Housing crisis: how many houses do I own again?

[RandomGuy]

If you've lost your house this year, John McCain, feels your pain.

He seems to have lost several of his houses, and needs his aides to help him find them.


WASHINGTON - Days after he cracked that being rich in the U.S. meant earning at least $5 million a year, Republican presidential candidate John McCain acknowledged that he wasn't sure how many houses he and his wealthy wife actually own.

"I think — I'll have my staff get to you," McCain responded to a question posed by Politico, according to a story Thursday on the publication's Web site. "It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you."

Later, the McCain campaign told Politico that McCain and his wife, Cindy, have at least four in three states, Arizona, California and Virginia. Newsweek recently estimated the two owned at least seven properties.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080821/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_houses



Tell me again how Obama's the "elitist"?

I try to generally avoid being too wickedly partisan, but this was just too funny to pass up. :lmao

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If you've lost your house this year, John McCain, feels your pain.

He seems to have lost several of his houses, and needs his aides to help him find them.



Tell me again how Obama's the "elitist"?

I try to generally avoid being too wickedly partisan, but this was just too funny to pass up. :lmao

Hmm, I dunno, maybe it's his wife moaning about how it costs them $30,000 a year for ballerina (!) lessons for the little one, or Michelle mocking the stimulus package as not being enough for her to go out and buy some new diamond ear rings.

Clearly $30K ballerina lessons are shit the average American worries about.

And McCain married into money. Having money <> elitist. And let's not even try and pretend that Obama's hurting for cash either...

[Mr. Peabody]

Hmm, I dunno, maybe it's his wife moaning about how it costs them $30,000 a year for ballerina (!) lessons for the little one, or Michelle mocking the stimulus package as not being enough for her to go out and buy some new diamond ear rings.

Clearly $30K ballerina lessons are shit the average American worries about.

And McCain married into money. Having money <> elitist. And let's not even try and pretend that Obama's hurting for cash either...

Well according to McCain, Obama's not rich because he only made $4 million last year. I guess that makes him upper-middle class in McCain's worldview.

[101A]

Obama's ad mocking the house thing is gonna fall on deaf ears.

One elitist calling another MORE elitist ain't gonna fly. Besides, with the Hollywood crowd, the Kennedy's etc. FIRMLY behind, and running with, Obama, he is the personification of "elite" in this country right now.

The fact that the Obamesiah gave less than 1% of his income to charity BEFORE he began running for president ain't gonna help.

[Mr. Peabody]

Obama's ad mocking the house thing is gonna fall on deaf ears.

One elitist calling another MORE elitist ain't gonna fly. Besides, with the Hollywood crowd, the Kennedy's etc. FIRMLY behind, and running with, Obama, he is the personification of "elite" in this country right now.

The fact that the Obamesiah gave less than 1% of his income to charity BEFORE he began running for president ain't gonna help.

I don't think the house ad is to paint McCain as elitist. If you look at the rhetoric from the Obama camp and from Obama himself in his latest stump speeches, they are trying to paint McCain as out of touch with middle America. I don't know how successful it will be. I doubt your average American feels that either candidate really understands their situation.

This is one area where I Obama could learn a lot from Bill Clinton's '92 campaign. This video is a great example -

ta_SFvgbrlY

[101A]

I don't think the house ad is to paint McCain as elitist. If you look at the rhetoric from the Obama camp and from Obama himself in his latest stump speeches, they are trying to paint McCain as out of touch with middle America. I don't know how successful it will be. I doubt your average American feels that either candidate really understands their situation.

This is one area where I Obama could learn a lot from Bill Clinton's '92 campaign. This video is a great example -

ta_SFvgbrlY

Obama doesn't have those kind of chops; Clinton was unreal in those types of environments; McCain ain't bad in the "Town Hall" format - Obama looks (and sounds) like Kerry - with less experience.

[ChumpDumper]

Knowing how many houses one owns is a desirable trait for a president.

[Mr. Peabody]

Obama doesn't have those kind of chops; Clinton was unreal in those types of environments; McCain ain't bad in the "Town Hall" format - Obama looks (and sounds) like Kerry - with less experience.

I agree. I don't think Obama could match Clinton's "I feel your pain" persona; it's just not his style. I do think, however, that he could spend a little more time explaining how he didn't make money until the last 8 years or so, and the concerns that came along with that.

Most of his attempts at relating to middle America come in the form of the generic "It's like a woman I met in Minnesota, who works two jobs, but can't afford...." Those are stories every politician tells and don't make me see the candidate any differently than I did before hearing the oft-repeated tales.

[Anti.Hero]

Wow. How pathetic to go at McCain from this angle.

Keep promoting class envy. Keep up the hatred of the wealthy.

Obama is the biggest hypocrite in this election. They are all wealthy.




The fact that the Obamesiah gave less than 1% of his income to charity BEFORE he began running for president ain't gonna help.

Exactly. The dude is a fucking fraud and it won't be long until all the little stupid sheep finally grasp this.

[Mr. Peabody]

Wow. How pathetic to go at McCain from this angle.

Keep promoting class envy. Keep up the hatred of the wealthy.

Obama is the biggest hypocrite in this election. They are all wealthy.

Exactly. The dude is a fucking fraud and it won't be long until all the little stupid sheep finally grasp this.

Because John McCain is above these types of attacks. Give me a break.....:bang

[Mr. Peabody]

The fact that the Obamesiah gave less than 1% of his income to charity BEFORE he began running for president ain't gonna help.

Exactly. The dude is a fucking fraud and it won't be long until all the little stupid sheep finally grasp this.

Right because the fact that he worked as a community organizer after graduating from an Ivy League university or the fact that he became a civil rights lawyer after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law doesn't mean a thing.

Giving money, now that's the key. That shows you care about the country.

[Anti.Hero]

That community organizer title he throws around presently to help gain admiration to propel him to be one of the most powerful men in the world? That investment is starting to pay off!

