Sarah Palin cancels Sept. 18 appearance in Virginia Beach

Two republican senators, one personally responsible for tabling numerous bills since 2006, asserting that another republican is "more bipartisan" than a democrat...and the study admittedly did not take voting into account.

He could always run on this truthful tidbit:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/15/records-show-mccain-more-bipartisan/?page=3

Unlike "R" at least I had a decision to make whereas you knew before the R candidate was who you would be voting for. As far as my one or two line sentences, they beak the heck out of the same sarcastic comments about "free stuff" & "Increase Taxes". I've had enough, 8 years of Bush, guess you haven't. John McCain is running for POW of the year who has voted in agreement of Bush over 90%. That's enough for me! If there is the slightest chance Obama can "start" to make change in the mess the R's and Bush have made of this country, then he has my vote. It's going to take decades to get this country back on recovery of the worst president this country has ever seen and I will not support or vote for the same from McCain. It doesn't matter who the next president is ther will be increase in taxes, there is no other way. As far as Palin, well, I hope you think she qualifies as president with McCain being 72 years old and not the best of health. Good luck with all of that!

McCain's campaign probably isn't the sleaziest in history, but it is pretty nasty, especially when McCain himself promised to run a clean campaign.

I do not beleive in the "lipstick" on a pig comment being sexist. It's much ado about nothing...in an election season. That's not my fight. What is even more amusing is that Obama's camp is calling McCain's campaign the sleaziest in history. We all know that's not true.

Isn't that why some of discuss these things? Blow the smoke out of the way so to speak? Although several here intend to blow more.

That was not an attack on you -- I was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of this whole "sexist" argument. I did not mean to attribute you stated "empty suit", but I was pointing out that "empty suit" is a common term, and "empty skirt" refers to the same concept. And you are right, I smell something too, and it smells foul. The basic implication of the McCain camp is that any criticism of Palin is sexist -- but McCain had no problem attacking Hillary in a similar manner -- remember, he used the term "lipstick on a pig" referring to some of her policies, but we did not have the outcry present when Obama did the same thing. What's good for the goose should be good for the gander...Am I sexist for using that term? Of course not.

First, who said empty suit? Not I.

I presented a way to discuss the issues w/o going off in different directions. We can approach both candidates on any issue. I suggested healthcare and you guys are still posting your back and forth rants you put on every thread. I directly challenged gertz to simply cut and paste from his own writings where he spelled out his reasoning for supporting Obama. Yet you all want to continue w/ your rhetoric. Why not actually debate the/a issue?

What is that I smell?

you can say "empty suit" but NOT "empty skirt", because it is sexist? Isn't holding women to a different standard than men inherently sexist? Does that mean that women are immune from criticism?

"Their position on healthcare should also be your position...take care of your own. Can't afford healthcare AND afford that new car? Give up the cellphone and cable TV? No way! I'm not saying that everyone is in that position but many are. The hospitals administer healthcare to those that show up at their door. If you don't have insurance they'll still take care of you."

As I recall there are about 12 million people in the U.S. without health care. I am not so selfish that I will say "take care of your own". I don't own a new car, heck I don't own a cell phone, and I don't have cable, but I do have my own Health Care. Thanks God! Hospitals reserve the right to defer patients to other facilites for treatment. It's on the wall at Norfolk Sentera Emergency Room. I guess what you are saying McCain/Palin have no health care then what this country already has. Shameful!

How about the US Postal Service? But it's good to see that you have the tax talking point down, even though it's false.

Their position on healthcare should also be your position...take care of your own. Can't afford healthcare AND afford that new car? Give up the cellphone and cable TV? No way! I'm not saying that everyone is in that position but many are. The hospitals administer healthcare to those that show up at their door. If you don't have insurance they'll still take care of you. That cost is passed on to you and me through higher costs and taxes. Why should I relinquish control over my own healthcare to the gov't. What have they EVER controlled that turned out better than the private sector can offer? The answer is NOTHING! If you think that you will be better off with the federal government controlling one more facade of your life you are dead wrong. If you work for a living don't think for one moment that you'll benefit from these grandeous plans. You'll only pay more and get less than ever before. Is that the kind of 'change' you can live with?

in what ways, exactly, do you feel Palin is more impressive than Obama? Academic achievements? No. Concern for everyday people over opportunity to make big money? No. Meeting & discussing important issues with foreign dignitaries? No. Teaching Constitutional law at a major university? No. Being a good athlete? No. Having great oratorical skills? No. Having a well thought out grasp of the issues our nation faces? No. You don't like Obama. You've made that clear. Yet don't lie to yourself & think Palin is a more impressive person than Obama. I'm not putting her down. Her achievements in life,(not her opinions)< are impressive, just not as much as Obama's.

In the Oct '07 GOP debate, McCain belittled the experience of Governor Romney and Mayor Guliani as being unprepared....

"I am prepared. I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time."

Guliani mayor for 7 years
Palin mayor** for 6 years

Romney governor for 5 years
Palin governor for 18 months

If you dont like a McCain position, just wait a while. It will change.

** (mayor of a tres tiny town)

What is McCain/Palin's position on Health Care? Anyone have a guess?

