today).   In trying to figure out why Obama hasn’t put McCain away, Howard Fineman cites racism, but not Obama’s flirtation with socialism (Newsweek). 

7.         UK: Early Snow During Global Warming Bill Debate

            First Ocbober snow since 1922.

            The Register

1.         McCain Jumps on “Redistribution” Comments from Obama

            Seems this is the only way to get the media, beyond FOX News, to cover it (AFP).  McCain also said, of your money, “Do you want to keep it and invest it in your future, or have it taken by the most liberal person to ever run for the Presidency, and the Democratic leaders who have been running Congress for the past two years — Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid?” (Politico).  From another story:  Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga said Sunday no date has been set for selling up to 45 percent more of the team to Stephen Ross, but the presidential election is among the issues weighing on his decision.  That’s because a Barack Obama administration is expected to mean higher capital-gains taxes.  “He wants to double the capital gains tax, or almost double it,” Huizenga said. “I’d rather give it to charity than to him” (Sun-Sentinel). 

2.         Polls:  One Week Out, Slight Closing of the Gap

            From Zogby, which had Obama with a 12 point lead less than a week ago, McCain is back by only four points (Reuters).  The average is down to 6.2 (RCP).  ABC News has the difference at 7, with McCain gaining ground on the economy (ABC News). Whites who attend church weekly prefer McCain more than 2-1 (Gallup).  CNN has a great electoral map calculator.  You can click to shift a state to either candidate to see how it changes the race (CNN).  While Obama leads, the race for battleground states is close (FOX News). 

3.         Obama Camp Bans Another News Station from Interviews

            Biden again flips when given tough questions. (Breitbart)  Bill O’Reilly spoke with the reporter who was also banned by Obama’s people (YouTube). 

4.         Obama Education Groups Funded Controversial Organizations

            Like ACORN, Ayers and Trinity United Church of Christ (   FOX News).  Daniel Pipes looks at two other “unsavory ties” (Jerusalem Post).  Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed concern over an Obama presidency.  From the story: Following their July meeting, Sarkozy repeatedly expressed disappointment with Obama’s positions on Iran, concluding that they were “not crystallized, and therefore many issues remain open,” the Israeli source said. Advisors to the French president who held separate meetings with Obama’s advisors came away with similar impressions and expressed similar disappointment (Haaretz). 

5.         Obama Breaks Spending Records with Mysterious Donors

            From the story:  Obama hasn’t given any details at all about whom his small donors are, drawing extra criticism after he raised a record-shattering $150 million last month alone.  “The fact that the Obama camp has not provided more information about who these small donors are really run counter to his ‘transparency’ message,” said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics.

            CBS News

Contact:  Center for Responsive Politics, 202 354-0111

6.         Reporter Embarrassed by Media Bias

            He writes “…for the first time in my adult life — to be embarrassed to admit what I do for a living.”  Later:  If the current polls are correct, we are about to elect as president of the United States a man who is essentially a cipher, who has left almost no paper trail, seems to have few friends (that at least will talk) and has entire years missing out of his biography.  That isn’t Sen. Obama’s fault: His job is to put his best face forward. No, it is the traditional media’s fault, for it alone (unlike the alternative media) has had the resources to cover this story properly, and has systematically refused to do so.

            ABC News

7.         Black Turnout Could Help Traditional Marriage

            From the story:  In this historic presidential election year, political observers say high voter turnout for Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama — who is predicted to draw record numbers of church-going African Americans and Latinos — may spell the demise of legal gay marriage in California.

            ABC News

8.         Palin Mannequin Hung by Noose at Home

            Called Halloween fun by the owner.  Obviously, there would be much greater outrage had this been Obama.  But even Hillary would have garnered massive media attention. Most of the media didn’t cover the story.

            FOX News

9.         Home Owners Association Removes Welcome Home Signs for Soldier

            Because, according to the story, “they could be viewed as political and supporting the war.”

            First Coast News

1.         Obama Camp Cuts off News Station Because Biden Grilled

            The Obama camp explaining “This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election” (Orlando Sentinel).  Video of the interview (YouTube). 

