McCain - Mission New Hampshire Live

The Game is on! The Stakes are High! John McCain needs your voices to join Brad Marston Live in New Hampshire tonight at 6PM EST - That's 7PM to all of south side Chicago Cousins!

Here's a little pre game pep talk from an old 19th Ward Chicago Democrat ( Yeah, I'm with McCain!) - we win elections - ALL THE TIME! We win here the fighting 19th Ward because we stay on message and the John McCain Team has given us this great Victory Strategy. Let's Close the Deal - Get the Undecideds! Stay on Message and Stay on task!

Let's suit up!

Election 2008: What's at Stake?
America faces a dangerous, relentless enemy in the War against Islamic Extremists - We face an enemy that has repeatedly attacked us and remains committed to killing Americans and the destruction of our values. This election is about who is best prepared to lead and defend our nation and its global allies as Commander-in-Chief from day one. This election is about making sure we have the experienced leadership to guide us to victory in this war, protect the nation against future terrorist attacks, and support our troops and first responders who are on the frontlines of the war. This election will decide whether we choose to fight or announce surrender. It will decide whether we have a president who dangerously weakens U.S. security or strengthens it; whether we will flinch and retreat or fully engage the enemy on multiple fronts. We need decisive leadership with the vision and experience to guide our country and the world through this challenge. Having a courageous Commander-in-Chief who is willing to lead us in this war, rally our democratic allies and defeat our enemy to secure a broader peace is what's at stake in this election.
America is at an Economic Crossroads - Government spending is out-of-control. A Democrat elected President will join hands with a tax-and-spend Democratic Congress and subject Americans to enormous tax increases. Even now, the tax code is too complex and too burdensome. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid - the government's promises to seniors and those in need - must be modernized. Too many American workers are unprepared by non-performing schools and shackled by outdated government employment assistance programs. America needs experienced leadership to guide the U.S. economy to greater prosperity, control government spending, keep taxes low, save Social Security and protect the American worker. Americans want a leader willing to offer straight talk and make the hard calls necessary to ensure a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. The long-term strength of our economy and financial stability of American households are what's at stake in this election.

Americans have lost faith and trust in their government - Americans have lost trust that their government and its elected officials will serve the Nation's interest and not their own. Special interests have too much influence in Washington. Americans want a courageous leader who will stand up to the trial lawyers and labor bosses and other special interests, govern by principle rather than political expedience, keep their promises, and solve problems instead of leaving them for our children. Restoring Americans' confidence in their government is what's at stake in this election.
Americans want judges who will strictly interpret the law and not legislate from the bench - The next president will appoint many federal judges and perhaps even a Supreme Court justice. The recent victory on partial birth abortion is an example of how important the Supreme Court is in protecting our values and interpreting the law as it is written. America needs a president who will provide strong moral leadership. A Democrat president will appoint judges who make law with disregard for the will of the people, but to the cheers of those advancing a liberal social agenda. America needs a leader who recognizes that that the people and states should decide what's best, not the courts. The future of the U.S. Supreme Court is what's at stake in this election.

What are the Bold Solutions?
Winning the War Against Islamic Extremists. Radical Islamic extremists are a relentless threat to America, its citizens, and the values we share. In the words of the al Qaeda leadership, Iraq is the central battleground of this war. We face a fork in the road. John McCain will pursue our opportunity for victory in Iraq, strengthen our hand in the larger war against Islamic extremists, and make our nation more secure. Democrats will fold our tents, embolden our enemies, throw the region into instability, and increase the risks faced on our home soil. To concede defeat now would strengthen al Qaeda, empower Iran and other hostile powers in the Middle East, unleash a full scale civil war in Iraq that could lead to genocide, and destabilize the entire region as neighboring powers come to the aid of their favored factions. John McCain is best prepared to lead and defend our nation and its global allies as Commander-in-Chief from day one. He has the experience and leadership to defeat our enemy and secure a broader peace.
Reforming Health Care for All Americans. Real reform will put families in the driver's seat of our health care system. The road to reform does not lead through Washington and a hugely expensive, bureaucratic, government-controlled system. John McCain will harness competition to offer more affordable insurance options for as many Americans as possible, leveraging the innovation and cost-effectiveness of our nation's firms to put an end to existing rigid, unfriendly bureaucracies. He will build a national market where insurance is more available, portable, and accessible across state lines; in which patients' rights are respected and their information under their control; and one in which people may save more in tax-exempt Health Savings Accounts. He will assist those who need help in getting private insurance.

John McCain will provide incentives for a national market - including the reimportation of pharmaceuticals - that offer greater transparency about effective patient care, options for preventative care and therapies, and prices so that competition makes it easier for families to navigate toward quality and low cost. He will demand reform to medical malpractice laws to curb abusive lawsuits that squeeze doctors, prevent innovation, and drive up the cost of health care. We need more transparency of prices and quality measures so that patients can make informed choices.

Reforming Government. Americans have lost trust that their government and its elected officials will serve the Nation's interest and not their own. Special interests have too much influence in Washington. John McCain will bring spending under control, veto wasteful, pork-barrel spending bills every time, and keep taxes low. He will reform a tax code that is too complex and too burdensome. John McCain will modernize Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He will bring accountability, choice and competition to underperforming schools, so our children are equipped to take the best jobs of the 21st century. John McCain is the only leader willing to make the hard calls necessary to restore faith in our government and build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.
John McCain...Courageous Service, Experienced Leadership, Bold Solutions.

Welcome the Undecided! Convince the Fence Sitters! Make your voice loud and clear and friendly! Keep your Game Face for the Polling Booth! Click on My Post Title and Log in to Brad for John McCain!

John McCain is a Go!

