Well, there goes another of the Right's inane talking points about Obama being an elitist while "Quick Draw" John McCain is just Everyman in America, with an heiress wife and more homes than he can keep track of.

Kinda puts all the foolishness into perspective, doesn't it? While many cheer McCain's resurgence in some polls, others ignore the daily incidents of putting-foot-in-mouth which the comatose media is only now beginning to notice.

McCain is almost a carbon copy of George W. Bush right down to his immense sense of entitlement. If you think he'd sit down and have a beer with you, you must be one of his plethora of servants on your break or a high-paid lobbyist....

Running a country is akin to running a business. I would think that the more experience one had at maintaining a business (or businesses) and making them profitable would actually be a plus for a president.

At least that's the way I see it.

Oh, and what was McCain's net worth when he was Obama's age????

There's nothing wrong with having a few shekels -- as my good friends of the Hebrew persuasion would say -- on hand.
The cut-off for "rich," by the way, is $37 million.
So, I'm not "rich."
Now, my wife Candy, or Mindy, or Mandy, whatever, she qualifies as "rich."
She also qualifies as a "trollop," heh, heh, heh.
Just kidding, my friends, just kidding.
Remember, I earned my money the hard way: I married whatshername.
It's like honeymooning in the Botox Ward of the Hanoi Hilton.
Anyway, as Deng Xiao Peng used to say, "Greed is good!"
That's not my motto, though.
Mine is Nobelesse oblige.
~John "Hey, Who Turned Out the Lights?" McCain

$799,000? No wonder he couldn't pay for that vacant lot next door.

I'm wondering where they get the numbers on Obama from. I've consistently seen his net worth estimated at $1.3M, and that was before the year he earned $4M on his book.

"$799,000? No wonder he couldn't pay for that vacant lot next door."

YEAH!

Especially considering members of the community were being extorted at a low "christian" rate of Ten Dollars a spot!

Normally for our local festivals, flee markets, events, etc ---- parking costs One Dollar Max.

I believe the term they used was "a frickin' mansion." Well, there's just one problem with that argument.

Obama does live in a frickin' mansion. Pretending he's not rich just because he's not as rich as McCain is stupid.

And $799,000? What happened to millions on book sales?

CNN has Obama net worth at $1.3 and McCain's at $40.4.

That was mid 07 though.

Running a country is akin to running a business. I would think that the more experience one had at maintaining a business (or businesses) and making them profitable would actually be a plus for a president.

At least that's the way I see it.

Oh, and what was McCain's net worth when he was Obama's age????

I'm wondering where they get the numbers on Obama from

----

Joe, if you look closely the $799K number is for 2006.

Kiplinger is using ranges.

2112, you think McCain could run a business just because he married into wealth?

"Oh, and what was McCain's net worth when he was Obama's age????"

That depends on how old he was when he married the beer heiress. McCain did not "earn" his wealth, he married money.
That said, I don't care how much money either candidate has, it's their own private affair.
I think we should choose a president by his policies and his record.

"Although it's a little bit of an apple/oranges comparison considering the age difference."

Posted by Pirate at 2008-08-22 12:09 PM

YEAH!

Its sure is!

How can one compare a confirmed Gold Digger to someone who actually worked for what they have!

Apples and Oranges Indeed!

YEAH!

Its sure is!

How can one compare a confirmed Gold Digger to someone who actually worked for what they have!

Apples and Oranges Indeed!

----

YEAH! Like Kerry and Obama!

"How can one compare a confirmed Gold Digger to someone who actually worked for what they have!"

Posted by Redneckville

As if you wouldn't marry a rich beer princess with big boobies and unlimited beer and riches!

YEAH!

How can one compare a confirmed Gold Digger to someone who actually worked for what they have!

----

YEAH! It's just wealth redistribution!

Tax,

He had and has his own investments. His wife(s) money aside, he has still done very good in the business world.

I just think that that would be a plus not a minus in deciding who to elect to run our country.

Look at Bush's multiple business failurs as an example of my point.

BTW...Obama's book sales were $4 million, but I don't think that is what he, himself netted.

The bigger issue is thus: While personal finances give a window into someone's potential in understanding the dynamics of the global economy, its hard to make a straight-line comparison and draw direct conclusions from in my opinion.

