Texas Governor Rick Perry may be completely irrelevant, but he still has money and thus we should care about his opinion on the disturbing video released last week showing U.S. Marines urinating on the corpses of recently killed combatants. "These kids made a mistake, there's not any doubt about it," he said. "[They] shouldn't have done it, it's bad—but to call it a criminal act, I think is over the top," Perry said on CNN today. "Obviously 18, 19-year-old kids make stupid mistakes all too often and that's what's occurred here." more ›

By now you've probably seen the video of U.S. Marines urinating on dead bodies in Afghanistan. (In case you missed it, we embedded it below.) It's unclear whether the corpses were Taliban or "collateral damage," but Defense Department spokesman Capt. John Kirby says, "Whoever it is, and whatever the circumstances — which we know is under investigation — it is egregious, disgusting behavior." Yeah, this kind of thing isn't exactly ideal for winning hearts and minds, but on the plus side, it's making John McCain feel bad. more ›

'Tis the season for Republicans to crap on America's favorite Obama—yes, we're talking about Bo Obama, the First Dog. Yes, half-term Governor Sarah Palin thought it was "odd" that the Obamas' family holiday card featured the adorable pup (and his "signature") and Senator John McCain said Obama should be leading, not taking Bo shopping (video) for Christmas presents. But liberal MSNBC host Ed Schultz took aim at the criticisms by pointing out some classic GOP hypocrisy. more ›

During a Senate debate about the treatment of enemy combatants, GOP Arizona Sen. (and Ed Harris opposite day impersonator) John McCain made a throwaway joke about the good people of Long Island: "Last I checked, Long Island was part—albeit sometimes regrettably—of the United States Of America." Instant rimshot! Sen. Chuck Schumer didn't find it so funny though, which led to some seriously catty back and forth insults between the two. more ›

Yesterday became Political Nerd Christmas as a trove of 14,482 of Sarah Palin's emails totaling more than 24,000 pages were released almost 3 years after they were first requested, when she was tapped by John "Country First" McCain to be his VP candidate. The emails are from the first 21 months of Palin's time as governor, do not include her final 10 months (those also have been requested) and 953 have been redacted altogether. While the emails are riddled with typos (whose aren't?), exclamation points, and folksy substitutions for curse words ("holy flipping crap") they are largely lacking in surprises. This hilarious graphic from the Guardian tells the tale: more ›

President Obama addressed the nation last night, explaining why the U.S. was involved in military actions against Libyan forces, "To brush aside America’s responsibility as a leader and -- more profoundly -- our responsibilities to our fellow human beings under such circumstances would have been a betrayal of who we are. Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries. The United States of America is different. And as President, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action." more ›

Yesterday, politicians of all parties came together to support Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's speedy recovery after she was shot in the head at her "Congress at Your Corner" event in Tuscon. Suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner is currently in federal custody, and many New York politicians have released statements on the unthinkable event. "This hateful crime is a tragedy beyond words," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who dined with Giffords less than a week ago. "More than just a rising political star and phenomenal talent, she is an incredible person." more ›

After Republican Senators filibustered the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act because, well, they wanted to make sure they got their $900 billion in Bush tax cuts, there's been a determined push to get the legislation passed before the end of this year. Now New York's Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer say they believe there are enough votes from Republicans to pass a less expensive, $6 billion version of the bill. more ›

Last week, Senator John "Maybe Maverick" McCain (R-Arizona) was kind of dismissive to a 9/11 first responder who would really love some Republican support for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Last night, McCain was kind of dismissive about Democrats' efforts to try to give $7.4 billion in benefits to first responders and survivors; when arguing against time limits for discussing the START Treaty, "To have a time agreement after all of the fooling around that we’ve been doing on ‘DREAM’ Act, on New York City … we will not have a time agreement from this side.” Naturally, that set off Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). more ›