John McCain Straps it On for the Bigs

The Iowa Caucuses Have ended - the musical chairs of Democracy- the pre-season exhibition game. Now it's time for the regular season play to begin. After the pre-season in Iowa, Senator McCain thanked the Hawkeyes and the Team!

STATEMENT FROM JOHN MCCAIN ON THE IOWA CAUCUS

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office

Thursday, January 3, 2008
703-650-5550



ARLINGTON , VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement regarding the results of the Iowa Caucus:



"I thank each and every Iowan who braved the cold to caucus tonight, as well as my tremendous Iowa staff and leadership for all of their hard work over the past year. They worked wonders with far fewer resources than their competitors. I also congratulate Governor Huckabee on his victory tonight.



"Now the campaign turns to New Hampshire for the first-in-the-nation primary. As Granite State voters know best, I will continue to deliver straight talk about the critical issues facing our country. I will talk about the unique experience that prepares me to lead as commander in chief from day one, and makes me the only Republican who can win the White House in 2008.



"We started this together, New Hampshire , eight years ago. In five days, we're going to send the same message we did then: change is coming."

Get Ready for some Game! Watch John McCain's speech on January 9th - Live Love from New Hampshire afte the Season Kickoff Victory! We will be with John McCain's Team here in Chicago on New Hampshire Primary Night -McCain's Got Game!



Meghan McCain's great Photos from
http://www.mccainblogette.com/

Harry Paget Flashman and George Macdonald Fraser - R.I.P.

Te Deum! Non Nobis Sed Te Deum!

Well, that was what the old Anglo/Catholic rituals and send-offs should ring from England's fields and forests. But - I prefer this quote from Flashy from Flashman's Lady:


"I'm not proud of what happened in the next moment. Of course, I was very young and thoughtless, and my great days of instant flight and evasion were still ahead of me, but even so, with ... my native cowardice to boot, my reaction was inexcusable ... in my youthful folly and ignorance, I absolutely stood there gaping ..." at a lusty busted Temptress!

In my Freshman year at Loyola University (1970) I was introduced to the world of history by Father Charles Ronan, S. J. and to the one created by George MacDonald Fraser, a Scottish novelist with a jeweler's eye for history, and his creation - Harry Paget Flashman. Fraser took a 19th Century villain of Tom Brown's School Day and developed the greatest scoundrel, lecher, coward, hypocrite, swindler, pimp, cheat, drunkard, and lay-about into the most affecting and charming rouge in literature.

History often presents us with idealized heroes who often can not withstand the careful eye of truth and our delusions and illusions cast us into funks of depression and incivility. Not so our villains. George MacDonald Fraser once said that he always rooted for the 'bad guys' in adventure stories and movies- Basil Rathbone over Errol Flynn; Aaron Burr over Thomas Jefferson; Mike Tyson over Anyone.

George Mac Donald Fraser died but his character Flashman - Flashy lives on Fraser's novels - Read them. You may learn some history and you will laugh yourself to good health.

Damme, More Claret! Now for some bodice ripping! Here's a Wikpedia Plot Summary from the first Novel in the series - Flashman

Flashman's expulsion from Rugby for drunkenness leads him to join the Army for what he hopes will be a sinecure. He joins the 11th Regiment of Light Dragoons commanded by Lord Cardigan whom he toadies in his best style. After an affair with a fellow officer's lover, he is forced to fight a duel but wins after promising a large sum of money to the pistol loader to give his opponent blanks in his gun. He does not kill his opponent but instead delopes and accidentally shoots the top off a bottle thirty yards away, an action that gives him instant fame and the respect of Duke of Wellington. However, once it was found out what they were fighting over, Flashman is stationed in Scotland. He is quartered with the Morrison family, and soon enough he takes advantage of one of the daughters, Elspeth. After a forced marriage, Flashman is forced to resign the Hussars due to marrying below his station. He is given another option, to make his reputation in India.

By showing off his language and riding skills in India, Flashman is assigned to the worst frontier of the British Empire at that time, Afghanistan. His adventures include the retreat from Kabul, Last Stand at Gandamak and the Siege of Jalalabad, in the First Anglo-Afghan War. Despite being captured, tortured, and escaping death numerous times, and hiding and shirking his duty as much as possible, he comes through it all alive and with a hero's reputation.

Here are Gorrge Mac Donald Fraser's Flashman novels: ( again from Wikpedia - Thank God for that handy tool)

Flashman • Royal Flash • Flash for Freedom! • Flashman at the Charge • Flashman in the Great Game • Flashman's Lady • Flashman and the Redskins • Flashman and the Dragon • Flashman and the Mountain of Light • Flashman and the Angel of the Lord • Flashman and the Tiger • Flashman on the March


Click on my Post Title for the Death Notice of George MacDonald Fraser - Good on You George!
Get To Reading!

John McCain - Running The Table in New Hampshire!

The only candidate with the integrity, experience, grit and sense of self to lead America in time of War on Islamist Terror has 'run the table in New Hampshire,' like Willie Mosconi (During the 1940s and 1950s, the pocket billiards game most often played in competition was called straight pool, or 14.1 continuous, a form of billiards considered by most top players to be more difficult than today's championship pool game 9-ball. Willie Mosconi still holds the officially recognized high run record of 526 consecutive balls - Wikpedia)- grabbing every media endorsement in the deep snows of New England and he's showing muscle among frozen corn stalks of Iowa without spending nickle one on ADS.

John McCain has given the American People a Candidate around whom they can unify the Republic and set the country's course with his Straight Talk and confident stewardship.

