Sunday Open Thread
Chat away...
Comments (131) «
Anybody worried about Nader taking crucial votes away from Obama?
Florida's religious folks get front page again. Should not be on front page, should be in Life or religion section.
One of the most extreme religious women here gets press time to say they are scared of Obama.
Spokeswoman for tattooed, Joel's army evangelist....is scared of Obama.
She is/was a radio host. She scares me with wanting to take away my religious freedom.
Maybe he will talk to his good buddy William Ayers about elimination. Then he can return the favor and give Billy the Bomber a place on his cabinet as Minister of Unexpected Explosions.
Waters Caught Lying About Fannie Mae Ties on 'Real Time'
By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
October 11, 2008 - 12:23 ET
* [Email this to friend]
* [Printer-friendly version]
Maxine Waters, a key Democrat congresswoman that has been implicated in blocking government oversight that could have prevented the current financial crisis, was caught lying Friday evening about her connection to failed lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
During the panel discussion of HBO's "Real Time," Waters was challenged by the Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore about the campaign contributions she's received from these government sponsored enterprises.
Despite what public records clearly show, Waters denied she had ever taken any money from these two companiesBy Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
October 11, 2008 - 12:23 ET
* [Email this to friend]
* [Printer-friendly version]
Maxine Waters, a key Democrat congresswoman that has been implicated in blocking government oversight that could have prevented the current financial crisis, was caught lying Friday evening about her connection to failed lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
During the panel discussion of HBO's "Real Time," Waters was challenged by the Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore about the campaign contributions she's received from these government sponsored enterprises.
Despite what public records clearly show, Waters denied she had ever taken any money from these two companies:
BILL MAHER, HOST: When John McCain was at the Saddleback Ranch, I mean Church...I always call it a ranch; and he was asked a question, they both were, by Rick Warren, you know, "what do you do about evil?" and he said DEFEAT IT!
STEPHEN MOORE, WALL STREET JOURNAL: That's a good answer!
MAHER: Right. But it might take him two terms. And Obama said...he had a very different answer. He said "Be humble about it." Because he was trying to say, you know, ‘evil, it's not something you can really defeat because there's no devils out there.' Sorry.
{audience laughter}
MAHER: The devil is within us, you know. And when I see what went on on Wall Street the last eight years, that's evil to me. That's the evil within us.
{raucous applause}
MAHER: You don't see that?
MOORE: I do!
MAHER: What about...I mean, don't you think they need regulation? People say ‘well, they don't need regulation because, you know what, it was just because they got greedy!' Of course, they went to work on Wall Street! Who goes to work on Wall Street except greedy bastards?
MOORE: Is there something wrong with wanting to make money?
MAHER: No, but you have to regulate it! That's where the problem is; that there was no regulation.
MOORE: Well, let's talk about regulation. One of the insti...the biggest institutions that's failed this year was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is an institution that your friends, the Democrats... in fact you, Congresswoman, did not want to regulate...
REP. MAXINE WATERS (D-CA): ...I believed...I believed...
MOORE: ...you said it wasn't broke, you said it wasn't broke, you said it wasn't broke five years ago at a Congressional hearing, and you took $15,000 of campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie.
WATERS: ...no I didn't.
MOORE: Yeah, you did, it's in the Senate (inaudible)...
WATERS: No it's not.
{inaudible cross-talk}
MOORE: You took money from the PAC.
WATERS: Wait just a minute, just a minute...
MOORE: ... and so did Barney Frank, and so did Chris Dodd.
WATERS: That is a lie and I challenge you...
MOORE: Okay.
WATERS: ...to find $15,000 that I took from Fannie PAC...
Okay, Congresswoman, I'll take that challenge, for the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org reported the following on September 11:
When the federal government announced two months ago that it would prop up mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, CRP looked at how much money members of Congress had collected since 1989 from the companies. On Sunday the government completely took over the two government-sponsored enterprises, and we've returned to our data to bring you the updates, this time providing a list of all 354 lawmakers who have gotten money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (in July we posted the top 25). These totals are based on data released electronically from the FEC on Sept. 2 and include contributions to lawmakers' leadership PACs and candidate committees from the floundering companies' PACs and employees. Current members of Congress have received a total of $4.8 million from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with Democrats collecting 57 percent of that. This week we also wrote about how much money lawmakers had invested of their own money in the companies last year--a total of up to $1.7 million. [...]
Name Office State Party Grand Total Total from PACs Total from Individuals
Waters, Maxine H CA D $17,800 $15,000 $2,800
As such, Moore was right, and Waters was lying through her teeth.
For those interested, during a 2004 Congressional hearing about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Waters said:
Through nearly a dozen hearings, we were frankly trying to fix something that wasn’t broke. Mr. Chairman, we do not have a crisis at Freddie Mac, and particularly at Fannie Mae, under the outstanding leadership of Franklin Raines.
With this in mind, as odd as it might seem, for the second week in a row, a panelist on "Real Time" actually divulged information about Democrat involvement in the current financial crisis that most mainstream media outlets continue to hide from the public. With stocks cratering, and a serious economic contraction looming, one has to wonder when America's "serious" media will follow suit and expose the truth behind the current crisis.
After all, in 2006, the word "macaca" and solicitous e-mail messages from a little-known congressman were headline news for weeks, and were largely responsible for the Democrats taking back the Senate and the House. Of course, all this attention came despite the misstatement by then Sen. George Allen (R-Virg.) and the behavior of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fl.) no way threatening the finances of Americans or our very economy.
There is absolutely no question that if Maxine Waters was a Republican that had blocked GSE reform this decade, and was caught lying on national television about campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie, this would be headline and front-page news for days with full-scale coverage of how she and others in her Party were responsible for the current calamity.
Yet, it seems almost a metaphysical certitude that with about three weeks to go before Election Day, the Obama-loving media are going to keep this matter buried long enough to get their candidate in the White House.
Frankly, I'm not sure what Americans should be more concerned about: falling stocks and a looming recession or Democrats being completely in control of the nation's major press outlets.
Both are keeping this associate editor up at night; how 'bout you?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Sally-* on October 12, 2008 at 06:48 PM
1/26/2005–Introduced.
Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to establish: (1) in lieu of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency which shall have authority over the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (2) the Federal Housing Enterprise Board.
Sets forth operating, administrative, and regulatory provisions of the Agency, including provisions respecting: (1) assessment authority; (2) authority to limit nonmission-related assets; (3) minimum and critical capital levels; (4) risk-based capital test; (5) capital classifications and undercapitalized enterprises; (6) enforcement actions and penalties; (7) golden parachutes; and (8) reporting.
Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Corporation. Transfers the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks to such Corporation.
Excludes the Federal Home Loan Banks from certain securities reporting requirements.
Abolishes the Federal Housing Finance Board.
I realize that republicans have very low IQ's, that is why 95% of them are below the poverty level, but lets give it the ole college try.
The lie about McCain trying to save fannie and freddie is bunk, as anyone with a brain can see, it did nothing to address sub prime lending. It was about internal accounting measures. The reason the 55 republicans in congress needed more than 51 votes and needed 60 is because George Bush would have vetoed the bill. As usual, republicans were voting in lock step with the president and would not bring the bill to a vote, it was their committee and they did not do it, case closed.
You fucking morons are worried about 15,000 bucks but it's OK that cheney moves to dubai, you know, the united arab emerites, you know the ones he wanted to sell our ports to and your security down the shit hole, he takes 113 Billion dollars in war profits but thats just fine with you freaks. Bush and Cheney been hugging and kissing on the Suadi Prince like the fags they are. Where do you think Cheney's daughter got it from, that's right, daddy.
Go ahead keep believing shit that isn't true all you want. Your entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts. And when it is shown to you, the truth, and you refuse to adopt it, then it will be you that is hurt the most. God is a just god, you reap what you sow. When you sow shit, you get shit. Fuckwad.
You can see the desperation in the posts of the right-wing trolls on this blog.
They have no agenda and no new ideas.
Just a lot of hot air.
TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I don't seem to be able to find your story ANYWHERE. Not even on the right-wing-nut gas bag web sites. Did you make this up yourself???
I think its make believe.
But lets assume the worst. Let's assume that Fannie contributed money to her campaign. So what? So she didn't know they did. Fannie contributed to hundreds of representatives. This idea that Maxine single-handedly stopped the republicans from regulating Fannie is ludicrous.