After years and years, the House of Representatives was finally able to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Heath and Compensation Act in September. But now the worry is that the Senate will not have enough votes to pass the bill, which sets aside $7.4 billion for medical treatment and compensation to those sickened by the toxic conditions at Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks. One man, a tow truck driver who removed damaged FDNY vehicles from the wreckage and lost 30% of his lung capacity, tells the Daily News that Senator John McCain basically snubbed him. more ›

Nicole Pollizi, better known as Snooki, the drinkin' and fightin' pouf'd heroine of Jersey Shore, was interviewed by her Twitter buddy Senator John McCain's daughter Meghan for The Daily Beast. Snooki says, "To be honest with you, I’m not really a Republican or a Democrat. I actually signed up as an independent, just because I don’t want to pick any side and also I don’t really know a lot about politics. I only know politics about, like, you know, tanning and being a Guidette. So when I saw it was Obama and McCain, to be honest with you, the only reason why I voted for your father was because he was really cute and I liked when he did his speeches." more ›

Facing a primary challenge from a candidate who says he isn't conservative enough, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) trotted out his 2008 presidential ticket running mate Sarah Palin to adoring crowds in Tucson, AZ yesterday. And Palin rallied, "It was John McCain who warned us about this administration’s plan for growing government and digging us deeper into debt and spreading the wealth around. When all the votes are tallied, I think he’s going to win this one... Let's send the Maverick back to the Senate!" more ›

In an interview with Politico, Senator John McCain said, "These are terrible, perilous times, so I will seek ways to work with the president of the United States. I don’t want him to fail in his mission of restoring our economy.” However, he has problems with how President Obama and his administration have been handling budget issues so far, as well as the measures enacted by President Bush, “We’re pouring billions and billions of dollars into (banks) with not only no improvement, but their stocks continue to plummet. I think we have been pursuing the wrong strategy.” McCain added that the Obama administration "would have to present a blueprint that not only convinces me but frankly that convinces the Warren Buffetts and the Jack Welches ... people we would look up to who are experts who would say this plan will work. We don’t hear that.” Well, Warren Buffett did say yesterday that the GOP should support Obama. more ›

Politicker NY reports that Mayor Bloomberg's 2009 re-election team has added Jill Hazelbaker, the communications director for Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential bid, as a "move to boost his credibility with Republicans." (The independent Mayor wouldn't mind being on the Republican line in the voting booth.) The Mayor Mike 3X team includes notable Democratic strategists, including Hillary Clinton's longtime communications bulldog Howard Wolfson. Wolfson said of Hazelbacker's hiring, "Jill is one of the most talented communications professionals in the country. We are lucky to have her aboard." Even McCain weighed in, "Jill brings to the table a skill set that is valuable to any campaign and Mayor Bloomberg is fortunate to have her onboard. I wish him and the campaign all the best." more ›

Remember how the NY Times had a front page story about John McCain's relationship with an attractive blond lady lobbyist, implying they were having an affair? And then John McCain and his campaign called the article full of lies and the Times full of liberal bias? (The article also examined McCain's close ties to lobbyists.) Well, now with the election well over, the lobbyist is suing the Times! The NY Times, ahem, reports that Vicki Iseman has sued the paper and some editors and reporters for “falsely communicat[ing]" that she "had an illicit ‘romantic’ and unethical relationship in breach of the public trust in 1999." Iseman, seeking damages of $27 million, says the article was based on "minimum factual support" and says she suffered an "avalanche of scorn, derision, and ridicule." The Daily News notes the statement from the Times: "We fully stand behind the article. We continue to believe it to be true and accurate, and that we will prevail." more ›

President-elect Obama met with former foe John McCain at his transition offices in Chicago today to discuss issues that have the potential to unite them once Obama takes office. Aides of the two said they discussed climate change, ethics reform and national service. Obama may have also been looking for assistance with McCain's sway among Republicans who are likely to be resistant to the economic stimulus package the president-elect would like to see passed ASAP. more ›

