Outside the McCain-Palin rally, partisan sideshows dominate

Palin's problem is she doesn't realize when the game is over and the crowds have gone home. The few diehard fans who populate her appearances a little more than autograph hounds at this point. Even McCain campaign insiders have labeled her as "a rogue" and unpredictable. It's as if she's running her own campaign, barely mentioning the issues OR McCain. She will accept no advice from any of the campaign advisors and simply does her own thing. It's certain that she has shown everyone how she operates and her chances for any sort of political career outside of local Alaskan government are very small. Even the republican legislative leaders have distanced themselves from her.

From Fox News:

The Sacramento Republican Party's Web site encouraged readers to "Waterboard Barack Obama" and compared Obama to Usama bin Laden, drawing criticism from state and local Democrats and Republicans.

I'm so glad I'm not eligible to vote for another two years. Your behavior is so embarrassing, you're all acting like little children. If I was part of these electoral shenanigans, I'd be wearing a brown paper bag over my head to hide my shame at participating in this childish argument. The founders were right to not trust the presidential election to a popular vote when they made the Electoral College. Go to votesmart.org and EDUCATE yourselves above the level of my DOG.

And they say MY generation is immature.

there were articles written on what went on inside the hall. This article is no different from many other human interest story angles about large public events. Malcolm wrote of what he observed, period. To some not sufficiently knowledgeable on the matter, what is referred to as a Dr. Seuss hat, is actually a copy of hats African kings sometimes wore. So, instead of being a "freak", as 1 poster wrote, perhaps the wearer of the hat was honoring history.

First off, how dare you call any veteran a fake veteran. What I read in that article, was a man that stated the exact opposite of what McCain's opponents have said about him aiding and abetting the enemy for better treatment. And a man that served his country with honor and integrity, as McCain did, but has differing views than McCain does, which is everyone's right.

... has sunk to its lowest common denominator.

The circus is a great metaphor for what we have become.

We will pay a steep price in November because we apparently learned nothing two years ago.

And if so was he driving drunk? He's so mavericky! gotta luv'em (wink)

The Pilot has become one sided and very little news comes from their reporting, as they are too concerned with getting Obama elected. It's a shame to see a paper become so one sided. It will cost them in the long run as readership dwindles to those who subscribe to their one sided views.

I can't wait for McCain to buy my mortgage and make my house payments lower! Now Bush is buying into the Banking system? Then we have the 79.9% AIG buy out. I guess GOP Socialism must be "different" then the one I keep hearing throw at Obama... :-)

Vote Obama in 2008!!!

I object to several of this papers articles filled with bias and too much opinion. Keep Printed articles such as those by Malcolm Venable on the Opinion page. Or perhaps next to Kerry Daughterys’ Column. Re: page 15 headline reads “Outside the Main Event ? Partisan Sideshow”. Is Malcolm confused? Was he unsure of what was the main event, the 12,000 + people going inside or the few dozen protestors (as he puts it) outside? Why the “?” mark Malcolm? Protestors? Really? Since when is standing peacefully, holding a sign supporting a different candidate than the one speaking at a venue considered “protesting”? I was there I saw no “protesting” I saw people exercising their first amendment rights. PERIOD! Malcolm goes on to quote Marilyn Brown, a steelworker with a bullhorn that someone spat on her and another yelled “no half breeds” however it was either bad editing or word of mouth by not indica

This "news" piece is hardly objective. In fact it's slanted and biased.

The worst part was the snarky comment about being able to count on your fingers the amount of people of color there. I resent the implication being made in that paragraph. It's also downright false. I saw several ethnicities at the rally, AND not just African American.

If this piece is meant to be objective, it fails horribly and would probably receive an F in a Journalism class. Shame of the Pilot for printing this piece.

If it's meant to be an opinion piece, on the other hand, then the Pilot should mark it as such.

