# 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:** 4
**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 8, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/61 "2008-10-08T20:16:07Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > His boasting to bring up Rezko/Ayers in the debate, and his failure to do so, is in my opinion the sign of a man who is too easily swayed by polls. The pre-debate chatter was all about how the people wanted the candidates to _stick to the issues._ Stop attacking. Tell the truth. Tell us what’s going on. No bullshit. > > My guess is that this is the reason why McCain didn’t, despite having promised others he’d “take the gloves off.” He has a habit of saying what he thinks people want to hear, at the time. I think he was smart not to do this, because I bet Obama was well prepared to respond. If Obama came out more likable as it was, he’d really win if McCain attacked in person. McCain is getting negatives just from not mentioning Obama’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/62 "2008-10-08T20:24:00Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Bin Laden would be overjoyed at the opportuinity to kill more crusaders. If the crusders pulled out he could declare victory. Win-win. No matter what happens, bin Laden will declare it a glorious victory for the pipples rivolushun, hooray, break out the [del]hookers and blow[/del] 39 virgins, etc. I don’t see that he has any particular reason to influence the election one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/63 "2008-10-08T20:34:49Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > I simply can’t imagine Osama bin Laden doing anything of the kind. If McCain is elected, we will certainly send more troops to the Middle East. You have to understand the game Al Qaeda is playing. They’re not madmen flailing away wildly at The Great Satan. They have an agenda and a strategy. Their goal is the radicalization and fundamentalization of the Islamic world. To achieve this they want to undermine secular leaders and drive a wedge between the Islamic world and the West. The 9-11 attacks were \*intended \*to provoke American wrath … wrath that would alienate moderate elements in the Middle East and drive them to make common cause with Al Qaeda. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/64 "2008-10-08T21:19:54Z")
McCain is showing more signs of some sort of dementia. Or, at least, extreme fatigue in the face of presidential responsibilities. In [this video clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k) he addresses the crowd as “My fellow prisoners.” He doesn’t even notice. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/65 "2008-10-08T21:37:29Z")
I am not a prisoner, I am a free man. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/66 "2008-10-08T21:43:47Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > In [this video clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k) he addresses the crowd as “My fellow prisoners.” He is obviously talking about the strong American worker, who is a prisoner of high taxes. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/67 "2008-10-08T21:46:06Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > You have to understand the game Al Qaeda is playing. They’re not madmen flailing away wildly at The Great Satan. They have an agenda and a strategy. I accept that they’re probably richer now than they were after 9/11, if not in actual money, then richer in power and command. They would welcome more opportunities to recruit new followers to the fold, especially if by creating artificial new wars against artificial enemies, they can distract the homefront from the class divisions at home. But calling for a particular candidate has an uncertain effect. It would be a tremendous gamble. I don’t predict that they would take the risk of what they _might_ achieve. I don’t see that they have anything to lose by waiting. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/68 "2008-10-08T21:50:57Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > McCain is showing more signs of some sort of dementia. Or, at least, extreme fatigue in the face of presidential responsibilities. In [this video clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k) he addresses the crowd as “My fellow prisoners.” He doesn’t even notice. Holy shit, he’s not having flash-backs is he? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/69 "2008-10-08T21:59:53Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Holy shit, he’s not having flash-backs is he? :SNORT: Thank you **Happy** - That clip was too funny! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/70 "2008-10-08T22:10:00Z")
McCain’s latest catchphrase is “Who Is Barack Obama?” and I wish I was writing Obama’s speeches, cuz I’d love to see him respond: I’m Barack Obama. I’ve been running for president for a year. I’ve given x speeches in y cities and z states…I’ve engaged in 18 debates, including 2 with Sen. McCain. All my policies and plans are available for view at [obama.gov](http://obama.gov). If Sen. McCain doesn’t know who I am by now, he’s not paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/71 "2008-10-08T22:12:14Z")
I’ve only seen a tiny clip of that speech, with nothing preceding the gaffe. Plus, I’m at work. Are we _certain_ it isn’t being taken out of context? ---
