The Respectfully Republican Conversation

FEB

shokk  I do  not have any pictures of my trip to france. My stupid kodak camera broke on the way over, even though I had it wrapped in bubble wrap. It was a camera that had a poorly designed joystick that wouldn't lock so if something touched it, the shutter would go crazy. I complained to Kodak to no avail. I will never buy a kodak again.

I haven't heard that Hillary has a scoop on Obama, but if anyone knows how to dig, she does. She managed to keep most of Bill's conquests quiet.

She is doing all the dirty work for McCain, so that is great!

Anonymous

Hey Harley .... no, this thread is for REPUBLICAN viewpoint.  I am not sure I am voting Republican this year but I am liking McCain more and more.  I just hate our economy so much right now and we need a change and a boost.  If McCain can distance himself from Bush without alienating the Rep Party, I wish he would.  I might have to go look at the old campaign where he was up and running against Bush.  There'd be definite info on their differences!

Rosemary44

McCain was on the view last week and he was talking about not agreeing with the President, that he voted against some Bush legislation.  So he's trying to distance.

I can't imagine what Hillary could have on Obama that hasn't hit the streets yet.  If her campaign has something they'd better use it before the primary in N.C..  Meanwhile we can just keep waiting for Obama to dig himself in deeper and deeper.  Let me think, who hasn't he offended?  

FEB

I caught the end of a very interesting program on PBS about health care plans around the world called "sick around the world". It can also be viewed at PBS.org. I am going to watch it again in full. Check it out. It talked about what works and what doesn't in other countries.

Happy Tax Day! Yeah, right. . . Fox had a report on who pays the most taxes. I can't remember the exact stats but something like 89% of taxes are paid by people making over 100,000.00 per year. Those making less than $50,00.00 pay less than 1 %. So the point was that the dems keep saying they will not keep the Bush tax cuts because it is only for the wealthy is crap. Since the poor do not pay much in taxes, it is the middle class who would benefit too. Yes, the rich would gain more because they proportionately pay more, but most rich people (except Obama, who didn't even given 10%), also give a lot. I would much rather see people given the choice on how to spend the money that they earn than the idiots in DC.

saluki

I heard this ad air in Pa and found something about it very unsettling. I wonder

how you all feel? Don't know how often it plays--once was enough for me.
Seemed cult-like to me.



http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=3888

Paulette531

Was this him actually at a rally or was this a commercial? I thought only the Repubs were accused of changing the world, now the Dems want to? He does have charisma but...

saluki

This is a commercial running in Pennsylvania this week.

Anonymous

I posted this on the respectful (haha) presidential thread.  This is cute.  Saw it this morning. McCain was kinda speechless. LOL

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?videoId=e4b05c04-e607-43cc-96fc-2b170bd40719&sMPlaylistID=

And yes, Susie, I found that ad to be weird as well.

Shirley

Paulette531

Shirley, the video is priceless!

Anonymous

Yeah, I got a good laugh this morning.

Have you ever seen McCain's picture when he was young.  I'm sure you have.  He was ONE GOOD LOOKING MAN!  He should have run for prez when he was Obama's age!

Shirley

Paulette531

In uniform...awesome! But looking at that video he doesn't look too bad for his age, I noticed that immediately.

FEB

Rocktobermom Glad to see you are staying with us. Remember,  I was once a dem too, so I understand your dilemna. But the party has gone so far left, I want no part of it. There is no going back for me. I hope you continue to search for the candidate whom you feel you can believe in, and not just vote a party line. Reagan was the first pres. I actually voted for-all the other times, I was just voting against the other guy. It feels great to vote for someone you believe in. I am sure that I will not agree with everything McCain does, but I feel he is a good and honest man, who loves this country and will continue to serve it well, as he has his whole adult life.

We had the most incredibly beautiful day today in Chicago. I took my French students into the city and they were so excited about being in America and seeing the city from the top of the Hancock building. I hope that all of you who are east, have this beautiful weather heading your way.

Enjoy it!

Anonymous

I agree, Paulette.  A man who is almost 72 (or has he had a b'day)...he sure doesn't look his age. 

Anonymous

Linda, I live on the east coast..or is it southeast?  We live a few minutes from the beach.  The weather was nice, but quite windy which made it chilly.  But tomorrow I think it's going to be in the 70s and even higher later in the week.  I'm loving this weather.