Homeboy has no problem demanding rich guy's money yet he himself didn't do it when he was pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That's like Pelosi telling us she is saving the planet when she is one of the wealthiest in congress. I bet she wants to save her planet. Too many loser peasant middle-classmen getting closer and closer to her gates.


Maybe McRich will sell a couple houses and buy some more limos to stop the shortage next week in Denver.

[Mr. Peabody]

Homeboy has no problem demanding rich guy's money yet he himself didn't do it when he was pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That's like Pelosi telling us she is saving the planet when she is one of the wealthiest in congress. I bet she wants to save her planet. Too many loser peasant middle-classmen getting closer and closer to her gates.

Maybe McRich will sell a couple houses and buy some more limos to stop the shortage next week in Denver.

I can't disagree with that. I can't stand Pelosi and put a lot of blame on her for the Democratic Congress failing to live up to the mid-term election promises they made.

[Mr. Peabody]

That community organizer title he throws around presently to help gain admiration to propel him to be one of the most powerful men in the world? That investment is starting to pay off!


I have a friend that agrees with that position. His argument is that Obama doesn't necessarily crave money, he craves power. Taking the low-paying community/civil rights jobs was a way of making connections to start an ambitious political career.

I understand the argument. My response is that if that was his plan, he could have had his cake and eat it too. There are plenty of high-paying or prestigious jobs that can help you make political connections. Obama could have taken a job at a well-paying politically connected law firm out of law school. He could have worked as a Congressional aide out of college or for a lobbyist. Coming from a Ivy League school he wouldn't have had a problem securing such a position.

I think if president was the motivating factor behind his career choices, he could have made better-paying decisions.

[clambake]

i'd bet sindy dropped over 30k on narcotics alone.

[101A]

I agree. I don't think Obama could match Clinton's "I feel your pain" persona; it's just not his style. I do think, however, that he could spend a little more time explaining how until he didn't make money until the last 8 years or so, and the concerns that came along with that.

Most of his attempts at relating to middle America come in the form of the generic "It's like a woman I met in Minnesota, who works two jobs, but can't afford...." Those are stories every politician tells and don't make me see the candidate any differently than I did before hearing the oft-repeated tales.


""

[Mr. Peabody]

i'd bet sindy dropped over 30k on narcotics alone.

The McCain's bought their daughter a 700k loft as a college graduation gift. My dad gave me a pen. Don't get me wrong it's a nice pen that I still use, but it's still a pen.

[clambake]

The McCain's bought their daughter a 700k loft as a college graduation gift. My dad gave me a pen. Don't get me wrong it's a nice pen that I still use, but it's still a pen.

sindy would take that pen and write her own prescriptions.

[Anti.Hero]

Obama should take a step back and consult his main adviser.


I'm sure Clooney could dig up even more dirt.

[clambake]

why spend 30k on ballet lessons when you can pop pills with beer chasers and dance in your head?

[Anti.Hero]

All of these celebrities that will be in Denver next week have multiple homes, some in multiple countries, do they not?

Why are we supposed to listen to them tell us how great Obama and his policies are for US? I mean, by this logic aren't they too "out-of-touch" with the common man's struggle?

Or are those the "good" elites of America? Scarlett may be a rich whitey, but damn she's hot!

[Mr. Peabody]

Knowing how many houses one owns is a desirable trait for a president.

Evidently, McCain forgot how many houses he owned because he was a ... wait for it ... POW!


The McCain campaign is road-testing a new argument in responding to Obama's criticism of his number-of-houses gaffe, an approach the McCain camp has never tried before: The houses gaffe doesn't matter because ... he was a POW!

"This is a guy who lived in one house for five and a half years -- in prison," spokesman Brian Rogers told the Washington Post.

For those of you who haven't kept track, the McCain campaign just recently cited McCain's POW years in explaining away the Miss Buffalo Chip gaffe, and in dealing with the allegation that he broke the rules and listened in on Barack Obama during the Rick Warren forum.

Also, Rogers made sure to play the anti-intellectual card: "In terms of who's an elitist, I think people have made a judgment that John McCain is not an arugula-eating, pointy headed professor-type based on his life story."

In a related story, Rudy Giuliani commented that he couldn't remember the number of houses McCain owned because of 9/11.

[Mr. Peabody]

All of these celebrities that will be in Denver next week have multiple homes, some in multiple countries, do they not?

Why are we supposed to listen to them tell us how great Obama and his policies are for US? I mean, by this logic aren't they too "out-of-touch" with the common man's struggle?

Or are those the "good" elites of America? Scarlett may be a rich whitey, but damn she's hot!

The difference is that the people in Denver won't be trying to sell the American public on the notion that the economy is fine and any problems are just in our heads.

[clambake]

All of these celebrities that will be in Denver next week have multiple homes, some in multiple countries, do they not?
could be

Why are we supposed to listen to them tell us how great Obama and his policies are for US?
because mccain is one of them.

I mean, by this logic aren't they too "out-of-touch" with the common man's struggle?
no, they actually give a shit

Or are those the "good" elites of America?
you can have that opinion, i guess

Scarlett may be a rich whitey, but damn she's hot!
yeah, but she's white. you don't give her points for that?

[Anti.Hero]

The difference is that the people in Denver won't be trying to sell the American public on the notion that the economy is fine and any problems are just in our heads.

They will be selling them on Obama's economic policy of increasing investment tax rates, demonizing business into submission, strengthening unions to further cripple businesses?

I mean, Pamela Anderson is/was gorgeous but her economic endorsement doesn't really carry any weight.

[clambake]

what unions?

[ChumpDumper]

Has his staff figured out the number of houses yet?

[Mr. Peabody]

Oh wait. McCain is not as out of touch as Obama says. Because while he owns ten properties, he only lives in four of them according to his campaign.


The McCain campaign was in full damage-control mode as the housing story took off today. Rogers tried to play down the story, saying that reports of the many McCain houses were overstated.

“The reality is they have some investment properties and stuff. It’s not as if he lives in ten houses. That’s just not the case,” Rogers said. “The reality is they have four that actually could be considered houses they could use.”

[Mr. Peabody]

Has his staff figured out the number of houses yet?