If John McCain became the nation's chief executive officer, who would run the country? Senator McCain has not impressed me as someone who has control over operations. He has history of trusting people just because he likes them. The honorable John McCain has been dishonered by those running his campaign. As a Chief Executive he would not be watchful of the abuses that could and would occur within his administration. He would focus on the one of two things he was avid about and give insuffiecient thought to the qualifications required to deal with other areas. How are we to measure his selection of a Vice Presidential candidate. Had he given any thought to this decision, he would have realized that at the very least, he should have picked someone as qualified as himself or more so as the other fellow did. We have had eight years of wondering who really held executive power at the White House, and we do not need another four.

Why don't you go to NY, PA, GA, AL, MO, anyplace, everyone has their own accent and doesn't say things the same way someone in another region does. I drive a car, not a cah like they do in Boston. Get over it.

you stated , "I'm very cognizant both houses of Congress are currently in Democratic hands; however, the Senate Democrats do not have the majority (60 votes) to effect needed changes of direction for our country. Additionally, in 2007, your Republican minority instituted a strategy of "block and blame" to create the perception of a "do nothing Congress."

now lets just change a few words for after the Repubs took over congress while Clinton was in office. The Senate Repulicans did not have the majority (60 votes) to effect needed changes of direction for our country. Your Democrat minority instituted a strategy of "block and blame" to create the perception of a "do nothing Congress.

So that works both ways. As long as both parties play partisan ball, it will always be that way.

I don't care if she can speak at all .I am content w/ someone who shows up for work everyday. Besides, even Joe Biden has admitted that he is not the best choice for VP. If you want to hold everyone to their pronunciations you are going to have a hard time in Wisconsin and Rhode Island. Sorry to inject sense into the conversation. What's next? Did she wear white after labor day?

What a wonderfully organized rally. Kudos to all involved. Special thanks to the VB Police. Very exciting time. All volunteers extremely polite and helpful. Did not see anything approaching unacceptable from staffers or attendees.

I was thrilled to see the vitality, enthusiasm and straight talk from Mr. McCain. I look forward to his victory on November 4th. I see no need for concern re: age or health with him.

Mrs. McCain was her usual lovely self - great at the podium and thankfully tolerant of our cheers.

Mrs. Palin showed again her in-touch grounding for the average "Jo" and "Joe" and our challenges.

I look forward to see what V-Dude will take on as his "cause" come January.

She's not in ALaska anymore. Well goshdarnit if you wanna be the VP of the United States ya might wanna to find out how some things are pronounced before ya give your speech.

I'm an independent voter who went to the rally. It was absolutely jammed with about 20,000 people. By demeanor, clothing, and tone, all of them were everyday decent Americans who took the time to listen and applaud the candidates. What they heard was McCain and Palin speaking about issues like jobs, taxes, health care, and the security of our nation. A lot them, like me, read this newspaper. It's pretty insulting to read a front page "news" article that basically implies many of the 20,000 gave appearance of being buffons and freaks, and that only the picketing Obama supporters were the real "normal" Americans (e.g., your snide reference to a union worker). By the way, one of the more visible protesters wore a Dr. Seuss hat and carried a large sign saying attendees drink "Sarah Kool-aid". So, Staff Writer, who was the real freak? It is a disservice to your readers to insult the approximate 50% who will vote for McCain. Here's a thought: Why not have written an article that addressed issues as presented by the candidates and report some of the thoughts and opinions on them by departing attendees? Maybe too hard for you to do?

Well done!

Everyone who is not from here mispronounces it. We have a particular way of saying it which in no way jibes w/ it's namesake in England. When I hear people give me the various versions of it's pronunciation I liek to rib them a little. Often they ask why it has such a strange name. I answer thatit was named for a city in England. They oddly seem suprised.

Does anyone really care if someone from Alaska say's it wrong?

Submitted by btw on Tue, 10/14/2008 at 10:56 am.
After the rally was over there was coverage and during it, but to find something in the Virginian Pilot yesterday regarding the rally before it happened...there was a tiny tiny article regarding it tucked away. Yes there is media bias, but the Pilot tries in their own way to not look competely liberal. I read the Pilot, I listend to AM790, I watch CNN, MSN, and FOX. There is a definate difference of coverage between those that are Pro-Obama than those that tell it like it is on both side!

