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10/12/08
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32 comments
Campaign 2008
Todd Palin greets diners at Dysart’s
HERMON, Maine — Brittany Ginn forgot to ask Todd Palin the question she’d most like his wife, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, to answer: What will you do for the troops? Palin, surrounded by his Secret Service detail, campaign staff and local Republican politicians, moved from table to table at Dysart’s Truck Stop and Restaurant this morning. He was on a campaign swing through the state for the McCain-Palin presidential campaign. The fact that Ginn, of Winterport, wasn’t thinking about national politics when Palin stopped by Dysart’s for breakfast and some handshaking is understandable. Ginn is getting married this afternoon to Marine Lance Cpl. William Shibles. The bride and her four attendants gathered for breakfast at the popular eatery before heading to a Bangor event center where the wedding will be held. “I wanted to ask him, ‘What will your wife and [John] McCain do for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?’” Ginn said. “Depending on the answer I might change how I’m going to vote.” Ginn’s husband-to-be has completed a tour in Iraq and is headed for Afghanistan. The wedding date had to be changed from Oct. 5 to Sunday because Shibles’ training schedule wouldn’t allow him to take leave time earlier in the month. “I’m going to vote for Barack [Obama],” she said. “I’ve watched every single debate. I don’t like McCain and I don’t like his plan for the troops. I don’t like Biden, either. If Sarah were running instead of McCain, if they were to switch, it would be perfect.” Ed Bilecki and Becky Bunter, both of Hampden, are McCain-Palin supporters. They came for breakfast with their three children knowing Todd Palin was going to stop by. “I think they are more on our level,” Bilecki said of the Republican ticket. “They have the average person’s moral values.” Bunter echoed what many women around the country have said about McCain’s choice of a running mate. “I’m extremely excited about Sarah Palin,” she said. “She’s honest, straightforward and represents middle America. I just think she’s a breath of fresh air.” Todd Palin and his entourage had breakfast before heading to Presque Isle for a barbecue this afternoon. Alaska’s “First Dude” did not take questions from reporters. He received an enthusiastic welcome to the Pine Tree State on Saturday afternoon at the Mooshead Trading Post in Palmyra. Palin apparently prefers the “First Dude” moniker, as many of the women in the estimated crowd of 500 that filled the trading post’s parking lot in anticipation of pallin’ around with Palin were wearing pink sweat shirts emblazoned with the phrase “Maine’s 2nd District welcomes Alaska’s 1st Dude.” Palin wasn’t on hand to give a formal political speech, but he did say a few words about his wife and McCain before wading into the crowd to shake hands and sign autographs. Political observers believe McCain has a chance to win the state’s electoral vote from Maine’s 2nd Congressional District. Palin’s visit to Palmyra and his stops today in Bangor and Presque Isle were designed to take advantage of that possibilty. “It’s great to be in Maine.” Palin told the cheering crowd in Palmyra. “It reminds me a lot of Alaska, but you’ve got more colors in your leaves than we do.” He said that when it came to getting results, his wife and McCain “can point to their record, unlike others who can’t point to their record.” Palin received another loud cheer when he reminded the gathering that the McCain-Palin ticket had received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. “Sarah and I are very active outdoors, hunting, and it’s a great endorsement,” he said. Reacting to the crowd’s support, Palin added: “Just from the looks of you, you guys are excited about this race.” The crowd was an even mix of men and women and included youngsters in strollers and seniors in wheelchairs. Parked cars stretched for more than a mile along Oxbow Road in front of the trading post as people of all ages took advantage of the beautiful fall day and the free hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, apples and cold drinks at the event. Stephanie Bridges of Corinna spent three hours in a cloud of smoke over a hot grill flipping burgers as fast as her nephew, Christian Brown, could run them to the serving table. Bridges, who works at the Village Square Restaurant, said she volunteered her time because it was a good cause. “I’m a old hand at flipping burgers, but my grill doesn’t give off as much smoke as this one does,” she said. Free food aside, most of those who attended the rally said they were compelled to show up because of their belief in the McCain-Palin message. “He spent five and one-half years in a prison camp in Hanoi,” Korean War Army veteran Bob Lucas of Dexter said of McCain. “He deserves this. I don’t have to say any more.” Another Army veteran, Lee Norton of West Gardiner, said