The Bracelet Debate Update

ABC News looked into the controversy about whether the family of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek approved of Senator Obama wearing a bracelet with his name on it and whether they approved of him using his name publicly in the article Bracelet Wars. It appears there was some miscommunication between Jopek's parents who are divorced, but that his mother is happy with Senator Obama mentioning her son's name during the debate even though she had previously emailed the campaign and asked them not to talk about her son publicly. Her intent in giving Senator Obama the bracelet was so that he would know her son's name, which brings us back to the original problem. Senator Obama had to read Sergeant Jopek's name off his bracelet.

---

Obama Bracelet Debate

---

The Bracelet Debate Update

Family Upset Obama Wears Their Son's Bracelet

NewsBusters is reporting in their article Family Told Obama NOT To Wear Soldier Son's Bracelet... Where is Media? that the family of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek whose name is on the bracelet Senator Obama wears does not want him speaking about their son in public. The father Brian Jopek stated in a radio interview that the family even asked Senator Obama to stop wearing his son's bracelet.

Radio host Glenn Moberg of the show "Route 51" asked Mr. Jopek, a man who believes in the efforts in Iraq and is not in favor of Obama's positions on the war, what he and his ex-wife think of Obama continually using their son's name on the campaign trail.

Jopek began by saying that his ex-wife was taken aback, even upset, that Obama has made the death of her son a campaign issue. Jopek says his wife gave Obama the bracelet because "she just wanted Mr. Obama to know Ryan's name." Jopek went on to say that "she wasn't looking to turn it into a big media event" and "just wanted it to be something between Barack Obama and herself." Apparently, they were all shocked it became such a big deal.

Senator Obama's inability to even remember Sergeant Jopek's name during the debate made it appear that the bracelet was just a political prop. However, now with news that the family doesn't even want their son's bracelet worn by the Senator, and are upset that Senator Obama uses Sergeant Jopek name in public, makes this appear to be an incredibly cold callous political move.

The clip published yesterday in the article The Presidential Debate and the Bracelet Moment is also being discussed on other blogs.

Obama's "Watch Moment"

The Tale of Two Bracelet

I've Got a Bracelet Too

---

Family Upset Obama Wears Their Son's Bracelet

The Presidential Debate and the Bracelet Moment

Senator McCain talked, as he has previously, about Matthew Stanley and his family of Wolfboro, NH, and the bracelet Senator McCain wears in his honor.

Senator Obama reading the name off 'his bracelet' was tacky, and poorly done.

The story of John McCain, Matthew Stanley, and the bracelet.

Scheiffer: Paulson Pleaded for McCain to Return to Washington

NewsBusters reports Schieffer: Paulson Pleaded for McCain to Save Bailout (follow link for video).

Here was Schieffer speaking with the Early Show's Maggie Rodriguez at 7:05 AM EDT today:

BOB SCHIEFFER: I am told, Maggie, that the way McCain got involved in this in the first place, the Treasury Secretary was briefing Republicans in the House yesterday, the Republican conference, asked how many were ready to support the bailout plan. Only four of them held up their hands. Paulson then called, according to my sources, Senator Lindsey Graham, who is very close to John McCain, and told him: you've got to get the people in the McCain campaign, you've got to convince John McCain to give these Republicans some political cover. If you don't do that, this whole bailout plan is going to fail. So that's how, McCain, apparently, became involved.

Continued Schieffer . . .

SCHIEFFER: He has gotten what he wants, he's going to have this meeting, kind of a summit today with the president and Barack Obama. I'm told that the leaders of both parties are getting close to having some kind of a bill. The question, though, is whether rank-and-file Republicans, especially, are going to vote for this.

...And that's where McCain comes in.

This certainly contradicts the spin that Senator McCain was motivated by politics. The fact remains that no one really knows how this will all play out. No one knows how much of the current events in Washington are influenced by politics. What is known is that there is an economic crisis that needs to be addressed, and the role Senator McCain is playing is significant.

