This is short and simple . . . I just finished spending the last few months as a volunteer answering phone calls for a political organization. The majority of those calls this week were complaints among progressives that the Obama campaign needed to improve their response to McCain's recent trend of bashing his opponent.

Update [2008-7-30 19:50:55 by Veteran75]: I think the campaign has responded.

Obama has a new TV AD up that turns around the McCain attacks with the ISSUES!

Here is the response that many were looking for:

Sorry for this diaries brevity, but I really wanted to share this gem from Ambinder:

This could be one of those unexpected events that forever changes the way the world perceives an issue. Iraq's Prime Minister agrees with Obama, and there's no wiggle room or fudge factor. This puts John McCain in an extremely precarious spot: what's left to argue? to argue against Maliki would be to predicate that Iraqi sovereignty at this point means nothing. Obviously, our national interests aren't equivalent to Iraq's, but... Maliki isn't listening to the generals on the ground...but the "hasn't been to Iraq" line doesn't work here.

. . .

(Via e-mail, a prominent Republican strategist who occasionally provides advice to the McCain campaign said, simply, "We're fucked." . . . - http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/arch ives/2008/07/mccain_campaign_responds_to _al.php

I just saw CNN report on the White House email "accident" that was mentioned in the rec list, and I thank them for turning this into a story that could dominate news cycles through Monday. Usually weekend stuff can die a quiet death, but this statement by Maliki can really help frame Obama's trip in a positive light, and put McCain on the defensive.

Those of us that have served as Non Commissioned Officers are familiar with the NCO CREED. Today John McCain insulted those of us that live by this creed:

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Today John McCain responded to criticism of his absence from the Senate, as it passed (75-22) the much needed update to our GI BILL.

His insult to us after the jump:

You may have heard the news this week that PA Senator Arlen Specter is considering an inquiry into the New England Patriots 'Spy-Gate' controversy. That NFL story will heading to the back pages after today's big announcement that the results of Super Bowl XXXIX and Super Bowl XL will be reversed.

These Super Bowls were held in Michigan and Florida, and NFL officials were inundated with calls of yard disenfranchisement. The Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks can now claim victory in those Super Bowls, since it was determined that gaining more yards was a better metric in determining victory.

I noticed that MyDD has been getting all excited about General Election polls . . . IN APRIL?!

I understand that it can be entertaining to visit The VoteMaster and 538. I love checking out both websites, but I also understand that this data is pretty much useless until at least a FULL WEEK after the last National Convention.

The polls will start to give the campaigns a general idea of where they should spend their money, but Super-Delegates are smart enough to realize that either DEM will get AT LEAST a 5% jump after Denver.

There should be a few MyDD'ers besides me that remember another Springtime General Election Poll:

I thought that the disaster of Mark Penn had passed, but the current HuffPo scoop shows how his strategy is still biting back.

I don't fault HRC for her comments about MoveOn.org . . . heck I am a moderate Democrat that doesn't agree with everything they represent. What DOES make this an issue is that she has just given voters another reason to question her credibility.

Listen to this clip of her praising MoveOn before she was against them:

I have read many times on MyDD that people are going to "teach the other side a lesson" and vote for McCain, or stay home if their candidate doesn't get the nomination. Even I flirted with this idea during a few heated moments this year.

I joined MyDD recently, because I thought there would be more balance here. Reading DKOS is like talking to a mirror . . . it just isn't that much fun . . . and watching FAUX News for insight can drive one to insanity.

I know that some GOP trolls have snuck in here, and there are some left-leaning independents in here . . . but for those of us that believe that the Democratic Party is the way to go - PLEASE think about your children and grandchildren.

Here is an update to: http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/4/9/21362 7/0244

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