Mike Huckabee Wins Values Voter Summit Straw Poll

Mike Huckabee has convincingly won Family Research Council's second-ever Values Voter Summit Straw Poll. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and Mike Pence finished roughly tied for second place.

Only registered participants of the Summit who were present at the event were allowed to vote.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement in reaction to the second ever Values Voter Summit Straw Poll:

"We were surprised that the event's turnout was more than double our expectations, clearly showing intensity among social conservatives. This was the first time potential conservative candidates could present their vision for change. We have over 1,800 registrants and over 175,000 unique online viewers."
The following are the straw poll results:

Candidate Name Total Votes Percentage

1. Mike Huckabee170 28.48%
2. Mitt Romney 74 12.40%
3. Tim Pawlenty 73 12.23%
4. Sarah Palin 72 12.06%
5. Mike Pence 71 11.89%
6. Newt Gingrich 40 6.70%
7. Bobby Jindal 28 4.69%
8. Rick Santorum 15 2.51%
9. Ron Paul 13 2.18%
10. Undecided 31 5.19%
11. Other 10 1.68%

* The full results can be accessed at www.frcaction.org

Members of FRC Action are only allowed to vote once. For more information on The Values Voter Summit, log onto www.valuesvotersummit.org

Governor Sarah Palin's Endorsement of Governor Rick Perry

Below is a copy of the letter that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin sent to Texas Republican Women endorsing Governor Rick Perry for re-election in 2010

Dear Texas Republican Women,

After traveling all over this great country of ours, I have seldom found more endearing and inspiring women than Texas Republican women. You are independent, confident, and know how to make an impact in your state– much like the women of Alaska.

Because of your work, Texas is the largest red state in the nation, and it has a strong, conservative governor.

While a bunch of politicians have gone to Washington, hat in hand, seeking a bailout, Governor Perry has said we should stimulate the economy with tax cuts and maintain spending discipline. Rick Perry is true to conservative principles even when others think the party needs to go a different direction. I like that about him: he doesn’t care which way the wind blows, he acts on his beliefs.

That's why I am supporting Governor Rick Perry for re-election. He does what is right regardless of whether it is popular. He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks to his guns – and you know how I feel about guns!

With our current economic crisis, and working families worried about their pensions, jobs, credit card debt and rising home foreclosures, we need strong conservative leadership in trend-setting states like Texas.

Rick Perry is a leader. While the nation lost half a million jobs in the last year, Texas gained 250,000 net new jobs. He improved the job climate in Texas by refusing to raise taxes in the face of the largest budget deficit in Texas history. He had the foresight to join legislators in saving for a rainy day. And he has consistently asked agency heads to cut their budgets even when surpluses were rolling in. My fellow Republicans, that’s consistent leadership. That's Rick Perry.

Click here to see the letter

Governor Perry has also advocated for greater domestic drilling for energy, and a diversified energy mix – including greater development of renewable sources – so America is not held hostage by Middle East ayatollahs and foreign dictators. But in order to overcome extremist opposition to responsible exploration, we need proven leaders in energy states like Texas who will not back down when it up comes to expanding the energy supply.

Let me say one more thing about my friend and your governor: he knows all human life is precious. Rick Perry believes in protecting the most vulnerable in society, and who is more vulnerable than an unborn child? Our value as human beings in the eyes of Our Creator is not diminished by any circumstance.

Not every child is born into ideal circumstances, but every life is sacred. Rick Perry knows this – it is at the core of his being.

Will you join me in supporting a true conservative for governor – Rick Perry? We need Texas’ diverse and strong economy to help pull us out of our economic troubles. That requires a proven CEO as the head of state government. Rick Perry is proven and principled. And we need that in the governor of our nation’s second largest state and most prosperous economy.

Sincerely,
Sarah Palin

John McCain's Weekly Radio Address

DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO FILE HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/downloads/wra_102408.mp3

John McCain's Weekly Radio Address:

Good morning, this is John McCain, speaking to you just days away from the time for choosing.
In a time of economic hardship and uncertainty, for many Americans the choice will turn on whether we raise federal taxes or reduce them. My opponent is committed to a massive new tax burden on our economy, even at the risk of bankrupting small businesses and destroying jobs. I am committed to tax relief for working families and tax incentives for businesses to create jobs.
Senator Obama has been very guarded about his tax plans, and it took a working man to finally pull the truth out of him. As he told Joe the Plumber back in Ohio, he wants to quote "spread the wealth around." To pay for nearly a trillion dollars in new government spending, Senator Obama's tax increase would impact 50 percent of small business income in this country, and the jobs of 16 million middle class Americans who work for those small businesses.

Senator Obama assures us that he has a very clear target of just the top five percent of income earners. And anytime you hear talk of a targeted tax increase, you might want to double-check the skill of the marksman -- the U.S. Congress has been known to fire wildly. Remember the Alternative Minimum Tax? You probably do if you're one of the more than 30 million Americans currently threatened by it. That "targeted tax" was originally aimed at just 155 specific people. Once enacted, taxes have a way of spreading and rising. And that is why, as president, I am going to put a stop to the out of control spending, so we can keep taxes low.

The McCain-Palin tax cut is the real thing. We're going to double the child deduction for every family. We will cut the capital gains tax. And we will cut business taxes to help create jobs, and keep American businesses in America.

What's more, I'm not going to spend $750 billion dollars of your money just bailing out the Wall Street bankers and brokers who got us into this mess. I'm going to make sure we take care of the working people who were devastated by the excesses of Wall Street and Washington.
Two weeks ago, I announced a plan to protect the value of your home and get it rising again by buying up bad mortgages and refinancing them so if your neighbor defaults he doesn't bring down the value of your house with him. This will help stem the tide of foreclosures that are hurting families, and it will put a floor under the broken housing market that was at the root of the financial crisis.

While Washington has been bailing out banks, I have been arguing that we need to focus on fixing the underlying problem: foreclosures on bad mortgages and the collapse of our housing market. Without fixing this fundamental problem, our economy will not get back on track. This week, we learned that the number of foreclosures spiked by 71 percent last quarter, and finally Congress and the Administration are putting together a plan to address this problem. Let me say: It's about time.

I have been focusing my priorities on helping those people who have been impacted by this crisis. I have a plan to let retirees and people nearing retirement keep their money in their retirement accounts longer so they can rebuild their savings.

I have a plan to hold the line on taxes and cut them to make America more competitive and create jobs here at home. Raising taxes makes a bad economy much worse. Keeping taxes low creates jobs, keeps money in your hands and strengthens our economy.

The explosion of government spending over the last eight years has put us deeper in debt to foreign countries that don't have our best interests at heart. It weakened the dollar and made everything you buy more expensive.

I will freeze government spending on all but the most important programs like defense, veterans care, Social Security and health care until we scrub every single government program and get rid of the ones that aren't working for the American people. And I will veto every single pork barrel bill Congresses passes.

As Joe the Plumber and small business owners across the country have now reminded us all, America didn't become the greatest nation on earth by giving our money to the government to "spread the wealth around." In this country, we believe in spreading opportunity, for those who need jobs and those who create them. And that is exactly what I intend to do as President of the United States.

Thanks for listening.

McCain-Palin Campaign Conference Call On Stories About Terrorism And The 2008 Election

"Now let me be clear. If we are going to talk about who had got support from terrorist groups in this election I am going to read some quotes, I am not going to characterize them, I will let others judge whether the amount of expression of support or opposition whether they amount to expressions of endorsement or opposition. First this week a Hamas spokesman, Ahmed Yousef said quote, 'I do believe Mr. Biden is a great man and we do count on him as also a good partner with Mr. Obama to put the right policy regarding how to handle problems in the region. It is good for America to have the new administration with someone like Mr. Obama and his vision for change. I do believe actually with this administration, the Bush administration, we don't have luck in ending our isolation. We as Palestinians are thinking we might have better luck with the new administration if Obama wins the election. I do believe that he will change American foreign policy in the way they are handling the Middle East.'" -- Randy Scheunemann

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 held a press conference call with former CIA Director Jim Woolsey and McCain-Palin Senior Foreign Policy Adviser Randy Scheunemann to discuss recent news stories about which candidate terrorists would like to see in the White House in 2009:

Randy Scheunemann: "The Washington Post story that Mike referred to was an amazing piece of 'journalism' and I use journalism in quotations marks when referring to this story. One post of a relatively obscure individual justifies the headline that Al-Qaeda Websites Supports John McCain'. Only one website was named and only one author was quoted. Even The Associated Press which wrote a follow on story recognized that the author of the posting that The Washington Post cited, Muhammad Haafid, quote 'is not believed to have a direct affiliation with al-Qaeda plans or knowledge of its operations' closed quote and that's according to the same SITE, s-i-t-e, analysts quoted by The Washington Post. Did The Washington Post not even bother to ask him the question about this author and whether he was linked to al-Qaeda or did they not care?

"The article goes on to say that terrorism experts say that bluster by a group that may have more to fear from a McCain presidency, yet they couldn't find any space to quote these experts in a story that didn't seem to be overly constrained by space limitations.

