I was happy after the last debate

• What are some of your thoughts on Obama? - kam
  • I was happy after the last debate - DW
  • This was one of his stronger speeches. - piglet
    • Barack Obama has a lot going for him..s/m - whorn
    • Thanks for replying guys... - kam

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Sunday, Oct. 02, 2005 Power Outage House leader Tom DeLay's indictment upends the Republicans' to-do list and their outlook for next year's elections. Can they recover in time? By KAREN TUMULTY AND MIKE ALLEN The news that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had been dreading for months was brought by an aide, who interrupted DeLay's weekly lunch with Dennis Hastert in the House Speaker's office. DeLay absorbed it, and then the man widely called the Hammer on Capitol Hill (though rarely to his face) did what he does best: he hit back. All right, DeLay replied. Let's go. Let's go fight. Less than three hours later, before a roomful of reporters, DeLay addressed a Texas grand jury's charge that he and two political associates conspired to funnel $155,000 in illegal corporate campaign contributions into Texas legislative races. He called it one of the weakest, most baseless indictments in American history and the prosecutor who brought the case a partisan fanatic. That night, anxious to show he's not a recluse, he introduced Rudy Giuliani at a Friends of Israel banquet. DeLay even made an uncharacteristic round of the cable shows, hinting darkly on cnn that he would soon produce very good evidence that his nemesis, Travis County district attorney Ronnie Earle, had engaged in a conspiracy of his own--with the Democratic leadership here in Washington. Combativeness has seen Tom DeLay through near-death experiences before, but on the Hill late last week, it was hard to miss the signs that his foot soldiers and allies had begun positioning themselves in anticipation of his demise. G.O.P. rules require that DeLay, 58, majority leader since 2003, relinquish his post while he fights the conspiracy charge, and speculation is rife that even if he is acquitted his days as one of the most powerful men in the House could be over. You leave a job like this, there is no coming back, says a top Republican official who likes DeLay and thinks he will be cleared. Politics abhors a vacuum more than anything else, and it's going to move past him too quickly. Almost immediately, it did. A plan engineered by DeLay and Hastert to install complaisant Rules Committee chairman David Dreier as temporary majority leader was nixed by conservatives who dislike Dreier's moderate positions on stem-cell research and gay marriage. Instead the brain trust installed ambitious whip Roy Blunt, who will share some of the majority leader's duties with Dreier. The setup is so shaky that some House Republicans are pressing for the election of a new leadership team as early as January. Meanwhile, lobbying shops that had traded on the access to DeLay were desperately dialing House aides to forge new relationships. Those not tied to DeLay were calling the same staff members to gloat. There's millions of dollars on the table, said an aide who had heard from both camps. These guys are going to slaughter each other. What's left of the G.O.P. leadership, already beset by a raft of other political problems, was trying to figure out how to salvage the ambitious legislative agenda of more tax cuts, hurricane help and gas-price relief that they want to carry them to next year's midterm elections--a more difficult challenge with the sidelining of the man who had so determinedly pulled off many of their close victories. DeLay may not have seen the worst of it yet. Sources tell TIME that while Earle was closing in on DeLay from Austin, Texas, a federal investigation into the spreading scandal around disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, accused with Michael Scanlon (a former press secretary of DeLay's) of bilking their Indian-tribe clients out of $66 million, has begun lapping at the edges of the former majority leader's operation. A former Abramoff associate who was questioned by the FBI in August says, They had a lot of e-mails, a lot of traffic between our office and DeLay's office. Many of those exchanges involved lavish travel by DeLay arranged by the lobbyist but requested, the e-mails suggest, by aides in DeLay's office. (House members are allowed to accept gifts under limited circumstances but not to solicit them.) Says the source: There was nothing I saw that hit DeLay personally, but there was a lot of questionable stuff that was going on with his staff. 'Tom wants this. Tom wants that.' Was it really him or just the staff that was being aggressive? DeLay's office wouldn't comment on the Justice Department investigation, and neither would the FBI. Republicans had plenty of problems even before the latest blow to DeLay. Voters are angry about gas prices, the war in Iraq and the botched response to Hurricane Katrina. Polls show President George W. Bush at or near the lowest public-approval ratings of his presidency. On the other side of the Capitol, Senate majority leader Bill Frist faces an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into the circumstances surrounding his decision to sell all of his stock in the hospital chain founded by his family, Hospital Corporation of America, in June, just before the share price dropped following a bad earnings report. So dispirited are Republicans that some worry about losing control of the House--a danger that once seemed remote. We're looking in the crystal ball. We're moving into an area where we don't know what will happen, says deputy whip Tom Cole, a conservative from Oklahoma. With a switch of only 15 seats required to end their majority, Cole is anxious that the party may have to contest as many as 100 tight races if the winds arraying against it turn into a national backlash like the one that ended the Democrats' 40-year reign in 1994. Having seen how the Democrats failed to galvanize their voters in that campaign, Republicans say the chief goal in rewriting their strategy for the fall will be to re-energize their base. The plan taking shape calls for a robust conservative agenda through next spring, including a tax-reform package. That move would allow Republicans to pivot back to issues like education tax credits that would appeal more to moderates as the elections approach. As for DeLay, his struggles appear likely to consume him for many months. He has launched what amounts to a major political campaign to convince supporters that the indictment is flimsy and he is a victim of a political smear. DeLay pointed to Democrats' vow to use G.O.P. ethics as a campaign issue, and supporters noted criticism of Earle in Texas for speaking in May to a $100,000 fund raiser for a Democratic political action committee (PAC). But DeLay has produced no evidence Earle conspired with Democrats in Washington. While it's true that Earle and DeLay have been locked in a complicated war of Texas-size egos for years, the charges against DeLay are fairly simple. During the 2002 elections, a committee DeLay founded to support conservative politicians--Texans for a Republican Majority, or TRMPAC--allegedly accepted $155,000 in corporate donations and then included that in a check for $190,000 to the Republican National Committee, which then routed a similar amount to seven Texas legislative candidates. DeLay's lawyers say the transactions were separate and that the PAC accepted money from both individuals and corporations. The contribution helped produce six wins that were crucial to DeLay's political ambitions in Washington because they resulted in a Republican majority in the state legislature, which redrew congressional district lines and helped add five more Republicans to the state's congressional delegation. If convicted, DeLay faces up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. DeLay has done his best to paint the D.A. as a Democratic loose cannon. But Earle, 63, points out that of the 15 public officials he has prosecuted, 12 have been fellow Democrats. Texas law makes it a felony for corporations and labor unions to contribute money to political campaigns, Earle tells TIME. My job is to prosecute felonies. I'm doing my job. The grand jury foreman, William Gibson, 76, insists that this was not one of those rubber-stamp deals. Ronnie Earle did not indict Mr. DeLay. Twelve people on that grand jury voted to indict. If DeLay has cause for hope, it may be that Earle has been more successful convicting minor figures than major ones. The majority leader has put together a legal team headed by Dick DeGuerin, who handed Earle the most spectacular failure of his career: a 1994 misconduct case against former state treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison that Earle was forced to drop on the first day of trial. Hutchison is now the state's senior Senator. There are those who predict that DeLay will be able to balance mounting a defense with pulling strings behind the scenes in the House. But whereas he had been accustomed to just stepping downstairs to the majority leader's spacious suite of Capitol offices after a House vote, dusk last Thursday afternoon found DeLay outside on the Capitol Plaza, waiting at a traffic light to return to his office in the Cannon House Office Building across the street. Just like any other Congressman.