We do know that the McCain family has run up to $750,000 in a single month on credit cards for which they pay little if any interest. Maybe that metric is more important than to simply look at one's bottom line.

But on the topic of who personally can relate to the average American better, its not hard to see the Obama's are much, much closer to the norm than are the McCain's, though that should be taken for what it is and little more.

If anyone bothered to listen to Michelle speak about the debate she and Barack had about even running for the nomination toward the end of 2006, she prefaced it by stating that they'd be much closer to the average American then than they would be in 4-8 more years. They were acutely aware that their own status would change with more money and much more celebrity. That was one of the reasons they chose to jump into the fray in the first place.

Somehow, I can't see any similar discussion having gone on in the McCain household, at least on that particular topic.

You just can't make this stuff up!

McCain, who huddled with advisors at his desert compound in Sedona, Ariz., said nothing in public. A nine-car motorcade took him to a nearby Starbucks early in the morning, where he ordered a large cappuccino. McCain otherwise avoided reporters.

Forced into damage-control mode, his campaign aides counterattacked to reinforce their claim that Obama is an elitist.

2112, he has been a politician? What business experience does he have?

For a 47 year old man with a professional career without any long instances of unemployment nor any major illnesses, $800k net worth seems surprisingly low for his age.

My spouse and I aren't that age but have put away between 10 - 15% of our salaries towards retirement and savings since our early twenties. Even with the crappy growth we've seen in the last several years, we should be able to break that amount by the time we're his age. Plus, our combined salaries are far behind anything resembling what a lawyer earns.

Katie,

He recently bought a $1.65 million house and financed a good chunk of it. Had he not run for office, his wife would still be bringing in $300,000+ a year.

you sayin' obama ain't worth a dayam?

"BTW...Obama's book sales were $4 million, but I don't think that is what he, himself netted."

Why would you think that?

Joe, good point.

According to your link...

Campaigning for president has been very good for Sen. Barack Obamas pocketbook, with his household income jumping from $991,296 in 2006 to $4.2 million in 2007, tax records show.

His net worth now is way higher than his 2006 net worth which is what most links have shown.

Why would you think that?

Because I wasn't for sure.

That's why I said, "I think" instead of "I know".

I think that all this nasty gotcha campaigning by both sides accomplishes only one thing, it makes many of the best potential candidates decide they want nothing to do with politics American style.

McCain ditched his first wife for a rich heiress and more real estate than anyone can keep track of.

Four years ago the Dems were praising the same thing in John Kerry.

The hypocricy of the Left never fails to impress.

Yes, Vernon---And four years ago the Right was calling Kerry a gold-digger and this year they call McCain a self-made man.

So, does that impress you? Just curious.

Puts me in mind of W., who until recently delighted in telling anyone who would listen what a self-made man he is. Again, just curious, do you think he was?

Me? I think you'd be hard-pressed to find Bush actually worked more than five years in total. That would include the presidency.

McCain was a POW, dontcha know.

That alone qualifies him to make the best possible deal with Paris Hilton, Sr.

Never mind he was NOT a POW for 92.4% of his life.

Is being financially successful a bad thing? I don't understand the point of this thread.

"Four years ago the Dems were praising the same thing in John Kerry.

Posted by vernon"

Except, of course, that Kerry didn't dump his wife to marry a rich heiress. Kerry and Teresa were married 8 years after Kerry's divorce vs. 5 weeks for McCain and Cindy.

"Is being financially successful a bad thing?"

I suppose you could call ditching a crippled wife to marry a rich heiress an example of being "financially successful."

"I don't understand teh point of this thread...."

Part of it relates to attack ads describing McCain as "elite". If elitness is no reason to vote for Obama, it should be no reason to vote for McCain.

I'm sorry---McCain's ads have targeted Obama as an elite.

I've been fascinated with the notion of "success" ever since Bush took office. That man is far richer, more famous, and more powerful than most anyone but I think only a fool would say he's a successful man.

I suppose you could call ditching a crippled wife to marry a rich heiress an example of being "financially successful."

OK, so he's NOT financially successful. Is this a good thing then?

