McCain's Last Ditch Effort

[DanaC]

No you're right, Cic, it isn't just America. To be honest, I very much doubt that a black candidate could make it to the top job in British politics. And I don't think any of our mainstream parties would risk fielding a black prime ministerial candidate.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by DanaC

No you're right, Cic, it isn't just America. To be honest, I very much doubt that a black candidate could make it to the top job in British politics. And I don't think any of our mainstream parties would risk fielding a black prime ministerial candidate.

Why do you think that is? I always get the impression that you guys (UK), and the Europeans in general hold themselves up to be more progressive in that sense than the US. Some how we are the more oppressive nation when compared to the advanced thinking EU. What are your thoughts on that specifically?

[ZenGum]

From CNN

Townsfolk in England have delivered their explosive verdict on Sarah Palin, stuffing a giant effigy of the U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee with fireworks and blowing her up to raucous cheers.

The unusual display was the climax of an annual bonfire celebration Saturday in the southern town of Battle, where political figures are a favorite target of a local tradition that sees a different icon destroyed each year.

This year's creation was a rather unflattering depiction of the self-declared "hockey mom," a machine gun brandished in her muscular arms, bright red lipstick surrounding a grimacing smile and a moose at her side.

Daubed beneath her was the slogan: "Too hot to handle."

The caricature of the Alaskan governor was flanked by a smaller effigy of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, wearing a military-style helmet.

Organizers of the event, which saw a procession of flaming torches march through the historic town before igniting a bonfire and detonating the effigy, say the politically-themed pyrotechnics were not meant to cause offense.

"We just felt she was one of the most interesting characters in the American elections," Matt Southam told the Rye and Battle Observer.

"It's tongue-in-cheek and she's getting more attention that the other two, so she seemed like an ideal candidate."

The event, believed to date back to 1646, has seen British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his predecessor Tony Blair go up in smoke in recent years.

Despite heavy rain, Palin's likeness went up in seconds -- a shower of sparks followed by an giant bang, and a polite and rather amused round of applause.

Pictures at the link.

[richlevy]

Cheney endorses McCain and becomes star of Obama campaign.

Personally, I think McCain would have been better off claiming an Al-Qaeda endorsement.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama highlights Vice President Dick Cheney's support for Republican nominee John McCain in a new ad out Sunday.

"I'm delighted to support John McCain," Cheney says. "I'm pleased that he's chosen a running mate with executive talent, toughness and common sense, our next vice president Sarah Palin."

The praise from Cheney, who routinely has some of the lowest approval ratings of any national political figure, came as Obama has been arguing that McCain is too closely tied to the policies of the Bush administration.