Here's the
Franklin Pierce/WBZ Poll: New Hampshire Presidential Primary



December 27-31



Sen. John McCain 37

Mitt Romney 31

Rudy Giuliani 10

Mike Huckabee 5

Rep. Ron Paul 6

Fred Thompson 2



Spread: McCain +6.0



Rack 'em!

Remember to Go Live on the Web Chat with Brad Marston on Staurday January 5th. Log on to the Spin Room at the upcoming ABC News/Facebook Debate. Brad Marston will be Live Blogging/Webcasting live from 6pm until Midnight on Saturday January 5th from the Spin Room at St. Anselms College in Manchester NH.

It will be at the live chat at www.azamatterofact.com



Giant Hat Tip to Meghan McCain and her cute Pal Shannon for their great Photos of Senator McCain's Historic Run of the Tables!

McCainiacs! Get on the Wonkosphere!

It took decades for Blogger Pat Hickey to master the fact that carburetor no longer plays a role in auto motives, but he easily came to understand the power of the WONKOSPHERE!



Boys and Girls, take this from a fundamentally 'challenged' individual. My wife used to order a drop cloth for me whenever we dined; turned off the circuit breaker before I was allowed to change light bulbs ( nothing over 40 Watts -mind you.); and counted the change for me at Illinois Tollbooths.

I am now on the Wonkosphere - a mathematically charged site that assesses the information on the individual and collective political worlds of all the candidates in this Political Season. My oyster cracker of a mind reels at this Brave New World!

Qui Prospero?

Sheridan Folger - The MadIrishman of New England has brought John McCain's message onto the Wonkosphere. I had a recent post listed as well.

However The Best Man to Lead America in the War on Islamist Terror shows weak BUZZ.

All John McCain Bloggers- if you have NOT registered on the Wonkosphere, DO SO NOW!
Let's get the McCain BUZZ SAW Humming! Click on my Post and get on the Wonkosphere - ASAP! I did it and only cut four fingers.

The bleeding has stopped - thanks for the good thoughts.

Move Kiddies - McCain needs more Buzz!

John McCain Says,' Don't Be A Square - Get Up on There! Chat Live With Brad Marston!'

*




As an added feature - Here are National Mope, Jay R. Gordner's thoughts on matters of the heart. More great info on the Sgt. McNulty USMC v.Gordner A$$ below.






"What have you done today to make you feel Proud?"

Here's an opportunity on Saturday, January 5th Brad is credentialed for the Spin Room at the upcoming ABC News/Facebook Debate. Brad will be Live Blogging/Webcasting live from 6pm (EST) until Midnight on Saturday January 5th from the Spin Room at St. Anselm's Colege in Manchester NH.


John McCain's lead internet Campaign Worker, Brad Marston, will be at the live chat at www.azamatterofact.com Link there and join Brad and all the National Team McCainiacsincluding yours truly in support of the Senator John McCain for President. Bard Marston is the host of azamatterofact.blogspot.com


Make your Voice Heard! Talk Straight! Get Answers.

The link is http://azamatterofact.blogspot.com/2007/12/live-webcastchatblog-from-spin-room-at.html


Click my post title for the direct link! McCain is GO! He ran the table with New Hampshire Endorsements; Spent Not Nickle One on Ads in Iowa; Has opponents shooting themselves squarely in each foot; and Americans are energized by Straight Talk!
What would Howard Dean Say? Oh, sorry that was cruel. New Year and I'm still a mean little bastard.


Note - Well done to all Good Souls who took the side of Sgt. Michael McNulty over the oafish lawyer Jay R Grodner yesterday!Way to end the Year by spanking a bully and a louse! Well done Bill Burden of BLACKFIVE.COM!

*Here is a great site that deals soundly and forcefully on National Mope Jay R. Gordner, Esq. - Balance Sheet.Wordpresshttp://balancesheet.wordpress.com/2007/12/31/shitbird-chicago-lawyer/

McCain Bloggers Live with Brad Marston! Jan.5th

Great Photos by Sheridan Folger!Faugh A Ballagh

M. Brad Marston, National Chair McCainVictory08 asks,

"What have you done today to make you feel Proud?"

Here's an opportunity on Saturday, January 5th Brad is credentialed for the Spin Room at the upcoming ABC News/Facebook Debate. Brad will be Live Blogging/Webcasting live from 6pm (EST) until Midnight on Saturday January 5th from the Spin Room at St. Anselm's Colege in Manchester NH.


John McCain's lead internet Campaign Worker, Brad Marston, will be at the live chat at www.azamatterofact.com Link there and join Brad and all the National Team McCainiacsincluding yours truly in support of the Senator John McCain for President. Bard Marston is the host of azamatterofact.blogspot.com


Make your Voice Heard! Talk Straight! Get Answers.

The link is http://azamatterofact.blogspot.com/2007/12/live-webcastchatblog-from-spin-room-at.html


Click my post title for the direct link! McCain is GO! He ran the table with New Hampshire Endorsements; Spent Not Nickle One on Ads in Iowa; Has opponents shooting themselves squarely in each foot; and Americans are energized by Straight Talk!
What would Howard Dean Say? Oh, sorry that was cruel. New Year and I'm still a mean little bastard.


Note - Well done to all Good Souls who took the side of Sgt. Michael McNulty over the oafish lawyer Jay R Grodner yesterday!Way to end the Year by spanking a bully and a louse! Well done Bill Burden of BLACKFIVE.COM!

John McCain Honors Troops but Chicago Anti-War Lawyer Plays the Law to Beat Young Marine out of Damages

Marine McNulty's Car damaged days before deployment to Iraq by Chicago Anti-War Lawyer


Blackfive Website Manager Bill Burden and his beautiful Bride


Iraq War Vet Bill Burden and his Ride



John McCain served - understatement that -and continues to Honor those who serve. I support John McCain. Other Americans Honor Veterans and Servicemen and some do no such thing.

