# McCain not as forked as the McCain Forked thread, but still forked **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 8, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951 "2008-10-08T03:49:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Digital\_Stimulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/181 "2008-10-11T18:00:30Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Now that I think about it, Sidley’s Chicago office was also in that building at the time (they are now across the street). That means that both Bill Daley and I are directly connected to the Weathermen. My friends, **Eva Luna** admits she sympathizes with _corrupt politicians_ and _terrorists_! Is this really the type of person you want to… …ah crap. I just don’t have it in me to fake “teh stoopid” for even two posts. I denounce my prior post and repudiate my previously stated position. Based on the videos I just watched of Republican rallies in Strongsville, OH and Bethlehem, PA, I’d be an epic failure as a McCain supporter. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/182 "2008-10-11T18:13:02Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Don’t let yourselves be distracted. This is what we’re (still) up against: > > [The Sidewalk to Nowhere](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us) At least no one used the N word. That’s progress right? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/183 "2008-10-11T18:17:30Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > At least no one used the N word. That’s progress right? Im sure they were all thinking it. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/184 "2008-10-11T19:11:10Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I guess it would just be quibbling, at this point, to say that one can be a decent family man, and an Arab. Hence my having been rendered speechless. People like that are buried under such a solid mountain of ignorance, it’s impossible to know where to begin chipping away. Do you start with, “First of all, Arabs (and Turks, and Persians, et cetera) are not evil, filthy, baby-eating monsters. Just as many Arabs are forthright, intelligent, and honorable as Americans are. To use ‘Arab’ as a criticism is grotesque and idiotic. And even if that weren’t true, you’re wrong that Obama is one. You fail on both your spoken claim and your unspoken assumptions.” Or do you do it the other way around? “First of all, Obama is not an Arab, his heritage is African. And that aside…” and so on. Or the third alternative, do you simply stare silently at the woman while your brain short-circuits with horror and dismay? Me, I usually land on the third option. Unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/185 "2008-10-11T20:16:41Z")
> [@](#): > > I agree. Nothing I’ve seen of McCain recently convinces me he’s that good an actor. Of course he’s a good actor. You don’t get to be one of the 100 members of the most powerful legislative body on the planet without being a good actor. Regardless of whether what you’re saying is true or not, it takes a good actor to convince people that it’s true. Meanwhile, let me see if I’ve got this straight: The McCain campaign’s plan right now is to drop talking about all other issues to focus on Obama’s character. And Obama’s character is that he’s a good, upstanding American. Is that the gist of it? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/186 "2008-10-11T20:28:59Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Me, I usually land on the third option. Unfortunately. Hmmm, it seems like to me that you have a proven track record of being able to call a spade a spade, at last as far as SDMB history is concerned. I recall the telemarketer thread with fondness. Does this carry over to real life? Back to the OP: McCain just isn’t doing himself any favors; even his half-defense of Obama isn’t helping. I think it’s just sheer obstreperous partisanship that’s keeping him in the race. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/187 "2008-10-11T20:32:06Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Does this carry over to real life? Are you kidding? He gets it from our grandmother, I swear. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/188 "2008-10-11T21:04:10Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > I love the cognitive dissonance of people walking into a McCain rally, presumably on a weekday, yelling “get a job!” at people standing outside it holding protest signs. And this is your job, then? That’s what I thought. I also thought that most of them yelling “terrorist” wanted to yell “n\*\*er”, but lacked the courage. God, we are something. I am sick at this. Disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/189 "2008-10-11T21:50:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Of course he’s a good actor. You don’t get to be one of the 100 members of the most powerful legislative body on the planet without being a good actor. Regardless of whether what you’re saying is true or not, it takes a good actor to convince people that it’s true. Well, I did say recently, and he seemed more sincere and spontaneous in that moment than I’ve seen him lately. However, now that he has released his [first official statement](http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/Read.aspx?guid=1d9b670d-a06d-4c91-ba0e-59c25374780b) since the event, I’ll be a lot less inclined to attribute sincerity to him ever again. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/190 "2008-10-11T23:26:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Of course he’s a good actor. You don’t get to be one of the 100 members of the most powerful legislative body on the planet without being a good actor. Regardless of whether what you’re saying is true or not, it takes a good actor to convince people that it’s true. True, but it’s pretty easy to _stay_ there, once you’re there. McCain may have been a good actor back in 1986, but this is 2008. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/191 "2008-10-11T23:33:42Z")