Part of it relates to attack ads describing McCain as "elite". If elitness is no reason to vote for Obama, it should be no reason to vote for McCain.

I'm one of those weird people who are more concerned about the candidates' positions on the Iraqi war, the economy, domestic issues than I am in elitism, how much the wife spends, where the half brother lives, etc.

I'd like to think we are the same, Goatman. So, why isn't McCain like us?

I'd like to think we are the same, Goatman. So, why isn't McCain like us?

???

For the same reason Obama is not the same as us. We are all unique individuals. If I was waiting for a candidate who was like me in any election, I'd never get to vote again.

re: I'm one of those weird people who are more concerned about the candidates' positions on the Iraqi war, the economy, domestic issues than I am in elitism, how much the wife spends, where the half brother lives, etc.

Iraq war- Obama was against it, vocally and at a time opposition was considered fringe, but agreed to fund it once we were there. His timetable for withdrawal has recently been embraced by botht the Bush Administration and the Iraqi Gov't.

Economy- After being bitch-slapped by the Right for initially opposing Bush's economic policies that have led to our current untenable situation, McCain promises four(eight?) more years of it.

(You'll have to break down "domestic issues" further and much more coherently for me to respond.)

"OK, so he's NOT financially successful. Is this a good thing then?"

Doesn't matter to me. I would rather see a campaign based on issues, but if Republicans want to wage it on character, so be it.

You'll have to break down "domestic issues" further and much more coherently for me to respond.)

No offense, betelg, but I prefer to get my data from unbiased sources. Thanks for trying to help me decide, though.

I don't care how much money he has. Obama is an elitist and a negro. And he hates America. And so does his wife. And his Pastor and Rezco blah blah blah blah blah blah.

- the DR Rightwing

but if Republicans want to wage it on character, so be it.

Most of the character assassinations I have seen have been against McCain and his wife. I doubt seriously the Republicans are waging character wars against their own.

"Most of the character assassinations I have seen have been against McCain and his wife."

Sure, Goatman. lol

Goatman-
re: "I doubt seriously the Republicans are waging character wars against their own."

Were you born before the 2000 primaries? The Obama campaign hasn't even begun to go after McCain compared to what Bush-Rove did to him in 2000.

The Obama campaign hasn't even begun to go after McCain compared to what Bush-Rove did to him in 2000

???

OK?

Goatman-
Do you really not know what they did to McCain in SC after McCain won New Hampshire and it was go for broke for Bush?

Hell, this is the first week Obama has punched McCain in the face, and it's about time.

Joe, if you look closely the $799K number is for 2006.
looking closely is not something demorats like to do to their own. But it depends on what 'closely' means.

The Obama campaign has begun to attack McCain as an out of touch elitist. I'm sure McCain WOULD NEVER GO THERE, LOL. What they haven't done, and won't do, is issue a below the radar smear campaign about how McCain is mentally unstable due to his stint in captivity, or that he had fathered an illegitimate black child, which Bush R's did to McCain in SC in 2000.

Most of the character assassinations I have seen have been against McCain and his wife.

Posted by goatman

Show me one that occurred before yesterday's ad. And I don't mean the DR or other blogs.
The right-wing media and McCain have been on Obama since the spring.
He's a Muslim
Rev. Wright
Empty suit
Paris Hilton etc...

I just heard on the radio that Obama invited the leader of Muslim group to speak at the convention. The Reich has him associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. It's bad enough he has a Muslim name. Then there's the lawsuit challenging his citizenship. Throw in the specter of the Russians. He's toast. Gone. He'll be lucky if he does better than George McGovern.

"Then there's the lawsuit challenging his citizenship."

Yeah, and I heard his mother was a jackal and the name on his *real* birth certificate is "Damien"....

Ray

Who's on the radio right now?

Oh yeah, Michael Savage.

I just heard on the radio that Obama invited the leader of Muslim group to speak at the convention. The Reich has him associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. It's bad enough he has a Muslim name. Then there's the lawsuit challenging his citizenship. Throw in the specter of the Russians. He's toast. Gone. He'll be lucky if he does better than George McGovern.

Doesn't that single, runaway-yet-derailed train of thought tell you all you need to know about Ray?

"He's toast. Gone. He'll be lucky if he does better than George McGovern.