By "staff", do you mean campaign staff or the maids, gardeners, chauffeurs, and cooks he and Cindy keep at their multiple mansions and paid over $250k to last year?


The McCains increased their budget for household employees from $184,000 in 2006 to $273,000 in 2007, according to John McCain’s tax returns.

[xrayzebra]

Haven't seen the name of REZKO yet? What's the matter cat got your
tongue. Really don't think Obama wants to push this house thing too far.
I predict that you wont hear much about it after Rezko property comes up.
You know the little side piece that The Messiah got for under market prices.
From a convicted felon.

[Mr. Peabody]

Haven't seen the name of REZKO yet? What's the matter cat got your
tongue. Really don't think Obama wants to push this house thing too far.
I predict that you wont hear much about it after Rezko property comes up.
You know the little side piece that The Messiah got for under market prices.
From a convicted felon.

Nice try xray. One, the Rezko property thing has already "come up" during the primaries. And two, your propaganda has already been debunked.


In January of 2005, the Obamas made three successive bids on the home, which had been listed at $1.95 million. After bids of $1.3 and then $1.5 million, the Obamas, through an agent, finally offered $1.65 million, a bid which the seller ultimately accepted. Obama has said that the house was on the market for a number of months and was overpriced. The seller, a doctor at the University of Chicago named Fredric Wondisford who has refused to speak to the media, has stated in an email released by the Obama campaign to Bloomberg that Obama's bid was the highest bid on the home.

[Mr. Peabody]

Haven't seen the name of REZKO yet? What's the matter cat got your
tongue. Really don't think Obama wants to push this house thing too far.
I predict that you wont hear much about it after Rezko property comes up.
You know the little side piece that The Messiah got for under market prices.
From a convicted felon.

Next thing you know, you will be telling me that McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns because he was a POW....

[xrayzebra]

Nice try xray. One, the Rezko property thing has already "come up" during the primaries. And two, your propaganda has already been debunked.

Oh, it hasn't begun to be talked about Yet! More crap than you can stir will be brought out. Property will just be one thing about that relationship.
I stick by my prediction. Houses will be put away quietly.

Besides, the way things are going for Obama I would not be too surprised
to see Hillary stick it to him at the convention. All is not well in the
dimm-o-crap party.

[Mr. Peabody]

Oh, it hasn't begun to be talked about Yet! More crap than you can stir will be brought out. Property will just be one thing about that relationship.
I stick by my prediction. Houses will be put away quietly.

Besides, the way things are going for Obama I would not be too surprised
to see Hillary stick it to him at the convention. All is not well in the
dimm-o-crap party.

I agree this hasn't begun to be talked about yet. McCain's gaffe just occurred this morning. Wait until the evening talk shows get into this.

As far as HRC is concerned, she may be a problem but, we'll see how the VP pick and the convention shake out.

[Mr. Peabody]

The McCain campaign is road-testing a new argument in responding to Obama's criticism of his number-of-houses gaffe, an approach the McCain camp has never tried before: The houses gaffe doesn't matter because ... he was a POW!

"This is a guy who lived in one house for five and a half years -- in prison," spokesman Brian Rogers told the Washington Post.

For those of you who haven't kept track, the McCain campaign just recently cited McCain's POW years in explaining away the Miss Buffalo Chip gaffe, and in dealing with the allegation that he broke the rules and listened in on Barack Obama during the Rick Warren forum.

McCain should just quit trying to explain away gaffes and just rely on his "go to" gaffe response from here on out...


Ladies and gentlemen , I'm just a POW. I was captured and later rescued. Your world frightens and confuses me! Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW.. and run off into the hills, or wherever.. Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, I wonder: "Did little demons get inside and type it?" I don't know! My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts.

New McCain Speech writer?

http://seattlest.com/attachments/seattle_dan/Cavemen-Unfrozen-Lawyer-web.jpg

[RandomGuy]

.... soooo let me get this straight.

Your memory about how many houses you have was impaired by the time you spent as a POW, but yet you want me to put you in one of the most mentally taxing jobs on the planet with access to nuclear weapons and authority over our nation's military.

The risk of a "senior moment" seems to be one that we should consider here.

[JoeChalupa]

McCain knows how to marry up he just has trouble remembering.

[Wild Cobra]

Why does it matter how many houses he owns? Should he know for sure off the top of his head? If he owns several and has a property management company rent some out, he may not have thought about such things for years. Then was this referring to his houses, or his and Cindy's houses? Many of their assets are separate you know.

Now consider this two. If they have ten houses together, but he has four, then nothing wrong there either. His mother lives in one of the houses, and so does his sister (or was it his daughter?) That leaves two houses for him. Probably one in Arizona and another in DC. Maybe a vacation home somewhere too. What's wrong with that? Anyway, it's just like a libtard to focus on such things against a republican, but not against Al Gore or John Kerry. Typical liberal double standards.

Obama's really stupid for making a big deal about this. McCain houses two of his family members in two of his houses, and Obama has a brother living in poverty.

[boutons_]

"Why does it matter how many houses he owns?"

because McBefuddled's slimebots have been attacking HUSSEIN elistist, codeword to bubbas for "uppity nigga who doesn't know his place".

Pointing McConfused's wealth is simply a counterpunch to the hypocritical slime from McJerk's people.

Is is the issue important? no, so why did McFucktard bring it up?

Is it important to counterpunch the old fart? yes.

If McAnklebiter wants to dish it out, he otta be ready to take it.

[ChumpDumper]

Should he know for sure off the top of his head?Should it take his staff a day to find out?

[Wild Cobra]

Should it take his staff a day to find out?

That would depend on the priority it was given. I'm sure they have better things to do, and it just doesn't matter how many houses he has.

[xrayzebra]

Why does it matter how many houses he owns? Should he know for sure off the top of his head? If he owns several and has a property management company rent some out, he may not have thought about such things for years. Then was this referring to his houses, or his and Cindy's houses? Many of their assets are separate you know.

