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McCain and Obama

The Neocons conjure up more lies. :rolleyes:


Radio host Bob Grant repeats discredited email smears on Obama

Grant claimed that Obama "said 'should the political winds shift in an ugly direction, I will stand with the Muslims.' " In fact, as Media Matters has documented, FactCheck.org stated of the quote, which the email reportedly attributed to The Audacity of Hope: "A second false quote has Obama saying he would 'stand with the Muslims,' words that don't appear in his book. What he actually said is that he would stand with American immigrants from Pakistan or Arab countries should they be faced with something like the forced detention of Japanese-American families in World War II." On Page 261 of The Audacity of Hope, while discussing "my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans," Obama wrote: "[T]hey need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." More.
 
They are cheerleaders for the same team. The only hope was Ron Paul. I find Obama to be a car salesman rather than an intellectual and I find McCain to be an old bitter bastard.
 
US election: Obama leads McCain by 19 points among early voters, Pew says

Daniel Nasaw in Washington guardian.co.uk, Tuesday October 28 2008

More than 12m of about 213m eligible American voters across the country have already cast ballots, sometimes waiting in queues around the block to do so, despite the election being six days away.

Barack Obama is leading 53% to McCain's 34% among those who have already voted, according to a poll released today by the Pew Research Centre.

Under a procedure known simply as early voting, 32 states allow voters to cast a ballot before election day, either in person at the polling site or by mail. An additional 14 states and Washington DC allow it if voters can argue they will be unavailable next Tuesday.

The long October queues at polling places anticipate a tremendous surge in voter turnout over previous elections, and statistics from key states indicate an advantage for Barack Obama over rival John McCain among early voters.

"If we're in an election year where you have to wait two hours to vote early, you can imagine what it will look like on election day proper," said Doug Chapin, an election expert at the Pew Centre on the States.

Campaigns, voters and election workers have increasingly embraced early voting this year. Voters enjoy the convenience. Election workers like early voting because it allows them to stress test election procedures while time remains to iron out flaws. It also lessens the crunch on election day.

Research indicates early voters tend to be more partisan and firm in their choices than average, and the campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain have encouraged supporters to vote early.

The campaigns and their backers have dispatched volunteers and paid canvassers door to door to push supporters to the polls ahead of election day.

In Florida, where more than 2m have already cast ballots, Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden on Monday said an early vote could decide a close race.

"With an early vote, now is the time to choose," he said at a rally. Also on Monday, Michelle Obama launched a two-day swing through the western US to promote early voting.

Leading in national polling and in key battleground states, the Obama campaign hopes early voting will reduce the chances of a late surge by John McCain.

Also, if early voters discover a problem with their registration, there is time to correct it and lessen the risk of disenfranchisement, Obama campaign workers say. That is increasingly vital as states enact polling place identification requirements and voter-roll strictures.

"The more people we can get out, the fewer we have to deal with on November 4," said Faulkner Fox, an Obama volunteer organiser in Durham, North Carolina. "We can bank those votes."

In 2004, 22.5% of American voters cast their ballot before election day. That is expected to rise to as much as one third of all voters this year.

"The question remains if this means a greater share of the 2008 vote will be cast early, if turnout will be up overall, or - as I suspect - a combination of these two factors are in play," writes Michael McDonald, an associate professor of government and politics at George Mason University.

The long queues at early voting sites across the country seem to be benefiting the Democratic ticket. While the votes will not be counted until election day, the party registration statistics in key states anticipate an advantage for Obama.

In North Carolina, for instance, registered Democrats have cast 55% of early ballots, compared with 28% for the Republicans and 17% with no party affiliation, according to McDonald's analysis. In Florida, Democrats have cast 45% of early and absentee votes, compared with 40% for the Republicans and 15% other.

But the apparent early voting advantage for the Democrats may narrow because the Republicans typically start their mobilisation efforts closer to election day, McDonald told the Guardian.

One early vote the Democrats were happy to tout: George Bush last week cast his Texas absentee ballot for John McCain.
 

October 28, 2008

Two white supremacist skinheads have been charged over a bizarre plot to kill 88 African Americans including presidential candidate Barack Obama on a state-to-state killing spree.

Described by the authorities as neo-Nazis, Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman allegedly planned a deadly rampage through southern states, beheading 14 of their victims in a brutal homage to skinhead culture before ultimately gunning down the man who hopes to become America’s first black president.

The pair planned to drive as fast as they could at the Democratic nominee while wearing white tuxedos and top hats, blasting shotguns at him from the windows, court documents showed.

Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee, and Schlesselman 18, of West Helena, Arkansas, were charged with making threats against a presidential candidate, illegal possession of a sawn-off shotgun and conspiracy to rob a gun dealer. Appearing in a Memphis court yesterday, the pair were refused bail and remanded in custody until a further hearing on Thursday.