Looks like some right-wingnut named Moore attacked Maxine on a live show. That's not news. The right wing nuts do that every day on all the channels. They talk over everyone else and they spew lies and half truths.
palin contradicts mccain.
Is the team of mavericks split on what to do next regarding North Korea?
While Sen. mccain was extremely critical of the bush decision to take North Korea off of the list of state sponsors of terror in a statement issued Saturday, his running mate said she had confidence in the administration.
It looks like Moose Lips can't get her story straight.
mccain-palin First Ticket Where Both Candidates Were Found Guilty Of Ethics Violations
The old man and moose lips should spend more time reforming the republican party and less time talking.
message to moose lips palin
more action
less moose lips
I believe that it is unlawful to accept doanations from corporations. That's why when they say they got so much from blank company, they are really pooling all of the employees, management, the individuals together. At barackobama.com he states this pretty clear, obama got money from the little guys and McCain got the most from the big guys at the top of fannie and freddie, not to mention that Black and/or Davis, McShames campaign mangagers, is on the payroll of fm and fm to the tune of 15 grand a month as a lobbyist for fm and fm.
Just wait to this lie gets cleared up and then it will just be another McShame lie like everything else that has come out of his and palins mouth. By the time Nov. 4 gets here, neither will ever win another office again. Thank God!
Repbulican voters are too stupid to know that they are stupid.
palin Administration shockingly amateurish.
moose lips is out of her league.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53802.html
For the stupid republicans who won't get it anyway, who trying to have a debate is like talking to a brick wall with feces all over it. Not only is it unproductive, it smells.
moose lips palin and her old man running mate can only attack Democratic Party Presidential Candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden because...
...moose lips palin and her old man running mate have no new ideas and do not have an agenda.
I don't seem to be able to find your story ANYWHERE. Not even on the right-wing-nut gas bag web sites. Did you make this up yourself???
I think its make believe.
Chicago
Hey dopey, just Google:
"Waters Caught Lying About Fannie Mae Ties on 'Real Time'"
2,290 results.
Not too hard to find, even a 4th grader can do it. Maybe it's hard for you to see your screen with your pinhead shoved so far up your ass?
What's the difference between sarah palin and a Moose wearing lipstick?
more action
less moose lips
Benji
Is that a gay thing? Sounds like a gay thing.
22TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Sorry, I'm not your type.
22TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 08:26 PM
But don't worry, I'm open minded and believe that being gay is your choice.
You have a right to be gay.
moose lips and the old man are getting desperate.
moose lips palin can keeping flapping her moose lips because that's all she knows how to do.
moose face/moose lips sarah palin tried to fire her Walter Monegan because her moose lips sister-in-law can't keep a man.
well, what do you expect from a moose face with moose lips.
HA HA
Benji
Laughing at your own jokes is somewhat lame. Especially ones that aren't remotely humorous.
Must be a gay thing.
Chicago, see if you can find this article on the internet. You're quite the little detective:
Rep. Lewis clarifies controversial remarks about McCain, Palin
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Georgia Rep. John Lewis said Saturday that controversial remarks he made comparing the feeling at recent Republican rallies to those of segregationist George Wallace were misinterpreted.
The civil rights icon issued a statement Saturday evening which said a "careful review" of his remarks made earlier in the day "would reveal that I did not compare Sen. John McCain or Gov. Sarah Palin to George Wallace."
McCain said Lewis' earlier statement was "a brazen and baseless attack" and called on Sen. Barack Obama to repudiate it.
Lewis had said earlier that he was "deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign" and that the Republican running mates are "playing with fire."
19TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Thanks.
I found your right-wing nut-job web site. Here is the link:
Everyone should check it out. It is really funny.
No wonder you guys are so warped. I hope this site is not where you go to find out the news. The are nut jobs. They make stuff up. Get a real news source. You are such a dupe.
You have a right to be gay.
Benji
You have the right to walk against the traffic lights and get flattened by a passing truck too.
Doesn't mean it's right.
TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 08:47 PM
That article was on regular news outlets that don't make up news. I saw that earlier today.
The articla also included this:
Lewis had said earlier that he was "deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign" and that the Republican running mates are "playing with fire."
"What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse," Lewis said in a statement.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/12/mccain.lewis/index.html
So what is your point (besides the top of your head)?
So this is all you jokers have???
A letter somebody else wrote that McLame signed onto which supported a bill sponsored by someone else that the senate never even brought up for a vote,
AND
Maxine Waters doesn't remember every organization that ever supported her campaign. That's it???
That's all you got???
MAN, you guys ARE lame.
You belong in the mcLAME campaign.
Democrats Were Wrong on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
October 06, 2008 05:10 PM ET
Seventeen. That's how many times, according to this White House statement (hat tip Gateway Pundit), that the Bush administration has called for tighter regulation of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Congress has cooperated only once. In spring 2007, as House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank likes to point out, the House did pass a bill in response. The Senate did not act until 2008; Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd spent most of 2007 camped out in Iowa running for president. The legislation passed by Congress in 2008 enabled Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to put Fannie and Freddie into federal conservatorship this summer when they failed. But it didn't prevent them from spewing a huge amount of toxic waste, in the form of subprime and Alt-A mortgages, into our financial institutions from 2004 to 2007. As Stephen Spruiell points out in The Corner on National Review Online, Fannie and Freddie spewed out $1 trillion worth (face value) of subprime mortgages between 2005 and 2007. That's a whole lot of toxic waste. For more detail, consult the items referred to in my previous blogpost on this subject (most of the comments seem to have been disputes about the plot line of the movie It's a Wonderful Life, which I should think could be settled by consulting a reference work).
Much if not all of that could have been prevented by a bill cosponsored by John McCain and supported by all the Republicans and opposed by all the Democrats in the Senate Banking Committee in 2005. That bill, which the Democrats stopped from passing, would have prohibited the GSEs from speculating on the mortgage-based securities they packaged. The GSEs' mission allegedly justifying their quasi-governmental status was to package or securitize such mortgages, but the lion's share of their profits—which determined top executives' bonuses—came from speculation.
John McCain has shied away from making this an issue, for reasons my U.S. News colleague Jim Pethokoukis speculates on. This National Republican Congressional Committee Web ad makes the point McCain has been avoiding. Jim Geraghty of the Campaign Spot blog at National Review Online seems exasperated by the McCain campaign's failure to exploit this issue. Excerpts:
Why can't John McCain and Sarah Palin make the points about how the crisis was built illustrated in the "Burning Down the House" (with the revised music) YouTube video? Could McCain please, please bring up some of this in Tuesday's debate?
Don't the American people deserve to know that Democrat Barney Frank, then ranking member and now chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said, "I want to roll the dice a little bit more in this situation towards subsidized housing"? Isn't the fact that the ranking Democrat in charge of oversight of Fannie Mae was in a sexual relationship with a high-ranking Fannie Mae executive a glaring conflict of interest? Isn't it worth noting that Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters insisted, "we do not have a crisis at Freddie Mac, and in particular at Fannie Mae, under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Frank Raines"? Shouldn't the American people know that Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks insist that "there's been nothing that was indicated that's wrong with Fannie Mae"?
If nothing else, shouldn't we salute Democratic Rep. Artur Davis for saying, "Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I defended their efforts to encourage affordable homeownership when in retrospect I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong."
I talked with Artur Davis in the Speaker's Lobby Friday during the vote on the financial bailout/rescue package. He reiterated what he said here, and he also makes the fair point that Republicans made some mistakes too. As for the reference Geraghty makes to the fact that Barney Frank's partner Herb Moses worked at Fannie Mae, I think we should keep in mind the fact that Frank and Moses broke up in 1998 and that Moses quit working at Fannie Mae at about the same time. As far as I'm concerned, that's ancient history. And while in retrospect it's clear that Frank was wrong about the GSEs in 2003, he did work with the administration and pushed legislation through the House in 2007, so it seemed he was open to learning from experience.
The trolls are lying again. All they can do is spew neocon (KKKarl) talking points. They are too f'ing stupid to know any better.
Neither jim johnson, tim howard nor franklin raines were part of the Obama campaign. Quit your f'ing lying.
Check on FactCheckorg.
Lying bastards.
Are three former Fannie Mae executives "economic advisers" to Obama?
Media Mum on Barney Frank's Fannie Mae Love Connection
Democratic House Financial Services Committee Chair promoted GSEs while former 'spouse' was Fannie Mae executive.