you are the biggest hypocrite ever.  I was debating with you, but just because you didn't like what I said you said I was attacking you.

Again, you're are a sad individual....hateful sad individual.

I hope we never forget that brave American soldiers fought and died for our freedom to post on this very board!  Here's hoping that we all still have the same freedoms in the USA next year this time as we have today. 

My flag is hanging proudly.  I hope you all have a wonderful day.

First it was that **we couldn't debate,** now it is ** persecution.** When did I say I was persecuted. I merely said the Crusades have been seen in a negative light for as long as I can remember and suddenly they are being seen in a good light. That's all, kaput, the end. Martyr...don't think so.

I don't know how you can live with such disdain for all liberals and all Arab peoples and have any peace or joy in your life. That is a full-time job, being angry.

Once again, this is a subject I feel very strongly about.  I applaud anyone who broadens their education by learning a foreign language or learning anything new for that matter.

That being said, I believe that anyone who wishes to immigrate to THIS country should wish to embrace our language, our customs and our way of life, not the other way around.  I am speaking here of the illegal INVADERS.  I imagine that those who become citizens through legal channels, most likely learn English.  I am sick to death of hearing babbling everywhere I go, to the grocery store, to restaurants, everywhere.  My ancestors immigrated LEGALLY from Ireland and Germany.  The other side of the ancestors were herded up and driven to a reservation like so many cattle.  I live next door to the Cherokee Nation and not once have I heard them speaking in their native tongue outside of their Powwows, although they strive to keep the language alive. They don't require a press 1 for Cherokee on every telephone message system. 

If this language issue isn't enough, it infuriates me that the Mexicans can come here to OUR country and march in their demonstrations while waving their MEXICAN flag.

Unfortunately, the reason we have to learn THEIR language to commuicate is most likely the majority who enter our country illegally are ignorant in even the most basic education and thus not likely to be able to learn a foreign language i.e. English.

