Chris Buckley Endorses Obama; McCain Angry

McCain Campaign in Panic:
Campaign Prepares for Flood of Contributions as Rich Satirists with Prep School Backgrounds Expected to Flock to Join Obama




The McCain-Palin campaign was dealt a serious setback today when author/satirist, Christopher Buckley endorsed Barack Obama.

The McCain campaign could not be reached for comment, but a guy down the street who thinks he might vote Obama told DBKP:

"Sweet!

Who?"

Sources say John McCain himself is "angry" at the news.

It is too early for Buckley's endorsement to reflect in the polls, but it's thought that Buckley's coming out for Obama might be the key to the multi-millionaire mildly-amusing vote.

Buckley announced his decision on The Daily Beast, Tina Brown's new website [Sorry Dad, I'll be Voting for Obama].

Buckley cited Obama's "temperament" as one reason he was "pulling the lever for a Democrat for the first time." Buckley also mentioned "intellect", but was more guarded in his assessment on that important point.

"He has exhibited throughout a “first-class temperament,” pace Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.’s famous comment about FDR. As for his intellect, well, he’s a Harvard man, though that’s sure as heck no guarantee of anything, these days. "

DBKP contacted one source, "a former aide to the McCain campaign" and asked for his assessment of the Chris Buckley endorsement.

"Personally, I'm crushed.

You want that with cheese?"

Buckley broke with National Review, which his father, William F. Buckley, founded over the Obama pick.

Those asking what swung Buckley to Obama need look no further than Sarah Palin, "namely, that Sarah Palin is an embarrassment, and a dangerous one at that."

"President Obama will (I pray, secularly) surely understand that traditional left-politics aren’t going to get us out of this pit we’ve dug for our ourselves...And so, for the first time in my life, I’ll be pulling the Democratic lever in November. As the saying goes, God save the United States of America."

It's not known if Senator Obama and Buckley are friends or just one of the thousands of people that Obama knows.

Buckley joins Louis Farrakhan, Hamas, Jimmy Carter, the entire line-up of the Dallas Cowboys and thousands of Europeans in lining up behind Obama.

Sources indicated that the McCain campaign was hoping to offset the loss by redoubling their efforts to win over the Bennett Cerf vote.


by Mondo

Thompson Picks Up Key Evangelical Endorsement for Next Round of Primaries

Endorsement Key in Battle For Conservative Christian Votes Against Mike Huckabee


Fred Thompson picked up an endorsement sure to help in the battle with Mike Huckabee for conservatives, on the eve of the next battle for primary votes.

Evangelical Christian voters are important segment of the Republican coalition, especially in South Carolina.

Thompson is expected to battle Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist minister, for this key voting population.

Evangelical author, David Jeffers, not only came out with an endorsement for Thompson, he was effusive in his praise for the former Senator from Tennessee.

He also provided plenty of reasons for choosing Thompson over Huckabee.

To those who might be leaning towards opponent, Mike Huckabee, he provided a list of conservative credentials that Thompson puts on the table. He stated that Thompson was a better choice for evangelicals in the Bible Belt, or Jesusland.

Senator Fred Thompson is far and away the best conservative candidate to represent those who live in Jesusland, according to David Jeffers, author of Understanding Evangelicals: A Guide to Jesusland.

"Evangelicals are looking for a candidate who is strongly pro-life, is for traditional families, and who is an actual Reagan Conservative." Jeffers explains, "Every GOP candidate is espousing Reagan-like characteristics, but only Thompson has the record to back it up."

Then Jeffers turned his attention to the attention Huckabee has been getting from evangelicals.

And explained why Thompson was better for conservative, Christian evangelical voters, both in South Carolina and in other contests.

Jeffers claims that many in Jesusland are enamored with Governor Mike Huckabee because of his Southern Baptist roots and strong social conservative values.

"There are three important agendas in the Reagan Conservative and while the social agenda is certainly important, Huckabee is weak on the foreign policy and fiscal agendas," Jeffers said.

Jeffers reminds evangelicals that Thompson has been endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, Human Events newspaper (which was Reagan's favorite newspaper), and is solid in all three important conservative agendas.