Now consider this two. If they have ten houses together, but he has four, then nothing wrong there either. His mother lives in one of the houses, and so does his sister (or was it his daughter?) That leaves two houses for him. Probably one in Arizona and another in DC. Maybe a vacation home somewhere too. What's wrong with that? Anyway, it's just like a libtard to focus on such things against a republican, but not against Al Gore or John Kerry. Typical liberal double standards.

Obama's really stupid for making a big deal about this. McCain houses two of his family members in two of his houses, and Obama has a brother living in poverty.

Agree with you WC. Why are the dimm-o-craps making such a fuss over how many houses McCain and Cindy own. If they are trying to make him out as a big time capitalist or rich man I still don't see the
significance. Hell The Messiah is the one who is one who displays all the traits of a "better than you" attitude. I know several people who own several houses and they are not really what I would consider the cream of the rich folks. They just invested in property, not such an usual thing.

But The Messiah still has a lot of explaining to do on his Rezko relationship. And from what I have read he better have all his ducks in
a row cause folks are going to coming at him big time.

He may be trying to deflect his history in the Illinois legislature about his stance on abortion. He has been caught in one big lie about his voting record and reason he voted to kill babies already born alive from blotched abortions.

[clambake]

That would depend on the priority it was given. I'm sure they have better things to do, and it just doesn't matter how many houses he has.

priority one should be "What can we do so that mccain doesn't look so stupid?"

[Mr. Peabody]

A

He may be trying to deflect his history in the Illinois legislature about his stance on abortion. He has been caught in one big lie about his voting record and reason he voted to kill babies already born alive from blotched abortions.

ray, don't you know, we all love to kill babies in the Democratic Party. It's in our platform. Look it up.

[Mr. Peabody]

priority one should be "What can we do so that mccain doesn't look so stupid?"

That could take up too many resources and too much time....

[Wild Cobra]

priority one should be "What can we do so that mccain doesn't look so stupid?"

But it doesn't make him look stupid. That would be like asking me how many dictionarys I have. I would have to count them. Why do stupid people think it does? I need your viewpoint to try to understand this please.

[clambake]

But it doesn't make him look stupid. That would be like asking me how many dictionarys I have. I would have to count them. Why do stupid people think it does? I need your viewpoint to try to understand this please.

OMG!!!!!!! what a moron!!!:lmao:lmao:lmao

[Mr. Peabody]

But it doesn't make him look stupid. That would be like asking me how many dictionarys I have. I would have to count them. Why do stupid people think it does? I need your viewpoint to try to understand this please.

I don't like the dictionary analogy, but I do understand your argument. I think I read that Cindy's personal wealth is estimated at $100 million and her company's assets are worth $1 billion. McCain's been running his campaign for almost 2 years now. Who knows how many properties have been bought or sold during that time. Also, I have no doubt that Cindy and likely even a third party manage the money and property. Really, given what he's is in the middle of right now, who would expect that McCain would know all of the details of the management of the fortune he and his wife possess? That is a lot to keep up with and I don't mean that in a sarcastic manner.

It's just a fun talking point. Particularly after a week of dropping poll numbers and a poor reviews from the Saddleback forum.

[clambake]

I don't like the dictionary analogy, but I do understand your argument. I think I read that Cindy's personal wealth is estimated at $100 million and her company's assets are worth $1 billion. McCain's been running his campaign for almost 2 years now. Who knows how many properties have been bought or sold during that time. Also, I have no doubt that Cindy and likely even a third party manage the money and property. Really, given what he's is in the middle of right now, who would expect that McCain would know all of the details of the management of the fortune he and his wife possess? That is a lot to keep up with and I don't mean that in a sarcastic manner.

It's just a fun talking point. Particularly after a week of dropping poll numbers and a poor reviews from the Saddleback forum.

but you forgot something..................who's been throwing around the "elitist" label?

[Wild Cobra]

I don't like the dictionary analogy, but I do understand your argument.

I started to saying pairs of sox, but that would be a poor comparison. I do own several dictionaries. Among them is a 1906, 1936, 1948, 1970, 1986, and 1996. I have more, but I don't recall the dates or how many more. I rely mostly on the 1936 and 1996.

[Mr. Peabody]

but you forgot something..................who's been throwing around the "elitist" label?

Yeah and like I said, I do think it helps illustrate to the average voter how wealthy McCain is and the perspective that he operates from. Again, we'll see how effective this line of attack will be.

[clambake]

i know how many socks i have, and how many dictionaries i have, and how many houses i have.

am i an elitist?

[Mr. Peabody]

I started to saying pairs of sox, but that would be a poor comparison. I do own several dictionaries. Among them is a 1906, 1936, 1948, 1970, 1986, and 1996. I have more, but I don't recall the dates or how many more. I rely mostly on the 1936 and 1996.

Nice. I am a bit of a bibliophile myself. I've had to tone it down recently because I am running out of space to store my books and my wife keeps complaining about them.

[Mr. Peabody]

i know how many socks i have, and how many dictionaries i have, and how many houses i have.

am i an elitist?

No, but if you know how many socks you have, you need to buy more socks....

Wait a minute. Does that make me elitist?:wow

[clambake]

another thing.....he doesn't even know how many houses he has, but he knows the pain of all the people losing their houses?

[ChumpDumper]

But it doesn't make him look stupid. That would be like asking me how many dictionarys I have. I would have to count them. Why do stupid people think it does? I need your viewpoint to try to understand this please.You don't have enough dictionaries.

[Wild Cobra]

You don't have enough dictionaries.

You're right. I don't. I need one much older than the 1906, and I haven't bought a new one either. I need at least two more.

[Holt's Cat]

If you've lost your house this year, John McCain, feels your pain.

He seems to have lost several of his houses, and needs his aides to help him find them.



Tell me again how Obama's the "elitist"?

I try to generally avoid being too wickedly partisan, but this was just too funny to pass up. :lmao

Even funnier considering it brings Obama's own housing situation to the fore. Brilliant.

