The Inquisitr » mccain

Cindy McCain having an affair?

Duncan Riley — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:50:41 +0000

The not always reputable National Enquirer has published the above photo as proof that Cindy McCain, wife of failed US Presidential candidate John McCain is having an affair.

According to the article (currently uncontactable, or it may have been removed, we’re not sure)

“I couldn’t believe I was watching Cindy McCain passionately kissing and hugging another man!” says a spywitness, who claims to have spotted the 54-year-old wife of Senator McCain slobbing down a long-haired man with a striking resemblance to “a washed-up ’80s rock musician.”

The wealthy blonde heiress and her secret pal have been spotted together around her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona over the past several years, The Enquirer writes.

A second witness spotted Cindy and her “mystery man” at a Moody Blues concert “passionately kissing and hugging.”

“I couldn’t believe it. I remember thinking, ‘Go get a room!’

The photo does look like her, but grainy isn’t the half of it. There is a large age gap between Cindy McCain and John McCain, and the two were reported to live apart during the election, so there might be something to it, but we wouldn’t bet on it at this stage.

Obama for Internet President

Duncan Riley — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:14:43 +0000

The 2008 US Presidential election is historic for many reasons. Although the role of the internet in campaigning isn’t new, internet related policy in 2008 is more important then ever.

I don’t live in the United States, nor am I an American citizen, and yet the policies implemented after this election have a direct impact on what I do for a living. I’ve worked online exclusively for 3 years, and beyond that I’ve written blogs for a predominantly American audience. Today, The Inquisitr gains the majority of its traffic from the United States. Decisions made in the United States directly affect this site, and my ability to put food on the table; this may in the eyes of some disqualify me from giving an opinion, and I accept that no matter what I say this will be the case. However, not only do I work online, many of my great friends and associates work in internet related industries as well, and most of them live in the United States. My preference may be slanted by my own situation, but I think of others when I make it.

The Inquisitr is not a partisan political blog, and I’d hope that it never will be. Many years ago I was involved in the founding of Donklephant, a middle ground US political blog. Although I’m not tied in to the site today, I link to it fairly regularly because I believe that the majority of people are non-partisan, and sit in the middle. I have a long history in the right in Australia, but I voted left at our last election for the first time. My personal politics tend libertarian center (left socially, right economically). The following therefore is not an endorsement by this site as a whole, but one made personally.

On the balance of facts, if you work in an online industry your vote should go to Obama.

There are positives and negatives on both sides, but the tipping point for me is Obama’s support for Net Neutrality. This affects everyone and anyone who has internet traffic in the United States. While unlike many I’m not against “internet caps” as an economic instrument (although I am morally opposed), net neutrality as an issue has the possibility of stifling innovation and small scale startups and blogs. That Obama lists the issue as his number one tech policy on his site is a commitment to the future of innovation and small scale enterprise, this site included.

On broadband I have no strong opinion. The need to offer broadband to all is a social aspect that can be better served by the Government over enterprise when considering access to all. Obama has the better broadband plan, and more people with broadband means more potential customers for internet startups.

Trade Policy

Unfortunately the let down in a vote for Obama is trade policy. As many sites have noted when endorsing Obama, his trade policies have much to be desired. While it is reprehensible that countries such as China may be using censorship as an economic tool to block American sites, and any website outside of China itself to advantage local firms, Obama’s trade policy is suspect at best.

Obama has talked about conditional trade polices, a populist line that panders to those who believe (particularly in manufacturing) that the labor aspect of such deals is unfair. And yet the free trade policy of the Bush Administration has often been conditional, but in different ways. Obama isn’t anti-free trade, but he comes from a party that is in many ways. Trade Policy ultimately should be about opening doors to local product, and that includes American internet companies and sites. That Obama may kill free trade agreements by trying to force unfair conditions without conceding local exceptions in return bides badly for the future course of global free trade, and the benefits this may have for tech and online concerns.

Free trade is vital for American internet companies to grow, and any shift away from the current course presents a clear and present danger to startups and blogs alike. McCain’s trade policies are superior to those proposed by Obama.

