•Sen. Barack Obama clarified his “lipstick on a pig” comment but the controversy continues. Has the McCain-Palin campaign exploited the issue?
• And, given Sen. McCain’s post-convention poll bounce, could this incident become a decisive turning point in the election?
• It’s Sudden Death Radio! Think you can survive the cut? Call in!
Soon, Liberalland.com and Alan.com will be one and the same. In the meantime, please come on over to visit the new site and see the latest posts.
• Pastor Rick Warren gives Alan the inside scoop on his Saddleback Civil Forum with Barack Obama and John McCain.
• Political pollster Frank Luntz, author of Words That Work, sits down with Alan to dissect the latest presidential campaign rhetoric.
• Author and satirist Daniel Kurtzman says his book can teach anyone How to Win a Fight with a Liberal. Alan puts him to the test.
But did it happen to John McCain? He told the beautiful story Saturday night about the prison guard with whom he had a religious moment:
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DOOR OF THE CELL OPENED, THE GUARD CAME IN, A GUY WHO WAS JUST WHAT WE CALL A GUN GUARD. HE JUST WALKED AROUND THE CAMP WITH A GUN ON HIS
SHOULDER. HE WENT LIKE THIS AND THEN HE LOOSENED THE ROPES. HE CAME BACK ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER, HE TIGHTENED THEM UP AGAIN AND LEFT. THE FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS, BECAUSE IT WAS CHRISTMAS DAY, WE WERE ALLOWED TO STAND OUTSIDE OF OUR CELL FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND THOSE DAYS WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE OR COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER ALTHOUGH WE CERTAINLY DID. AND I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE FOR MY FEW MINUTES, OUTSIDE MY CELL. HE CAME WALKING UP. HE STOOD THERE FOR A MINUTE AND WITH HIS HANDLE ON THE DIRT IN THE COURTYARD HE DREW A CROSS AND HE STOOD THERE AND A MINUTE AND WITH HIS HANDLE ON THE DIRT IN THE COURTYARD HE DREW A CROSS AND HE STOOD THERE AND A MINUTE. LATER, HE RUBBED IT OUT AND WALKED AWAY. FOR A MINUTE THERE, THERE WAS JUST TWO CHRISTIANS WORSHIPING TOGETHER. I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT.
Recounting his experiences in 1973 for US News and World Report, in a 12,000 word story, McCain didn’t tell this very moving one. And it just so happens that Alexander Solzhenitsyn told a very similar story in his 1973 book The Gulag Archipelago. And, as it turns out, McCain has written glowingly about the work of Solzhenitsyn.
I’m just sayn’…
John McCain said “my friends” only 14 times during his appearance at Rick Warren’s church.
TV Newser profiles the new Facebook/FOX News pairing that Brian Stelter writes about in Monday’s New York Times. FOX fans can participate in a variety of ways, including discussion boards, like the one where Jimmy wrote about the 20 things you need to believe to be a Republican. Among them:
1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush’s daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a “we can’t find Bin Laden? diversion.
3. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
Lots of other good stuff there.
Liberals and the Democratic establishment often regard FOX News as biased and tend to diminish the strength of its appeal to all-but die-hard conservatives. In the process, I get plenty of grief from the left for taking a FOX paycheck. A new study out by Pew Research shows some of this conventional wisdom not to be true. In fact, FOX News has the most “Fair and Balanced” audience of the three cable news nets.
CNN: 51% Democrats, 18% Republicans, 23% independents
MSNBC: 45% Democrats, 18% Republicans, 27% independents
Fox News: 33% Democrats, 39% Republicans, 22% independents
This represents a fair and balanced audience of viewers who are engaged, who vote, and who Democrats need if they’re going to win elections. To those who argue that Democrats should avoid FOX News, look at whom you’re also avoiding: a combination of Democrats and independents equalling 55% of the most-watched cable news channel.
Here is the Pew survey.
