Archive for Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Obama, in Kansas City, calls Bush and McCain out of touch on economic issues
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama talks with American Airlines workers Tuesday inside the airliner's Kansas City, Mo., overhaul base.
August 26, 2008
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Election 2008
In-depth coverage of the candidates and the issues, all leading up to the Aug. 5 primary and the Nov. 4 general election.
The Democratic presidential candidate who has rocketed toward the nomination on statements about hope said Tuesday that fear about the economy is a major reason he should be elected.
"People are anxious. People are scared about the future," said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., during a visit to an American Airlines hangar and overhaul base in Missouri. "And you know something about this in this facility."
Obama called his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, and President George W. Bush out of touch on economic issues during the town hall meeting.
As airlines face tough economic times, maintenance jobs are uncertain; in Kansas City, American Airlines has cut its work force by 2,500 people in eight years.
Obama and McCain have both campaigned hard in Missouri, where most polls show McCain opening up a lead. Obama is making stops throughout the country this week at town hall forums before officially accepting the Democratic nomination Thursday night at the party convention in Denver.
Ronald Armstrong, a Lawrence resident and American Airlines stock clerk, said Obama's remarks about trying to keep manufacturing jobs in the country resonate with most employees.
"People don't know who is making their aircraft, and that to me is very important," he said.
Armstrong, 55, has worked for the company since 1977. He was laid off in 2005 and returned to work there three weeks ago, but he also recently decided to take a buyout because more layoffs are coming. Armstrong also works driving a bus in Lawrence.
Broader economic issues
The economy is a major issue in the campaign amid a housing slump and higher gasoline and oil prices.
Obama said the country continued to lose jobs overseas during Bush's two terms. He also cited statistics that said since 2000 the average American family's income had dipped $2,000 while it went up $6,200 during President Bill Clinton's tenure.
He also criticized McCain for recently saying the fundamentals of the economy were sound.
"If you don't know how many houses you have, no wonder you think we've made great progress economically. No wonder you think the economy is sound," Obama said, referring to a McCain response to a question on the campaign trail last week about how many homes he owned.
Obama pushed tax credits aimed at helping middle-class families and helping Americans find jobs in plants aimed at producing alternative sources of energy.
"If people tell you we can't afford it, just remember we are spending $10 billion a month in Iraq, when they've got an $80 billion surplus," Obama said of the Iraqi government.
McCain support
But as Obama tried to reach out to blue-collar voters, McCain supporters said their candidate still should have the upper hand in the Midwest based on his experience.
"John McCain has had all those years where he has shown the ability to work on bipartisan legislation," said Kansas Rep. Pat Colloton, R-Leawood. "Barack Obama's brief tenure in the Senate has not shown the ability to work on bipartisan issues of any latitude."
Colloton, a McCain campaign chairwoman for the 3rd Congressional District in Kansas, said the Republican has also presented more broad-based and business-friendly plans for energy and taxes.
The McCain camp has stressed his foreign policy experience, which some pundits believe was the reason Obama tapped Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as his running mate.
Before more than 200 supporters and airline workers in Kansas City, Obama acknowledged that it would be a close race even during a tough political climate for Republicans.
But Armstrong, the Lawrence resident and Democratic supporter, said he expected Obama to connect more with voters.
"He is a man of the grass roots," Armstrong said. "He's been out in the trenches."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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26 August 2008
at 2:22 p.m.
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KEITHMILES05 (Anonymous) says…
The house comment by McCain is very telling of this candidate. He has no sense of direction and caring and IS out of touch.
26 August 2008
at 3:59 p.m.
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PapaB (Anonymous) says…
Talking about how many houses McCain has is lame. It's a low blow and makes Obama look desperate. I don't really see any big differences in the generic messages either is saying
26 August 2008
at 5:15 p.m.