**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 8, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/72 "2008-10-08T22:16:19Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > McCain is showing more signs of some sort of dementia. Or, at least, extreme fatigue in the face of presidential responsibilities. In [this video clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k) he addresses the crowd as “My fellow prisoners.” He doesn’t even notice. Maybe he was addressing Palin? She seems on a pretty short leash. ---
**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 8, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/73 "2008-10-08T22:23:00Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Are we _certain_ it isn’t being taken out of context? The context: > [@McCain](#): > > You and I together will confront the $10 trillion debt the federal government has run up and balance the federal budget by the end of my term in office. Across this country, this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners and the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent. I’d say no. Just a very weird slip of the brain. What word did he _mean_ to use there? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/74 "2008-10-08T22:24:21Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > I’ve only seen a tiny clip of that speech, with nothing preceding the gaffe. Plus, I’m at work. > > Are we _certain_ it isn’t being taken out of context? [Here’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4FADXTI-vc) a more extended version. Nah. Nothing out of context. He’s just been using his POW as a qualification so much it slips out at the oddest times. A tired misspeak mashing up his various stump speeches is all though. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/75 "2008-10-08T22:30:51Z")
Ah, good. If he starts going _nnnnnyyyyeeeeeooowwwwmmm PEW PEW PEW ratatatat take that you commie bastid nnnnyyyyyowwwwrroooommmm vrm vrm bbbbbbb KABOOOM_ then let me know. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/76 "2008-10-08T22:32:42Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Ah, good. > > If he starts going _nnnnnyyyyeeeeeooowwwwmmm PEW PEW PEW ratatatat take that you commie bastid nnnnyyyyyowwwwrroooommmm vrm vrm bbbbbbb KABOOOM_ then let me know. Seriously, I think Asians should stay away from his rallies for the foreseeable future. He might just leap off the stage with bowie knife clenched between his teeth. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/77 "2008-10-08T23:00:35Z")
I feel sorry for him. Seriously–he needs to go home and get in a rocking chair and bitch about his gold game and his hemorrhoids to whomever will listen. I’m embarrassed listening to him. That said, I don’t believe that Obama is President until they move into the WH and he’s sworn in. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/78 "2008-10-08T23:33:00Z")
Can someone explain the funding situation to me? I’ve found [this](http://www.cfinst.org/pr/prRelease.aspx?ReleaseID=205) which explains that as of the end of August Obama had more in his Presidential coffers but comparing combined Presidential and Party coffers McCain was way up. > [@](#): > > At the end of August, the Democratic National Committee had a cash balance of $17.7 million compared to $76.5 million for the RNC. Combining the candidates’ and national party committees’ cash at the end of August as we do in Table 3, and then adding McCain’s public grant for the general election in early September, produces 95.1 million in cash for the Obama and Democratic team versus $187.6 million for the McCain and Republican team, a temporary Republican advantage of more than $92 million … if Democratic party committees match their Republican counterparts’ efforts for the presidential race in September and October, Obama will have to raise around $50 million a month for his forces to equal the combined Republican/McCain total. And apparently, that RNC money can legally be under Team McCain’s [control.](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94729637) > [@](#): > > … McCain has found a way to work around these limits. The Republican Party — and not his campaign committee — has paid for more than half of his campaign ads and outspent Obama on television in the first week following the conventions. > > McCain is using an arrangement in which he is not collecting private money, while the Republican National Committee is. > > An analysis released on Wednesday by the Wisconsin Advertising Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison finds that the RNC helped pay for more than 55 percent of McCain’s ads in the week after the convention. These are called hybrid ads — and they are legal… “And that’s the key thing. A dollar you control is much better than a dollar you don’t control, even if that other dollar is spent on your behalf.” So does McCain actually have a financial advantage going into the stretch? Will we see a late carpet bombing with negative dirty pool ads that Obama won’t be able to spend enough to keep up with? ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/79 "2008-10-08T23:57:17Z")
“My Fellow Prisoners” Damn, to be Karl Rove’s beeyoych is pretty hard on the ol’ soul afterall. ---
**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 9, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951/80 "2008-10-09T00:00:35Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I feel sorry for him. Seriously–he needs to go home and get in a rocking chair and bitch about his gold game and his hemorrhoids to whomever will listen. I’m embarrassed listening to him. Underlining mine. So that’s what he did with the Keating money! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951.md?page=5)