You are correct, if we aren't willing to stand up for the heritage of our country; we may as well learn the language as one day we will most likely be part of Mexico and Spanish will be the official language.

per debate commission and Obama. Let's rock.

been more indepth and not just the same old ho hum we have been hearing since the start.  Then again, it was only the first debate and hopefully they will get better.  We have a right to hear specifics from both candidates.  We have a right to see them put on the spot to see how well they handle themselves.  I want specific questions directed to each candidate and I was specific answers with details.  I don't want just a pleasant little Q&A session of fluff. 

I was kinda struck by how Obama kept harping on the 10 billion a day (was it?) spent in Iraq...but talking about more troops to Afghanistan.  Three brigades I think he said he would send.  Okay.  So, we are just going to transfer the 10 billion a day to Afghanistan instead of Iraq.  Still going to spend it, just in a different place.  I was almost yelling at the TV at McCain...ASK HIM ABOUT THAT.  lol.

All kidding aside....what I took away from it was Obama leans heavily on Joe Biden for the foreign policy stuff because he is just out of his element.  I thought Obama looked uncomfortable, and I got really tired of the smirk after awhile.

On the other hand...in all fairness, John needs to drop the "Miss Congeniality" line.  I was talking to the TV again..."we know, John, we KNOW."  lol. 

I think what makes Obama dangerous is his world view.  I do not say that to be mean....I just don't think he is realistic about it.  On the one hand he praises General Petraeus (that he got right), and turns right around and won't own up to the fact that the surge worked (even though O'Reilly got him to admit it).  Just goes back to the war was wrong.  The country is still divided on that.  You can't turn back time...and to lose it now would be wrong.  Petraeus DID say Obama's plan for a timetable was wrong.  I would think more of him if he would say "okay john, you were wrong about the war, but we're there and can't change that.  And I was wrong about the surge."  I know...dream on...lol.

It was a little alarming to me, facing what we are facing with this "rescue" bill, he STILL talked about spending bazillion dollars.  He would not, when pressed, name ONE thing he would put on hold.  That just makes NO sense to me, with the "rescue" bill, the deficit, owing money to China yada yada....and wants to fund that stuff with stiff taxes for business...in a down economy.  Sorry, I think that's NUTS.   Sorry....that also tells me he is either not real smart, or trying to get the vote of people who can't see past "he is going to lower my taxes and give me free health care."  I really don't think he is not really smart, so if he gets selected he will be saying  "I wanted to do these things, but the economy won't let me."  

I have heard people talk all morning (on the Dem side) about how he mentioned the middle class and John McCain didn't.  Frankly, the way it appeared to me, was Obama was pandering to the have nots and McCain is not going to promise something he knows he couldn't deliver in the economic situation we find ourselves in.  I thought it was kinda patronizing actually.  McCain understands that small businesses and yes, nasty corporations, drive this economy and employ a huge number of Americans.  In an economic downturn higher taxes on businesses does not work.

Another thing I think McCain should have JUMPED on is that Obama supports the Hank Paulson rescue plan endorsed by Bush and John McCain doesn't like it as it stands.  Obama is siding with BUSH!  Oh well....lol.

the results would be the same no matter who the moderator or modulator or referee or interpretor was.

To see that a couple of people will stand up with me.  This nation was founded on the principals of Christianity.  We kicked God out of our schools, courthouses and everywhere else a few thought He should go and look where we are now.  Kids killing each other in the schools, etc. etc. Now I hear they want to take "In God We trust" off of our money.  And my further opinion.........these radical evangelicals who think that anyone who says, "Lord, Lord" must be a Bible thumping Christian, have done more to turn people away from God than the other way around.   No wonder we're in such a mess. 

For anyone who wants to jump on this as "religion"....well don't.  I don't propose that anyone who doesn't want to turn to God be forced to do so but I do believe that it is high time that Christians.....or those who follow Christ (or try to)... stand up and be heard.  AND I believe when enough of us do that, God will lead us.  Again....this is my opinion and I'm not talking about "religion," I'm talking about those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savoir.  He gave us a choice to accept Him or reject Him and I don't believe he would want us to cram him down anyone's throat who does not want to be a believer.

I'm off my stump now.

After watching the debates I have finally made up my mind.  We can not afford to have the angry, unstable John McCain in the White House.  He was not only angry, he was sarcastic.  My husband and I kept laughing waiting for him to explode.  I happen to live in a state that is leaning toward McCain.  I notice on the local TV station's forum, 5 people who have been avid McCain supporters have said they changed their  mind after watching the debates.  It was evident that Obama was angry a couple of times, and I don't blame him but he never lost his "cool."

