I kept hoping against hope that Karl Rove wouldn’t play a part in the current election year.  He is evil incarnate.  He is the antichrist.  He is a vile creature that should be doomed to eternal torment in unimagineable ways.  Or maybe you can imagine them – if so share some ideas with me

But I digress.  Unfortunately, John McCain has hired Steve Schmidt, a disciple of Karl Rove’s who worked on George W. Bush’s 2004 ads.   He is using the Rove playbook that says that it doesn’t matter if something is true as long as your target audience won’t bother to find out the actual truth, and believe that it “sounds like it might be a true.”    

It’s a tactic similar to one employed by the nutcase Sean Hannity.  He relentlessly repeats falsehoods day after day, unchallenged by his co-host or call listeners.  Those lies become embedded in the media (and his audience).   Hannity could use some eternal torture as well.

Apparently, in his desperation, John McCain forgot his promise to run a clean campaign.   Here are a couple of recent doozies.
 

• A new McCain TV ad falsely insinuates that Obama canceled his visit to wounded troops in Germany because “the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras.” (untrue)   But even if HAD visited the troops McCain had another ad (lie) ready claiming Obama used the visit/troops for political gain.   Here’s what FactCheck.org has to say.
   
• In another recent ad, he’s claiming Obama is the guy to thank for the high price of gasoline.  Complete nonsense, according to FactCheck.org   And here is what USA Today editorial board had to say about it.

I’m sorry, but if you believe the crap in these ads, you are as big an idiot as McCain’s team takes you for.  

So, we learned this week that our sorry excuse for a president gave up golfing in 2003 “in solidarity” with the families of soldiers who were dying in Iraq, concluding that it was “just not worth it anymore” to play the sport in a time of war.

“I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf,” Bush said in a White House interview with the Politico. “I feel I owe it to the families to be as — to be in solidarity as best as I can with them. And I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.”

That’s his idea of sacrifice, to give up golf?   This man is a shallow moron. 

I was so thrilled with the results of the Iowa causes tonight.  Turn out was record breaking, and as many of the caucus goers were under 30 as over 65 – a big change from the past… and over 50% of those younger voters caucused for Obama.   Many independents and more than a few Republicans also chose to be counted among his supporters in Iowa….   VERY exciting, don’t you think???!

Listening to Obama’s victory speech, I was so moved. The thought that this intelligent, articulate, reasonable, respectful, hopeful man could actually become our president nearly brought me to tears.  I’m so ready for change.  Ready to hope again.  I’m ready for unity.  Obama inspires me and I would be so proud to have this man as our president.    If you agree, I encourage you to donate $25 or more to his campaign.

Here is his speech – what do you think of Obama, of his message?

I’m experiencing an equal sense of hope and dread about the upcoming election.  I am SOOOO ready for a change from the idiocy we’ve been operating under for the past 7 years (which would be laughable if it weren’t so completely depressing )…..  and yet what will the change bring?

I’m looking at the polls and wonder who all these people are who are so excited about Hillary.  I’m not.  And even though I run with a pretty progressive/liberal crowd, none of my compatriots are thrilled with her either.  Most are in the Obama camp, one is true-blue Kucinich, though I think we’d vote for Hillary over any of the choices the Republicans are serving up….   but none of us want her to get the Democratic nomination, so I am curious – who and where are all these Hillary supporters??  Why don’t I know any?  Do you? 

It’s not that I think she wouldn’t make a good president, it’s that I’m really ready for a CHANGE.  A progressive change.  It’s been Bush/Clinton/Clinton/Bush/Bush for almost 20 years, and I think there is so much bad blood that it will be difficult for many to look past their hatred of her husband and give her a chance.    (At least that’s the scuttlebut I hear from my conservative relatives.)

I like Obama.  He’s smart.  He’s articulate.  He’s hopeful.  He’s inspiring.  He brings a fresh perspective.  He has the “it” factor….   he’s the kind of person I think could facilitate mending the beleagured spirit of our nation, and also rebuild our tattered and strained relationship with the rest of the world.   To bring some dignity and respect back to the office of the president.   

But I’m afraid he won’t get the nomination, and my choice will be Hillary vs. the unthinkable – she’ll lose and we’ll be in for more warmongering, wire tapping, big pharma & black water and kissing the environment, equality and personal liberties goodbye.

Which brings me back to my equal parts hope and dread.