By Jeff Poor
Business & Media Institute
9/24/2008 4:00:57 PM
Are journalists playing favorites with some of the key political figures involved with regulatory oversight of U.S. financial markets?
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews launched several vitriolic attacks on the Republican Party on his Sept. 17, 2008, show, suggesting blame for Wall Street problems should be focused in a partisan way. However, he and other media have failed to thoroughly examine the Democratic side of the blame game.
Prominent Democrats ran Fannie Mae, the same government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) that donated campaign cash to top Democrats. And one of Fannie Mae’s main defenders in the House – Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., a recipient of more than $40,000 in campaign donations from Fannie since 1989 – was once romantically involved with a Fannie Mae executive.
The media coverage of Frank’s coziness with Fannie Mae and his pro-Fannie Mae stances has been lacking. Of the eight appearances Frank made on the three broadcasts networks between Jan. 1, 2008, and Sept. 21, 2008, none of his comments dealt with the potential conflicts of interest. Only six of the appearances dealt with the economy in general and two of those appearances, including an April 6, 2008 appearance on CBS’s “60 Minutes” were about his opposition to a manned mission to Mars.
Frank has argued that family life “should be fair game for campaign discussion,” wrote the Associated Press on Sept. 2. The comment was in reference to GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her pregnant daughter. “They’re the ones that made an issue of her family,” the Massachusetts Democrat said to the AP.
The news media have covered the relationship in the past, but there have been no mentions since 2005, according to Nexis and despite the collapse of Fannie Mae. The July 3, 1998, Reliable Source column in The Washington Post reported Frank, who is openly gay, had a relationship with Herb Moses, an executive for the now-government controlled Fannie Mae. The column revealed the two had split up at the time but also said Frank was referring to Moses as his “spouse.” Another Washington Post report said Frank called Moses his “lover” and that the two were “still friends” after the breakup.
Frank was and remains a stalwart defender of Fannie Mae, which is now under FBI investigation along with its sister organization Freddie Mac, American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG) and Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH) – all recently participants in government bailouts. But Frank has derailed efforts to regulate the institution, as well as denying it posed any financial risk. Frank’s office has been unresponsive to efforts by the Business & Media Institute to comment on these potential conflicts of interest.
While the relationship reportedly ended 10 years ago, Frank was serving on the House Banking Committee the entire 10 years they were together. The committee is the primary House body which along with the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) has jurisdiction over the government-sponsored enterprises.
He has served on the committee since becoming a congressman in 1981 and became the ranking Democrat on the committee in 2003. He became chairman of the committee, now called the House Financial Services Committee, in 2007.
Moses was the assistant director for product initiatives at Fannie Mae and had been at the forefront of relaxing lending restrictions at the company for rural customers, according to the Feb. 23, 1998, issue of National Mortgage News (NMN).
“Herb Moses, who helped develop many of Fannie Mae’s affordable housing and home improvement lending programs, has left the mortgage industry,” Darryl Hicks wrote for NMN. “Mr. Moses - whose last day was Feb. 13 - spent the past seven years at Fannie Mae, most recently as director of housing initiatives. Over the course of time, he played an instrumental role in developing the company’s Title One and 203(k) home improvement lending programs.”
Hicks explained in his story how Moses orchestrated a collaborative effort between Fannie Mae and the Department of Agriculture.
“The Dartmouth grad also played a crucial role in brokering a relationship between Fannie Mae and the Department of Agriculture,” Hicks wrote. “This led to the creation of Fannie Mae’s rural housing program where the secondary marketing agency agreed to purchase small farm loans insured through the department.”
While Moses served at Fannie Mae and was Frank’s partner, Frank was actively working to support GSEs, according to several news outlets.
In 1991, Frank and former Rep. Joe Kennedy, D-Mass., lobbied for Fannie to soften rules on multi-family home mortgages although those dwellings showed a default rate twice that of single-family homes, according to the Nov. 22, 1991, Boston Globe.
BusinessWeek reported in its Nov. 14, 1994, issue that Fannie Mae called on Frank to exert his influence against a Housing & Urban Development proposal that would force the GSE to focus on minority and low-income buyers and police bias by lenders regardless of their location. Fannie Mae opposed HUD on the issue because it claimed doing so would “ignore the urban middle class.”
Moses left Fannie in 1998 to start his own pottery business. National Mortgage News called Moses a “mortgage guru” and said he developed “many of Fannie Mae's affordable housing and home improvement lending programs. Moses ended his relationship with Frank just months after he left Fannie.
Even after the relationship ended, however, Frank was a staunch defender of Fannie Mae even as other experts suggested there were serious problems building in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
According to an article by Kathleen Day in the Oct. 8, 2003, Washington Post, Frank opposed giving the Bush administration the right to approve or disapprove business activities that “could pose risk to the taxpayers.” He told the Post he worried the Treasury Department “would sacrifice activities that are good for consumers in the name of lowering the companies’ market risks.”
Just a month before, Frank had aggressively thwarted reform efforts by the Bush administration. He told The New York Times on Sept. 11, 2003, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s problems were “exaggerated,” a gross miscalculation some five years later with costs estimated to be in the hundreds of billions.
“These two entities – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” Frank said to the Times. “The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”
Frank has also reaped campaign contribution benefits from Fannie Mae and its counterpart Freddie Mac. According a front page story in the Sept. 19, 2008, Investor’s Business Daily by Terry Jones, Frank has received $40,100 in campaign cash over the past two decades from the GSEs.
Frank is ranked 16th on a list that includes both houses of Congress and fifth among his colleagues in the House. According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics’ OpenSecrets.org, political action committees financed by both Freddie and Fannie have contributed $3,017,797 to members of Congress since 1989. And according to the July 16 issue of Politico, the two entities have spent a whopping $200 million to buy influence – including not only campaign donations to members of Congress, but also presidential campaigns and lobbying efforts.
In a July 23 op-ed, Wall Street Journal Editorial Page Editor Paul Gigot put the blame for the GSEs’ collapse firmly on the members of the liberal establishment who took money from Freddie and Fannie. “Fan and Fred also couldn't prosper for as long as they have without the support of the political left... This includes Mr. Frank and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) on Capitol Hill, as well as Mr. [Paul] Krugman and the Washington Post's Steven Pearlstein in the press.”
Frank was asked by CNN’s John Roberts on the Sept. 22, 2008 “American Morning” about this and his opposition to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Originally, he claimed he didn’t think the two GSEs were facing any problems when the issue first surfaced in 2003. He instead blamed the Republican-controlled Congress for their ultimate fall, failing to mention his friendly relationship with Fannie Mae and the contributions it had made to his campaign over the years.
“Yes, I did not think we were facing a crisis in 2003, but that didn't mean we didn't have to have reform,” an animated Frank said when confronted with the question. “Here’s the deal, the Republicans controlled Congress from 1995 through 2006. They did zero to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”
However, on Sept. 17, 2008, former Bush administration Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove elaborated on the Bush administration’s efforts to curb abuses at the two GSEs in 2003. He told Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes” that Frank was among the most aggressive opponents of White House attempts to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“All of this bad stuff on Wall Street happened because people got greedy and the greed started at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” Rove said. “And I know this because five years ago, the administration was alerted by the regulator, James Lockhart, that there was insufficient authority and that these institutions – particularly Fannie – were out of control.”
Rove said the Bush administration’s efforts to reform Fannie and Freddie were opposed by congressional Democrats – specifically Frank and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.
“And I got to tell you, for five years, I was part of an effort at the White House to fight this and our biggest opponents on the Hill who blocked this every step of the way were people like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank. And Fannie and Freddie are the $200 billion contagion at the center of this.”
Frank has been quick to blame deregulation for some of the problems in the financial environment, as he did on Bloomberg television’s Sept. 19 “Political Capital with Al Hunt.” However, as earmark crusader Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. pointed out – it’s not deregulation, but it was the structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that had been guarded by Frank and other members of Congress.
“Some people point at deregulation,” Flake said to the Business & Media Institute on Sept. 23. “It’s not deregulation at all. We have for far too long shielded Fannie and Freddie for example, with the implicit and now explicit guarantee. I just found it humorous.”
Flake specifically named Frank as one of the members behind letting allegations of transgressions at the two GSEs for slipping by without oversight from Congress.