Some people, whom American men and women defend with their very lives and limbs, use American Freedoms to whatever they feel compelled to do in the name of Free Speech in order to protest the military. American Law is defended by the military and well it should be; however, a Chicago lawyer decided that he could destroy the property of an American serviceman, in order to make 'his statement' about what he believes to be an unjust war. Now, that lawyer will use the Laws, being defended by thousands of young Americans in harm's way, to avoid the costs of little protest.

This is from a Veteran who runs a website in support of America Service People and Veterans rights - www.blackfive.net

Click on my post title for Chicago Veteran Cavalryman William Alexander Burden's story which I deliver second hand to you good folks.

Bill Burden is a Patriot!

Marine Sgt Mike McNulty is on activation orders to Iraq (second tour). On December 1st, 2007, Mike went to visit a friend in Chicago before deploying to say goodbye. In order to get to his friend's residence, and keep in mind that Chicago is a myriad of diagonal and one-way streets, the front entrance (right way) to the one-way street was blocked. Mike, being a Marine, overcame and adapted by driving around the block to the other end of the street and backing up all the way to his friend's place.

While saying goodbye, at about 11am, he noticed a man leaning up against his car. Mike left his friend's apartment and caught the man keying his car on multiple sides. After caught in the process, the man told Mike, "you think you can do whatever you want with Department of Defense license plates and tags". (In Illinois you can purchase veteran, Marine, or medal plates. Mike has Illinois Marine Corps license plates.) During the exchange, he made additional anti-military comments.

Mike called the Chicago police and had the man arrested. A citation against the man was issued for misdemeanor criminal damage to private property.

Read Bill Burden's full account of the action and the subsequent pettifogery of the lawyer in avoiding the costs encumbant upon his 'personal protest.' Bill gives you name of the lawyer and the Police Report as well.

Protest and Civil Disobedience requires that the protester face the consequences of his statement or criminal action - unless of course that protester is an ambulance chaser.

McCain is a GO!

Last night while the New England Patriots were sweating it out, I got a call from a Chicago-born McCainiac in Florida. 'Hickey, I just talked with Jim Durkin ( Illinois McCain Chairman and Illnois State Representative(R-IL 82nd) we're getting our people together for McCain's Victory in New Hampshire and I'm coming home to Chi' to help scare up a crowd for John McCain. Get the three people who still like you to show up.'

'Nuff said. Did he mean besides my three kids? Think, Boy, Think!

Then this morning I got a e-mail from Brad Marston - the hardest working man in cyber-politics, and I linked his message to my post title. It is a call to action! That's all! More work for all of us! Americans love to work!

John McCain is a Go - all the way to the Oval Office! The American People are hearing Straight Talk and responding to it! Straight Talk is always truth, but sometimes it includes home truths about our own personal short-comings. We do not want to hear that we need to make more sacrifices and maybe put aside a special interest or a scheme for the good of the whole country. That is why straight talk, like hard work, is good or us.
It knocks us out of our belly-button staring self-absorbtions.

If we want feel good messages or announcements that someone else will carry our burdens -ooze on over to the other candidates. John McCain is calling Pat Hickey to get off his fat ass and get to work! I'm up and moving Senator!


Above are some great Meghan McCain photos of the hard-working voters of Iowa on the GO for Senator John McCain. Click on my post title and on with Brad Marston and get to work!

McCain: 'I am Legend - Here's the Truth and it Ain't Happy Talk!'

More Great Meghan McCain Photos!

In Iowa, concerned about the cost of the war on Islamist Terror, a voter asked Senator John McCain,'Are you going to cut student loans?" she asked. "Are you going to cut Social Security? Are you going to raise taxes?'

Expecting the usual Pious Pies and empty calorie Spin Salad, the voter was treated to classic McCain Straight Talk Steak and Spuds:

"It's going to be a heavy tax burden, but not nearly the burden we'd be paying in American blood had we surrendered in Iraq," McCain said. He added that he would not raise taxes but would eliminate wasteful spending.

Ron Paul's Video Rangers are choking web sites with all kinds of economic graphs and ledgers of Trillions of dollars not lining their pockets and lubricating their lifestyles; Rudy is working the 9/11 Greatest Generation's kids response, Mitt is Rope-a-Doping; Huckabee sings; and the Democrats play the Kos Cards.

John McCain proves that he is the only candidate of any Party with the character, experience, know-how, courage, and conviction to lead America in time of War on Islamist terror.

Ask John McCain questions! He'll give you the Straight Talk! You might not care for answer but his response is one you need to hear.


Click on post title for the answer to John McCain's continued surge in the confidence of the American People!

McCain Leads from out Front!

Meghan McCain's great photo of two Great Americans!


“It has very little to do with national security issues,” Mr. McCain said. “It has a lot to do with handling a post-crisis. As far as I know, Mayor Giuliani has never been to Iraq.”


The assassination of former Prime Minister Benizar Bhutto, a courageous and thoughtful woman, by Islamist Terrorists brought home to America the very real need for a leader steeped in awareness of global threats- A Leader who prepares for the threats to come and prepared to react to crises before they impact on American Interests and safety. John McCain has his Straight Talk to Iowa, where on weeks ago he had been written off.

Senator Joe Lieberman had this to say about John McCain's ability to the American People:

As President, John McCain will bring America together again. He will inspire a new American unity and a new American patriotism. He will push all of us to work together to solve our biggest problems, and defeat our most dangerous enemies.

Throughout our history, succeeding generations of brave Americans have risked their lives for the cause of freedom -- which is America's cause. Throughout his career, from the ranks of the military to halls of the Congress, John McCain has made freedom's cause his own. He learned the ideals of patriotism and service from his father, he taught them to his sons, and he will hold those ideals high as an inspiration for all Americans.

When others were silent, and it was thought politically unpopular, John had the courage and common sense to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq and to call for more troops and a new strategy there. And when others wavered, when others wanted to retreat from the field of battle, John had the courage and the common sense to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge in Iraq, where we are at last winning.

There are many fine people running for President. Many of them are good friends of mine. But I have concluded -- and I hope you will, as well -- that John McCain is the candidate who can best reunite our country and lead us to victory.

https://secure.donationreport.com/donation.html;jsessionid=0FBAEB2EB62135EE1A302BE1535D8C95
Every candidate is a public service Patriot. Every person in the mix for the votes of American People for the Office of President has the will to lead, but only John McCain has the qualifications to 'protect, preserve and defend' ur American Republic.

Click on my post title for the New York Times report the opening of John McCain's Iowa run.

Maverick McCain Pulling in the Chips in Iowa

The Maverick Brothers were all 'tall dark strangers there' but John McCain is one of the neighbors and he's pulling in piles of chips in the No Limit Game in Iowa!

I hope all of you had a Blessed and wonderful Christmas! John McCain appears to be pulling in numbers in Iowa.

Here in Illinois State Representative Jim Durkin is getting the McCain Team limbered up for a bi-partisan push that will stun the Daily Kososovans who continue to natter on about Gen. Petreaus and the cut-and-run strategy for Iraq.

Sorry kids, that dog won't bark, let alone get off the rug, or much less hunt.

It seems that the 'white shoes after Labor day' GOP are yet betrothed to Rudy and truly extreme are following Ron Paul's Blimp to the cliff. Fred gets a shout; Mitt has some loyal followers; Rev. Huckabee a loyal circle of disciples, but John McCain is recognized as the Real Deal.

The folks west of the Mississippi are waking up to John McCain's honest, tough and straight talking message! Click on my post title for the latest UPI story on McCain gains in Iowa!

Great photo from Meghan McCain!

Merry Christmas to All - From The Hickeys!

McCain Plants Himself in Townhall Meetings - Greets the Opposition with Candor!

HT -to Meghan McCain for her great photos of the McCain Campaign. Check out Meghan's great site at


http://www.mccainblogette.com/


While other candidates are planting shills in the audience or lighting up blimps, John McCain takes to the people. In a wondeful Boston Globe article John McCain reveals his true nature to those who would oppose him -'You might not like what I have to say but here it is!'

John McCain tells folks who detest his stand on immigration reform and other weighty issues to fa candidate to back - this is America!

"The McCain town-hall meeting sets the standard," said Fergus Cullen, the state Republican party chairman, who is remaining neutral in the primary. "Any candidate who wants to be successful in New Hampshire should do exactly what he does."

Other candidates would find the experience hard to replicate. The only certainty at a McCain event is that the candidate will begin with some familiar jokes - in Bedford, he began with a full seven minutes of comic material, touching on identity theft and drunk Irish twins - and end, sometimes as long as 90 minutes later, with the piano chords of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'."

In between, McCain does all he can to manufacture dramatic tension from what could become a prosaic exchange over policy. Even though most of the questions fall into predictable categories for which he has standard answers - Iraq, terrorism, immigration, the economy, global warming - McCain invites his interlocutors to follow up after he has answered their questions, elevating innocent queries into robust debates.Continued...

McCain appears to gain more strength from confronting attendees of these meetings than locating areas of agreement. When environmentally minded voters ask about climate change, McCain will usually go out of his way to tell them he supports the expanded use of nuclear power. After a young woman in Bedford cited a poll that said military families were unhappy with the direction of the war in Iraq, McCain disputed the question's premise and berated her for believing the survey's results.

It does not take much for McCain to tell voters who disagree with his positions that they should back another candidate. When a man rose in Raymond and contested the right of Mexican immigrants to receive emergency medical care, McCain said, "It's that option or let them die." This did not seem to move the man, who added that those who die crossing a border "take their chances."

"I guess that's one way of looking at it," McCain responded calmly. "And I understand why you wouldn't support me."

McCain tries to keep his act fresh, relying on opening remarks he adjusts to the news with an anchorman's sense of timing, from constitutional turmoil in Pakistan one day to the debate in Washington over torture the next.

"I think it's very important to be talking about the issue of the day," McCain explained. "The people would be badly served if I started a town hall meeting without talking about Pakistan."

Among McCain's Republican rivals, only Mitt Romney has done a large number of similar open-invitation meetings in New Hampshire, with Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson preferring quick visits to restaurants or friendly venues like house parties or businesses. "You're never going to be asked an awkward question at a house party because the guests all know the hosts and aren't going to embarrass their friend," said Cullen.

Where some other candidates steer clear of gadflies for organized causes, McCain preemptively calls on those wearing "I Am a Health Care Voter" or "Stop Global Warming" stickers to give them a platform. In Bedford, McCain pointed to Melissa Skinner, a volunteer for the One anti-poverty moment standing in the back of a crowded room in a black T-shirt with the group's logo. Skinner said afterward that she has attended many candidate events but that "McCain is the first to call on me."

"These are the kind of people we ought to recognize as the outstanding citizens in our community," McCain said in an interview, although his policy of offering the mike to anyone who shows up to an event in costume seems to promote theatrics as much as civics. McCain recently informed a snowman making a point about global warming that he resembled a "chicken" and a teenager wearing a Santa Claus hat that he looked "kind of dorky."

The composition of crowds - which are raised by phone and mail invitations to both Republicans and independents within driving distance - has shifted in recent months, from a concentration of McCain loyalists to a mix of supporters and undecided voters.

The events' unpredictability helps lure independents, a key McCain constituency, according to the campaign's media consultant Mark McKinnon. "People enjoy it because it's a high-wire act and because you never know what will happen. There's always a chance of a car wreck. That's why people go to the Indy 500," McKinnon said, citing such unscripted moments as McCain's notorious rendition of the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann" with lyrics altered to "bomb Iran."

Indeed, McCain, too, is drawn to the spectacle, often retreating to his bus and reviewing a previous town hall with a theatre critic's focus on the moments of tension and unease.

"In politics, so much is just predictable, totally scripted," said Meghan McCain, the candidate's daughter. "That's why he loves the town hall, because anything can happen."

In Portsmouth, a veteran named Greg Majors rose to say that a motorcycle accident had left him living for the past 22 years with a traumatic brain injury. Majors, in halting speech, said he was "taking up valuable space" and found his existence "pointless."

Unlike other tales of personal despair candidates face - about a sick relative facing rising health-care costs, or from a worker laid off due to outsourcing - there was no policy corner where McCain could find refuge, just one man asking another why he should continue to live.

"Why don't I just pass it off to someone else and just exterminate my life?" Majors asked.

McCain turned away from Majors as he grasped for a response. "Greg, we want you and we love you and we need you, and you will be our inspiration with your courage," McCain told him.

"I've never seen anything like that," McCain said later on, lamenting the "inadequacy" he felt in being unable to comfort Majors, as well as a man at a town hall the previous evening who stood up to talk about his ongoing struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

"When everybody says, 'Oh, don't you get tired of it? Don't you dislike it? Isn't it a drag?' all that, you have experiences like the last two we had within the last sixteen hours," McCain said. "And it's incredible."

McCain appears to gain more strength from confronting attendees of these meetings than locating areas of agreement. When environmentally minded voters ask about climate change, McCain will usually go out of his way to tell them he supports the expanded use of nuclear power. After a young woman in Bedford cited a poll that said military families were unhappy with the direction of the war in Iraq, McCain disputed the question's premise and berated her for believing the survey's results.

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More coverage of Campaign '08 more stories like thisIt does not take much for McCain to tell voters who disagree with his positions that they should back another candidate. When a man rose in Raymond and contested the right of Mexican immigrants to receive emergency medical care, McCain said, "It's that option or let them die." This did not seem to move the man, who added that those who die crossing a border "take their chances."

"I guess that's one way of looking at it," McCain responded calmly. "And I understand why you wouldn't support me."

Boston Globe
Click on my post title for the great Boston Globe article - especially the poignant exchange between John McCain and the troubled Veteran. How someone could not understand that John McCain is the Real Deal is beyond me - but, so is the New York Times.

Last night, I participated in a national conference chat with McCain Bloggers orchestrated by Brad Marston. It was great to experience the energy and enthusiam Americans from all over the country in supporting the only candidate of any Party who can lead America in time of war with Islamist terror. Well done, Brad, Vicki, Michael, Jeff, Eric, Sheridan, and JM!

John McCain - The Dad of Our Country

Susan Estrich has a great article asking the question of 'Who is the Real John McCain?' Is John McCain too conservative; too liberal; too crabby; too impolitic; not smooth enough; too old? Click on my post title for the article itself.

Some months ago when 'John McCain is Toast' was the mantra of REDSTATE and Redstaters during the votes on immigration reform. I argued that John McCain was the only candidate of any Party capable of Leading America in Time of War on Islamist Terror. I had an exchange with some Redstaters and was summarily banned from posting there.

Here is the link of that exchange with some RedStater McCain Haters that got me the bum's rush.

http://www.redstate.com/blogs/pat_hickey/2007/jul/07/john_mccain_staright_talk_requires_no_subtitles

John McCain might not be the Father of Our Country - biologically, there can be only one father, but too many fathers hit the silk on their kids - leaving them to be raised by a Dad: The Man who sets the limits for behavior; provides the comfort and security of a Home; fixes what is broken; steps up for the children; and sets an example to emulate. He's the guy who makes you boil with anger, embarrasment and often envy when it seems that his behavior is too tough a pattern for us to follow. We think - 'how dare HE judge us?' Dad is often the very last person on earth we want to see or hear from - until we are in the jackpot and only he can get us out of it. Boy, I can hear the Progressive Pecksniffery snortin up - 'Are we Children, People ( pronounced Papal in Progressive)? My Baldwin! Relax, cupcakes. Everyone has a Father - no real trick to that - pure Darwinism. The very lucky have a Dad and they understand what it takes to be a good one.

George Washington metaphorically fathered our nation, but John McCain just might be the Dad. The economy, immigration, entitlements, political pork feasts, ox gorings and moral soap boxing are over-shadowed by a very real threat -Islamist terror. We have been at War with Islamist Terror the day that the Twin Towers went down. Everything else went by the board - rather it should have gone by the board.

John McCain is like a good Dad - in past posts I have argued that he is like all of our neighbors -

http://hickeysite.blogspot.com/2007/09/john-mccain-from-your-neighborhood.html

- but here I would answer Susan Estrich's question with John McCain is the Dad of Our Nation.

John McCain went to War. He wears his heart on his sleeve for his Country, Faith, Wife and Family. He learns from his mistakes and teaches us not to make the same mistakes. John McCain, like a good Dad, will not cut and run when things get too tough.

I was never more Proud of my Father than this moment in the late 1950's -

When I was about six or seven, my mother had severe renal failure after giving birth to my little sister. My Mom nearly died and was hospitalized for weeks. The Old Man worked three jobs and took care of two little guys and an infant; made the meals - He was always a better cook than Mom; did the laundry.

One day- Dad was out hanging the sheets in the yard and my brother and I heard the next door truck driver and the Peoples Gas executive on the other side of him giving out at the Old Man - 'Hey Prudence, when you're done with that how about having tea with the little girls too?' The Old Man took it and kept taking care of us.

John McCain and my Dad are very much alike.


Hat Tip to Meghan McCain's Great Blog ! Photos by Meghan McCain!

http://www.mccainblogette.com/

John McCain - Straight Talking Surge is Working!

The New York Times fed internet snitch Matt Drudge some political stink-bombs last week expecting John McCain to fold like a Stanford Math Major/Internet Poker Dweeb playing five card stud with Doyle Brunson.

Huge Hat Tip to John Rubery's Marathon Pundit! Way to go. Rubes!

http://haloscan.com/tb/marathonpundit/46896944299748457

NoTimes story this morning, Drudge-O, but John McCain took the leash off of National Pit-bull lawyer Bob Bennett and yesterday, got out in front of the allegations. Sounds like Michael Flatley v.The Serial Skank- No Contest, but another golden moment in American litigation legal legend. Could be straight talking stare down time for the New York Times but those ink-slingers have a history of getting their britches yanked down with the truth. No shame - No sales, I guess.

Anyway - The Straight Talking John McCain Campaign is Surging!


Even the Brits are getting it; check this out from The Telegraph:

A new poll published yesterday placed him equal with Mitt Romney in New Hampshire, the north-eastern state whose primary is held on Jan 8. Just weeks ago Mr McCain trailed his rival by more than 10 points.

He has also been endorsed this week by both of Mr Romney's hometown newspapers in Boston, a significant blow to the former Massachusetts governor.

The Boston Herald, a conservative tabloid which also circulates in neighbouring New Hampshire, said of Mr McCain: "There are times in this nation's history so perilous that they cry out for a steady, experienced leader, a person so trusted that we would put the fate of this country in his hands. This is one of those times, and Sen John McCain is that person."

At the age of 71 Mr McCain has been dubbed the "comeback kid". The phrase was coined by Bill Clinton in 1992 when he came second in New Hampshire and went on to sweep through the subsequent primaries.

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The same state could be the long-serving senator's base for victory. In 2000, Mr McCain beat George W Bush in New Hampshire by a wide margin only to be overtaken quickly in states further south.

Largely because of his strong performance then, the senator started out the primary campaign a year ago as the Republican front-runner only to appear washed up in the summer amid claims of mismanagement and a poor fundraising performance.

But his consistency on Iraq has paid off. From the outset of the war, Mr McCain opposed Donald Rumsfeld's strategy, arguing that more troops were needed. He supported the surge of 30,000 US troops when others were dismissing it as too little too late, and has made tackling Islamic extremism a central part of his platform.

He told the Wall Street Journal recently: "This is a seminal moment in American history. We've got a long way to go. Al-Qa'eda is on the run but they're not defeated."

Meanwhile his own wartime heroics - he was a North Vietnamese prisoner of war for five years - has continued to underpin his credibility as a national leader.

Mr McCain has also benefited from the lack of a clear favourite in the Republican field capable of attracting both the evangelical and economic branches of the party, as Mr Bush was able to do.

He has given up hope of winning Iowa, the conservative Midwestern state that votes on Jan 3. But a victory there for Mike Huckabee, the southern Baptist minister who is weak in New Hampshire, could enfeeble Mr Romney and open the door to Mr McCain.

"I really don't like that," he said this week of the "comeback kid" nickname. "But things are turning around."

The race in New Hampshire is particularly hard to predict as registered independents are allowed to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary and form the largest bloc of voters. They are renowned for making up their mind at the last minute.

Therefore the endorsement this week of Joseph Lieberman, an independent senator who normally votes Democrat, gave another timely boost.

Mr Lieberman, who was Al Gore's vice-presidential candidate in 2000, said he chose his longtime Senate colleague because he had the best shot of breaking partisan gridlock in Washington.

"The status quo in Washington is not working," he said.

BTW - Just my south side Chicago Dinny Dimwit's opinion - but can the McCain crew get the press to LAY Off the 'The Comeback Kid' tag line? Bubba Clinton beat that one to death - along with the trust the American People vested in him.

I better put a call into Illinois McCain Chairman Jim Durkin and maybe he can apply a little of that Chicago Catholic League level of convincing to the pencil neck geek crowd from Medill School of Journalism here in the Midwest. Naw, They get all of their stories from The Chicago Reader ( a local free press) anyway.

Click my post title for the San Francisco Chronicle Story on The Straight Talk Surge - It's working!

McCain Takes Boston's Big Two - The Globe & the Herald

Here's more - Hard to improve upon or argue with this from the Boston Herald!

"There are times in this nation's history so perilous that they cry out for a steady, experienced leader, a person so trusted that we would put the fate of this country in his hands. This is one of those times, and Sen. John McCain is that person," the newspaper said.

Illinois State Representative James Durkin - a Fenwick Friar no less! - is leading the Illinois McCain Campaign and getting more weary citizens familar with straight talk and effective leadership. Illinois has been a 'Straight Talk Desert' for some time now and McCain is teaching people not to use the sides of their mouths to say what they mean.

Click on my post title for the fine USA Today coverage of John McCain's continued Victory for Straight Talk. Vlad Putin understands how John McCain feels about him.

Tales of Mike Quigley, Part III -Mike Quigley and the Crabs!