Posted by Ray"

This is guy who was absolutely positive that the "fix was in" for Hillary to be the next President.

Though it's nearly indefinable, elitism's like porn: you know it when you see it, and what somebody else like's doesn't necessarily turn you on.

And yet, we're electing the president of the US; still the most powerful person in the world. I don't want an underachiever working on my car's transmission. Why would I want someone regular sitting in the Oval Office? Sorry, give me somebody who's demonstrated a capacity to excel. The cliche gotcha question of journalist is asking candidates what's the price of a gallon of gas at a particular locale. Can the candidate demonstrate with a single answer that he (or she) is a person of the people? Brother, I don't care if the candidate knows the local price of gas. I care if he fully understands the metrics that drive up or down a barrel of oil.

So the question isn't how many houses John McCain owns. The question is: does he understand what's negatively affecting the equity of those houses and what can be done about it and how can such gross fluctuations be prevented in the future?

He'd better hope he doesn't have to check with his staff to answer that one.---John Ridley

Ted

I can't take much of Savage. Rita Crosby was substituting for Bob Grant. She had Frank Gaffne as a guest.

Nulli

This could turn out that the Democrats are going to wish they chose Hillary. If you remember, I thought Obama's name and color would work against him. The Reich now has him looking like a wimpy Muslim sympathizer.

Tony

I'm just the messenger. Fuck off the bigoted crap!

and this year they call McCain a self-made man.

Posted by Zed at 2008-08-22 07:39 PM | Reply

As already pointed out, McCain -- sans his wife's wealth -- is still much more successful than Osama. In that regard he is 'self-made'

OK, so he's NOT financially successful. Is this a good thing then?

Posted by goatman at 2008-08-22 08:00 PM | Reply

Kerry and McCain should both be adored by the Left. They are financially successful spending the money others have earned. That's what Liberals are all about.

Vernon-
I'm sure no one here is in the mood to be lectured about US politics by someone who lives in Taiwan.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, through a network of investments in blue-chip corporations, venture capital funds and municipal bonds, controls a family fortune worth an estimated $1 billion, an examination of public records shows.

The $1 billion figure is double the estimates of her wealth that are widely cited in news stories about her husband, Sen. John Kerry.

Shut the fuck up.

As already pointed out, McCain -- sans his wife's wealth -- is still much more successful than Osama. In that regard he is 'self-made'

Posted by vernon at 2008-08-22 10:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

Being too old to drive doesn't hurt - it gives you more time to accumulate wealth, but marrying a heiress to multiple scores of millions and the ears of the super wealthy doesn't hurt much, I'm sure.

BTW, has McCain decided how many houses he has, 'cause I haven't heard a "straight talk" answer. Can you give me one?

I'm sure no one here is in the mood to be lectured about US politics by someone who lives in Taiwan.

Posted by BetelG at 2008-08-22 10:29 PM | Reply

HAR~! HAR~!

That's all you got! I'm an American with the balls to live and thrive in a foreign country, to operate three successful businesses and speak five languages.

And you think you can insult me? Some assclown who thinks going to the Panda Super Buffet is an international experience. You'd be shitting your pants and crying your eyes out two hours after you landed here.

What a fucking loser!

You should be happy in your soft, suburban lifestyle: Burger King around the corner and 350 channels of shit to watch.

And when your Social Security check comes next week you'll be comfortable in the knowledge that others are supporting your lazy ass.

You're just marking time until your grave, and you think you can put down the people who actually make the world function.

"You should be happy in your soft, suburban lifestyle: Burger King around the corner and 350 channels of shit to watch."

Weren't you just bragging yesterday about how you have McDonalds and cable TV there?

Tony

I'm just the messenger. Fuck off the bigoted crap!

Excuse me? Who's the one predicting that a non-existent connection to the "Muslim Brotherhood" is going to influence Obama's election, and I'm the bigot?

Not only are you an idiot, you're an oxymoron as well, with the emphasis on moron!

I said that is what the Reich was saying. Again, I say one thing and you go in another direction. You didn't disappoint me.

I said that is what the Reich was saying...

and agreeing that it was relevant when all it is, is garbage.

