The town hall format was supposed be the Republican nominee’s favorite campaign forum, highlighting his shoot-from-the-hip style, his broad knowledge on a slew of issues and his irreverent wit. He loved it so much that he challenged Obama to a string of town hall debates. But with their potential for amplifying unscripted outbursts and attention-diverting disasters, the microphones at high school gymnasiums and basketball arenas across the swing states have gone silent during the final stretch of the presidential campaign. McCain, a man who has prided himself on discussions with the common man, has not entertained a single question from audience members since Oct. 10, when he faced a belligerent crowd in Lakeville, Minn., that at times turned against him.
The disappearance of the town hall format from McCain’s campaign is striking, political observers said, offering a vivid example of how a signature strength became a potential liability and was abandoned. (Obama, too, has done away with the town halls, last taking questions from voters on Sept. 12 in New Hampshire.) “The town hall format proved to be a little embarrassing for the campaign, and it built a negative picture about what this campaign is all about,” said Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, adding that the encounters were “too costly.”
Over the past few weeks, McCain has replaced his beloved town halls with large rallies, press statements delivered at factories and in hotel ballrooms, “town square” stump speeches given in the center of small towns, and stops at restaurants and other local landmarks.
Cause straight talk is only allowed one way at McCain rallies, and god knows we don;t need anymore crazy people making McCain look bad. The man does have Sarah Palin as a VP after all. But McCain is not the only one having problems with his supporters. Obama has his share of people saying stupid shit on his behalf. Take Erica Jong for example, and the crap she said to the itlaian publication Corriere Della Sera.
"The record shows that voting machines in America are rigged."
"My friends Ken Follett and Susan Cheever are extremely worried. Naomi Wolf calls me every day. Yesterday, Jane Fonda sent me an email to tell me that she cried all night and can't cure her ailing back for all the stress that has reduces her to a bundle of nerves."
"My back is also suffering from spasms, so much so that I had to see an acupuncturist and get prescriptions for Valium."
Oh no. Naomi Wolf is worried? Erica had to go to an acupuncturist? Jane Fonda is suffering back pains from stress and sleep-less nights filled with crying from the possibility that McCain might win? Quelle Horrore.
That is not all though. Not only will a McCain Presidency mean that Jane Fonda's back might never heal, it could actually spark a second american civil war. Oh yeah.
"If Obama loses it will spark the second American Civil War. Blood will run in the streets, believe me. And it's not a coincidence that President Bush recalled soldiers from Iraq for Dick Cheney to lead against American citizens in the streets."
And here we all thought he was pulling out of Iraq. That shrewd Bush. He is so smart, even though he is "the dumbest President ever"™.
By the way, is anybody else laughing at the image of Dick Cheney leading american soldiers into battle against american citizens in the street? Why didn't she add that he would be wearing a Nazi uniform, a monocle and smoking a cigar when he is leading the SS troops while she is at it? Cause yes, a man who never went into combat and has a bad ticker is the right man to lead soldiers against the citizenry. Honestly Erica, if you are stupid enough to think this is an actual possibility, then you really did need that valium. Can I also recommend Prozac? Just a thought.
And last but not least, there is a Texas man who committed suicide , and the only thing he wrote in his suicide note was for Obama to hep his family. Now that's a believer, don't you think?
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