Shirley

saluki

Not that you will see this on MSNBC-LOL

-------------------------------------------------

Here's the good news for Obama: he has another endorsement. Here's the bad news: it's from "Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip,"

On the eve of a planned meeting with former President Jimmy Carter, the isolated Hamas terrorist organization has expressed "hope" Sen. Barack Obama will win the presidential elections and "change" America's foreign policy.

"We like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the elections," Ahmed Yousuf, Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip, said in an exclusive interview with WND and with the John Batchelor Show on WABC Radio in New York.

"I hope Mr. Obama and the Democrats will change the political discourse. ... I do believe [Obama] is like John Kennedy, a great man with a great principal. And he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community, but not with humiliation and arrogance," Yousuf said, speaking from Gaza.

...Together with presidential candidates John McCain and Hillary Clinton, Obama called Hamas a "terrorist organization" that should remain isolated until it renounces violence and recognizes Israel. Obama told reporters he opposed Carter's meeting with Hamas.

But Yousuf chalked up Obama's statements to political posturing.

"I understand American politics and this is the season for elections and everybody tries to sound like he's a friend of the Israelis ... so whatever [the] Israelis didn't like they will take from all those candidates," he said.

Yousuf said that in Hamas' view, Obama has "a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community but not with humiliation and arrogance."

shokk

I bet Obama can't wait for Jimmy Carter's endorsement.....ha......Shokk

Rosemary44

I was watching a show and Carter was talking about his run for the Presidency at the convention, and it was him and Teddy Kennedy, and Ted wouldn't shake Carter's hand when he won the nomination.  They showed a clip of it.  I'm surprised?  He probably had to move his drink from one hand to the other.

saluki

By the way Rosemary you may have heard the name Bill Ayres for the first time last night but there are a few other names in the bunch beside Rezko-- Sooner or later someone (maybe Sean Hannity) will bring those up as well.

Rashid Khalidi and Nadhmi Auchi.

Rosemary44

Susie,

Rashid Khalidi and Nadhmi Auchi am I going to be afraid to look them up?  Will I get zapped by my keypad?  Just watching that video you posted yesterday, 30 times without blinking, changed my whole life.  Hope change Obama to you too.

saluki

Rashid Khalidi won't gain him many Jewish votes.---But the whole Nadhmi Auchi thing is just one more of those strange associations-talk about well vetted candidates?  Maybe Linda can enlighten us on that one?

Rosemary44

I see what your saying.  There goes Florida's chance at having a re-vote.  Princeton wanted to hire Khalidi till the students and faculty put up an uproar.  There wasn't enough time in the debates last night to put on a full vetting of Obama's friends. 

saluki

Cindy McCain is going to be a co-host on The View Monday---I wonder if

Joy Behar will breath fire. She has been having a daily partisan rant with no one capable of holding her in check.  It will be nice to see a more balanced panel for a day.

shokk

Good morning my right wing, flag wearing, religious clinging, gun owning, I Love America Republican friends........well thank goodness it is Friday........what a long week it has been..........I cannot believe the way Obama is whining about the debate with George and Charlie.........does he have any idea what we are going to do to him if he gets the nomination...........ABC did him a big favor and he is indignant about it.........he should be sending fruit baskets to everyone at ABC........just wait until we get a hold of Michelle and who she has been associating with.........I think the big wigs in the Democrat party are panicking............they know they are in deep trouble with both of their respected nominees.........it will be interesting..........the "Super Delagates" that they have because they can't trust their own party to make the nominations may have to end up going with a third party............anyway guys......hope everyone has a great American day..........this is Shokk.....I Love America breast cancer survivor.................

Paulette531

Back at 'cha Shokk...but you forgot holding my hand over my heart and still get the chills when the national anthem is played! Have a great day yourself and an awesome weekend!

Paulette531

McCain reports taxable income near $259,000 for 2007

By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain reported taxable income of nearly $259,000 on his 2007 tax returns, an individual filing that does not include his wife's far more extensive wealth.

McCain and his wife, Cindy, have kept their finances separate throughout their 27-year marriage, and long have filed separately.