[xrayzebra]

I don't like the dictionary analogy, but I do understand your argument. I think I read that Cindy's personal wealth is estimated at $100 million and her company's assets are worth $1 billion. McCain's been running his campaign for almost 2 years now. Who knows how many properties have been bought or sold during that time. Also, I have no doubt that Cindy and likely even a third party manage the money and property. Really, given what he's is in the middle of right now, who would expect that McCain would know all of the details of the management of the fortune he and his wife possess? That is a lot to keep up with and I don't mean that in a sarcastic manner.

It's just a fun talking point. Particularly after a week of dropping poll numbers and a poor reviews from the Saddleback forum.

Two things. First I think McCain and Cindy keep their money separate.
He has his and she has hers. I think it was brought up at the beginning of the campaign something about disclosure on both of them and Cindy more or less told everyone to stick it. She didn't have to disclose and she wasn't going to. McCain by law must submit disclosure on his income. Also I have heard, maybe read on here, that they sign a nuptial agreement when they got married. She inherited her money from her Father. Beer distributorship if I am not mistaken.

Second, I would bet money that neither of them get involved in day to day dealings with their money. John may, but Cindy more than likely doesn't. She is informed of some transaction and either approves it or not. Anyhow, I am wondering if John is elected to President does Cindy have to put her holdings into a blind trust. Anyone know?

[clambake]

that wouldn't be exactly blind, now would it, ray?

[Mr. Peabody]

Anyhow, I am wondering if John is elected to President does Cindy have to put her holdings into a blind trust. Anyone know?

It looks like it.


Hensley, founded by Cindy McCain's late father, holds federal and state licenses to distribute beer and lobbies regulatory agencies on alcohol issues that involve health and safety.

It has opposed groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in fighting proposed federal rules that would require alcohol-content information on every package of beer, wine and liquor.

Its executives, including McCain's son Andrew, have written at least 10 letters to the U.S. Treasury Department, contributed tens of thousands of dollars to a beer-industry political-action panel and hold a seat on the board of the powerful National Beer Wholesalers Association.

The company also has run afoul of health-advocacy groups that have tried to rein in appeals to young drinkers. Hensley, for example, distributes caffeinated alcohol drinks that public-health groups say put young and underage consumers at risk by disguising the effects of intoxication.

The involvement of his wife and children in federal regulatory issues could create a conflict of interest for a future McCain administration, according to advocacy groups and political analysts.
. . . .
Hensley executives also have contributed heavily to the National Beer Wholesalers Association, which operates the nation's seventh-largest political-action committee and has opposed the label.

McCain has avoided problems in the Senate by recusing himself on alcohol issues, the Distilled Spirits Council said.

"Senator McCain has been very, very fair to this industry," said Frank Coleman, senior vice president for the council. "He stays an arm's length away from issues that benefit the family business."

But a president cannot recuse himself or his administration from public-policy issues as broad as alcohol, which is regulated by such departments and agencies as Treasury, the Federal Trade Commission, Health and Human Services and Transportation, among others.

"It is going to be a very difficult high-wire act for the McCain family," said Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director of the Marin Institute, a nonprofit watchdog group in San Rafael, Calif.

Aside from the labeling issue, Hensley has begun distributing products known as flavored malt beverages, which critics call "alcopops" that mask the taste of alcohol.

What exactly Cindy McCain can do is not clear, but public-interest groups say she should separate herself and her husband from Hensley.

"I believe she would have to put that stuff in a blind trust of some kind," said Charles Hurley, the CEO of MADD, "where she would not be involved."

Other experts question whether a blind trust would go far enough.

[possessed]

Right because the fact that he worked as a community organizer after graduating from an Ivy League university or the fact that he became a civil rights lawyer after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law doesn't mean a thing.

Giving money, now that's the key. That shows you care about the country.

"Community Organizer" is the hip new PC term for slum lord. That's great! :lol

[Mr. Peabody]

"Community Organizer" is the hip new PC term for slum lord. That's great! :lol

Yeah.....because Barack was a.......slum lord?

That makes absolutely no sense.:bang

[possessed]

Yeah.....because Barack was a.......slum lord?

That makes absolutely no sense.:bang

His campaigns have been bankrolled by them. The company a guy keeps says alot about a man.

[ChumpDumper]

His campaigns have been bankrolled by them. The company a guy keeps says alot about a man.Like Charles Keating.

[Mr. Peabody]

His campaigns have been bankrolled by them. The company a guy keeps says alot about a man.

By "them," you mean "one." I know, language can be so confusing. And we both know (as ChumpDumper pointed out), McCain has had his share of associations with people he probably now regrets.

Oh yeah, and Mr. Keating cost taxpayers $160 billion. Which association is worse?

[MannyIsGod]

Why does it matter how many houses he owns?

I just want to know...

did you really type this with a straight face?

[Nbadan]

Some people are having trouble seeing the positive in McCain's 8 homes...


An interesting tidbit from the end of a piece in the Politico on McCain's 8 homes. (They've decided it's eight.) From 2006 to 2007, the McCain's budget for household staff went up roughly 50% from $184,000 to $273,000 ...

The McCains increased their budget for household employees from $184,000 in 2006 to $273,000 in 2007, according to John McCain's tax returns. The additional cash supports an "increase in the number of employees," the McCain aide told Politico. The aide did not answer a question about whether the growing staff stemmed from addition of new properties to the family's real estate portfolio.

TalkingPointMemo (http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/209623.php)

John McCain is doing his part to turn around the economy!!

[MannyIsGod]

Did I really read that a dictionary was compared to a house? I mean really?

[MannyIsGod]

I think the ad is dumb. I don't know how much its going to work, but whatever. I think Obama needs to start doing what McCain is doing because otherwise he's going to blow this election so I guess this was an attempt to go in that direction.

That being said, I can't believe what I've read in here. Comparing houses to dictionaries is rather laughable.

[nomanches]

Kind of a catch 22 situation. If McCain truthfully answers with, "I have 7 houses" he'd still be scrutinized in the news for that answer. Maybe he answered the way he did to avoid sounding pompous. Although he really should have tried to dodge that question more gracefully. :lol

[Nbadan]

Here's Obama's 7 houses ad


lCMVL5tXLGQ

[PixelPusher]

So after reading all the posts in this thread so far, I'm still curious...

