Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Campaign Droppings -- XII

The droppings from John McCain's campaign could fertilize a national park; that is if he isn't too busy drilling for oil there. I have limited time for cataloguing them, so maybe a few at a time.

1) "I'm the original maverick."

The original maverick was Samuel Augustus Maverick, a well-born New Englander who went to Texas and participated in the revolution against Mexico (leaving the Alamo, fortuitously, on March 2, 1836.) He was a landowner and cattle rancher who refused to brand his cattle -- unbranded cattle henceforth known as "mavericks."

His grandson and great-grandson were active in politics, his grandson Maury Maverick Jr. served in Congress and gave the language yet another new word, "gobbeldygook."

The Mavericks were Democrats.

2) He is against tax increases.

On July 27, he said anything is on the table for Social Security reform. One of the principal ideas is raising the payroll tax. His aides later said McCain does not speak for his campaign.

3) "The United States Navy has sailed ships around the world for more than 50 years with nuclear power plants on them and we've never had a single accident."

On Aug. 1, the Navy announced the USS Houston, a fast-attack nuclear submarine, sprang a small water leak from its power plant.

4) "Obama's Energy Plan" emblazoned on tire gauges handed out to the press by the McCain campaign, mocking Obama's suggestion that auto mileage can increase up to 4% if motorists would keep their tire's inflated properly.

From the U.S. Department of Energy:
Proper tire inflation also plays a large role in keeping vehicles fuel efficient. For example, a vehicle with a recommended pressure of 35 psi whose tires are at 28 psi will have increased its rolling resistance by 12.5%.

5) "I will run a clean campaign."
"He (Obama) would rather lose a war to win a political election."

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