Let me make sure I have this right by using a "semi-republican" mentality. So you are basically saying to us that if the news is/are covering about a republican excelling (debate,senate,wherever) it's proclaimed to be "Telling It Like It Is". Otherwise it's lies. Did I understand you correct?

I have my own strong feelings of who I want to win, but I don't want to discuss that here.

Why does someone have to be derogatory to make a point? Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, but where do we draw the line when your freedom directly infringes on the freedom of others? Have we really become that uncivilized?

I went to the rally. I was excited. I was made to feel uncomfortable by hecklers there to impose the voice of the opposition. Were you there to bully me? What was the ludicrous point of showing up at a Republican rally to annoy and heckle the people there? You obviously have missed the book about how to win friends and influence people.... All you did was push people farther away from your cause.

Our strongest voice is not the one that comes from our mouth, but the one that comes from our actions. In this case, your vote and not your mouth.

Just what favors does the Pilot expect to get from Team Obama if he wins? I hope it is something REALLY good, because this article is a great little piece of fiction. I attended this rally, stood in the long lines and saw Miss America and the AFL CIO workers. I also ignored the nutcase with the bullhorn, just like everyone else. But I certainly didn't overhear the vitriolic dialogue that Warren and Venable claim to have heard. Considering Venable covers entertainment and the Warren is assigned with the Road Warrior column, I guess the Editor really doesn't want any ACTUAL news covered.

Nor-fork? THE Hampton Roads? The Naval Air Force Base? Someone call Tina Fey, please!

"Increased Governmental $pending while cutting Taxes to the Wealthy."
Better to benefit those who actually pay taxes I think.
"$9 ($11?)Trillion Dollar National Debt."
Very troubling but not McCain's fault.
"Privatizing Profits while Socializing the Bailouts of failed Corporations."
Pelosi was all smiles buddy. We saw it.
"Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class."
Um, they will pay more if Obama's proposals are passed. Just saying you can exclude a large portion of the population to benefit another deosn't make it possible. Jobs will not appear to increase the size of the middle under Obama's proposals.
"High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else!"
There is no politcal solution tothis.
"High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs."
See Obama's voting record.
"Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution."
See Obama's tactics to remove opponents in Chi

I watched the video also and it was not a slip up on Obama's part. Obama was saying that McCain had NOT accused him of being of Muslim faith. I'm not an Obama supporter but the truth is the truth and the video proves it.

It's not as if anyone is denying the fact that other articles exist in ref to the McCain visit - this article is the one up for discussion. Not pinted newspaper articles, not the more noteworthy articles, but rather this article is the one The Pilot chose to be put on the front page of the website and opened for comments. I am curious to know how it would play out if the other more noteworthy articles had been chosen.

It wasn't a slip, it was spoken as if in quotes. Too many dittoheads, not enough individual or critical thought. The right cannot go after Obama on the issues, so they go after him on perceived fears promulgated by right wing talk shows and other forms of demagoguery. Don't like his health care policies, his tax policies, education reform, etc.?… then say so and vote so, and don't forget to perhaps enlighten us unwashed masses as to the superior positions of McCain. The policies of the last administration have nearly succeeded in doing what Al Qaeda tried to do…that is to bring us down economically with a trillion dollar war and wear out our military so we have much less clout around the world. Now if you think McCain can change that, fine. I don't think he can, and I have very little confidence in Palin's abilities should anything happen.

I just watched the video of this interview. He was saying that McCain has not brought up the topic of his "so-called" Muslim faith. In the full context of the question and the topic being discussed, he was actually defending Mr. McCain by noting that he has not gotten into the fiction that is propagating the web regarding Mr. Obama's faith. I again, see another attempt to take things out of context. No reasonable person could think that he was professing his faith in that context. Again, thanks for the tip, LOL.

The paper itself led with the McCain rally and what he said. The live feed would have been nice had I been here at the time to see it, but that's my bad!
It was the on-line version that had weirdly stacked headlines today and . . . my paper didn't arrive till an hour after I noted that. Cheers, MGM