he rode to the rally on his three-wheel Honda Goldwing solely because of Sarah Palin. He said he served at Fort Richardson in Alaska during the 1970s and that the corruption of the oil industry was prevalent even then. “I didn’t know how I was going to vote, but as soon as McCain brought her on, it was like a breath of fresh air. She took on the oil companies and cleaned things up,” Norton said. “This is the first political rally in my life. I heard it on the news and decided to come up.” Sandra Doyan of Winslow said she and her husband, Bob, support McCain-Palin “because of taxes. He’s not taxing us and I like that. I like his policy on drilling for oil along with alternatives. I also believe on putting up more nuclear plants.” Christine Mathies of Hartland said she supported McCain because “I think he’s somebody [who] will protect our country. I just believe he’s the right man for the job. Keeping our country strong is important to me. Keeping it strong and not socialistic.” There also was a small group of protesters at the rally, including Katrina Bisheimer of Bucksport, who was ordered off the property by sheriff’s deputies when she attempted to walk through the crowd carrying a sign reading “Women and Polar Bears against Palin” and “Freedom for Women and Polar Bears.” “Another view should be allowed to be expressed,” she said as a deputy led her to the perimeter of the property. Palin’s appearance in Maine came just a few hours after the Alaska Legislature released a report on his wife’s activities involving attempts to fire state trooper Michael Wooton, who had been involved in a messy divorce with Palin’s sister. The report found that Palin abused the powers of her office by pressuring those working for her to fire her former brother-in-law. When Maine Republican Party spokeswoman Jennifer Webber was asked if Todd Palin would respond to the investigative report, she referred reporters to a statement issued by the campaign claiming that “the governor acted within her proper and lawful authority” and that the inquiry was led by supporters of Barack Obama and that the Palins were “completely justified” in their concerns about trooper Wooton. “I’m not surprised that he won’t talk to the press,” observed Doug Hufnagel of Belfast. “It seems to be a family trait, fending off the press.” In response to Palin’s visit, Obama’s campaign office in Maine released a statement from Brent Mullis of Corinna, a member of Maine Farmers for Obama. “The hardworking men and women who protect our community, work our land, and teach our children are bearing the brunt of eight years of failed Bush-McCain economic policies,” he said. “They deserve a president who will stand up for them. Barack Obama is a steady leader who will get our economy back on track and put hardworking Americans first. He will make real change happen for Maine families at this critical time.” Walter Griffin of the BDN staff contributed to this report.
Comments
Don't you love the way she ends the article about Todd Palin's visit to Maine with a flurry of pro-Obama rhetoric? Looks like two jabs and a right cross. I guess it's pretty obvious how Ms. Harrison will be voting. I wonder if this is the editorial position of the entire BDN. It's nice to see our State's fair split of electoral votes getting us such a visit, and part of perhaps the most historical election ever. I think McCain appointing her as potentially the first female Vice President goes a long way. I'm surprised Ms. Harrison didn't mention that, or any correlation to Maine and Margaret Chase Smith. Considering the whole article was pro McCain-Palin, I would say Ms. Harrison was being a good reporter to remember to bring up the fact that the Investigative commitee, who started their investigation LONG BEFORE Palin was chosen, had come back with a guilty verdict on Mrs. Palin's abuse of power. I have watched this whole campaign and I'm sick and tired of the old rhetoric from George McCain...or is that John Bush? Palin was brought on in an effort to draw young women and those who are foolish enough to believe that she is a "true feminist". A true feminist believes in a woman's right to choose. Not in having another child just so her family can gain another share of the Transcontinental Oil Pipeline's income. I admit, I'm not too thrilled with Obama either, I wish Clinton had won the primary or would decide to go independent. But I refuse to vote for someone just because they have a pretty face. This isn't the High School Senior Prom folks, and we're not voting on the premise of looks. The record of her political career speaks for itself. My vote goes to OBama. Unless Hillary changes her mind and goes independent. Don’t care; I have made up my mind a long time ago! I will still be voting for McCain, Collins, Frary, and Smith, so are a lot of other: People that believe abortions have become an acceptable first choice- Those worried that “someone” will alter the 2nd Amendment again- Law Enforcement- Small Businesses- Senior Citizens- Veterans- Hard Working Americans!
