Newsvine Q&A: Chuck Todd on U.S. Politics

And speaking of homes, I'd still like to now just how Barry O managed to swing that sweet deal on his with Tony Rezko's missus acting as the intermediary. That one still stinks to high heaven.

Haven't we put this to bed yet? It has been acknowledge that Obama did not do anything wrong.

You have an opportunity, Mr. Harrison, to investigate, report, and claim then on its own merits, the subject you are interested in. Instead of purporting something as stinking to "high heaven" on an internet page, you can do the responsible thing - if you wish - and look up the facts yourself, so responsible people such as yourself, can legitimately inform. Otherwise it passes as nothing. Mr. McCain, however, claiming ignorance on the amount of homes he owns, is quite factual; and I find, quite interesting.

Maybe the Obama camp could blow this election wide open if they would just tie in this latest McCain camp with specifics on how they will help the average American. Attacking is fine but to attack and show the alternatives is so much better.

There are multiple VALID points for Obama to hit McCain on and while I want Obama to conduct a positive campaign, I understand that some punches need to be made.

I think one valid character flaw that should be expoited by the Obama campaign is the well known temperment problem that McCain purportedly has. Even some of his own fellow republican senators acknowledge that McCain's temperment would be a problem as POTUS.

This is entirely different than the Rezko ordeal. The man said he doesn't know how many homes he owns. If you asked me how many neckties I own, I wouldn't know. My wife wouldn't know how many dresses she owns. But we darn sure know how many cars we own (2). We darn sure know we own one home. If we owned 7, I'm quite certain we'd know that! This is just unbelievable. I'm not for either of these two bozos but this is just plain scary.

He either A.) Doesn't actually know - very scary
B.) Knows that he owns 7 homes and is embarrassed so he thinks hedging will work and no one will check - very scary and really stupid

This man does not need to be our president.

I agree. When is this going to be the topic for the news shows?

Why should he know how many homes his wife and/or her family trusts own and control? He has nothing to do with most of them and has never been to some of them.

I think this could actually be more of an age issue, but who's going to go there?

Seven is not a big number. If it were over twenty, I could understand not remembering the exact number. But seven is not a big number. I don't think people will care as much about having seven houses as not being able to remember.

Anyone who doesn't think Obama's deal with Rezko doesn't stink doesn't know shinola from real estate. Rezko overpaid by a huge amount for what (after the slice off to Barry) would be an unbuildable lot (unless one gets a zoning variance and special use permit from both the city and the Hyde Park Historic District for mid-rise condos that would not be in keeping with the neighborhood's characteristics) and Barry paid him 1/6th of the asking price when the appraisal was considerably less than that - $42,500.00 to be exact. The problem is that most political or business reporters for that matter don't really know @!$%# about real estate (present company included) and they swallow all kinds of nonsense whole like this crap.

Obama committed no wrongdoing in the Rezko affair. The Chicago papers admitted as much in March.

The whole Rezko thing was talked about and reported on for weeks. Everyone has said that Obama did nothing wrong. I find it more interesting that McCain the non-elitist doesnt even know how many homes he owns. THATS JUST NUTS!!

Anyone who doesn't think Obama's deal with Rezko doesn't stink doesn't know shinola from real estate. Rezko overpaid by a huge amount for what (after the slice off to Barry) would be an unbuildable lot (unless one gets a zoning variance and special use permit from both the city and the Hyde Park Historic District for mid-rise condos that would not be in keeping with the neighborhood's characteristics) and Barry paid him 1/6th of the asking price when the appraisal was considerably less than that - $42,500.00 to be exact. The problem is that most political or business reporters for that matter don't really know @!$%# about real estate (present company included) and they swallow all kinds of nonsense whole like this crap

So the parties agreed to a much lower purchase price for the house . Nothing illegal about that pity there was not more of it nationally...

BH--You have demonstrated to me that you are an intelligent guy and you have a good grasp of a lot of pertinent information. But, your hyperbole and ad hominem attacks turn me off.

You can say what you have to say better than you are doing. I believe that.

This is like the Left's attempt to make the "$5 million is rich" and "Possibly in Iraq 100 years" comments into something significant, by twisting and manipulating the truth, or magnification of trivia.

