This is the best graph I've seen all day.
Friday, October 31, 2008
#159: Mary Hart
Mary Hart is a Maverick for implying that Sarah Palin might be interested in taking over her job at Entertainment Tonight, just in case the whole VP thing doesn't work out. Sarah Palin laughs knowingly...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
#154: Suing Your Opponent
Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota is suing his opponent for defamation of character, Al Franken, in the final days of the race. He's apparently not concerned that his own ads have accused Franken of "writing pornography, laughing at the disabled, humiliating minorities and demeaning women." [Huffinton Post]
Here's one of the ads Coleman objects to:
#153: Forgetting Where Joe the Plumber Is
"Is Joe here? No? Well, you're all Joe the Plumber so stand up!"
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
#150: Getting Serious for a Minute
As the New York Times reports today,
No blaring country songs. No pink handmade signs. No rousing chants of “Drill, baby, drill." Gov. Sarah Palin abandoned the usual flash of her campaign rallies on Wednesday to deliver her second policy speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee, an address focused on energy security.
I guess all of the hate's not working so they're trying out talking about real issues. Too bad the layer of hate is so thick that nobody can hear anything else at this point. Too little, too late?
#148: Students for McCain
In a scathing expose today, the New York Times exposes literally dozens of college students who support McCain. Here are some choice quotes from his young supporters:
“We’re trying to get 20-year-old kids,” said Chris McMonagle, a tall, dark-haired senior from Lansdale, Pa., “to vote for a 72-year-old man.”
“When I walk down the street carrying my campaign materials, people yell at me,” said Katie Nix, 22, the statewide co-chairwoman of Students for McCain. “I just keep hearing, ‘Obama! Obama!’ ”
“What is that, a robot?” he said, exhaling noisily. “The Obama campaign has a robot set up in the plaza. It’s holding a sign that says ‘Powered by hope.’ Which I don’t think is entirely accurate.”
#147: Tailgating the Palin Rally
Republican Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana will not be appearing with Sarah Palin at a rally in Jeffersonville tonight. But this is of course no reason to think this Maverick is distancing himself from the McCain campaign.
"I'm going by (the Palin rally.) I've got another event scheduled at the same time, but it is close by, so I'm going to go by and spend as long as I can there and hang out in the parking lot and spend some time with the folks standing in line or patiently waiting to get in," Daniels said. "I'm not speaking at the rally, no."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
#146: Offering Your Dangerous Opinions
Unofficial McCain spokesman Joe the Plumber keeps offering his "opinions" on Foreign Policy.
Since when did Fox News get responsible reporters? I might have to start watching that channel...
#145: Grasping at Divisive Straws
Politico reports that the McCain campaign is demanding that the L.A. Times release a video of Barack Obama at a going away party for a Palestinian activist. Clearly this is the tape that will turn the tides!
#143: Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley will run for Governor of Alabama in 2014. If his campaign commercials are anything like this one, they will be very entertaining.
Monday, October 27, 2008
#141: Ted Stevens
Just in time, the Senate's longest-serving Maverick, uh, I mean Republican, is found guilty of violating ethics laws. Check out his endorsement of Palin for Governor:
She was not as generous in returning the favor for his re-election bid.
#140: Having No Sense of Humor
How many of the quotes in this ad do you think had something to do with a comedy routine?
#139: Pre-Approving Interview Topics
Those liberal elite media can't fool Sarah Palin. Especially when they're not allowed to ask her questions she hasn't already approved.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
#135: Touring the Fake America
Rob Riggle takes some Real Americans on an enlightening tour of Fake America.
#133: David Sedaris
David Sedaris on the phenomenon of undecided voters:
I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.
#132: Extending Your Own Tax Cuts
According to thinkprogress.com, McCain's tax plan would have saved the McCains $730,000. Under Obama, they would have only saved $62,000. And yet somehow, he's still a Maverick fighting for all of the "Name the Occupations" out there.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
#128: Forgetting to do "the Hand Quote Thing"
Karl Rove says something that he may regret, but blames in on forgetting to make quotes with his hands.
#127: Demanding Your Money Back
One GOP donor on the whole $150K Palin wardrobe debacle:
“As a Republican Eagle and a maxed-out contributor to McCain’s general campaign, I’d like my money back – he can still have my vote.”
Perhaps others won't be so generous with their votes...
#126: Celebrity Bloggers on Huffington Post
These Mavericks are adding something important to the discourse.
