McCain criticizes LA Times for protecting Obama by not releasing tape

I just voted at my precinct. I liked it better when I could pull that big Democratic lever. Now I just push a button for straight Democratic ballot.

Imperium - You forgot:

Birth certificate - sealed by the Hawaii Governor ( she's a Republican )

Even if all of the things that you say are true, which I don't believe that they are, so what?

so what? in light of a tissue thin resume what else do you have to go on other than associations?

this guy has no paper trail:

Occidental College records — Not released Columbia College records — Not released Columbia Thesis paper — ‘not available’ Harvard College records — Not released Selective Service Registration — Not released Medical records — Not released. obama's m.d. simply summed his condition up in one page letter. Illinois State Senate schedule — ‘not available’ Law practice client list — Not released University of Chicago scholarly articles — None Record of baptism— Not released or ‘not available’ Illinois State Senate records—’not available’

Even if all of the things that you say are true, which I don't believe that they are, so what? America obviously needs a radical change from the disastrous path that it is currently taking, and plainly it's going to get one.

Enjoy

BTW, anyone who is dumb enough to worry about these supposed one-brief-meeting based "friendships" that your new president is supposed to have with "terrorists"

obama and ayers shared the same office for years. khalidi's wife babysat obama's kids. do you know anything about chicago? know anything about hyde park? it's like a little island within that city. obama, rev wright, farrakhan, ayers, khalidi were part of the same radical community. for years. decades.

BTW, anyone who is dumb enough to worry about these supposed one-brief-meeting based "friendships" that your new president is supposed to have with "terrorists" is dumb enough to think that Palin would make a good vice president anyway.

Pathetic - no other word for it. Conservative bloggers invent whatever suits their latest stupid prank or narrow-minded prejudice.

Funny how the same people trying to exploit another extremely tenuous link ignore the fact that Bush himself has authorised funding for the Palestinian state. Surely more significant?

Plus what about giving billions in military assistance to Israel, whose armed forces then use it to kill hundreds of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians, in strikes that are so indscriminate as to be dubbed "terrorism" by many observers.

Enjoy your new "terrorist" president, by the way. Ha ha ha

three more sources, some from the late 70's, all describing khalidi as an employee of the p.l.o. when it was a terror organization.

i think this seals it. here is yet another terrorist obama has very troubling long and established ties to.

from the site of writer martin kramer http://sandbox.blog-city.com/khalidi_of_the_plo.htm

note that one of the sources identifying khalidi as working for the p.l.o. is an l.a. times article of 1976.

and note that it was again conservative bloggers uncovering what the mainstream media is uninterested in looking for or too terrified to disclose.

WilliB,

I see that you have chosen to counter what you typify as a "feeble excuse" with what I would call "verbose speculation".

Who are the people that have confirmed that Obama said and did the things you claim? It was not a secret event. Many were there. Where are the other tapes? the other photgraphic records? the testimony of named individuals who claim some sort of wrong-doing on Obama's part? Where is the investigative reporting that demonstrates that the Times is guilty of collusion--and to what misdeed?

Criticize, if you like, the Times' decision to take possession of a tape under the condition that it not make it public or even under the condition that it not make it public until after a certain date. However, what is really feeble is to criticize it for keeping a promise.

ImperiumMundi,

Perhaps the source has nothing to fear. Perhaps the source does. That is not the point. The point is that if the Times came by this information under the condition that it not release the tape in question, it should not do so.

SezWho2:

" That they don't release it is proof that it keeps the confidentiality of its sources. The Times further claims that it has promised its source not to release the tape. If that claim is true, not releasing the tape is further evidence of its "

No, that is a feeble excuse. Nobody asks them to release the name of the source (and by now, the grapevine agrees that it was Ali Abunimah anyway).

This was not some kind of secret mafia tape; this was an official event, a farewell party... how innocent can you get? On the face of it, there should be no reason for a news organization to keep it from the public.

There is no doubt that the only reason the LA Times is refusing to even release a transcript of the audio of the event is that they don´t want to embarrass their candidate.

People who where there have confirmed off the record that yes, when Obama toasted the ex PLO operative, he dropped his guard and came out with some "honne", accusing Israel of genocide and questioning Israels right to exist. Very much along the lines of Ahmedinejad, who he wants to have unconditional talks with.

And for that reason, my friend, we will NOT see this tape. No way. The LA Times will sit on it, no matter how much that damages their integrity. Trust me.

that they don't release it is proof that it keeps the confidentiality of its sources. The Times further claims that it has promised its source not to release the tape.

what does the source have to fear?

obama must have some pretty scary people on his side if the l.a. times needs to protect a source simply for being present at a dinner for a supposedly harmless academic ensconced in one of our most famous universities.

really makes you wonder.

ImperiumMundi,

A simple search would turn up many pieces of "evidence", but most of them boil down to two: UPI reporter Friedman's 1981 characterization of Khalidi and Aaron Klein's tedious 2008 attempt to establish some kind of guilt--never mind that the crime was never articulated--by examination of a chain of first and second order degrees of separation.