His name is John McCain. And here are some nuggets from Frank Rich’s superb New York Times Sunday column:
For Example:
McCain was in full “myth mode” at Rick Warren’s Saturday night event. It’s even questionable how much of the “McCain Myth” is being created as we speak. One thing is for sure: Republicans are banking on convincing Americans that we’re safer with the candidate we know than the one we don’t. The question is: Which one do we really know best?
Stuart Shepard, who does videos for James Dobson’s Focus on Family put out a “pray-for-rain” video where he thought it would be a good idea to ask for torrential downpours during the Democratic convention.
Now, Focus has pulled the video from its website and says it was all a big joke. The Carpetbagger has the Mea Culpa video, which is actaully snarkier than the original.
From: Rob
Date: August 12, 2008 9:45:33 PM EDT
To: Alan
Subject: Abortionalan,it is a real shame since you radicals/marxists believe in murdering/aborting children, that your parents didn’t decide to abort you…Just think we would now have one less left wing loonie that hates America and believes in Karl Marx’s income redistribution to punish those who wish to make something of themselves ,steal their money and give it to the lazy lumps who dont wish to work,want free handouts and want to live on others like leeches. And you think that this is fair??? To punish those who want to better themselves and tax them out of what they worked so hard to earn???? just to give it to the lazy who want a free handout. Since you believe in this maybe we should tax you out of every dollar that you earn and confiscate your home and car for redistribution to some lazy ghetto bum…Would that make you happy??? By the way,you could pay my taxes as well,since you believe in giving out FREE handouts…no doubt you are a total left wing radical jackass!!!
From: Alan
Date: August 14, 2008 11:03:29 AM EDT
To: Rob
Subject: Re: Abortion
You wish I had been aborted. Good to know you’re pro-choice, then.
From: Gene
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 7:42 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Your sex slime on McCainI was disappointed that you bought up a 30 year old “alleged” affair of John McCain. You don’t know if the wife stayed true to McCain while he was gone for 5 years in a Prison Camp. You don’t know what problems they had when he came back home. I have seen people not war prisoners come back from war that was so maladjusted that they divorced. Don’t go there again!
Gene
From: Darrell
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:19 PM
To: Alan
Subject: You and NewtYou make your feeble attempt to match your knowledge with Newt’s, you are wasting your time. He has MORE knowledge in his little finger than you have in your ENTIRE STUPID BODY!!!!!!!
Go to the dictionary and find “stupid” or “dumb”. There is YOUR picture for BOTH!!!!!
Darrell
From: Carlton
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:32 PM
To: Alan
Subject: 2008 PoliticsAlan:
I am not sure if your questions and reponses each evening on Hannity and Colmes are just an act or you really believe your own stupid statements; if so you’ve got one messed mind. Only irrational people think like you. Of course you never learn because you never shut your mouth and open your ears long enough to learn anything and therefore you continue to perpetuate inaccurate information even in the face of the facts.
C
From: ray
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:36 PM
To: Alan
Subject: New Hair ColorColmes,
You look awesome with your new black tresses. Just like a “spade.” You miserable puke. Tonight, your tone reminded me of Jessie Jackson when he was caught saying “I’d like to cut off his nuts.”
WAKE UP you schmuck!!!
From: Grace
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:37 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Why?I listen to you most every night, and I have yet to hear you say WHY you are a liberal. I’d like to hear you say
I am a liberal because:Some suggestions of things you could say?
because I like the idea of having a military free country with no protection for its citizens (an Obama plan)
because I like taking hard earned money away from people and giving it to people who are not willing (but are able) to work
because I like the idea of socialistic medical facilities
because I want higher taxes (it’s for everyone that he advocates this measure NOT just the wealthiest Americans)
because I think ‘the government’ should pay for people’s houses
because I believe that ‘the government’ should pay everyone’s way through college
because ????
I have no idea why anyone would want to be a liberal, so I have no more suggestions.
Just in case you wondered, I personally am terrified that he will get elected and I will have nothing left of the money that I have
put away for retirement, and I am 70 years old, and will have NO recourse once he takes it all away from me to give to someone else who hasn’t done one thing to earn it, or deserve it.(by the way, I am all for helping people who for whatever reason are unable to work and support themselves…it’s those who refuse to do anything and just wait for handouts.
