With Friends Like These...

Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, caused a bit of controversy this week on National Public Radio.

In an interview that was intended to be in support of the McCain campaign, he was asked if Sarah Palin was ready to step up as President should the need arise. His response: "Of Course Not."

He then went on to qualify his comments by stating that in his opinion, "I don't think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency. I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the question, I think, is can she learn and would she be tough enough under the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid that that ever takes place?"

"Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job. But I think she would be enough to get us through a four year... well I hope not... get us through whatever period of time was necessary. And I devoutly hope that it would never be tested."

Ouch.

And this is from a Republican who allegedly supports McCain.

John McCain Staff Walk Out

McCain campaign workers in Indiana walked off the job this week after refusing to peddle McCain's lies and filth.

The state of Indiana has laws that prevent automated nuisance calls, also called robocalls, where voters are targeted with propaganda from each political party to scare them into voting for them. However, it is legal to hire people to make the calls and read a script live.

But John McCain's message was as negative and dishonest as his campaign. Rather than talking about why people should vote for him, the script launched into a series of lies and smears against Barack Obama. Some of the claims included accusing Obama of being "dangerously weak on crime," "coddling criminals," and for voting against "protecting children from danger."

The staff approached their supervisors saying that they were not comfortable spreading lies for John McCain. But management refused to modify the script approved by the McCain administration.

In the end three dozen or so workers walked out on the job. All I can say is good for them.

Robo calls of all kinds by all parties should be illegal in my opinion. This is no way to solicit votes.