Alec Baldwin:
If you think an appearance on Saturday Night Live would sway voters and actually affect the outcome of the election, you may have more contempt for the electorate of this country than the Republican National Committee does. And that's a lot of contempt.
Larry David:
Five times a day I'll still say to someone, "I don't know what I'm going to do if McCain wins." Of course, the reality is I'm probably not going to do anything. What can I do? I'm not going to kill myself. If I didn't kill myself when I became impotent for two months in 1979, I'm certainly not going to do it if McCain and Palin are elected, even if it's by nefarious means.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
#125: Spinning the Al-Qaeda Endorsement
Here's what the McCain campaign's national security advisor James Woolsey had to say today about Al-Qaeda's endorsement of McCain for president:
This individual knows that the endorsement of people like him is a kiss of death, figuratively and literally. So it seems to me it’s pretty clear that, by making this statement, that he wants — it would be a good thing for McCain to be president, he’s clearly trying to damage John McCain, not speaking from his heart.
Here's what McCain had to say about Hamas endorsing Obama back in March:
#124: Not Calling Obama a Socialist
"I'm not gonna call him a Socialist" but Joe the Plumber thinks he's a Socialist.
#123: Slapping Protesters
Watch Karl Rove slap this woman as she tries to put him in handcuffs in a citizen's arrest for treason.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
#118: Answering Great Questions from 3rd Graders
In an interview with KUSA in Colorado, Sarah Palin answered little 3rd grader Brandon's questions about what the Vice President does by saying, "[T]hey’re in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." Sure she got it wrong, but Maverick that she is, she looked so excited while answering it.
#117: Applying an Old Strategy to a New Problem
McCain supporters have been seen heckling early voters as they go into the polls. People are holding signs that say "Obama loves Dead Babies" and shouting about his cocaine use. This is eerily reminiscent of the actions of abortion clinic protesters. There has got to be something illegal going on here.
#116: Visiting Your Grandmother
Could Obama's decision to take 36 hours out the remaining two weeks of the election to visit his ailing grandmother actually help him win over the elusive frightened old woman vote? I mean, c'mon, terrorists don't visit their grandmothers...
Monday, October 20, 2008
#115: Whoever Shot The Dead Obama Bear Cub
This is the most disturbing and ambiguous college prank/political protest I've heard of in quite some time.
#114: Rudy Giuliani's Stance on Drugs
Two telling quotes from Rudy Giuliani:
November 2007:
"I respect his honesty in doing that. "I think that one of the things we need from our people who are running for office is not this pretense of perfection. And the reality is all of us that run for public office, whether its governor, legislator, mayor, president, we are all human beings. If we haven't made mistakes don't vote for us."
October 2008:
"God forbid somebody would do some reporting on Barack Obama's use of drugs."
#112: Race-Baiting Rick Davis
Let me get this straight. Because someone has accused the McCain campaign of inciting racism, they're going to incite more racism??
"Look, John McCain has told us a long time ago before this campaign ever got started, back in May, I think, that from his perspective, he was not going to have his campaign actively involved in using Jeremiah Wright as a wedge in this campaign," he said late last week. "Now since then, I must say, when Congressman Lewis calls John McCain and Sarah Palin and his entire group of supporters, fifty million people strong around this country, that we're all racists and we should be compared to George Wallace and the kind of horrible segregation and evil and horrible politics that was played at that time, you know, that you've got to rethink all these things. And so I think we're in the process of looking at how we're going to close this campaign. We've got 19 days, and we're taking serious all these issues."
#111: Not Hearing It
Sarah Palin can't be expected to hear what her supporters are shouting out at campaign rallies. That's the "mainstream media's" job.
#110: Alec Baldwin
Watch him keep his eyes on the teleprompter, presumably to avoid looking into Palin's eyes and subsequently strangling her.
#109: Conceding Early
Is John McCain bowing out or just trying to feed to overconfidence of the Obama campaign? Either way, he's a Maverick for throwing everyone off by seemingly admitting defeat. From Fox News on Sunday:
"Oh, sure,'' Mr. McCain said. " I mean, I don't dwell on it. But, look, I've a wonderful life. I have to go back and live in Arizona, be in the United States Senate representing them, a wonderful family, daughters and sons that I'm so proud of and a life that's been blessed. I'm the luckiest guy you have ever interviewed and will ever interview. I'm the most fortunate man on earth and I thank God for it every single day.''