"Now even if you take this posting that The Washington Post reported on at face value let me make a couple of points. First, The Post assumes if you read the whole thing, which I have, that Obama wouldn't even be in the fight. Only Senator Obama has advocated withdrawal and surrender to al-Qaeda in Iraq when al-Qaeda was at the peak of its power. The Washington Post didn't provide any of that context that Senator Obama advocated a withdrawal and voted against funding for our troops while we were engaged in fighting with al-Qaeda in early 2007, when al-Qaeda was at the peak of its power. Even Senator Biden has expressed doubts about Senator Obama and how he is going to react when the going gets tough. In fact when Senator Biden talked about a generated crisis and a response to which an Obama-Biden presidency would not be seen as right, it didn't even rate a full story in The Washington Post, a 230 word blurb is all that they gave that.

"Next point is that only Senator Obama has said that we can't afford to spend the money to win in Iraq. So while the jihadists are posting gleefully about the financial crisis, the Post barely found time to mention that it is only Senator Obama that said for financial reasons that we need to withdraw from Iraq. John McCain will spend what it takes to win in Afghanistan and in Iraq.

"If you read the full posting to, it has an interesting item where the author says quote 'this explains it's, meaning the U.S., submission to the Taliban in Afghanistan in seeking to negotiate without preconditions.' To my knowledge, the U.S. doesn't have that course of action but clearly the author of that posting sees negotiation without precondition as weakness and as submission and in fact there's only one candidate in this race that has advocated negotiating with our enemies and state sponsors of terrorism without preconditions, and that's Senator Obama.

"Now The Washington Post can explain why it used the quotes it did. Minimal perusing of the same website they quoted finds many, many other quotations including one which says quote, 'regardless of who wins the election, the old man or the climber, I inform you it will be dealt with according to your policies towards the land of Islam and Muslims.' So they had many alternative postings that they could have chosen to write about but they obviously chose one, for whatever reasons, wherever they found it, why ever they did it, to create an inflammatory headline that is not even supported by its own story and certainly not supported by a full reading of the Post.

"Now let me be clear. If we are going to talk about who had got support from terrorist groups in this election I am going to read some quotes, I am not going to characterize them, I will let others judge whether the amount of expression of support or opposition whether they amount to expressions of endorsement or opposition. First this week a Hamas spokesman, Ahmed Yousef said quote, 'I do believe Mr. Biden is a great man and we do count on him as also a good partner with Mr. Obama to put the right policy regarding how to handle problems in the region. It is good for America to have the new administration with someone like Mr. Obama and his vision for change. I do believe actually with this administration, the Bush administration, we don't have luck in ending our isolation. We as Palestinians are thinking we might have better luck with the new administration if Obama wins the election. I do believe that he will change American foreign policy in the way they are handling the Middle East.' Now this has been publicly available for several days. Again this is terrorist group Hamas and their spokesperson Ahmed Yousef. The Washington Post did not find time to write a story about that. Not a single story, not a single mention about a very clear statement from Hamas.

"Second, last month when Iranian President Ahmadinejad was in the United States, he was asked by a student whether he supports Democratic nominee Barack Obama or Republican John McCain. This is what president Ahmadinejad, who has called for the extinction of Israel has said, quote, 'the American government 28 years ago decided to cut its own ties with Iran. We do prefer to have relations whereas one of the candidates in this election would prefer that.' I think everybody on this call understands which candidate for president has endorsed unconditional meetings with president Ahmadinejad.

"Three, from Muammar Qaddafi of Libya, he said talking about Obama 'all the people in the Arab and Islamic world and in Africa applauded this man. They welcomed him and prayed for him and for his success and they may have even been involved in legitimate contribution campaign to enable him to win the American presidency.' I'm not sure if The Washington Post ever reported on that. So we have three clear examples here of very strong statements, none to my knowledge have ever been covered by The Washington Post, all are on the record, all are clear, they are not on an obscure website by an obscure individual where words have to be twisted to create headlines that The Washington Post chooses to put on its stories."

...

Jim Woolsey: "I would just make two additional points. Beginning about three months after our move into Iraq in 2003, John McCain began saying on national television that we did not have enough forces and we needed to change strategy. He stayed on that tact for three and a half years until finally President Bush listened to him in December of 2006 and began the surge and the change of strategy. Now one important aspect of the change in strategy was to link up with the Sunnis and the Awakening Movement in the Anbar Province and to cooperate in going after al-Qaeda in Iraq. In posting after posting, it was clear from al-Qaeda itself and from Bin Laden's statements and Zawahiri's statements that this link up which John McCain was essentially the father of, this change in strategy, was what was causing al-Qaeda in Iraq, which al-Qaeda put at right in front of their struggle, the biggest difficulty and the biggest problem. It was killing al- Qaeda in Iraq, leaders that drew the biggest concern from al-Qaeda and from really all of the Islamists. John McCain was responsible as much as anyone in the country for that turn around. It is ridiculous to believe that in its heart of hearts al-Qaeda wants John McCain to be the President. And it is ludicrous.

"The second point is that if one takes one individual Islamist blogger from one terrorist Islamist blog, who has come up with this statement that it would be good to have McCain in the White House, I think one has to consider the motives. This individual knows that the endorsement of people like him is a kiss of death, figuratively and literally, so it seems to me it's pretty clear that by making this statement that he wants, that it would be a good thing for McCain to be President, he is clearly trying to damage John McCain, not speaking from his heart. So I must say I think the overall structure of the debate as one analyzes it coming out of this story taken at face value is quite remarkable."

Listen To The Conference Call

McCain-Palin Statement on Economic Stimulus

Today, Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin issued the following statement concerning proposals for a new economic stimulus:

"We are deeply concerned about our nation's economic outlook and will support measures that improve the outlook for American families. This economic crisis has its roots in the housing market and the most effective stimulus will be to reverse the cycle of foreclosure, neighborhood blight, and falling housing values. The American Homeownership Resurgence Plan is the best kind of stimulus.

"The Democrat-controlled Congress will likely propose additional measures. We do not believe that a national crisis should be taken as a license for wasteful spending or earmarked projects. Each new proposal must pass on the grounds that it is timely, effective in supporting business sales and job creation, and consistent with long-term fiscal discipline.

"In the past, raising taxes and cutting off international trade have only served to make hard economic times worse. We oppose harmful attempts to just 'spread the wealth.' Our job-creating economic plan is the best path for the economy and includes the types of policies that the Congress should consider."

Gov. Tim Pawlenty On Barack Obama And "Crisis"

"Well, it's not the first time that people like Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton or many others have suggested that Barack Obama isn't ready to be president, doesn't have the requisite experience to be president and the last thing the country needs is a president who the world might be tempted to test." -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
FOX News' "Fox & Friends"
October 21, 2008

FOX News' Gretchen Carlson: "So let's take a look at what Joe Biden said over the weekend when he was out in Seattle. He basically said that if Obama is elected within six months there will be some sort of an international incident because international leaders, I guess, will see it fit to do something against the U.S. How did you take these comments?"

Gov. Pawlenty: "Well, it's not the first time that people like Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton or many others have suggested that Barack Obama isn't ready to be president, doesn't have the requisite experience to be president and the last thing the country needs is a president who the world might be tempted to test. We need a candidate who is going to have passed the test. John McCain is respected around the world because of his national security, military, and foreign affairs experience. The country is struggling economically and in many other ways and we don't need the added pressure of some sort of invitation or temptation by others to see that kind of weakness. This is not coming from me or from somebody on our side, this is coming from his own vice presidential candidate, Joe Biden, who repeatedly has suggested Barack Obama's not ready."

Carlson: "Well he did at least when he was one of his competitors and they were debating against one another. So, do you think it's still in his mindset that he would say something like this?"

Gov. Pawlenty: "Well, I think Senator Biden is sometimes, you know, makes a lot of interesting comments but you see the situation, for example, in Georgia or Ukraine. There could be temptations by other countries to say look maybe this is a time where we test this potential new president. That kind of temptation wouldn't be as high in my opinion if you had a seasoned experienced known commodity steady hand on the throttle like John McCain."

Watch The Interview

McCain-Palin Campaign Conference Call On Joe Biden's International Crisis Statement

"This is an extraordinary statement by Senator Biden. I don't ever recall a vice-presidential candidate predicting that the election of their candidate for the President of the United States would invite forces in the world to test the mettle of the person elected. It has to mean that Joe Biden continues to harvest serious doubts about whether Barack Obama is prepared to be commander-in-chief as he famously announced a year ago." -- Rudy Giuliani

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 held a press conference call with Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Randy Scheunemann, McCain-Palin Foreign Policy Adviser to discuss Joe Biden's admission that Barack Obama's election will precipitate an international crisis:

Randy Scheunemann: "Senator Biden's comments that he made last night were very revealing. He said quote 'remember I said it standing here. If you don't remember anything else I'd said, watch. We're going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.' 'This guy' apparently referring to Senator Obama.

"Senator Biden went on to say that they needed the support of the big donors he was addressing because quote 'it's not apparent that we're going to be right' closed quote in responding to this crisis. This statement is what Michael Kinsley once famously called a gaffe, 'a politician inadvertently speaking the truth.'

"Senator Biden talked about the test that a previous president, President John F. Kennedy, faced and that's an important subject to spend just a minute or two on. What Senator Kennedy did in his first year in office was enter into an ill-prepared summit meeting with the Soviet leader Khrushchev. A summit meeting that he said during the course of the campaign he would not have and his conduct in that meeting led Khrushchev to believe that President Kennedy was weak. He went on some weeks later to begin the construction of what became the Berlin Wall and ultimately led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

"In foreign policy, it is weakness, real or perceived weakness, that is provocative. Weakness invites challenge, invites testing, invites attack. We've seen multiple examples of Senator Obama in the course of this campaign responding to international crises and none of his responses are reassuring. When the surge was first announced for Iraq, Senator Obama said that it would fail, predicted that it would increase violence, voted to cut off funding for our troops, which would have amounted to nothing more than a surrender to Al Qaida and Iranian-backed extremists.

