McCain sees cash windfall from his recent change in position on offshore drilling
McCain has hopped in bed with George W. Bush when it comes to Big Oil, and it’s paying big dividends. After years of opposition to offshore drilling, John McCain mysteriously reversed his position and is now seeing his pockets bulge full of Big Oil cash.
In June, John McCain raised $1.1 million from Big Oil donors; more than he had raised in the 18 months prior to his reversal on offshore drilling.
Along with his shift to support the drilling, McCain also supports $4 billion in tax breaks to be gained by the top five major oil companies.
Again, like his Republican predecessor, John McCain has chosen political and financial gain for himself and his priveleged cronies over protecting the average American’s financial welfare.
Ad assailing Barack Obama for “snubbing” troops proves to be off-base
The Republican smear campaign was working in overdrive to tear down Senator Obama’s successful foreign policy trip abroad. Their feeble attempt to taint Senator Obama’s highly touted trip resulted in a short video clip slamming Senator Obama for “snubbing” our brave troops.
The ad attacks Obama on choosing playing basketball over visiting wounded troops, and ultimately canceling the visit to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center due to the fact cameras would not be allowed in to view him visiting the troops. The obvious insinuations from the fictitious ad are that Barack Obama does not care about the troops and Barack Obama is a calculated political figure who only does things for the accolades that accompany them.
The truth of the matter is that Barack Obama had no say in the decision. Despite planning for the trip for several weeks, Senator Obama was advised by the Pentagon to not visit the troops due to the potential political conflict of interest. The truth is video cameras were not going to be permitted to tag along in the first place. Senator Obama had planned to visit our brave men and women for weeks, knowing full well cameras would not be part of the visit. So any insinuation by the McCain campaign that Senator Obama “snubbed” our troops because he would not get face time is utterly false.
Fact is Senator Obama has visited troops in U.S. and Iraq, outside the gaze of TV cameras. However, that doesn’t plan well for the Republicans, so they won’t want you to know that factual tidbit.
For more “fact checking”, which the McCain camp again has neglected to do, visit Newsweek.
Congressman Langevin announces acquisition of $11.6million in federal funds for Rhode Island
Congressman Jim Langevin has announced that over $11million in federal funds from FEMA and Homeland Security will soon be coming to the state of Rhode Island.
The additional money will be utilized to help several agencies in the state prepare for and adequately address natural and man-made disasters.
Congressman Langevin explained that, “This funding is essential to ensure Rhode Island is prepared to respond to all types of emergencies … and has the appropriate resources to be ready for any scenario that may come our way.”
Calling into question both his intelligence and ability to adequately serve our country, McCain piles on with the gaffes
Quick Geography Quiz
1.) True or False: Iraq and Pakinstan share a border.
Answer: False. If you answered “True”, you would be 1) Wrong and 2) in the company of John McCain of failing to recognize Pakistan and AFGHANISTAN share a border.
2.) True or False: Vladamir Putin is the President of Germany.
Answer: False. But don’t tell that to John McCain who recently proclaimed Russian President Vladamir Putin was in fact the President of Germany.
3.) True or false: Czecholoslavakia is a presently existing nation.
Answer: False. In 1993 Czechoslovakia became what is now known as the Czech Republic. But don’t tell that to John McCain, who still clings to 1992 in his mind. Let’s all think for a moment how tremendous 1992 was. 1992 gave us “Wayne’s World”, “Ren and Stimpy”, Kris Kross and their backwards clothing, and Barney people! BARNEY! Who can blame John McCain for wanting to continually relive such a wonderful time?!?
Senator Obama and Senator Reed land in Jordan for a summit with Jordanian leaders
Today, Senator Obama will partake in a private meeting with King Abdullah. Later in the evening Senator Obama and the King will be joined by Senators Reed (D-RI) and Hagel (R-NE), and top Jordanian officials, for dinner.
The group will discuss the role of the United States and Jordan in combating terrorism.
During meetings between Senators Obama, Reed, and Hagel, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki expresses support of Obama’s plan for Iraq
Presidential candidate Barack Obama, accompanied by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), continued their whirlwind tour of the Middle East and Europe yesterday by meeting with Iraqi PM al-Maliki. The four men, along with United States Generals, discussed the United States’ role in Iraq and within the region.
During the conversation, the parties addressed Senator Obama’s plans for a withdrawal in 2010. Despite John McCain’s vehement opposition to a withdrawal, it certainly appears that Iraq itself wants such a timetable. The traveling party quoted al-Maliki as supportive of Obama’s plans and that Iraq wishes for “our continued help in training Iraqi security forces, helping conduct counter-terrorism operations, developing Iraq’s economy and advancing political compromise,” as opposed to continued United States military operations in the country.
Senators Obama, Reed, and Hagel will be in Jordan today to meet with the Jordanian royal family.
The New York Times has an interesting and insightful Op-Ed piece pertaining to John McCain and the economy.
Here is a brief look at Frank Rich’s article:
In 2000, he told an interviewer that he would make up for his lack of attention to “those issues.” As he entered the 2008 campaign, Mr. McCain was still saying the same, vowing to read “Greenspan’s book” as a tutorial. Last weekend, the resolutely analog candidate told The New York Times he is at last starting to learn how “to get online myself.” Perhaps he’ll retire his abacus by Election Day.
Mr. McCain’s fiscal ineptitude has received so little scrutiny in some press quarters that his chief economic adviser, the former Senator Phil Gramm of Texas, got a free pass until the moment he self-immolated on videoby whining about “a nation of whiners.” -Frank Rich (New York Times)
Senator Reed and Senator Obama arrive in the Middle East to discuss terrorism and the United States’ role in the region
Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama met with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to pledge his support to the Afghani government with their ongoing struggle with al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Senator Obama reinforced his position that winning the battle in Afghanistan, coupled with finding al-Qaeda leadership in the region, are major linchpins in winning the war on terror.
Senator Obama, Senator Reed, and Senator Hagel (R-NE) released a joint statement about the trip and our country’s role in helping combat terrorism in the conflict ravaged region and across the globe.
“Our message to the Afghan government is this: We want a strong partnership based on ‘more for more’ — more resources from the United States and NATO, and more action from the Afghan government to improve the lives of the Afghan people. We need a sense of urgency and determination. We need urgency because the threat from the Taliban and al-Qaida is growing and we must act; we need determination because it will take time to prevail. But with the right strategy and the resources to back it up, we will get the job done.” -Sen. Obama, Sen. Reed, Sen. Hagel, June 20, 2008.
In between touring Afghanistan and meeting local leaders and U.S. troops, Senator Obama found time to sit down and speak to “Face the Nation”. To view his interview, click on the video below.
As well, early this morning the three Senators landed in Iraq to meet with Iraqi PM al-Maliki. The group will discuss the Iraq War and a timetable for U.S. withdrawal; a move al-Maliki has publicly supported.