It means very little that Khalidi was a director of WAFA--if in fact he was. WAFA was the press organization for the PLO, but being a director of WAFA in Beirut still does not imply "working for the PLO" in the sense of taking orders from the PLO. Every organization that strives for credibility seeks outside directors. No one has offered any evidence that Khalidi worked for the PLO.

Links between Ayers and Khalidi are even more beside the point--not that you made a point.

WilliB,

The LA Times could do that. And in so doing it would jeopardize its reputation as a trusted confidant and arguably diminish its prospects for receiving future information.

That they don't release it is proof that it keeps the confidentiality of its sources. The Times further claims that it has promised its source not to release the tape. If that claim is true, not releasing the tape is further evidence of its trustworthiness. You claim that the footage would be embarrassing to Obama. You have offered no evidence other than your assertion that the LA Times refusal to release somehow indicates that their must be embarrassing information on the tape.

There has never been and will never be an unbiased press. If there were, no one would pay for it.

Rashid Khalidi was with the PLO? What evidence do you have for that?

there is all kinds of evidence. i doubt you're actually interested though, since a simple search would turn up plenty.

Tom Friedman report in the New York Times, June 9, 1982:

"The Israelis are out to "crush the P.L.O.," said Rashid Khalidi, a director of the Palestinian press agency, Wafa. He said they hope that by doing so, they will undermine the international recognition the P.L.O. has gained and eliminate its demands for an independent Palestinian state as a rallying point for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZmE2YjgxZTNmZjU5ODVmMmQ2NTJmMDg3MGEwOGUxMjM=

there is also an ayers-khalidi link. in his book khalidi thanked ayers for use of his home while writing one of his books.

The LA Times could just release the tape and put an end to the speculation. That they don´t is clear proof that the footage would be embarrassing to their favourite candidate. Unbiased press... a thing of the past.

ImperiumMundi,

Rashid Khalidi was with the PLO? What evidence do you have for that? Here's a brief rundown on Khalidi's life. If you have anything other than allegations, please share.

Is there some problem with Khalidi helping to arrange Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia? Why should Ahmadinejad not have gone? Do you think that visit was bad for the US? Did it help Ahmadinejad's cause?

The only side of anyone you ever know is the public side. And you know the reason that the LA Times won't "let" the Americans listen to and see "the other side". They've already told you. And they've told you about Obama's involvement at the dinner.

I suspect that the source that gave this to the Times probably wanted to protect Obama from the cynical manipulation that you (and McCain, et al.) are attempting to engage in. I'm sure that folks would like to get their hands on footage of a girl reading a poem about how the Palestinians will never give up their fight against Israel and juxtapose that with a smiling Obama putting his arm around Bill Ayers or Rashid Khalidi. Or Willie Horton.

The most frustrating concept that the right has ushered in is that you can't listen to the other side of a story without being a traitor.

in this case 'the other side' means terrorists, paramilitary groups like hizzibollah and the plo, and regimes like iran.

rashid khalidi was with the plo back when the US state department had declared it a terrorist organization. i think informed Americans will acknowledge that the state department is rarely characterized as a right wing institution. in fact, it is widely understood to be a very liberal one.

khalidi helped arrange iranian president amadhinejhad's visit to columbia university.

iran has officially denied the holocaust.

we know the public obama.

why won't the l.a. times let Americans listen to and see 'the other side'?

what is it about the private obama, hanging out with his friends bill the domestic terrorist and rashid the tenured foreign jihadist, that they want to keep from us?

By the way in my opinion the very best post was:

moonbeams at 09:27 AM JST - 30th October

This is such a non-issue. I'm an American Jew living in Japan and I'm critical of Israel, the US and Japan. Doesn't mean I don't respect the three countries.

The most frustrating concept that the right has ushered in is that you can't listen to the other side of a story without being a traitor.

SuperLib

Since when did McCain say he would not continue the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan? Or maybe you consider it all one war "The War on Terror."

Posted by an American living in America. I am not ignorant nor do I wish to lead the ignorant.

ptolemy said:

Wow a liberal paper like the LA Times protecting a Democrat, I never would have thought it.

The paper said it was protecting its source. Do you have evidence of any other motive? Do you not believe that a news source has the right to protect its source? If McCain thinks that Obama broke the law let him get an injunction.

Sarge quoted:

"Ayers, now a university professor"

and said:

Why is he not now a prisoner in a jail?

sarge we believe in giving someone a fair trial before sending them to prison. Of course if we were Facists we would send them straight to prison.

sarge quoted:

"what the videotape of the party might show"

and said:

Probably Obama getting chummy with Ayers.

Yeah sarge, they were probably making out.

Sarge said:

If John McCain is elected president, no World Series game will ever be delayed for an infomercial.

If McCain wins the election: pigs will fly, unicorns will roam the earth, a house will land on top of the wicked witch of the Midwest, Oprah, America will have streets paved with gold and Bush will have never done all the terrible things he has done because it will have been erased from history.

"khalidi". "rashid." palestine. anti-israel comments. plo. arafat.

this is the stuff on the tape and the l.a. times seeks to keep it from the American public.

this is precisely why big net sites like the drudge report (today in fact) say 23 percent of voters in the state of texas still believe that barack obama is a muslim.

But it's clear he wants to continue not just 1 war, but 2 :-)

This is quite a common misrepresentation amongst foreigners. Mostly it's said out of ignorance. The other times it's said by those who want to lead the ignorant.

ImperiumMundi.

Kerry held a 2-point lead in one poll. Most of the polls prior to the election favored Bush.

If you're interested in why polls vary so much, the AP (which recently showed only a 1-point differential) has an interesting explanation here:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJ4ZOTu5ts8dFaEjqQZkT_4i5xkwD940ERMG0

or

http://tinyurl.com/6o8nzu

When mccain loses the election and Arizona, do you reckon he'll EVER be able to show his face in the Senate again?

the US senate is not a treehouse or a grammar school or a rugby club or a pale copy of the british parliament.

remember senator john kerry? the favorite four years ago. held a two point lead in polls the day before the election. which he lost. he shows his face in the senate. even votes to block American companies from being allowed to bid on the oil now flowing in free iraq.

Sarge, does mccain have a healthcare plan? I've seen his vision for the economy - it's all of 35 words :-)

And I couldn't help notice at the top right of the John McCain website (www.johnmccain.com/Home2.htm) it states: 'reform Prosperity Peace.'

Peace? But it's clear he wants to continue not just 1 war, but 2 :-)

Is john mccain pulling the wool over your eyes, Sarge?

It does seem that way :-)

Sush - An Obama landslide is possible, but so is a McCain victory. More and more Americans are taking a second look at Obama's impossible promise to give 95% of Americans a tax cut, his lies on McCain's healthcare plan...

No, the Republicans are just making this story up about Rashid Khalidi.

Khalidi is a brand of coffee. I saw it in a shop....

WAAAAAA WAAAAAAA WAAAAAA Just a crying jazz from John McCain. But take a look at this. John McCain had his Iran/Contra connection. No body in politics can stay there for anytime with out having connections or associations with guys that have shadowy pasts. < :-)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_iran_contra

Sarge, OK, I'll let you have it this time. Just this once, ha ha :-)

BTW, did you hear the polls are probably wrong - in Obama's favor?

As we all know, Obama has massive support among young Americans - many of whom have cell phones but don't have land lines and are therefore not being scooped up in the telephone surveys.

But they can and will be voting on Election Day.

Expect an Obama/Biden landslide :-)

Sushi - I like my joke better.

Sarge, Obama also just beat the new Canadian PM and will be taking the reins in the that country after he waves off mccain on his one-way trip back to Arizona early next Wednesday. :-)

According to the latest projections, Obama now has 6000 electoral college votes.

And what is the proposal of McCain, only attack Obama?

Luisvargas.tk

The more ridiculous terra shrieking I hear from palin, the more I'm glad she'll be fading into obscurity in the next few weeks as mccain selects a good retirement home....

sarge - it's time to turn the volume up buddy. Up.

Palin said the Times should win a Pulitzer Prize for “kowtowing.”

the anti-American members of the fourth estate who are protecting obama and yet another terrorist are the same media snobs who were frothing at the mouth only a month ago at the presence of a vice presidential candidate who obviously didn't read any of the major papers or care to.

i still can't decide which was more amusing, their rage or their bewilderment.

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20081027223658.aspx

In talking to Obama's campaign staff, here is what was said: “You know what Bill – it seems that when I have you on and we talk about tough issues, issues that may be potentially tough for your candidate, this is what you do – you blame Fox,” Kelly said. “You come out with the best defense is a good offense and start ripping on us. You should know that in the polls as recently as this month, in one taken by Rasmussen, the majority of Americans think that Fox is the least biased network out there. MSNBC was first, CNN was second. Fox was last in terms of bias. Your guy is believed to be getting helped by 70 percent of the press corps according to the latest Pew poll, but you complain when you think Fox has the nerve to confront his candidate with his own words.”

I think if we continue to support a media outlook which endorses politicians, I think we can say goodbye to objective news. They shouldn't be taking sides.

do you reckon he'll EVER be able to show his face in the Senate again" I still find it appalling that you can run for a higher office and still keep your seat if you lose. Most Americans, when looking for a higher paying job usually lose one while they are looking or just simply move over. He should not, nor anyone, be able to keep their seats.

Sarge - "Sushi - Obama's going to lose Illinois."

Stop imitating john mccain and just making stuff up. :-)

Illinois is in the bag for Obama - 59% - 33% mccain according to www.electoral-vote.com/

Meanwhile Obama is closing in on mccain in Arizona.

When mccain loses the election and Arizona, do you reckon he'll EVER be able to show his face in the Senate again? :-)

Sushi - Obama's going to lose Illinois.

Sarge - "The LA Times, which has endorsed Obama, is cutting its workforce 10% due to falling cirulation. Hmmm..."

There's got to be a link to Bill Ayers, or some other bad dude Obama either may or may not have met this side of 1960 in this news - can you find it Sarge??? Americans NEED to know!! :-)

Sarge, Arizonans (-- what? Are you American? that's ArizonIans) had better start looking for another 'mav to replace the 'Mav mccain who is scheduled to get the boot next Tuesday.

The L A Times, which has endorsed Obama, is cutting its workforce 10% due to falling cirulation. Hmmm...

Sarge, Arizonans (<-- what? Are you American?) - that's ArizonIans, had better start looking for another 'Mav to replace the 'Mav mccain who is scheduled to get the boot next Tuesday :-)

Sushi - Arizonans are mavericks!

Perhaps the 'Mav mccain should quit campaigning in Florida and head back to Arizona where, according to one poll, there's a a statistical tie, with mccain leading by a mere 2 points, 46% to 44%.

In his home state.

Ouch!

I would suggest some dialogue, in the form of peace negotiations, that has strict rules and is firmly moderated and geared toward ending the violence." good point and clear

two diabolically opposed groups can live in the same country without tearing each other's throats out." Never thought of it that way.

Well, it would not be hypocritical if others did it first or everyone did it together, unless of course the LA Times actually had the power to stop it all, and I don't think they did." again, I was only asking the poster a question to his statement.

SushiSake

To be honest, some of the reports I have read coming out of Palin and mccain rallies have reminded me of Hitler's Brownshirt rallies, where hatred and anger was formented and targeted at Jews...

I've never heard any anti-Semitism coming for the McCain/Palin camp during the entire campaign. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Obama's buddies like Pastor Wright, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakan, etc. Who really are the Brownshirts here?

Skip, I will also add that if members of the Klan and the Panthers ever do go seeking dialogue, I won't oppose it as long as it has rules and a mediator. But that assumes there is some issue to work out other than race hate, which is of course impossible to solve between them. But let's say they were going to negotiate restricting their rallies to certain parts of town to avoid each other. Sounds good to me. A mediator who knows both sides is going to go a looooooong way to making that work.

Obama is the man who knows both sides. --Cirroc

why doesn't he and you propose having NBPP and the KKK sit down and get to the bottom of what is really affecting America inside?

Those two groups are not fighting each other as far as I know. There is no violence between them at this time, nor am I concerned that some will break out soon. If it does, I would suggest some dialogue, in the form of peace negotiations, that has strict rules and is firmly moderated and geared toward ending the violence.

But I think you are confusing changing people's minds with what I was suggesting, which is to just keep the peace. As the Black Panthers and the Klan prove, two diabolically opposed groups can live in the same country without tearing each other's throats out. Since that is already happening, why toy with it? They have already been convinced not to war with one another except in the realm of ideas. No other compromise is necessary.

My question was if they respected privacy but published her e-mails it kind of makes it hypocritical.

Well, it would not be hypocritical if others did it first or everyone did it together, unless of course the LA Times actually had the power to stop it all, and I don't think they did.

"GOP porn"

Translation: Images which could end Obama's campaign.

Don't pay any attention to anything "revealed" during the last three weeks of the campaign. The only reason they bring it up now is because there's no time to refute it. AAMOF, this one was really brought up six months ago, but the McCain campaign is trying to make hay out of it now, when there's no time to react.

More bad news for Obama - factory orders - orders for the big stuff - cars, planes - up nearly a full percent last month - the biggest increase since June.

And James Caan, Robert Duvall, Clint Eastwood, Tom Selleck, Gary Sinise, Sly Stallone and Jon Voight have endorsed McCain!

Why does McCain need this tape?

Are you kidding? This is the closest you get to GOP porn without involving a men's room!

Caveman, you got the wrong quote with the wrong poster. I asked a question using another posters post. I hadn't any idea if they did publish them or not. My question was if they respected privacy but published her e-mails it kind of makes it hypocritical..

Now, "the importance of sitting down and talking with those you may disagree with. Anyone who disagrees with that idea is either 1) a true warlover or 2) seriously confused on how to avert troubles and war." First of all, I don't walking down the streets I am not supposed to because some other group has laid claim to it and no, I wouldn't want to talk to them and they wouldn't want to talk to me. Now, I know, that's just at a small level. If you feel it is so important for Obama to sit down and talk with our so called enemies, fine but let ask this because I am more concerned about what goes on inside the US.. Since Obama is both black and white and has shown a lot of love for his white relatives, why doesn't he and you propose having NBPP and the KKK sit down and get to the bottom of what is really affecting America inside?

Yes, they should release the tape -- along with the records of McCain's (fatal?) car crash.

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/10/28/mccain-car-crash-story-being-suppressed/

The facts are that the Jewish state is essentially an armed encampment

But you have to admit -- the trains run on time.

Can nobody go digging into the IRA camp to see who was entertaining who! got to be something there for Obama surly!! Or do we send a bib and a few baby milk bottles to calm them down!!

If John McCain is elected president, no World Series game will ever be delayed for an infomercial.

Regardless of whether you were joking or serious, I am never going to take you seriously again!

If John McCain is elected president, no World Series game will ever be delayed for an infomercial.

This video will end up on YouTube for those who want to see it. Just not until November 5th.

I have to back up those here that stress the importance of sitting down and talking with those you may disagree with. Anyone who disagrees with that idea is either 1) a true warlover or 2) seriously confused on how to avert troubles and war.

Yeah, Obama has talked to Khalidi. Has Khalidi blown anyone up before or since? No. See how that works?

Anyhow, I wonder how many here criticized Donald Rumsfeld for visiting Saddam but are now defending Obama no matter who he associates with as an automatic response? ( I did not because I had to read up on Khalidi, and I can't really find that big a problem with him that he cannot be talked to. I know now.) I wonder how many stood up for Old Rummy but are now criticizing Obama for weak ties to dubious men?

I do not expect any confessions, but the guilty know who they are. Please be consistent people and be true to principles. Quit taking sides, because taking sides without being true to principles is a root cause of the unfairness that leads to all the strife we have. There is no perfect entity. We have to talk out our differences. And that folks is why I support the talker named Barack Obama.

Why is he not now a prisoner in a jail?

Even if were not for government misconduct (yes, the U.S. government occaisonally (ahem) does wrong) Ayers would have been out of jail long ago. Let it go man.

After all they were kind enough to publish Sarah Palin's private e-mails after she got hacked, showing total respect for a persons privacy.

Skip, did they actually print the e-mails or did they merely quote from them? Were they first to do this or did others do it at the same time? Was the Times given exclusive use of those e-mails? Or were they the only ones in possession?

I do not know anything about it, so please enlighten me. But I am reading that simple contention and thinking you may have made a very unfair comparison. I seriously doubt it was up to the LA Times whether those mails got out or not. Please back up you contention or we have to consider it moot.

McCains done it again, now my network will be swamped by student downloading funny Hitler tapes with McCain and Obama swapping heads with Hitler. Every time McCain starts scare mongering it back fires on him, does the guy ever learn. Every body with half a brain has some criticism of Israel, like every other state they are far from perfect. If the tape was that bad the Los Angeles Times would have blow Obama out of the water to sell more print. It is obvious McCain has fallen for the 3 shell trick again they will let him shout then release the the tape which has nothing bad in it.

captainUSA: "Release that tape, all patriots demand it!"

A patriot is anyone who loves his or her country and is NOT limited to those who support McCain/Palin, nor Americans for that matter. The sad fact is, a sorry lot of Americans have bought into the idea that if their neighbours vote for 'that other guy' they are communists/socialists and not patriots. This has been the kind of campaigning that crashed McCain's most recent mission. Sadly, the so-called enemies he's been attacking with his bombast and condescension are you and your fellow Americans -- he doesn't believe you are intelligent enough to form your own opinion, and so in desperation he's stooped to a smearing campaign worse than the one that sunk his run against bush in 2000, and which he swore NEVER to embrace.

Palin? She's been a nut from the get-go, and already people are planning her bid for the nomination in 2012; they know they've lost this one and are prepping her already. Not unwise, but given that this election is not QUITE over yet (Obama has it, but McCain is still clinging to the burning cockpit before ejecting next week) it only hurts the party more.

I don't think this is gonna be McCain's October surprise:

McCain Funded Work Of Palestinian His Campaign Hopes To Tie To Obama

During the 1990s, while he served as chairman of the International Republican Institute (IRI),

McCain distributed several grants to the Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi, including one worth half a million dollars.

A 1998 tax filing for the McCain-led group shows a $448,873

grant to Khalidi's Center for Palestine Research and Studies for work in the West Bank.

The relationship extends back as far as 1993,

when John McCain joined IRI as chairman in January. Foreign Affairs noted in September of that year that IRI had helped fund several extensive studies in Palestine run by Khalidi's group, including over 30 public opinion polls and a study of "sociopolitical attitudes."

skipthesong:The facts are that the Jewish state is essentially an armed encampment. I have been there and that is my observations . Surrounded or not by those who want to destroy it does not render my observations void, disrespectful or anti Jewish.

It is simply a statement of fact listing what the priorities should be in this campaign. If my statement focused on the bare essentials and it came across as anti Jewish then you are mistaken.

These tapes will make un-electable. The LA Times has a public duty to show Obama's true colors. McCain now only 3% behind, needs just one little slip up from Obama and he is as good as elected.

Release that tape, all patriots demand it!

I shared a room with this radical thinking person when I was at University, does that make me a terrorist?" No it doesn't but "Why is the Jews and its armed encampment" notice how he says "the jews and its encampment" like its a thing! and then not een having enough respect to the situation as the tiny place is just surrounded by enemies does make you somewhat of anti-Jew, unless you were just simply at loss of words at the moment..

sailwind: They published her e-mails and no one here is criticizing them for not respecting someone's privacy? Well, now anyone who subscribes to this paper is here on considered a biased and inconsiderate of people's privacy - even though no politician should have a private life.

Sarge, in response to "what the videotape of the party might show"

"Probably Obama getting chummy with Ayers."

Proffessor - "The Mccain team is just desparate."

So are the mccain supporters, by the looks of GOP supporters like Sarge nad Sailwind. :-)

Obama has indicated that his views are totally in opposition the Khalidi. I am convinced that there is no issue with the tapes, Obama in the tapes made no statements and was simply in attendance.

Well if Obama said it it just must be true. I'm convinced also, no need for any pesky reporter snooping around to verify if that is really the case. After all we know so much about Obama as it really is. Like...ummm...Well, he's for change and all.

I'm glad the L.A times also would respect the wishes of their "source", darn, nice of em. After all they were kind enough to publish Sarah Palin's private e-mails after she got hacked, showing total respect for a persons privacy.

The Mccain team is just desparate. They know for sure they have lost this election. It's time to consider post election period as the best time to pal around with his grand children. I am sure they miss him dearly.

"what the videotape of the party might show"

Probably Obama getting chummy with Ayers.

Even if these tapes are released it will make no material difference to the campaign. It is essentially part of that now familiar Republican theme comprising of a lack of substance designed to install fear in the American people.

I shared a room with this radical thinking person when I was at University, does that make me a terrorist? Having had that experience I know it does not.

Why is the Jews and its armed encampment in the middle east so central to this campaign? I thought the campaign was about the interest of the American people, that is concerned with health care, education fiscal responsibility, economic and social equality.

Obama has indicated that his views are totally in opposition the Khalidi. I am convinced that there is no issue with the tapes, Obama in the tapes made no statements and was simply in attendance.

The McCain camp is so desperate they want to make an issue out of the the fact that this tape exist rather than what is on the tapes. It is designed to create anxiety in the Jewish community. John McCain has his own connection to Khalidi he gave 400k to to this guy.

"Ayers, now a university professor"

Why is he not now a prisoner in a jail?

Free press:McCain free to ask ,LA Times free to keep the tape.

Responsibily of the free press: responsible only to the source not voters...ahem ,unless the tape will work in favor of Obama.

Wow a liberal paper like the LA Times protecting a Democrat, I never would have thought it.

sez, I doubt the LA Times would grant that wish to a common person. I have no idea how McCain could use it, I am sure it would be used as a negative but my point is that you have a newspaper that claims to be un-biased, yet is basically protecting a politician. If there is anything McCain can use against Obama that comes down to it being Obama's own fault. But now that I learned John McCain has attended events with the same guy, I am even more curious - why is it ok for him to be in company with him and not Obama?

“If there was a tape of John McCain in a neo-Nazi outfit, I think the treatment of the issue would be slightly different.”

Well, as Old man McCain mentions it himself has anyone got this tape then? It would be fun to see it.

Sounds to me like they both have their ties to this guy.

Oh right, it's the democratic media which is owned by the rich and famous who is protecting Obama.

I'm glad I voted already. < :-)

notimpressed: Excellent post, and I cannot add anything more to it.

You could fix my crappy spelling. trator=traitor

skipthesong,

It doesn't do much good to take one side or the other of two sides that are both doomed to failure. People on one side or the other surely want you to take sides. But there is a middle that is looking for a third way.

Am I curious what is on the tape? Yes, but not overly so. Are you suggesting that the L.A. Times did not adequately represent it when it first made news of it public? Why would you think so? What do you think Obama is going to say about an American citizen and a Columbia professor at a dinner party? Here's a link to the Times artic

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obamamideast10apr10,0,1780231,full.story

or

http://tinyurl.com/67fsog

According to the newspaper, it is not the privacy of the politician that is being preserved but the wishes of the source. I tend to think that the Times should not have accepted the tape unless it was prepared to release it. But apparently it accepted the tape under the condition that it not release it and for the Times to now go back on that promise without a court order would jeopardize its relationships with future sources.

Also, let me ask you this. What kind of use do you think McCain would make of this tape if the full tape showed Obama making very balanced remarks but also showed a young woman saying that Israel would never know a day of peace?

CaptainUSA,

The Rasmussen poll may show a 3% lead, but look at Zogby, Gallup and Pew:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/poll-tracker.htm

I'd agree that if Obama is measuring drapes, he shouldn't be. But to me your comment primarily means that you believe John McCain and his attempt to capitalize on Bush's failed bravado.

I don't think Obama is measuring any drapes. McCain supporters can't contend that Obama is measuring the drapes on the one hand and yet, on the other, that he's continuing to spend campaign money by advertising when he's got things "all sewn up". I think Obama is up by 10 with two minutes to play and is keeping the full court press on against a somewhat flustered and poorly communicating opposition.

McCain could win. But sometimes when the media seems to favor a candidate, he may actually be the better candidate.

sez: I was saying that basically most people prefer you to choose a side in the matter. It was stated here "Isreal can do not wrong" approach but many here are "The Muslims can do no wrong" as well.. What views of the guy do I object to? none. I haven't heard of him enough to make any objections.

I appreciate the position that the media are in with respect to preserving the confidentiality of their sources." Common folk yes, but not for an elected official. no way! Not when I am literally "forced" to pay for them and all their allowances that get in addition to being put on sets that generate even another source of income, that's right, every seat they sit on brings them more salary. And then they have the nerve to give themselves raises damn near each year. No, they should not have that preservation of anything. I am curious now why McCain wants that tape (who ever had the bright idea of making a tape of in the first place is an idiot, like keeping minuetes on a meeting) and I am curious why no one wants it out. Why can't I feel that way? Isn't anyone else here a bit curious or are you putting your blind faith in a politician yet again?

Betzee,

I don't think McCain needs the tape. I think he needs the tape.

I think the purpose of the tape in McCain's hands would be to attempt to further paint Obama as a terrorist sympathizer and as a person who is trying to hoodwink Americans. I think he wants to show that Obama has a long history--from Ayers to Wright to Khalidi of "sitting down with 'America's enemies'".

That being said, I wish he did have access to the tape for whatever nefarious purpose he has in mind. So, I do in a sense, agree with McCain and skipthesong. I appreciate the position that the media are in with respect to preserving the confidentiality of their sources. However, I'm not sure that this extends to preserving the content that those sources provide--unless it would compromise confidentiality.

The problem with American media is the extreme bias that favors democrats so highly that tehy can sometimes be elected.

if the LA Times had dignity and respect they would release this tape, and show this man for what he is.

The lateset polls show Obama's lead cut to 3%, stop measuring those draps.

Actually, I wasn't sure what skipthesong's point was. I don't think he's particularly partisan " I don't think I am partisan, I hate both parties and actually like both men and despise them both because after this is all over, they are going to have to work together. The US elections brings out the worst in people and this one seems to be the top. Its almost like kids getting ready for the super bowl and ranting and raving about their team. Obama just said on ABC News that his administration will have to include Republicans because they have good ideas "In some cases, Republicans have good ideas. And, you know, I've always been more than happy to steal good ideas from whatever the source."

We have been played at the race level, the cultural level, the political level and now they got common folk thinking the world's economy was one person's fault and they have the nerve to come up with economic ideas when neither of them know what the hell is going on! This election has Canadians jumping up and down and they just had an election that came and went and its is just as important as the US election.

skipthesong,

Is WASP derogatory? Well, for example, I can call myself an idiot, but I'd prefer that you didn't call me one. I think that most categorizations can be derogatory.

I'm not sure why you say that people can't be supportive of Israel's right to exist and still be supportive of "Arab's rights". That seems to say that if you grant Israel's right to exist, you must deny "Arab's rights". That doesn't seem like a good basis for a solution when the Israelis are so far outnumbered.

Anyway, does Khalidi deny Israel's rights? Does he council for the destruction of Israel as a state? What particular views of Khalidi do you object to?

McCain needs to get back on the straight talk express and talk policies.

Too bad that his campaign managers are ruining his image by resorting to negative campaigning.

Skipthesonbg - "I doubt very much you are going to have a bunch of whites going into any ghetto and tearing up black own businesses if that is what you implying."

No, I am talking about Republicans (in particular Sarah Palin supporters) going after Obama supporters of any skin color.

Why does McCain need this tape? JTP already made the case electing Obama would mean "death to Israel." There could be no more eloquent spokesman for this point of view than an unlicensed plumber and, as we can see, Obama is tanking in the polls; who needs video evidence?

SushiSake3,

Actually, I wasn't sure what skipthesong's point was. I don't think he's particularly partisan so I was a bit puzzled.

But, yes, having friends with different opinions is one of the things that makes life interesting. It also makes it challenging. I think one of the hallmarks of good politicians is that they can navigate the shoals near extreme continents of thought. Anyone can sail in open water (absent storms).

sushi: To be honest, some of the reports I have read coming out of Palin and mccain rallies have reminded me of Hitler's Brownshirt rallies, where hatred and anger was formented and targeted at Jews, right before Jewish businesses were attacked and their owners beaten up." I doubt very much you are going to have a bunch of whites going into any ghetto and tearing up black own businesses if that is what you implying.

sez: Ok, my dad was Sicilian/Italian so maybe now I understand.. So, is WASP derogatory? Anyway, I think you are wrong at the moment. Hold a different view from many such as yourself here on this board, and the rants and anger that come across is scary if not almost bordering on thought control. You are correct that Khalidi has a right and is correct, but you know you can not be supportive of Israel's right to exist and still be supportive of Arab's rights. At the moment, Israel is completely wrong, as per many here's comments. I only mention Israel's right to exist for starters.

SezWho - "I'm not joking when I say that there is nothing wrong with having friends who hold different opinions than mine. Do you think something is wrong with that? If so, what?"

I'm with you all the way. Heck, differences are a big factor that makes people interesting.

Perhaps the people who are criticizing this point of view need to get outside a little more :-)

skipthesong,

A wasp, usually WASP, is a white, anglo-saxon protestant.

But back to the subject, I'm not joking when I say that there is nothing wrong with having friends who hold different opinions than mine. Do you think something is wrong with that? If so, what?

Khalidi is an American, born and bred. If he criticizes Israel that is not a problem. A lot of people all over the world criticize Israel. If Obama has listened to Khalidi, has been able to find some value in what he says and still remain committed to the preservation of Israel, that is a good thing. The Israel-can-do-no-wrong school of thought has not inched us closer to solutions.

what is on this tape why is the LA times holding it and if true, why isn't anyone upset?

Wasn't that one of the things we all got upset about during the 9-11 commissions?

timorborder - I think many would agree that the hallmarks of GOP supporters in 2004, and probably more so in 2008, have been:

1/ anger and 2/ divisiveness.

Frighteningly, it is against their OWN people.

To be honest, some of the reports I have read coming out of Palin and mccain rallies have reminded me of Hitler's Brownshirt rallies, where hatred and anger was formented and targeted at Jews, right before Jewish businesses were attacked and their owners beaten up.

I would go as far as to say America is getting dangerously close to this type of event - actual violence - actually breaking out.

Mccain needs to cut the crap and start showing us the real Senator John McCain, the honorable guy, the war veteran, the principled senator.

Unfortunately, that man went AWOL earlier this year, and really disappeared off the map when he selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.

This latest accusation against Obama targeted at the Los Angeles Times (apparently showing the Democrat attending a 2003 party for a Palestinian-American professor and critic of Israel) is simply YET ANOTHER DISTRACTION from the issues by the mccain-Palin team.

Really, if this pair were strong on the economy, they would be talking about it, and talking about it a lot.

They clearly are not, which just highlights their near total lack of realistic solutions on the most important issues facing the electorate today.

So instead, mccain veers way off course and comes up with lame attempt to link Obama to Khalidi, who has apparently "publicly criticized Israel."

Really, who cares????

mccain and Palin needs to stop wasting Americans' time and start talking about the issues.

the name calling is incredible, if not immature. scrote, "Granpa McCain would be better off checking out rocking chairs and stair lifts for use during his imminent retirement." would you say that about Kennedy?

The most frustrating concept that the right has ushered in is that you can't listen to the other side of a story without being a trator." true, but on the other side, if you listen to another side of the story you are labeled racist, right wing, etc.... smitty once said that I am no different than the terrorists, well many of you lefties and righties are really no different than each other.

Moonbeams:The most frustrating concept that the right has ushered in is that you can't listen to the other side of a story without being a trator.

Excellent post, and I cannot add anything more to it.

Granpa McCain would be better off checking out rocking chairs and stair lifts for use during his imminent retirement.

Shut up McCain you silly old fart. Hee Hee!

This alleged tape will not stop hunky Obama from deservedly winning.

Jeremy Paxman said McCains campaign is dead in the water, and do i agree? You betcha!!! hahahahahaha.

This is such a non-issue. I'm an American Jew living in Japan and I'm critical of Israel, the US and Japan. Doesn't mean I don't respect the three countries.

The most frustrating concept that the right has ushered in is that you can't listen to the other side of a story without being a trator.

What's wrong with having friends who hold different opinions than your own" You are joking, aren't you?

mccain proves he will do anything for a vote." Yo sushi, give him a break man, he knows he's losing, he just wants to go down with putting up a fight and at least he isn't stuffing votes into his bra, he is over weight you know, like a certain dem on the east coast!

The Bush and Bin Laden families have been best buddies for decades, but the republican party has successfully played down that connection." That is amazing. Its unbelievable. Like Pickens said, we are basically financially supporting our enemies.

timorborder: educate me, is a wasp a certain white, or is it a catch for all whites? My dad was white, and he happened have referred to a few people downstairs as those wasps!

Good post sushi, you have nailed it in one the "culture of divisiveness." Then again, I think it is a bit rich to hang it on McCain. I actually like the guy, his only problem is his need to pander to the WASP looney fringe of the GOP.

Once again, mccain and the Republicans celebrate their party's culture of divisiveness by engaging in yet another attack.

America needs unity, not more GOP-led divisions.

Obama/Biden '08!!

Ah, back to this, are we, McCain?

McCain: "Obama is friends with terrorists! Obama can't help you if there's a terrorist attack! Just please, people... don't focus on the economy... and certainly don't try to entertain the thought that I can help with ANYTHING! I want you to focus on my negativity ONLY!"

Wow... desperation REALLY is setting in now for the McCain camp.

mccain proves he will do anything for a vote.

What's wrong with having friends who hold different opinions than your own. Obama and ovenchips McCain seemed pretty pally at that charity shindig a while back, but you don't see big headlines about that. The Bush and Bin Laden families have been best buddies for decades, but the republican party has successfully played down that connection.

“Among other things, Israel was described there as the perpetrator of terrorism rather than the victim,” Palin said at a rally in Ohio. “What we don’t know is how Barack Obama responded to these slurs on a country that he professes to support.”

So if McCain wins we'll have that ever so successful "Support only Israel" Middle East peace policy?

Whoop-de-doo! 4 more years of destruction!

The other day McCain said that Obama was already taking measurments for drapes in the White House. Well, what I would like to know is does John McCain actually know how many drapes he has in his seven houses? Also, did John McCain receive anger management councelling after his time in a Vietnamese prison. If not, is he now suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. As for the tapes, I bet they are not a patch on the Republican Watergate tapes which brought down the Republican President Richard Nixon.