"In the course of this campaign, Senator Obama has said he would meet in his first year in office unconditionally with tyrants from Ahmadinejad in Iran to Chavez in Venezuela to Kim Jung-Il in Korea. Senator Biden even criticized him for that position at the time. Those kinds of unconditional summit meetings, which Senator Obama promised, would undermine our allies, would undermine multilateral diplomacy, and it would undermine American interests.

"More recently, in August of this year when Russia invaded Georgia, Senator Obama called on Georgia to quote 'show restraint.' It took him three days to call for a Russian withdrawal. This kind of erratic behavior sends a signal of weakness and indecision to our allies.

"Senator Obama in the course of this campaign has said that he wants to rip up free trade agreements with our allies and he opposes new ones coming in to force because big labor doesn't like them.

"The next President of the United States will be tested. There are enemies of the United States that are awaiting the results of this election. John McCain has passed every test in his life. He's spent over two decades wearing the uniform of this country. He's spent over two decades traveling the world, learning the issues, getting to know the leaders, and taking very difficult positions. Senator Obama's chief claim to experience is leading in the front lines of community organizing and doing legal work with ACORN. As Joe Biden said, Senator Obama would invite testing and his responses would not be the right ones."

...

Rudy Giuliani: "This is an extraordinary statement by Senator Biden. I don't ever recall a vice-presidential candidate predicting that the election of their candidate for the President of the United States would invite forces in the world to test the mettle of the person elected. It has to mean that Joe Biden continues to harvest serious doubts about whether Barack Obama is prepared to be commander-in-chief as he famously announced a year ago. And also, I would remind Senator Biden that it is not uniformly the case that the mettle of American presidents are tested. No one tested Eisenhower's mettle and no one tested Reagan's mettle.

"Senator McCain has the experience, the background, the predictability as to how he would handle the defense of the United States and the national interest of the United States. And none of us can predict, although Joe Biden apparently thinks he can, what's going to happen. But certainly, Senator McCain would not present that same risk that Joe Biden seems to be worried about. Senator McCain has a long history on all of these issues. Randy pointed out the reaction to Georgia of Senator Obama which was to take several positions, including creating a moral equivalency between Georgia and Russia, talking about going to the Security Council of the United Nations before he realized that Russia has a veto on the United Nations, before he settled on a position on Georgia. You know John McCain settled on a position on Georgia within a short time of finding out about it and didn't have to change it three or four times, and we could go through numerous examples like that.

"So, I don't exactly know what Joe Biden meant by this. I think all of you should question him about it, although Joe Biden is able to say things like this, and no one seems to question him. At least, no one in the media seems to question him. This is an extraordinary statement. He talked about it in very serious language, saying things like: Mark my words, we're going to have to 'gird our loins.' He seems to be predicting some very serious incident that's going to take place, and he also seems to think that the reaction is not going to be the right one because he's going to need everybody's support. It's again, an extraordinary statement.

"I don't know exactly what he has in mind, but I can logically figure out that the risk that he's talking about, America will not run with John McCain who has the experience, the background, and is prepared to be commander-in-chief, and he certainly is not going to invite anyone risking a test of John McCain. If somebody acts, they're going to act, and they're going to have to deal with John McCain's reaction in defense of the United States. But he is certainly not going to invite that kind of an attack the way Joe Biden is talking about here."

Listen To The Conference Call

Joe Biden Says Electing Barack Obama Guarantees An International Crisis

"It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." -- Joe Biden

"Biden to Supporters: 'Gird Your Loins', For the Next President 'It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables'"
By Matthew Jaffe
ABC News' Political Radar
October 20, 2008

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.

"Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

"I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."

...
Read The Report

Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorses John McCain

"If the United States is to emerge from this downturn in a position to ensure its citizens have the opportunities enjoyed by previous generations, we must get a handle on out-of-control federal spending -- and that is nowhere reflected in the policies advocated by the Democratic candidate. In contrast, Sen. McCain has a proven record of battling the drunken sailor culture so pervasive in our nation's capital. He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget." -- Las Vegas Review-Journal

"McCain For President"
Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorsement
Oct. 19, 2008

These are difficult times.

Over the past few weeks, Americans have watched helplessly as the nation's financial infrastructure crumbles around them -- and their political leaders scramble for "solutions" intended to "restore confidence" but which accomplish the opposite by laying bare the stark fact that nobody really knows what to do.

The nation is likely in a recession, perhaps heading for a depression. The stock market bounces around like ping-pong balls in a wind tunnel as individual retirement accounts shrivel.

Meanwhile, the nation continues to have troops in harm's way. While Iraq has stabilized, the situation in Afghanistan has worsened, leading many to worry about the potential for another prolonged -- and increasingly deadly -- conflict halfway around the world in the battle against Islamic terror.

Americans are nervous -- for their jobs, for their futures, for their children, for their sons and daughters overseas, for their country.

As we head to the polls this November, the presidential candidates inundate us with promises of "change" -- and it's clear the country craves precisely that, desperately seeking a leader who will upset the beltway status quo and reinvigorate the principles that built the greatest country on earth and are the key to restoring this nation's pride and promise.

That's why we support John McCain for president.

Barack Obama has captured the imagination of many voters, particularly younger ones, with his charisma, intelligence, passionate oratory and collected demeanor. Yet his resume -- he's just four years removed from the Illinois legislature -- remains alarmingly limited. His four years in the U.S. Senate have failed to produce any memorable accomplishments.

During these critical times, experience does matter.

While Sen. Obama preaches "change," he in fact proposes only to accelerate business-as-usual in Washington.

For instance, his redistributionist tax increase proposals -- transferring billions of dollars from those who pay income taxes to those who don't -- would further feed the beltway bureaucracy, hurting many small business owners and crippling private investment at a time when this economy needs it most. His agenda calls for almost $1 trillion in new government spending over the next four years -- on green energy, education, health care and everything else -- while virtually ignoring the looming collapse of Social Security and Medicare.

Change? What change?

If the United States is to emerge from this downturn in a position to ensure its citizens have the opportunities enjoyed by previous generations, we must get a handle on out-of-control federal spending -- and that is nowhere reflected in the policies advocated by the Democratic candidate.
In contrast, Sen. McCain has a proven record of battling the drunken sailor culture so pervasive in our nation's capital. He has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint, angering many of his colleagues by embarrassing them over their penchant for pork. Sen. McCain vows to veto any bill that includes earmarks and says he will freeze spending in many areas of the budget.
That would represent real change.

Sen. McCain opposes any tax hikes, recognizing that in these troubled times leaving money in the hands of those who earned it offers the best hope for encouraging the creativity and entrepreneurship that defines this nation's legacy. He would be far more likely to appoint judges who respect freedom and individual liberty and who recognize the restraints our Constitution imposes on the federal government.

On energy, Sen. McCain -- while acknowledging the importance of developing alternative sources -- understands that for the foreseeable future the nation must continue to harness its domestic supplies of clean coal and oil. This is in stark contrast to Sen. Obama, who falls in line behind the greens and advocates a radical and massively expensive economic upheaval in order to build more windmills and solar panels.

But while the economy has jumped to the fore in this campaign, the United States remains engaged across the globe in a struggle to establish democracy in Iraq and cripple the Islamic extremism that led to 9/11. We are winning -- and Sen. McCain is best prepared to ensure we continue on that course.

No, Sen. McCain's service as a Naval aviator in Vietnam -- including his five years in a POW camp, during which he was mentally and physically tortured -- don't automatically qualify him for the presidency. But his experience certainly offers a snapshot of the man's character, honor and sense of duty.

Sen. McCain realizes the long-term ramifications for failure in Iraq and is prepared to make the difficult decisions that will no doubt confront our next commander in chief. His military background and foreign policy expertise project an image of strength, decisiveness and determination, in stark contrast to Sen. Obama, who has voted to cut and run in Iraq and was spending time as a "community organizer" in Chicago while Sen. McCain was distinguishing himself on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Our national security would be in good hands with Sen. McCain in the White House.

"Hope is necessary in every condition," wrote Samuel Johnson. And even during these trying months, Americans retain the sense of optimism and conviction that have served as pilot lights for this nation's very survival over the past 230 years. Regardless of who is elected this November, we will emerge from these times stronger in spirit. But one man is uniquely qualified to guide us through any coming storms, both domestically and overseas.

That man is John McCain.

Read The Editorial

John McCain's Remarks at Rally in Miami

U.S. Senator John McCain today delivered the following remarks as prepared for delivery at the McCain-Palin 2008 rally in Miami, FL, at 1:15 p.m. ET:

It's great to be here in Miami. Florida is a must-win state on November 4th, and with your help, we're going to win Florida, and bring change to Washington, DC.

We had a good debate this week. You may have noticed -- there was a lot of talk about Senator Obama's tax increases and Joe the Plumber. Last weekend, Senator Obama showed up in Joe's driveway to ask for his vote, and Joe asked Senator Obama a tough question. I'm glad he did; I think Senator Obama could use a few more tough questions.

