# Oh beautiful, beautiful meltdown **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2008, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306 "2008-10-24T04:37:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/121 "2008-10-25T19:22:24Z")
There have been quite a large number of policy positions in the past month where Palin has contradicted McCain. Now, one might wonder whether this is because she actually doesn’t understand the positions, or know about them, and is just babbling ignorantly, but some of it seems like she is indeed “going rogue.” For me, all of this is pure Schadenfreude. I thought McCain made the blunder of his campaign in picking her, and I am enjoying how right I was. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/122 "2008-10-25T20:24:14Z")
> [@BJMoose](#): > > Stray thought: if the racists weren’t mindlessly voting for McCain, would this election be a blowout? Well, Obama’s got the [red](http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/political-pictures-rednecks-for-obama-america-fuck-yeah.jpg) [neck](http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/10/23/128692825423289556.jpg) vote! ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/123 "2008-10-25T20:45:30Z")
Isn’t a rogue just a pissed off maverick? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/124 "2008-10-25T21:24:21Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Isn’t a rogue just a pissed off maverick? She’s going rogue because on her shopping trip one of her aides told her that she needed more rouge. Despite all the effort to dress her up, language is not one of her strong suits. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/125 "2008-10-25T21:49:30Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > She’s going rogue because on her shopping trip one of her aides told her that she needed more rouge. Despite all the effort to dress her up, language is not one of her strong suits. Damn, beat me to it. This is all about makeup choices. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/126 "2008-10-25T22:03:39Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Of course I’ve heard all those things. > > “Irrational prejudices” regarding socialism and patriotism (or lack thereof) do not necessarily equal racism. > > So the “welcoming racists” comment remains hyperbole at best, and quite offensive regardless. Haven’t you heard of the Southern Strategy ? They’ve spent decades not merely welcoming racists, but actively relying on them to get elected. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/127 "2008-10-25T23:15:56Z")
On [FiveThirtyEight.com](http://FiveThirtyEight.com), they have been doing a series of articles visiting several states around the US, visiting campaign offices at various places. They always visit Obama offices, but seldom any McCain or RNC offices, because the Republicans won’t give them permission to talk to anyone. In the latest report, from [Big Stone Gap, VA](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-big-stone-gap-virginia.html), they told of an Obama campaign worker doing calls who was told “Ma’am, we’re voting for the n\*\*\*er.” There is more to teh story later in the post, and someone claiming to be that volunteer posts on the second page of comments confirming that it happened. There was an anecdotal report of almost the same thing happening during neighborhood canvasing in an [earlier post](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/10/on-road-western-pennsylvania.html) from Western PA. Sean, the writer of the posts, says that he independently confirmed that story after hearing rumours of it in Ohio. It seems even some of the racists are voting for Obama.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/128 "2008-10-25T23:31:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Outside of the obligatory and traditional gloating and lording it over, I expect to be the very model of graciousness and magnanimity. Anyone know how you masturbate like a motherfuck with grace? Those of us in the Evil Community feel no such obligation. Should Senator McCain win, my plan is to briefly explode in venomous range, rain fiery death on a randomly chosen town in Nebraska,and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. Should Senator Obama win, my plan is to briefly cheer in joy, fuck my wife in joyous celebration, and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/129 "2008-10-25T23:40:51Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Not to mention those whose beliefs don’t gel with _any_ party, much less the major ones, or those who don’t have a problem with the party’s platforms but rather the representatives slated to fill those slots. I’m not sure that I follow. Are you saying that you live in Israel, Italy or some other pure PR country, you have 8+ parties to choose from, and you don’t believe that your beliefs gel sufficiently with any of them? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/130 "2008-10-25T23:50:50Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > In yet more melty goodness, [this Politico article](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14929.html) is pointing out yet another batch of friction on the Straight Off The Side Of The Cliff Express–looks like Caribou Barbie is getting all mavericky on her own… > > Implosion continues unabated. I have to say that the staffers are really behaving badly, no grace under fire, no stiff upper lip, no going down with the ship–it’s every asshole for him/herself on that bus. Tacky, really, no dignity. 1. And [over at CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/25/palin.tension/index.html): > [@CNN with emphasis added by MfM](#): > > A second McCain source says she appears to be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign. > > **“She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone,” said this McCain adviser. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else.