Matt Gonzales, Nader's VP explains in detail more criticisms likely to come up from the left -- http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=5413

click for graycube's article

that article seems to attack the substance of obama's voting record. which, if past contests are any indication, will probably not factor into the future attacks on him in a substantive way.

The republicans will take the 'he's got a funny name and he's black' approach. With their war-mongering war hero at the head of the pack, Obama will still be the new Preznit.

I doubt there will be any change in this country, though.

'we're seeing flashes of it already -- barack HUSSEIN obama! -- but the strategy of republican attack is just starting to take shape'

Of course, it is Hillary who is actually using that against him...

He'll be attacked for being 'unqualified' among other things.

Ultimately, I think Obama is going to be our next President.

Of course, it is Hillary who is actually using that against him...

really? i seem to hear it on those insane right wing shock jock radio shows (michael savage and his imitators).

i think she's attacking him more for being unqualified.

in any case, i think that at this point, i agree that he'll be the next president. none of the attacks (the 'swiftboating' as well as the legitimate stuff) seem to stick, from what i can gather.

Hillary's campaign was the one who released this picture, and Hilldawg's M.O. has always been to attack her opponents on their personal weaknesses, real or perceived.

McCain, in contrast, has so far seemed to be unwilling to attack Obama in that fashion. No doubt if he were against him in the general election and needed a boost, he'd reconsider that position. Recently at a McCain campaign stop, Bill Cunningham, a nationally syndicated talkshow host, repeatedly pointed out that “Hussein” is Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s middle name. McCain got on stage and denounced Cunningham’s statements, saying that he wanted to keep the discourse focused on the issues.

Of course, it won't stay on the issues, and it will soon be made quite apparent that McCain is a giant douchebag.

While I obviously don't agree with Obama's healthcare plan, I think it is a better option than Hillary Clinton's. Other than healthcare though, I get the feeling that Obama may actually end up being more economically sound than McCain. He has a lot of real economic advisors, and he's not ignoring the 800 pound gorilla that is Iraq war spending either.

[this was not an endorsement]

the picture

that one is annoying as shit, because it plays off an american fear of turbans, which is retarded for two reasons: sikhs wear turbans, not muslims, and he was wearing that shit in kenya. it was basically the most ignorant ass attack, but i think it really annoys me because i know it will probably work really well. he's got plenty of stuff to attack, why pick the most ignorant manipulative thing?

McCain got on stage and denounced Cunningham’s statements, saying that he wanted to keep the discourse focused on the issues.

that surprises me, but good for mccain.

Of course, it won't stay on the issues, and it will soon be made quite apparent that McCain is a giant douchebag.

of late it seems like more personal attack-type shit is coming out about mccain. plus the whole panamanian birth? what the hell is with that, and how come it seems like no one heard shit about it last time around?

Thanks for updating the link nocal - I got interrupted in the middle of that post last night and just sent it as-is.

I think most Americans are acutely aware of having been teased about their name at some point or another. I don't think that is a strategy that can work for long nor ever very well.

The morons that will vote based on his middle name, would have voted Republican anyhow.

plus the whole panamanian birth? what the hell is with that, and how come it seems like no one heard shit about it last time around?

Well it was ALWAYS public knowledge that he was born in the Canal Zone. It's part of his whole 'Navy4Life' persona. I don't think anyone made a big deal about it last time because he wasn't ever really in danger of becoming the candidate.

I doubt the courts would ever get to hear that case, because who would really challenge it? If McCain was deemed ineligible, I believe that his VP would assume the Presidency, not the Democratic challenger, so there is a likely lack of bankroll for such a case. If it were challenged, then I would venture a guess that the Supreme Court would ultimately find that McCain was a natural-born citizen, as he had gained his citizenship at birth.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, people are born U.S. citizens if they are born in the U.S. or their parents are U.S. citizens (which McCain's were).

I think only PURE idiots would even spend time on that topic. It's like some in the media missed their civics class. (Of course they did, because we don't have civics anymore, we have dogma classes instead).

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

and here i thought we were talking about a clause in the constitution

I think only PURE idiots would even spend time on that topic.

oh no wonder i thought we were talking about the constitution, i'm pure idiot

Of course they did, because we don't have civics anymore, we have dogma classes instead

when is the last time you were in school? i assure you, if anyone is propagating the myth of 'indoctrination' in schools, it's the media. it's often echoed by the talking heads therein.

The question, lever, is not how you obtain citizenship at birth, but rather, whether obtaining citizenship at birth is the same as being 'natural born.'

This of course, does not depend upon any legislative action, as the Congress isn't given power to determine the definition of 'natural born' in the Constitution. The test is to determine what the framers of that document intended by it (since the Constitution trumps all other laws)

All of this is mostly a moot point because the Canal Zone was US Territory at time that McCain's father was stationed there. As far as the law is concerned he would have been born in the USA. Just as someone born in California pre-statehood would have been natural born. That said, it is not a point that is unworthy of debate.

All of this is mostly a moot point because the Canal Zone was US Territory at time that McCain's father was stationed there. As far as the law is concerned he would have been born in the USA.

well, i'm not so sure it will be interpreted that way. what about guam or puerto rico?

but like you say, there's room for debate. it seems like in the wording of the constitution there might be a little room for ambiguity as well.

it'll be interesting to see

Someone would have to challenge it.

Interesting scenario is if McCain chooses a popular VP and we elect a Congress that isn't too keen on him. Congress could (in theory) judge him ineligible and certify the votes for his VP. In that scenario, McCain himself would likely file the suit.

Once again, I think he'd win, but I don't think that this is so unambiguous as to allow a court to dismiss it.