MeFi post: Town Meeting! Town Meeting!

Has there ever been a game-changing Presidential debate?

Elections, especially ones like this, are games of inches. It would be convenient if debates were such clear blowouts that they swayed huge numbers of votes, but they rarely do. Obama's bump from the last one was about as good as it gets. Even when someone lands a good, memorable zinger, it doesn't mean the game is changed. LLoyd Bentsen never got to be VP, though he was pretty slick. Debates... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 2:28 PM on October 7, 2008

So what's the over/under on how long it takes someone at a McCain/Palin rally to shout "nigger!" within range of a microphone?
posted to MetaFilter by EarBucket at 2:32 PM on October 7, 2008

"Palin: Feminism's greatest leap forward since Madonna" is beyond the fucking pale.

To be fair, she got every word right there except "forward". That's a good batting average.
posted to MetaFilter by rokusan at 3:01 PM on October 7, 2008

When McCain whispers to me, I feel like he's making love to me.

My spinal cord just shuddered, tore itself out of my back, and fled the building.
posted to MetaFilter by Astro Zombie at 7:08 PM on October 7, 2008

(and that's not a racial epithet)

..the fuck is wrong with you?
posted to MetaFilter by John Kenneth Fisher at 7:25 PM on October 7, 2008

Ceiling Cat is watching you exacerbate.
posted to MetaFilter by jal0021 at 7:11 PM on October 7, 2008

That One/Biden '08
posted to MetaFilter by yeti at 8:14 PM on October 7, 2008

MeFi post: Sarah Palin may be a better debater than you think

fcm: Absolutely. She is the consumate trophy candidate. I mean, we've all rehashed to death her ability to fire up the evangelical base, so that part isn't new. What interests me is the layer beneath that, because in my mind her addition to the ticket definitely "taps," if you will, into her sex appeal. On some perverse level she bolsters McCain's fading virility, at least in the mind of the mouth-breathers you reference.

Furthermore, said mouth-breathers, who... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by shiu mai baby at 6:54 AM on October 4, 2008

Yeah, no, it's all good fourcheesemac. I've been away from the 'filter for the last couple hours. But I do recommend watching the doco, though!
posted to MetaFilter by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:51 AM on October 4, 2008

This morning I've been wading through a whole lot of commenting and speculation about her tax returns. There are two gray areas of interest. First the per diem. Juneau is the governor's home base and therefore whenever she works elsewhere, she is entitled to charge the state. She charged the state for the 312 days she spent at home in Wasilla. The Palins contend that the per diem payments are not taxable even though for purposes of her taxes Wasilla is listed as her tax home. There are also... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Secret Life of Gravy at 9:54 AM on October 4, 2008

So Todd uses their home as his office and Sarah uses the governor's office as a residence and they all get per diem whenever any of them visits their home which is actually Todd's office?
posted to MetaFilter by leftcoastbob at 12:37 PM on October 4, 2008

Is Sarah Palin the first time we've seen *directly* sexual marketing employed in a presidential campaign? I mean, the winking, the vamping, the flirtiness

**cough** Bill Clinton

I have not seen this directly proposed anywhere yet, but it seems an obvious question: did they pick a beauty queen on purpose, one who not only had the 'looks' but the moves as well?

It certainly crossed my mind from the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 4:15 PM on October 4, 2008

Even the devil can quote scripture.
posted to MetaFilter by lysdexic at 9:57 AM on October 5, 2008

The writer of this post pretty neatly sums up what I've been trying to articulate for four years. Basically that the whole culture war on intellectuals is the latest turn in this moronic debate, and that's it's bringing us to the point of no return.

One of the reasons I like Obama so much is that he’s able to speak in an intelligent, nuanced way about complex topics, without boiling things down to oversimplification and slogans. While I don’t want him to adjust that,... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by psmealey at 10:43 AM on October 5, 2008

I loved the Thunder Road video. But check out this one of Bruce testifying at the same rally. Now, that's inspiring.
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 11:12 AM on October 5, 2008

I urge my like minded comrades to join me in flagging the troll.
posted by fourcheesemac at 10:41 AM on October 5 [+] [!]

*sigh* ok, I'll restrain the fist of death.
posted to MetaFilter by lysdexic at 10:46 AM on October 5, 2008

Thanks for the laugh, Rafaelloello -- I don't know what's more hilarious on the website you linked to: "This Week in UFO History," the boilerplate Jew/Illuminati conspiracy crap, or Jeff Rense's hair.
posted to MetaFilter by scody at 12:13 PM on October 5, 2008

What I find interesting about the trolls is how closely they echo the official talking points. This is the week to smear Obama about his past associations, so these are the links we're seeing here, and on every other popular political site, today. A week or so ago it was all about secret racists who would never vote for a black man.