...how do you not know how many fucking houses you own?

[MannyIsGod]

So after reading all the posts in this thread so far, I'm still curious...

...how do you not know how many fucking houses you own?

Wait, before I answer this, I must know. Do you know how many dictionaries you own??!?!?!??!?!

[Mr. Peabody]

Did I really read that a dictionary was compared to a house? I mean really?

The dictionary was after consideration. It was initially going to be socks.

[PixelPusher]

Wait, before I answer this, I must know. Do you know how many dictionaries you own??!?!?!??!?!
Zero, unless you count the Merriman-Webster link in my bookmarks.


The dictionary was after consideration. It was initially going to be socks.

Well shit...you got me there. I have no idea how many socks I own. That's what I get for not listing them among my assets in my finanical portfolio.

[Mr. Peabody]

Well shit...you got me there. I have no idea how many socks I own. That's what I get for not listing them among my assets in my finanical portfolio.

Hmmph. Typical elitist.

[boutons_]

McAmnesia's forgotten $14M of real estate

http://www.mccainvminnesota.com/cribs.html

[boutons_]

Official Net Worth: McCain $36.4 Million, Obama $799,000 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-nickolas/official-net-worth-mccain_b_120524.html)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-nickolas/official-net-worth-mccain_b_120524.html?view=print

[Mr. Peabody]

n/t

[RandomGuy]

Obama's ad mocking the house thing is gonna fall on deaf ears.

One elitist calling another MORE elitist ain't gonna fly. Besides, with the Hollywood crowd, the Kennedy's etc. FIRMLY behind, and running with, Obama, he is the personification of "elite" in this country right now.

The fact that the Obamesiah gave less than 1% of his income to charity BEFORE he began running for president ain't gonna help.

You think the people in hollywood are "elite"?

I certainly don't look up to them.

Besides the message is simply that McCain is out of touch, and not an elitist.

Personally, I don't think McCain really has clue one what is going on in normal people's lives.

[RandomGuy]

Even funnier considering it brings Obama's own housing situation to the fore. Brilliant.

Which is? Do tell.

[spurster]

Not only is McCain out of touch with other peoples' lives, he is out of touch with his own life.

[Anti.Hero]

It really is pathetic how these trash dems have brainwashed you fools into hating successful people. In doing so, training you to have a blind eye in their blatant hypocrisy. Even more pathetic how you don't understand what they have done to your thinking.

Seriously, America is fucked if most people are starting to think like this.

It's not pity I have, but disgust.


Seacrest out.

[Mr. Peabody]

It really is pathetic how these trash dems have brainwashed you fools into hating successful people. In doing so, training you to have a blind eye in their blatant hypocrisy. Even more pathetic how you don't understand what they have done to your thinking.



Were you not alive during the 2004 election when the Republicans kept harping on Teresa Heinz Kerry and her money, saying that John Kerry was out of touch and elitist?

What has the wingnut propaganda machine done to your thinking?

Here's a little reminder -


New ads call Kerry 'rich liberal elitist'
Kerry says some international leaders support him

Monday, March 8, 2004 Posted: 6:56 PM EST (2356 GMT)


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With ads by the Bush-Cheney campaign and the liberal grass-roots group MoveOn.org already battling it out on the airwaves, another set of ads was rolled out nationwide Monday, the first conservative attack ads against presumptive Democratic candidate John Kerry.

Paid for by the group Citizens United, the 30-second message calls Kerry "another rich liberal elitist from Massachusetts who claims he's a man of the people."

Why do conservatives hate people that are successful...?

[RandomGuy]

It really is pathetic how these trash dems have brainwashed you fools into hating successful people. In doing so, training you to have a blind eye in their blatant hypocrisy. Even more pathetic how you don't understand what they have done to your thinking.

Seriously, America is fucked if most people are starting to think like this.

It's not pity I have, but disgust.


Seacrest out.

It is really pathetic how talk radio and fox news has brainwashed you fools into thinking that dems hate successful people. In doing so, training you to have a blind eye to their blatant hypocrisy. Even more pathetic how you don't understand what they have done to your thinking.

Seriously, America is fucked if most people are starting to think like this.

It's not pity I have for people who blindly buy into strawman arguments, but disgust.

Please prove that Democrats hate successful people. I would like links and quotes if you would.

[PixelPusher]

All of the resident board Republicans who've checked into this discussion have completely missed the point. "Republican Presidential candidate is wealthy and owns multiple homes" is not some startling revelation; it's the "I don't remember how many houses I own" part that's the issue.

Again, how do you not know how many HOUSES you own?

[T Park]

Again with the class warfare.

Typical play out of the Democrat playbook.

[ChumpDumper]

Again with the class warfare.

Typical play out of the Democrat playbook.It worked for the Republicans last time.

[101A]

You think the people in hollywood are "elite"?

I certainly don't look up to them.

Besides the message is simply that McCain is out of touch, and not an elitist.

Personally, I don't think McCain really has clue one what is going on in normal people's lives.

I Googled "Hollywood Elite"; got lots of hits.

Apparently you're living under a rock:

Liberal Elite, Hollywood Left, Hollywood Elite, Limousine Liberal, etc etc...all the same people, whether you look up to them or not.

What is "normal"?

You think Barrack gets it? Maybe only because he was "normal" recently he might? I don't think he's been "normal" for a while.

What makes one "not normal"? Wealth? A job?

Hell, why don't we go find a "normal" person, and make him president. He'll understand "normal" people. That'll work great!

I, personally, don't want a "normal" person as president. Hell, I don't want a "normal" person to fucking vote!

[ChumpDumper]

Hell, I don't want a "normal" person to fucking vote!Elitist.

[PixelPusher]

Ok, since all the board Republicans can't get past the "elite" thing, I'll phrase it a different way:

Is it normal for wealthy elites to not know how many houses they own?