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JHOK32 (Anonymous) says…
Not knowing how many homes you own when thousands of our fellow Americans are living under a bridge is lame?!! Give me a break! It must be a tough world to live in when you don't even know how many homes you own, I should have such problems! I'll be glad to have more homes than I even know about and travel the world with my bleach -blonde multi-millionaire wife! Where do I sign up at? I'm quite sure McCain's ideas of “saving” taxpayer's money is no different than Bush's - charge up the national debt on a credit card our kids & grandkids will have to pay for…..who wouldn't like that job, unless of course you have a conscience and morals!
26 August 2008
at 5:25 p.m.
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VTHawk (Anonymous) says…
Wait, I thought he was in St. Louis…
26 August 2008
at 5:26 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
Was Obama in Kansas City or St. Louis? He said he was in St. Louis when in reality he was in Kansas City. Talk about having no sense of direction. The polls indicate he is the loser. No bump, actually a let down since he picked Biden. Sounds like a headline the JW would refuse to print. McCain is a lock in the electoral college as well. Keep on dreaming all you libs. You might say a prayer for your candidate as well (if you believe in God, -but you don't so never mind).
26 August 2008
at 5:50 p.m.
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75x55 (Anonymous) says…
Out of touch, where?
26 August 2008
at 6:02 p.m.
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dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…
RestoreReason (Anonymous) says:How “in touch” with average Americans is a candidate who received Koranic instruction at a Muslim school in Indonesia?–––––––More in touch than the type of person who would indicate a diverse education is a bad thing. More in touch than the type of person who would raise the residence and education of a 9 year old as an issue in a Presidential election.I guess children should limit themselves to a biblical education, right? They should also only learn English, they should ignore the terrorist science of physics and only learn biology, and trigonometry is for heathens.In addition, parents take heed - if you want your child to grow up and be President don't you dare spend time living in another country. Well, unless you're an Admiral, then it is OK.
26 August 2008
at 6:12 p.m.
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dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…
Really, RR? Then why didn't your first post say that? Because you were caught in a distortion and now you're trying to cover yourself?Guess what - you're still distorting. Obama's school in Indonesia was a public school, not a Muslim school. Obama's sister has said the 10 year old boy would sometimes attend prayer with his step-father, but he never participated.He was a child, he was attending services with his step father, and even despite all that, even as a child, he never participated in prayers.Keep trying. Want to make another distortion that will be easily dismissed?
26 August 2008
at 6:25 p.m.
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beatrice (Anonymous) says…
Nice to see so many people coming to loudly voice their opinions that the Bush/McCain economic policies are, or would good for America.Oh, wait. Nobody is. Not a single person. Pretty telling. Obviously it is much better to throw stones at where a child went to school … again and again and again, since that is what matters to some people the most. Obama for President!
26 August 2008
at 6:36 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
Actually, I was thinking Obama was in St. Louis AND Kansas City at the same time! Bilocation is what I think they call it. The famous saint Padre Pio is said to have done this, but his body was also found to be incorrupt after 40 years in a tomb. Obamessiah is right on! Of course the press would never print anything about this bilocation ability for Obama, not even the National Inquirer and they only reported that former presidential candidate John Edwards cheated on his cancer stricken wife - and they had the story dead on.I read there were bisexual groups attending the Democratic convention. I wonder if bilocation groups are attending as well?
26 August 2008
at 6:43 p.m.
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julienstockwell (Anonymous) says…
I was in Kansas City for the speech and Barack did a fantastic job not only stating his claim, but explaining what his campaign is about. His answers were very well thought out and he really connected to the audience. If John McCain somehow steals the election, I have no idea how we'll forgive ourselves for the next four years.
26 August 2008
at 6:49 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
Cut out the fluff and all of the stuff RR et al would say..I don't care where he got his education and I don't care if you all say he is the muslim manchurian candidate..he is more in touch with the regular wage earning guy on the street..(not to be confused with the ljw ots). i'm a die hard kansan working guy, livin it day to day, check to check, payin my bills (health insurance included)..trying hard to figure out how to help my kid through college. And I'm sick to death of the Bush types telling my how bad it ain't. We waste billions on nothing in Iraq..and the war on terror is not a myth, but don't spend my tax dollars killing windmills. there is a better way and the current Republican platform is not the answer. Lets try rebuilding America from the inside out. Regroup, reform and hit them again. If government is truly to be for the people and by the people, let us do it with the 95% for the common good and not the 5% at the top. People should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of their people. Viva la change.