"So if the world turns an unfortunate way on November 4th, don't feel sorry for John McCain?" Mr. Wallace asked.
"Don't feel sorry for John McCain and John McCain will be concentrating on not feeling sorry for himself,'' Mr. McCain said.
Mr. Wallace said, "And you might just be president."
"You never know,'' Mr. McCain said.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
#105: Avoiding Depression
From the the Washington Post:
"So North Carolina, I appreciate you all so much, who are here who already get it. You know, maybe I'm preaching to the choir a little bit here, but being here encourages me because I know that I'm not alone and I'll send this message back to John McCain also. At those times on the campaign trail when sometimes it's easy to get a little bit discouraged, when, you know, when you happen to turn on the news when your campaign staffers will let you turn on the news," she said, prompting laughter from the group. "Usually they're like 'Oh my gosh, don't watch. You're going to, you know, you're going to get depressed.'"
Also from this report:
Palin also made a point of mentioning that she loved to visit the "pro-America" areas of the country, of which North Carolina is one. No word on which states she views as unpatriotic.
That's very Maverick.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
#103: Robocalling
This may or may not be legal. But after McCain stated last night that he didn't care about a "washed up terrorist," it's certainly Maverick.
#102: Obama Bucks
A California Republican Women's group thought it would be hilarious to send out a mailing featuring a depiction of "Obama Bucks," a currency that they claim will become legal tender when Obama is elected. When charged with racism, the group's president, Diane Fedele said:
"I didn't see it the way that it's being taken. I never connected," she said. "It was just food to me. It didn't mean anything else."
#99: Mocking the "Health" of the Mother
Come on people, the "health" of the mother? That could mean anything. Let's not get carried away here on what qualifies as a woman's "health." This Maverick's got his priorities straight.
#98: Joe the Plumber
Echoing John McCain's questions about Obama in recent weeks, Joe Biden asks "Who is the 'real' Joe the Plumber?"
UPDATE: Joe the Plumber is not a licensed plumber and his name is Samuel.
#97: Looking Incredulous
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
#96: Sitting Down
Tonight's debate will feature the candidates seated together at a table. According to MSNBC's Kelly O'Donnell, McCain is "at home" sitting down. At least he won't be wandering around...
#95: Voting for Terrorists
From an election focus group in an upper-Midwestern state:
The next was a woman, late 50s, Democrat but strongly pro-life. Loved B. and H. Clinton, loved Bush in 2000. "Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but I'm sick of paying for health insurance at work and that's why I'm supporting Barack."
Sometimes a Maverick's gotta take a chance and pull the lever for a terrorist.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
#94: Exploiting the Next Generation
I can't wait to see what kind of crazy Maverick shit John McCain pulls to retaliate against these kids.
#92: Pennsylvania Jews
From the Washington Post story on Jews who hate Palin:
"Palin -- God forbid! Where did they find her?" Evelyn Fruman exclaimed Monday before a Clinton speech at a Jewish community center here.
"God forbid!" Gail Silverberg chimed in. "Hockey moms and lipstick on a pig and six-packs? I don't want that stuff."
Nearby, Rina Jampolsky was wearing a "Hillary Sent Me" button next to a pin saying "Barack Obama" in Hebrew. "I thought I wouldn't vote at all when Hillary left the race," she said. "But as soon as McCain selected Sarah Palin, my decision was made."
#90: Giving Fair Warning
Following Barack Obama's challenge to John McCain that he should bring up William Ayers to his face, McCain has now said “I think he is probably ensured that it will come up this time.” Of course, now McCain is giving Obama plenty of time to prepare a response. Good move, Maverick.
Monday, October 13, 2008
#88: Ironic Advertising
Perhaps the McCain campaign should rethink running this banner ad on the homepage of fivethirtyeight.com. I guess it takes a Maverick to overlook the 94.9% win percentage for Obama.
#86: Refusing to Decide What is "Inappropriate"
From an interview McCain did yesterday with a local Virginia news station:
WSLS: THE CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN VIRGINIA HAS SAID, QUOTE IN TIME MAGAZINE, “BOTH BARACK OBAMA AND OSAMA BIN LADEN HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE BOMBED THE PENTAGON. THAT IS SCARY.” IS THAT APPROPRIATE FOR A STATE PARTY CHAIR TO BE SAYING?”