[Spurminator]

I have to say none of this makes a bit of difference to me.

[101A]

Elitist.

Guilty

[101A]

Ok, since all the board Republicans can't get past the "elite" thing, I'll phrase it a different way:

Is it normal for wealthy elites to not know how many houses they own?

I met a guy the other day at my son's soccer practice. His just paid his neighbor cash for his house because he wanted more privacy. I could see how a guy like that could lose track.

While talking I mentioned I was from Texas. "Oh", he replied, "we own a railroad in Texas."

Different world.

[florige]

What does McCain's wife do/did that she is so wealthy?

[Mr. Peabody]

What does McCain's wife do/did that she is so wealthy?

She was born.

[Wild Cobra]

All of the resident board Republicans who've checked into this discussion have completely missed the point. "Republican Presidential candidate is wealthy and owns multiple homes" is not some startling revelation; it's the "I don't remember how many houses I own" part that's the issue.

Really?

Did you know there are more rich democrats than republicans? I found a list one time, and there was only one republican in the top 5.



Again, how do you not know how many HOUSES you own?

I'm sure he knows how many he owns as I think about it, but that wasn't the question. His and Cindy's large finacial assets are not shared. McCain does not know how many investment properties she owns without asking. That can change at any time. He stays out of her finances to keep clear of conflicts of interest as a senator.

Last night, on the local replay of the Lars Larson show, I heard the question asked. The question included Cindy's houses. It was not how many houses he owns.

Liberal lies again. Changing the facts.

Oh well, what's new.

[Nbadan]

The McCain Camp has made him a cheat sheet so that he doesn't get nailed by the what he owns question again...

http://assets.236.com/images/photo2/5073/original/original.jpg

[Nbadan]

Cool....A Google Earth tour of McCain's many homes...


0Glia_Vrbc8

[possessed]

I have to say none of this makes a bit of difference to me.

The voting public agrees with you. It's this kind of shit that's sinking Obama.

Like the American people think this is an issue. :lol

It screams desperation.

[clambake]

The voting public agrees with you. It's this kind of shit that's sinking Obama.

Like the American people think this is an issue. :lol

It screams desperation.

don't tell this to mccain without giving him definitions to the words.

[AFBlue]

Why do some people on this forum think that there's a correlation between personal wealth and elitism?

I think the idea that any politician can identify with the "typical American" is as rediculous as the idea that there's a "typical American".

The elitist title is simply a subjective perception of a person. Polls suggested that Obama, while cool, had trouble connecting with the working-class public. McCain did the smart strategic thing and pounced.

My opinion is that no matter how many houses McCain owns or how much money he's worth, it's not going to alter the subjective perception that he's a "typical American" that can identify with the people....no matter how untrue it is.

[boutons_]

The Repug slime bots slimed Kerry because was both rich and married richer.

The Repug slime bots slimed Gore because he had a big house.

Now that their old whitey is being exposed a $100M rich and ignorant of his own real estate, the right-wingers take the snooty high road.

The Repugs, the party of HAVES!, have made personal wealth slime-worthy, so McConfused deserves all the attacks about his houses.

[ChumpDumper]

Did his staff ever figure it out?

[AFBlue]

The Repug slime bots slimed Kerry because was both rich and married richer.

The Repug slime bots slimed because he had a big house.

Now that their old whitey is being exposed a $100M rich and ignorant of his own real estate, the right-wingers take the snooty high road.

The Repugs, the party of HAVES!, have made personal wealth slime-worthy, so McConfused deserves all the attacks about his houses.

And all those attacks yielded what?

Don't be pissed at the right-wing for their attacks on the same issue being more effective....

[Nbadan]

And all those attacks yielded what?

Don't be pissed at the right-wing for their attacks on the same issue being more effective....

Like you said before, it's all about perception. You may think that Obama has trouble relating to 'the little guy' but do you know that for sure? How do you know that? or are you just going by the sound bites and trash journalism that passing as reporting today?

What makes McCain any better? Because he was in a Vietnam prison camp for 5 years? Can a guy who can't remember how many homes he has or cars he drives really be any better at relating to 'the little guy'?

About the only thing the McCain camp has been better at is using attack ads to frame this issue, but Obama has managed to now effective turn this talking-point around and expose McCain....something that perhaps he should have done a long time ago...

[Nbadan]

If you take of the GOP colored glasses you can see how this can turn ugly for McCain really really fast...


W1Iy8S3rruc

[sabar]

The Repug slime bots slimed Kerry because was both rich and married richer.

The Repug slime bots slimed Gore because he had a big house.

Now that their old whitey is being exposed a $100M rich and ignorant of his own real estate, the right-wingers take the snooty high road.

The Repugs, the party of HAVES!, have made personal wealth slime-worthy, so McConfused deserves all the attacks about his houses.

When are the partisan fools on this forum and in this world going to realize that both sides slander each other? Guess what, blue or red, they are all humans, they are all corrupt, and none of them are in touch with the middle or lower class.

When you go out to vote pick a third party candidate that had to work hard to raise their money instead of just being able to stand in the spotlight and have a stream of cash flow into their propaganda machine like is true for gop/dem candidates.

I just think it's hilarious when one party says "well we don't act like this" when 20 years before they did the exact same thing. I hate to tell you this, but aligning yourself with one party does not make you morally superior. Your members are just as much of liars and jerks as your opponents.

[Nbadan]

You may or may not be right, but people have to believe in something because the alternative is to believe in nothing...maybe Obama is just like every other politician, but there is the possibility that maybe he's not....remember that although Clinton was a big business liberal he also didn't stand in the way of working toward a bipartisan effort to reduce government spending and put us on the road to our first fiscal surplus since Kennedy setting the pattern for the longest period of economic growth in U.S. history...you think that happened because Reagan, Bush41 or BushJr. ran record deficits?

[T Park]

Just wondering if Obama is gonna talk about his house being bought by a criminal. Also with the whole making 4 million hes more "in touch" I guess.

[ChumpDumper]

If he makes $4 million a year, he's not rich.