“Just a few minutes ago, a reporter was asking me about this and saying, ‘Barney Frank is saying that’s just – because there were allegations,’ correct ones – ‘that Fannie and Freddie have been the playground for politicians for years and now the other side is saying Fannie and Freddie were just a small part of this and this goes far beyond.’ It does, but these same people a couple of weeks ago said, ‘You got to bail out Fannie and Freddie because they touch everything out there. They touch nearly every mortgage out there.’ And because of that explicit guarantee – that we would come and bail them out, nobody has been subject to market discipline.”
Frank claims differently, according to a letter to the editor published in the Sept. 17, 2008 Wall Street Journal. Frank noted that in 2005 he supported regulating compensation for Fannie and Freddie executives.
“In fact, my reform efforts had begun when we were still in the minority. In 2005, I joined Michael Oxley, then chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, in supporting legislation to increase the regulation of Fannie and Freddie that passed the House by a vote of 330 to 90,” Frank wrote. “When former Congressman Richard Baker proposed to examine the compensation structure of Fannie and Freddie's top executives, and some members of Congress tried to block him, I explicitly spoke out in support of his right to do that and our right, as a Congress, to examine the GSE’s compensation practices.”
The red flags were raised long before the government bailed out the two GSEs in August 2008. The first egregious scandal involving Fannie Mae occurred in 2004. A 2004 Wall Street Journal editorial was first to point out claims in an OFHEO report that showed accounting malpractices by the GSE.
“For years, mortgage giant Fannie Mae has produced smoothly growing earnings. And for years, observers have wondered how Fannie could manage its inherently risky portfolio without a whiff of volatility, the Oct. 4, 2004, editorial, “Fannie Mae Enron?” said. “Now, thanks to Fannie’s regulator, we know the answer. The company was cooking the books. Big time.”
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS
A right wing rag?
Barney Frank's Fannie and Freddie Racism Regarding the Financial Crisis
October 08, 2008 06:13 PM ET
Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, is doing his best to outshine Joe Biden in the silly comments department. As the Associated Press reports:
Frank said Monday that Republican criticism of Democrats over the nation's housing crisis is a veiled attacked on the poor that's racially motivated....
"They get to take things out on poor people," Frank said to a mortgage foreclosure symposium in Boston. "Let's be honest: The fact that some of the poor people are black doesn't hurt them either, from their standpoint. This is an effort, I believe, to appeal to a kind of anger in people."
Frank's comments are in response to widespread criticism of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-backed mortgage-bundling giants that played fast and loose with both risk and their bookkeeping.
Among serious people, there's little doubt that the policies and ultimate collapse of Fannie and Freddie were a leading cause of the current crisis. Indeed, that's why Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday specifically called them out at "cases in point." As he said, "The Federal Reserve had long warned about the systemic risks posed by these companies' large portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, as well as the problems arising from the conflict between shareholders' objectives and the government's goals for the two firms."
As Bernanke's comments illustrate, Fannie-Freddie criticism is hardly the special provenance of Republicans. Feckless lawmakers of both parties have a lot to answer for in failing to rein in the siblings. But chief among those lawmakers is Barney Frank, who kicked hardest against prescient reform efforts and pushed hardest in expanding Fannie and Freddie's risk-taking. (See here for more.)
But, suddenly, to criticize his poor judgment amounts to racism?
Frank's argument is as tacky as it gets, and it's yet another measure of what a political buffoon he is. But if Frank insists on finding a racist angle to the catastrophe, he might reflect that it was his own actions that drove poor, black homeowners to financial ruin. And it is the lawmaker's critics who now vow not to let it happen again.
The words out kiddies... your time is up.
The Wall Street Journal
Taxpayers are now on the hook for as much as $200 billion to rescue Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and if you want to know why, look no further than the rapid response to this bailout from House baron Barney Frank. Asked about Treasury's modest bailout condition that the companies reduce the size of their high-risk mortgage-backed securities (MBS) portfolios starting in 2010, Mr. Frank was quoted on Monday as saying, "Good luck on that," and that it would never happen.
There you have the Fannie Mae problem in profile. Mr. Frank wants you to pick up the tab for its failures, while he still vows to block a reform that might prevent the same disaster from happening again.
At least the Massachusetts Democrat is consistent. His record is close to perfect as a stalwart opponent of reforming the two companies, going back more than a decade. The first concerted push to rein in Fan and Fred in Congress came as far back as 1992, and Mr. Frank was right there, standing athwart. But things really picked up this decade, and Barney was there at every turn. Let's roll the audiotape:
n 2000, then-Rep. Richard Baker proposed a bill to reform Fannie and Freddie's oversight. Mr. Frank dismissed the idea, saying concerns about the two were "overblown" and that there was "no federal liability there whatsoever."
Two years later, Mr. Frank was at it again. "I do not regard Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as problems," he said in response to another reform push. And then: "I regard them as great assets." Great or not, we'll give Mr. Frank this: Their assets are now Uncle Sam's assets, even if those come along with $5.4 trillion in debt and other liabilities.
Again in June 2003, the favorite of the Beltway press corps assured the public that "there is no federal guarantee" of Fan and Fred obligations.
A month later, Freddie Mac's multibillion-dollar accounting scandal broke into the open. But Mr. Frank was sanguine. "I do not think we are facing any kind of a crisis," he said at the time.
Three months later he repeated the claim that Fannie and Freddie posed no "threat to the Treasury." Even suggesting that heresy, he added, could become "a self-fulfilling prophecy."
In April 2004, Fannie announced a multibillion-dollar financial "misstatement" of its own. Mr. Frank was back for the defense. Fannie and Freddie posed no risk to taxpayers, he said, adding that "I think Wall Street will get over it" if the two collapsed. Yes, they're certainly "over it" on the Street now that Uncle Sam is guaranteeing their Fannie paper, and even Fannie's subordinated debt.
By early 2007, Mr. Frank was in charge of the House Financial Services Committee, arguing that he had long favored some kind of reform. "What blocked it [reform] last year," Mr. Frank said then, "was the insistence of some economic conservative fundamentalists in the Bush Administration who, to be honest, don't think there should be a Fannie Mae or a Freddie Mac." What really blocked it was Mr. Frank's insistence that any reform be watered down and not include any reduction in their MBS holdings.
In January of last year, Mr. Frank also noted one reason he liked Fannie and Freddie so much: They were subject to his political direction. Contrasting Fan and Fred with private-sector mortgage financers, he noted, "I can ask Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to show forbearance" in a housing crisis. That is to say, because Fannie and Freddie are political creatures, Mr. Frank believed they would do his bidding.
And this is exactly what Mr. Frank attempted to prove when the housing market started to go south. He encouraged the companies to guarantee more "affordable" mortgages, thus abetting their disastrous plunge into subprime and Alt-A loans. He also pushed for, and got, an increase in the conforming-loan limits to allow Fan and Fred to securitize and guarantee larger mortgages. And he pressured regulators to ease up on their capital requirements -- which now means taxpayers will have to make up that capital shortfall.
But the biggest payoff for Mr. Frank is the "affordable housing" trust fund he managed to push through as one political price for the recent Fannie reform bill. This fund siphons off a portion of Fannie and Freddie profits -- as much as $500 million a year each -- to a fund that politicians can then disburse to their favorite special interests.
This is also why Mr. Frank won't tolerate cutting the companies' MBS portfolios. He knows those portfolios (bought with debt borrowed at taxpayer-subsidized rates) were a main source of Fannie's profits before the housing crash, and he figures that once this crisis passes they can do it again. And this time, his fund will get part of the loot.
* * *
Mr. Frank has had many accomplices from both parties in his protection of Fan and Fred. But he was and is among the most vociferous and powerful. In any other area of American life, this track record would get a man run out of town. In Washington, he's hailed as a sage whose history of willful error will be forgotten faster than taxpayers can write a check for $200 billion.
See all of today's editorials and op-eds, plus video commentary, on Opinion Journal.
this how i allways write and talk it this why you call me a trool ?40
dusty2006
Hey Chicago, let dusty alone!!! He's our retard and we love 'em to death!!!
Personally, I think he's really dlesterpoet posting after a failed attempt to asphyxiate himself in the parking garage of his cheap Florida motel.
Sally-* on October 12, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Why didn't they bring it up for a vote on principle? You conservatives like to say you do that when usually you don't even bother...it makes a good sound bite. All talk; no action.
So it wasn't that important? And McCain didn't spearhead the effort?
Mavericks don't lead, they go their own way. And hardly anyone follows them. If more people followed them, they would be leaders, not mavericks.