Jeffers continued.

"Senator Thompson has a 100% pro-life voting record, is a strong defender of 2nd Amendment rights, and is a proven fiscal conservative." Jeffers states if conservatives and Evangelicals are going to be intellectually honest they should closely examine all Republican candidates under a true conservative microscope.

"We cannot allow our fear of Hillary Clinton to sway deeply held convictions and vote for a 'more electable candidate" said Jeffers.

Moreover, Jeffers believes Evangelicals must be careful in their desperation to find a true Christian candidate to not run to the first one that sings the tune those in Jesusland want to hear.


"In Matthew 10:16 Jesus warned us, 'Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves," said Jeffers. "Evangelicals must choose carefully who will get our vote. We must assert ourselves as a voting bloc, but we must remember that we are the Salt and Light of the earth."

After Fred Thompson got a plug from David Jeffers, Jeffers offered a plug for his book,

Jeffers encourages all Americans to buy his book to better understand evangelical beliefs and values.

"This book is the quintessential primer to help evangelicals to better explain what they believe, why they believe it, and why it's important." It also teaches the importance of being an active, voting member of society. Jeffers' book is available at his website (www.understandingevangelicals.com) and online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A plug for Fred Thompson, a plug for his book.

Seems like a fair trade.

Fred Thompson's endorsement by Jeffers will provide some evangelicals a reason to pause before making their Republican primary choice between Thompson and Huckabee.

It may likely prove a key endorsement at a key time.

David Jeffers is a lay preacher, retired Army Master Sergeant and author of Understanding Evangelicals: A Guide to Jesusland. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Liberty University where he received his degree in Biblical Studies, Mr. Jeffers frequently comments on the Evangelical perspective of current affairs in the media. Mr. Jeffers has published numerous articles on The New Media Journal and appears regularly on talk radio shows around the country.

by Mondoreb
Source: Thompson Best Choice According to Evangelical Author



Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Fred Thompson: Wyoming RTL Endorsement A Pleasant Day-After Iowa Reminder

FRED THOMPSON PICKS UP PRO-LIFE ENDORSEMENT

Encouraging news the day after Iowa should remind the Thompson campaign that grassroots organizations are just now thinking politics.

Today Fred Thompson announced the endorsement of Right to Life of Wyoming.

"We're proud to endorse Senator Thompson for president because he has a long track record of supporting pro-life principles," stated Steven Ertelt, President of Right to Life of Wyoming.

"Senator Thompson had a 100% pro-life voting record during his tenure in Congress. Today, he supports overturning the Roe v Wade decision which allowed for unlimited abortions, he opposes euthanasia, and he opposes forcing taxpayers to fund scientific research that requires the destruction of human life."

Right to Life of Wyoming (RTLW) is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee which has endorsed Senator Thompson for President, along with 13 other state affiliates.

"I'm blessed and honored to have the endorsement of the Right to Life of Wyoming for President of the United States," said Senator Thompson. "Thirteen right to life organizations from coast to coast have voted to endorse my candidacy, and more likely will, because they know I have stood with them yesterday, I stand with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow.

"They know I have the ability to win this election. They know I believe in the sanctity of life and as President I will do all that I can do to protect life."

As a campaign spokesman declared, "Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect."

As stated by the Wyoming RTL chair, Erteld, Thompson's had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned.

He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning.

Huckabee's Conservative Credentials Not Impressive

Senator Thompson is not the prime headline maker the day after Iowa; that title would be for present press darling, Mike Huckabee.

As DBKP has pointed out on numerous occasions, however:

"What the Mainstream Media giveth, the Mainstream Media can taketh away".

Especially, if what they giveth goes to a conservative.

Huckabee's conservative credentials can--and have--been questioned. But, to the press, the perception is more important than reality. To the press, Mike Huckabee is a conservative.

Expect, MUCH closer press scrutiny for Huckabee over the coming weeks, as the MSM plays its own version of Whack-A-Pol, Republican-style.

Some Candidates Started Campaigning Over a Year Ago

Thompson's campaign got a late start nationally and in Iowa. The decision to even have Fred Thompson campaign in Iowa came late in the day, politically-speaking.

