Friday Links
* I’m not crazy, for the record. I’ll keep saying this for a while.
* Yesterday was “completely frustrated with McCain” day. First, excuse my TPM posting, but Josh Marshall is right about this one, but for the wrong reasons - Social Security is a disgrace, and McCain is wrong to waver from that statement. That McCain isn’t talking privatization, but add-ons, and Obama is keeping up the “Social Security is working” myth, is just as much of a disgrace. One thing, I can handle. But when Phil Gramm speaks the truth about the economy, and then gets thrown under the bus for it, that’s no good. He’s also right - the gap between economic perception and economic reality does exist, and there is a “whiner” segment who would rather complain about how crappy they think things are rather than be honest about it. Of course, the DNC pounces on some ridiculous meaning, Gramm’s forced to clarify, and McCain bails. What happened to the Straight Talk Express here? Either you’re interested in reality or you’re not, and McCain is in a good position to take ownership over reality in this election cycle, and punted twice on the issue. Absolutely disgusting.
* Why isn’t the media discussing Iraq progress?
* If there was any good news for McCain yesterday, it’s his fundraising totals: $22m in June, $26m+ cash on hand, nearly $100m when you factor RNC dough. Meanwhile, we’re told to expect Obama’s numbers to be lower, as fundraising has been “a little slow.
* Where does Obama stand on missile defense?
* The FDA now isn’t sure about the tomatoes and salmonella, and think it might be peppers now. Tomato growers are rightfully peeved.
* A few fun links to end the day. First, Rock Band 2 coming with a real electric drum set? More info here - if true, that would probably get me on board.
* Captain Rainbow? The hell? The Wii is weird.
* Finally, and these links are from Liz, Happy Hamilton-Burr Duel Day! It was 204 years ago that Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton got into the most famous duel in American History. While this might be one reason, leave it to Michael Cera and the guys at Drunk History to explain it better.
Have a happy weekend!