Obama rejects charges of flip-flopping.

Well, there's always open toe sandals.

Is it just me or does any one else thing Cindy McCain is a pain in the a$$? Seems like John is much more likeable.

Well, what you expect from a trophy wife? I mean, I'm sure the guy didn't learn his lesson from CASINO.

Frank Barone: "You're a trophy wife? What contest in hell did I win?"

Merkel warns Obama not to use landmark for 'electioneering'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel slammed a request by Barack Obama to give a speech this month before the Brandenburg Gate as "inappropriate", her deputy spokesman said Wednesday.
The conservative leader said that while she would be pleased to meet the US Democratic presidential hopeful, it would be wrong for him to hold a "campaign rally" at the historic symbol of German unity.

"It is unusual to do electioneering abroad," spokesman Thomas Steg told reporters.

"It is unusual to hold election rallies abroad. No German candidate for high office would even think of using the National Mall (in Washington) or Red Square in Moscow for a rally because it would not be seen as appropriate."

Authorities in the capital have confirmed that Obama plans to visit Berlin on July 24 and is interested in speaking at the foot of the Brandenburg Gate.

The left-leaning government of the city-state, which has the sole right to approve such a request, has not yet made a formal decision but Mayor Klaus Wowereit gave his backing Tuesday.

Steg said Merkel had "limited understanding" for such a request and found the Obama team's initiative "a bit odd". But he said it was up to candidates such as Obama to decide what was "in good taste".


The gate, built in the late 18th century under Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm II as a symbol of peace, became the country's most prominent symbol of German unification in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall the year before.

In an unusual move, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier sharply contradicted Merkel's views at a regular government press conference, saying they could be interpreted in the United States as an affront to Obama.

Foreign ministry spokesman Jens Ploetner said Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, was eager to meet Obama after speaking with him on the phone in April.

Republican presidential contender John McCain should also be welcome to speak at the Brandenburg Gate if he chose to, he added.

"The foreign minister does not find it odd," he said, adding that an Obama speech at or near the site would be "an expression of the vital German-American friendship" just days after Washington opened a new embassy next to the gate.

Ploetner rejected media reports that German diplomats in the United States had actively courted Obama to speak at the Brandenburg Gate.


But he said that German envoys had talked with his campaign about possible sites in Berlin he could visit such as the former Cold War border crossing at Checkpoint Charlie or the Holocaust Memorial.

German officials have noted in recent days that only elected foreign leaders have been invited to hold speeches at the gate and not political candidates.

These include the famous address at the landmark in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan, who called out to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall!"

Obama's staff said Saturday that he would visit France, Germany, Israel, Jordan and Britain to discuss "common challenges" with countries "critical to American national security". But it did not provide details of his programme.

Despite the flap over his visit, the Illinois senator, who is vying to become the first African-American US president, is wildly popular in Germany.

A survey released this month showed that 72 percent of Germans back Obama to become the next US leader, against just 11 percent for his presumed Republican opponent John McCain.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080709141314.t3ju24gp&show_article=1

If DoubleJ was here, I'm sure he would be saying "Heil Obama."

Remember that SNL sketch years back where George Foreman went back in time to 1930s, beat up Hitler, and became the Fuhrer?

July 9, 2008
Jesse Jackson apologizes for comments critical of Obama
Posted: 03:55 PM ET


(CNN) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson issued an apology to Barack Obama Wednesday for criticizing the Illinois senator's recent comments directed toward some members of the black community.

According to Jackson, a Fox News microphone picked up comments he meant to deliver privately that seemed to disparage the presumptive Democratic nominee for appearing to lecture the black community on morality.

"For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize," Jackson said in a statement issued to CNN. "My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment."

"My appeal was for the moral content of his message to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility," Jackson also said.

"That was the context of my private conversation and it does not reflect any disparagement on my part for the historic event in which we are involved or my pride in Senator Barack Obama, who is leading it, whom I have supported by crisscrossing this nation in every level of media and audience from the beginning in absolute terms."

Over the course of the campaign season, Obama has at times directed criticism directly to the black community, most sharply in a Chicago speech on Father's Day that criticized some men for failing in their duties as parents.

"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it," Obama said then.

"You and I know how true this is in the African-American community. We know that more than half of all black children live in single-parent households, a number that has doubled — doubled — since we were children. We know the statistics: that children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime, nine times more likely to drop out of schools and twenty times more likely to end up in prison," he also said.