Chicago on October 12, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Chicago,
Bingo. McCain and Palin aren't leaders and that's what his country needs now really bad.
And it also is the reason the sub prime pyramid scheme imploded into a full scale economic world meltdown. Nobody has any faith in Spunky.
Republicans can't produce anything but trouble and disaster.
I watched the movie Amazing Grace Friday night. The movie is a documentary about William Wilberforce a commoner in the British Parliament. In 1797 he started a battle to make the transportation of slaves from Africa to the West Indies illegal. Things were so bad that a slave trader with 600 slaves on board would typically arrive in the West Indies with only 200 slaves. The rest were murdered at sea.
It took William until 1808 to finally convince the elites (persons of breeding like the bush and cheney families, ahem) in the parliament that it was the right thing to do. The common excuse was our rich friends the slave traders might lose money.
Doesn't this sound familiar. bush keeps saying if we sign the Kyoto Agreement our rich friends may lose money.
It gets better. His bill was finally passed in 1808 making the transportation of slaves illegal with a 100 Pound fine per slave if a trader was caught transporting slaves.
Guess what? This did not stop the slave transportation. If a slave trader was in imminent danger of being apprehended, he just threw all 600 slaves overboard to die at sea.
This sounds even more like greedy, family values republicans.
Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Your explanation doesn't sound like creationism to me. You must of flunked out of intelligent design.
TheGreatGazoo on October 12, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Oh, how clever.
thelamegazzo can cut and paste an article that no one on this blog will bother reading.
55Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Your mother makes a "goo" leader.
thelamegazzo can cut and paste an article that no one on this blog will bother reading.
Benji
Who cares what you read Benji? Unless it's Blue Boy or Playgirl, then God cares.
Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Ahh, the angry voice of the disenfranchised and demoralized republican.
Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Why are republicans lame?
61Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:41 PM
republicans don't have to be lame.
They can be smart if they really, really try.
Being smart is cool.
republicans can be cool if they were smart.
republicans don't have to be lame.
We all know that the neocons allow companies to hire illegals and pay them slave wages to work in American factories. Is it possible that these same neocons pay "coyotes" to transport slaves (illegals) over the border and make big bucks selling them to companies as slaves? Maybe the RNC even makes money from the Coyotes. Lots of times these people are transported in closed semi-trailers and die of heat exhaustion. Sometimes they are transported in dangerous extended vans that crash and kill 15 at a time.
Is this any different than the slave traders of old?
We should be "encouraging" the Mexican and Central American governments to treat their minorities like human beings and provide jobs for them instead of aiding and abetting the transportation of slaves for the greedy neocon companies.
the Mexican government hates people of Aztec extraction just like some stupid, illiterate, ignorant neocon red-necks hate African-Americans.
65Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:45 PM
What's a "babbon"?
65Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Why are republicans useless and pathetic?
71Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:47 PM
I know you're angry because republicans are lame, useless, pathetic and have no redeeming value.
And I don't blame you for being angry, either.
Evening Dems. I see the sickos are out in full force! why am I not surprised---it is a full moon out there, and it is pulling on that hatred in their guts just like it does on the tides ! And of course with 3 weeks to go, and every indication that Obama will win and take the Oath of office in January, they are getting more and more desperate and panicky! How they hate to be proven that they are Losers !
Isn't it great that we drove that idiot troll Harpo off our blog? He was the biggest girlie man of them all. So smug and superior acting, you just know he was nothing but a low class loser! With all that honking like he was funny or something! Somebody said he works for Toro Company in MN, and they must have caught him using their Internet for his Hate. Too bad for him! Hope when they downsize, he is not the first to go~!
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! GASP....... GOOD NIGHT GOOD DEMS !!!
71Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Being a lame, useless, pathetic republican with no redeeming value is a good reason to be angry.
71Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Don't worry, being lame, useless and pathetic with no redeeming value is historically normal for republicans.
You wouldn't have a back seat in YOUR monster truck, would you?
AussieDem
No, but I bet Benji's had a monster or 12 in his backseat. Right Benji?
The rich (neocon types) in Venezuela treated the natives, Incan I believe, like shit for centuries. When I was in Venezuela in the 1970's I saw on the outskirts of Caracas one-room huts made of scrap metal and cardboard where the majority of the poor people lived like second-class citizens.
It took a man like Yugo Chavez to help these people make life a little more comfortable and meaningful.
Missionaries have gone to these places for years and haven't done shit except preach. They didn't help them at all.
I really respect groups like Doctors Without Borders and other groups who fly into these areas to help these poor people who are shit on by their CONSERVATIVE governments.
Conservatives can spout all the family values bullshit they want but we all know they are empty suits who don't give a shit about anyone but themselves no matter how much religious bullshit they spew from their ugly mouths.
Lrryerc6 on October 12, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Your German accent is showing.
My discription was liberals explanation for their existence.
LRRYERC6 ON OCTOBER 12, 2008 AT 09:41 PM
No, it was your explanation and it was about as rational as every other comment you make on this blog. God has nothing to do with anything you do or say.
Johne on October 12, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Johne,
Freddie and Fannie came late to the corrupt GOP economic game. The fraud and dismantling of capitalism as we know it began long before 2005.
The seeds of this economic meltdown go way back to St. Regan's voodoo economics and illegal worker amnesty program. It progressed under Newt Gingrich's Contract with Communist China globalization program. Phil Gramm put the last piece in place with his landmark deregulation bill which destroyed all oversight and accountability in the American markets.
All it took was a few smart ass hedge fund mangers with a super computer to come up with enough phony financial products like derivatives to create the corrupt atmosphere that hatched the sub prime pyramid scheme. The mortgage fraud got so tightly wrapped in with the commercial banking system that there was no way for it not to crash.
The crooks who are responsible for all this misery are all running free with their ill gotten gains banked in un-numbered Cayman Island accounts or in the treasuries of American businesses headquartered off shored.
The world's finance ministers know who was directly responsible for the chaos and will see that justice is someday leveled on those who conceived and sheltered this fraud. Poppy is in this slime up to his hip boots.
In the meantime, when is Congress going to subpoena Gramm and Gingrich to appear before Congressional hearings, so American taxpayers can get a good look at who left them holding the bag and what real traitors look like under bright lights?
So this is all you jokers have???
A letter somebody else wrote that McLame signed onto which supported a bill sponsored by someone else that the senate never even brought up for a vote,
AND
Maxine Waters doesn't remember every organization that ever supported her campaign. That's it???
That's all you got???
MAN, you guys ARE lame.
You belong in the mcLAME campaign.
SandyH on October 12, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Sandy,
Well said. Very well said.
Gramm, who advised presumed Republican nominee McCain on economic matters, made the controversial comments while discussing the economy.
"We have sort of become a nation of whiners. You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline," the former Texas senator said.
Typical Republican. Trickle-down economics does not work. How many times do we have to let the republicans try this crap? We all suffer the consequences.
The Democrats own the Fanny/Freddy scandal lock, stock and barrel. I wonder why McCain isn't using it. A scandal that is so big it is threatening the world economy.
Democrats own it because the scandal is yours - I know, I know, acron, CRA, FHA, blah, blah, blah
Republican leaders break ranks with McCain
Senior members of the Republican party are in open mutiny against John McCain's presidential campaign, after a disastrous period which has seen Barack Obama solidify his lead in the opinion polls.
And as disputes raged within the McCain camp yesterday, Democrats took another symbolic step towards healing the party after their bitter primary battles, as Bill and Hillary Clinton made their first joint appearance in support of Mr Obama.
The Wall Street Journal Weighs in
In Virginia, McCain Struggles To Hold the South for GOP
Not long ago, Virginia appeared solidly in the McCain camp. Republican strategists knew the race would be tighter there in 2008 than in past years, but were confident enough not to open a standalone state headquarters and spent sparingly on advertising while pouring resources into other states.
But in the past week, polls began showing Sen. McCain falling well behind Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama in the state. Two weeks ago, Sen. Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, held a rally in Prince William County, Va., long a conservative stronghold in a state that has voted for only one Democratic presidential nominee since 1948. The Democrats drew more than 20,000 people, many of whom waited an hour in a torrential downpour and lightning before the candidates arrived.
93Sally-* on October 12, 2008 at 10:55 PM Acron? What's happening in Acron?
:)
History's happening there :)
Chicago on October 12, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Chicago,
They don't even have that.
McCain signing a letter is a long way from him wandering around on the debate set this past week talking about HIS legislation to regulate the mortgage system...when it was just a bill to change accounting procedures...so the Republicans and their K Street lobbyists could manipulate the system even more.