Conclusion

Obama has made all the right noises about being a moderate on many issues, and I can only hope that he moderates his party on trade. On the core tech issues that matter most domestically, Obama offers the best outcome for people who work in internet related industries. There are many other factors involved in such a vote, but if you care about the Internet, Obama should have your vote.

McCain on SNL video

Duncan Riley — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:18:49 +0000

GOP Presidential candidate John McCain made a last minute appearance on Saturday Night Live, managing to poke fun at himself as well as opponent Barack Obama

Highlights include a running gag around the home shopping network QVC, with McCain saying that “This past Wednesday, Barack Obama purchased airtime on three major networks,” he said in the first skit. “We, however, can only afford QVC.” He later said “Look, would I rather be on three major networks? Of course…But I’m a true maverick — a Republican without money.”

McCain and Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin hawked campaign memorabilia such as a set of knives that cuts through pork, and a jewelry collection that McCain’s wife, Cindy, held up.

Two videos as follows:

Update: the embeds are having issues, may be georetarded. If you’re outside the US, or cant get these to play, you can view them directly here.

Update 2: transcript added below

Transcripts

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN – “Good evening, my fellow Americans, I’m John McCain.

TINA FEY AS GOV. SARAH PALIN – “And, you know, I’m just Sarah Palin.”

MCCAIN – “The final days of any election are the most essential. This past Wednesday, Barack Obama purchased airtime on three major networks. We, however, can only afford QVC.”

FEY AS PALIN – “These campaigns sure are expensive. (She strokes the rich fabric of her jacket’s lapel)

MCCAIN – “They sure are. So tonight, we come before you to give you some final remarks on our campaign.”

FEY AS PALIN – “And, as part of our agreement with the QVC folks, we’re gonna try and sell you some stuff.”

MCCAIN – “This has been an historic campaign, so why not remember it with our line of collectible products. Such as ten commemorative plates that celebrates the ten Town Hall debates between Senator Obama and myself. They’re blank, he wouldn’t agree to those debates. Too bad. They’re still nice plates.

FEY AS PALIN – “And who wouldn’t want the complete set of limited edition ‘Joe’ action figures? There’s ‘Joe the Plumber,’ ‘Joe Six-Pack,’ and my personal favorite, ‘Joe Biden.’ If you pull this cord, he talks for forty-five minutes.

(SHE pulls cord)

JASON SUDEIKIS AS SEN. BIDEN (O.C.) — “I take the Amtrak to work every day. Then — after work — I take it home. Let me tell you something about Joe Biden…”

MCCAIN – “It’s great if you want to clear out a party.”

FEY AS PALIN – “Or keep deer out of your yard.”

MCCAIN – “But we’re not just here to sell products. We’re here with a message. We are at a crossroads in American history. The leadership of the next four years will have many challenges and I believe my experience and my leadership will make a difference.

FEY AS PALIN – “Also too – sorry — I need to remind you that there are just two minutes left in our ‘Washington outsider jewelry extravaganza.’”

MCCAIN – “Are you someone who likes fine jewelry and also respects a politician who can reach across the aisle? If so, you can’t go wrong with McCain Fine Gold.

(CINDY MCCAIN displays the “McCain Fine Gold” like a game show model)

MCCAIN (CONT’D) – “It commemorates the McCain Feingold Act — and also looks great with evening wear. Thank you, Cindy.”

FEY AS PALIN – “And what busy hockey mom wouldn’t want to freshen up her home with Sarah Palin’s ‘Ayers Fresheners.’ You plug these into the wall when something doesn’t quite smell quite right. Also too, it’s good because it reminds people about William Ayers.”

MCCAIN – “Having trouble cutting through a tough piece of pork? Not anymore, with John McCain’s complete set of pork knives. ‘They Cut The Pork Out!’”