Oh yes, Jesse Jackson....the same man who got busted some years back on his love child by the tabloids...:p

I'm just hearing about the Jesse Jackson comments now on CNN. They say they can't say exactly what he said. From what I gather, they are talking about a speech he made to the black community, which I think was wonderful. He said, among other things, that "there are far too many absent fathers in the black community" and went on to scold them (so to speak) for not being involved in their children's lives. Now keep in mind he was talking to a black community, but he also indicated that "all" fathers should be involved. Anyway, as usual, I find his speeches so "right on" an very inspirational.

I guess Jackson said something "off color" on open mike (don't know what) but his apologizing now. Like one commentator said, the Jesse Jackson era is over and this is a "new" way of thinking for the Black community.

Now, as far as the German Chancellor story goes, I have a feeling that Obama will be very well received in Germany and pretty much wherever he goes. One question to RR, or maybe Goombah, or someone who might know....isn't this German Chancellor the lady who our very tactful President tried to give a shoulder massage to???? You guys know what I'm talking about? The MSM of course wouldn't dare print a negative story on Bush, but he was at a Summit or some function put his hands on her shoulders and started to massage her. ha hah... She definitely was startled and jumped. Gotta love that cowboy charm. Idiot

TIS

Chancellor Merkel. Yes, she was

Talk about a rub. *drumroll*

JESSE JACKSON SAYS HE WANTS TO CUT OBAMA'S 'NUTS OUT'
By CHARLES HURT, D.C. Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON - In a vulgar tirade caught on tape by Fox News, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said he wanted to "cut his [Barack Obama's] nuts out" and he accused the fellow Chicagoan of "talking down to black folks" by giving moral lectures to African-Americans, source said.

Jackson's shocking quotes were picked up by a hot mic before an interview on health care in Fox's Chicago studio last Sunday.

Fox planned to air the recording on Bill O'Reilly's "The Factor" show.

In an effort to blunt the controversy, Jackson issued an apology.

"For any harm or hurt that this hot mic conversation may have caused, I apologize," Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson said he couldn't recall everything he'd said in the studio but couched the remarks as part of a discussion about Obama speaking to black churchgoers.

In such settings, Obama has urged greater emphasis on fatherhood, advised parents to choose reading books over playing video games and most recently told young students to stick with school and forget about a career as a rap star or professional basketball player.

Jackson said that in doing so Obama was hurting his relationship with black voters, "that the senator was cutting off his you-know-whats with the black people and black churches."

Jackson told CNN that he called the Obama campaign to apologize and reiterated his support for the campaign of the first black nominee of a major party.

"My support for Senator Obama's campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal," he said in his statement. "I cherish this redemptive and historical moment."

Obama had no comment.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07092008/new...bama_119161.htm

Dan Abrams was talking about this and evidently Fox news (no surprise)was the only one that showed the clip. So, then Abrams showed the Fox News clip.

Anyway, Jackson was with another guy and it did seem neither realized they could be heard. They were talking low. Jackson made the "cutting off his balls" remark and although I couldn't actually see his hand, I swear, by his facial expression that he made a swift chopping motion (for lack of a better word) with his hand as he said it. He looked pissed. Jackson has been apologizing ever since and last I heard Obama accepted. Also, his son who is an avid Obama supporter sent a scathing statement about his father's remarks.

TIS

Here is a good opinion article about reaching out toward the middle: The Audacity of Listening

Here is an excerpt:

Jackson's `Crude' Remarks May Give Boost to Obama

July 10 (Bloomberg) -- The Reverend Jesse Jackson's derogatory comments about Barack Obama could provide a boost for the presumptive Democratic nominee, giving him an opportunity to win over some voters who have been skeptical of his candidacy.

Jackson was appearing on Fox News on July 6 when a microphone picked up his remark suggesting that Obama was ``talking down to black people'' in recent speeches at black churches, according to a tape of the comments played on Bill O'Reilly's show on the Fox News Channel.

He then said, referring to Obama, ``I want to cut his nuts off,'' according to the Fox News Web site. At the time, he was speaking to Reed Tuckson, executive vice president and chief medical officer of United Health Group Inc.

Jackson, 66, apologized for his remarks, telling CNN yesterday that they were ``crude.'' The comments may turn out to help Obama by emphasizing his call for personal responsibility, a favorite topic of Republicans, said Mark Rozell, a professor of public policy at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia.

``It reinforces Obama's effort to present himself as an advocate of responsible personal behavior, a position that Republican candidates like to secure as uniquely their own,'' Rozell said.

The Illinois senator, who in August stands to be the first minority candidate to be nominated for president by a major political party, spent Father's Day last month at one of Chicago's largest black churches telling the audience that they should set better examples for their children and shouldn't abandon them.