Fannie and Freddie don't mean a hill of beans to seniors, baby boomers, and young families who have lost their life savings while some of the top 2% made off like bandits.
So when is Cindy McCain going to release the family tax returns, so we can see how much old Johnny made off the suffering of middle class people?
It really burns me that they are still allowing the industry to run TV ads trying to get seniors to sign over their homes to these same mortgage sharks with reverse mortgage scams. Those other bad Republican actors, Pat Boone and Robert Wagner, should be ashamed of themselves acting as spokespersons.
But then St. Reagan never lost any sleep over doing the same thing.
"The Democrats own the Fanny/Freddy scandal lock, stock and barrel. I wonder why McCain isn't using it. A scandal that is so big it is threatening the world economy."
90
Sally-* on October 12, 2008 at 10:50 PM
maybe, just maybe it'll come back to bite them... seems a mccain campaign guy was still on the inside receiving shall we say a monthly stipend and perhaps the keaton episode could arise from the ashes too. this economy needs be repaired and fast. mudslinging isn't going to fix anyone's 401K nor put anyone back to work.
Biden, Clintons team up for Obama
After introducing his wife, Bill Clinton headed to Virginia, where he will continue campaigning for the Democratic ticket.
Hillary Clinton, who competed with Obama in the protracted primary season, is campaigning for her former rival in a two-day swing through Pennsylvania. She also has family roots in Scranton
Acron? What's happening in Acron?
Sally-* on October 12, 2008 at 10:55 PM
The same thing that is happening with Pailn?
You bring up Acorn every four years and it doesn't mean a thing to anybody but you trolls. Your complaints are just as predictable as the MSM's stories about the return of lice with school children in the fall.
It's your same old excuse to act outraged. Independents could care less if you are outraged. They could care less about the Republican Party at all.
dorsano on October 12, 2008 at 11:14 PM
It was good to see them back in fine form and going after the bad actors.
99SandyH on October 12, 2008 at 11:18 PM It's your same old excuse to act outraged. Independents could care less if you are outraged. They could care less about the Republican Party at all.
I know what he's saying, Sandy - he and are chatting - passing the time - watching the grass grow.
Is anyone worried about the 15th for the lawsuit filed for Obama's birth records?
McCain: "The Economy Has Hurt Us A Little Bit"
ARLINGTON, Va. — Republican John McCain vowed Sunday to "whip" Democratic rival Barack Obama's "you-know-what" when the two presidential candidates meet Wednesday in their final televised debate.
McCain made that pledge as top advisers said he is weighing new economic proposals to help the nation weather the financial crisis. The Arizona senator refused to answer a reporter's question Sunday about what plans he might be considering.
Well here I am again, after my Fannie and Freddie freak out looking dumb. You know what Obama is doing tomorrow, he, of course is going to tackle what is most important, voter fraud.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/12/obama-aides-record-cash-r_n_134039.html
Apparently he has raised more money in september, than the 66 million he raised in August.
102leslie on October 12, 2008 at 11:23 PM Is anyone worried about the 15th for the lawsuit filed for Obama's birth records?
Yes - the people who think Obama is a terrorist are worried.
100SandyH on October 12, 2008 at 11:20 PM It was good to see them back in fine form and going after the bad actors.
They all did a fine job.
Contrast that to what's happening on the GOP side - the RNC leadership is continuing to employ Rove style polictics and anyone who care about the Republican party is steping aside this election and making it clear why.
I am kind of confused. Why won't he show the paperwork and make this go awah? I know he posted it on his website, but what is up with a hard copy?
Let me tell you fine folks something. If Obama is elected. Jesus will return sooner than later. That is a fact. Believe in Jesus or not, it won't stop what is happening.
107leslie on October 12, 2008 at 11:35 PM I am kind of confused. Why won't he show the paperwork and make this go awah? I know he posted it on his website, but what is up with a hard copy?
Sally will clear up any confusion you have, Leslie - or Fox Cable News - or hate radio.
I hate to refer you to those sources - but they have the "facts" as they see them. So if you're concerned that's probably the best place to go to get them.
cnn
"He (mcain) pledges Sunday to whip Obama's 'you know what' in next debate"
mmcains lost it. folks in america are struggling and he's the big bad john. he's lost it.
108leslie on October 12, 2008 at 11:39 PM Let me tell you fine folks something. If Obama is elected. Jesus will return sooner than later. That is a fact. Believe in Jesus or not, it won't stop what is happening.
Jesus has been with us for a long time, Leslie - not always where some expect to find him - and he's not going to leave us anytime soon.
McCain: 'I'll whip Obama's you-know-what'
On Friday, the Illinois senator announced a $900 million plan to temporarily extend an expiring tax break that lets small businesses write off investments up to $250,000 immediately, rather than over the course of several years.
Aides said Obama also wants to extend the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program to help small businesses that cannot access other sources of capital, as well as eliminate fees on SBA loan guarantees and increase the size of loans that could be covered. They put the cost at $5 billion.
Leslie on October 12, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Well I guess you will be happy then. Cause all the republicans were doing was looking forward to the end, evidence the economy, more invasions.
Really, 7.5 years ago seems like a century. Was it only 7.5 years ago when clinton was president and all of this "end of the world" crazy talk was, well, non existent.
Bye, Bye crazy radical religious mis informed freaks. Your making life hell for the rest of us is over.
Speaking of sharks circling...
I just saw a local news story about young Californians who are going on "investor tours" of the Metro St. Louis area.
They ride around in a bus with a housing inspector looking over foreclosed properties hoping to pick them up for pennies on the dollar and then rent them back to the same people who were evicted.
Do you think these slum lords could ever be reached to fix a leaky roof back in California? Talk about the worse form of scavengers. One person's sorrow is their gain.
They're probably buying up these properties which have been lovingly restored by the sweat of the victims of sub prime loans and then making another stop on the other side of town meeting with arsonists hoping to defraud insurance companies.
Orange County Republican carpetbaggers? It's a sign of the times. Well, they aren't creating any good will among local voters right before a national election.
cnn...
"we know who the bad guys are, OK?”
That statement elicited scattered shouts of “Obama!” throughout the crowd.
“We know that in the war, it’s terrorists, terrorists who hate America and her allies and would seek to destroy us, and the bad guys are those who would support and sympathize with the terrorists,” she said."
just what we need with americans out of work, 401k's downsized. more hate. thanks sarah. you're sowing the seeds that'll continue well after the campaigns. hopefully, repubs know now that mccain made a huge blunder. so many more qualified female repubs vp picks than you who understand it's the economy, stupid. enough of the hate. now, i want nothing more than obama-biden to win and for you to return to moose hunting (poor moose, better to lose a moose than the country to haters like you).
McCain: 'I'll whip Obama's you-know-what'
Is the Republican standard bearer having short term memory problems or could it be the beginning stages of something far more serious?
He can't seem to remember common terms or the names of people he should know. What is he calling Palin these days? Mama?
Goodnight, all. You need to register (if you have not already done so) to read about McCain's bridge to nowhere.
Business Cool Toward McCain’s Health Coverage Plan
American business, typically a reliable Republican cheerleader, is decidedly lukewarm about Senator John McCain’s proposal to overhaul the health care system by revamping the tax treatment of health benefits, officials with leading trade groups say.
The officials, with organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Independent Business, predicted in recent interviews that the McCain plan, which eliminates the exclusion of health benefits from income taxes, would accelerate the erosion of employer-sponsored health insurance and do little to reduce the number of uninsured from 45 million
McCain: 'I'll whip Obama's you-know-what'
Sandy, isn't that hilarious. Oh really, now he has set the bar very high, which is soo dumb. After losing two debates you'd think he would know this. I guess he lost it for a minute and forgot.
I can see Obama now chuckling at the statement. He needed a good laugh.
leslie,
Jesus comes and goes as he pleases.
You need to think about the consequences of your own actions. But thanks for your concern about Obama. I'm sure there will be Brownie points in it for you someday.
So, I ask about Cindy McCain's tax returns and you inquire about a birth certificate? Not even in the same league. Births are recorded in county court houses and church baptism records. Tax records are not.
Ask The Flipper for assistance if you are having such a hard time getting the info you so desire. Mormons specialize in locating that kind of documentation.
