Fri, Sep 26, 2008 1:08pm ET

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Despite McCain ads running repeatedly, Hannity, Caddell claim he pulled them following campaign "suspension"

Summary: Referring to Sen. John McCain's announcement that he was going to "suspend" his campaign, Sean Hannity and Fox News contributor Pat Caddell asserted on Hannity & Colmes that McCain is "not running ads." In fact, as Alan Colmes noted, and as Media Matters documented, McCain campaign television ads ran throughout the day following McCain's announcement.
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Posted by Governor

New McCain-FoxNews Liquid Detergent:

Virtually spotless dishes!
Virtually spotless dishes!
Virtually spotless dishes!

[Except for the spots.]

Posted by Caseysprings

You have to love Alan Colmes, I know many on the left hate him. But he knows his stuff and stands his ground.

Posted by Limit Corp. Ownership in reply to Caseysprings

The only thing Sen. George McCain is trying to suspend is disbelief...

Sen. George McCain's little stunt didn't go very well, so he followed the tried-and-true McCain playbook:  He flip-flopped.  A full, double back-flip, complete with two jelly rolls and a belly flop landing.

Posted by neon desert in reply to Caseysprings

I've often expressed that I think Colmes generally does a good job considering the balancing act I'm sure he goes through every day.  He consistently faces a roster heavily opposed to him (in this case, Coulter and Caddell, Morris, and Gingrich), and can't make them look too bad or he'll lose his job.  And that's a daunting task, especially when one considers that the guy he sits opposite, Sean Hannity, is the

DUMBEST.

GUY.

IN.

MEDIA.

If that doesn't constitute skateboarding through a minefield, I don't know what does.  I think he preforms admirably.  Even better on his radio show, though.

Posted by Limit Corp. Ownership in reply to neon desert

Of course he suspended the ads.  It's not his fault the darn networks kept running them...

George Orwell would be very proud of you Sean

Posted by wookie in reply to Limit Corp. Ownership

Arguing with right wingers is getting more and more like a Monty Python sketch.

"McCain's campaign isn't dead! It's just sleeping!"

Posted by neon desert in reply to wookie

"Look, I took the liberty of examining McCain, and I discovered the only reason that he had been standing behind his podium in the first place was that he had been NAILED there."

Posted by worrierking in reply to neon desert

Lovely plumage!

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to worrierking

Stop it! This is getting entirely too silly!

Posted by worrierking in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

It's a fair cop.

Posted by DorisRussell in reply to neon desert

I am a big fan of Alan Colmes, he goes through alot and does a good job. Him and Greta make FOX somewhat watchable. Hannity and his smirk kill me though.

Posted by Governor

Oh! My! God!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_wins_debate.html

We can now stick a fork in McCain.  He is done.

Posted by nerzog in reply to Governor

Every time I think Grampy has shot his own foot off,  the Karl Rove Propaganda Laboratory staples it back on and shocks him back to life.  There's no way his campaign should have survived the past two weeks, yet he's still in there, schlepping away.  That's the advantage of the GOP's massive media machine.   If Grampy and Barbie win, it will prove that Karl Rove could get a ham sandwich elected.  (Of course the Democrats' inability to find their own asses using both hands doesn't help...)

Posted by tommy in reply to nerzog

Nerzog,

I really believe that this time it will be different.  First off, it's because Palin's luster is coming off, many on the right, including the National Review, are beginning to realize that she is "out of her league", a quote from one of their writers just today, who is suggesting she even step down.  Her Couric interview was an embarrassment, she stumbles and fills her answers with off the rail "huhs?".  I don't see the excitement by the Republican base that it displayed a few weeks ago.  And if they aren't energized, McCain will never get elected, in my opinion.

The other reason is the pathetic nature of McCain's campaign, and these transparent stunts and knee-jerk reactions to events happening around him, particularly this financial mess.  McCain comes off like he has no clue what to do, he shifts and wobbles and impulsively staggers towards one thing one day, and one thing the next.  He doesn't even look senatorial, much less presidential.