26 August 2008
at 6:51 p.m.
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beatrice (Anonymous) says…
Well, Big Prune brought up John Edwards cheating on his sick wife, so I guess he won't be voting for Edwards.I wonder if BP knows of McCain's history of cheating on his sick wife, then divorcing her and marrying the much younger home wrecker a month later. Guess he won't be voting for McCain either since that cheating thing is so important to him. RR, did you know the cheating dog John McCain wasn't even born in this country? I don't think he is Constitutionally viable as a candidate. And the nurse who first spanked him — a Muslim.
26 August 2008
at 7:07 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
Guess what? go on guess. Most of us don't give a damn about who the POTUS is doinking. or did doink in the past. demo or repub. I could care less. we all have a proclivative to something special. My concern is how is he going to run the show..Sex should be a non issue..I want a guy that is going to treat us fair and not take crapola from the bad guys..is that too much to ask for..where is Teddy Roosevelt when you need him?
26 August 2008
at 7:34 p.m.
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acoupstick (Anonymous) says…
“How “in touch” with average Americans is a candidate who received Koranic instruction at a Muslim school in Indonesia?”From grade 5 through graduation he lived and attended school in Hawaii. He then moved stateside to continue his education. How does this prove he's not “in touch?” Throw all the crap you can against the wall and see what sticks. It's Turdblossom politics at its best (or worst).
26 August 2008
at 7:36 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
maybe a good thing Obama_sucks_for_real got impeached or repeeled by a recount..and evolve. I would have anticipated some severe rebuttal by now. ?? Anybody got a reply for the poor a** middle class guy trying to raise his kids, get them to college and raise a few adult mothers ergo grandkids? We say grace and we say ma'am, and if you ain't in to that we don't give a damn. My coon a** country folk say get out of Iraq..build some schools and highways and get us some affordable heat in the winter. And my one daughter would really like to take her kid to the doctor without going in hock for the rest of her life..but she does make $9/hour…Tell us to just get a job?? Come on guys, winter is coming, the car is broke down and my baby is coughing…again..and last I heard, the plant is set for some big layoffs…and bin laden is probably layin on the beach in the Caymans..Mr. Bush, Mr. Republican machine..bite me. It won't hurt anymore cause my kids are crying again.
26 August 2008
at 7:43 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
how does McSame's previous wife's lifestyle compare to he and his current bimbo's lifestyle? I know it's typical for all good republican's to get a trophy bimbo as second wife after first wife stands by and assists him in his struggling years. good old christian values at work. mindless conservatives love this.
26 August 2008
at 7:48 p.m.
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sdinges (Anonymous) says…
I think McCain should have known better than say he didn't know, and he should be better informed about his family's finances.That said, it's not important. It's not even a big deal that he didn't know. Every time Obama mentions it in one of his speeches or interviews, all he does is show he's not “above” politics as usual, as his campaign and supporters so frequently claim.The fact is, John McCain married a very rich woman. Should he be ashamed of her? Should she be ashamed of her finances? Give me a break - you only wish you or your spouse had her bank account. Guess what else? When you marry a multi-millionaire, it's not always your business or concern where she and her financial advisors decide to put her money. But you still have legal ownership to any property your spouse purchases after your marriage, regardless of prenuptual agreements or the origination of the funds.Should McCain have known? Of course. He is a presidential candidate and he should know every single detail of his and his wife's lives. Does it show he's “out of touch” with America? Sorry, but all it shows is that he's out of touch with his portfolio - which is actually very common among Americans.
26 August 2008
at 7:51 p.m.
