Posts with the tag Republicans

*NPR: Could Texas Lose Its Solidly Republican Identity?

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:03:29 EST

Could Texas Lose Its Solidly Republican Identity?
by Wade Goodwyn
Politics
Day to Day, December 19, 2008
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98388035

Listen Now
5:58
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=98388035

Graphic: GOP Losing Hold on Texas Politics?
http://media.npr.org/design/comps/voters.gif

Day to Day, December 19, 2008 · The Republican Party in Texas holds every statewide elected office, including both U.S. Senate seats, the governor's mansion and majorities in the Texas House and Senate. There's no reason to be worried, right?

Except that Indiana used to be considered safely Republican — as did Iowa, Nevada, Virginia, Colorado and North Carolina, all states won by President-elect Barack Obama last month.

Although Arizona Sen. John McCain carried Texas by a double-digit margin, some Democratic organizers believe that, with enough money and staff, the Lone Star State could be flipped. This imagined realignment would not happen immediately; it would take between two and four election cycles.

But if Democrats could flip Texas, the ramifications for the Republican Party could be traumatic, making GOP politicians vulnerable to a decades-long exile from power at the national level. ..

NPR: Oklahoma Republicans Shift Political Expectations

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:25:51 EST

NPR: Oklahoma Republicans Shift Political Expectations
by Linda Wertheimer
NPR 12-15-08
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98290100

Listen Now [5 min 16 sec]
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=98290100

Map: Election night results from Oklahoma
http://media.npr.org/news/images/2008/dec/15/map.jpg
On this map of the Oklahoma results, the dark red indicates that Obama got less than 30 percent of the vote. The intermediate pink color shows that he got 30 to 35 percent of the vote. The lightest color shows where he got more than 35 percent. -Robert Benincasa/NPR

All Things Considered, December 15, 2008 -- On a recent biting cold night in the small city of Durant, Okla., residents held their annual Christmas Day parade: a small-town tradition with many floats, bands and young children on a flatbed trailer towed by a giant green John Deere tractor.

But despite the festivities, Durant will not get the president it wanted for Christmas.

Oklahoma is a conservative state, where voters focused on issues such as small government and abortion rather than the president-elect's mantra of "change." In fact, Oklahoma was the reddest state in the union in this election, with Republican John McCain carrying every single county. No other state can make that claim.

Now, residents are shifting their political expectations as Obama prepares to take office. While some say they are concerned that Obama is more rhetoric than action, others say they have been impressed by his choices so far.

Results of voting for Republicans

Mike W, Tulsa+ — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:53:06 EST

Results of voting for Republicans

Moving Forward, Next Steps

Democrat in Corsicana, TX — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:18:49 EST

Weeks have now passed since the historic election between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Through the course of twenty-one months, Americans seemed to become more aware of their rights, and the responsibilities of their government. Those who felt that their voices could not be heard were vindicated on election night by one Senator, and to those who felt their voices were ignored listened to the concession speech of the opposing Senator. Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of many Americans, and the world appeared to take a sigh of relief as the final tallies came in.

Now, weeks later, the media is flooded with reports of transition teams, bailouts that have received makeovers, and two parties not sure where to go from here. Yet, the American people have gone back to their lives, turning off CNN & Fox News Stations as they pass by the newsstands in the mornings, focusing their attentions on what their lives were â��Pre-Electionâ��. Meanwhile local governments are having their city council meetings, county commissioners meetings and playing again to pre-election crowdsâ�¦empty houses.

I pose this question: Will Americans take care of business, and take back an active role in their local governments.

As I worked through the election, I met so many people who had never voted before, did not know who their local Representatives were, and at times were not even aware what precincts they lived in. One might wonder, are all the mishandling in Washington only the faults of the Representatives their, or is the constituents who have neglected their responsibilities of staying informed & staying involved. With the wide use of the Internet, and information fingertips away, it is brought to my attention that over the last eight years, the American people have purposely neglected their responsibility of staying abreast of the actions regarding the local governments they elect. As a result, the local leaders have no way of accurately representing their constituents, thus you have a massive amount of neglect within several sectors of the cities accross America.