Have you seen the video of the laying of the hands on Palin by that African missionary who wanted to protect her from witches? You're in the same sort of business?
america1st on October 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
americalst,
Palin does a better imitation of Mussolini than Tina Fey does of her.
newsjunkie, mccain did just that. raised the bar for himself and lowered it for obama. the mccain loyal are screaming for a big bad john. the deciding voters are the independents in the swing states. the last thing they want is a boxing match. they want answers. the economy. jobs. health care. will they be able to retire. can they send their kids to college
least us not forget. john has 13 cars, 8 houses, and a wife who isn't exactly in the unemployment line. i've friends and some of them are in the unemployment line. and, none of them have 13 cars nor 8 houses. our neighbors, both husband and wife doing different jobs were both laid off. that's todays reality.
'I'll whip Obama's you-know-what' does not put food on the table, get them a job, nor help anyone with health insurance. out of touch and lost.
So did you guys read the link about Obama going after voter fraud. I think this is a huge task, but certainly #1 priority. He'll make Acorn look like a shining example of public good, compared to the tricks going on in the swing states registration offices. If I was one of those people that work in the election office in the swing states that purged those people less than 90 days before an election, I would call in sick tomorrow.
sandyh,
she's their pit bull. the last thing this country needs is a pit bull. we're in a pit and don't need a bull in a china shot either. so many repub women that were more experienced, understand both international affairs and world economic issues could have been his vp pick. i can't help but think that mccain was struck by having something attractive to look at when his wife wasn't around. i'm not saying that it is, but from folks i know, that's one conclusion they've drawn. draw your own conclusions.
McCain campaign staffers lashed out at the media for focusing on a minority of supporters at some rallies in the past week who have gone beyond booing and hissing at Mr Obama's name, and begun calling out "terrorist" and "kill him"...
...The Republican candidate appeared keen to cool the temperature at rallies over the weekend, at one point snatching the microphone from a woman in Minnesota who declared Mr Obama was an "Arab". He chided her, and another man who said he was "scared" of an Obama presidency, and told a booing crowd to be respectful.
This is the image being presented around the world by Republicans who seek allies in fighting al Queada in Afghanistan? It's insulting to those who remember the fascists that terrorized innocent people during the rise of the Third Reich. It's revolting to their leaders.
Ugly Americans has become the new Republican brand.
And if you don’t think John McCain doesn’t agree, then why is he still running TV commercials and allowing Palin to say the same things as the people he chides at rallies? Who does John McCain think he’s fooling by trying to have it both ways?
I read an article that said McCain and Rove met with some secret republican group. The only other names I recognized were Dobson and Tim Perkins, both are from "for the family" hypocrite churches. The rumor is it was Dobson and Perkins that wanted Palin. Apparently, they promised the "evangellical" vote. Well, they got it all right. Probably every sunday at their mega churches they tell everyone, "don't forget the palin rally on Saturday" When we win, we need to strip their tax exempt status and roll it back ten years. They use the church as their political storefront and the congregations provide the loot.
Remember that Haggerty guy, that got busted when his gay lover told the news that Haggerty would buy crystal meth and then sleep with the man that sold it to him. He was soo dumb, when the news questioned him he said, "I went to buy the crystal meth, but I came to my senses and didn't buy it" Game Over. He was a preacher at one of Dobsons churches. He would preach on Sunday about Gays and then say to the crowd, "I know what you did last night" Please, I would have lasted about 2 minutes with that freak, but not others they just ate his shit up.
124Sally-* on October 13, 2008 at 12:38 AM I just saw a commercial on TV with Al Franken and his wife. His wife is one of the 5 ugliest women I have ever seen. Pammy remains number one of course.
Can't chat tonight, Sally - sorry - but I'm hoping Pam stops by here in MN in for a few hours on her way out the west coast to visit relatives so I can I can make a pass at her.
You dream of Governor Palin - whose negatives nation wide already exceed her positives
I'll dream that you find a way to bury our hate.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/12/obama-scores-15-newspaper_n_134058.html
Now this is news to go to bed on. Obama picks up 15 endorsements in Sunday papers today, McCain - none.
america1st on October 13, 2008 at 12:22 AM
McCain isn't going to start a fight at a debate when he can't do the dirty work out on the road. He's backed himself into a corner and there is nothing he can do to make it right.
Americans frightened by what Bush has done to this country don't crave a fight between opposition party leaders when they're looking for stability. Only a lunatic would force a fight.
But who knows, maybe Bob Scheifer will have to keep a straight jacket close by just in case.
Obama picks up 15 endorsements in Sunday papers today, McCain - none.
newsjunkie on October 13, 2008 at 01:11 AM
Why aren't newspapers in the Southern and Western states coming out for McCain? Maybe they have but I haven't heard about them on the 24/7. I think I'll go check.
Catch you all later. Good night, all.
And 90% of the blog is individuals posting information relevant to the election and the Democratic Party agenda.
The other 10% is lame, useless and pathetic trolls loyal beyond common sense to the dying republican party with no redeemable value.
And of that 10% 90% of the troll posts are desperate attempts to communicate nonsense.
The republicans are dying.
The republicans have no agenda.
The republicans have no new ideas.
mccain and palin are no longer in competition because...
...capitalists cannot afford another republican White House
...true Christians know that the republicans worship false gods and
...extreme right neo-cons are lame, useless and pathetic with no redeemable value.
One for the road:
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Presidential Newspaper Endorsement List
Nobody knows if newspaper endorsements actually make a difference with voters. You can find arguments going both ways.
DemConWatch will be tracking the endorsements for each candidate up until election day. We will link to the endorsement story whenever possible...
http://www.demconwatchblog.com/2008/09/presidential-newspaper-endorsement-list.html
Obama/Biden Newspaper Endorsements
California
Fresno Bee (D)
SJ Mercury News (D)
Stockton Record * (R)
Colorado
Gunnison Times (N)
Iowa
Storm Lake Times (D)
Michigan
Muskeegon Chronicle
Missouri
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (D)
Ohio
Canton Repository (R)
Dayton Daily News (D)
Springfield Sun News
Toledo Blade
Pennsylvania
Easton Express Times
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (D)
Tennessee
Tennessean (D)
Virginia
Falls Church News Press
Washington
Seattle Times (23) (D)
Seattle Post-Intell. (D)
West Virginia
Charleston Gazette (D)
Wisconsin
State Journal
McCain/Palin Newspaper Endorsements
California
SF Examiner *
Colorado
Pueblo Chieftan (R)
Maryland
Baltimore Examiner
Massachusetts
Boston Herald (R)
Lowell Sun (R)
New York
New York Post (8) (R)
Ohio
Findlay Courier (R)
Washington
Spokesman Review (R)
Washington DC
DC Examiner
Morning Dems........
Gregg, got a good one for you in case you did not see it as yet !
You know Redstate blog? That silly attempt of a few Republicans to look like they are politically savvy?
Welllllllll, read this one. One of the do-founders of it, got his mail ballot and COULD NOT MAKE HIMSELF VOTE FOR MCCAIN!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/12/redstate-co-founder-cant_n_133970.html
that should be co-founders in that above post. sorry.
And this one is for Sally. I am sure you will be too embarassed and humiliated at how stupid you were to ever come back her after the election. Good luck with the dumpster diving and Ebay business in the future. heehee
"Barring a dramatic change in the political landscape over the next three weeks, Democrats appear headed toward a decisive victory on Election Day that would give them broad power over the federal government.
...
Former Reagan political adviser Ed Rollins (REPUBLICAN)likened today's landscape to that in 1980, when voters were angry at President Jimmy Carter and the Democrats and turned to Reagan in droves once they felt comfortable with the idea of him as president.
"Barack has met the threshold," Rollins said. "Once Reagan met the threshold, people wanted to get rid of Carter and they did in a landslide. This is going to turn into a landslide
Confident of holding all the states that went for Kerry in 2004, Obama's playing offense in several Republican states. He has an edge or is competitive in such states as:
_ Colorado, where he's up by an average of 4 percentage points, according to recent polls there compiled by RealClearPolitics.com.
_ Florida, where he's up by 3 points.
_ Nevada, where he's up by 3 points.
_ Ohio, where he's up by 3 points.
_ Virginia, where's up by 5 points.
Most of those are still close enough to be considered toss-ups.
But as of this week, Obama now leads in enough states to secure more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/53771.html
NOW THIS IS AN INTERESTING LOOK AT THE PARTY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR VALUES!!!!!
