In a cycle when basically all the issues favour the Democratic Party, when a Republican-led administration has ravaged the very notion of what Democracy is, when poverty strikes at the very heart of what people all around the world have come to know as ‘The American Dream’, it is palpably, unforgivably reprehensible that Barack Obama would propose that when Republicans attack him, he would respond forcefully. Apart from the fact that he has so far failed to back up that promise with action, the reason why he is not leading the Democratic Party in an attack against McCain and the Republican Party is perplexing.

I've read enough kvetching to last a lifetime.  It's time to get our stuff together to change the "McCain narrative."  You know... unique hero, maverick, strong leader, "country first."  All crap, but that's how they're spinning it.

McCain's a fraud.  We know this, but the story's not yet getting traction. I'm starting this diary in hopes that we can join in and catalogue his failings.  Let's gather the evidence in one place so it's easier to access and use, for us and for the media-types who read DK.

Then we can use the material to generate talking points, articles, emails, memes, videos, etc

Once again, hundreds of Americans have been sickened by outbreaks of foodborne illness.  This time it is nearly 1,400 (and counting) in 40 States put down by salmonella in fresh tomatoes (or is it the peppers?), and nearly 50 in Ohio, Michigan and Georgia stricken by the deadly E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, again in hamburger.  Tomatoes have been recalled nearly every year for the last 10, with hundreds ill.  Hamburger, well, since the spring of 2007, we have recalled over 44 million pounds after it was linked to ill people, mostly children in nearly every state.  Consumers (hint candidates - voters) have lost confidence in the businesses that feed them and a government that is supposed to protect them.

You almost never get to win the big one, even when your team or candidate should dominate.

If Obama is ever asked: 'Is McCain the best person to deal with Russia?'
He could reply: 'The USSR yes, Russia, no'

So I was watching McCain at SaddleBack, and I was thinking to myself, "This guy is awful.  How dumb does he think we are?"  Then I watched the after-debate analysis and I couldn't believe what I heard.  McCain was being praised for giving simplistic, stump speech answers.  Thinkers around the country observed that McCain's intellectual curiousity was shockingly low.  Meanwhile, pundits praised it as "clear," "simple," and "straight-forward."  I was puzzled about the dichotomy until I remembered a conversation I had back in 2002.

This is nothing new.  The Catch 22 is a hallmark of Republican strategy, and is evident in many aspects of the current presidential race.

As you know.. This election has been close as heck.. A big Obama lead has slowly crumbled as people turn to their old fears of terra terra terra and greed and want of instant gratification..

I have noticed the Republican fans running from forum to forum touting democratic weakness, I have seen ads attacking on taxes and so on an so forth..

So while I had shunned Obama and supported Clinton after he backed down and voted for telecom immunity.. McCain's recent boldness has forced me back into the game..

I will discuss my views on the situation and what I think we need to do about it..

This is a letter I got from a good friend of mine in Wisconsin - it is one of the best framings of McCain - enjoy the read.

McCain says he puts  his country first.  But what country is that?

The country of Cindy and John McCain who have never worried about
their house payment medical care, never worried about, retirement,
never worried about their children's education. Never  had to think
about  those things and have never had to worry about how to pay for
gas or medicine.  Mr. McCain you can talk all you want about walking
the walk but my friend, with all due respect to your service to our great
land as a pilot and your 26 years in the Senate, you wear 500. dollar
loafers and those shoes were't even made by a company from the United
States shoes so how can you tell me you understand. You tell us you
want to give us a 7,000 tax credit to pay for health insurance.  But
Mr. McCain the people who need the help don't pay 7K in taxes. They are poor.

more...

Where is President Bush?

Look, I wish we never had to see him again. Hell, I can't stand the man. But finding The President in a news report about the campaign or in a campaign commercial recently has been like playing Where's Waldo? It's that absence at this critical hour that's pissing me off.

Watching the general election campaign so far, you'd think the incumbent Republican President didn't have a 30% approval rating. You'd think he wasn't reviled by over 50% of the American public. That's because John McCain is hiding the President and Barack Obama is letting him.

That needs to end. It needs to end now.

Sir:
I have read the transcript of your speech before the VFW. I have seen videos of your delivery. The things you said were excellent, with one glaring exception. But your delivery was disappointing.

There were many moments when you sounded tentative, rather than forceful, as though you were involved in a debate society competiton instead of fighting for the future of this country. You were too calm, too smooth, too gentlemanly.When you were speaking of the way our vets are being treated, we should have heard righteous outrage in your voice, controlled, directed anger. It wasn't there.

But your biggest error? The way you spoke of John McCain.

I read this paragraph today, with a quote from Bill Burton, the Obama spokesman, to Fox News:

"The convention will offer a series of contrasts and comparisions of the McCain record so voters can see how clearly the choice will be in November," Obama spokesman Bill Burton told FOX News. "The convention will also introduce Senator Obama to the country, but it will make sure to convey strongly the differences and choices Obama’s campaign presents over McCain’s."

John McCain’s aim to cut all Amtrak funding would seriously harm the transportation needs of millions of voters particularly those in some key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, Colorado, and Michigan.
 Here is a useful political gift to the Obama campaign.

Today Amtrak serves over 28 million passengers a year on routes that crisscross the United States from east to west and from north to south. High gasoline prices are cutting into long-range automobile trips in the United States. As a result, Amtrak rail travel is experiencing its busiest year ever. This past July the number of Amtrak passengers was up 14 percent over the same month in 2007.

But this important passenger rail company is having difficulty meeting increasing demand for quality service. Congress has been unwilling to appropriate necessary funds for proper maintenance and upgraded equipment.

Over the years, one man has played a major role in blocking funding for Amtrak. This is Senator John McCain of Arizona, the GOP nominee for president of the United States.

"OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON JUDEO CHRISTIAN VALUES AND PRINCIPLES." John McCain, Saddleback Church, 7/16/2008.

Really? This has bothered me a lot since Saturday night.

I thought the idea was to escape the tyranny of the Church of England. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment contains an accommodationist clause that prohibits Congress from preferring one religion over another. In short: it protects us against theocracy.

I discovered this morning that one of my closest friends and confidants is being deployed to Iraq. The spectrum of emotions I have gone through today is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I fear for my friend, I worry for his safety, I shudder at the possibility of a young life without such a friend, and I feel guilt at the selfish emotions coursing through my thoughts, when I am not the one destined for the battlefield, and I am not the one putting myself in harm's way.

I cannot begin to imagine the feelings of mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters, wives, husbands or children, who are seeing men and women whom they have watched grow as adults, as siblings, as partners, or as parents being shipped off for their first or second or third deployments. Nor can I begin to understand, the grief of those who have lost their loved ones in this war.

I'm surprised everyone isn't dancing with joy out of the possibility of Lieberman joining McCain on the GOP ticket.  There are several reasons we hope for this.

As you all know, McCain criticized Obama's ambition to be president.  As Olbermann noted today, McCain  knows a little about presidential ambition.

Why should anyone assume that John McCain is anymore "ready" or "able" to be President than Barack Obama?  Finally,  Jack Cafferty and Frank Rich are starting to ask this obvious question.