FEY AS PALIN – “So instead of going to one of those elite department stores with their liberal agendas and over-priced items and their gotcha return policies that violate your First Amendment rights, why not do your holiday shopping with us? (SHE turns to a different camera) Okay, listen up everybody, I am goin’ rogue right now so keep your voices down. Available now, we got a buncha’ these ‘Palin in 2012′ T-shirts. Just try and wait until after Tuesday to wear ‘em okay? Because I’m not goin’ anywhere. And I’m certainly not goin’ back to Alaska. If I’m not goin’ to the White House, I’m either runnin’ in four years or I’m gonna be a white Oprah so, you know, I’m good either way.”

MCCAIN – “What’s going on over there, Sarah?”

FEY AS PALIN – “Oh…just talkin’ about taxes.” (SHE winks)

MCCAIN – “Look, would I rather be on three major networks? Of course, but I’m a true maverick — a Republican without money. And I’m not like my opponent; my only showbiz connections are Jon Voight and Heidi from ‘The Hills.’ So, I’m here on QVC, and like QVC, this campaign promises you three things: quality, value and convenience.”

FEY AS PALIN – “And great deals on juicers.”

MCCAIN – “So when you go to the polls on Tuesday remember, ‘Country First,’ as a reminder all undergarments are non-refundable and Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!!!

***McCain’s “strategies” for the final days of the campaign from “Weekend Update follow below:

SETH MEYERS – “With the election only three days away, most polls show Barack Obama leading John McCain by a slight margin. Here to comment on his campaign strategy, Senator John McCain.”

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN – “Thank you Seth. You know, a lot can happen in three days. And while I am confident that we will emerge victorious, I’m also considering a few radical last-minute strategies.”

MEYERS – “New strategies, like what?

SEN. MCCAIN – “Well you know how people call me “the maverick”

MEYERS – “Yeah.”

SEN. MCCAIN – “Well, I thought I’d try a strategy called the ‘Reverse Maverick.’ That’s where I do whatever anybody tells me. I don’t ask questions – I just go with the flow. If that doesn’t work, I go to the ‘Double Maverick.’ That’s where I go totally berserker and just freak everybody out. Even the regular mavericks.”

MEYERS – “That doesn’t sound like the best strategy.”

SEN. MCCAIN – “It isn’t. And here’s another bad one. It’s called ‘The Sad Grandpa.’ That’s where I get on TV and go, ‘C’mon, Obama’s gonna have plenty of chances to be President! It’s my turn! Vote for me!’”

MEYERS – “Yeah, I don’t know if I’d do that.”

SEN. MCCAIN – “Ok, then here’s a good one. It’s called ‘The Charleston.’ That’s where I only campaign in Charleston, South Carolina. Really lock it down. Meet every single resident three or four times. Or how about ‘The Forrest Gump.’ That’s where I just start jogging across America and eventually everything works out.

MEYERS – That might work.

SEN. MCCAIN – “Or maybe ‘The Rocky IV.’ I live alone in the wilderness and pull a sled through the snow until I’m in peak physical condition.”

MEYERS – “How would that help you win an election?”

SEN. MCCAIN – “It won’t. But if I ever have to fight Vladimir Putin, I’ll be ready.”

MEYERS – “Alright, well if you had to choose one strategy in the remaining days, what would it be?”

SEN. MCCAIN – “Seth, my basic strategy is the one I’ve stuck with since I started this campaign: connect with the voters, talk with them honestly about the issues, and stand by my record of service to this great country.”

MEYERS – “And if that doesn’t work?”

SEN. MCCAIN – “Probably the ‘Double Maverick.’”

MEYERS – “Senator John McCain everyone!”

Synchronized Presidential Debating

Duncan Riley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:53:03 +0000

Did the lines delivered by John McCain and Barack Obama during this years three Presidential debates sound familiar? 236.com asks the very question, with this funny, and sometimes disturbing look at Synchronized Presidential Debating.

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McCain reacts to polls

Duncan Riley — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:09:21 +0000

After seeing latest poll numbers, McCain bites another child.