[AFBlue]

Like you said before, it's all about perception. You may think that Obama has trouble relating to 'the little guy' but do you know that for sure? How do you know that? or are you just going by the sound bites and trash journalism that passing as reporting today?

What makes McCain any better? Because he was in a Vietnam prison camp for 5 years? Can a guy who can't remember how many homes he has or cars he drives really be any better at relating to 'the little guy'?

About the only thing the McCain camp has been better at is using attack ads to frame this issue, but Obama has managed to now effective turn this talking-point around and expose McCain....something that perhaps he should have done a long time ago...

The perception that Obama has trouble relating is validated somewhat by the pollsters (specific questions related to the subject), but mostly by the voters themselves thus far. It's a fact that Obama faired much better in high-income areas with college-educated voters and struggled in lower-income, working class districts.

All that said, I don't think his position is irreversible. Like I said before, it's about perception...and perception can be changed.

[AFBlue]

If you take of the GOP colored glasses you can see how this can turn ugly for McCain really really fast...


W1Iy8S3rruc

I admit it could....certainly won't help. But it could also just be a blip on the radar.

What I can't believe is some of his people pointing out the "house" that he lived in for 5 1/2 years....rediculous.

[RandomGuy]

Just wondering if Obama is gonna talk about his house being bought by a criminal. Also with the whole making 4 million hes more "in touch" I guess.

..If he made 4 million last year, then why is his net worth only about 900k?

[Gino]

The libs got it all wrong. No one cares that John McCain isn't sure how many houses he has....his wife is rich. When they run the ad saying "he has seven", you start to understand why McCain would have trouble knowing exactly how many.


If the libs wanted to scare people away from McCain, they should simply point out that he doesn't even use email and isn't right for our changing world.

Just my two cents.

[ChumpDumper]

When they run the ad saying "he has seven", you start to understand why McCain would have trouble knowing exactly how many.Is seven really that difficult a number to remember?

[Gino]

Is seven really that difficult a number to remember?

No...but how long has it been "seven" for. What else do they own? How many cars does John McCain have? How much money does John McCain have?

I dont think anyone is really going to care.

[clambake]

No...but how long has it been "seven" for. What else do they own? How many cars does John McCain have? How much money does John McCain have?

I dont think anyone is really going to care.

you mean anyone other than the mccain campaign staff?

[ChumpDumper]

No.Well there you go.

[RandomGuy]

Let's get real.

Aside from being mildly funny, I don't really care too much that he doesn't know off the top of his head.

It does sadden me that the Obama camp has stooped to the level of the Republicans, but it is to be expected eventually. Slimy distortions tend to work better than they should, and the McCain camp has certainly gone to town in that regard.

One look down this list shows the depths to wich the right-wing in this country is willing to collectively sink...

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/rulings/pants-fire/

[Mr. Peabody]

No...but how long has it been "seven" for. What else do they own? How many cars does John McCain have? How much money does John McCain have?



I don't know. Neither does McCain.:lol


In our News interview, he was asked what kind of car he drove. As with Politico’s question about home ownership, he didn’t know and had to ask a nearby aide. “A Cadillac CTS,” she told him.

[RandomGuy]

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/flip-o-meter/all/

That one is kinda funny too.

[Mr. Peabody]

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/flip-o-meter/all/

That one is kinda funny too.

Nice site.

[ChumpDumper]

I mean, damn -- just ballpark the number then say you were a POW and tell them to get off your lawn.

[possessed]

I mean, damn -- just ballpark the number then say you were a POW and tell them to get off your lawn.

Or tell them Tony Rezko got him a Hell of a deal and maybe they'll drop the subject completely.

[ChumpDumper]

Why would the press drop it if he said that?

[Mr. Peabody]

Why would the press drop it if he said that?

Because they would be so busy discussing whether "hell" should have been capitalized in his statement...?:nerd

[AFBlue]

this subject will be quickly forgotten by the media and has garnered almost no attention by the general public.

The reason: John McCain "seems like a normal guy" to most Americans and they're willing to forgive his gaffe about how many houses he and his affluent wife own.

[freedom&justice]

Found this on another site. Just thought it was kinda funny.


7f4JLQfsNOE

[Wild Cobra]

No...but how long has it been "seven" for. What else do they own? How many cars does John McCain have? How much money does John McCain have?

I dont think anyone is really going to care.

Only whining libtards care that someone elses is better off than them, and try to find illegitamate reasons they have what they have. We conservatives just tell them "Good Job" for the assets they aquired.

[ChumpDumper]

:lol

I don't know why McCain's supporters keep bumping this topic to loudly proclaim that they don't think it's a big deal.

[xrayzebra]

:lol

I don't know why McCain's supporters keep bumping this topic to loudly proclaim that they don't think it's a big deal.

It's ok Chump. We understand you don't know much.:lol

[Mr. Peabody]

Only whining libtards care that someone elses is better off than them, and try to find illegitamate reasons they have what they have. We conservatives just tell them "Good Job" for the assets they aquired.

There are none so blind....

I guess in 2004 you conservatives were just telling Kerry good job.


New ads call Kerry 'rich liberal elitist'
Kerry says some international leaders support him

Monday, March 8, 2004 Posted: 6:56 PM EST (2356 GMT)


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With ads by the Bush-Cheney campaign and the liberal grass-roots group MoveOn.org already battling it out on the airwaves, another set of ads was rolled out nationwide Monday, the first conservative attack ads against presumptive Democratic candidate John Kerry.

Paid for by the group Citizens United, the 30-second message calls Kerry "another rich liberal elitist from Massachusetts who claims he's a man of the people."

[PixelPusher]

There are none so blind....

I guess in 2004 you conservatives were just telling Kerry good job.

Nice try libtard, but Kerry's wealth came from his marrying a rich industrialist, so he...oh, wait McCain also...aw, dammit!

[Wild Cobra]

There are none so blind....

I guess in 2004 you conservatives were just telling Kerry good job.

That was in a different context, and effective because of Kerry's total lack of relating to common people.