I take it back Ray. You're not a moron, you're a less-ron. Moron's a step up....

Oh my gosh. Read what I said again.

"The Reich has him associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. "

You really are stupid. Calling me names when you are wrong only makes you look more stupid.

Oh my gosh. Read what I said again.

Perhaps you should stick to reading instead of writing Ray.

I just heard on the radio that Obama invited the leader of Muslim group to speak at the convention. The Reich has him associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. It's bad enough he has a Muslim name. Then there's the lawsuit challenging his citizenship. Throw in the specter of the Russians. He's toast. Gone. He'll be lucky if he does better than George McGovern.

Posted by Ray

"and agreeing that it was relevant when all it is, is garbage.

I take it back Ray. You're not a moron, you're a less-ron. Moron's a step up...."

Having trouble swallowing your own words Ray? Try some ketchup, my kids seem to love it....

You keep getting dumber.

I told you how the Reich will attack his character. And notice my use of the word "Reich." That doesn't mean I believe they are Nazis. Though you would take it that way.

I told you how the Reich will attack his character. And notice my use of the word "Reich." That doesn't mean I believe they are Nazis. Though you would take it that way.

The word "Reich" can be removed from your screed and my point still stands. It has nothing to do with Nazi's Ray, it has to do with the fact you believe such metrics (the entirety of what you wrote) are going to decide whom Americans vote for come November.

On that point, for the vast majority, I say you're delusional. Most people will decide based on the politics and policies offered by the candidates, not by the rants and claims of fringe lunatics and charlatans. That was my point Ray, and it seems you've yet to understand it.

You keep throwing shit all over the place. Any opinion that paints Obama as a loser pisses you off.

Most people will decide based on the politics and policies offered by the candidates, not by the rants and claims of fringe lunatics and charlatans.

Most people have no idea what they are voting for - you included. It's all appearances and fuzzy rhetoric.

So here is my base opinion from the "lunatic fringe." The political system is broken, dysfunctional, corrupt, morally and financially bankrupt. Both McCain and Obama are products of this system. Both can be counted on by their backers to perpetuate the system. There won't be change until this country has a Soviet style breakdown. I don't express my opinions to please you.

"Most people will decide based on the politics and policies offered by the candidates, not by the rants and claims of fringe lunatics and charlatans."

Well, I would hope you're right, but all I've seen from MOST Obama supporters is just some kind of cultist adoration. Does this mean you don't really consider net worth some kind of qualifying factor for the presidency? If it is, then you probably think FDR was seriously unqualified...right?

Ask most of Obama's disciples and they can't tell you his policies, just that he's for "hope and change."

Incidently, I found the following article interesting. I have always believed he's an accomplished public speaker....but is there any merit to this excerpt from the Washington Prowler?

"Washington Prowler
Teleprompting Obama
By The Prowler
Published 8/21/2008 12:08:19 AM
SCREEN SAVORER
According to several Democrat political consultants presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama spent part of his Hawaiian vacation working on weaning himself from a heavy dependence on teleprompters. Even in what are staged as "town hall" events for Obama, remarks are scripted or formatted into bullet points that scroll on teleprompter screens. Obama has had several embarrassing events where the teleprompter either malfunctioned or the screens were not fully visible.

"He just locks down and can't get the words out," says one political consultant. "For such a fine speaker, it's really quite remarkable that he's had issues."

Obama's troubles with unscripted moments contributed to his campaign's refusal to participate in town hall format debates or discussions with Sen. John McCain, who feels much more comfortable in the unscripted moments."

"all I've seen from MOST Obama supporters is just some kind of cultist adoration."

And if he doesn't see it, he puts it there.

Ask most of Obama's disciples and they can't tell you his policies, just that he's for "hope and change."

No, its only those lemmings who try to create a fiction from the fact that their own candidate's quixotic "senior moments" continue to show the inability to articulate the correct names of states and peoples who don't know the thorough agenda that Obama has laid out non-stop during his campaign. Most supporters can type in BarackObama.com and find out all they need to know.

Hopefully Obama's "schooling" will come in handy. Personally, I'm quite alright with the status quo compared to our current Malaprop-In-Chief and his would-be successor, Mr. Magoo.