The Arizona senator routinely is ranked among the richest in Congress. But a prenuptial agreement has kept most of the family's assets in the name of his wife, an heiress to a Phoenix-based beer distributing company. Her worth is estimated at more than $100 million.

McCain's individual return was released today. It shows that McCain paid $84,000 in taxes in 2007. He gave $105,000 to charity and also donated $177,000 in royalties from five of his books, including the biographical Faith of My Fathers and Worth the Fighting For.

His income included his Senate salary of $161,708, a Navy pension of $58,358 and Social Security income of $23,157.

Aides say Cindy McCain will not release her tax returns to protect the privacy of her four children; details of their wealth are included in her filing.

Because Arizona is a community property state, McCain and his wife each must report one-half of their shared income and expenses. So, though McCain reported $258,800 in taxable income on his 2007 return, the couple's joint income was twice that amount. According to their tax returns, Cindy McCain's income from the beer distributorship, Hensley & Company, was $432,991 in 2007.

McCain's campaign also released his 2006 tax returns. For 2006, he reported income of $215,304 and paid $72,771 in taxes. He also reported charitable gifts of $64,695 and book royalty donations totaling $80,390.

Earlier this week, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, reported making $4.2 million last year. That was a significant jump in their income from the previous year. Profits from his books Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope accounted for some $4 million. The Obamas paid federal taxes of $1.4 million and donated $240,370 to charity.

Their salaried income was $260,735, which included his salary as a U.S. senator and hers of $104,000 as vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

By comparison, Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband Bill, the former president, reported $20.4 million in income for 2007 but have asked for an extension on filing their returns. Almost half the former first couple's money came from Bill Clinton's speeches. The Clintons have made nearly $109 million since leaving the White House in 2001, capitalizing on lucrative business ventures and his speaking engagements.

Looks as though McCain is quite generous when it comes to charity.

saluki

Reagan Democrat weighing in here waving my flag and wondering where I

can get some McCain posters to put on the lawn?

FEB

Susie-fellow Reagan democrat. Wasnt it a wonderful feeling to have someone tell us how great this country is and how we should be proud of what we have brought to the world? I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about how angry the left always is. It is such a great feeling to not be a part of that anger anymore. And Paulette, is there anything that is more moving than the way everyone stands in tribute as every flag passes during a parade. It always makes me emotional.

I was in the city yesterday and walked past the Daley Center where the newscrews  were camped out waiting for Tony Rezko to get his "get out of jail, not so free free, card". It seems they upped his bail to 8 mil after he received 3.5 mil. from someone in Lebanon. If he has these kind of connections  from the mideast, who has been funding his fundraisers for the dems? Makes one wonder. I think his trial will eventually implicate our terrible governor, but I wonder if they will be able to keep Obama out of it.

I haven't heard anything about Obama's connection to Khalidi or Auchi. Nothing in the papers here. I guess I will have to google it.

On Obama's whining. . . Why is it that he cannot be asked certain questions? Does he think he is entitled to special treatment? We have a right to know who he is and what he stands for. This will eventually be his downfall. If he is afraid to answer questions from Charlie Gibson, I guess he will never answer to O'Reilly. Is he going to accuse everyone who  asks him questions he does not want to answer of being racist. That would sure make it hard for reporters to do their job.

Rosemary44

McCain's in trouble with Elizabeth Edwards, and me too:

http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/04/21/elizabeth-responds-cheap-shot/

How do we get him to understand health care is not about adding to medicaid payouts? 

Anonymous

That's kind of scary, Rosemary.  Something's got to be done.  I just don't know what.

saluki

There is going to have to be a whole lot of working across the aisles on

this one.  I would love for McCain to say he's for universal healthcare---

but on the other hand if they can't deal with the runnaway costs of the drug plan in Medicare part D how are they ever going to administer universal healthcare.  Lunacy that Medicare can't pay the same price for medications as the price the Veteran's administation pays.

I'm hoping that as on other issues McCain view will "evolve".   Hillarys plan no matter how much we like it will ever pass Congress.  McCain is a very realistic guy---(who in the world would go to Michigan in the middle of a heated election and tell them their jobs aren't coming back virtually handing a victory to Romney.)  I'm hoping that there is a middle ground

that can be achieved.

Rosemary--We'll just have to press him on it--maybe with AARPS help.