See Ya at the Poles~
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I am voting McCain because I dont want a socialist liberal democrat as president!!! To JoeCentral: Very well said. You speak for many more than you may realize. Thanks. go home already! I'm with Mark44. Not to mention our right to bear arms. Obama would love to see that right taken away, so that only the "bad guys" get to carry guns. For more info. visit the NRA web site.
if owning a gun is your only issue, maybe you should look at the others. Guess I didn't realize that it's the V.P. that people are voting for these days. Do you realize this is all thats being talked about? How many times have you heard or read,'I'm voting for Palin'? No mention of the guy thats running for president! As for the breath of fresh air, lets hope if it comes down to it, it dosen't blow in a different direction!! And this First Dude stuff, is simply embarrasing. Do people Really wear these shirts?? the whole Palin thing is embarassing to even watch. Don't worry lalainbangor - by the end of November no one will even remember who Todd Palin is. He and the whole Palin clan will have disappeared back into Wasilla for good. Now now.. Stop saying mean things about Mr. Dumbass!! im just thankful there are no more vp debates. if she winked one more time...... She had a black fly in her eye! Johninphilippines: Yeah. the Black fly was Obama! Wherever I drive around town, all I see are McCain Palin signs. If the Media was deciding the election, then Obama would win. But they're not ! THE VOTERS ARE !!! Don't believe the polls. Go McCain and Palin ! Hey CandyofBrewer just wondering if you have heard how Obama plains on giving the USA people a "tax break"? If not you should hear it straight from him by adding a NEW Fedral gas tax to pay the the "tac breaks". What just give a tax break for another tax increase, sounds funny to me. No shot Craig! Obama will win it by a wide margin.. The denial is strong with you! "JoeCentral", did you ever notice as I have, that there seem to be a squall of articles in the Bangor Daily News lately, now that the election season is almost at an end, that these particular articles from contributors, and editorials, and the run-of-the-mill stories as the one above depicts, seem to be all leaning towards Obama? Even though the entire upshot and jest of the story should have been about Todd Palin and his wife, Sarah Palin's campaign to elect John McCain? Nothing I have read seem to have any leanings towards John McCain's campaign. Looks like slanted reporting and bias in journalism to me. Most of the comments concerning McCain, come from his supporters only. "Mainelyme"...I always knew you had a hidden streak of wry, but effective humor in you. What sounds funny to me is trying to read and figure out what some people are saying on these comments! And it's federal!!! And then some people comment that people are dumb, stupid, and don't know any better because they live in Maine! Speak for yourself! Why do the working and middle class vote Republican when the platform has been and continues to hurt the working and middle classes? Who cares about either Palin? He is a pretty face like his wife's and I wish them well... well on their way back to Alaska. I urge all so-called Republicans to analyze where the GOP stands on the issues and how that will truly help them. For me... I'll take my civil rights, gun control (not a ban -- just commonsense, thanks), and a direct goal to get us out of an unjust conflict and put our tax money into helping our nation. In regards to Craig... I see a whole lot more bumperstickers for Obama than for McCain.... "Louise"...thanks, dear. I've been there and done that. But, you are absolutely right in your assessment; however, just because someone lives in Maine, has nothing to to with much of anything, does it? I see some pretty intelligent comments coming from these folks. What ticks me off, are those ignorant, unfounded, and highly critical inuendos aimed directly at the commenters themselves, eliminating all referencing to the story at hand. It is fun to joke around...and some of us can handle that, but to publically demean anyone...that's not right. I know this will get worse, before it gets any better as the election day time gets closer. People are getting nervous, angry, emotional and sometimes feeling desperate. just ride it out until the election is over with. Then we all will have something else to squak about.
