Cast your vote for hope, not fear
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Ronald B. Petracca
Published: October 19, 2008
A recent statement by Del. Jeff Frederick, who is also Chair of the Republican Party of Virginia, comparing Barack Obama to Osama Bin Laden, is not only a scurrilous slander, but also an obvious
attempt to distract the voters of Virginia from the real issues in this campaign. That Frederick would make such a statement is hardly surprising. His political success is a cautionary tale on what
happens when unlimited ambition is not linked to sound judgment and an illustration of the old saying that the worst products often have the best marketing. What is truly sad is that John McCain, who
several months ago promised a respectful and honorable campaign, could not bring himself to condemn Frederick.
Frederick’s attack on Obama is obviously false. Obama is a loving husband, devoted father, conscientious public servant and patriotic American who only the most maladjusted of individuals would link, in
any way, to a murderous fiend like Osama Bin Laden.
The true target of Frederick’s words, however, is not Obama. The voters are. Frederick seems to think we are all fearful bigots who are easily distracted from what this election is really about and are too
dumb to understand that continuing the disastrous policies of George Bush, as McCain wants to do, will not get us better results.
Obama, by contrast, rejects the old politics of character assassination and distraction. He believes in our ability to hope for the future, focus on what matters, and do the hard work needed to make the
American Dream a reality for our children. This time, Virginia and America will vote for hope over fear.
RONALD B. PETRACCA
Manassas
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( QuestionAuthority ) on October 20, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I don’t know whether I’m more disgusted by Republican leaders, who have jumped aboard this increasingly racist “Hate Talk Express” or the pathetic Republican sheep who keep naively drinking cup after cup of this Rovian “politics of fear” Kool-Aid and then regurgitating it with all the obstinate fervor of a child insisting there IS a Santa Claus.
Republican leaders used the same tactics to convince Americans that Iraq was responsible for 9/11 and launch an unnecessary war that has taken longer and cost more than World War II. They used the same tactics to suspension basic human rights and direct unspeakable acts of torture from the White House.
Republicans have used their time in power to flip a budget surplus into the largest debt in US history. They have used signing statements to break the law, used the military to spy on American citizens, and used the Justice Department to go after their political enemies. Their gross incompetence and negligence incited a civil war in Iraq and left the citizens of New Orleans to suffer and die on their own for a week after Katrina. We have witnessed nearly a decade of what has arguably been the most ignorant, arrogant, incompetent leadership in US history. And now they want four more years.
Enough!
We need real change, not a couple of self-proclaimed “mavericks” who represent the party that has spent the 21st century kicking Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill” into a ditch.
Join the growing number of common-sense Republicans and independents who are supporting Obama for president.
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Posted by ( Grant Gary Jacobsen ) on October 20, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Most Woodbridge residents don’t know they were once represented by a Republican moderate by the name of Jack Rollison. But now they have the extremist Jeff Frederick, thanks to the vocal anti-tax crowd. I guess it is true that in a democracy you get the kind of government you deserve.
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Posted by ( pwanon ) on October 20, 2008 at 10:38 am
“But you sure have to question that Fannie/Freddie reform business, while accepting campaign contributions from them. No hypocracy there”
Actually, what you’ve outlined is the opposite of hypocrisy. He took money, and still was one of few who stood up and questioned the reckless, Democrat induced loan practices of Fanny and Freddie. It’s a matter of public record. And an example of character.
I didn’t hear BHO saying anything about Fanny and Freddie…warning about consequences, or supporting efforts to regulate their reckless conduct.
Maybe he was too busy voting “present” and avoiding having to take a stand…as he’s done for the entirety of his short, undistinguished career of far-left liberalism.
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Posted by ( rafaelva ) on October 20, 2008 at 10:22 am
The report of the 126,000 dollars was put out by the Center for Responsive Politics, and Campaign Money Watch.