The response from Senator Obama and his campaign yesterday was to attack Joe. People are digging through his personal life and he has TV crews camped out in front of his house. He didn't ask for Senator Obama to come to his house. He wasn't recruited or prompted by our campaign. He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks.

The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs.

Senator Obama says that he wanted to spread your wealth around. When politicians talk about taking your money and spreading it around, you'd better hold onto your wallet. Senator Obama claims that wants to give a tax break to the middle class, but not only did he vote for higher taxes on the middle class in the Senate, his plan gives away your tax dollars to those who don't pay taxes. That's not a tax cut, that's welfare. America didn't become the greatest nation on earth by redistributing wealth; we became the greatest nation by creating new wealth.

This is the choice that we face. These are hard times. Our economy is in crisis. Americans are fighting in two wars. We face many enemies in this dangerous world, and many challenges here at home.

The next President won't have time to get used to the office. He won't have the luxury of studying up on the issues before he acts. He will have to act immediately. And to do that, he will need experience, courage, judgment and a bold plan of action to take this country in a new direction. We cannot spend the next four years as we have spent much of the last eight: waiting for our luck to change. We have to act immediately. I said it at the last debate: I'm not George Bush; if Senator Obama wants to run against George Bush, he should have run for President 4 years ago. We need a new direction now. We have to fight for it.

I've been fighting for this country since I was seventeen years old, and I have the scars to prove it. If I'm elected President, I will fight to take America in a new direction from my first day in office until my last. I'm not afraid of the fight, I'm ready for it.

I'm not going to spend $700 billion dollars of your money just bailing out the Wall Street bankers and brokers who got us into this mess. I'm going to make sure we take care of the people who were devastated by the excesses of Wall Street and Washington. I'm going to spend a lot of that money to bring relief to you, and I'm not going to wait sixty days to start doing it.

I have a plan to protect the value of your home and get it rising again by buying up bad mortgages and refinancing them so if your neighbor defaults he doesn't bring down the value of your house with him.

I have a plan to let retirees and people nearing retirement keep their money in their retirement accounts longer so they can rebuild their savings.

I will protect Social Security so that retirees get the benefits they have earned, and I will bring both parties together to fix Social Security so that it is there for future generations.

I have a plan to hold the line on taxes and cut them to make America more competitive and create jobs here at home.

Raising taxes makes a bad economy much worse. Keeping taxes low creates jobs, keeps money in your hands and strengthens our economy.

The explosion of government spending over the last eight years has put us deeper in debt to foreign countries that don't have our best interests at heart. It weakened the dollar and made everything you buy more expensive.

If I'm elected President, I won't spend nearly a trillion dollars more of your money, on top of the $700 billion we just gave the Treasury Secretary, as Senator Obama proposes. Because he can't do that without raising your taxes or digging us further into debt. I'm going to make government live on a budget just like you do.

I will freeze government spending on all but the most important programs like defense, veterans care, Social Security and health care until we scrub every single government program and get rid of the ones that aren't working for the American people. And I will veto every single pork barrel bill Congresses passes.

If I'm elected President, I won't fine small businesses and families with children, as Senator Obama proposes, to force them into a new huge government run health care program, while he keeps the cost of the fine a secret until he hits you with it. I will bring down the skyrocketing cost of health care with competition and choice to lower your premiums, and make it more available to more Americans. I'll make sure you can keep the same health plan if you change jobs or leave a job to stay home.

I will provide every single American family with a $5000 refundable tax credit to help them purchase insurance. Workers who already have health care insurance from their employers will keep it and have more money to cover costs. Workers who don't have health insurance can use it to find a policy anywhere in this country to meet their basic needs.

If I'm elected President, I won't raise taxes on small businesses, as Senator Obama proposes, and force them to cut jobs. I will keep small business taxes where they are, help them keep their costs low, and let them spend their earnings to create more jobs.

If I'm elected President, I won't meet unconditionally with the Castro brothers, while they keep political prisoners in jail, stifle free media and block free elections in Cuba. When I am President, we are going to pressure the Cuban government to free their people. The day is coming when Cuba will be free.

I will open new markets to goods made in America and make sure our trade is free and fair. And I'll make sure we help workers who've lost a job that won't come back find a new one that won't go away.

If I'm elected President, I won't make it harder to sell our goods overseas and kill more jobs as Senator Obama proposes. I will open new markets to goods made in America and make sure our trade is free and fair. And I'll make sure we help workers who've lost a job that won't come back find a new one that won't go away.

The last President to raise taxes and restrict trade in a bad economy as Senator Obama proposes was Herbert Hoover. That turned a recession into a depression. They say those who don't learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. Well, my friends, I know my history lessons, and I sure won't make the mistakes Senator Obama will.

If I'm elected President, we're going to stop sending $700 billion to countries that don't like us very much. I won't argue to delay drilling for more oil and gas and building new nuclear power plants in America, as Senator Obama does. We will start new drilling now. We will invest in all energy alternatives -- nuclear, wind, solar, and tide. We will encourage the manufacture of hybrid, flex fuel and electric automobiles. We will invest in clean coal technology. We will lower the cost of energy within months, and we will create millions of new jobs.

Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 18 days to go. We're 6 points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them.

What America needs in this hour is a fighter; someone who puts all his cards on the table and trusts the judgment of the American people. I come from a long line of McCains who believed that to love America is to fight for her. I have fought for you most of my life. There are other ways to love this country, but I've never been the kind to do it from the sidelines.

I know you're worried. America is a great country, but we are at a moment of national crisis that will determine our future. Will we continue to lead the world's economies or will we be overtaken? Will the world become safer or more dangerous? Will our military remain the strongest in the world? Will our children and grandchildren's future be brighter than ours?

My answer to you is yes. Yes, we will lead. Yes, we will prosper. Yes, we will be safer. Yes, we will pass on to our children a stronger, better country. But we must be prepared to act swiftly, boldly, with courage and wisdom.

I know what fear feels like. It's a thief in the night who robs your strength.

I know what hopelessness feels like. It's an enemy who defeats your will.

I felt those things once before. I will never let them in again. I'm an American. And I choose to fight.

Don't give up hope. Be strong. Have courage. And fight.

Fight for a new direction for our country. Fight for what's right for America.

Fight to clean up the mess of corruption, infighting and selfishness in Washington.

Fight to get our economy out of the ditch and back in the lead.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children's future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. America is worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here.

We never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Now, let's go win this election and get this country moving again.

McCain-Palin Campaign Conference Call On John McCain's Pension And Family Security Plan

"John McCain is going to talk today about his Pension and Family Security Plan. This is a plan that builds on his existing proposals for Jobs in America, to foster small business growth, to keep taxes low to control government spending, provide flexible health benefits and all of the above energy policy and create markets around the world for Americans." -- Doug Holtz-Eakin

Today, the McCain-Palin 2008 held a press conference call with Doug Holtz-Eakin, McCain-Palin 2008 Senior Policy Adviser, to discuss John McCain's Pension and Family Security Plan:

Doug Holtz-Eakin: "John McCain is going to talk today about his Pension and Family Security Plan. This is a plan that builds on his existing proposals for Jobs in America, to foster small business growth, to keep taxes low to control government spending, provide flexible health benefits and an 'all of the above' energy policy and create markets around the world for Americans. That basic plan is one he has been working on now during the entire campaign. But we have experienced tremendous turmoil, and damage to the U.S. commerce and financial markets in recent weeks. This plan is specifically targeted at those who have been harmed so badly by that -- seniors in America, those who are saving for college or for their retirement, homeowners and workers. There are elements in this plan designed to help each of those.

"In particular, as John McCain talked a couple of days ago about, changing the rules for pulling money out of retirement accounts, so that seniors are not forced to sell into markets that are down, still about 30% from last year. He wants to add to that today with new tax rules that would have a maximum tax rate of 10% for any money coming out of a tax for an account, an IRA or 401(k), so that we can in this economy help the seniors who are counting on their retirement accounts to manage their lifestyles. The retirement accounts have been damaged. The government does not need to be taking so much out of that in this time. And that will help get basic cash in the pocket, an important element of the U.S. economy.

"We also think, we need to help out savers. Those folks who have been trying to meet some of their goals and are now facing losses. Some of those folks have had to sell off their financial instruments in the midst of this downturn in order to pay college tuition or meet other bills.

Current law says that if you had to sell off at a loss, you can deduct only $3,000 at most of those losses. The original tax rule had it been indexed for inflation that number would be about $11,000 right now. John McCain thinks that for the next two years, we should allow individuals to deduct 15% or $15,000 of those losses against their income. This will help them by reducing their taxable income, give a little break to those who have suffered greatly while trying to meet their needs.

"He also wants to cut the capital gains tax rate from 15% to 7.5%. This is the rate that applies to long-term capital gains. Those gains which increase in things held for one year or longer. Reducing capital gains tax rates is a proven way to support asset markets, stock markets in particular. The benefits of supporting those markets will spread broadly through the economy. We've got pension funds, whether they be union, public employee or private company funds that are weighed down as a result of the stock market. We have individual accounts for IRAs, 401(k)s as I mentioned are badly damaged by the downturn. Providing incentives to get into and hold over a sustained period will support the goals of those individuals.

"He's going to restate his plan to help stabilize housing markets. The American Homeownership Resurgence Plan is an attempt to take the $700 billion that Congress has already allocated to stabilizing financial markets, and helping the economy and focusing it on the American homeowner. The goal here is to meet two objectives simultaneously. Individuals will be able essentially to call the bank and ask to have an underwater or a distressed mortgage re-financed.