The plot – the second against the Illinois senator to be uncovered - did not appear to be very advanced or sophisticated, court documents showed.

“We’re unsure of their ability or if they have the wherewithal to carry out any of their threats,” a source close to the investigation said.

The pair allegedly met on the internet one month ago, said an affidavit filed by Brian Weaks, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

After finding common ground in their shared “white power” and “skinhead” philosophy, they “began discussing a “killing spree”” the papers said.

“They further stated that their final act of violence would be to attempt to kill/assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama,” Mr Weaks said. The young men said they expected to die in the attack, he added.

Cowart and Schlesselman had stolen guns from family members and planned to travel from state to state robbing and killing 88 people, 14 of whom would be decapitated. An unnamed high school with predominantly African-American students was to be the first target, agents said.

The two men had planned their first robbery for last Wednesday but left without breaking in and instead went shopping for ski masks, food and rope to use in later attempts. They were arrested later that day in Crockett County, western Tennessee. On the exterior of Cowart’s car were racially motivated words and symbols, including, on its hood, a swastika and the numbers “14” and “88”

Both numbers are symbolic in skinhead culture. The number 88 stands for “Heil Hitler” as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, special agent in charge James Cavanaugh said. 14 is a reference to a 14-word phrase attributed to an imprisoned white supremacist: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

Agents seized a rifle, a sawn-off shotgun and three pistols from the men when they were arrested and said the two men were preparing to break into a gun shop to steal more.

The pair, who detailed the plot in interviews following their arrest, also told investigators that on the day of the aborted robbery they had shot at a glass window at Beech Grove Church of Christ, a congregation of about 60 black members in Brownsville, Tennessee.

Nelson Bond, the church secretary and treasurer, said no one was at the church when the shot was fired. Members found the bullet had shattered the glass in the church’s front door when they arrived for evening Bible study.

“We have been on this site for about 120 years, and we have never had a problem like this before,” said Mr Bond, 53 and a church member for 45 years.

Mr Cavanaugh said authorities took the assassination threats very seriously. “They seemed determined to do it,” he said. “Even if they were just to try it, it would be a trail of tears around the South.”

Mr Obama’s campaign had no immediate comment on the alleged plot. The 47-year-old Democrat would become the first black president in US history if he defeats Republican John McCain in the November 4 election, some four decades since the end of segregation in the south.

Concerns about Mr Obama’s safety led the secret service to provide round-the-clock protection from early in his campaign. During the Democratic convention in Denver, three men were arrested in connection with a possible assassination plot and are currently awaiting trial on drugs and weapons charges, suggesting that the scheme was not particularly developed.

In Bells today, residents were shocked by the arrest of Cowart, who neighbours said seemed like a normal boy.

“If we had any skinheads in this county I wasn’t aware of it. We hardly know what they are,” said Sam Lewis, who lives across the street from Cowart's mother. Cowart, he said, grew up in the comfortable, well-maintained neighborhood and was not known as a troublemaker.

“His mother is a real sweet, nice girl, and this comes asa shock and a surprise,” Mr Lewis said.

No one answered the door at Cowart’s mother’s house, and no lights were on inside. Jasper Taylor, the City Attorney, said that Cowart had most recently been living with his grandparents in a southern, rural part of the county.

But In Helena-West Helena, on the Mississippi River in east Arkansas’ Delta, Schlesselman was described as a “troubled child" by a woman who works with his adoptive father, Mark Schlesselman.

Marty Riddell said she tried to offer Paul Schlesselman a pet lizard she couldn’t care for, but was warned by his family that “he would hurt it.

“They might have done that man a favour picking that kid up,” Ms Riddell said. “He was a troubled child already.”
 
In a way, Obama's campaign is flushing out the neo-nazis and KKK members. they are frustrated, and are bound to try something stupid.

Till now they were probably hoping Obama would lose. Now they might try take matters into their own hands.
 
Obama wants to reach out Pakistani people :tup:

October 23, 2008

Chicago (IANS): Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he will reach out to the Pakistani people to build a lasting relationship, rather than look for temporary alliances with their government.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Obama acknowledged that the US and Pakistan must continue fighting terrorism together, but said working for the people's social and economic welfare is important.

"While the US and Pakistan must continue to work together to combat terrorism that has claimed innocent lives in both countries and to destroy the terrorist sanctuaries along the Afghan-Pakistani border, I will make helping Pakistan tackle critical challenges like illiteracy, poverty, and lack of healthcare a key priority including by increasing aid in these areas," Obama told IANS in Chicago :tup: where he has deep roots and the city in which he started his career as a community worker.