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optimist (Anonymous) says…
McCain's wife is very wealthy. Some of their assets I'm sure are shared while others are not. I'm sure their/her investment portfolio is vast. It's quite reasonable for him to verify before answering incorrectly because he would then have been accused of lying. I think it was a ridiculous question asked for political purposes. The media person asking the question was clearly a plant by the Obama campaign given the resulting commercial was released in less than 24 hrs.I think Obama is desperate. The only thing he has done is to pit the “rich” against the “poor”. He has asked his supporters to back his plan to play Robin Hood, taking from those that have and giving it to those that don't; “From each according to his ability, to each according to their need”. If asking one American to envy another so much they wish them ill will is a platform then Obama has what it takes to win this election and we get what we deserve.
26 August 2008
at 7:55 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
26 August 2008
at 8:02 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
or maybe instead of taking from those that have and giving it to those that don't, one could look at it as paying your share based on your ability to give..I would have to admit, giving me a stimulus check (which was kind of like un-budgeted gravy) after I paid all those taxes was pretty stupid when the national debt is whoooh!..i always thought that when I couldn't pay the bills, maybe it was time to stop going to the casino. Or at least quit buying scratch off cards. Do scratch off cards have “democracy for a foreign country that is none of my business” as a prize?
26 August 2008
at 8:16 p.m.
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beatrice (Anonymous) says…
So I guess all those whining about Obama's economic plans think that McCain's plan is better because he married a rich woman. That has been the only thing mentioned so far. Brilliant. No substance at all, just more of the same, but while married to a rich woman. It is time to stop pretending to be Canadian when traveling abroad. Time to vote Obama!
26 August 2008
at 8:20 p.m.
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kujayhawk (Anonymous) says…
McCain married into all of those houses. Right there proves he understands the whole economics thing.
26 August 2008
at 8:28 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
thats it!! Problems solved. I hope my wife doesn't mind..she is disabled. I'll fire her and find a really rich woman.. Hold on Annie!!! you're going to Harvard. Oh darn..rich bitches are like scratch off cards..I'll only get a free ticket or a dollar. The one thing the well off republican right never understood..reality sucks, unless you're them.
26 August 2008
at 8:47 p.m.
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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…
This is too funny.Exactly, what does the poster boy for affirmative action know about economics?Does the messiah have a economics genealogical timeline that I am not aware of?Did his promiscus goat herder for a dad, pass on some economical secrets to the messiah or his half brother George, that lives in a shack, that the public is not aware of?
26 August 2008
at 8:53 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
barrypenders, are you a natural racist? or have you taken lessons from the republican party? either way, you have mastered the skills needed to be an expert. must be in same class as cato the ignorant and kevin. when the class reuion bein held?
26 August 2008
at 9:06 p.m.
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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…
Oh stop it beobatcherThese are all scientific facts.They can be proved with statistics, which is nothing at all in the same ball park as something as fuzzy as religion.
26 August 2008
at 9:14 p.m.
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dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…
I thought JC Watts was the poster boy for affirmative action.
26 August 2008
at 9:16 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
barrypenders.”Exactly, what does the poster boy for affirmative action know about economics?Does the messiah have a economics genealogical timeline that I am not aware of?Did his promiscus goat herder for a dad, pass on some economical secrets to the messiah or his half brother George, that lives in a shack, that the public is not aware of?”Show me the scientific facts?Realize I'm no expert, so please define the economic gene and location in DNA for me.
26 August 2008
at 9:21 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
offtotheright, can you refute the cut & paste post?
26 August 2008
at 10:20 p.m.
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barrypenders (Anonymous) says…
Joe Biden recognized the 7-11 gene in Indians.Do I need to continue?
26 August 2008
at 10:20 p.m.
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Defender (Anonymous) says…
“Where did you find that stupid cut and paste?”Like beobatcher said, can you refute ANY item in that 'cut and paste' OTR? No? I didn't think so. You're purely un-American, through and through. You have no interest in truth whatsoever.
26 August 2008
at 10:50 p.m.