They would get government help in retiring the existing mortgage and receive in replacement an FHA 30-year fixed rate mortgage at current market valuations and market interest rate. What does that accomplish? Well, those individuals no longer go through the sad cycle of delinquency, default, foreclosure, maybe even bankruptcy. Then the houses as a result do not sit vacant, and lead to neighborhood blight. We stabilize the housing values for every American homeowner who has seen their house valu es fall and their property taxes go up. We break that cycle. For the individual homeowner, they now have the money that they can use to meet their groceries, or their gasoline bills because they have a manageable mortgage. So we stabilize the consumer sector, the economy tremendously at a time when there is a lot of downward pressure.

Simultaneously, the banks are now relieved of the uncertainty over whether someone is going to default over a mortgage and that's a fundamental uncertainty that's plagued the banking system. They have on their balance sheet cash, that cash is available to make new loans. This should contribute greatly to improving the credit market conditions that were starting to impinge on every small business in America. The car dealers, the dry cleaners, those who needed the credits just to do their daily operations.

"And the final piece, the help for workers, is simply to have a waiver of the tax on unemployment benefits. Currently, any unemployment insurance benefits that you receive are included in your taxable income. John McCain thinks those most in need, those making less than $100,000 should not have this as part of their taxable income, and he has proposed that we eliminate the tax on them.

"Overall, this is the plan which would broadly benefit the economy. It would put cash in the hands of those who have been damaged by the stock market -- the seniors, those who had to cash out, the unemployed, the homeowners who are in distress with finding themselves able to meet their other needs. There is no better short run stimulus than relieving the negative pressures that we're seeing in the housing and asset markets and it would stabilize as well some of the financial insecurities that we've seen. In addition to his Jobs for America plan, it will round out nicely with some of the recent distresses and counter them and it can be done with a budget cost that's on the order of $52 billion over the next two years. Obviously, Senator McCain has a long and proud history of controlling government spending. He is not happy about the outlook at the federal level. And if elected president, we immediately set out to rectify it in any way he could."

Listen To The Conference Call

What They're Saying About Sarah Palin's Debate / Volume 4

(The good news just keeps on coming!)

Governor Palin "Ended Up Dominating" The Debate, As She "Seemed To Hit Her Stride"
Politico's Roger Simon: "Sarah Palin was supposed to fall off the stage at her vice presidential debate Thursday evening. Instead, she ended up dominating it. She not only kept Joe Biden on the defensive for much of the debate, she not only repeatedly attacked Barack Obama, but she looked like she was enjoying herself while doing it. She smiled. She faced the camera. She was warm. She was human. Gosh and golly, she even dropped a bunch of g's." (Roger Simon, "You Betcha Sarah Palin Can Debate," Politico, 10/2/08)

Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody: "Combining a happy warrior spirit with a home-spun style and some substance thrown in to boot, Palin proved that she belonged on that stage with Joe Biden tonight." (David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate," Christian Broadcasting Network's "Brody File," 10/3/08)

· Brody: "As for Palin, she seemed to hit her stride tonight. She offered more substance on issues like healthcare, energy policy, taxes and even Darfur by explaining how her role as Governor played a part." (David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate," Christian Broadcasting Network's "Brody File," 10/3/08)

The Washington Post's Dan Balz: " In a fast-paced exchange about a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, she was the aggressive campaigner who in the first weeks of her candidacy had so energized the Republican faithful." (Dan Balz, "Palin Delivers, But Doubts Linger," The Washington Post, 10/3/08)

ABC's George Stephanopoulos: "From the minute Palin walked onstage and said, 'Nice to meet you, Joe -- can I call you Joe?' she had her performance down. It was very winning and very appealing and we saw that throughout the debate." (George Stephanopoulos, "Stephanopoulos: VP Debate Report Card," ABC News, 10/3/08)

National Review: "Gov. Sarah Palin, once again, confounded her critics with a strong performance. She did it at the Republican convention, and she did it again last night in her debate with Sen. Joe Biden. She performed with poise and charm. She effectively made the case that Senator Obama would be nave in foreign policy and harmful to economic growth, and that Senator McCain would be a common-sense reformer." (Editorial, "Palin's Triumph," National Review, 10/3/08)

· National Review: "She handled questions about Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran well. She connected domestic-policy arguments to the lives of average voters. Anyone who hoped -- or feared -- that she would fall flat on her face was proven wrong." (Editorial, "Palin's Triumph," National Review, 10/3/08)

National Review's Byron York: "Palin delivered a strong and sure performance Thursday night." (Byron York, "Sarah Palin, The Winner By A Wink," National Review, 10/3/08)
New York Post: "Eight real-life 'hockey moms' plucked from the ice to watch the vice-presidential face-off last night said their high-profile counterpart from Alaska dealt her critics a bell-ringing body check." (Brendan Scott, "Sarah Scores!" New York Post, 10/3/08)

New York Daily News: "Sarah Palin gave as good as she got in her televised faceoff with Joe Biden Thursday night - and by that measure she shored up her standing as John McCain's vice presidential running mate. Palin sailed through the 90 minutes with none of the unsteadiness she had shown in TV interviews. She was both assured and down-home folksy in arguing the case for McCain and against Barack Obama." (Editorial, "Sarah Palin Scores," [New York] Daily News, 10/3/08)

Dick Morris & Eileen McGann: "Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair." (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, Op-Ed, "Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair," New York Post, 10/3/08)

· Dick Morris & Eileen McGann: "Last night was a big, big win for Sarah Palin. She showed originality, charisma and sass - a style that is refreshing and different in our politics. She didn't just win the vice-presidential debate, she showed that she belongs with Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton as among the best communicators of our modern political times." (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, Op-Ed, "Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair," New York Post, 10/3/08)

The Wall Street Journal: "A confident, folksy Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin attacked the Democratic presidential ticket Thursday over tax hikes and partisanship, holding her own against her vice-presidential rival, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden." (Laura Meckler, "Biden, Palin Clash On Taxes, Iraq In Sharp-Edged Debate," The Wall Street Journal, 10/3/08)

The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes: "Was she capable of being vice president? Based on her debate performance, the answer was yes." (Fred Barnes, Op-Ed, "Comeback," The Weekly Standard, 10/3/08)

The Weekly Standard's Stephen Hayes: "She won because to a vast majority of those who watched the debate tonight she likely came off as a plausible vice president. And that was all that mattered." (Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President," The Weekly Standard, http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15642&R=13C6BD81C, 10/3/08)

Anchorage Daily News: "But Palin kept her cool, stayed on her game and lived up to her reputation as a spirited debater. She played to her strengths -- her ability to connect with people like a neighbor and her resilience. Despite the contempt and criticism she's endured in recent days, she walked onto the stage like a candidate on top of the world. She shook hands with Biden and said 'Hey, can I call you Joe?' That opening line was friendly, down-to-earth and said, 'We're equals.'" (Editorial, "Palin Hits Her Stride," Anchorage Daily News, 10/3/08)

Denver Post: "This thing's not over yet. She held her own. In what was likely one of the most-watched vice presidential debates in the country's history, Sarah Palin went in as the underdog Thursday night and came out of it with nary a scratch." (Editorial, "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate," Denver Post, 10/3/08)

· Denver Post: "In her opening answer to a question about the troubled economy, Palin spoke with clarity and confidence and got to the heart of the matter with the kind of populist candor she displayed at the Republican National Convention. 'Go to a kid's soccer game on Saturday and ask any parent what they think about the economy, and I betcha you're going to hear about fear,' Palin said. 'Our economy is hurting.'" (Editorial, "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate," Denver Post, 10/3/08)

Governor Palin Turned Biden's Words Against Him

New York Daily News: "Most effectively, perhaps, she turned Biden's past criticisms of Obama's plans for Iraq against Biden, adding, 'John McCain knows how to win a war.'" (Editorial, "Sarah Palin Scores," [New York] Daily News, 10/3/08)

New York Post: "Sarah Palin used folksy language, winks, smiles and sharp elbows to try to put seasoned rival Joe Biden on the defensive in last night's vice-presidential debate." (Geoff Earle, "Pit Bull Sarah Shows Her Bite," New York Post, 10/3/08)

The Weekly Standard's Stephen Hayes: "Palin surfaced issues that put Joe Biden on the defensive or, at the very least, made him uncomfortable. And she had several moments where she scored clean hits on Biden and Barack Obama: on clean coal, on the patriotism of raising taxes, on Obama saying one thing to one group of voters and something different to another, on Biden criticizing Obama for his vote on troop funding in Iraq, when she reminded Biden that he himself said that he'd be privileged to run on a ticket with John McCain." (Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President," The Weekly Standard, http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15642&R=13C6BD81C, 10/3/08)

· Hayes: "When Biden complained that Republicans have taken to repeating the 'drill, drill, drill' mantra, she owned it and gently corrected him. 'I think the chant is drill, baby, drill.' It was a clever turn, and judging from virtually every poll on the issue, it was politically very smart." (Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President," The Weekly Standard, http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=15642&R=13C6BD81C, 10/3/08)

Chicago Sun-Times' Steve Huntley: "Appearing assertive and confident in her national debate premiere, Palin battled Sen. Joseph Biden on a broad range of issues -- the Wall Street meltdown, taxes and spending, Iraq, foreign relations, which candidate best represents change -- and more than held her own." (Steve Huntley, Op-Ed, "Palin Eases GOP Jitters, You Betcha," Chicago Sun-Times, 10/3/08)

