We often say that John McCain is running for George Bush's third term, and yesterday we learned that he plans to do it by running Bush's first campaign...the campaign where Bush assaulted John McCain's character:
Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama's character, believing that to win in November they must shift the conversation back to questions about the Democrat's judgment, honesty and personal associations, several top Republicans said.
But since McCain was too tired to campaign himself this weekend, the 72-year old decided to let "Sarah be Sarah," which apparently means making vile, baseless accusations:
"Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country," Palin told a rally of about 10,000 gathered at a tennis stadium in Carson, a suburb of Los Angeles.
And the basis for Palin's attack? Besides desperation and falling poll numbers, I mean? A New York Times article about William Ayers and Obama that concluded the two men "do not appear to have been close." In other words, living in the same neighborhood and serving on the same charitable boards does not mean you're "palling around" with someone, nor does it mean you endorse their actions from 40 years ago.
And if Sarah Palin wants to talking about palling around with people who find America less than perfect, then it's time to talk about her association with the Alaska Independence Party (AIP), the secessionist group whose founder, Joe Vogler once said: "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government...and I won't be buried under their damn flag...I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions. "
Palin's complete dealings with the group isn't entirely clear, and unfortunately we can't ask Mr. Vogler about it since he was murdered in a plastic explosives sale gone bad," but we do know this: Sarah Palin probably attended the AIP convention 1994, the McCain campaign admits she attended in 2000, and as governor, Palin taped a welcoming message to them in 2006, saying:
Your party plays an important role in our state's politics. I've always said that competition is so good, and that applies to political parties as well. I share your party's vision of upholding the constitution of our great state... So I say good luck on a successful and inspiring convention. Keep up the good work, and God bless you.
Add to that, Todd Palin, aka, the "First Dude," was a registered member of AIP from 1995 until 2002, coincidentally changing his party affiliation when she began her first campaign for public office.
So, we have Sarah Palin, actively involved with a secessionist group that professes its hatred for America, and whose husband was a card-carrying member of the group for seven years. And don't forget, Todd Palin isn't just the spouse of an elected official. He has been called a Shadow Governor, attending private meetings, being sent on fact finding trips, and being copied on emails that were later "prohibited from being released to the public due to executive privilege." This man would be a 72-year old heartbeat and a pillow away from the presidency.
So if Sarah Palin wants to talk about questionable associations, bring it on.
Update: Via CNN:
The Statement: Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin said Saturday, October 4, that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is "someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country."
Verdict: False. There is no indication that Ayers and Obama are now "palling around," or that they have had an ongoing relationship in the past three years. Also, there is nothing to suggest that Ayers is now involved in terrorist activity or that other Obama associates are.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/5/102414/330/725/620664
Tags: anti Barack Obama ad terrorist William ayers Alaska Independence party Sarah Palin lie john Mccain economy speech debate