Check this out:

McCain family owns 8 properties

The presumptive Republican nominee, though, may have some wiggle room in explaining why he couldn't immediately provide an answer when asked by Politico how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own. Sen. McCain himself does not own any of the properties. They're all owned by Cindy McCain, her dependent children and the trusts and companies they control.

Brian Rogers, a McCain spokesman, did not question Politico's analysis, but said his boss's bungling of the how-many-homes question is a nonissue.

"Voters care a lot more about candidates' personal ethics than about how many houses or residences or doghouses that John and Cindy McCain own," he said. He questioned efforts by McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, to exploit the issue, given that Obama benefited from a 2005 land deal with the wife of convicted Chicago businessman — and former Obama fundraiser — Tony Rezko that expanded the Obama family's newly purchased $1.65 million homestead.

Given that Cindy handles the financial arrangements very separately from John, it is entirely understandable that he was unsure of the number.

Some accurate and fair reportage on these facts would be appreciated.

I would agree that the fact that McCain doesn't know how many houses his family owns, in isolation, is not a huge deal. The problem is that McCain has tried to make Obama out as an elitist that is out of touch with the average American. When you take that and add to it his $5 million is rich, his not knowing how many houses his family has, his tax plan that can easily be argued benefits the upper income earners more than anyone else then you start to see a pattern.

mhally-1.18- obama has already cornered the market on "elitist" in this election and his feeble attempt to play old style gotcha politics re: mccain's number of houses owned just plays like young whipper snapper bullying the elder war hero stateman---it will not fly in attracting the older, white, working class voters that Obama needs to win.

lisaed-1.19- I would argue that the right has made a concerted effort to paint Obama as an elitist. They have used the Bush/Rove tactic of---if you say it enough times, even if it's not true, people will believe it. McCain seems to be proving the label is being put on the wrong candidate.

I would argue that the right has made a concerted effort to paint Obama as an elitist.

mhally---I believe the perception that Obama is elitist is the candidate himself's own fault---remember those bitter remarks?

I seem to think Mr. McCain's lack of knowledge about how many multimillion dollar homes he owns is also his own fault, and it certainly does make him look totally out of touch with the common man. Or is personal responsibility only for the candidate you don't back?

I seem to think Mr. McCain's lack of knowledge about how many multimillion dollar homes he owns is also his own fault,

Adipic---well you see he let's Cindy handle all that while he takes care of the business of the American people.

Obama's famous San Francisco speech about the values of Middle Americans has permanently tattoed "elitist" on his own forehead. The fact that he lives in a $1.6 million mansion funded, in part, by a sleazy slumlord to whom he was politically beholden completes the picture. The millions he receives in book and CD revenue - entirely legitimate, by the way - helps to fund his jaunts to Hawaii.

Tom:

1.

Given that Cindy handles the financial arrangements very separately from John, it is entirely understandable that he was unsure of the number.

Some accurate and fair reportage on these facts would be appreciated.

Dad gum it...I have to agree with you here. You know that just kills me... :-)

The fact that he lives in a $1.6 million mansion funded, in part, by a sleazy slumlord to whom he was politically beholden completes the picture.

I will have to re-read the entire scandal from the start to honestly answer that, I do remember putting it to bed, have to rehash why now. My only point for now--is sometimes, we see what we want to see. We all do it.

3.

The millions he receives in book and CD revenue - entirely legitimate, by the way - helps to fund his jaunts to Hawaii.

I wish I could write a book and made that much money. Are you saying it is a problem for him to go home to see his family? I don't see it as any worse than flying to Iowa, or wherever. Darn him--he had the bad luck to be born in such a cool place. My snarkyness ends now.

No, I am saying his book and CD money are very legitimate, and enable him to live a lifestyle of wealth. Nothing wrong with that, as long as they don't try to paint McCain as elitist because his wife is an heiress and sharp businesswoman.

No, I am saying his book and CD money are very legitimate

Because it would be wrong if you did...

It would be wrong if I criticized Obama for making millions on his book and CD. Which is why I didn't.

So ... what's your point?

I am actually just trying to clarify. You did make a claim that it was the book sales that financed his trips home. Frankly--I had not even considered it an issue. Not like it cost a grand to fly there.