· Huntley: "On international issues, the area where she has been considered to be weak, Palin appeared to get under Biden's skin when she criticized Barack Obama for saying he would meet without preconditions with some of the world's worse dictators. Biden's face turned grim, and he went so far as to deny that Obama had ever said he would meet without preconditions with the president of Iran, when in fact the Democratic presidential nominee said that during the primary." (Steve Huntley, Op-Ed, "Palin Eases GOP Jitters, You Betcha," Chicago Sun-Times, 10/3/08)

Christian Broadcasting Network's David Brody: "Oh, and by the way, she morphed into 'Sarah Barracuda' tonight by using Biden's past statements on Obama against him. She had it all working tonight." (David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate," Christian Broadcasting Network's "Brody File," 10/3/08)

The Wall Street Journal: "The Republican nominee more than held her own on foreign policy in general, and in our view won on points at least on Iraq and Afghanistan. She didn't let Mr. Biden get away with interpreting the comments of a U.S. general in Afghanistan as a rejection of Mr. McCain's strategy. And on Iraq she exposed both Mr. Biden's change of heart on the war, and his change of heart on Mr. Obama's views on the war. At times Mr. Biden even looked a little frustrated -- as if he couldn't quite believe he had to share the stage with someone who hasn't hung out with Dick Lugar or . . . Mike Mansfield back when the Senate was still a civil place. Or someone who says 'doggonit.'" (Editorial, "Free Sarah Palin," The Wall Street Journal, 10/3/08)

Joe Biden Gets A Key Fact Wrong

The Washington Times' Stephan Dinan: "Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. appeared to incorrectly outline the constitutional role of the job he's seeking in Thursday's debate. In attacking Vice President Dick Cheney, Mr. Biden said the vice president's only role is to support the president and to preside over the Senate 'only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.' The Constitution, though, actually says the vice president is always president of the Senate and legal scholars say he has the right to preside at any time. Early vice presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, actively exercised that role, the vice president still keeps offices at the Capitol, and scholars say it wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that the vice president had an office at the executive office building." (Stephan Dinan, "Biden Gets Veep Role Wrong," The Washington Tim es, 10/3/08)

In The Headlines:

Anchorage Daily News: "Palin Hits Her Stride" (Editorial, "Palin Hits Her Stride," Anchorage Daily News, 10/3/08)

Christian Broadcasting Network: "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate"(David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate," Christian Broadcasting Network's "Brody File," 10/3/08)Denver Post: "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate."(Editorial, "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate," Denver Post, 10/3/08)

National Review: "Palin's Triumph" (Editorial, "Palin's Triumph," National Review, 10/3/08)

[New York] Daily News: "Sarah Palin Scores" (Editorial, "Sarah Palin Scores," [New York] Daily News, 10/3/08)

New York Post: "Pit Bull Sarah Shows Her Bite" (Geoff Earle, "Pit Bull Sarah Shows Her Bite," New York Post, 10/3/08)

New York Post: "Sarah Scores!" (Brendan Scott, "Sarah Scores!" New York Post, 10/3/08)

The New York Times: "The Palin Rebound"(David Brooks, Op-Ed, "The Palin Rebound," The New York Times, 10/3/08)

Politico: "You Betcha Sarah Palin Can Debate" (Roger Simon, "You Betcha Sarah Palin Can Debate," Politico, 10/2/08)

John McCain's Weekly Radio Address

DOWNLOAD THE AUDIO FILE HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/Downloads/100308_wra.mp3

John McCain's Weekly Radio Address:

Good morning, this is John McCain. And this week our government finally took a decisive step to regain confidence in our financial markets. It took Congress a while, but a majority finally awakened to the danger. And by the week's end, with the unity that this crisis demands, Congress acted to restore stability to the American economy.

On Thursday night, millions of Americans got to see a little more of why I chose Sarah Palin to be my running mate. In her debate with Senator Joe Biden, she showed the intelligence, heart and grace under pressure that our nation's capital desperately needs. I couldn't be prouder of my choice, or more certain that she's the right person to help me shake things up in Washington. And there were moments when I almost felt a little sorry for my old friend, Joe.

Pressure and crisis often have a way of revealing the best within us -- of showing what we are made of, and how much we can achieve when we are put to the test. This is true of the grave challenges we face in Washington today. Yet it should not require extreme emergencies to bring out the best in us, or to bring us together in service to the common good. We are supposed to do that even in the calmest of times. And if we worked together more often in that spirit, perhaps there would be fewer crises, close-calls, and near-disasters confronting our nation.

Our government is on the wrong track, our economy is struggling, and we got even more bad news with yesterday's unemployment report. It is a time for leadership and a plan to create jobs and get our country on the right track.

I believe in low taxes; spending discipline, and open markets. I believe in rewarding hard work and letting people keep the fruits of their labor. We will keep tax rates low. We will simplify the current tax code. We will double the child exemption from 3500 dollars to 7000 dollars. We will give every family a 5000 dollar tax credit to buy their own health insurance or keep their current plan, and we will open up the national health-care market to expand choices and improve quality. And my administration will reduce the price of food by eliminating the subsidies for ethanol and agricultural goods. These subsidies inflate the price of food, not only for Americans but for people in poverty across the world, and I intend to abolish them.

I believe in a government that unleashes the creativity and initiative of Americans, so they can create more jobs and keep our economy growing. So we will cut business taxes from 35 percent to 25 percent, to give American businesses a new edge in competition. We will spur new investment through R&D tax credits and expensing of equipment. And we will protect the right of workers to decide for themselves, by secret ballot, whether to unionize.

As president, I will also set this country on the straightest, swiftest path to energy independence. We will attack the problem on every front. We will produce more energy at home. We will drill new wells offshore, and we'll drill them now. We will build more nuclear power plants. We will develop clean coal technology. We will increase the use of wind, tide, solar and natural gas. In all of this, and more, we will create millions of new jobs, many in industries that will be the engine of our future prosperity -- jobs that will be there when your children enter the workforce.

If I am elected president, I will also act immediately with reforms to restore fairness, integrity, and financial sanity to the institutions that have failed us on Wall Street. We will apply new rules to Wall Street, to end the frenzies of speculation by people gaming the system, and to make sure that this present crisis is never repeated.

We must also realize that this rescue plan has serious implications for future spending. We cannot dedicate more than a trillion dollars to rescue failing institutions, and then go right back to business as usual in Washington -- as if there were no end to the resources of government or to the patience of taxpayers. Therefore, as president, I will impose a one-year spending freeze on every agency of the federal government, excepting only national defense, the care of our veterans, and a few critical priorities. Leadership requires candor. And I will tell you bluntly that America is already ten trillion dollars in debt, and to make our economy strong again we must reduce the burden of federal spending. We cannot tax our way to prosperity. I am committed to billions in spending reductions that will balance the budget, and get us on the path away from ruinous debt.

The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems in Washington isn't a cause, it's a symptom. It's what happens when people go to Washington to work for themselves and not you.

Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have that record and the scars to prove it.

Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides. This great country can do anything we put our minds to. I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability. We're going to finally start getting things done for the people who are counting on us, and I won't care who gets the credit.

Thanks for listening.

"The Lies Biden Told"

"For all the focus on Sarah Palin's graceful performance in Thursday's vice presidential showdown, a more significant spectacle was taking place behind the other rostrum. That's where Joe Biden, speaking with the pompus self-importance befitting his 36 years in the Senate, told one baffling fib after another." -- New York Post

"The Lies Biden Told"
Editorial
New York Post
October 4, 2008

For all the focus on Sarah Palin's graceful performance in Thursday's vice presidential showdown, a more significant spectacle was taking place behind the other rostrum.
That's where Joe Biden, speaking with the pompus self-importance befitting his 36 years in the Senate, told one baffling fib after another.
Some, of course, were just Biden being Biden. He smeared Dick Cheney as "the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history."
To which we must take specific offense: After all, the founder of this newspaper, Alexander Hamilton, was killed in a duel by then-Vice President Aaron Burr. (Certainly Burr was a better shot than Cheney.)
But that's a matter of opinion.
Not so, some other Biden gems:
* It's "simply not true" that Barack Obama said he'd meet Iran's president without preconditions, Biden insisted.
Yet when Obama was asked if he would in a debate during the primaries, he said yes - a position Biden back then termed "naive."
* Biden said he's "always supported" clean-coal technology - after stating emphatically only last month, "We're not supporting clean coal."
* Biden asserted - repeatedly - that the US spends more money on three weeks' combat in Iraq than it's spent in Afghanistan since the war began.
That claim's only remotely intelligible if he limits Afghan expenditures merely to US rebuilding efforts - and even then, he's off by a factor of three, according to State Department numbers.
* Also on Afghanistan, Biden insisted - repeatedly - that "our commanding general in Afghanistan said the surge principle in Iraq will not work" there.
That may not be an out-and-out lie, but it took supposed foreign-policy neophyte Sarah Palin to bring any context or nuance to the statement.
What Gen. David McKiernan had said was that tribal realities in Afghanistan are very different than in Iraq - requiring a different form of cooperation.
But he flatly said more troops, and more local engagement, are needed.
Sounds like a surge to us.
* Then there was what might have been the biggest head-scratcher of the night. Said Biden of the Bush administration's supposed Middle East follies:
"When ... along with France, we kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon, I said and Barack said, 'Move NATO forces in there. Fill the vacuum, because if you don't, Hezbollah will control it."
Huh?
Assuming that Biden was referring to when, in 2005, American and French pressure helped the Lebanese people kick Syrian troops out of Lebanon, who ever thought NATO occupation of that deeply divided country was a good idea?
As if America's NATO allies would have gone in the first place.
But hey, as long as it makes Biden sound presidential.
At some point, Americans have to wonder: Is this a fellow who should be a heartbeat away from the White House?
Read The Editorial
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McCain-Palin 2008 Launches New TV Ad: "Tax Cutter"

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 released its latest television ad, entitled "Tax Cutter." The ad highlights Barack Obama's record of voting 94 times to raise taxes. Americans can hardly afford the tax increases that Barack Obama and his allies have supported in Congress and continue to propose today. The ad will be televised nationally.