(via Andrew Baron)

John McCain swears like a sailor

Duncan Riley — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 05:51:33 +0000

John McCain dropped the C word on the campaign trail yesterday, and naturally YouTube was there to spread the glory. If you’re offended by the word, don’t hit play on the following video.

On the bright side, it may see his vote increase among younger demographics

No related posts.

The next President of the United States is funny

Duncan Riley — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:48:17 +0000

Barack Obama and John McCain both attended the Alfred E. Smith Dinner in New York this evening, and both were tasked with delivering a roast of each other.

The split will reflect the polls: Barack Obama won the best roast, maybe be a wider margin. Along with roasting his opponent, he took the opportunity to roast himself mercilessly, and politics aside, this is a funny speech

McCain had some funny moments, but the angriness seen in the last debate could still be seen in the roast. Where as Obama was quick to make fun at himself and other politicians on both sides of the fence, McCain made some pretty nasty, personal jokes.

Ultimately you can be the judge.

Obama

McCain (the audio appears to be out of sync in this clip, so apologies).

Joe the Plumber

Duncan Riley — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:50:53 +0000

The hottest name from tonight’s Presidential Debate was “Joe the Plumber,” named over a dozen times by McCain, and several times by Obama.

So who is Joe the Plumber, besides becoming a likely candidate for Halloween Costume, at least according to some on FriendFeed.

Joe the Plumber is Joe Wurzelbacher, a plumber from Toledo, Ohio who asked Barack Obama a question on the campaign trail Sunday.

We try not to take sides on politics on this site, so we’ll make no political comment other than to show the video of the worlds most famous plumber, at least for the next couple of days, meeting Presidential candidate Barack Obama. We would add though: it’s amazing how quickly people like Joe the Plumber can become famous.

McCain Campaign asks YouTube to ignore the DMCA

Duncan Riley — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:24:00 +0000

The McCain campaign has written to YouTube, asking that the site ignore a provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and provide special resources to give expedited consideration to copyright claims against campaign videos.

The legalities leading to the current situation aren’t always clear. Both the McCain and Obama campaigns have been hit with DMCA claims for using songs and video without permission. Some videos included nothing more than a mixture of clips from news services, where as others used extracts only; the latter in particular would constitute fair use, but that would be a matter for the courts on a case by case basis.

The McCain campaign objects to YouTube’s DMCA policies on two fronts: the takedown of McCain campaign videos, and the time the counter-notice procedure takes to be processed by YouTube, around 10-14 days. The processing side is understandable: the campaigns want their videos up on the site, they are embedded on other sites (and they can’t replace the same embeds with alternative video once taken down), and 14 days later isn’t quick enough when the videos are often topical to that day, let alone the week, or the broader campaign. That YouTube should offer expedited processing to political campaigns is a matter of choice for YouTube: they aren’t obliged to do so, even if it might win them a little support from both campaigns. However, it’s also a pandora’s box, because once YouTube starts giving exceptions for some, others will be lining up to demand the same treatment.

The interesting part is the McCain campaign’s request that YouTube ignore the DMCA in terms of take downs, a law that McCain himself voted for in the Senate. The campaign argues in a letter (full copy below) that immediate takedown of material following a DMCA notification is “unnecessary” under the DMCA:

“nothing in the DMCA complies a host like YouTube to comply automatically with takedown notices, while blinding itself to the legal merit (or as here, their lackoff). The DMCA provides hosts with a safe harbor from liability for infringement, but there is no need for a safe harbor where, as here, there is no infringement in the first place”

The problem with that statement is two fold: one, the DMCA calls on content to be taken down first, second, the act doesn’t dictate that hosts should make the call on copyright.

There is some ambiguity on the speed at which the takedown should take place. From § 512. Limitations on liability relating to material online (c)(1)(C)

upon notification of claimed infringement as described in paragraph (3), responds expeditiously to remove, or disable access to, the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity.