Look--I really try to avoid--distractions, its fun (sure) but its not helping any of us. Maybe we have just become accustomed to the snark is fine media. I've never liked that.

IMHO--McCain would have scored more points with the media and your everyday Joe if he would have just said--ask my wife, I'm on a allowance, (since most married guys are). Not commenting on the need for it...cough cough....

well you see he let's Cindy handle all that while he takes care of the business of the American people.

By not showing up to vote in the Senate for months now? Or could he not remember which car he brought to Washington?

It's interesting that people are still going on about McCain and the "How many houses" business. McCain and his wife are of the "Ballpark" category i.e. should they ask their accountants how much they are worth, the accountants would give them a "Ballpark" figure, since the value of the investments, stocks, real estate, etc are changing constantly.

Since the type and nature of the real estate holdings in McCain's portfolio are probably variable, his answer was the only intelligent one. If asked "How many Homes" do you and your wife own, i.e. do they actually spend time in, I suspect that he could have given an answer to that question.

So ... what's your point

? You raised the issue I figure to try & deflect any criticism of McCain by throwing a red herring into the mix...

Not that wikipedia should ever be trusted entirely...but I mean how badly can they screw this one up...check it out for a good overview including arguments for and against it.

Why isn't J.C. Watts on the national scene right now?

Because having him on the ticket wrecks the strategy for the Old Confederacy? Hard to appeal to the die hard racists if you appear nearly as inclusive as the other side.

My, my. Struck a nerve, did we?

As the founder of the Newsvine Group, "2008: Draft J.C. Watts," I do wish he was in consideration.

There is no way McCain is going to pick a Democrat such as Lieberman or a pro-choice Republican. If I were forced to bet, I'd bet he picks Romney or Crist. I still wish he would have picked Jindal, Barbour, or even the likable Huckabee.

Or Pawlenty.

I'm surprised Haley Barbour was never really considered. Seems he would have been a nice choice for "putting the base at ease." A few others I thought might get consideration but didn't include Mark Sanford and Lindsey Graham. I personally don't see Pawlenty has a strong pick -- his relative inexperience goes against McCain's argument, and I doubt he helps much in MN considering he didn't even get 50% of the vote in either of his elections.

Sanford's problem was his MTP gaff. Graham is against McCain on off-shore drilling, making him unpopular with many conservatives.

Barbour will run soon, since his term limit stops him after '11 as governor.

Thanks, Chuck. I think that's a good and fair assessment of the various parties.

For McCain's VP pick, I'd put my money on Hawaii. Gov. Linda Lingle. Lingle, at the end of her second term as the Republican Governor, largely unknown outside Hawaii, is very well integrated in national Republican circles. She was the chair of the 2004 Republican convention, where she would be rubbing shoulders with the Republican king-makers. She has executive experience, which neither Obama, Biden or McCain have.

I think that McCain can't afford to have a second white male on his ticket, and would be looking around for an acceptable female VP pick. This to take advantage of disaffected female voters, disappointed at Hillary, or any woman, not being on the nation tickets this election cycle. Lingle would be on the short list of possible female VP picks.

One thing Obama did with the Biden pick is force the Republicans to put someone up for VP who can match up well with Biden in a debate or in terms of stature. Biden is a pit bull, and whoever is tough and experienced within the Republican party is getting a good look right now.

Hhhhhhm. Maybe the McCain should pick Hillary Clinton! :-O

Tom:

I think the Biden pick cinches Romney as the Repub pick. They match up on the pit bull or "gaff" scale (see my latest) and the tactical considerations as on deliverable EVs are similarly of little or no concern.

Electoral-vote.com keeps are running tally at the top of the page showing projections.

thanks! I didn't know about that website!

And if Obama implodes, ala Dukakis in 1988, how will that affect these optimistic projections?

this worries me too. i have a stepson who just turned 18.

Why isn't the Obama camp picking up on this one?

That is my concern as well...I have 3 sons, 2 stepsons all under 27 years old and a stepdaughter of 19. I do not want them drafted to invade Iran simply for political bravado or regime change, or anywhere else for that matter.

I agree where is the media on this topic? Let's talk to some young people. Pull up the stats. Call in some experts. Expose McCain for being a "war/millitary focused person only".