VIEW THE AD HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bDXIcldmfo

Script For "Tax Cutter" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Who is Barack Obama?

BARACK OBAMA: "I'm a tax cutter."

ANNCR: Really?

Senator Obama voted ninety-four times for higher taxes.
Ninety-four times.
He's not truthful on taxes.
At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes.
Add billions in new spending.
And oppose offshore drilling.
Congressional liberals. The truth hurts you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

AD FACTS: Script For "Tax Cutter" (TV :30)

ANNCR: Who is Barack Obama? BARACK OBAMA: "I'm a tax cutter."

· Barack Obama: "I'm A Tax Cutter." OBAMA: "In fact, I offer three times the tax relief for middle class families as Senator McCain does. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle class. Don't believe those commercials. I'm a tax cutter." (CNN's "Ballot Bowl," 9/21/08)

ANNCR: Really? Senator Obama voted ninety-four times for higher taxes. Ninety-four times. He's not truthful on taxes.

· In 109th -- 110th Congresses, Obama Voted At Least 94 Times For Higher Taxes. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #425: Motion Rejected 59-40: R 9-39; D 48-1; I 2-0, 12/13/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #416: Motion Rejected 53-42: R 5-39; D 46-3; I 2-0, 12/7/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #352: Motion Agreed To 69-30: R 18-30; D 49-0; I 2-0, 9/27/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #307: Passed 68-31: R 18-31; D 48-0; I 2-0, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #306: Motion Agreed To 67-32: R 17-32; D 48-0; I 2-0, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #304: Motion Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #296: Motion Rejected 39-60: R 37-12; D 2-46; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #295: Motion Rejected 47-52: R 46-3; D 1-47; I 0-2, 8/2/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 976, CQ Vote #292: Rejected 36-60: R 1-46; D 33-14; I 2-0, 8/1/07, O bama Voted Yea; H.R. 6, CQ Vote #223: Motion Rejected 57-36: R 10-34; D 45-2; I 2-0, 6/21/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Motion Agreed To 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #172: Adopted 52-40: R 2-40; D 48-0; I 2-0, 5/17/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #161: Motion Rejected 44-51: R 44-2; D 0-47; I 0-2, 5/9/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #159: Motion Agreed To 54-41: R 46-0; D 8-39; I 0-2, 5/9/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 1591, CQ Vote #118: Adopted 74-23: R 25-22; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/28/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #113: Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #109: Rejected 44-55: R 44-5; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #108: Rejected 44-53: R 44-3; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #107: Rejected 46-52: R 46-2; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Co n. Res. 21, CQ Vote #105: Adopted 59-40: R 13-36; D 44-4; I 2-0, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #102: Rejected 48-51: R 48-1; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #100: Rejected 46-53: R 46-3; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/23/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #98: Rejected 42-53: R 42-4; D 0-47; I 0-2, 3/22/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #94: Rejected 38-58: R 0-47; D 36-11; I 2-0, 3/22/07, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 21, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 47-51: R 47-2; D 0-47; I 0-2, 3/21/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #38: Motion Rejected 46-50: R 44-3; D 2-45; I 0-2, 1/31/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #37: Motion Agreed To 49-48: R 1-46; D 46-2; I 2-0, 1/31/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #32: Motion Agreed To 50-42: R 3-42; D 45-0; I 2-0, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #30: Motion Rejected 43-50: R 42-3; D 1-45; I 0-2, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #28: Motion Rejected 42-51: R 41-4; D 1-45; I 0-2, 1/25/07, Obama Voted Nay; S. 256, CQ Vote #27: Rejected 38-61: R 38-17; D 0-43; I 0-1, 3/7/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #50: Rejected 46-54: R 1-54; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/15/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #61: Rejected 44-56: R 1-54; D 42-2; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #63: Rejected 40-59: R 0-54; D 40-4; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #81: Adopted 51-49: R 51-4; D 0-44; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #65: Rejected 49-51: R 4-51; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #68: Motion Adopted 51-49: R 6-49; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #70: Rejected 45-55: R 0-55; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #74: Motion Adopted 55-45: R 50-5; D 5-39; I 0-1, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #75: Rejected 47-53: R 3-52; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama V oted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #78: Rejected 45-55: R 0-55; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Rejected 37-63: R 1-54; D 35-9; I 1-0, 3/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 95, CQ Vote #114: Motion Adopted 52-47: R 52-3; D 0-43; I 0-1, 4/28/05, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 3058, CQ Vote #258: Motion Rejected 42-57: R 42-13; D 0-43; I 0-1, 10/19/05, Obama Voted Nay; S. 2020, CQ Vote #330: Rejected 44-55: R 2-53; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #331: Motion Rejected 35-64: R 0-55; D 34-9; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #333: Motion Rejected 40-59: R 1-54; D 38-5; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #337: Motion Rejected 43-55: R 0-54; D 42-1; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #338: Motion Rejected 36-62: R 0-54; D 35-8; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #339: Motion Rejected 50-48: R 9-45; D 40-3; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #3 41: Motion Rejected 33-65: R 0-54; D 32-11; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #343: Motion Rejected 43-55: R 1-53; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #345: Motion Rejected 47-51: R 3-51; D 43-0; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #346: Motion Rejected 42-56: R 0-54; D 41-2; I 1-0, 11/17/05, Obama Voted Yea; S. 2020, CQ Vote #347: Passed 64-33: R 49-4; D 15-28; I 0-1, 11/18/05, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #7: Motion Rejected 44-53: R 1-52; D 42-1; I 1-0, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #8: Motion Rejected 44-53: R 1-52; D 42-1; I 1-0, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #10: Passed 66-31: R 49-4; D 17-26; I 0-1, 2/2/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #15: Motion Rejected 40-53: R 1-52; D 39-1; I 0-0, 2/13/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #16: Motion Agreed To 53-47: R 51-4; D 2-42; I 0-1, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #17: Motion Rejected 47-53: R 3-52; D 43- 1; I 1-0, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #18: Motion Rejected 45-55: R 1-54; D 43-1; I 1-0, 2/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #39: Rejected 50-50: R 5-50; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #41: Rejected 46-54: R 1-54; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #42: Rejected 46-54: R 3-52; D 42-2; I 1-0, 3/14/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #43: Rejected 45-53: R 1-53; D 43-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #45: Rejected 43-55: R 0-54; D 42-1; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #47: Rejected 43-53: R 0-53; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #51: Rejected 44-53: R 1-53; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/15/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #57: Motion Adopted 51-49: R 6-49; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #60: Rejected 48-49: R 5-49; D 42-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Y ea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #61: Rejected 42-56: R 0-55; D 41-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #63: Rejected 46-54: R 2-53; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 49-51: R 4-51; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #66: Rejected 48-52: R 3-52; D 44-0; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #67: Rejected 46-53: R 2-52; D 43-1; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #69: Rejected 43-57: R 1-54; D 41-3; I 1-0, 3/16/06, Obama Voted Yea; H.R. 4297, CQ Vote #118: Motion Adopted 54-44: R 51-3; D 3-40; I 0-1, 5/11/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 8, CQ Vote #164: Motion Rejected 57-41: R 53-2; D 4-38; I 0-1, 6/8/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 5970, CQ Vote #229: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 52-3; D 4-38; I 0-1, 8/3/06, Obama Voted Nay; H.R. 4954, CQ Vote #244: Motion Agreed To 57-41: R 54-0; D 3-40; I 0-1, 9/13/06, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: A dopted 48- 45: R 2- 44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85, Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #82, Rejected 45-51: R 45-1; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #77, Rejected 48-50: R 47-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #74, Rejected 49-50: R 48-1; D 1-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #50: Rejected 50-50: R 48-1; D 2-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #52: Rejected 47-53: R 47-2; D 0-49; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #48: Rejected 49-51: R 48-1; D 1-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #43: Rejected 47-52: R 47-2; D 0-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #47: Motion Agreed To: 50-50: R 49-0, Vice President Cheney Casting A Yea' Vote; D 1-48; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, C Q Vote #46: Motion Rejected 49-51: R 0-49; D 47-2; I 2-0, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Yea S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #45: Rejected 49-50: R 47-1; D 2-47; I 0-2, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 43-55: R 1-47; D 40-8; I 2-0, 3/13/08, Obama Voted Yea)

· FactCheck.org: Despite His Denial, Barack Obama Did Vote For Higher Taxes On People Making Just $42,000. "Obama denied voting for a bill that called for increased taxes on 'people' making as little as $42,000 a year, as McCain accused him of doing. McCain was right, though only for single taxpayers." ("FactChecking Debate No. 1," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 9/27/08)

ANNCR: At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes.