"Karruka"...reference your posting, last sentence...I don't see bumper stickers for either McCain or Obama anyplace! If I even was voting for my candidate-of-choice, I would not display his name on my vehicles...I don't want to get shot at. If Obama wins we will be in trouble. While Obama ran for senator the Chicago Socialist party funded him as well as endorsed him. Obama now is endorsed by the communist party as well as the socialist party. Obama has had fundraisers with Ayers ( A domestic terrorist ) and goes to church at a anti american/anti white establishment. What about the racist comment that Obama made about American being bitter and clinging to guns and religion. I thinks it's funny that the media doesn't jump on that why they would comment on Palin "winking too much" or some worthless amount of input. Another point is look at Hollywood. Obama has recieved 15 million from rich and ignorant actors. If Obama is good for small town America than why do all the actors that make millions want Obama. Look at the polling, the states that are for McCain, they are mostly southern industry or good economy states. That should tell us somthing, Many of the rich states (New York and California) vote Obama. The fact that Obama has a problem raising his hand to his heart as the National Anthem plays and is confused on how many states we have is insane. People that doubt Palin, dont because she has more leadership skills than Obama does. McCain has a better record for the econmy unlike Obama and his uncontrolled spending (sex education for K or 1rst grade or social activism classes in middle school). I can go on for hours but the uneducated or uninformed will still vote for Obama. The young kids that listen to thier liberal college professors will still vote for Obama. Some will vote for Obama because thier favorite actor/singer likes Obama. Some will vote for Obama becuase he is African American. Some will vote for Obama because he means "change", even though the change is: socialism, poor economy, loss of 2nd amendment among many other negative factors. I won't for Obama and I hope the majority won't either. If Obama wins we will be in trouble. While Obama ran for senator the Chicago Socialist party funded him as well as endorsed him. Obama now is endorsed by the communist party as well as the socialist party. Obama has had fundraisers with Ayers ( A domestic terrorist ) and goes to church at a anti american/anti white establishment. What about the racist comment that Obama made about American being bitter and clinging to guns and religion. I thinks it's funny that the media doesn't jump on that why they would comment on Palin "winking too much" or some worthless amount of input. Another point is look at Hollywood. Obama has recieved 15 million from rich and ignorant actors. If Obama is good for small town America than why do all the actors that make millions want Obama. Look at the polling, the states that are for McCain, they are mostly southern industry or good economy states. That should tell us somthing, Many of the rich states (New York and California) vote Obama. The fact that Obama has a problem raising his hand to his heart as the National Anthem plays and is confused on how many states we have is insane. People that doubt Palin, dont because she has more leadership skills than Obama does. McCain has a better record for the econmy unlike Obama and his uncontrolled spending (sex education for K or 1rst grade or social activism classes in middle school). I can go on for hours but the uneducated or uninformed will still vote for Obama. The young kids that listen to thier liberal college professors will still vote for Obama. Some will vote for Obama because thier favorite actor/singer likes Obama. Some will vote for Obama becuase he is African American. Some will vote for Obama because he means "change", even though the change is: socialism, poor economy, loss of 2nd amendment among many other negative factors. I won't for Obama and I hope the majority won't either. I'll be voting for McCain and Palin. I want to live in the USA not the United Socialist States of America (USSR). Think about it. Socialism or Freedom? Your choice when you go to the polls. I like Palin, I like the fact she is a REAL person not a groomed politician!