Consequently, this creates a trickle-up effect, of misrepresentation. Those elected to the county, state, and federal positions, only speak for those who have allowed their voices to be heard through their votes. With the battle-cry of â��Changeâ�� coming from both sides of the isles, it was difficult to understand the change that was promised. Whereas â��Changeâ�� taking place in Washington, I am a staunch believer that â��Changeâ�� must take place in the City Halls and Soup Kitchens all across America. Whereas people once questioned the purpose of the Electoral College, we saw in this election, that if the constituents play an active role in being informed and involved that the Electoral College correlates with the voice of the American People.

So, now that the anticipation of election night is gone, will Americans go back to the complacency of yesteryear which has consequently landed us in the worst shape this country has seen in decades, or will Americans take care of business, and hold up to their responsibilities of being informed and involved? You be the answer! Vote for Democracy

Al Franken

Gabriel Felix — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:29:54 EST

I believe it is a shame that Al Franken is being wronged in the heated Minnesota Senatorial campaign. It is typical of the Republican party to implement, enforce, and justify the use of policies when it is to their advantage, and to criticize the policies when they are the ones who stand to lose. Disallowing absentee ballots is not only wrong, it is an insult to the people of Minnesota, and a slap in the face of our electoral system. How can you justify the blatant refusal of ballots cast by American citizens? You are essentially putting forth the notion that it is acceptable to enforce policies when it is beneficial to one particular political party, and it is also acceptable to openly refuse the acknowledgment of ballots cast by American citizens. How low will the Republican stoop in other to preserve their political choke-hold on politics that favor the wealthy and further exploit the dying middle class?

GOP ARE NOW IN CAMPAIGN FOR HIS FUTURE | STARTED NOV 6, 2008 | INTERNET

Percy H Florez — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:31:53 EST

Internet Strategy for the GOP Barack Obama's Internet strategy was at the heart of his successful presidential campaign. Now, conservative strategists are debating what needs to be done to get Republican candidates and organizers to the level of online fundraising, outreach and activism that helped Democrats prevail in the 2008 elections. Mindy Finn and Patrick Ruffini, founders of RebuildTheParty.com, were online Tuesday, November 15 at noon ET to discuss the current state and possible future of Republicans' Internet efforts. Their site was featured in the Washington Post Style Section.

Washington Post Article

==================
Percy H Florez

Obama will increase our taxes!

Democrat in New York, NY — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:59:25 EST

Well, that's the new boogie man for the right. Republicans know it isn't true but the reason they keep repeating it is because they know they have no ideas, new or old, that will work. By repeating this mantra repubs feel that they will hold off any supposed tax increases and if they are wrong they can just claim that taxes weren't increased because they FORCED Prez Obama's arm to not do so. Repubs always have an angle for everything. They are just bunch of manipulative freaks. Can we send them all to Zimbabwe? I hear Mugabe thinks exactly like republics.

Defeated Republicans Lick Their Wounds and Debate Comeback Strategy

Mark C. Eades — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:21:13 EST

Still reeling from the punishing defeat handed to them by victorious Democrats on Election Day, Republicans are licking their wounds and debating their strategy for a comeback. As Democrats and progressives celebrate our hard-won victory, we should also be keeping an eye on our vanquished opponents and preparing to remain on the offensive against them, whatever comeback road they attempt to pursue. For the sake of the future, we cannot allow a repeat of 1980, 1994, or 2000.

Most observers see two major possibilities for the GOP. One is that the party could stick with its rural, white, ultra-conservative base and become the party of the far right, thus alienating moderates, independents, and swing voters, many of whom would likely migrate to the Democratic Party and join the ranks of conservative-leaning "Blue Dogs" like Virginia senator Jim Webb. The other possibility is that the GOP could move toward a more moderate and less ideological, center-right position that could make it more attractive to independents and swing voters but at the same time would tend to alienate the conservative base. Neither is an exceedingly attractive option for the GOP, since either would likely result in the loss of one or another key Republican voting block. The electoral success of Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II depended upon a united Republican coalition of social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, defense hawks, and "Reagan Democrats." That coalition has now fallen apart.

