The Only Difference Between a Pit Bull and a Hockey Mom

Appears to be a $150,000 wardrobe. Since August, 2008.

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use. Politico did pursue the McCain campaign for comment, however, spokeswoman Maria Comella said “The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent." So, dressing the Vice Presidential Candidate to look like Tina Fey is a strategic decision?

I guess it's more important to dress well than it is to actually have a point of view and intellectual curiosity. This bizarre form of window-dressing has caused real Republicans and real Conservatives to re-think their alliegence to a candidacy that prefers lies and innuendo to common decency. It motivated 4-Star General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell to break ranks with the Republicans and endorse Obama. It moved Christopher Buckley to endorse Obama. Chris Buckley, son of the father of Modern Intellectual Conservativism William F. Buckley, wound up being booted from the magazine his father founded, The National Review for his obviously socialist leanings.

Look, it takes more than spending $75,062.63 at Nieman Marcus or $49,425.74 at Saks Fifth Avenue to make a campaign work. Perhaps Republican donors should ask for a refund?

A Cool Hand At The Tiller

Last night, during the debate, John McCain said "we need a cool hand at the tiller." Hmmm. People who know him say he has a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty. John McCain is a man who has consistently put his own advancement above all else, a man willing to say and do anything to achieve his ultimate ambition: to become commander in chief, ascending to the one position that would finally enable him to outrank his four-star father and grandfather.



I don't want the McCain/Palin team anywhere NEAR the White House. We must act decisively November 4th. In Ohio, you can already vote. Go DO it.

Dave Letterman's Take on McCain Suspending Campaign

It's just over nine minutes but worth watching all of it. His point about testing the VP candidate is so on the money.

McCain's act is a Hail Mary pass if ever there was one. (See Randal? I know my football terms.)

Update: Here is Craig Ferguson's take on the issue:



You can't suspend democracy. Hat tip to Dianne for this. Both Dave and Craig point out, through humor, the absurdity of McCain's empty gesture. The power of humor is far reaching. I applaud them both.

The Vet forgot to Vett

(image from Frieda Bee)

She's under legislative ethics investigation in Alaska over whether she abused her power when she dismissed the state's public safety commissioner. She was a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, which puts Alaska first. Or, to quote Joe Vogler, "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions."

Ms. Palin supports increased oil and gas drilling in sensitive lands and waterways, opposed federal action to list the polar bear as a species threatened with extinction and supports a controversial program to allow aerial shooting of wolves and bears as a means of predator control. Oh, and did I mention? Her husband, Todd Palin, works as a field operator for BP, one of the main operators on the North Slope of Alaska.

McCain was in a hurry, though. He'd rejected both Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty as running-mates, deeming those choices too predictable. He wanted either Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman, both of whom support abortion rights - which made the conservative base of the Republican party furious. So. What's the Vet to do?

He turned to Ms. Palin. He had his first face-to-face interview with her on Thursday and offered her the job moments later. Advisers to Mr. Pawlenty and another of the finalists on Mr. McCain’s list described an intensive vetting process for those candidates that lasted one to two months.

Ooops.

Let me be clear: I will not discuss her children, because god knows I made my share of mistakes raising mine. I WILL focus on the facts, though. The facts about Sarah Palin prove that she has NOTHING that qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. When you consider that John McCain is one mole away from being dead, it terrifies me that he would select her as his running-mate. Because, children, he could be elected.

Sarah Palin is anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, pro-oil drilling and advocate of teaching of creationism in schools. Some say she's an exciting choice because she's a woman. Samantha Bee said she would vote for Palin because she has "a vagina … and boobies." I guess that's all that matters, right?