Amazing order-following at the bottom, but unmatched by message discipline at the top. Next week we'll be seeing a bunch of stuff about... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Bookhouse at 12:20 PM on October 5, 2008

'he is palling around with terrorists who would target their own country,' Palin said of Obama

Say it ain't so, Sarah, there you go again pointing backwards again. Now doggone it, let's look ahead and tell Americans what we have to plan to do for them in the future.
posted to MetaFilter by kirkaracha at 1:12 PM on October 5, 2008

He's setting up an excellent argument that McCain's resorting to negative character attacks is desperate and erratic and unpresidential, and merely a trick to take the focus off the economy somehow."George Will made an excellent point this morning on ABC's 'This Week.' Americans are about to get a mailing that is going to do wonders for Obama's campaign. They're going to be getting their quarterly statements from their 401ks and their pension plans. And it ain't going... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ericb at 1:15 PM on October 5, 2008

The trolls seem to catch me every time. I start out thinking, "What a great sense of humor. This guy really nails that right wing wacko stuff." After reading a little further it dawns on me that they are sincere serious. Wow.
posted to MetaFilter by pointilist at 12:05 PM on October 5, 2008

Man, I've been listening to am talk radio all week looking for any new dirty tricks, and all I had to do was come here.

All the radio pundits have to say is nothing new, Obama's a closet muslim, he's just another liberal, he's gonna kill your babies, etc. All debunked during the primaries. Yawn.

Googling "obama gay murder" nets you all kinds of reputable [insert sarcasm here] news organizations. Interstingly, it also includes the... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by lysdexic at 12:05 PM on October 5, 2008

And speaking of frauds and incompetents:

Thanks for trying, Rafaelloello! It must suck to be you right now.
posted to MetaFilter by Mental Wimp at 3:26 PM on October 5, 2008

I loved the Thunder Road video. But check out this one of Bruce testifying at the same rally. Now, that's inspiring.

Note, Sarah Palin, that's how you speak to American in its own language.
posted to MetaFilter by Mental Wimp at 3:35 PM on October 5, 2008

Todd Palin Agrees to (Troopergate) Board Interview. Hmmm.

It's important to note, however, that Todd Palin has agreed to an interview with the Alaska State Personnel Board (which is comprised of Sarah Palin appointees and is part of the state's executive branch) and not the original investigation into 'Troopergate' by the Alaska Legislature which originally voted for the probe and the one in which Todd Palin has refused to testify -- even though he... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by ericb at 4:32 PM on October 5, 2008

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the lamentable fall of Senator John McCain, as told through his ten Daily Show appearances:
First interview: having fun with inner monologues

"We're so delighted he's joining us, he has a reputation as a bit of a maverick"

"We're gonna find poo-poo!"
He has jackets

Sick and tired of negative campaigning

Criticizing Bush's... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 5:20 PM on October 5, 2008

There will be distinct cracks in the cozy "Yes We Can" Obama cocoon and the US will be looking for real leadership.

You forgot the "whaddya expect, a teama' mavericks!" part, governor. And the wink, also.
posted to MetaFilter by scody at 12:33 AM on October 6, 2008

I don't need a refresher on deflation, thanks. I work for myself and am very liquid.
posted to MetaFilter by Justinian at 12:35 AM on October 6, 2008

Springsteen's comments at the Philly rally, which were linked above, definitely bear repeating here:

"Hello Philly,

"I am glad to be here today for this voter registration drive and for Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.

"I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by shiu mai baby at 5:33 AM on October 6, 2008

Also, prefacing your snotty remarks with stuff like this: "Any of you living rent-free and typing away in your Momma's basement can ignore this..." is not only obnoxious and unhelpful, but it's a spectacularly shitty way to have a rational conversation with people who disagree with you.

How dare you talk to the Puppet Master like that? He's not lashing out incoherently, posting slanderous, conspiracy-theory links and videos - he's keeping... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 7:40 AM on October 6, 2008

[comment removed - please keep this from being a "fuck you, no fuck YOU" thread about the election. If you have issues with a particular poster, MetaTalk or email are your options. If you hate everyone here, you are welcome to not be here.]
posted to MetaFilter by jessamyn at 9:55 AM on October 6, 2008

According to FiveThirtyEight:

Odds of Obama landslide (375+ Dem. EVs): 27.64%
Odds of McCain victory (270+ Rep. EVs): 12.6%

So, an Obama landslide is now more than twice as likely to occur as any kind of McCain victory. I expect that ratio to improve with today's polling update.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 10:27 AM on October 6, 2008

I think the greater thing is what's going to happen to all those Republicans and conservative pundits who have squandered every last ounce of credibility they (ostensibly) had in their support for McCain, and particularly in their defense of Palin. The media's not so great at holding people like that responsible for what they say, but there needs to be a housecleaning of all the soothsayers and outright liars who get it wrong time and time again, and who are invariably invited back to... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by troybob at 12:40 PM on October 6, 2008

There is something (dare I say "fundamentally") wrong with this country when both the Presidential nominee and the VP nominee from the same ticket will lose their jobs and be forever banned from the field if they don't win the election.

It reminds me of a phrase I heard a while back, "When somebody is falling off a cliff, you have to ask yourself, 'how close do I want to be tied to this person?'" But in this case, I think we need to first ask... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by iamkimiam at 12:37 PM on October 6, 2008

1233Well, given the choice between a deflationary spiral and an inflationary one, I'll take the deflationary one for purely selfish reasons.

