On October 17th, 2008 at 9:01 pm, zyzzyg said:

I am being asked to pull the lever for Sen McCain and I want to be comfortable in doing so. Part of that deal is knowing Gov Palin, for obvious reasons.

I am looking for verification and until I get it I will have to vote for Rep Barr.

Who’s Barr’s VP nominee? Can you please tell me about him?

1. Occidental College records — Not released
2. Columbia College records — Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper — ‘not available’
4. Harvard College records — Not released
5. Selective Service Registration — Not released
6. Medical records — Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule — ‘not available’
8. Law practice client list — Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate — Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth — Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published — None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles — None
13. Record of baptism– Not released or ‘not available’
14. Illinois State Senate records–’not available’

I agree that Sen Biden should address those questions. The difference is that when asked he no doubt would answer them. (Most likely he would flub a few lines. The man likes to talk and loves the sound of his own voice.)

I am unfamiliar with the ‘plenty more interviews’ out there of Gov Palin. You gave a link to one and it gave me little. As you said, a ‘tidbit.’ I saw the Gibson and Couric conversations. I missed the one Gov Palin did on the food channel.

I suppose it is easy to answer a question with a question. I don’t give a flying fig about a Sen Biden. I am being asked to pull the lever for Sen McCain and I want to be comfortable in doing so. Part of that deal is knowing Gov Palin, for obvious reasons.

Trust but verify. I am looking for verification and until I get it I will have to vote for Rep Barr.

For me it is not about knocking the other guy. Any chuckle bunny can tell me why not to vote for the other guy. I want to know why I should vote for you (Gov Palin).

Who are Joe Biden’s associates?

Amtrak conductors.

Who does Joe Biden trust for advice? And why?

He trusts good, old-fashioned people who keep him in touch with his roots, like Pam Beasley and Toby Flenderson.

Has Joe Biden ever traveled south of the border?

Yes, but he doesn’t like to talk about it. Something involving Tijuana hookers and a mule…

What would Joe Biden like to cut at the Federal level?

Actually, more of a question of “who.” And the correct term is “shiv.” You don’t last in Cell Block S of “The Hill” without making, and taking out, some enemies.

How does Joe Biden feel about lobbyist?

Depend$ on the i$$ue they are pu$hing.

How would Joe Biden address this issue?

What issue?

What programs, if any, would Joe Biden like to expand? And why?

Medicare. To cover hair plugs.

On October 17th, 2008 at 10:39 am, zyzzyg said:

Sorry, but I need more than a two minute twenty seven second tidbit where Gov Palin speaks for less than thirty seconds.

This statement is disingenuous, and you know it. There are plenty more interviews of her out there.

Please answer the following questions for me. I need to know all these things about Joe Biden before I would ever vote for his ticket.

Who are Joe Biden’s associates?

Who does Joe Biden trust for advice? And why?

Has Joe Biden ever traveled south of the border?

What would Joe Biden like to cut at the Federal level?

How does Joe Biden feel about lobbyist?

How would Joe Biden address this issue?

What programs, if any, would Joe Biden like to expand? And why?

Sorry, but I need more than a two minute twenty seven second tidbit where Gov Palin speaks for less than thirty seconds. I want a meal and I still do not know her.

If that is enough for you to make her the VP, then so be it. It is not enough for me.

Who are her associates? Who does she trust for advice? And why? Has she ever traveled south of the border? As a reformer, what would she like to cut at the Federal level? At the State level in Alaska she cut spending for special needs children. I know that. How does she feel about lobbyist? How would she address this issue? What programs, if any, would she like to expand? And why?

There is a political tradition that after the presidential debates the VP nominee generally talks to the press and supports and expands the presidential nominee’s position on what each has just said. Not only would that give me greater insight into the top of the ticket, but the VP themselves.

Other traditions are the Sunday morning programs, editorial boards, week day morning talk shows, et cetera. Yes, these are not requirements, but they are tools used to allow the public to get to know her. Heck, I’d like to see her on Hot Air.

All the above would help me know Gov Palin. Would it help you know Gov Palin better?

A lot of the examples you cite are ones where the favorite won by more than expected or the underdog lost by less than expected.

Whoop-de-doo.

I have every expectation that the race will tighten. Obama probably not win by 8 percentage points.

However, according to Gallup, since 1936 only one candidate has come from as far behind as late in the game as McCain is now to actually WIN (not just make it closer). That was Reagan v. Carter.

One in 18 elections.

Now maybe you think that McCain is the second coming of Reagan and Obama is as weak a candidate as Carter, but I don’t.