"And if he doesn't see it, he puts it there."

C'mon, Danny...what am I to think when the Cultist-in-Chief says it like this?

"He was warmly received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called him "a leader that God has blessed us with at this time."

"what am I to think when the Cultist-in-Chief says it like this?"

She's behaving like a Republican?

"Hopefully Obama's "schooling" will come in handy."

I'm sure his "schooling" in good ol' Chicago politics will come in handy if he's elected.

"Personally, I'm quite alright with the status quo compared to our current Malaprop-In-Chief and his would-be successor, Mr. Magoo."

Now, now, now, Tony...let's not regress to cultist kinds of derogatory name-calling. Surely you're better than that...or is it just frustration that The One isn't running away with the election?

"let's not regress to cultist kinds of derogatory name-calling. Surely you're better than that...or is it just frustration that The One..."

Ya gotta love the self-retorting retort.

"She's behaving like a Republican?"

Just can't accept that the disciples don't see him as some sort of messiah, can you? Not even when the chief cultist says he's sent by God? Now you want to turn her into a repuplican??? Nawwww...she's too fugly, Danny. (I didn't capitalize the pronouns purposely...I'm not a disciple.)

You and Tony be nice 'til I get back in a coupla hours.

"Just can't accept that the disciples don't see him as some sort of messiah"

Just can't admit it's the righties using the deification language all the time, can you?

Are you guys that disappointed in your nominee?

I'm looking at the SC, Oohrah. If McCain is the winner, Scalia will be the intellectual thrust of jurisprudence for a generation. After reading Scalia's rant regarding habeas corpus, everyone should be frightened: he was willing to forgo law for fear-mongering. How he could be called a "constitutionalist" after that is beyond me.

Patience, DAN. You'll, too, see the light in time. :^)

Yeah sure. Every election, the true believers find out the hard way that their man disappoints them. The cycle repeats ad nauseum.

Ray, they will obviously choose different SC members, and appoint federal judges, which will effect laws for years. Do you not see clearly different paths, even if the economic die has been cast?

"...the true believers..."

Sorry, not in that camp. I have no delusions: Obama is a politician, and I expect no less.

Danforth

So the judges will be leftists. What's new?

Sorry, not in that camp. I have no delusions: Obama is a politician, and I expect no less.

I know that. You're one of the few realists on this site.

"So the judges will be leftists. What's new?"

So if McCain gets in, the rant from Scalia over Habeas Corpus will become the law of the land. That scares the shit out of me, and it should to anyone who's ever read the Constitution.

SCOTUS doesn't have a history of overturning previous decisions. I can't imagine that the Military Commissions Act and the Patriot Act will be overturned, not matter how far to the left the next appointees go. The momentum has long been towards expanding the powers of Washington. It's the one constant you can count on.

I can see how a guy only worth 36 million, married to a woman only worth 100 million, really needs to triple dip into the US Treasury.

And then bitch about how bad Social Security is...

After he leaves the Senate, he'll collect a fat Senate pension too, right?

Geez, with a little luck, he could collect a Presidential salary, Senate pension, disability and Social security. Then, in 4 years, he could retire and add the Presidential pension in on top.

The things poor people gotta do to make ends meet, especially with the price of beachfront mansions and jet fuel.

799,000? No wonder he couldn't pay for that vacant lot next door.

Posted by wisgod at 2008

KABLOOY..................

notice there was little comment about it

and none about who it came from.........A CROOK ON HIS WAY TO JAIL

and I really thought that I read where obama made 4 million last year.....or was that just from the right wing attack machine that biden was hired to go after?

and how much of that actually belongs to the little woman who so many of you are jealous of...just because you married for love and not money..........

and then the old standby that always IS TRUE

the old classwarfare angle.........

oh yeah one more thing..

so lets limit all presidents to poor people or non millionaires........where does that put the presidential pool?

You'd be happy: Delay is near the top (bottom) of the list.

You'd be happy: Delay is near the top (bottom) of the list.

"I really thought that I read where obama made 4 million last year.....or was that just from the right wing attack machine that biden was hired to go after?"

Obama's book had $4 million in sales. Writers typically make around 15%, depending on the contract.

Claiming Obama made $4 million is only off by about 500%.