Don't feed the troll.
posted to MetaFilter by Mental Wimp at 11:19 AM on October 6, 2008

The campaign is set to release a 13-minute documentary

Every time I think the Obama campaign can't get any smarter, they do.
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 12:11 PM on October 6, 2008

From the Guardian: Flirting her way to victory: Sarah Palin's farcical debate performance lowered the standards for both female candidates and US political discourse.

Why do I have to rely on foreign journalists to deliver this kind of honesty. Jesus fucking christmas, I am sick to death of hearing even from formerly reliable journos on NPR about how well Governor Palin acquitted herself in the debate. If American journalists are still wondering why people have... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by psmealey at 2:33 PM on October 6, 2008

So naturally the surest way to make sure the press says only positive things about Sarah Palin is to ban them from her rallies! GENIUS move, Republicans!!

It's kind of endearing, actually. The McCain campaign is being run exactly like the Bush campaigns were... that is to say, if the Bush campaigns had been run by special needs children.
posted to MetaFilter by psmealey at 2:39 PM on October 6, 2008

That Obama list is great, though it only includes two Native American endorsements (Crow Nation -- of which Obama was made an honorary member earlier this year -- and Fort Peck Indian Reservation). Other endorsers include the Great Plains tribes, the All-Indian Pueblo Council, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the Navajo Nation, and more than 100 tribal leaders.
posted to MetaFilter by scody at 4:51 PM on October 6, 2008

Keith Olbermann tears Palin into tiny shreds and flushes her down the toilet.
posted to MetaFilter by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:45 PM on October 6, 2008

It's nice that the press is outraged now, but they'll forgive him.

They do it because they know they can get away with it.

It's up to us to let them know they can't.
posted to MetaFilter by lysdexic at 5:26 AM on October 7, 2008

A small but significant thing: As of today, Electoral-vote.com has moved Virginia from the "barely Dem" column into the "weak Dem" category. Just seeing that state go from blue outline to light blue makes me really happy.

This page is a great visual depiction of how far the state has come since 2004.

Moreover, upthread we had this quote:
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) now must win Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Minnesota... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by shiu mai baby at 5:45 AM on October 7, 2008

He's going to have to gut Washington, and that means he'll have to hire people to fill the slots. This could end up like another Carter admin with every lefty wingnut becoming the Assistant Secretary of XYZ and not having the faintest clue how these administrations are actually run.

This seems off to me; the Republicans have been gutting Washington for a long time, and clueless wingnut administrators have been one tool they have used.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by troybob at 6:05 AM on October 7, 2008

MeFi post: Hunch that thang

I'll never forget his show with GG Allin (no matter how hard I try).

I believe somebody has a story to tell... :)
posted to MetaFilter by Kattullus at 4:18 AM on October 6, 2008

GG kept sticking Sure SM57 microphones up his arsehole. Something about that humid environment interfered with their inner workings.

I just remember the guitarist leaning into his mic and saying (in rather plaintive voice) "GG needs another microphone..." followed by the shouts of the Late Great Mr Kerwood (owner)... "NOT ANOTHER ONE!!!"

I also found it odd that the drummer had porn taped up all around his kit so he could... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by chuckdarwin at 4:34 AM on October 6, 2008

MeFi post: Sarah Palin's Poujadist Agenda

Palin and Bush speak in the same tongue. It's a very special language that only national conservative politicians (and toddlers) speak. It's called "gibberish" and there's something about it that certain people in our country find very reassuring to hear in the mouths of those who are running for the most powerful job in the world.
posted to MetaFilter by madamjujujive at 8:53 AM on October 5, 2008

Palin isn't stupid. She's not a "soccer mom." She's not "folksy. She is not "cute" or a "sexy librarian." She is Evil. Seriously. She's a Cylon skinjob let loose in the fleet.

She is a fracking Republican politico, and as evil and truly anti-American as any Republican fundamentalist can be. She doesn't need any ideology: she simply needs the power of political office. She doesn't need to speak any truths - because an informed voter is... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by zaelic at 9:22 AM on October 5, 2008

MeTa post: reasons for leaving

Sometimes, when I get really busy with work, I close my browser. But I always come back within a few minutes.
posted to MetaTalk by aubilenon at 8:23 PM on October 3, 2008

MeFi post: The Darker Side of Charity

This will GiveWell...



I'll show myself out.
posted to MetaFilter by louche mustachio at 3:12 AM on October 4, 2008

Speaking of GiveWell, the dude who lost his board position for astroturfing ("Effective January 3, 2008, Holden Karnofsky has been removed from his position as Executive Director of GiveWell and from his position as Board Secretary") got it back last month ("(Holden was added to the board at a meeting on 9/8/08. A recording and minutes from that meeting will be available shortly.") He's once again Secretary of the Board of Directors.

He also writes... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by orthogonality at 9:17 AM on October 4, 2008

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