In what could be seen as a contrast to the Bush administration's Pakistan policy that appeared to stress relations with the Musharraf military regime, Obama pointedly said: "I will stand up for democratic institutions, civil society and judicial independence in Pakistan." :tup:

Underlining the orientation that an Obama administration will take if he is elected, he said: "I want to build a broad-based and lasting relationship with the people of Pakistan - not just temporary alliances with their government."

He added: "I co-sponsored legislation with Senator Lugar to triple non-military assistance to Pakistan and sustain it for the next decade."

Last year, while he was running in the Democratic primaries against Hillary Clinton, he courted controversy when he said that his administration could unilaterally take out Al Qaeda targets in Pakistan.

"If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will," Obama said. But now with Pervez Musharraf gone, in this interview he emphasised "working together" with Pakistan "to destroy the terrorist sanctuaries along the Afghan-Pakistani border."
 

1 Nov 2008

WASHINGTON: US presidential frontrunner Senator Barack Obama pledged support for Pakistan's democratic government through a combination of US socio-economic and security assistance as he addressed foreign policy issues just four days from the election.

‘Now you have got a fledging democratic government. We have to support their efforts to democratize,’ the Democratic White House hopeful, who has been consistently leading his Republican rival Senator John McCain in polls, told CNN in an interview Friday.

‘That means, by the way, not just providing military aid. It means, also, helping them to provide, you know, concrete solutions to the — the poverty and lack of education that exists in Pakistan. So, I want to increase non-military aid to Pakistan,’ Obama added ahead of November 4 election.

Obama told the channel that he was concerned about stability of the country in view of al Qaeda going after the new leadership and criticized the US support for former president Gen. Pervez Musharraf in previous years.

‘Well, I'm concerned about it. This was one of the problems with our previous strategy. There was a lot of resentment that built up as a consequence of our support of President Musharraf there, who had squelched democracy.’

Obama, who faced a lot of criticism for his statements suggesting US troops crossing Pakistani borders from Afghanistan in pursuit of top al-Qaeda leadership (if the Pakistanis were unwilling or unable to chase top militants), appeared to have toned down his campaign rhetoric.

‘But we also have to help make the case that the biggest threat to Pakistan right now is not India. It's actually militants within their own borders.’

‘And, if we can get them to refocus on that, then that's going to be critical to our success, not just in stabilizing Pakistan, but also in finishing the job in Afghanistan.’

Barack Obama and John McCain both support a bipartisan legislation pending before US Congress on enhancing socio-economic assistance for Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually over a decade.
 
Pakistani TV cameras trained on US polls

November 3rd, 2008

Islamabad, Nov 3 (IANS) Every morning, Pakistan wakes up to television programmes on the US election. The discussions, analysis and forecasts continue through the day till midnight talk shows, with news channels promising live footage of campaign rallies and regular updates.”See who rules the world, watch live transmission of US polls,” says a promo by GEO television. The channel, along with other like AAJ, ARY and Dawn, has sent its correspondents to the US to cover the elections.

Most of these channels are showing live pictures while smaller channels are getting audio from their correspondents. Some of the channels have also arranged discussions in the US. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US and Britain, also hosted a programme on the American elections from Boston that was telecast on GEO.

“I don’t know why the media is so interested in American elections when we have so many of our own issues that need to be reported,” says Tanveer Mufti, a university student.

However, journalist Iftikhar Ahmed of Dharti TV says: “Since 9/11 the American elections have become our own issue. We (the people of Pakistan) are expecting some big changes after Tuesday’s polls. And the media is trying to tell the people that nothing big is going to happen.”

Ahmed, who like many journalists switched to the electronic media from print after the government in Pakistan allowed private TV channels in 2001, is of the view that “unhealthy” competition among the news channels has created confusion even “among top journalists”.

Be that as it may, right from state-run Pakistan Television to regional channels, all are focussed on Tuesday’s polls.

“Even the American people don’t know the process of presidential elections, while I am amazed that here everyone is talking about the Obama-McCain fight,” said Abid Hussain, an American doctor of Pakistani origin.

Hussain, who is on a visit here, said that he never expected the Pakistani media to take so much interest in the American elections.

Of the two US presidential candidates, the popular support in Pakistan is for Barack Hussein Obama. Since his father was Muslim, many think that he must have a soft corner towards Muslims.

The Pakistani media has also found Obama’s Pakistan connection through his mother Ann Dunham, who worked in Punjab from 1987 to 1992 as Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) consultant.

Moreover, Obama’s choice of Joseph Biden for vice-president candidate is also a big attraction for many Pakistanis as he has been the key architect of the new US support package for Pakistan.
 
What elections? Where is RON PAUL ! Why he was banned from debates? Everything is as controlled as it can be.
 
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Thats good for Pakistan but please note the words NON-MILITARY.

Regards

I dont think we care too much about American ammo now that we can produce some goods ourselves and China is progressing by leaps and bounds,

Besides our people are in need of better healthcare and education, not just bullets to defend themselves.
 

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