If McCain admits that he wants to go back to the draft, he might as well pack up and go back to one of his seven homes, if he can remember where they are. My question is, in that town hall talk where it was brought up, did McCain agree that we need to bring back the draft or that we need to treat our vet's better? I'm afraid it may be wishful thinking on the part of us Obama supporters, that the white haired wrinkly dude wants to bring back the draft. This would be a gift, no doubt. McCain would be giving away the election. Let's hope he wants to bring it back and that it never happens!!

Gobama

If McCain admits that he wants to go back to the draft, he might as well pack up and go back to one of his seven homes, if he can remember where they are. My question is, in that town hall talk where it was brought up, did McCain agree that we need to bring back the draft or that we need to treat our vet's better? I'm afraid it may be wishful thinking on the part of us Obama supporters, that the white haired wrinkly dude wants to bring back the draft. This would be a gift, no doubt. McCain would be giving away the election. Let's hope he wants to bring it back and that it never happens!!

Gobama

I think the return of the draft is an excellent idea, although not under the present conditions of America as the Imperial power of the world. Our world-wide commitments need to be sharply scaled back, and to keep the American military out of any conflicts in which we don't have a clearly defined strategic interest.

The current Iraq war is an idiotic waste of good men and money, and every facet save the initial assault on Sadam was completely bungled, i.e. not securing arms dumps and cultural sites, and disbanding the Iraqi army, thus ensuring a large armed insurgency that could have been avoided.

In consideration, I hardly begrudge people not wanting to see their grandsons being drafted. We are Rome, circa 400 A.D., and I'm not sure we can turn the clock back, but I'm hopeful.

Ditto. I think many people wonder this. I have not heard Keating Five mentioned once. He calls for action from congress but yet he has missed so many important votes. A lot of hipocracy in the McCain campaign. I vote for Shirley S. question to get answered.

I don't think he is hiding anything. Rove's people are now handling McCain's campaign and they can't afford to let reporters have full access to McCain. It seems every time he opens his mouth, he says something that gets him in trouble.

If the Obama campaign makes much of Cindy McCain's houses, don't they run the risk of re-opening all of the Rezko allegations or even Obama's brother's housing arrangement in Kenya? Does Obama truly believe at this point he can shed his own "elitist" tag and pin it on McCain?

This Presidential campaign has gone on for 2 years, and anyone would be tired of it at this point, even someone much younger than McCain. I certainly don't see McCain's answer on houses to be a gaffe, simply an honest answer. To see it as a gaffe is to confuse ones personal residence(s) with houses.

You will note, the question was not "How many homes to you and Mrs. McCain have, that you actually live in "?, but how many houses are owned. An investment question, one which a very wealthy person would have to ask the accountants about. I don't believe that anyone is suggesting that Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain live like the average American

Hey Tony C!

Great observation - and you know, Obama doesn't even need to be all that "negative" (a la McCain's nasty comments and ads) - he just needs to state all the facts!

1) Start with his record - a lot of bloggers have posted how he voted on various legislation of interest to us "common folk." 2) Hammer on the Supreme Court issue - that may bring back a number of recalcitrant Hillary supporters.
3) Then talk about his views on privatizing Social Security.
Plenty of grist for the mill.

I agree - it sounds like his strategy during the primaries - remember last summer where everyone was asking the same headlines that they are today - "Where's Obama's Mojo?" - "Why Won't He Attack Clinton?" et al. Although with the new houses ad I do think he's beginning to push back...and he has been running negative ads in selected markets...Chicago's smart...I'd give him the benefit of the doubt on the tone.

Perhaps that (going after the GOP ticket's negatives) will be the first job for the Veep nominee? Obama can stay above the fray and address policy and let his No. 2 go for the jugular. In which case it is likely Biden.

Huffington Post's current lead on the politics page refers to McCain playing th "POW" card. Does it seem that McCain is overplaying his POW experience abit ala Rudy Guiliani and 911?

Rope a dope would be such a losing political strategy. It gives the opposing campaign a chance to define you in a negative light. And considering that Obama is unknown to much of America, letting McCain set the first impression of Obama would be political suicide.