It should be pointed out that organizations such as Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Mitt Romney spent millions of dollars and many, many months preparing for yesterday's Iowa caucuses.

John Edwards, who has been actively campaigning in Iowa for over year received 30% --about 45,000 votes, or about 100 people a day for every day the Poverty Crusader has been working the Hawkeye State.

Hillary Clinton received almost 30%--and though her organization has spent a little less time, it's probably spent more money than Edwards.

Mitt Romney gained 25% of the Republican votes--somewhere between 12-13,000. It's been estimated that it cost Romney somewhere between $8-900 per vote in Iowa.

Fred Thompson, even with his late start and conservative campaign spending, only fell 5-6000 votes behind Romney.

That would have to be encouraging to the Thompson campaign.

Many Americans are Just Now Thinking About National Elections

The Thompson campaign continues to line up support--all across America by Right to Life, as well as other conservative groups.

Yesterday was the first step in a long campaign. Unlike candidates, a lot of people were not thinking politics in 2007 and early in 2008.

For some, it will be months before they seriously think about the presidential elections. Unlike pundits and the press, more important things occupy their time right now: paying bills and chauffeuring kids to ballgames.

The Wyoming endorsement is a reminder that there many conservative grassroots organizations all over the country that are just now declaring their support for a particular candidate.

And one suspects that Fred Thompson is going to be the beneficiary of many of those upcoming endorsements.

by Mondoreb
[image:abcnews]
Source:
* Iowa Caucuses - Democrat and Republican Results
* Fred Thompson Announces Endorsement by Wyoming Right to Life





Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Fred Thompson: Iowa Conservatives Shift To Thompson

Key Undecided Iowa Conservatives Look To Thompson

Fred Thompson Receives the Endorsement of Iowa State Rep. Gary Worthan

Conservative State Leader Supporting Thompson

A late movement by Iowa conservatives toward the Fred Thompson campaign was spotlighted by today's announcement that noted Iowa conservative leader, State Representative Gary Worthan, had endorsed the former Senator from Tennessee.

Many Iowa conservatives have been undecided and Worthan's endorsement was an important one for the Thompson campaign, which got a late start in the 2008 election process.

"Gary Worthan was one of the key Iowa conservatives that had been undecided." stated Bob Haus, Iowa Executive Director for the Thompson campaign. "Gary's endorsement is one we were hoping to pick up in these days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses. We're humbled to get it."

Haus stated that the campaign expects to pick up more endorsements from Iowa conservatives. Conservative support has been encouraging and "the movement on the ground here seems to be toward Fred Thompson."

"Events overseas the last few days have helped highlight Senator Thompson's foreign policy experience. While some of the other candidates, including the front-runners, seem a little perplexed, Senator Thompson's steadiness in his statements and steel in his spine has helped swing some key support to our campaign."

" We'll have some more announcements a little later on. We expect more undecided Iowa conservatives to gravitate our way over the next week."

"We're hearing more voters say they think that Senator Thompson is the best candidate to keep American strong and keep America safe."

More about the Gary Worthan Endorsement:

Today Iowa State Representative Gary Worthan announced his support of Fred Thompson for President of the United States. Representative Worthan joins a strong Thompson organization in Iowa already in place and headed by Iowa State Chair Congressman Steve King and Co-Chairs Representative Kraig Paulsen and Representative Sandy Greiner.

"I've been impressed with Fred's ability to boil the issues down to the essential items, without a lot of hyperbole," stated Representative Worthan. "He just plain tells the truth. We're in a long hard struggle and there are no easy answers like some of the other candidates are coming with."

Gary Worthan represents the conservative 52nd District, serving Buena Vista and Sac Counties. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2007, when he won a special election to replace the deceased Mary Lou Freeman. Worthan currently serves on several committees in the Iowa House - Agriculture, Public Safety, Transportation and Veterans Affairs. He also serves on the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee. Representative Worthan has three sons. His oldest son Ryan is a Major in the Army and earned a Silver Star for serving in Afghanistan and two Bronze Stars for serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Shannon is a Captain in the Army and earned a Bronze Star in Iraq.