Scheiffer: Paulson Pleaded for McCain to Return to Washington

John McCain Bold Leadership

With the markets in turmoil and a bill and a bailout package up for debate in Congress, Senator McCain has suspended his campaign and returned to Washington to work on the bill. Last night prior to Senator McCain's decision to return to Washington ABC's George Stephanopoulos reported,

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: If Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain doesn't vote for the Bush administration's $700 billion economic bailout plan, some Republican and Democratic congressional leaders tell ABC News the plan won't pass.

"If McCain doesn't come out for this, it's over," a Top House Republican tells ABC News.

A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that
Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no -- that there is no deal if McCain doesn't go along.

With the ball in Senator McCain's court, and concerns about the President's current proposal, Senator McCain is heading back to Washington. The debates and future campaign events are in limbo, as this bold decision has put a priority on the economic package.

Bold Leadership from John McCain

Orson Swindle Roommates at the Hanoi Hilton

Small Business Owner Supports McCain - Deliver Change

Mike Gravel Defends Sarah Palin from Smears

Palin on Obama Not Picking Clinton

The ‘Please Do Something’ Congress

The remarkable side story to this year’s presidential election is how useless this Congress has become. Representative Dr. Michael Burgess of Texas estimates the actual days that the Congress will be in session before the November election is between 10-20 days. Senator Mitch McConnell is disturbed by the number of circuit court judge vacancies there are because Congress refuses to hold confirmation hearings. Dr. Burgess believes the only piece of legislation that may be addressed before this election is the Columbia Free Trade agreement, as the Dems don’t want to see the first possible piece of legislation to go before an Obama presidency to be a free trade agreement, as Senator Obama position on free trade has been muddled.

Differences in positions are part of the deal in Congress, but refusal to work or hold hearings is irresponsible. Speaker Pelosi has refused to hear the House energy bill, which has support with both conservatives and moderates as it takes a ‘do everything’ approach to help produce more energy, reducing gas and oil prices. As Dr. Burgess stated the Democratic leadership does not want to see any new laws passed that might make the Bush administration look good. Therefore, they stick the American people for their own political gain. Last session was known as the ‘Do nothing’ Congress, but as Dr. Burgess pointed out this has been the least effective Congress in recent history, and has taken on the moniker of the ‘Please do something’ Congress.

The 'Please Do Something' Congress

Day 2 at the Convention - “Viva John McCain”

Tuesday's schedule was dedicated to theme of service, while also showing an inclusive spirit. The most touching moment of the night came with a long standing ovation for the sister and fellow Navy Seal's in the unit of deceased Seal Michael Monsoor. He was the first Navy Seal to die in Iraq and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and courageous actions during battle.

Another nice moment was the warm welcome for President H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. The night included talks from Captain Leslie Smith who lost her foot because of a blood clot that almost cost her her life. Tommy Epinoza who started his address saying, "Good evening, my name is Tom Espinoza ... I'm CATHOLIC ... HISPANIC ... and a DEMOCRAT ... and I'm proud to call John McCain my friend." He talked about Senator McCain's service in the community, and how service is a way of life for Senator McCain and his family. He ended his talk stating, "Viva John McCain!" Wes Gullet with his daughter Nicki at his side talked about how Cindy McCain brought back two babies from Bangladesh both of whom were in desperate need of medical care. The McCain's adopted one of those babies, their daughter Bridgette; and the Gullet family adopted the other baby their daughter Nicki.

The featured speakers President Bush via video (with intro from Mrs. Bush on site), Fred Thompson, and Joe Lieberman made for a solid and interesting night. President Bush did a nice job discussing Senator McCain's military service. Also, he noted how Senator McCain's strong support for the surge and how important that was, as some in congress wanted to cut off funding for the troops. He repeated Senator McCain's statement that he would rather lose a campaign than lose a war, as Senator McCain's support for the surge clearly jeopardized his chances of winning the primaries.