2.         Obama:  Tape Reveals More on Redistribution of Wealth

            The Audio (YouTube/  Even though Biden said “He is not spreading the wealth around” in his interview from above (YouTube).  A look at what happened when Argentina tried to spread the wealth (Powerline).  The mainstream media somehow missed both the Biden and Obama stories online.  ABC News, instead, focused on Palin’s medical records (ABC News).  CBS News is still obsessed with Palin’s clothes (CBS News). 

3.         UN Begging for Obama Presidency

            From the story:  Obama supporters hail from Russia, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Indonesia and elsewhere. One American employee here seemed puzzled that he was being asked whether Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was even a consideration. “Obama was and is unstoppable,” the official said. “Please, God, let him win,” he added.

            Washington Post

4.         Polls:  Obama Leads But Gap Closing in Many Polls

As of Sunday, the gap closed in Gallup from 7 to 5 (Gallup).  The TIPP poll has Obama up 3 with 10 percent still undecided (RCP).   The battleground states are close (Zogby). 

5.         Townhall:  Documents Show Democratic Dirty Tricks Planned for Election Day

            From the story:  Documents obtained by Townhall show the Democratic Party encouraged party activists to accuse the GOP of intimidating minorities on Election Day even if no evidence of intimidation existed in the 2004 presidential election. The tactic is being used again in 2008, this time to downplay fraud charges against a predominantly minority non-profit supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

            Townhall

6.         Barney Frank Post Election:  More Social Spending, Less Military Spending

            The chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services wants a 25 percent cut in military spending (South Coast Today).  A frightening concept, considering Biden’s promise that Obama will be tested (FOX News)  Pete DuPont looks at other troubling things an Obama administration will bring us (WSJ).  McCain has been warning Americans that Democrats are poised to control everything (ABC News).  Advice from Bill Kristol:  The heart of that case has to be this: reminding voters that when they elect a president, they’re not just electing a super-Treasury secretary or a higher-level head of Health and Human Services. They’re electing a commander in chief in time of war (NY Times).  The story of a battle in Syria reminds us, we are in fact electing a commander in chief (FOX News). 

7.         Parents Upset Their Children are in Prop 8 Ad

            They brought them to a gay wedding and images were used in an ad to support Prop 8. 

            ABC

8.         Stone Movie W Plummets in Week Two

            From the story:  There’s been tremendous interest by the public in the box office fate of Oliver Stone’s W. for its second weekend in release. Well, it ran out of steam. QED International/Lionsgate’s Bush biopic sank 58% to No. 7 with a $5.3M weekend from 2,050 dates and new cume of $18.7M. The $30M negative cost film should end up with $23M domestic box office gross by the end of its North American run. That means, with a $25M P&A investment and Lionsgate’s distribution fees, the film won’t recoup (Deadline Hollywood).  Just the numbers (Box Office Mojo). 

9.         UK:  Over Half of Parents Afraid to Let Their Kids Trick-or-Treat

            According to one poll.

            The Herald

1.         New Poll Shows Undecided Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Obama Plan to Share the Wealth

            By more than a 2-1 margin (CNBC) This comes as we see more turmoil in the market (FOX Business)  From Steve Forbes:  If sensible rescue efforts continue–and they will–the immediate crisis will quickly pass. Shell-shocked businesses and consumers won’t recover rapidly from the trauma of recent months, especially as we now cope with recession. But the downturn shouldn’t be prolonged: The economy here and those overseas should start to pick up no later than next spring (Forbes). 