And this will be my last point on polls, because to an extent, it is worthless to quibble over them. All of you little Drudge clones that keep bringing up Gallup’s two point lead for Obama:

a) That is still a lead;
b) LVI, which is what was cited, is only one of three models that Gallup releases (and actually its least credible and cited). The other models (RV and LVII) show the gap much larger. And the LVI has consistently shown the race at about a 2-4 point gap, so its not like Obama crashed in that poll overnight;
c) There are something like 6 or 7 daily trackers and they show Obama with an average of between 6-7 point lead;
d) In trying to make headlines, Drudge REALLY cherry picks. Last week he was plastering the results of one day of Zogby polling to try to show the race was a dead heat. That same poll has since shown Obama increasing his lead to 6 points. Why is Drudge abandoning Zogby, which was his gold standard last week?
e) Of course, none of the national polls ultimately matter much and right now Obama is in a much more enviable electoral college situation. With the states that he already pretty much has sewn up, Obama basically has to win one of 8 or so battleground states, of which he is leading in about six. McCain has to run the table.

Ok. That’s all. I promise not another peep about polls until after the election.

On October 16th, 2008 at 7:06 pm, lgm said:

right4life said (#78):

If you’re curious, google “Republican voter suppression”.

yeah I did that…just the usual left-wing BS from the usual left-wing sources

If it isn’t on Fox it isn’t true.

Stuff on Kos is more likely to be true than stuff here or on townhall. One case: remember the Muslim terrorists in western China during the olympics? MM reported it, taking at their word Chinese officials. I posted that we should wait for confirmation. Sure enough, last week I read that the whole attack thing was bogus.

Really? I would like to see some numbers on that. You are the math guy. How about an objective study of, say, a week’s reports. Maybe you are right, but “more likely” means nothing without a few stats. Additionally, the ChiComs are your guys, not ours. Obama seems to admire them too.

On October 16th, 2008 at 10:21 pm, zyzzyg said:

I’d wish Gov Palin would answer some follow-ups. Heck, answer any questions. I don’t know her. And interviews, converstions and an exchange of ideas would really be helpful.

Here’s a tidbit.

There’s even a little bonus interview in there for you.

I’d wish Gov Palin would answer some follow-ups. Heck, answer any questions. I don’t know her. And interviews, converstions and an exchange of ideas would really be helpful.

I am not learning anything about her from bashing her opponents. She was vetted by the McCain campaign, but she has yet to be vetted by the American people.

Yes, fraud in voting is wrong. Has, Sen Obama been asked about his ties to ACORN? Yes. And, he responded to this question in the debate last night. Yes, Sen Obama could have been more forthcoming and added that fraud should not be tolerated. This is a new question and Sen Obama should address it.

After Sen Obama addresses this new question, Gov Palin will not acknowledge that he has, because she has not acknowledged that he addressed the first question. Gov Palin’s next new question will be, “Sen Obama has not asked for prosecutions. Why not? Has he got friends that might go to jail? Who is he protecting?”

Good greif, this says more about Gov Palin’s kick the can game plan, and yet maybe this is what she wants me to know about her. She will not acknowledge and accept answers, but just keep on asking questions. Kicking the can down the road.

Speaking of kicking the can game plan and winning the war in Iraq, we have already achieved the goals set forth at the beginning of that conflict. The can was kicked further down the road with new jusitifications with each new day.

On October 16th, 2008 at 3:14 pm, chapoutier said:

And what is wrong with polls? Its “Kool Aid” to recognize that Obama is winning right now, by a lot, by every standard and measurement out there?

Dude! This would have been a brilliant point, except it’s soooo dammmnnn wronggg!

Gallup shows Obama up by 2 points, with a 5 point margin of error.

lgm got a free history lesson yesterday, looks like you get a free one today:

In 1976 Carter beat Gerald Ford 50% to 48% but the polls showed Jimmy ahead by 15 points

In 1980 Reagan beat Carter 51% to 41% but the polls showed carter ahead by 3 points.

In 1984 Reagan beat what’s his name… Walter Mondale 59% to 40% winning the all time a$$whooping award, but the polls had Mondale within 4%

In 1988 George H.W.Bush beat Dukakis 53.4% to 45.6% but the polls had Dukakis withing 2 points

In 1992 Bill Clinton beat Bush 43% to 38% but the polls had Clinton up by 12 to 15 points – only about 10 points off.

in 1996 Bill Clinton beat Bob Dole 49% to 40% but the polls had clinton leading by 22 points

In 2000 the vote was dead even no matter what your conspiracy theory addled brain comes up with, but regardless, the polls had Gore up by over 6

To quote Ann Coulter in 2004 either pollsters got a whole lot better starting in 2004, or Democrats stole more votes in that election than we even realized.

However with the left proudly announcing that they were “Freeping” (hacking)the polling data I’m going to guess that McCain is actually up by about 11 points but since the left has so polluted and corrupted the system we won’t know until the last shrill hysterical fit is thrown, the last carton of camels and the last pint of MD2020 is handed out on election day.

Stuff on Kos is more likely to be true than stuff here or on townhall….

Oh, LGM, that’s so funny! You should be a comedian.