"I am pleased to have the support of Representative Gary Worthan," said Senator Thompson. "I admire his leadership in the Iowa General Assembly and his commitment to conservative principles. Representative Worthan understands the increasing challenges we are facing as a nation both domestically and internationally and the need for strong consistent conservative leadership."

Fred Thompson's Iowa Statewide Legislative Leadership team includes:

U.S. Congressman Steve King, State Chair
State Representative Kraig Paulsen, Co-Chair
State Representative Sandy Greiner, Co-Chair
State Representative Clel Baudler
Former State Senator Bob Brunkhorst
State Representative Royd Chambers
State Representative Jeff Kaufmann
State Representative Jamie Van Fossen
State Representative Gary Worthan

Fred Thompson's campaign has released a steady stream of endorsements in the last several weeks from conservative grassroots groups and organizations.

Gary Worthan's endorsement is a key one for the Thompson campaign in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucuses.

by Mondoreb
[image:fredhead]
Sources:
* Fred Thompson Receives Endorsement by Iowa Rep. Gary Worthan
* Phone Interview with Bob Haus, Iowa Executive Director



Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Thompson Adds Yet Another Endorsement by Pro-Life Group

Other campaign staffs will have to hurry to
catch up in the Pro-Life endorsement game

If this keeps up, the Thompson campaign might pitch a shut-out on Pro-Life endorsements.

Fred Thompson's campaign picked up another endorsement today and it continued the trend of steady support from Pro-Life groups.

Pro-Life groups are a key constituency of the Republican coalition, accounting for as much as 25% of the voters in key states.

Virginia Society for Human Life, the oldest right to life organization in the country and the state's affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee announced their support for Fred Thompson.

Virginia SHL is the ninth state right to life organization to fall in behind the National Right to Life committee in endorsing Senator Thompson for President.

"Fred Thompson is a stellar candidate for President of the United States," said VSHL President Brenda Fastabend. "Fred Thompson's one hundred percent pro-life voting record compiled during his eight years of service in the U.S. Senate, speaks volumes for his integrity and statesmanship."

"In the eyes of Virginians who care about the dignity and sanctity of human life and the most basic freedom upon which our nation was founded , the right to life, Fred Thompson is a leader of great promise for the office of president."

Virginia Society for Human Life, Inc., is a voluntary and non-denominational organization united in the belief that the human being in his innate dignity and worth should be safeguarded by law at every stage of biological development. Through education and legislative activity, the Society's purpose is to promote measures which will insure protection for all innocent human life.

Thompson was grateful that yet another conservative grassroots organization has chosen to add their endorsement to the growing list of Thompson supporters.

"I'm blessed and honored to have the endorsement of the Virginia Society for Human Life for President of the United States," said Senator Thompson. "Virginia Society for Human Life is the oldest right to life organization in the country, and they know I stood with them yesterday, I stand with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow. VSHL and right to life organizations coast to coast who have endorsed by candidacy know I have the ability to win this election. They know I believe in the sanctity of life and as President I will do all that I can to do to protect life."

In a further statement after the announcement, Thompson's commitment to the sanctity of life was laid out and expanded upon.

"Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect. He had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned."

"He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning."

Over the last 4 or 5 weeks, the Thompson campaign has lined up an impressive array of grassroots conservative groups behind the Senator from Tennessee.

While some journalists have labeled the Thompson campaign as "lethargic", the list of conservative organizations for Thompson has grown.

The quiet additions of these groups will not likely catch the attention of "Big Media", but will end up providing vital resources to the campaign.

As far as we can see, the only "lethargy" has been exhibited by members of the press too lazy to cover the story of these dozens of small groups, preferring to stake out large, better-known events.

Such press behavior might even be characterized as "lazy".

by Mondoreb
[image:freakingnews]
Source: Fred Thompson Receives the Endorsement of Virginia Society for Human Life



Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Fred Thompson Picks Up Evangelical Endorsement

Senator Fred Thompson continues to solidify his conservative Christian base. He picked up another endorsement today. This time it's from Dr. Gary Cass, head of several evangelical organizations.