I personally hope the Republicans will take the former choice, stick with their demented base, and become a far-right fringe party doomed to increasing irrelevance as old bigots die off and their children discard the prejudices, fears, and hatreds of the past. This is what may well happen if far-right blowhards like Rush Limbaugh have their way, warning their shell-shocked followers now against a moderate takeover of the GOP led by once-and-future-maverick John McCain and other hands-across-the-aisle types, whose ranks will seek to purge the party of "real conservatives" like Sarah Palin and those who identify with her. Never exceedingly popular among those on the far right, McCain is already being branded a defeatist and a traitor by the Limbaugh-Palin crowd, who are incensed by the attacks on Palin now coming from within the McCain camp itself, and who increasingly regret that McCain was ever nominated even as they are in his debt for giving them "their Sarah." Meanwhile, angry dittoheads at RedState.com have launched a bitter assault on Palin's Republican critics called "Operation Leper," and appear poised to advocate for Palin as a presidential candidate for 2012 and/or 2016. Perhaps we will see a full-fledged Palin faction form within the Republican Party in opposition to the forces of Republican moderation, leading to an all-out faction fight and perhaps even a split in the party. I sincerely hope so.

If, on the other hand, the Republicans choose the path of moderation, returning perhaps to the GOP of Eisenhower and Goldwater, our work could be a little more difficult. This possibility highlights the importance of maintaining the center-to-left coalition that enabled us to win in 2006 and 2008 just as their center-to-right coalition enabled Republicans to win in 1980, 1994, and 2000, as it raises the risk of swing voters swinging back to the Republican side if they are not happy with the job Democrats are doing in Washington. Those of us such as myself who are on the Left of the Democratic Party will have to balance our expectation of having a place at the table with the realization that the rest of the country isn't with us just yet. At least in the near term, the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress will have to govern more-or-less from the center, and at the same time will have to prove that they are more capable of governing the country effectively than their opponents. Given the dominance of the far-right in today's GOP and its dependence on the conservative base, however, owing in part to the fact that so many moderate Republicans have either left the party or been voted out of office, I wonder how realistic or likely a route this second option actually is. I could be wrong, but I suspect hopefully that our opponents will remain in the funk they are currently in for quite some time to come.

Whatever course they may ulimately choose to take, our task as Democrats is to stop any GOP comeback dead in its tracks before it even starts. Democrats must remain on the offensive and must remain focused on solidifying and building our congressional majority in 2010, re-electing President Obama in 2012, and putting another Democrat in the White House in 2016. We must aggressively go after not only Republican congressional seats but also state and local offices nationwide. Grassroots Democratic organizing, voter registration, fundraising, and media activism are key to this, as is maintaining a strong center-to-left coalition through effective, balanced governance. We must demonstrate to the Republicans that they are dealing with a new, much tougher, much more aggressive and effective Democratic Party: a Democratic Party that won't be so easy to kick around as in the past, a Democratic Party whose days of whining about mean old swiftboating Republicans are over.

If we are to avoid a repeat of the last eight years or something even worse, no Republican comeback can ever be allowed to happen.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

Republicans

Democrat in New York, NY — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:54:17 EDT

They keep talking about how well McCain is doing considering that this is a bad year for the republicans in general. Hello! Wasn't this the same excuse they used in 2006? And the mainstream media keeps repeating republican talking points about this. Hey, it's a bad year for republicans, again, is because republican policies have hurt our great nation for the past 14 years!!! We have had these idiots running the congress or the white house or both for the past 14 years. Let's not forget that when we vote this year. The mainstream media needs to start reporting something sensible.

Stopping GOP Voter Suppression and Election Theft

Mark C. Eades — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:44:03 EDT

The threat of GOP voter suppression and election theft is as great as ever this election year, and perhaps even greater as Republicans grow desperate to head off what appears likely to be a crushing defeat on Nov. 4. While Republicans hurl baseless accusations of voter fraud at Democrats and progressives who seek to build turnout, the fact remains that it is the GOP which has repeatedly sought to suppress voting in order to win elections. Republicans have used and continue to use a variety of methods to disenfranchise likely Democratic voters, including disqualification, deception, and intimidation.

