February 5, 2008
Hours Before Primary, Candidates Make Their Final Push
Photograph John McCain surrounded by New York Republicans by Kathy Willens/AP
John McCain's Straight Talk Express headed into Manhattan today, taking him to Grand Central Terminal where he got the endorsement of former governor George Pataki. McCain, along with wife Cindy, appeared with Pataki, Alphonse D'Amato, Joseph Lieberman and Rudy Giuliani as the Republican candidate appears to be leading in many Super Tuesday polls over rivals Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.
Pataki, who quite a few New Yorkers don't remember very fondly after his third term, said, "These are times that demand experienced, principled leadership. That leader is Senator John McCain. No one can bring the American people together in these challenging times better than John McCain." Giuliani said, "I lost every single primary to John McCain. Every one. He whipped me. But yesterday, I won a bet against John McCain," referring to the Giants' Super Bowl win.
MTA officials weren't alerted in advance of McCain's Grand Central Terminal event. However, McCain's staffers were able to produce "homemade" signs: Per the Village Voice, they read "Women for McCain" "Courage honor country MCCAIN" "Vote para McCain" "I'm a MCCAINIAC!" - and the bomb sniffing dogs made sure to smell them.
Photograph of the Straight Talk Express by Charles Dharapak/AP
Left photograph of Hillary Clinton in Boston by Elise Amendola/AP; right photograph of Barack Obama with Robert DeNiro in East Rutherford, NJ by Mike Derer/AP
Hillary Clinton was at Yale yesterday, and notably teared up, after her former mentor Penn Rhodeen introduced her warmly: "Now we hope you, our incomparable Hillary, will be president of the United States. Your friends here are lucky. We knew you when."
And Robert DeNiro stumped for Barack Obama in NJ, saying, "You know, that’s the kind of inexperience I can get used to. That’s the kind of inexperience our country deserves. But if this election were just to be decided on the quantity of experience, Dick Cheney would be our next president. I prefer the quality of Barack Obama’s experience." In recent days, Obama has closed in on Clinton's lead in NY and NJ.
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Finally a picture of a republican photo-op that really captures the spirit of the event: Lots of angry desiccated men and a plum of a wife for color (no fake happy people of color involved).
McCain looks worse than Reagan did when he left office. I'm beginning to agree with Chuck Norris (of all people): why vote for a guy who will probably die in office. Oh wait, GWB can still be McCain's running mate, right? Okay, now I get it.
Rudy, the degenerate opportunist. Why miss a photo op, or public appearance?
He might as well take credit for singlehandedly running McCain's campaign, like he does with everything else.
The look on George Elmer Pataki's face makes it look as if he is plotting something.
Pataki should reach over and slap Rudy twice for the whole Cuomo episode.
Zeig Hillary!
westernqueensland, I hope you aren't suggesting that Democrats use "fake happy people of color"
Ron Paul was in Minnesota last night, speaking to 4,000 people:
http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/15275431.html
"Freedom is popular"
Zeig Hillary!
Nice!!!
Wow! That is some purple suit Cindy McC is sporting.
this statement is at 100 feet or more from your polling place: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edstern/2242211635
Does Mccain really think that his creepy looking new sidekick is an asset to his campaign, or does he not have the heart to tell him to go home...?
It's a shame that Ron Paul, a Libertarian by choice, has to run as a Republican before the dumb masses across the country will give him credit. In a land full of choices, like McDonald's or Taco Bell or DIY@home, it's truly sad that we rely so heavily on the two party system because we're too lazy, or apathetic, to actually listen and respond favorably to a third party candidate.
I Can't Spell, Good point. I think that people of hue more often than not agree with and support the positions of the Democrats, but who knows, I could be wrong. It is just when you see them in the rep(rehensible)lican's photo-ops they look so, well uncomfortable and lonely.
I've got a question for Ron Paul people. If people are too lazy to respond to Ron Paul how come he led the GOP in fundraising in the 4th Q? He has the money and still is in last place. There's a message there.
"I've got a question for Ron Paul people. If people are too lazy to respond to Ron Paul how come he led the GOP in fundraising in the 4th Q? He has the money and still is in last place. There's a message there."
I didn't say people were too lazy to respond to Ron Paul. I said people were too lazy to branch out past the two parties, Democrats and Republicans. What I should have added to that, is the fact that, as the laws are now, it is almost impossible for a third party candidate to get on the ballot and the American people are too lazy and apathetic to change those highly restrictive, fascist laws. (Please don't try to regale me with your definition of fascist. I know what it means, and I know the two main parties rely so heavily on, and conspire with, corporate backers, that it fits!)
As for why he came in 4th, it's because he doesn't fit in with the Republicans. This is due to the fact that he actually has a brain when it comes to issues of morality, and understands that kind of thing cannot be legislated, that it must be up to the individual to lead a life that does not interfere with the rights of others to lead their lives.