Here's Obama's plan on Health Care: TAXES, TAXES, TAXES! And all of those who choose a healthy lifestyle will pay more for those that drink in excess, smoke, eat crap, do illegal drugs, and sit on their couches 24/7. That's how. And be prepared to wait months for even simple things like physicals - that's how it is with every other country that has "universal health care". You think HMO's are bad? Besides, what government-run agency in the US has been effective AND efficient? Scared yet?

Your the only person who insulted anyone Gertz.

How about we start up w/ an issue?

How exactly will Obama pay for healthcare? Not just what he is saying, but actually getting it passed. Then once passed, a realistic way to pay for it.

How about we talk about that?

Presidential election years bring out the best and worst of us. What I would like to see is more respent for a persons opinion/decision then constantly being bombarded with, "I'm right and you are wrong", with no justification, but I don't think that will ever happen in our society. I'm convinces it's the sole purpose of some to simly do name calling, and act like school yard bullies that they probably were. Now they are older, and are finding out that doesn't work anymore, and the name calling gets worse.

Elections have been more about what the opponent has done wrong and little more. Now the focus is on sex and race. Election campaigns somehow need to be more like the foundtation of our justice system: blind. The only thing we should be hearing is what a candidate has planned and a detailed means of accomplishing that plan. That's it - nothing more. Anything else will continue to keep our country divided.

"I happen to respect women as well as men if they deserve it, but just because Palin is a woman doesn't mean she deserves any more respect than anyone esle."

Regardless of how she covers the lower half of her body the woman is impressive. Perhaps you do not agree but your comments are sexist. If compared Palin outshines Obama. Maybe you could tell us how you meaasure up to this woman's accomplishments so we understand how she deserves no respect.

"How many times has Obama been refered to as an "empty suit". You don't have any problem with that, now do you? I don't see the difference."

I have never said that. He is impressive as well. His platform however is all talk. The only difference you have is rabid partisanship and you look down upon women.

I happen to respect women as well as men if they deserve it, but just because Palin is a woman doesn't mean she deserves any more respect than anyone esle. How many times has Obama been refered to as an "empty suit". You don't have any problem with that, now do you? I don't see the difference.

The bulk of postings here (and any other area that even hints at politics) keeps grouping/comparing Obama to Palin. Why is that? Are the Democrats and their supporters so unsure of their candidate that they have to keep attacking Palin or comparing her leadership experience to that of Obama's (lack of)? All of the "heartbeat away" rhetoric aside, Palin isn't running for President. Obama and McCain are. Try not to lose focus on that, huh?

"EMPTY SKIRT" you say? I cannot speak for your household, but I am exposed to smart, independent, and strong women in my life. I am appalled that you chose to refer to this woman as an "EMPTY SKIRT." Your sexist remarks are disgusting.

I started to flag it but everyone needs to understand the Gertz mentality. I never thought I would see the day that a democrat would hold women in such low esteem. Shameful.

Palins' interview on ABC last night, showed the world this woman is full of words, that have no substance at all. Babbling, does not a VP make, and at times she didn't even know what she was talking about. Charles Gibson, had to ask her several times to answer a question instead of being bombarded with "WORDS".

If Palin is such a feisty hockey mom, so experienced and so well-versed in foreign affairs, why are the republicans hiding her from the press?

I mean, Obama interviewed with Bill O'Reilly, and no one is going to confuse that right wing mouthpiece for an objective journalist.

When will Palin, the new republican presidential nominee, interview with Bill Maher?

Obama had enough guts to face a rabid critic. How come Palin is hiding until McCain's campaign manager thinks the press will treat her with "deference and respect?"

for John McCain as Thelma Drake has been for George Bush.

quite obvious. Palin cancelled because her handlers haven't finished boning up her grasp of foreign affairs, domestic economic issues, etc. How many times will some of you continue to post the same post, regardless of the article? Palin has experience, as a small town mayor,(her city actually has less residents than the neighborhood in which I grew up), & short time governor of a state that, though immense in area, has less residents & a smaller operating budget than many American cities. Yes, that's experience. Yet it's not "way more" than Obama & Biden combined. It's also less than other Republican women governors that McCain could have picked as his running mate. He was only trying to ignite the right-wing branch of his party. It appears he has succeeded.

,“America is …, uh, is no longer, uh … what it could be, what it once was"

I guess you have never heard George Bush speak.

When asked by a elementary student "Why are you running for President?" hmmm and uhhhh for almost two minutes before he gave his answer,“America is …, uh, is no longer, uh … what it could be, what it once was. Seems he would of known the answer along time ago. …,I don't trust him & don't believe he would be the best person for President.Especially with the company he keeps.Ayers,Rev.Wright,Nadmi Auchi,Tony Rezko.Birds of a feather flock together!

Libs are grasping at nothing in feeble attempts to bring Palin down?

No need for us to grasp. I for one am having fun watching Palin and McCain bring themselves down. Let's hear more good ones like 'lipstick & pigs'!

I guess you wouldn't know the truth. Palin stated she fired the chef. She didn't. She stated that she said "thanks but no thanks" to the bridge to nowhere -- that's not true. She said she sold the jet on Ebay, and made a profit -- not true on both accounts. The jet was sold at a loss through a broker. That being said, what would you call a lie?