Methods of voter suppression used by Republicans and the threat they pose this election year were recently discussed by Andrew Gumbel at The Nation as well as by Peter Rothberg. Meanwhile, Roberto Lovato discusses what we can all do to protect our votes on Election Day and after. The Brennan Center for Justice documents and reports incidents of voter suppression nationwide for public information. Reports on voter suppression activities have also recently appeared in the New York Times and at CNN.

The Election Protection coalition (1-866-OUR-VOTE) is a nonpartisan organization formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. Through their website and voter hotline Election Protection provides live, up-to-the-minute information and advice on voting conditions nationwide as well as taking reports of irregularities from voters. No Voter Left Behind (NVLB) is a Democratic organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to fight GOP efforts at voter suppression and election theft. NVLB also provides extensive information on GOP voter suppression methods and on how Democrats can protect their votes as well as taking reports of irregularities. In addition to offering direct assistance to voters, Election Protection and NVLB seek donors and volunteers to support their efforts.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

Stealing the Vote: GOP Voter Suppression is McCain's Last Chance to Win

Mark C. Eades — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:05:44 EDT

This man wants your vote, and he'll stop at nothing to get it.

Republican voter suppression efforts are underway nationwide in a last-ditch attempt to head off what is expected to be a big win for Democrats on Nov. 4. With only eight days left to go until Election Day, thousands of voters across the United States are now being illegally purged from voting rolls, new voter registrations are being rejected, and deceptive or intimidating information is being fed to likely Democratic voters by Republican operatives and election officials election officials anxious to prevent them voting for Barack Obama. This is John McCain's last chance to win on Election Day, and Republicans are leaving no stone unturned in the effort.

The Brennan Center for Justice has documented incidents of voter suppression in Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Montana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, and California. These include illegal purges of voters as reported also by the New York Times and CNN, rejection of new voter registrations, and deceptive or intimidating information given to voters in the hope of stopping them from voting. The New York Times also names Indiana and Nevada among swing states in which illegal or improper voter purges are taking place, often due to minor errors or mismatches which should not prevent eligible citizens from voting, and including improper use of Social Security data to purge voters. CNN likewise reports eligible US citizens being purged from voting rolls on the basis of errors and technicalities, often so close to Election Day that it is impossible for them to be reinstated, and in spite of federal laws prohibiting such purges within 90 days of Election Day. Republicans are aggressively pursuing methods such as these for disenfranchising likely Democratic voters across the United States, including lawsuits and appeals for partisan intervention by George W. Bush's Justice Department.

The Brennan Center also documents widespread cases of voter deception and intimidation by GOP operatives and even election officials. Election officials in Virginia and Colorado have provided incorrect and misleading voter information to students, and deceptive fliers have been distributed by GOP operatives to students and African Americans in Pennsylvania. In Bakersfield, California, conservative radio host Jaz McKay of station KNZR told listeners that Democrats should vote Nov. 5 instead of Nov. 4 because of expected heavy turnout - a favorite trick among Republicans trying to stop Democrats from voting. Asked by the county elections chief to stop misleading voters, McKay claimed it was a joke (see Bakersfield Californian). Many such incidents of voter deception and intimidation, too numerous to mention here, are documented by the Brennan Center.