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:43 PM
To: Grace
Subject: RE: Why?
Yes, Grace, I want the government to take all our money, turn the country over to terrorists and, don’t forget, kill babies even after they’re born. Also I want to help all those pukes who hate to work and want to live on my dime. Thank you for your kind note.
From: Karen
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:38 PM
To: Alan
Subject: A simple requestDear Alan Colmes:
My husband and I are faithful viewers of your program. We thoroughly enjoy your program and appreciate the back and forth banter. However, I have a simple request to make of you: before you go on the air each night, will you please make sure your tie is straight? Perhaps you tie your tie to the left to signify your political position, but not a night goes by that my husband does not comment about how terrible it looks.
Thanks for your help- this small thing may keep me from killing my husband and then becoming a topic of discussion on your show. (lol)Sincerely,
Karen
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:48 PM
To: Karen
Subject: RE: A simple request
Karen,
Actually, my tie is straight. It’s my shirt that’s crooked. As a liberal, I am only for killing of babies in the womb, so I don’t want you to kill your husband. I will do what I can to help.
From: KC
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:49 PM
To: Alan
Subject: “Payback is a bitch”Alan,
I’m not even going to address you “Mr. Colmes”….you are way beneath that title. Your comment to Sean, “Payback is a bitch” is way out of line. Every night you give me more reason to dislike you more and more.
KC
From: LO
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:52 PM
To: Alan
Subject: Pay back’s a Bitch!!Aloha,Alan,
Pay back’s a Bitch!! No your the BITCH.Your passive aggressive.Let’s start a pool on how long your marriage is gonna last.Passive aggressive is bad.
Good luck in court!!
LO
From: ray
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 9:10 PM
To: Alan
Subject: watch the show so i can show my children the difference between right and wrongalan is always wrong, rude, and anti America.
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:56 PM
To: Ray
Subject: RE: watch the show so i can show my children the difference between right and wrong
Congratulations on your terrific parenting skills.
Alan
From: Deno
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 1:56 PM
To: Alan
Subject: obamaDear Al; Why don’t you stop sucking obama’s dick for a second and WAKE THE FUCK UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Don
Sent: Thu, August 14, 2008 10:01 pm
To: Alan
Subject: YOUThere’s no doubt in my mind that as a growing youngster, young adult and now, you have zero (real) friends. You are the most arrogant and annoying human being I have ever had the displeasure to be exposed to. Thank technology for the mute button. I wish I could cover your face at the
same time.
From: Alan
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 11:32 PM
To: Don
Subject: RE: YOU
Thank technology for the delete button.
From: Gary
Sent: Thu, August 14, 2008 4:52 pm
To: Alan
Subject: Red White and LiberalAlan,
I needed something to read at the beach while in Myrtle Beach a couple weeks ago. Found your book at an outlet mall for $3.99. I lost my earplugs on the beach – wish it had been your book instead.
yours truly,
Gary
P.S. I did get as far as page 166 before the nausea overwhelmed me.
From: Joseph
Sent: Fri, August 15, 2008 9:33 pm
To: Alan
Subject: seanIt is clear to everyone, the only reason you are on fox is because of sean…. doesn’t it bother you that you cant survive w/o him? You are a true liberal, you NEVER answer a question. What a coward! Your radio show is on so late for a reason, It really sucks!! Fairness doctrine, you need
one to hear your views? you should be embarrassed! either you are listened to or not! You are not, hence the late night talk and a fairness doctrine. Lets face it , your so called fans “do not tune in” liberal radio has failed, move on! FAIRNESS DOCTRINE? How about rating doctrines.
You cant make the cut!
Donald Kaul, who describes himself as “a two-time Pulitizer Prize-losing Washington correspondent” (for the Des Moines Register) summed up what I’ve been thinking.
In truth, it would be an exaggeration to call John McCain’s campaign tactics thus far “dirty.” Tacky, certainly, but they have not yet risen (or fallen) to the level of “dirty.” (Although the ad lying about Obama blowing off a visit to wounded troops in Iraq so he could get a photo op comes close.)