MCCAIN: “I have to look at the context of his remarks. I have always repudiated any comments that have been made that were inappropriate about Senator Obama. The fact is that William Ayers was a terrorist and bomber and unrepentant. I don’t care about that. But, Sen. Obama ought be the candid and truthful about his relationship with Mr. Ayers in whose living room Sen. Obama launched his campaign and Sen. Obama said he was just a guy in the neighborhood.”
#85: Holding Back the Bold New Proposal
On Friday, the McCain campaign leaked word to Politico that they were on the verge of unveiling a bold new economic plan. Then, late last night, they announced that they did not have a new proposal. Tucker Bounds encapsulated this Maverick move best:
"We do not have any immediate plans to announce any policy proposals outside of the proposals that John McCain has announced, and the certain proposals that would result as economic news continues to come our way," said spokesman Tucker Bounds.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
#84: Andy Martin
A direct quote from Andy Martin, the man who started the rumor in 2004 that Barack Obama is a Muslim:
“I am able to understand how the Holocaust took place, and with every passing day feel less and less sorry that it did.”
#83: Contradicting Yourself
This New York Times article highlights all of the ways in which John McCain's policies contradict each other, which we all know is the cornerstone of any Maverick's political strategy.
Case in point:
#82: John Lewis
Rep. John Lewis has released this statement, comparing the McCain/Palin smears on Barack Obama to the dangerous rhetoric of George Wallace.
George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who only desired to exercise their constitutional rights.
#81: Correcting the Facts
Watch McCain get booed by his crowd when he calls Obama a "decent person" and "not an Arab."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
#79: Breaking the Law
Turns out Sarah Palin did break the law. Will anyone care? She already admitted that she's a Maverick.
Friday, October 10, 2008
#78: Creating the News
Bill Keller, executive editor of the New York Times says that they reported the Bill Ayers story when they did because the McCain campaign had been pushing them to do it. This contradicts Sarah Palin's claim that she brought it up on the campaign trail because she was "responding to the news of the day." I'm not sure who's more Maverick in this case. The McCain camp for telling the New York Times what to report, or the New York Times for listening to them?
#77: Scary Film Contact Sheets
I've been trying to figure out the subtext in McCain's use of film contact sheet imagery in his new ads. Anyone have any ideas on that?
#74: Frank Keating
Another Keating enters the mix, calling Obama a "guy of the street" and bringing up his drug use on Dennis Miller's radio show.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
#70: Going Primetime
The Hollywood Reporter has reported that the Obama campaign has bought 30 minutes of primetime on CBS on Wednesday 10/29, six days before the election. Strongly Maverick move by Barack. What will he run? How many people will tune in? And how many "New Adventures of Old Christine" fans will he lose in the process? We'll have to wait and find out.
#69: Admitting You're Stupid
After Shane McQuillan was convicted of damaging a waste water treatment plant by ramming his car into it, a Wisconsin judge gave him a choice to serve jail time or stand outside the plant holding a sign saying "I was stupid." Clearly a Maverick, McQuillan will hold the sign.
#68: Visual Train Metaphors
Someone sent me this illuminating image under the title "Election Language We Can All Understand."
#67: The NRA
Oh, thank god. The NRA has finally endorsed fellow Maverick John McCain. I think this is that elusive "game-changer" he's been looking for.
#66: Terrorist Ayers
In this new 90 second ad, McCain reminds us that Obama is a terrorist. I mean that Bill Ayers is a terrorist. Agghhh! I keep getting confused!
#64: "Inadvertently" Blocking Voters
The New York Times reports this morning that several swing states have removed tens of thousands of voters from the rolls or blocked new voters from registering in ways that violate federal law. States like Colorado, Ohio, Nevada and North Carolina as just being Mavericks. The federal government has no business telling states who has the right to vote.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
#63: Campaigning During a Campaign Suspension
On September 24th, McCain famously suspended his campaign to focus on the economy. But, being the Maverick that he is, he wasn't about to stop running TV ads. From the Wisconsin Advertising Project:
"The McCain campaign cut back on its television advertising in the days following McCain's announcement that he was suspending his campaign to focus on the economy. On September 24, his campaign aired 2,447 ads and on Sept. 25, it aired 1,304 ads. From September 26-28, McCain aired 302, 670, and 852 ads respectively. On September 29, the campaign returned to previous advertising levels, airing 2,687 ads."
