Here’s a funny video of Libby telling stories about how she skinned her knee running around with a neighbor and a puppet show she saw. I love how she keeps saying “ummmm” and her enthusiasm making noises (even though she’s not sure what it all means yet):

“Democracy first… FIRST, FIRST, FIRST!”

Is anyone else reminded of another beauty queen’s response when listening to these answers? I can see why the McCain camp has only allowed Palin to be interviewed a handful of times (compared to the 80+ interviews Biden has done).

And this is Katie Couric - not exactly a hardball interviewer (in fact, given the “crisis” those questions were all very softball). I can’t wait for the VP debates.

Oh well - at least it would make a neat Disney movie (best quote: “You pucked with the wrong ice president!”).

UPDATE: Oh man, another clip from the interview where she is trying to explain how being close to Russia gives her foreign policy experience. It’s almost comical at this point (until you realize that this person might actually be one heartbeat away from the presidency!).

David Letterman comments on McCain canceling his appearance due to the economic crisis.

Libby was so cute this past Friday when I was mowing the lawn - she wanted to walk along and hold my hand. I really appreciate these “daddy” moments because it feels wonderful to love and be loved this much, but also because I know that Libby’s babyhood (like all things in life) is fleeting.

For the first time in her life Libby tasted McDonald’s food tonight, and she started it off right: with a Quarter Pounder with Cheese!

To be clear, eating “fast food” like this is a very rare occurrence for Shannon and I and even more rare for Libby. In addition to almost half of this quarter pounder Libby also ate broccoli, banana, and some beans.

On a side note, when McCain said “She (Palin) never took earmarks as governor.” he really meant the following (source):

Palin, in fact, requested $198 million in federal earmarks in February, including such expenses as $487,000 to fight obesity in Alaska and $4 million to develop recreational trails.

When asked for comment, his campaign said:

“Sen. McCain was in the throes of a discussion about her record of reforming government, which includes drastic cuts in wasteful spending in the Alaska state budget,” said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds. “If he gave viewers a mistaken impression, it certainly wasn’t intentional or without some basis in fact.”

So let me get this straight - if McCain gets too deep into a discussion he loses the ability to recall facts? Or maybe he just likes to say cute little sound bites without having the burden of representing actual facts?

Check out this McCain campaign ad:

As of 10:30pm tonight you can still see this ad directly at McCain’s site (it’s the featured video on the homepage). To the casual observer this video sure makes Obama look like he said some pretty sexist things…

Now view the original video of Obama, this time with the words that came before that 5-second clip:

This is the “straight talking” McCain? This is how he wants to change our politics? How, for the love of all that is holy, did McCain allow such a BALD and DISGUSTING LIE to be released by his campaign?

I can only think of two possible answers:
1) John McCain is willing to distort the truth well beyond even Rove-ian type attacks in order to attack Obama on a personal level. This is an embarrassment to him and his campaign.
or
2) John McCain does not have control over what his own campaign releases. If he’s not even able to control his own party, how the hell is he going to change them (let alone lead a nation)?

Where are the issues? Where is the meat? How do you excuse McCain for this type of bullshit?

Obama had some very good things to say about this whole nonsense:

Here are Shannon and Libby riding in the caboose at this past weekend’s Fall Festival:

I wish I was closer/zoomed in more - the look on Libby’s face was one of awe and wonder.