And predictably, Obama was waiting for the statement and neatly gutted it. [http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama\_backs\_Lewis\_statement.html?showall](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/Obama_backs_Lewis_statement.html?showall) > [@](#): > > "Sen. Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies. > > But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for president of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists.’ > As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together. That is the kind of campaign Sen. Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead." ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/192 "2008-10-11T23:37:51Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > At least no one used the N word. That’s progress right? “If you stick a knife nine inches into my back and pull it out three inches, that is not progress.” — El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/193 "2008-10-11T23:53:24Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > John McCain is sitting on the precipice of electoral disaster. Unless something major happens, he can’t keep Obama under 300 EVs. Discuss. [Dick Morris](http://w3.newsmax.com/a/morrismap/?s=al&promo_code=6B10-1), a somewhat enigmatic political presence, is wondering if McCain can even keep Obama under **400** EVs. Holy shit. Do polls actually support his bluing of WV, KY, TN and/or AR? And check out those tossup states! His math on his own map is wrong, btw; I get 394 / 110 on that distribution, not 386 / 118. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/194 "2008-10-12T00:21:59Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Don’t let yourselves be distracted. This is what we’re (still) up against: > > [The Sidewalk to Nowhere](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us) Oh god, “Acorn Guy.” Hey, **Bricker** , where were you on Wednesday? (You know, **Lib** , you and I may not have been friends over the years but lately, you have been kicking some serious ass) ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/195 "2008-10-12T00:28:24Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > [Dick Morris](http://w3.newsmax.com/a/morrismap/?s=al&promo_code=6B10-1), a somewhat enigmatic political presence, is wondering if McCain can even keep Obama under **400** EVs. Holy shit. Do polls actually support his bluing of WV, KY, TN and/or AR? And check out those tossup states! > > His math on his own map is wrong, btw; I get 394 / 110 on that distribution, not 386 / 118. I have no clue where that dude is getting his numbers. The numbers in Indiana are way closer than Arizona, Georgia and Louisiana, and yet he has the former for McCain and the rest as toss ups. RCP puts Indiana as +3.8 in favor of McCain. Arizona, Georgia and Louisiana are 11.3, 15.4, 6.8 in favor of McCain respectively. Obama is winning slightly in NC, but McCain is up 14 points in both Kentucky and Kansas, and yet Dick Morris has them all leaning toward Obama. :dubious: For Obama to break 400 he would need to win at least one state McCain has a lead of more than 10 points. Even with every state that is either a toss up, or leaning McCain, Obama will only get 395. So unless if by magic, social conservatives start voting for Obama, he won’t make it. With all the independents and Democrats on his side he’ll make it to 395 but no further. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/196 "2008-10-12T00:31:15Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > [Dick Morris](http://w3.newsmax.com/a/morrismap/?s=al&promo_code=6B10-1), a somewhat enigmatic political presence, is wondering if McCain can even keep Obama under **400** EVs. Holy shit. Do polls actually support his bluing of WV, KY, TN and/or AR? And check out those tossup states! > > His math on his own map is wrong, btw; I get 394 / 110 on that distribution, not 386 / 118. Where the hell do those figures come from? AZ a tossup? I like the look of the map, but I’m pretty much inclined to dismiss it entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/197 "2008-10-12T00:32:50Z")
Hahaha. The week Palin was picked, I heard Kos predict 350 EVs for Obama. I laughed at him at the time. I’m laughing at McCain now. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/198 "2008-10-12T00:43:01Z")
I think the real question now is whether McCain can finish this campaign with a shred of decency and dignity left. I’m beginning to doubt it. I was around in 1968, and George Wallace campaigned with more apparent dignity than McCain has at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/199 "2008-10-12T13:02:52Z")
[Sarah booed roundly at Philly game.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ2DB8pNvJ8) [Christopher Buckley, William’s son and well regarded conservative, endorses Obama.](http://thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-10/the-conservative-case-for-obama/) > [@](#): > > Dear Pup once said to me, “You know, I’ve spent my entire life time separating the Right from the kooks.” McCain has taken his campaign into places that make even rock-ribbed conservatives uncomfortable. Every day I get a little more hopeful that Barack can win. (Still can’t shake the ‘a _black_ man? Named _Hussien_??? Not gonna happen’ feelings.) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/200 "2008-10-12T13:05:29Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > (You know, **Lib** , you and I may not have been friends over the years but lately, you have been kicking some serious ass) We’re probably just both getting old. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951.md?page=11)