Facing likely defeat on Nov. 4, desperate Republicans are pulling out all the stops in a last-ditch effort to steal the 2008 election.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

Republicans Are Sick: Radio Host Fantasizes Obama Murdering His Own Grandmother

Mark C. Eades — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:32:10 EDT

We've seen and heard some pretty ugly stories recently from the Republican ranks, but just when you think the stories can't get any uglier, they get uglier. So it was Friday morning (Oct. 24) on radio station WLS in Chicago, when conservative drive-time host Don Wade imagined how Barack Obama's allegedly adoring press corps would react to a video record of the senator murdering his own grandmother. Sadly, Wade's comments coincided with Obama's actual visit to the bedside of his ailing grandmother in Hawaii, which Wade ghoulishly turned into a fantasy murder scene captured on video. "The video clearly shows Grandmother greeting Barack Obama coming through the door...," Wade described with obvious relish, "...Barack Obama comes over, sits down beside the grandmother, and places a pillow over her face and holds the pillow over her face until she struggles no more" (CBS-2). Wade's wife and co-host Roma (picture here with Wade) expressed shock at her husband's words even as they were coming out of his mouth; and listeners expressed even greater shock in e-mail complaints such as this one quoted by CBS-2 News in Chicago: "Don Wade of WLS talk radio crossed the line this morning describing an insensitive and coded hate scenario where Obama goes to Hawaii and murders his grandmother. It was appalling, disturbing, ugly and over the top."

The Obama campaign has declined to comment on Wade's remarks. Those who would like to comment on Wade's remarks may do so at the WLS contact page ("Don & Roma" or "Don & Roma Producer" on pull-down menu). Don & Roma broadcast from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. local time Monday through Friday and take live callers at (312) 591-8900. Alternately, recorded messages for Don & Roma may be left at (312) 357-1489.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

New Mexico Republican Women's Leader Calls Obama "A Muslim Socialist"

Mark C. Eades — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:11:23 EDT

Marcia Stirman (pictured here), head of the Republican Women of Otero County, New Mexico, published a letter in the Alamagordo Daily News Oct. 21 stating her belief that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is "a Muslim socialist." The letter listed Stirman's reasons for being a Republican, including her belief that "Muslims are our enemies," and concluding with her belief that Obama is "a Muslim socialist."

In fact, as most Americans know full well, Obama is neither a Muslim nor a socialist. Ms. Stirman is obviously an ignorant bigot.

Interviewed by the Associated Press following the publication of her letter, Stirman said of Muslims: "I don't trust them at all. They've sworn across the world that they are our enemies. Why we're trying to elect one is beside me." Sassy Tinling, chair of the Otero County Republican Party, said Wednesday that Stirman would be asked to resign from her position as head of the Republican women's group. Stirman herself has stood by her remarks and has offered no apology to any who might have been offended.

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said of Stirman's statements: "Because these hate-filled remarks were made by a prominent Republican, it is incumbent on state and national GOP officials to repudiate her divisive and intolerant views." Stirman remained unapologetic, however, as she expressed in the Las Cruces Sun News: "I still have freedom of speech and an opinion. If the Islamic group doesn't like it, well, I don't like what's going on in their camp, either."

Stirman is an interior decorator with Artistic Interior Solutions, 1702 23rd St., Alamogordo NM 88310. Comments may be directed to Stirman by e-mail at mstirman@yahoo.com or by telephone at (575) 437-9362.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

California Republicans in Hot Water for Hate-Based Attacks on Obama

Mark C. Eades — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:39:07 EDT

Republicans across the United States are getting into a lot of hot water these days for hate-based attacks on Barack Obama, and "tolerant" California is no exception. Earlier this week, the Sacramento County Republican Party and its chair, attorney Craig S. MacGlashan, caught some well-deserved flack for posting anti-Obama materials on the county GOP website including a call to "Waterboard Barack Obama" and a statement equating Obama with terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Having removed the materials Oct. 14 in the face of sharp criticism from Republicans as well as Democrats, MacGlashan later found it necessary to apologize for the materials even as local Republicans called for his resignation. MacGlashan's wife, a Sacramento County supervisor, also condemned the materials, calling them "hateful, stupid and offensive."

Following these events in Sacramento another instance of hate-based Republican attacks on Obama was reported Oct. 16 in San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles. Here, an organization of Republican women circulated a newsletter including a depiction of Barack Obama on a US food stamp surrounded by a watermelon, ribs, and a bucket of fried chicken (pictured here). Diane Fedele, president of Chaffey Community Republican Women Federated, was also forced to apologize for the picture but denied any racist intent despite the obvious racial stereotypes included in it. As in the Sacramento case, state Republican officials were forced to condemn and disavow the San Bernardino attack.