Senators Thompson and Lieberman made for an interesting contrast. While Thompson presented the biography of Senator McCain, he also gave a sort of classic Republican talk. On the other hand, Senator Lieberman talked about his friendship with Senator McCain; how respected he is on both sides of the isle, and how he is clearly not the typical Republican, and is clearly his own man.

Several excellent videos have been shown at the convention. This one takes a historical look at service.

Fred Thompson Quotes

Thanks to <a href="http://www.redstate.com">RedState</a> and <a href="http://www.googl.com">Google</a> bloggers had a blogger's brunch with Fred Thomspon. Here are some highlights.

Fred Thompson on the primary campaign. “What did you learn from your campaign? Well, the main thing I learned is never under estimate John McCain.”

Regarding foreign policy, “It isn’t the time to turn to the keys over to a fourteen year old in heavy traffic.”

Regarding Governor Palin “She’s the kind of public servant that we all say that we want. Someone who is an outsider not inside the beltway. The first thing every candidate does is try to convince everyone that they are not from inside the beltway. That’s what we want; someone who will stand up to authority right, someone that will work on a bipartisan basis will work with either side but will stand up to either side including members of their own party, but somebody who is successful who will take on the powers that be but will beat them. Well guess what that’s what you got. We know somebody else like that they’re running at the top of the ticket.”

Can you give your assessment of the media? (paraphrased)
“Well, it’s been generally poor up till now, and now it is abysmal.”

<a href="http://purplepeoplevote.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/mcpal.jpg"><img src="http://purplepeoplevote.wordpress.com/files/2008/09/mcpal.jpg" alt="" title="mcpal" width="450" height="377" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-546" /></a>

Monday at the Convention

Day one at the convention was nicely done. Party business was taken care of and the day wrapped up with an address from Mrs. Bush then Mrs. McCain about giving to gulf coast charities. A video played on all the Republican Gulf Coast governors addressing the hurricane, and thanking people for their prayers and contributions.

The set up for the convention is impressive. The presentation is more classic than flashy. There are sections for delegates, for radio, for tv networks, along with a variety of other media subgroups. A huge hat tip to security in both planning and execution. There were protests, some peaceful, some no so much, and security made things run smoothly. Frankly, anyone involved with the convention planning deserves some recognition, as the scale of the event, and the range of participants is emmense. While there was no earth-shattering events on day one, it certainly was interesting to see.

ALABAMA

Governor's Emergency Relief Fund

www.servealabama.gov


(877) 273 - 5018

FLORIDA

Florida Disaster Fund

www.FloridaDisasterFund.org

(850) 410-0696

LOUISIANA


Hurricane Gustav Relief and Recovery Fund



www.braf.org


(877) 387-6126







Aidmatrix Foundation

www.aidmatrixnetwork.org


(866) 881-8882

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund

www.mississippirelief.com

TEXAS

Texas Responds

www.texasresponds.org

(512) 473-2140

To donate by phone:

The Aidmatrix Foundation at (866) 881-8882

RNC Raises Money for Gulf State Relief - Scales Back First Day Activities

Senator McCain and the RNC have decided to scale back Monday's convention activities, and focus on fund raising efforts for charities in the Gulf States due to Hurricane Gustav. They have consulted with the Gulf State Governors about what charities to support. Governor Bobby Jindal recommended Aid Matrix. Comfort packages will be assembled and sent to the affected region with the help of FedEx and Target. A charter plane returned affected delegates back to the region, and will return them to Minnesota circumstances permitting. The RNC is taking a wait and see approach to the convention scheduling. As they learn more about the effects of Hurricane Gustav they will be able to confirm more of their convention plans.

Today's schedule consists of basic convention business. Laura Bush will introduce a video to the delegates, and Cindy McCain will also briefly address the delegates. Governor Palin will be in town, but has no public schedule. Speeches by President Bush, and Vice President Cheney have been canceled as they deal with the effects of the hurricane.

RNC Raises Money for Gulf State Relief - Scales Back First Day Activities