Rowdy's Blog Roundup - McCain's Bailout, RW Christians, Insta-Spot

Pam Spaulding writes a revealing report on right-wing Christians who misrepresent scientists' beliefs, chock full of eye-opening examples.  She concludes by noting:  "So if conservative Christians directly misrepresent what a scientist believes about genetics, apparently fabricate from whole cloth a quote by him about any 'gay gene,' and/or directly or indirectly indicate that Dr. Collins believes that any undefined factors that may contribute to a same-sex sexual orientation are inherently alterable when he doesn't -- is that lying? Would those misrepresentations qualify as the sin of bearing false witness against one's neighbor?"

Ezra Klein discovers a McCain "Instant Ad" that was released while the debate was still in progress.  The ad shows micro-clips of Obama saying things like "I think Senator McCain is right." and "Senator McCain is absolutely right" before an ominous voiceover segues into the tired GOP mantra: "Is Barack Obama Ready to lead?  No!"  Writes Ezra:  "Because they only had three counts of Obama agreeing with McCain, the ad feels like thin gruel. Obama comes off as gracious, not as a mimic... It's a bit odd to suggest that Obama shares McCain's (presumably correct) agenda but isn't ready to lead. Is McCain also not ready? Should we vote Nader?"  (You can see the slapdash ad on American Prospect.)
   
According to CBS News, John McCain is staying in Washington this weekend to continue working on bailout legislation. He will not be visiting Capital Hill, however, preferring to remain in his campaign office.  McCain adviser Mark Salter says he'll be working on the Wall Street bailout over the telephone.  Nicole Belle at Crooks and Liars isn't buying it:  "WTF?  The financial crisis was SO important that he had to 'suspend' his campaign to come to Washington, but now he can contribute to the negotiations over the cell phone, but he’s going to stay in Washington instead of going out to campaign?  Does any of this make sense?"  (We're not buying it, either.)

Ian Welsh at Firedoglake sums up the bailout deal:  "700 Billion, but Staggered: It looks like Paulson gets 350 billion to play with, the rest will be released later, presumably in January. Mechanism for release is unclear. I would have preferred just giving him a 150 billion, and the rest to follow after a better bill in the new year, since he said he could make do with 150, but it's still better than giving it all to him, since it would have all been gone, pretty much, by the time the new President was sworn in. Now at least Obama (probably) will get to have his Treasury secretary spend the bulk of it."  (We can only hope.) 

Booman reflects on McCain's misguided campaign stratagems:  "I know it's kind of obvious to question Obama's experience and to raise questions about his Americanism and patriotism, but these critiques are not enough and they won't be enough. Obama demonstrates that he is qualified every day, by the way his campaign operates with such professionalism to the way Obama conducts himself and answers questions. And that impression of Obama swamps these little pinprick attempts to paint him as unpatriotic. Plus, the racist and xenophobic undertones of these attacks do not go unnoticed by Latinos, Asians, and other people of color. Consolidating the Bubba vote isn't a cost-free enterprise."  (Except for a few religious fringe elements, minorities won't be voting Republican during this election cycle.)