`Any Fool'

``Any fool can have a child. That doesn't make you a father,'' Obama, 46, said at the Apostolic Church of God, which has more than 20,000 members. ``Too many fathers are AWOL, missing from too many lives and too many homes.''

Jackson's comments help Obama in other ways as well, said Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University in Ames.

``This helps Obama make the case that he is not a `black' leader but just a Democratic candidate for president,'' Schmidt said. ``Cynics are asking if Jackson made this comment on purpose to help Obama.''

Jackson, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, said he didn't know the microphone was on when he commented on Obama's speeches.

`I Offer Apologies'

``Anything I said in a hot-mic statement that's interpreted as a distraction, I offer apologies for that,'' Jackson said at a news conference yesterday after his remarks became public.

``I have supported Barack's campaign with passion from the very beginning. I thought the very idea made sense,'' Jackson said. ``We've been there all the way, because I think this campaign is a redemptive moment for America and a great opportunity to redefine America.''

Jackson told CNN that his criticism about Obama was that he ``comes down as speaking down to black people.'' He said Obama should also be talking in the black community about issues like health care, jobs and justice.

``That's a range of issues on the menu,'' he said. ``Then I said something I regret was crude.''

Jackson's comments were criticized by his son, Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., an Illinois Democrat and a national co-chairman of Obama's presidential campaign.

``I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric,'' the lawmaker said in a statement. ``He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself.''

Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said Obama ``will continue to speak out about our responsibilities to ourselves and each other, and he of course accepts Reverend Jackson's apology.''

He should do more than just forgive Jackson, said David Schultz, a professor in the graduate school of management at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

``Obama should give Jackson and O'Reilly an award for helping his campaign with white voters,'' Schultz said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aBVQKOnx0sDo&refer=worldwide

The most enticing aspect of Obama being elected president is that it basically puts Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton out of business.

If the president is black they are no longer "black leaders."

Another "gift" for Obama.

Evidently McCains Economical adviser said that American is a nation of "whinners" and that this recession is a "mental" recession, or something of the sort.




TIS

Here it is!


Story

A mental recession? Hmmmm...can I pay my ever-increasing bills mentally instead of with actual money?? That might help me get over it "mentally".

This was as harsh a rebuke as Jackson could get...to be ignored.

Don't wait for the invitation to the innaugural, Jesse.

What I love is how the other day, the McCain campaign was given a goldmine of an issue with the Iranian test missiles......but before that issue could be milked by them, two things happen:

The Jackson "Nuts" Incident, and now this "Nation of Whiners" comment.

Its funny, but with McCain calling Obama "Jimmy Carter II", you would think that McCain would have learned his lesson from Carter's infamous "malaise" speech, right?

Ugh, PHIL GRAMM!

McCains Economical adviser "Gramm" appears to only think 98% of the population whines, but calls it something else when the top 2% does it. This man (and his wife) helped create the "Enron Loop-Hole" and allowed speculators to drive up the price of oil. There is a reason he is called "Foreclosure Phil".

I'm not whining, I'm disgusted with Gramm and his corprate criminal buddies rigging the game, lying and cheating. McCain really surrounds himself with "great" men.

Now Saladbar,

Quit your whinning. I'm sure it's just a "mental" thing. You don't like "straight talk?"


TIS

Obama responding to Dr. Phil Graham's "Nation of Whiners" statement:

"America already has one Dr. Phil, we don't need another!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XlsZznzb5E&eurl=http://www.awardsdailyforums.com/showthread.php?p=279401&posted=1#post279401

Puh-leeze. It's insulting. This jerk is an elitist in the worst way. It's as ridiculous as Barbara Bush saying that the Katrina refugees were enjoying the Astrodome because it was "much nicer" than what they were used to.

I guess if it is a mental thing, we can just use our minds to transport us to work! Save gas!!

Not to mention that it turns out the Iranian missile pictures were doctored to make it appear they had more missiles than they did. The only question I have is who did the photoshop work...the Iranians or the Bush administration.

Our mortal enemy the Soviet Union possessed a bevy of ICBMs that could devastate US cities. The Chinese have such a fledgeling arsenal. But here we are "worried" about Iran with a handful of intermediate range missiles, but no arsenal and certainly nothing to top them off with except conventional warheads.

The MIRVd nuclear warheads atop the 24 ICBMs in a typical US nuclear submarine culd devastate not only Iran, but the entire middle-east and irradiate it for 10K years.

I don't know if it was intended or not, but I really can't stop laughing at this:

"Our mortal enemy the Soviet Union..."

Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR