If your an average joe and also someone who decides the presidency based on whether the candidate "understands your issues" than this should trouble you about John McCain. Period.

Now regarding Rezko. First, is there ever a moment when Republicans can defend their own without talking about Obama? If this was reversed wouldn't Republicans be screaming "elitist." These kinds of charges about elitism are straight from the Republican playbook, and if you'll remember they worked against John Kerry in 2004. Why is it such a bitter pill when it is used on a GOP candidate. The truth is that both Obama and McCain are wealthy (though McCain much more so). The larger truth then is, once we eliminate that they are both wealthy who's policies reflect an investment in the rich rather than the middle class. I hope that this kind of thing will eventually become a wash in the mind of voters and we'll HAVE to talk about the issues. When that happens, McCain loses.

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

I think some of you guys are missing the point. Barack Obama just opened the door on his association with Tony Roscoe. The recently CONVICTED felon who ripped off the City of Chicago for millions of dollars. And who was responsible for helping the Obama's get their 1.9 million dollar home.

Now, we all know how crooks work. They don't do anything unless their pockets are lined. In other words-a deal, now matter if it is helping someone get a home or otherwise, we all know, there is going to be something else going on underneath the table that benefits the crook also.

Barack Obama, being the south side community organizer -- that he constantly refers too, & while dealing with real properties in Chicago, had a very real connection with the recently convicted Tony Roscoe, who also dealt in real properties in the same area. And that's how Tony Roscoe screwed the City of Chicago, (henceforth the tax-payers) out of millions of dollars, & whom is headed to prison for it.

Connect the dots, & I believe one will find that they lead right to Barack Obama's front door.

This is the important issue here, versus someone who forgets how many properties are their name, that they obtained legally & above board.

Which means what about his ability to be an effective President or craft policy that keeps average Americans in mind? As silly as McCains continual gaffes on class and what counts as "rich" and how many houses he owns are, all of these gaffes reflect a mindset that has no sense of how most Americans economic tidings work. Obama may have used a political connection to get a better interest rate on a house, but how is that indicative of how his policy will be crafted. I do agree that the Republicans will try and use Rezco, but they always were going to do that.

For the record, I find the charge of "elitism" incredibly stupid and pointless. I think people SHOULD strive to be more intelligent, more worldly and more educated and they should promote those things as positive personality traits. Too often when liberals do that they are called "elitist" which is just stupid. I don't think this proves McCain is elitist, what it proves is that McCain has NO CLUE about the American middle class. That's a much bigger problem than not understanding gun culture in my eyes.

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

No, but thanks for putting words in my mouth.

Be carefull with this joke, it's an antique:

Q: How do you know when a politician is lying?
A: His lips are moving!

I don't think the flag-pin is all that important.

What is important is judgment and character.

Everyone knows that in Washington you represent the American people.

That means you should believe in this country and what is stands for.

If you feel that you are so ashamed of this country that wearing a flag-pin bothers you then don't wear one. But don't try to tell us it means anything to you other then what it means. A flag-pin is a symbol. A very tiny symbol. Sure being patriotic isn't popular. Obama is a representative of those who aren't patriotic. That's why some people like him.

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It's hard to stay mad at someone who makes you laugh - Jay Leno

You started off making sense, but there you go...pegging Obama and/or his supporters as unpatriotic.

Time to dust off that old dunce-cap?

Are you a McCain supporter because he lies continually and has flip flopped on every major issue he once held a strong position on. Bush tax cuts during time of war, his own immigration bill, off shore drilling (after he read some polls), interventionist war (he opposed Somalia), the religious right in the Republican party, the confederate flag on state houses, Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday as a federal holiday (opposed it numerous times, now supports) the state of the economy: in January everything was good, miraculously by June (again post-poll numbers) he claims economy is in a "shambles." He's a "maverick" who has supported 90% of Bush's agenda. Can you tell me what John McCain stands for because I surely cannot. Oh and could you do so WITHOUT referencing Obama? That'd be great.

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

A realist would know that over a long campaign you will say some things that people can use against you or forget things. This isn't a Geography lesson. It is a test in leadership.

A realist is able to recognize evil when they see it.

A realist can see the world for what it is not what you hope it will be.

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It's hard to stay mad at someone who makes you laugh - Jay Leno

Well, I suppose someone who cannot even memorize how many houses he owns, will not be able to memorize other facts, too.
Like, that there is no Jugoslavia in europe anymore. The names of important state leaders. Facts about post-vietnam military strategy.
Intelligence reports. All things a president needs to know to make responsible and good decisions.

McCain is just too old to be president. The US cannot afford another puppet-president who's strings are drawn by neocon hardliners.

DaGerman

A realist can see that Obama is the type of leader that people the nation AND the world over are clamoring for. As is evident wherever he decides to go speak.

Obama is unpatriotic. How can somebody hate America with every fiber in his being and be patriotic? The people that believe in him aren't being unpatriotic. I just think they're being misled.

A patriot reads the Constitution and follows it and doesn't try to go around it.

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It's hard to stay mad at someone who makes you laugh - Jay Leno

If you want to take a look at all of McCain's humble abodes:

YouTube - McCain's Mansions

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The world could use more Stan Ovshinsky's

He's a fake.

Every candidate the Dems come up with anymore are fakes. I can't remember the last real genuine Democrat to run for President.

This is because they live in a fake world that makes no sense.

They lie to us and they constantly lie to themselves.

I'm a realist.

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It's hard to stay mad at someone who makes you laugh - Jay Leno

Where is the evidence for this claim?

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Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

Where has Obama ever said that he hates America?

I'll wait for the proof.