2.         Polls:  All Over the Map

Polls Remain Split.  The Gallup gap dropped Obama’s lead to four yesterday (Gallup).  CBS News/New York Times has Obama with a monster 13-point lead (CBS News).  But, once again, the CBS News/New York Times poll seemed to consider far more Democrats than Republicans (CBS News).  And IBD/TIPP has it down to just one point.  The story notes “An analysis of Final Certified Results for the 2004 election showed IBD’s polling partner, TIPP, was the most accurate pollster of the campaign season” (IBD).  In evaluating the difference in polls, this Associated Press story notes “In identifying likely voters, the AP does not build in an assumption of higher turnout by blacks or young voters. Pew Director Andrew Kohut says that reflecting exceptionally heavy African-American turnout in the Democratic primaries, Pew’s model of likely voters now shows blacks as 12 percent of voters, compared to 9 percent in 2004” (AP).  One fascinating story from Gallup, with all the talk of newly registered voters, this story claims it’s no more than “the figure Gallup found in its final 2004 pre-election poll” (Gallup).  All the polls (RCP). 

3.         Krauthammer:  Why I’m Voting for John McCain

            From the article:  Who do you want answering that phone at 3 a.m.? A man who’s been cramming on these issues for the last year, who’s never had to make an executive decision affecting so much as a city, let alone the world?  A foreign policy novice instinctively inclined to the flabbiest, most vaporous multilateralism (e.g., the Berlin Wall came down because of “a world that stands as one”), and who refers to the most deliberate act of war since Pearl Harbor as “the tragedy of 9/11,” a term more appropriate for a bus accident? (Townhall)  Rich Lowry looks at the real Obama (NRO). 

4.         McCain Gaining in Key States

            According to several stories.  The Miami Herald says McCain is up in Florida (Miami Herald).  The difference in Pennsylvania is down to single digits, according to this poll (Strategic Vision). 

5.         Iran:  We Prefer Obama

            An Iranian parliament speaker said “We are leaning more in favor of Barack Obama because he is more flexible and rational” (AFP).  From Sarah Palin on the Biden mess:  And here his own running mate has just warned America — and it’s not the first time — he warned us throughout the primaries that Barack was not ready to be president. He reminded them that the election of Barack Obama will invite dangerous international crisis because he is untested.  Senator Obama’s own running mate, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has informed us that a serious international crisis is certain if Obama is elected, and that he is not ready to deal with it.  I want a president who is ready on day one (ABC News). 

6.         McCain Supporter Attacked

            The letter “B” scratched into her face.  Already the media is questioning the story (FOX News).  Remember when Obama told his supporters to “argue with them and get in their face”? (Youtube)

7.         Murtha’s Congressional Seat in Doubt

            The Democrat who called voters in his state “racist” then “redneck” is suddenly getting a challenge (Pittsburg Live).

8.         Town Drops “Christmas” from “Christmas Parade”

            And a fireworks company said, for this reason, they are pulling out.

            AP

9.         If Prop 8 Fails, Gay Marriage May be Taught in Schools

            A spokesman for the state superintendent said “It’s up to local school districts to decide.”  But many realize it won’t take long before it’s mandated.

            OC Register

1.         Obama on Biden:  It’s Just “Rhetorical Flourishes”

            Brushing off the stunning Biden remarks, many of which didn’t even make it into this ABC News story about Obama’s response (ABC News).  Video of Obama’s response is included in that last link.  From Hugh Hewitt:  “Pathetic” does not begin to describe this response.   In the first place, I can’t feel pathos, nor any other emotion save contempt, for someone who’s so badly twisting the truth: Joe Biden’s comments weren’t at all about a prospective McCain presidency, but explicitly and pointedly about the need for Obama supporters to rally behind Obama in an Obama presidency. (Townhall)  Nearly all of the stories, like this one from the New York Times, conveniently forgot to mention this key section from Biden:  And he’s gonna need help. And the kind of help he’s gonna need is, he’s gonna need you, not financially to help him, we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right. Because all these decisions, all these decisions, once they’re made if they work, then they weren’t viewed as a crisis. If they don’t work, it’s viewed as you didn’t make the right decision, a little bit like how we hesitated so long dealing with Bosnia and dealing with Kosovo, and consequently 200,000 people lost their lives that maybe didn’t have to lose lives (Sun Times).  Instead of covering the Biden story, the mainstream press focused on the cost of Palin’s wardrobe (CBS News).  Meanwhile, Biden is hiding (CBS News).  And then comes this story claiming Iran may be considering a preemptive strike (Haaretz).