I think Obama's people are smart and will wait to drop a bomb on McCain when the time is right. Too many people are not listening yet- too early. If he did now people would forget.

Divorni: Well, I didn't say he doesn't do anything, he has to block punches. But he can do what he has been doing, defining himself with speeches and policy positions and town halls, just don't go too negative. So when he does go negative people aren't bored with it already. I agree with Harmony1812 -- If people aren't listening until mid September anyway, why use up all your ammunition?

Chuck. I'd agree that McCain should feel pretty good at this point, with the Biden VP choice. Having the race being turned into an Obama referendum was the doing of the media and it's saturation coverage of Obama.

Since the Leftist blogs, such as DailyKos, have little credibility, and since the allegations are far-fetched, and since McCain's story differs in many ways from Solzhenitsyn's ... no serious news organization is going to touch it with a ten-foot pole. Unless, of course, they want to reinforce the view that they are taking dictation from the extreme Far Left.

Tom Bombadill:

When it's a lie, the story changes over time.

I heard a VARIATION of this story 20 years ago. From 84-87, I attended a small Christian school called Grand Canyon College here in Phoenix. We had mandatory chapel. At one of chapels, John McCain spoke. I don't recall the exact date but I believe it was when he was still a Congressman, campaigning for his first Senate seat (1986 election).

I recall the speech so vividly because he brought me to tears with his story of Christmas and a Cross being drawn in the sand.

He emotionally retold a story about one of his guards who came into the darkness of his cell where other guards couldn't see him. He picked up a stick, and traced the Sign of the Cross in the sand. He then bent over and with his hand, he rubbed out the dirt to eliminate the cross he had just drawn. He then walked away without ever saying a word. McCain told us this act of human kindness told him there was something greater than the Evil he and his fellow POWs were enduring. Most importantly, he knew this was his guard's way of reminding him to keep his Faith strong as through Christ, anything was possible.

The story McCain told to Pastor Rick Warren was similar. But, he said it took place outside his cell in the courtyard -- not in his cell in the darkness. He also said he drew the cross in the sand with his sandal -- not with a stick. And, he rubbed it out with his sandal -- not his hand. Here's the exact quote.

The [gun guard] came walking up. … With his sandal on the dirt in the courtyard, he drew a cross. And he stood there, and a minute later he rubbed it out, and walked away. For a minute there, there was just two Christians worshipping together. I'll never forget that moment.

I recall the story so vividly as it so touched me when I first heard it. Imagine my surprise Saturday night when the story changed just a little bit. I wondered why the discrepancies. Now I know. Huffington Post and the Politico are reporting that the story was possibly plagiarized from Alexander Solzhenitsyn's book, "The Gulag Archipelago." Here's the excerpt from his book:

As with Hillary Clinton's lie about the Bosnian sniper fire, here's one more example of how the story always changes when you tell a lie. Perhaps McCain thought us silly college students wouldn't remember his story that brought us all to tears. But just like those Christians who heard it for the first time Saturday night, it was a touching story.

Recently, I've thought of the story often when McCain proudly asserts that he doesn't like to use his POW times to help him get elected. I've told many how he used his POW service over 20 years ago to get elected here in Arizona. Now it seems, the story wasn't true -- then or now!

That's it? You found a couple of minor variations in a story he has told dozens and dozens of times? Surely you know he has told that story more than twice.

Your evidence doesn't quite rise to the level of "proof" that the story is a lie or plagarism. Having personally heard former POW Admiral Jeremiah Denton describe unusual acts of kindness or faith in Vietnamese prison camps, I believe that such acts do sometimes occur, even in unlikely places such as a gulag or Vietnam.

It does get old, for both sides. And yet, as an electorate we seem to collectively be addicted to it at the same time. We (and when I say "we," I include myself) sometimes allow our lower natures to overcome our better angels when it comes to political brawling.

Ah, I didn't open this door. I've kept this story to myself since college -- even when McCain incorrectly & repeatedly asserted that he's never used his POW experience while campaigning.

However, McCain opened the door by telling a different version of his POW story -- in a Church of all places.

You may not care if your President lies. You may not care if your President distorts or embellishes his POW record & his Christian experience. I do. And I suspect other Christians, others in the military, and other Americans would as well.

