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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Road Walker who wrote (428474)	10/20/2008 12:20:48 PM
From: TimF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1570363

You seem to absolve the private sector of any "unusually foolish action". How can talking about what might happen in the future amount to absolving anyone for anything? When in fact they were the ones that put us in the current dangerous situation. They played a role, but government played at least as big of role. Of course you could blame the government for a lack or regulation but i doubt you would go there. There are areas where more government regulation might have helped reduce the size of the problem. OTOH the actual regulation we did get mostly increased the size of the problem. Politicians of both parties celebrated and pushed expanding home ownership, and providing more and more incentives to own a home, and to get and to give loans. The regulations and laws that could have reduced the problem, never really had a chance of winning support from either party until it was to late for them to have their best effect. Instead for decades both parties (particularly the Democrats, but the Republicans where also in on it) kept adding distortions to the housing, mortgage, and mortgage backed securities market.

To: Road Walker who wrote (428474)	10/20/2008 12:42:17 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1570363

Some GOP insiders say McCain has botched campaign to win Florida Jim Stratton \| Sentinel Staff Writer October 19, 2008 "Nowhere is that more evident than Florida, a state McCain must carry to win the White House. Troubled by sliding poll numbers, GOP loyalists here -- many of whom met in Orlando on Saturday for a presidential "victory rally" -- wonder whether the national campaign has taken the state for granted. "My question would be, 'What campaign?' I just don't see one," said Bill Negron, an Orlando member of McCain's regional Hispanic steering committee. "To me, it looks like people are working hard to ensure that McCain doesn't get elected." Those are dangerous words for any candidate. Once doubt infects a campaign -- once the faithful start grumbling -- it can spread like the plague. "I think Florida's still in play," said GOP ex-U.S. Rep. Lou Frey of Orlando. "But in this business, perception matters. Perception is reality." In Florida, John McCain's reality has grown harsher with almost every news cycle. Polls show this reliably red state trending blue as Barack Obama nurses a small but steady lead. Obama has led in 10 of the past 11 polls, while McCain has struggled to gain traction. The Illinois senator has flooded Florida with more than 300 staffers and thousands of volunteers. He has opened about 50 offices and, in recent weeks, outspent McCain 3-to-1 on television advertising. 'It's truly Dukakis-like' Republicans have been scrambling ever since McCain fumbled his response to the financial meltdown on Wall Street last month. He was seen as shaky and ineffective, and his polls numbers began reflecting that. McCain was telling audiences last week that "we've got 'em just where we want 'em" -- but some GOP strategists see it differently. One who has advised the McCain organization called it the "most poorly run presidential campaign of the last 25 years. It's truly Dukakis-like," referring to the hapless 1988 campaign of Democrat Michael Dukakis. "They have absolutely no strategy for winning," said the veteran operative, who did not want to be identified criticizing a candidate he supports. "I see . . . no rhyme or reason to this campaign or its scheduling or its planning." Still, McCain has time to close the gap. Florida has supported a Democratic presidential candidate only three times in the past 40 years, and its most dependable voting groups -- older residents, veterans -- play to McCain's strengths. Before the chaos on Wall Street, he led for months in virtually every state poll. Former state-party Chairman Al Cardenas said if McCain can pull within 2 or 3 points before Election Day, the GOP get-out-the-vote effort can put him over the top. "Be surprised but not shocked," he said, "with a McCain win on November 4." Asked whether he was satisfied with the McCain operation, Cardenas said, "It's not fair for me to comment without knowing what's at their disposal." A co-chair of George W. Bush's 2004 campaign, Cardenas said McCain lacks the "financial firepower" to match Obama. But, he added, "I wish we were better organized." The Bush model" 1 2 next [read more] orlandosentinel.com

To: Road Walker who wrote (428474)	10/20/2008 12:47:38 PM
From: tejek	Respond to of 1570363

Sunnily, Gov. Crist stumps for McCain By Adam Smith, Times staff writer Sunday, October 19, 2008 Insert> "Which is why at a Florida GOP rally in Orlando on Saturday, Crist's pep talk did not echo the McCain campaign's recent attacks on Barack Obama's character or include sweeping denunciations of Democrats as virtual socialists. As usual, the governor barely even mentioned Obama and instead talked up McCain. "John McCain — a true American hero. You know what he has been through in his life. He has put his country first his entire life" said Crist to a hotel ballroom crowd sprinkled with "McCain-Palin" and "Charlie Crist, the people's governor" signs. "We can do anything for 17 days, and we will," Crist said, urging activists to ramp it up for the final days. "Everything — absolutely everything — to make sure John McCain and Sarah Palin win this thing." Florida Republicans already are looking ahead to 2010 when Crist runs for re-election. State party officials announced to their state executive committee Saturday that they expect to carry over at least $2-million into 2009, rather than spend all their money on this election. No one sees Crist as especially vulnerable, but given the state of Florida 's economy he isn't completely safe either. One survey by a Democratic pollster released Friday showed a bare majority, 52 percent, would vote to re-elect Crist today. Unlike Jeb Bush, who never shied away from attacking Democrats and aggressively courted the Republican base, Crist is navigating an anti-Republican climate by reaching across party lines. He understands that his path to re-election in 2010 will require support from Obama supporters in 2008. "The way business is being conducted in Tallahassee, on multiple fronts, from the legislative agenda to broad policies, is to bring both parties together on behalf of Floridians," said Eric Eikenberg, Crist's chief of staff. "The governor's changed the partisanship from day one, and in my opinion that's the model for Washington." So when the McCain campaign relentlessly attacks the community organizing and voter registration group ACORN as a quasi-criminal racket, Crist downplays any concerns about ACORN's activities in Florida. And that's why, as Palin and other McCain allies trash Obama and question his patriotism, the toughest thing Crist will say is that Obama will raise taxes. "I enjoy campaigning as a happy warrior. The most important advice anybody can give in politics is be yourself," Crist explained Saturday when asked about his gentle treatment of the Democratic nominee. "There's so much virtuous to talk about with John McCain — his record, his character, his patriotism is unparalleled," Crist said. "He won my heart and I think he'll win Florida's hearts." Polls show Obama narrowly leading Florida, where a loss would cost McCain the White House. If McCain loses, Crist will face grumbling from Republicans questioning whether he did enough to help after getting passed over for Palin. But if Florida decides the election, at least as many people will question whether McCain blew it by not picking Crist. On an interview airing today on Political Connections on Bay News 9, McCain himself suggested Crist would have swung the state to him. Despite a lot of anxiety from fellow Republicans, and Democrats adding nearly 250,000 more voters to the rolls this year than Republicans, Florida's ever-sunny governor said Saturday he is optimistic. "We'll have a great as usual get-out-the-vote effort — ginormous, Crist said. "On the other side, to the Democrats' credit, (there were) incredible registrations, which is probably due to Sen. Obama. Those two variables in the end will probably determine what happens." Adam C. Smith can be reached at asmith@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8241. Tampa Obama times rally for early voting Barack Obama will hold an "early vote for change" rally Monday at Legends Field, to promote the start of early voting in Florida. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at the stadium at 3802 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and the event is free and open to the public. Although tickets are not required, the campaign is encouraging people to RSVP online at FL.barackobama.com. The Tampa rally kicks off a two-day Florida swing also scheduled to include stops in Broward County and Orlando on Monday, and stops Tuesday in Miami and Palm Beach County. tampabay.com