Yes, in fact the Obama Campaign did receive $126,000 in campaign contributions reported as from the employees of Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac. This is because Companies cannot make campaign contributions. The report also states, that the Boards of the two organizations are not considered employees, so contributions from those Fannie and Freddie groups are viewed seperately. The Board members of Fannie and Freddie contributed $16,000 to Obama’s campaign, bringing the total to $142,000. However, the same report indicates that the same Board members contributed $169,000 to the McCain Campaign.
The same watchdog groups also disputed the DNC’s claim that McCain had received over 2 million dollars from Big Oil. Their report runs in the same line, that Companies cannot contribute, however, employees, owners, and board members can. The McCain Campaign directly received 1.3 million dollars from oil and oil related company employees, and another $948,000 through McCain Victory 2008, managed by the RNC.
The Report, based on contributions reported to the Federal Elections Commission, indicated that Obama also received money from oil related contributors, in the amount of $504,000. Of the $4,750,692 contributed by oil and gas related interests, 25.1 percent to Democrats,
74.8 percent to Republicans, and .1 percent to Bob Barr.
Can’t really critize McCain on the oil contributions, he’s never spoken against Oil. But you sure have to question that Fannie/Freddie reform business, while accepting campaign contributions from them. No hypocracy there.
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Posted by ( pwanon ) on October 20, 2008 at 9:50 am
“Isn’t it incredible how these retards like pwanon have all of this inside information about the “real Obama” which apparantly the FBI and the Secret Service do not?“
There you go…showing that famous Democrat intelligence and tolerance of opposing viewpoints again.
Look…it’s indisputable that BHO funnelled taxpayer money to various Bill Ayers “projects,“ supporting the extreme-left teachings of a domestic terrorist.
It’s indisputable that he gave money to Jeremiah Wright (at least $20,000)to support his anti-American, anti-white people agenda.
If you want to hide from these truths about the Media’s Darling, feel free. If you want to continue to be a sheep, feel free.
But your inability to get in touch with the shady reality behind BHO doesn’t make me “retarded” or a “freaking idiot.“
Rather…it’s you who looks like the fool, for so easily being fooled by this joke of a man.
Cowards of a feather, flock together.
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Posted by ( jVA ) on October 20, 2008 at 9:16 am
“Of course, BHO will be remembered as…a guy who had decades long financial relationships with terrorists? “
Isn’t it incredible how these retards like pwanon have all of this inside information about the “real Obama” which apparantly the FBI and the Secret Service do not?
What a freaking idiot.
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Posted by ( pwanon ) on October 20, 2008 at 7:53 am
“John McCain will be remembered as a candidate who brought nothing to the table, campaigned on fear tactics and ended his campaign as a bitter old man.“
He’ll be remembered this way by whom? Eggheaded members of the Party of Surrender…like yourself? I’m sure that wounds him so badly Ray.
Of course, BHO will be remembered as…a guy who had decades long financial relationships with terrorists? Or as a guy who associated for two decades with a racist, America-hating “spiritual mentor?“
Maybe he’ll just be remembered as the guy who never took a stand on any important issue at any point during his short, undistinguished career. Or possibly as the guy who took $126,000 from Fannie and Freddie, and then to define hyposcrisy for us complained that F & F had curried to much influence by giving money to politicians.
I mean…that’s how I’ll always think of BHO. A crooked, self-serving, racism tolerating False Prophet who wants to take America to the far left, endanger our national security, and illustrates hypocrisy with nearly every sentence that passes his lips.
Real hero there.
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on October 20, 2008 at 4:59 am
When Walter Mondal was trailing Ronald Reagan by large numbers during their campaign, Mondal took the high road and focused on the issues that were important to him, rather than to fall into the trap of attacking Reagan - to no avail anyway.
Mondal is remembered for the class he showed in defeat.
John McCain will be remembered as a candidate who brought nothing to the table, campaigned on fear tactics and ended his campaign as a bitter old man.
McCain should remember he will return to the senate and take this opportunity to return with his head held high and with respect.
This election is all over but the shouting. A few weeks of clean campaigning is what America will remember.
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