I adore & respect Chuck but this game of "Gotcha" isn't possible unless a candidate lies.

I do believe it gives Chuck a different perspective, not just the Beltway view, I may be wrong.
Get into our minds without the back and forth that is normal on these blogs. A lot of people here with Chuck ask some real questions.

Hi Lenore,

I am also amazed Chuck takes the time to do this. It is really pretty amazing that we have this kind of access to someone with such great knowledge and insight.

He definitely deserves a huge thank you and a case of beer for his efforts here. That kind of attitude is exactly why Chuck has a fan club! :)

Elaine

Thank you, Chuck! We really appreciate you, especially after all your work last night into today. It's fantastic that you do this.

I thought the reason he didn't want the 527's to go is because he wants to completely control the message. So I doubt the Obama campaign considers them released, if anything negative ads need to be even MORE tightly controlled by the campaign, to strike the right blaance between negativity and politically incorrect slash and burn. Obama doesn't want to have to spend any day or part of a day talking about ads or answering questions about ads he had no control over. If you publish it yourself, you don't get blind-sided into gaffes and big mistakes. Or at least it is far less likely!

Personally I think its difficult to grade experience. If we are talking national or statewide elective political experience, then save the purely military guys and Hoover, there can't be many with less experience. You would think at least. But take FDR, his experience for being President was being an assisstant secretary of the Navy, 1 term as Governor of New York, and 1 term in the NY state legislature, and a run at the Vice Presidency. Woodrow Wilson had spent 2 years as Governor of New Jersey, Warren Harding had 1 term in the Senate behind him. So its not historically the truth that you need tons of experience. (And I didn't even mention Lincoln!)

Maybe Bill had it right- is anyone ready?

History shows that the best presidents in general have not had much experience.

Obama is what Obama is, a pragmatist. He makes decisions based on reality. Obama can be cut throat when he needs to be. Him "changing" positions is just an example of that. If you really want him to win, then we all need to take a deep breath and let the man win. He has run an outstanding campaign up until this point, so I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt, and let him do what he thinks he has to do to win.

Very good point, Chuck. Perhaps that's what made Ron Paul relevant, was his ability - against all odds - to galvanize support via the web and other "non-traditional" means. Barr and Nader haven't come close to that kind of grassroots support this year.

It goes both ways -- Bush has blocked or said that he would block everything the Dems have tried. Right now it's Bush who's the obstructionist; so if McCain won, that torch would simply pass to him (unless, of course, McCain works with both parties to reach compromise as he always says he will).

I have always thought he would be a great pick. His resume is stellar. McCain would be shakin' and tempted to salute him. What he said about MCain's POW experience is true and should be elaborated on.

I have always thought he would be a great pick. His resume is stellar. McCain would be shakin' and tempted to salute him. What he said about MCain's POW experience is true and should be elaborated on.

I totally agree. All we keep hearing about is how Obama hasn't tried hard enough to retire Clintons debt. Well, from my perspective, why should he. A lot of her supporters are saying they wont vote for Obama, and might switch to McCain. Also, it hasnt seemed to me that the Clintons have really been putting to much effort into helping Obama unite the party. Clinton just keeps fanning the flames of her bitter supporters, and in fact I think she has made things worse. So, why should Obama help someone retire their debt, when she isnt even helping him unite the party. All of her supporters want to vote for McCain, then shouldnt it be the McCain supporters who help out the Clintons pay down their debt? I mean if they are not going to vote for Obama, then why should any Obama supporters try and help Clinton pay off her debt? Finally, I think that Clinton wants Obama to lose. She would never say that, but deep down inside I think she is hoping Obama goes down. Then she can say I told you so. But what she doesnt realize is that if she is part of the reason why Obama loses, then none of Obama's supporters would support her if she ran. So, she would have no shot at winning anyway.

Note how she is still referring to him even today as her "opponent." And she sounded like she was whining when she mentioned how she has done more for 'her opponent' than any other person has done for someone who beat them.

I know she's doing small fundraisers for Obama, but she's not going after John McCain on his behalf. Of course, she really wouldn't, as she is quite friendly with McCain. But in any case, the message is off - why isn't she talking about him instead of herself? Why does this not sound very resoundingly in support of Obama?