Obama SCARES the heck out of me! Look, being a dunce for 20 years in a radical church and 15 years palling around with a unrepentant terrorist is not what I would call presidential material. You should really go watch CNN yes I said CNN and see what they have to say after investigating the Obama Ayers relationship.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvROBLortBQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvROBLortBQ Palin has worse problems then that fly in her eye. Mccain can have our 2 electoral votes, because that half of state has lost it. Funny. Well, not so funny after all. Seems so many people are against Obama. Then how come the state of Maine seemsto get its "Blue" Democrat-supported color on CNN in their polls on John King's electric map? How can this be? His terrorist friends (yes, these are his friends), such as Ayers, and the Weatherman Underground, the same group that bombed several government buildings, including the Pentagon, killing civilians and policemen. Ayers hosted a political event at Obama's home, and the two worked closely together on two organizations in Illinois. Obama has no explanation as to why he and Ayers are still friends. Obama still has strong links to Louis Farrakhan, the leader of Nation of Islam...also a pro-terrorist group. Even Hamas terrorists personally know his half brother and cousins, terrorists of Islam, in Kenya...all praise him and communicate with him. Even Hamas leader, Ahmed Yousef praised Obama, and wants him to become US President, please and thank you! Obama wants to double the Capital Gains Tax. wants to increase the Dividend Tax, and has called for over 800 billion dollars in new spending programs. He's so radical he wants to insititute driver licenses and state identifications to illegal aliens, to include terrorists to move freely in the US. He is the most pro-abortion candidate in history...ever. He opposed a bill to protect live born children! He opposes gun rights. Remember, Hillary Clinton went on to win 8 of the 10 Democratic primaries? Obama could not keep up the run. Obama won, as he simply saw a loophole where he was able to rack up large majorities in caucus states where he outspent her and out-organized her. When Democrats found out about Obama, they turned on him. Ok, now what? Once again...why in hell is Maine still a "Blue" Democratic state, polling to Obama's high lead over McCain in all the polls in the country? Why CNN is a blue state? Because all the voters in Maine are not represented by the voters of Palmyra, thankfully!
I hope Mainers aren't stupid enough to be won over by this type of half assed campaigning. I'm glad we are a blue state right now.
“I’m extremely excited about Sarah Palin,” she said. “She’s honest, straightforward and represents middle America. I just think she’s a breath of fresh air"
Has this women actually scene any debates, interviews, or heard Palin speak? I guess some people are just gullible. What Sarah Palin represents is the fact the republicans have always counted on the low intelligence and gullibility of the average american, the idea that we can be won over by a few false claims of being for the middle class, that they can just thow out a few stupid buzz words like "maverick" and "straight talk" and "joe six pack" (does this mean that all palin supporters are drunk? must be) She is meant to distract us from McCain himself and all of his bad ideas that only serve to benefit men like himself who own eight mansions. The fact that Obama is ahead goes to show that a good percentage of americans are actually listening and useing the brains this time. I feel personally insulted everytime i here Palin use those lame buzz words to avoid answering a serious question. well i'm not stupid, I'm voting Obama. No one said we were simply voting for Vice President. But if any of you watched the "Town Hall" debate did you also notice that the left side of McCain's face didn't seem to move very much and, in fact it seemed to droop? This is a health worry, and at his age it is a major worry. If anything happens to him we will have Miss Moosehunter as president. This means that we should very well be worried about WHO is in the VP chair. I want someone there who has an idea of what international politics truly are. Not someone who has been found guilty of abusing their power in the last political seat they held. So she can "See Russia" from her porch. That doesn't mean anything. I've "Seen Canada" across the bridge in Calais, that doesn't mean that I understand the way their political agendas and policies work. One thing I can agree with in both campaigns, even though McCain jumped on the band wagon a little late; WE NEED CHANGE in Washington and in the State governments. All these politicians who have been in their seats for 8 or more years need to take some time off. Time to remember what it was like to live a Normal unprotected life and be dependent on the way the elected officials represent the people in the political arenas. "Why do the working and middle class vote Republican when the platform has been and continues to hurt the working and middle classes?" Maybe it's because working and middle class voters, deep down, recognize that Republicans are trying to promote the long term success of America (and the world) as compared to Democrats who are mainly concerned about short term gratification. |
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