MORE

"It is my distinct pleasure to give my personal endorsement to Senator Fred Thompson for President of the United States," said Dr. Cass. "Fred Thompson's natural style and consistently conservative voting record will distinguish him from the others. This powerful combination has gained him the support of the largest pro-life organization in America, the National Right to Life Committee PAC. In an increasingly dangerous world, our nation needs a proven, conservative leader who will stand strong for America and our way of life. Fred Thompson is that leader."

Dr. Gary Cass is the former Executive Director of the late Dr. D. James Kennedy's Center for Reclaiming America. As an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of America, Dr. Cass is currently Chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission. Dr. Cass has been an entrenched pro- life activist for many years. In 2002, Gary received the California Life Coalition's Pro-Life Service Award for demonstrated excellence in his commitment to protecting life.

"I am blessed and deeply grateful for the endorsement of Dr. Cass, who is held in high regard by conservative Evangelical Christians across the country," said Senator Thompson. "I appreciate the confidence that Dr. Cass has placed in me and the ideas I have for our country. As the campaign heats up, his prayers for me and my family offer us great comfort and strength."

Cass recently completed a trip to Iraq to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki.

For Fred Thompson, it's another brick in the evangelical/conservative Christian wall.

by Mondoreb
[image:reclaimoklahoma;fredthompson;garycass.org]
Source: Fred Thompson Endorsed by Dr. Gary Cass



Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Fred Thompson picks Up Another Pro-Life Endorsement

Fred Thompson picked up an endorsement today that highlights one problem he doesn't have: his backing by pro-life forces.

West Virginians for Life gave their endorsement to Thompson. The Republican candidate from Tennessee, who has a solid record on the issue, hasn't had to put out any clarifications, explanations or re-statements concerning abortion.

While Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani's stance on the issue continues to raise questions, Thompson has quietly lined up Pro-life endorsements in the early stage of the presidential campaign.

The Mountain State endorsement was another one.

Senator Thompson released the following statement today regarding the West Virginians for Life endorsement of his candidacy for President.

From Christian Newswire:
"I'm deeply appreciative for their endorsement," said Thompson. "In supporting me, those who have worked tirelessly to defend life are supporting a consistent conservative who has stood with them yesterday, who stands with them today, and will stand with them tomorrow."

Fred Thompson is pro-life. He believes in the sanctity of human life and that every life is worthy of respect. He had a 100% pro-life voting record in the Senate and believes Roe v. Wade was a bad decision that ought to be overturned.

He consistently opposed federal funding to promote or pay for abortion and supported the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, the Child Custody Protection Act, and President Reagan's Mexico City policy. While Fred Thompson supports adult stem cell research, he opposes embryonic stem cell research. He also opposes human cloning.

West Virginians for Life is the West Virginia state affiliate for the National Right to Life Committee.

So, Fred Thompson continues to line up grassroots support, all the while some writers continue to write about his "lazy" campaign habits.

His "laziness" apparently doesn't extend to the unborn.

by Mondoreb



Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.

Kucinich Receives Endorsement: Shirley MacLaine Says UFO Sighting "Is Terrific"

In the slow season before the primaries, the only thing for pundits to write about are polls, fund-raising, scandals of anyone connected with a particular campaign and endorsements.

Dennis Kucinich, Democrat presidential candidate, received an endorsement of sorts on Friday.
Shirley MacLaine endorsed Kucinisch's UFO sighting. From the Today Show, as reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Lauer: "You talk about presidents. A guy running for president, Dennis Kucinich, a couple of weeks ago in a debate was asked if he thinks UFOs exist, and he said 'Yes.' Let me mention as a disclaimer, you're the godmother of one of his children, correct? When he said 'Yes,' were you cheering from the sidelines?

MacLaine: "I thought that was terrific that a presidential candidate admitted it. If they had asked Gov. Bill Richardson, he would have, too, because he is the governor of UFOs in New Mexico.

If Bill Richardson's bid for president falls short, he can take consolation in remaining the governor of UFOs.

One hopes there's a good pension plan.

by Mondoreb




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