Whereas Obama looks steady and resilient.  He appears level-headed and confident, reassuring and with resolve.  And people are nervous, they are worried and they want leadership, not political stunts. 

It's still aways to go, but Obama is starting to separate himself, and he should be.

Posted by RABBITLUVR in reply to tommy

I will believe that it's 'different' when I hear the righty talkers call for Palin to drop out. Until then, I ain't buying it.

Posted by Brabantio in reply to RABBITLUVR

Here's one to start.  I don't think you can base much on the behavior of the likes of Limbaugh or Hannity anyway.  The hard-core spinners will always spin the same way, your more moderate conservative is a better indicator of McCain's momentum and viability.  Look at George Will's comments about McCain, as well.

Posted by tommy in reply to Brabantio

Totally agree.  Limbaugh and Hannity wouldn't give an inch no matter what, when the National Review is skeptical of Palin, she's in trouble.

Posted by snoopy in reply to tommy

Tommy,

I saw that, asking Palin to step down. Wow. Just a few weeks ago certain posters here were telling us Biden would be the one stepping down, yet here we are. The VP debate is next thursday - any bets on if and when she quits?

I'm picking after the debate. Once it's clear how unprepared she is, she'll "step down" - use the more time with family excuse.

Posted by worrierking in reply to tommy

I think we need Palin right where she is, in Alaska.

I mean what if she's not there and Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace?


Posted by tommy in reply to worrierking

And who else can sit sandwiched between two foreign countries and delicately manage the affairs of a powerful nation on one hand and a close ally and partner with the steady resolve and firmness that is required when one tries to tackle and shake up Washington with John S. McCain and still see Russia from her home state up north where she said no thanks to that bridge and cut taxes and return revenue to the citizens who would rather take the terror fight to their country instead of fight them here on our soil with our brave men and women and championing the proposals that John S. McCain has introduced and passed in his distinguished career in Washington, you know, that place that we are going to shake up, but I can't think of them right now but I'll get back to ya on that.

Posted by worrierking in reply to tommy

Just so you know Tommy, I read that entire sentence and I never blinked, NEVER!

Posted by tommy in reply to worrierking

That's cuz you're the first dude Worrier, let's see if the rest of the guys and gals can too!!!!

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

I can't read.

Posted by tommy in reply to Governor

Being in a festive mood today, I'll let that one slide right on by.

:)

Posted by Governor in reply to tommy

Cheers, Sir.  Oh, by the way, this is off-topic and I'm unclear what it says, but it's from Helen Thomas who asked me to post it here for you.  Have a nice gov't bailout weekend!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/380377_thomasonline26.html

Posted by snoopy in reply to worrierking

Oh, no! Anything but Putin'head!

Posted by worrierking in reply to snoopy

Looks like a Peeping Vladimir.

Someone should tell this commie we have laws against that sort of thing in the good ol' USA.

Posted by nerzog in reply to snoopy

Holy Crap.... that's the funniest thing I've seen today!  Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Governor in reply to nerzog

I'm in complete agreement with Tommy, Nerzog.

Posted by nerzog in reply to Governor

I hope you're both right.  It would restore my faith in the intelligence of the American electorate.

From where I sit, the McCain Campaign looks like a joke... another Bob Dole... offered up as a place-holder until the Republicans regain their footing.  I can't help but think that the intellectuals in the GOP inner circles are laughing at the whole circus.

Posted by Governor in reply to nerzog

We'll know soon enough.  Polls are swinging clearly to Obama.  And frankly, I think the polls and their reliance on land lines give McCain a 3-point handicap.  On average, Obama is up 4 points in national polls.  My guess is that he'll be up 8-10 points next week.  I would not be shocked if the GOP replaced both McCain and Palin at this point.  I think it's that bad.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to nerzog

 I can't help but think that the intellectuals in the GOP inner circles are laughing at the whole circus.

Just remember, that's a pretty small group without a lot of votes. I'm keeping in mind the group that includes a woman I heard calling in to Jeff Christie's show  while I was at lunch. I flipped over  to hear El Lushbo cheerleading for the GOP's chances with the bold statement that "Love for America" and "passion" trumps "Hate for America" every time.