Nothing says the Holidays like the diet of ripping yarns and cautionary tales that gives all of us sinners lessons that might have been gleaned from good living - to supplement all of those artery clogging goodies that we tend to put away in this Season of Giving. Takers are historically good offal and fat to fire into the Plum Puddings - Scrooge, Mr. Potter, crabby little girls who don't buy the Santa Story. Reading the papers and watching the news on TV often undermines our common sense of decency and courtesy. Public figures often give us commoners the very meat upon which to build a banquet of wholesome and toothy truths. Today, I would like to offer another bite out of what I like to call my Mike Quigley pantry of knee-slappers - they are tastey but wholesome fare!

Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, The Uriah Heep of Illinois Politics boarded an airplane in New Orleans, with a box
of crabs.

A lovely female crew member took the box and promised to put
it in the crew's refrigerator, which she did.

The Napoleon of Reform, pulled himself to his fullest height, stared directly into the Flight Attendant's knees and firmly advised her that he, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, was holding her personally responsible for the crabs staying frozen,and proceeded to rant and rave about what would happen if she let the crabs thaw out.

Shortly before landing at O'Hare, the thoughtful Flight Service Professional announced to the entire cabin, 'Would the gentleman who gave me the
crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?'

Not one hand went up. So she took them home and ate
them herself. Mike Quigley never learns but that never stops him.

I wish to thank the estimable Frank Nofsinger of Connecticut for the roue of this crab bisque.

Alaister McLean Studge - The Kankakee Naturalist

Alaister McLean Studge of Custer Park, Illinois could Texas Rig his line for Smallies on the Kankakee River within eight seconds, unless, as a matter of course, he had spent the morning at Park Package Liquors in Altorf, the 102 Tap ( Now T.J. Doolins in Bourbonnais), or had Peach Schappsed his breakfast.

This Kankakee River fisherman served as a River Guru for my pal Charlie Olson, cousin Willie Winters and me on our many forays to hook 'em in the mouth on the Mighty Kankakee. From the 102 Bridge and Warner Road to the Wilmington Dam we waded and night lined our way into gilled ecstasies with Zebcos, Shimanos and Shakespeares depending upon the landscape.

Alaister never changed with the times and practiced his drunk driving with an outlaw's disdain for the passing of ages, morals, Laws and sensibilities and finally had his license to drive in the State of Illinois Revoked.

That did not stop the plucky outdoors man from harrowing Nature's treasure trove. He continues to fish and hunt and trap along the North flowing Kankakee.

Recently Alaistar bagged a buck and brought his trophy home, strapped across the front of his vehicle. The Photo above shows the triumphant pioneer making his way home from the fields and forests around Papineau, Illinois wheeling the many miles to Custer Park with meat for his rustic locker on the west bank of the Kankakee River.

God speed Alaister and Happy Holidays! Do not Drive! Never Drive under the influence of Alcohol or any other Substance! All of Us! Road Loading has gone the way of the carburetor

You may see this River Ranger in and out about Kankakee County and if you are lucky he may impart the words so often related to Charlie Olson, Willie Winters and me as we learned the sylvan rites:

'Stay on the right; the water's wetter, but don't let them dang bugs up much for air'll the smallies will 'spect something. Wonder Bread's good alot , but Lord Clavert's better - Here Boy! - May The Lord ( Canadian Lord Calvert)be With You! Tug it up! What's your problem? Huh, You Better'n me? Smart Ass College Not Know Doodly? Huh? I love you Man. Think I wet myself.'


Photo of Alaister McLean Studge courtsey of Mike McQuade - California Naturalist, Tobbaconist, Jeweler's Eyed Judge of Toothsome Wenches and Hops Aficionado.

Mac is Back - The McCain/Lieberman Straight Talk toVictory Express!

Another Great AP Photo of the Straight Talkers on the Road for America!

Two guys who have no problem telling the truth to the American People are on the Road in New Hampshire where independent voters have great influence.

More Democrats, who feel left behind with the DNC canned agenda, will gravitate to straight talk:

On the first day of a two-day Straight Talk Express tour through New Hampshire — McCain's second bus tour of the state in two weeks, he said "I do" when asked if he senses upward momentum. His crowds are bigger and more enthusiastic, his Internet hits more frequent and his poll numbers are rising, McCain said.

"But I am not an unbiased observer," he said, adding some realism.

"We have a long way to go," McCain said, aware that opinion polls still show him trailing far behind fellow Republican Mitt Romney in New Hampshire.

Roberta Adams and George Merrill, both undecided voters who drove from nearby Antrim to check out McCain, came away impressed but uncommitted. Merrill, a registered Republican, said New Hampshire's independent spirit means the endorsement by Lieberman not only doesn't hurt McCain with Republicans but helps.

"We're not voting for the party, we're voting for the man," Merrill said.

McCain said the support from an "independent Democrat," as the Connecticut senator calls himself, will answer the people who invariably ask him in town hall meetings, "Why can't you all work together?"

Lieberman reinforced the message. He said he chose his longtime Senate colleague as the best candidate of either party because of his national security credentials and because McCain has the best shot of breaking through partisan gridlock.

"You may not agree with John McCain on everything — I don't," Lieberman told those gathered in the American Legion hall. "But you can always count on him to be honest with you about where he stands and to stand where he honestly thinks it's best for our country."

Lieberman said he had planned to wait until after the primaries to make a 2008 pick, but changed his mind when McCain called — the only candidate, including fellow Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd who is running for president on the Democratic side, to do so.

Lieberman won re-election to the Senate in 2006 as an independent, after losing the Democratic primary to upstart Ned Lamont, largely because of Lieberman's support for the war.

Lamont said Monday, "It is now clear that Joe Lieberman is the one working to defeat our hopes."

Said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.: "I have the greatest respect for Joe, but I simply have to disagree with his decision to endorse Senator McCain."

Click on my Post title for AP's Jennifer Loven great story on the Road Trip to a Stronger America!