The race issue is going to play a part in this election but I wonder, has anyone considered that Obama is both black and white?  Maybe, just maybe, he could be the one to finally put the race issue to rest.  Many blacks will vote for him because he is "black."  Many whites will not vote for him because he is "black."  Ridiculous.  He is equally black and white.  Since Lou Dobbs is not running in the first place, he has no chance of being elected.  I have decided I will take a chance on Obama.  If he turns out to be the worst president in history, well, I'll come back and say I helped elect him.  The only real issue I have with him is that of  his church affiliation.  I noticed that was not brought up in the debate so I can only assume that McCain has investigated that thoroughly and found that there is nothing there that would benefit him.

And as for "Joe the plumber"........I have no doubt that with his notoriaty he will own his own plumbing company but what about my son, "Bill the plumber" who also aspires to own his own plumbing company?  My son, "Bill the plumber" has been inclined to vote for McCain but doesn't think either candidate will help him own his own company and neither do I.

I didn't hear anything about "Jane the MT."  What about all the MTs who can't find a job?  That might be a good talking point.......did anyone notice that Obama wants to reduce medical costs by putting medical records on the internet?  Can anyone say bye-bye medical transcriptionists?  Of course that is already in the works so really won't make much difference.

I must admit that I am not happy about Barrack Obama winning.  I do still have some fear because it seems like there is so much about him that we do not know.  I still worry about his inexperience as well.

However, I hope he is successful as president.  I don't wish him to fail because if he fails.....we all fail.  I hope he is a wonderful president who can bring us out of our crisis.  We will just have to wait and see. 

Just because I'm worried and scared of what is to come....doesn't mean I won't give him a chance.  I will give him a chance and hope and pray that I was wrong about him all along, but until he proves to me that I am wrong....I'm still naturally going to be worried, nervous, scared, etc.  That doesn't make me unpatriotic or a radical republican.  It makes me human.

"To be sure, Obama and his staff have long insisted that they are not measuring their progress on the whims of the markets. One day's gains can be tomorrow's losses. But for those in the commentariat who are down on what has happened under the current president's watch, it's worthwhile putting recent developments in historical context." Your input, not mine.

At lunch time, it was down, but by the end of the day, it was up. The market is not "ready" to rebound yet. Too much still up in the air. I don't get where you think 1 or 2 days gain is the greatest thing that happend since apple pie.  If I had a bunch of money to throw away, I might be throwing some into the stock market now and taking it out tomorrow, but I don't, so I won't. Those that do have the money are doing just that, putting in and taking out the same day. That's not a very reliable way to judge the stock market.

Granted, if it would keep going up, I might move my 401K into a more aggressive portfolio, but after losing more than $7K, I'd rather wait. I only had triple that in a pension plan, so I would rather be safe than sorry.

This does not mean the plan is working yet and I'd rather be safe with what's left of my piddling 401K than sorry.

Don't jump on the bandwagon  yet. There's still a lot left to be desired in the plans and/or laws that they are trying to put in place.

a president who spends more in a few months than Bush did in 8 years?  How can you be happy with a man who said he would sign no bill with pork in it and then turn around and not even read a bill and sign it loaded with pork?  How can a man who campaigns on pulling troops out of Iraq be praised for what he is doing when he has extended the time line to keep troops in Iraq and is sending more to Afgan?  How can you praise a man for giving rights to people who wish to have an abortion but at the same time take away the rights of those who might refuse to perform it because they don't believe in it?  How about the fact that he would appoint no lobbyists and turned around and did just that?  A man who obviously bows to the Saudi King and then lies about it when it is on video tape!! 

This isn't prejudging someone.  It is seeing a politician for what he is.....a liar. 

It never ceases to amaze me that just because someone doesn't agree with Obama that they are instantly categorized as racist or prejudice.  Doesn't it occur to you people that maybe I don't like Obama because he is a liar and it has nothing to do with his race.  A liar is a liar no matter what race or sex a person is.

I'm so sick and tired of the race card.  Obama is the president and each president deals with criticism.  It isn't like this is a new fad of criticizing the president just because he is of mixed race.  If McCain had won, he would have been criticized for every little thing he did too.  Deal with it!

Most, if not all, of YOUR posts are incredibly tasteless, in addition to being rude, crude, offensive and frequently untrue.  Yet, NO liberal has accused you of saying they aren't allowed to speak.

Incredibly tasteless = Not permitted to speak IN WHAT WAY?

Are you agreeing that the poster lied in saying that Army Mom was told she wasn't allowed to speak?

No, of course you're not doing that.

Never mind.

that have attempted to be started on the CON board.  Unfortunately, no one seems interested in engaging in an intelligent discussion there.  Instead, they apparently prefer to come here and vent.  I have no idea why you're congratulating me.  I don't believe I've chased one LIBERAL away from the LIBERAL BOARD.

And I obviously don't deserve any congratulations for chasing the CON trolls from this board because they've entrenched themselves here and won't leave.  Maybe your congratulatory wishes should instead be directed at them. 

Let's start with the chosen people concept.