The Today show aired another part of Matt Lauer's interview with Alaska Governor and Sarah Palin. This one includes Lauer asking about Palin's infamous interview with Katie Couric and whether she think President-elect Obama can handle the crisis in Iraq. Yesterday's interview (video after the jump) had Palin discussing the rumors about the $150,000 wardrobe and why the McCain-Palin ticket lost, "I think the economic collapse had a heckuva lot more to do with the campaign's collapse than me personally." more ›

Alaska governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin didn't rule out running in 2012 when asked about her future in politics earlier today. She said, "2012 sounds like years away. 2012 ... what will we be doing there, guys. Enrolling Trig in kindergarten and watching Willow get ready to go off to college. There are a lot of good things that will happen in 2012." And she told the town of Wasilla after her concession, "We're going to be just fine. It is a shining moment tonight in history. We do congratulate Barack Obama. It's a great night in history. But I'll tell ya, Wasilla - and everybody there in Alaska - I am just proud to be able to represent Wasilla. I am neither bitter nor vanquished, but very confident in the knowledge that there will be another day. " more ›

11:57 p.m.: The "next First Family of the United States" is introduced and Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama walk onstage to the cheering crowd. President-elect Barack Obama seems tired and moved--it's been an emotional few days for him. But he gives a rousing speech outlining his plans and rallying the country:

If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where anything is possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. more ›

The people at Crumbs are giving away 1,000 free cupcakes today at each of their locations (and free cupcakes all day Friday). Following Zaro's lead--they're using baked goods to conduct a delicious poll. They tell us there will be an “official count posted...and while it won’t be a scientific poll, it should shed some interesting light on neighborhood leanings." more ›

Americans all over the country are heading to their polling places to cast their votes for President as well as a number of other races. Polls opened at 6 a.m. in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and they close at 8 p.m. in NJ and CT and at 9 p.m. in NY. more ›

A reader sent in this photo taken at a Manhattan 7-Eleven this morning. Barack Obama is the clear winner, and if the 7-Eleven demographic is any indication, he has this in the bag -- the 7-Election map shows he's even got the lead in the battleground states. The Slurpee set is really doing us all proud today, America. more ›

Barack Obama's campaign announced that his grandmother, 86-year-old Madelyn Dunham, passed away Sunday night. Recently Obama took time off the campaign trail to visit her one last time. He and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng issued a statement, calling her "the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances.” John McCain offered his condolences to the family, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they remember and celebrate the life of someone who had such a profound impact in their lives." Obama and Soetoro-Ng also thanked people for the flowers and cards sent to Dunham in recent weeks; they added they would hold a small private ceremony for her at a later date. more ›

John McCain is really pulling all the stops as Election Day draws nigh. With Obama (and even Ralph Nader) getting so much love from street artists over the past year, someone finally threw the republicans some wheatpaste. The above was seen in DUMBO this morning, just look at that lil' guy dance! more ›

John McCain may have been more involved during his appearance on SNL, but his running mate Sarah Palin is still stealing his thunder. While she got the show its highest ratings in 14 years (15 million viewers), McCain's appearance only drew 12 million. Overall, however, the Daily News reports that Saturday's show had its "second highest audience in Nielsen's sample of major markets in 11 years" (whatever that means), and "Saturday's telecast was up 73% when compared to a year ago." Perhaps an Obama appearance would have delivered SNL its highest ratings ever, but he chose to spread the wealth with his network-spanning informercial. Meanwhile, NBC points out though McCain can take a joke, the Palin ones can bother him, which might "explain... 'frosty' chemistry between Tina Fey and McCain." Good thing they didn't refer to that prank call. more ›

After months and months (practically ) of politicking, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are entering the final hours of their presidential campaigns. Both candidates visited battleground states over the weekend in hopes of ensuring a victory tomorrow. more ›

With less than 48 hours left before the election, John McCain stopping into Saturday Night Live to perform in a couple of sketches seems like it should be huge news. But with so much attention being showered on the show this year throughout the campaign season, somehow it just felt par for course at this point in a period that Tina Fey for one calls "the weirdest time in my life." more ›