** > > “Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom.” I remember **Sam Stone** being outraged during the lost weekend that certain GD posters were referring to Palin as, “Princess”. This is far worse -she won’t take advice from her family? For all I know it might be accurate, but I gotta say that the knives are sure out in McCain-land. 1. Brad DeLong once argued that policy-oriented staff members are often more loyal than those chosen for their loyalty. The latter will often jump ship at the worst possible moment, while the wonks will stay on board _provided there is some chance that their ideas will meaningfully affect policy_. > [@Brad DeLong](#): > > What we need in America are people who think hard about what a future for this country would be and work hard to elect candidates who will bring that good future into being. > > We do not need more careerists–people who work for a candidate because they want the privilege to eat the White House Mess–we need fewer. > > We do not need more followers–people who work for a candidate because they think he or she, personally, is a great guy–we need fewer. > > At this moment nobody has a clue what policies McCain would follow, on anything, because McCain’s preferences on nearly all issues of policy are weak and unstable. All we know about McCain is that he thinks (a) Russians must be confronted with armed force everywhere, (b) American soldiers must never return home in defeat, and (c) he likes to make big bets on poker hands where he has not looked at his own hole cards. > > All those still working for the McCain campaign at this point are followers or careerists. They should look at themselves in the mirror hard, and figure out whether they are the kind of people who should play any role in deciding on the future of America. [http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2008/10/why-oh-why-ca-1.html](http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2008/10/why-oh-why-ca-1.html) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/131 "2008-10-25T23:52:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Those of us in the Evil Community feel no such obligation. Should Senator McCain win, my plan is to briefly explode in venomous range, rain fiery death on a randomly chosen town in Nebraska,and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. > > Should Senator Obama win, my plan is to briefly cheer in joy, fuck my wife in joyous celebration, and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. Wait, wait, wait… you and the rest of the Evil Council will be _angry_ if McCain wins? I don’t grok. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/132 "2008-10-25T23:55:25Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Those of us in the Evil Community feel no such obligation. Should Senator McCain win, my plan is to briefly explode in venomous range, rain fiery death on a randomly chosen town in Nebraska,and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. > > Should Senator Obama win, my plan is to briefly cheer in joy, fuck my wife in joyous celebration, and retreat to my lair to plot a suitable revenge. Man, is this schtick getting old. Grow up, or at least keep it in MPSIMS where it belongs. ---
**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 26, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/133 "2008-10-26T00:41:59Z")
> [@](#): > > He said Palin had begun to “go rogue” in some of her public pronouncements and decisions. > > “I think she’d like to go more rogue,” he said. If this happens, can we be mindful of the common GOP symbol and start referring to her as a “rogue elephant”? _Pleeeeeeeeease?_ ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/134 "2008-10-26T00:52:06Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Man, is this schtick getting old. Grow up, or at least keep it in MPSIMS where it belongs. Francis, you keep forgetting that your gun’s unloaded. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/135 "2008-10-26T00:56:41Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Haven’t you heard of the Southern Strategy ? They’ve spent decades not merely welcoming racists, but actively relying on them to get elected. Republican sympathizers will pretend that your post doesn’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/136 "2008-10-26T01:05:39Z")
> [@Skald the Rhymer](#): > > fuck my wife If I were you, I’d do that in either outcome. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/137 "2008-10-26T01:07:29Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Even the race thing isn’t working out for McCain, apparently. Obama is getting more white support than any Democratic running for president in the past 30 years, according to a recent poll. This is precisely what one would expect, since as the polls stand today he has the biggest lead of any Democrat in the last 30 years among, well, Americans. Logically, since black support for the Democrats is pretty steadily astronomical, the guy with the biggest overall lead musthave the biggest lead among whites. In the last 30 years, after all, only three Democrats have actually won a Presidential election, and Bill Clinton was two of them. Obama doesn’t have a lot of recent Democratic juggernauts to be compared to. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/138 "2008-10-26T01:07:35Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Man, is this schtick getting old. Grow up, or at least keep it in MPSIMS where it belongs. You’re only a junior mod now, Frank, but your complaint is noted. But I don’t generally do the schtick in MPIMS anyway. You can put me on ignore, if you wish, which accomplishes the exact same thing as my changing my posting habits, though it will cost you some LOTR threads. [QUOTE=Enfant Terrible] Wait, wait, wait… you and the rest of the Evil Council will be angry if McCain wins? I don’t grok. [/QUOTE] I’m Chaotic Evil. I don’t need a **valid** reason for revenge. Taking my evil hat off for a moment, I don’t think Senator McCain is vile at heart. I think he’s so desperate to be president, and knows this ot be his last chance, that he’s abandoned the principles that used to make him admirable to me in the belief that he’ll be able to come back from it. It makes me sad. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/139 "2008-10-26T01:08:47Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > If I were you, I’d do that in either outcome. I only make love to my wife when I’m happy. I rather wish I hadn’t used the word “fuck,” but that’s an MPSIMS thread. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306/140 "2008-10-26T01:22:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I only make love to my wife when I’m happy. I rather wish I hadn’t used the word “fuck,” but that’s an MPSIMS thread. I suggest making love to your wife to MAKE you happy when you’re sad. Just a thought… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-beautiful-beautiful-meltdown/469306.md?page=8)