His caller backed him up, swearing that during Palin's convention speech, she was jumping around her living room, high- fiving her mom.

A cheap, cynical gimmick involving an unqualified puppet has a number of our fellow American's reacting like the contestants on The Price is Right. Hopefully, it's a small number, but they're out there.

Posted by obama4prez in reply to Governor

Gov. you may be right. But the wild card is this: There is a HUGE number of people who don't care what McCain does or does not do. He has their vote by default. Millions of people in this country simply DO NOT want Obama in the White House.

Posted by Brabantio in reply to obama4prez

Who cares?  That's true for McCain as well, especially after eight years of Bush.  If you look at the pros and cons for each candidate from an independent viewpoint, how does McCain come out on top?

Posted by Brabantio in reply to obama4prez

Who cares?  That's true for McCain as well.  If you look at the pros and cons for each candidate from an independent viewpoint, how does McCain come out on top?

Posted by Brabantio in reply to Brabantio

Hmm strange no-show on the comments there, my apologies.

Posted by snoopy

But, but, b-b-but, b-b-b-b-... real convincing, Peabody Pat.

Posted by wesley in reply to snoopy

Pretty funny stuff, snoop.

But, but, b-b-but, b-b-b-be careful...Obama's caricature is bordering on "popping eyes"...and those ears...

Posted by RABBITLUVR

I love this part...

"CADDELL: But the surrogates -- but the point is -- look, but he is in Washington. He went there -- he went there to say we have to deal with this. It was for him. It helped, and the fact is, I think there is a problem here -- that the, you know, that the Republicans were not on board in the House. Something will come out of this."

Nice dodge there, Mr. Fugly, about the damn surrogates. The rest of your response is about as brilliant as anything that has emerged from the Freezer Queen's yap.

Posted by obama4prez

The guest made the point here. Several components of the campaign were fulfilling commitments that had been pre-arranged. The ads are indeed purchased in advance and run for a specific period of time. When McCain said he was suspending his campaign, he meant that there would be no further commitments made. This is perfectly understandable and a non-arguement IMHO.

Posted by Governor in reply to obama4prez

How do you explain this McCain Ad?:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/images/26Sep_Friday_WSJ.JPG

Posted by RABBITLUVR in reply to Governor

I hope to God that is brought up either during the debate or afterwards. That ad is sleaze at its worst.

The desperation is mindnumbing. Really.

Posted by doggone-ga in reply to obama4prez

"The ads are indeed purchased in advance and run for a specific period of time"

And they can be stopped at the drop of a hat.  They can even be stopped in the middle of their broadcast if needed.  All the engineer has to do is push the right button.

Posted by shaggles

I didn't really understand the point of pulling the ads in the first place.  If he thinks his time is better spent trying to work out a deal I don't see how campaign ads come in to it.  In fact if it was anything but a campaign ploy why did he have to make a big spectacle of it?  If a Dem pulled a stunt like this they would be called shameless.

Posted by RABBITLUVR in reply to shaggles

He did it out of desperation. Take note that yesterday morning, the ABC News poll had Obama up by nine. Combine that with Palin's utterly horrendous 'interviews' with a bit of typical 'mavericky narcissism' and this is what you get. A loser wanting the spotlight back on him. That's why he did it - for the attention.

Whoops, looks like it backfired. Most editorial pages in respectable rags basically excoriated him for it.

Posted by eweston8542983

Suspending ones campaign, victory in Iraq. You leave the deffinitions loose so that any critism may be counter attacked from many rhetorical positions.

Posted by donaldmaddog5642

I wish some of you would stop saying Hannity is stupid.  He is certainly NOT that. Sean Hannity and the rest of that bunch are PAID agents of the Republican Machine.  Fox, itself, is an effective tool of the Right.  Poor old Dems don't have their very own TV channel.  There is not ONE "fair and balanced" "news" program at Fox.  That Colmes kid never has a chance to even say anything without being yelled over, just like any other guest with a slight liberal bent.  Somewhere under that desk is a well-thumbed volume called "The Rove Handbook".  Wish I had a copy.