· Majority Of Democrats Voted For The FY 2009 Budget Resolution That Would Raise Taxes On Those Making Just $42,000 A Year. (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Obama Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 48- 45: R 2- 44; D 44- 1; I 2-0, 6/4/08, Obama Voted Yea)

· The Budget Resolution Would Have Allowed Most Of The Provisions Of The 2001 And 2003 Tax Cuts To Expire. "What Obama voted for was a budget resolution that would have allowed most of the provisions of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to expire. In particular, the resolution would allow the 25 percent tax bracket to return to its pre-2001 level of 28 percent. That bracket kicks in at $32,550 for an individual or $65,100 for a married couple. ... But as those of you who have filled out a 1040 know, that's not actually how income taxes work. We don't pay taxes on our total earnings; we pay them based on our 'taxable income.' The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center's Eric Toder told FactCheck.org that 'people with taxable income of $32,000 would have a total income greater than that.' In 2008, anyone filing taxes with single status would be entitled to a standard deduction of $5,450, as well as a personal exemption of $3,500. So to have a tax able income high enough to reach the 25 percent bracket, an individual would need to earn at least $41,500 in total income, while a married couple would need a combined income of at least $83,000." ("The $32,000 Question," FactCheck.org, http://www.factcheck.org, 7/8/08)

ANNCR: Add billions in new spending.

· In 2008, Congressional Democrats' Budget Was $20 Billion Above The President's Request. "Congressional Democratic leaders have reached agreement on a $3 trillion budget blueprint that would authorize a small increase for domestic priorities and spare millions of households from an unpopular tax. But it postpones most major budget decisions until after this fall's presidential election. The deal, reached late Friday between House Budget Committee Chairman John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.) and Senate Budget Committee chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), would increase spending on government programs in the fiscal year that begins in October about $20 billion beyond President Bush's request." (Lori Montgomery, "Democrats Agree on Budget Plan That Avoids the Biggest Decisions," The Washington Post, 5/14/08)

ANNCR: And oppose offshore drilling. Congressional liberals. The truth hurts you.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm John McCain and I approved this message.

· Barack Obama Said That Drilling Will Not "Solve Our Problem" And That Its "Not Real." "'If I thought that by drilling offshore we could solve our problem, I'd do it This is not real. I know it's tempting. The polls say the majority of Americans think it's one way we'll resolve our problems, but it's not real." (John Whitesides, "Obama, Mccain Duel Over Celebrity Ad, Attacks," Reuters, 7/30/08)

· House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Called Offshore Drilling A "Decoy." PELOSI: "We have had seven and a half years of failed energy policy by the Bush administration. We have a faltering, downturning economy. The president needs a decoy, so he's going out there -- he's even had the nerve to say the economy would be better off if we could drill in protected areas offshore." (CNN's "Late Edition," 7/20/08)

Todd and Governor Sarah Palin's Tax Returns Released

Today, the McCain-Palin campaign released Governor and Todd Palin's tax returns for 2006 and 2007. The Palins' tax returns show that they paid $36,682 in federal taxes for 2006 and 2007. In the past two years, Governor and Todd Palin have contributed $8,205 to charitable causes. Below please find summary information about the Palins' 2006 and 2007 tax returns.

The McCain-Palin campaign also released Governor and Todd Palin's Public Financial Disclosure Report.

To view the relevant documents, please see: http://www.johnmccain.com/palinfinancial

SUMMARY OF TAX RETURNS

Taxes Paid:

For 2006, the Palins paid $11,944 (LINE 63) in total taxes on gross income of $127,869 (LINE 37), which is a 9.3% tax rate.

For 2007, the Palins paid $24,738 (LINE 63) in total taxes on gross income of $166,080 (LINE 37), which is a 14.9% tax rate.

Charitable Contributions:

2006
In 2006, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $4,250 to charity in cash/check donations and $630 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $4,880. This is 3.3% of their adjusted gross income.

2007
In 2007, Sarah and Todd Palin donated $2,500 to charity in cash/check donations and $825 in non-cash/check donations, for a total of $3,325. This is 1.5% of their adjusted gross income.

Senator McCain's Speech at Ohio Rally Today

I'm happy to be introduced by Governor Sarah Palin from the Great State of Alaska. She is a bit of a maverick herself. She will be my partner in reforming everything that's broken in Washington, and she is a leader who knows what it means to put her country first.

Sarah has a debate this week against my friend and colleague Joe Biden. He is a good man. But his is not the heart of a reformer, and if there's one thing every voter I've met this year agrees on, it's the need for big, tough reforms. We need the kind of reforms that require us to ruffle feathers and take on the entrenched special interests. And that's Governor Palin's specialty! Whether it's taking on big oil, or members of her own party, Governor Palin knows who she works for. She works for you!

Sarah and I have news for the big-spending, smooth-talking, me-first, country-second crowd in Washington and on Wall Street:

Change is coming!

We need reform in Washington and on Wall Street. When the financial crisis threatened the economic security of all Americans, I laid out principles to protect hardworking Americans. I believed that inaction was not an option.

I put my campaign on hold for a couple days last week to fight for a rescue plan that put you and your economic security first. I fought for a plan that protected taxpayers, homeowners, consumers and small business owners.

I went to Washington last week to make sure that the taxpayers of Ohio and across this great country were not left footing the bill for mistakes made on Wall Street and in Washington.
Some people have criticized my decision, but I will never, ever be a president who sits on the sidelines when this country faces a crisis. Some of you may have noticed, but it's not my style to simply "phone it in."

I am a Teddy Roosevelt Republican. I believe our leaders belong "in the Arena" when our country faces a challenge. I've never been afraid of stepping in to solve problems for the American people, and I'm not going to stop now.

Senator Obama took a very different approach to the crisis our country faced. At first he didn't want to get involved. Then he was "monitoring the situation." That's not leadership, that's watching from the sidelines.

And watching from the sidelines is exactly what got us into this mess. It was the lack of accountability and oversight that put your tax dollars on the line. But it shouldn't be surprising that Senator Obama isn't interested in protecting your tax dollars.

Senator Obama has proposed more than 860 billion dollars in new spending. He was asked in our debate Friday to name a single program he would consider cutting to help our country through this crisis, and he struggled to name a single program!

Senator Obama is a fan of all that spending because he's always cheering for higher taxes or against tax relief. He's voted that way 94 different times.

Two times, on March 14, 2008 and June 4, 2008, in the Democratic budget resolution, he voted to raise taxes on people making just 42,000 dollars per year. He even said at the time that this vote for higher taxes on the middle class was "getting our nation's priorities back on track." Then something amazing happened: on Friday night, he looked the American people in the eye and said it never happened. My friends, we need a President who will always tell the American people the truth.

Senator Obama's record of higher taxes and more spending isn't going to help "95 percent" of Americans, as he likes to say: it's going to hurt 100 percent of us by growing government, slowing growth, and destroying jobs.

Times are tough for our economy, but I am confident America and Americans will emerge stronger than before. I will do my part. My commitment to the American people is this: I will clean up the Wall Street mess, reform Washington, and focus the entire federal government on a pro-growth agenda that creates jobs and gets this country back to work and back on track.

Now, let me give you some straight talk about this election:

In 36 days your vote will determine the next president of this great country we all love. I think the differences between Senator Obama and myself are pretty clear.

A vote for me will guarantee immediate pro growth action: tax cuts for America's hard working families, strong support for small businesses which are the back bone of our economy, and an end to pork barrel spending in Washington.

A vote for Barrack Obama will guarantee higher taxes, fewer jobs and an even bigger federal government. These policies will deepen our recession.

A vote for me will guarantee that the forces that have brought down our economy will be out of business. I will end the corrupt practices on Wall Street and the back room deals in Washington DC. I will hold accountable those responsible for the oversight and protection of consumers, taxpayers and homeowners.

A vote for Barack Obama will leave this country at risk during one of the most severe challenges to America's economy since the Great Depression.

You see, when it comes to growing the economy and protecting you from the corruption of Wall Street and Washington, Senator Obama just doesn't get it.

Americans have had enough of business as usual. Americans have had enough of the cozy relationships between politicians and power brokers. The status quo will end on November 4 with a vote for me and Sarah Palin.

You see, we've made the tough choices that make us unpopular in our own party. We have pushed for difficult reforms that leave special interests on the sidelines and give "the little guy" a seat at the table.

We will never forget who we work for -- we work for you.

So, that's how we see this election: Country First or Obama First, and I have a feeling I know which side you're all on.

When it came to cutting taxes for seniors, for working families, for small businesses -- my opponent did not put the hard working people of this country first.

When it came time to support our troops fighting to protect our freedoms and way of life, my opponent said he'd never deprive them of the funds they needed to fight -- and then he did just that. Barack Obama voted against funding the equipment our troops rely on as they fight to protect us. That is not putting the men and women of our military first.

When it comes time to reach across the aisle and work with members of both parties to get things done for the American people -- my opponent can't name a single occasion in which he fought against his party's leadership to get something done for the country. That is not putting the interests of the country first.

The country is looking for leadership. The country is hungry for change. They want a leader who will stand up to entrenched special interests -- in Washington, and on Wall Street. They deserve a president who knows when to put politics aside and act in the best interest of the nation. The choice is clear. You have my word. I will always put this country first.