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Rationalanimal (Anonymous) says…
Talk to Detriot, Pittsburgh and Cleveland about manufacturing. The enviro-facist arm of the Democrat party has destroyed the economies in those areas. Sebelius, a mid-west grown marxist, has all but destroyed Kansas' economy.When Barrack Lenin Obama says “Yes We Can,” what exactly is he saying yes to?In his speeches, Pelosi, Reed, Clinton, Biden, Sebelius, T-Bone's speeches is nothing but “No We Can't.” We can't solve our energy needs through the full gamet of America's God-given resources, we can't compete with China, we can't win in Iraq, we can't thwart Iran's efforts to get a nuclear weapon, we can't defeat islamic-facism, we can't be the greatest country in the history of the world, we can't worship God in a public forum, we can't protect life (even when a baby survives a botched abortion), we can't let citizens decide how to spend our money, we can't let citizens own property free of government regulation, we can't drive and buy the cars we want, we can't decide what doctor and how much health care we get, we can't, we can't, we can't.The tenants of the Democrat party are the antithesis of basic principles of human freedom embodied in our founding documents—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.This is how neomarxism work. They put labels on things/programs like “progressive” or “smart car” which are the complete opposite of what they really are. In reality, Democrats are the “No You Can't” party unless you fill out a litany of applications, litigate for years on end, get approval from impenetrable levels of bueracratic systems and otherwise win the abitrary and capricious approval of certifiably insane bueracrats that love nothing more than to wield power over the “commoners.” One need look no futher than Lawerence's own city government for evidence of the excessive big brother government marxists envision for America. It is absolute power thrust upon the backs of American citizens that the Demomarxists desire. Barrack Lenin Obama is definitely their man.
26 August 2008
at 11:28 p.m.
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Mkh (Anonymous) says…
So would someone like to tell me what either Obama or McCain plans on doing about our $53 trillion debt in unfunded liabilities? Anyone?Hellooooo…is there anybody out there?
27 August 2008
at 12:43 a.m.
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UFC_FAN (Anonymous) says…
mhk…that is a great question. i had someone ask me what would happen if the u.s. gov't just defaulted on it. i had no answer. what would happen?
27 August 2008
at 9:19 a.m.
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jafs (Anonymous) says…
Mkh,I assume you're talking about Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security?Congress just passed a budget that is supposed to move us towards balancing over the next 5-10 years, I believe.Also, Obama will probably raise taxes on the rich and large corporations.I have no idea what McCain's plan is.Our national debt is about $9 trillion, if you're not including the above programs.
27 August 2008
at 9:21 a.m.
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jafs (Anonymous) says…
And, for the record, over the last 35 years our government has run at a deficit except for 4, all of which were during Clinton's term as president.The worst by far were in the 80's with Reagan.I really don't understand how Republicans can paint themselves as “fiscally conservative”.
27 August 2008
at 10:30 a.m.
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meggers (Anonymous) says…
RR: “How “in touch” with average Americans is a candidate who received Koranic instruction at a Muslim school in Indonesia?”In case you haven't received the memo, Corsi is a discredited liar who relied on a blogger as one of the primary 'sources' for his hit-job book.http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1835629,00.htmlExcerpt: 'Neither Martin nor Corsi, however, report the response from Obama's friends and associates, both in the U.S. and Indonesia, who have pointed out that children at the school were often classified under the religion of their father. Although Lolo Soetero, Obama's stepfather, was nominally a Muslim, Obama (then known as Barry Soetoro), studied Catholic catechism at the school.'
27 August 2008
at 9:49 p.m.
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Rationalanimal (Anonymous) says…
So would someone like to tell me what either Obama or McCain plans on doing about our $53 trillion debt in unfunded liabilities? Anyone?++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Aside from filing chapter 17 bankruptcy (don't look it up, that's a joke), McCain plans to cut pork barrel entitlement spending while Obama has proposed to triple spending and compensate for such with jacking taxes through the roof and implementing a marxist redistribution system of government. That's the “change” Barrack Lenin envisions, he just doesn't have the guts to say it in public because even the dumb Americans which comprise 85% of the Democrat party would eventually catch on to him. I frankly don't like McCain, but, he is about the only chance America has right now of balancing the national budget. Romney is also a budget cutter. So, the two together would have Pelosi pulling her hair out in fistfuls and Reed stuttering like the dottering fool he is.