(c)(1)(A)(iii) also deals with the need to take down material following notification.

upon obtaining such knowledge or awareness, acts expeditiously to remove, or disable access to, the material;

The key word here is “expeditiously.” The industry has always taken that to be as soon as possible, with the notice coming afterwards. McCain’s campaign are arguing that this isn’t the case, and that YouTube can consider the validity of each claim prior to takedown. The whole idea of safe harbor is one that excludes the host from the copyright claim altogether. For YouTube to start making the call on the validity or other wise on a DMCA notice deals YouTube into every claim it makes that call on…and that’s an army of lawyers salivating for inclusion. That they would keep content up to consider the validity of each claim, would seemingly go against the need to act expeditiously dictated in the act itself.

If there’s one good thing to come out of this letter, it’s that at least one campaign now understands the problems of the DMCA. Maybe, just maybe after the election, someone might look at reviewing the laws as they stand, and to make them more friendly to fair use, and stronger against those who seek to use the laws unjustly.

(in part via NewTeeVee)

McCain Campaign Letter To YouTube on Fair Use – Upload a Document to Scribd

Election 2008: Who’s Winning The Great Spam Race?

JR — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:37:21 +0000

Some new numbers are in about the Obama-McCain matchup — and we’re not talking last night’s debate.

Research from Secure Computing shows spammers are using Barack Obama’s name seven times more than John McCain’s in the subject lines of their junk mail. The data analyzed spam sent during the month of September. It found a spike in McCain mail around the time of the Republican convention — which balanced the race out a bit — but Obama has maintained his spam lead, the firm says.

Our favorite quoted spam subject lines from the study:

Jesus Endorses Obama; Four Horsemen Opt for McCain
Obama Ahead Amongst Voters With Similarly Weird Names

When it comes to the VP candidates, not surprisingly, Sarah Palin trumps Joe Biden in the spam-off — but not by as large of a margin as you might think. The ratio falls out to five Palin e-mails for every four Biden. In an interesting contrast, during that month, the ratio of news stories about Palin to Biden came out to 7:1. Spammers, seemingly, were not swayed.

GOP Vetting Emporium

Duncan Riley — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:47:47 +0000

GOP Vetting Emporium | Funny Jokes at JibJab

From the guys at JibJab comes the Vetting commercial that was meant to be. Apologies for the dip into politics, but we think this is funny.

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Fold your own Presidential Candidate finger puppets

Duncan Riley — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:44:28 +0000

For the person who has everything comes something completely new: paper US Presidential Candidates.

Fold U.S. Candidate allows anyone to print out images and instructions on how to create a finger puppet of Obama, McCain, or their better halves.

From site creator Adi Marom in an email to The Inquisitr:

The process is simple: download your favorite or least favorite candidates (PDF files), print, cut, fold, glue… then give your candidate-finger-puppet your voice.

Finally people don’t have to shout back at their TV during presidential debates or post angry comments online.

Now they can have a new way to release their political frustrations / satisfactions.

And it is all there at the fingertips!!

A couple of minutes of free, quick fun.

McCain Palin: The Lumberjacks Choice

Duncan Riley — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:56:14 +0000

The Inquisitr officially welcomes the McCain Palin ticket, and asks you to join us in showing our support, with the following buttons or our special leaked McCain Palin campaign video. At last, Lumberjacks will have a voice.

Perspctv Tries To Level The Election Playing Field

JR — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:14:03 +0000

A new Web startup is attempting to offer a balanced approach to election-based news.

Perspctv compiles mainstream media coverage along with blog reports and even Twitter mentions of John McCain and Barack Obama, letting you get more than just the typical voices. The front page of the site offers a quick glimpse at how often each candidate is currently mentioned in all the different media forms. Below, you can view the latest tweets, blogs posts, and news articles about either side.

The service has some other interesting features, such as a graphed timeline of candidates’ mentions in each medium over the months. Its creator says the aggregation is automatically updated continuously — thereby, in theory, avoiding any human-based bias in content selection. True to the claim, the site had tweets within the past minutes when we checked it out, as well as blogs and news articles within the past hour.

What it lacks in vowels, Perspctv makes up for in innovation. This could be an interesting tool for the Web-savvy crowd this election year — if, that is, people can remember how to spell its name.