There was a time, not so long ago, when Republicans could get away with hate campaigns like this, particularly on the local level free of national attention. Thanks to the internet, those days are gone.

Craig S. MacGlashan is an attorney with the Sacramento law firm of Nageley, Meredith, and Miller (8001 Folsom Boulevard, Suite 100, Sacramento CA 95826). The firm can can be contacted by telephone at (916) 386-8282 or by e-mail at mail@NMLawFirm.com. MacGlashan may be directly contacted for comment by telephone at the same number or by e-mail at cmacglashan@nmlawfirm.com. MacGlashan sits also on the board of directors of the Saramento Valley Lincoln Club, a conservative political action committee, and is married to Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan.

Diane Fedele and the Chaffey Community Republican Women Federated may be contacted by e-mail at diane1354@mindspring.com and diane1354@verizon.net, by telephone at (909) 981-0493, by fax at (909) 982-6880, or by mail at P.O. Box 974, Upland CA 91785. Chaffey Community Republican Women Federated meet the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m., at the Magic Lamp Inn, 8189 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730.

Mark C. Eades
http://www.mceades.com

Wrong-publicans

Grassroots Democrat Bruce — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:18:29 EDT

The Republicans have been wrong about several key issues: war (Iraq), deregulation (which helped cause the current financial system crisis) and the environment (global warming). Time to vote Democratic.

implotion?

Matt Nisenoff — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:07 EDT

What the heck is wrong with McBush. He attacks as the Republicans always do then tells a few supporters they should not then attacks again; Plain is on a seperate campaign attacking and scolding her own rally attendees (of course, inappropriately as they were not protesters but her own supporters who were asking her to speak louder -- hilarious that as she is told she still pretends to understand what just happened); and the campaign flunkies who attempt to use the concerns about their own supporters shouting death threats as some sort of attack on their supporters.
McBush should retract his recent attack on Congressman Lewis, too.
Though I will give McBush credit for one thing, he said that he has the Democrats and media just where he wants them right now. Good for him. Let's work harder to ensure that the turn out is high so he can enjoy election night the same way.

Would Martin Luther King (A REAL HERO) Vote For Obama?

Democrat in Gainesville, FL — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:28:45 EDT

Read this eye opening story. http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/democratic_racism/2008/02/25/75308.htmlRace has nothing to do with one's character. Judge not one by the color of his skin but by their actions. The slave owners that kept our ancestors in bondage and slavery were DEMOCRATS and the man who signed the Declaration Proclamation was Abe Lincoln a Republican and Martin Luther King who gave his life so every man, woman, and child could live in peace and harmony together was a Republican also. The republican as proved through out history has fought for the black man but what have the democrats done for you lately? Vote with your heart and not by the color of a man's skin. There is a great black man or woman out there could can lead the country to greatness and make history for us all but Barrack Obama is not him. Would MLK associate with the likes of Ayers, Wright and Fahrakhan? Lord no. MLK was for peace and justice and died bringing his message to the masses to have his dream destroyed by Obama. Obama is tearing that dream apart and using race when MLK was trying to bring the races togther. You know the saying what would Jesus do? Well what about what would Martin Luther do? They both made the greatest sacrifice for us all and people forget this when they hear Obama speak and think that there will be a black man in the White House and he'll work for you. He's doing this for himself a power trip, not for you.

Whitman McCain Connected to Chinese Censorship

Andrew Stergiou — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:14:28 EDT

As we all know Margaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman[2] (born August 4, 1956)[3] was President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay from March 1998 to March 2008, when she stepped down from her role. She has been a director since March 1998, and continues to serve in that capacity. Ms. Whitman joined eBay when it was a small auction website with 30 employees, revenues of more than $4 million and millions of hard working independent entrepreneurs. According to Forbes magazine, Whitman was worth an estimated $1.4 billion in 2007.[1] She is one of only seven women to have been repeatedly ranked among the world's most influential people by Time magazine.[4] Whitman was mentioned as a possible Vice Presidential candidate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain until McCain picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Whitman was also mentioned by McCain as a possible Secretary of the Treasury during the second of three United States presidential election debates in 2008.[19]