A HISTORIC TICKET.... Now that Sarah Palin has been found to have abused her powers, violated state ethics, and lied about it, I did a little digging and found an interesting historical footnote.
The McCain/Palin ticket is the first in American history in which both candidates were found to have violated ethics standards before a national election.
McCain, of course, was admonished by Senate Ethics Committee "for exercising 'poor judgment' for intervening" with federal regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, as part of the infamous Keating Five scandal.
And now McCain's running mate has also been found to have violated state ethics laws and abused the powers of her office, as part of the "Troopergate" scandal.
The nation has had 102 major-party tickets covering 51 presidential elections over more than two centuries. And we've never had a ticket in which both candidates on the same ticket were responsible for ethics violations before a national election. McCain/Palin is the first
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_10/015130.php
For those of you doing door to door and phone banking, here is a Fact Checker on the Ayers claim you should run off and pass out to those who were easily fooled into believing RNC and McCain ads!
PolitiFact Tears Apart McCain's Ayers Claims
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/12/politifact-tears-apart-mc_n_134059.html
WHO WAS IT WHO WAS PREDICTING AS THE PRESIDENCY WENT FOR MCCAIN, SO WOULD CONGRESS GO RED???
OH YEAH, IT WAS SILLY SALLY!! READ IT AND WEEP
WASHINGTON — The financial turmoil that has devastated the stock market is also battering Republicans in congressional races, giving Democrats a chance to topple GOP incumbents once considered safe and wrest seats in pivotal districts and states.
Voters' deepening anxiety about the economy following the enactment of a $700 billion financial industry bailout has created the conditions, just over three weeks from the Nov. 4 election, for an anti-Republican tide that could hand Democrats insurmountable majorities on both sides of the Capitol, according to lawmakers and strategists in both parties.
"It is hurting every Republican across the board. This environment has just become very toxic for us," said Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio. "It could very easily be a wave" in Democrats' favor
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/11/economic-crisis-boosts-de_n_133865.html
Good morning, Pam.
Early voting starts today in Illinois. The main Cook County office at Daley Plaza will be open 7 days a week until Nov. 3.
Morning Paam,
On our local neocon radio station last night they played a clip from one of palin's game rallies.
She has apparently toned down the rhetoric and had the crowd frothed up and they were chanting "USA, USA, USA" like they were at some sports event.
She continues to have no content in her diatribes. She said that she is going to amend the tax code. So there. This tells me a lot.
Good news is that Hillary is spending the next few days in PA and Bill is going south to stump for Obama.
Is there anyone stumping for mccain except his wife?
Good Morning America, Democratic National Committee, Members, Staff and Interested Parties!
What is on my mind today is Iraq, even though I know Barack Obama is going to win and we’re going to leave Iraq.
McCain’s losing attitude with Iraq, suggesting that if Iraq falls apart after America leaves it will be America’s fault and loss, not Iraq’s Government’s own fault and loss, is a concern for me, even if Obama wins. I fear this attitude of McCain’s could encourage Iraq to blame America for possible future chaos
No matter which position either party takes with Iraq, their government is not doing enough to help their own people get along with each other, let alone encouraging the people in the Middle East to get along with American’s. Therefore, the Iraqi Government is not putting in enough effort towards democracy (better representation) or regional peace to make it worth America’s while or lives.
So while Iraq’s people, as a whole, deserve better, the Iraqi Government who is failing us in the war against terrorism deserve nothing more from America to empower them more at this point. America (including our Democratic and Republican leaders) deserve relief.
Sorry, but if the only way the Iraqi sects will politically behave their selves is if we have a hundred thousand troops standing on their one way streets, Iraq lost. I’d rather the taxpayers pay for a hundred thousand cops standing on the streets of L.A., at least we know most of us don’t want to kill somebody there.
I see no reason for either party to have to bargain with the anti-American devil in Iraq, no matter where both parties might take the limit to.
Morning DooBee.
I have seen a predominance of Democratic yard signs for Congress and State offices. There are hardly any repuke signs. I have seen only one bumper sticker for palin and none for mccain.
There are lots of Obama bumper stickers.
I saw one billboard done by an avid Obama fan in Tome, obviously hand painted. It is impressive. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me.
The local news just corrected themselves. Illinois early voting ends on October 30, not Nov. 3.
"No matter which position either party takes with Iraq, their government is not doing enough to help their own people get along with each other, let alone encouraging the people in the Middle East to get along with American’s. Therefore, the Iraqi Government is not putting in enough effort towards democracy (better representation) or regional peace to make it worth America’s while or lives.
HOPE4U
you must understand that these sects in Iraq fought each hundred for hundreds of years, until Saddam got into power. Then they lived side by side. NOW their cities are separated with cement walls to try and just keep them apart. If you used to own a house in the Shia section, and you are a Sunni---tough luck. America's illegal invasion brought them all death, poverty, no electricity in many areas, unclean water, etc. They long for the days of Saddam.
You cannot expect them to reconcile until both parties sit down and compromise, negotiate and talk to each other. The Oil profits must be split equally. The Governing must be split equally.
But none of this will take place until the last American is out of their country!
Hope4U
I agree. I read over the weekend that 3,000 Christians are fleeing Mosul. I didn't hear the reason but I imagine it was the Muslims.
The Iraqi government must take immediate steps to control their people and create jobs to provide for their livelihood.
I heard on Progressive radio news yesterday that we and the UN promised to pay the millions of Iraqi refugees in the camp in Syria to return to Iraq. They even told them they would get them a job and a place to live. No one showed up.
bush and the Iraqi government have apparently provided no means of support for the people in Iraq. bush has private contractors doing all the work at extravagant cost. Why now and why don't we let the Iraqis do the reconstruction using the money they stashed away.
I believe that we let the Germans rebuild Germany after WWII and didn't have overpaid cronies doing the work, shoddy to boot.
bbl. Off to work.
Good morning, everyone.
In OH, registered voters can vote by absentee (early in person voting) until the day before the General Election.
Tomorrow is the Primary election in the 11th Congressional District (Stephanie Tubbs Jones seat).
Morning Johne and DooBee and other Dems......
Isn't it so ludicrous and hypocritical of the Republicans all of sudden, after years of committing the worst election fraud in history in the last elections, suddenly all outraged over ACORN and desperately trying to tie Obama somehow to the registrations that were falsely done?
One thing the idiots forget----I don't care how many Mickey Mouse, or Dallas Cowboy registrations are passed in----the test is on November 4th as to who shows up at the polls with their ID and checks in with their street address!
These Repugs just don't get it!
Community Gathering
with Joe Biden
Adena Hall Athletic Complex
Ohio State University, Newark Campus
1179 University Drive
Newark, OH
Wednesday, October 15th
Doors Open: 4:00 p.m.
Program Begins: 6:00 p.m.
http://oh.barackobama.com/NewarkChange
For security reasons, do not bring bags or umbrellas.
Please limit
personal belongings. No signs or banners permitted.
Thank you,
Obama for America
In OH there have only been 4 proven cases of voter fraud by ACORN in the last decade!
It's the repugs (legislators) who are blocking voter registration and wanting to set up ways to cage voters.
Morning {{{Esme}}}
The repugs think we are as stupid as their dwindling base is, and have forgotten what they have done the last elections! Fraud, intimidation, caging, etc.
ps, saw your post on how good your granddaughter is. My first one has always been the best behaved child ever, but then her sister has made up for it! She is a terror at 2 years old. Knows no rules, has a voice that can pierce your eardrums if she is not getting her way, but is also the light of my life! Now the latest 4 month old boy is an excellent baby. Only cries for food, rest of time is spent smiling happily at anyone who is near. Grandkids are the BEST, aren't they!
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-35935420081013
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will give a "major" speech outlining his economic rescue plan at 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT) on Monday, his campaign said.
{{{Bold}}}
Yes! Grandbabies are the best! Bella and I have similar personalities, so I imagine we will always have a special bond. I guess I will have to wait and see what the next 2 girls are like.
I do believe the next 2 will have all that hair too!
;P
I read up the thread that Aussie guy sounded rather negative about NASCAR rednecks. We aren't all that bad.
The carpenter said that Cindy McCain spoke at the race track.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27150961/
National Debt Clock runs out of numbers
Happy Columbus Day to me! A 3 day weekend!
Time to use that solar clothes dryer again and get my house cleaning chores done.
Jeremiah 29:11
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
« Hide Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in,
.
Now you can comment.
(sign out - change name - manage account)