Right now, it’s more at the level of a high school jock yelling insults at the smart kid who’s stealing his girl. “Nyah, Nyah, you’re an intellectual and your mother dresses you,” that sort of thing. Kid stuff.
Look at what they’re hurling at Obama and what it really means:
We’re also told that he is a celebrity who gives really good speeches and attracts thousands of people to his events. This, to McCain supporters, is a negative. McCain, whose appeared on Letterman, the Tonight Show, the Daily Show, and many others, was never heard of before this presidential race, can’t give a speech, and is allergic to crowds?
When McCain starts to fall behind in the polls and his advisers tell him he has to fight dirty to win, how are they going to top themselves?
The big political event of the weekend is Rick Warren’s confab at his Saddleback Church, where he was able to get both Barack Obama and John McCain to come and answer questions. Jon Perr writing at Crooks and Liars came up with some good ones, among them:
1. In 2006, you recanted your claim six years earlier that Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell were “agents of intolerance.” What changed your mind?
During the 2000 campaign, you famously claimed that the late Jerry Falwell was an “agent of intolerance.” But when Meet the Press’ Tim Russert on April 2, 2006 asked whether you “still believe that Jerry Falwell is still an agent of intolerance?” you reversed yourself and said, “no, I don’t.” The next month, you gave the commencement address at Reverend Falwell’s Liberty University. Just weeks earlier, the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart asked you, “Are you going into crazy base world?” to which you replied, “I’m afraid so.” Why did you change your position on Falwell and Robertson being agents of intolerance? Were you pandering to the “crazy base world” of Republican primary voters?
2. You’ve said, “The most important thing is that I am a Christian.” Why is that the most important thing?
Campaigning in South Carolina last fall, you responded to questions about whether you were a Baptist or an Episcopalian by proclaiming, “the most important thing is that I am a Christian.” What did you mean by that? Was your Christian faith the most important thing for you personally, or just for the heavily evangelical voters of South Carolina?
3. Speaking of which, are you an Episcopalian or a Baptist?
You were raised as an Episcopalian and during your “Service to America” tour in April made a point of visiting your old prep school, Episcopal High. A Congressional directory lists your religion as Episcopalian, as did a questionnaire your campaign staffers completed in August for a debate in South Carolina. Yet you’ve attended the 7,000 member North Phoenix Baptist Church for 15 years. Despite never having been baptized, you said of your faith in September, “It plays a role in my life. By the way, I’m not Episcopalian. I’m Baptist.” So just to clear up any lingering confusion, are you an Episcopalian or a Baptist?
4. Will you ask your supporters to respect Barack Obama’s Christian faith?
On more than one occasion, you pledged to run a “respectful” campaign. Yet despite Barack Obama’s repeated and heartfelt proclamations of his Christian faith, many in the conservative movement accuse Obama of being a Muslim. Polling data show that the percentage of American who believe Barack Obama is a Muslim increased to 12% in July. Do you believe Barack Obama is a Christian? Will you ask your supporters to stop promulgating the myth that his is a Muslim? Will you ask them to respect Obama’s Christian faith? For that matter, will you ask them to respect the faith of Muslim Americans?
5. Do you agree with Pastor John Hagee that war with Iran is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy?
Back in February, you shared a stage with Pastor John Hagee and said you were “very proud” to have his endorsement. Then in May, you announced that you “must reject his endorsement, given “deeply offensive and indefensible” remarks he had made about the Holocaust. But given your own tough talk and past jokes about “bomb bomb Iran” and killing Iranians with cigarettes, do you join Pastor Hagee in believing the United States must attack Iran to fulfill the biblical prophecy of Armageddon in Israel in which 144,000 Jews will be converted to Christianity and the rest killed?
• Refusing to be “swift-boated,” the Obama campaign is vigorously fighting the right-wing smear machine. Are they winning the war of words?
• Thomas Frank, author of The Wrecking Crew, explains how Washington may be more corrupt than you think.
• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!