Whitman was a supporter of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign [12][13] in 2008 and was on his "National Finance Team".[14] She was also listed as Finance co-chair of Romney's campaign exploratory committee. [15] After Romney stepped out of the race, Whitman joined John McCain's presidential campaign as a national co-chair. [16]

She has political ambitions of her own and is considering a run for Governor of California in the 2010 election.[17] Whitman was also named as a dark horse candidate for the Vice Presidential slot in McCain's 2008 presidential bid.[18]

At the Republican National Convention (2008), Whitman gave a speech about what presumptive presidential nominee McCain would do in his first one hundred days in office if elected President of the United States.

Palin profanes the sacred "hockey mom" spunk

reggieinseattle — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:31:37 EDT

Sarah Palin's vague, evasive responses during the debate and her performance during the Charles Gibson and Katie Couric interviews confirm a vital weakness about the Republican Party and raises a few new concerns about Sarah Palin, "hockey moms," and their "soccer mom" counterparts. They are:

1 - The Republicans don't have anyone close to Geraldine Ferraro or Hilary Rodham Clinton as serious-minded contenders for the office of President of the United States, which is unfortunate for the GOP because hockey moms are an important demographic and...

2 - I have always suspected that Sarah Palin is neither well-read nor well-travelled which equates to a diminished capacity for critical analysis of complex world issues. Recall that during the Katie Couric interview she couldn't give an answer to what kind of political magazines and newspapers she reads, and mocked the intellectual-types who send their kids off to backpack across Europe. What better way to learn about the world around you?

3 - Sarah Palin is undoubtedly passionate and full of "spunk." But I don't want someone with spunk running the nation. I'd prefer a considerate, strong-willed, intelligent person.

4 - I also suspect that Palin's world view reflects that of a lot of other hockey moms - they know very little about the world around them. Perhaps being overburdened with raising families, running the house, keeping their children safe, and getting kids to and from school leaves little energy or time to consider the woes of the nation and the world beyond the ice-rink, the soccer pitch, or the cul-de-sac. One thing is for certain - the Sarah Palin demographic is a large group, they are a key swing vote, and they send an awful lot of their children into harms way via the military. I desperately want to be wrong about this one. My son shares the pitch with a lot of shiny-eyed, beautiful young people.

Republicans attack but where are the Democrats?

Democrat in New York, NY — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:53:33 EDT

Republicans are attacking Obama about his association with Bill Ayers, a guy who is a Distinguished Professor although with a checkered past, and Jerry Wright, another guy with a checkered past but with distinguished service to the country in the armed forces, but I see no counter attacks from the Democrats or even Obama campaign. All I see is weak defensive posture against a well coordinated attack by the republicans. What the democrats need to do is to counter attack not defend against the republican filth. The best way to defend against a weak attack is to counter attack with large force.

Media war is on for the duration of this campaign and the dems are losing it and it shows in the relatively low poll numbers. I understand that Obama is leading but that lead is due to the economic conditions, however, I believe Obama could be leading by mid double digits if it would counter attack McCain on his military record. I know every body is cringing but I am a veteran and I don't support him, so the dems need to stop feeling that they don't have RIGHT to the military support and start believing that they are owed military's support.

Democrats please start looking around and you will find that more than a majority of soldiers support you rather than the republicans. Republicans DO NOT CONTROL the hearts and minds of our armed forces any more, that's assuming that they ever did before.

McCain's military record is spotty at best. How did a guy who graduated 894th out of 899th get to be in an elite program of naval aviators? How did a guy who crashed twice, due to pilot error, get to go up again and again before being shot down over Vietnam? Looks like AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, due to his grandfather and father being admirals, to me. Why is it that we have so many pictures of him in the Vietnam pow camps when there are next to none of the other pows? He got special treatment, relative to other pows, even in Vietnam? Did he pledge communism to his captors? Is he still a communist?