Thank goodness the people of Wisconsin didn't miss out on gems like this:
#62: Challenging Party Leaders
McCain has been talking a lot about how challenging party leaders makes someone a Maverick. He must have been very pleased with this appearance by David Brooks where he says that Sarah Palin "represents a fatal cancer to the Republican Party."
#61: Making Fun of People With Speech Impediments
House Minority Leader John Boehner displayed some Maverick behavior at a fudraiser yesterday, saying this about Barney Frank: “You know where he’s from. He’s from Massachusetts, although he can’t say the word ‘Massachusetts.'”
Isn't he just opening himself up for retaliatory "Boehner" jokes?
#60: Not Anticipating the Hammer
My favorite moment from last night's debate. Just watch the smile fade after McCain thanks Obama for the "compliment."
#59: Instilling Fear
In an interview yesterday with the right-wing Magazine Newsmax, Joe Lieberman stated:
I worry that Sen. Obama’s world view is naive. Sen. McCain has been around awhile. He’s learned some things. I’ve traveled the world with him a lot. He’s, he will be the kind of president who our allies will trust, but who our enemies will fear. And in a dangerous world, al Qaeda, Iran, Iran trying to get a nuclear weapons, we want a president who our enemies will fear. I don’t believe that Sen. Obama will be that kind of president.
I'm scared of both of these men.
#58: Cindy McCain
In an interview with the Tennessean, Cindy McCain called out Obama for running, "the dirtiest campaign in American history."
Watch this clip from last night's 'Countdown' and let me know how much dirtier it could get than this.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
#56: Kenya
Jerome R. Corsi, author of hilariously titled "The Obama Nation" has been detained in Kenya for alledgely working without a valid work permit. The New York Times indicates that he will be deported. Wouldn't the really Maverick tactic be to keep him there?
#55: Terrellita Maverick
From the New York Times:
Terrellita Maverick, sister of Maury Jr., is a member emeritus of the board of the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
Considering the family’s long history of association with liberalism and progressive ideals, it should come as no surprise that Ms. Maverick insists that John McCain, who has voted so often with his party, “is in no way a maverick, in uppercase or lowercase.”
“It’s just incredible — the nerve! — to suggest that he’s not part of that Republican herd. Every time we hear it, all my children and I and all my family shrink a little and say, ‘Oh, my God, he said it again.’ ”
“He’s a Republican,” she said. “He’s branded.”
Oh yeah, well your name's Terrillita, so...
Monday, October 6, 2008
#52: 3 in 4 Mammals
The New York Times reports that 1 in 4 mammals could disappear due to climate change. But what about the other 3 in 4? Like humans. Like Mavericks. Like John McCain. He's not endangered, right?
#51: Rolling Stone
Maverick writer Tim Dickinson finally makes the Maverick-Reckless connection that 'That So Maverick' has been belaboring for over 11 days now.
#50: Not Being "Other"
McCain may be a Maverick, but he is not an "Other". Today in Albuquerque, John McCain has begun asking his stump speech audiences, "Who is the real Barack Obama?"
UPDATE: In this video, does someone yell "Terrorist!" after John McCain asks who the real Obama is?
#48: KeatingEconomics.com
Taking the fight beyond simple campaign ads and to a full-fledged website and documentary. Is Obama taking a page out of the Maverick handbook?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
#38: Australian Zoo Rampages
A 7-year-old Australian boy displayed real Maverick behavior on Wednesday morning when he "broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock."
Thursday, October 2, 2008
#35: Psychic Predictions
Apparently the stars are not aligned for Sarah Palin tonight, giving an edge to Joe Biden. It is quite a Maverick move to form opinions based ideas that have no basis in rational or scientific priciples.
#33: Other Alaskan Women
Challenging Sarah Palin's status as most Maverick Alaskan Woman, about 1,500 came out for the Alaskan Women Reject Palin rally, making the biggest political demonstration to ever occur in Alaska.
Photos here.
#32: Ralph Stanley
What a Maverick! Ralph Stanley really breaks with "traditional country music values" on this radio ad.
#31: Teetering on the Brink
John McCain is a Maverick because he's not afraid to vote for something that he believes will put the country on "the brink of economic disaster."
#29: Being Too Nice
A radical Muslim prayer leader said the president shamed the nation for "indecent gestures, filthy remarks, and repeated praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt."
Everytime a Maverick just tries to be nice...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)