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(On a scale of bad to worse - eleven)

Continuing our odyssey of November 4th, we arrive at 1979. This one went from bad to worse in a matter of hours. And stayed that way for a record 444 days. The U.S. Embassy takeover in Tehran is largely thought to be responsible for bringing the Carter Presidency down and it did prove to be one series of epic blunders after the next, culminating in a disastrous rescue attempt that only served to aggravate an already out of control situation and further ramp up the chants of "death to America". But in the early hours of November 4, it only seemed like a diplomatic problem.

Richard C. Hottelet (CBSNews): “Young Iranians described as students, acting with the blessing of Ayatollah Khomeni have occupied the American Embassy in Tehran and hold more than fifty hostages there. They demand extradition of the Shah, who is now under medical treatment in New York.”

As the days wore on, there was no end in sight.

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From Saturday Night Live, Nov. 15, 2008.

Apparently Republican strategist Joe Watkins got the email about how to deal with McCain's "housing crisis," because last night on "Verdict" the always reliable GOP shill stayed right on message, dismissing McCain's gaffe by pointing out how heroic, patriotic and POW-rific he is. Remind me again what being a former POW has to do with forgetting how rich, privileged and out of touch you are?

Download | play   Download | play (h/t Heather)

Abrams: "Joe, I want to ask you if it's fair to call this 'playing the POW card. I want to ask you if that's an unfair characterization.'"

Watkins: "Everybody knows John McCain is a patriot. There's nothing wrong with having investment properties. Lots of Americans do. If I was Barack Obama, I wouldn't get into this argument with John McCain, who is an American hero."

Everyone respects John McCain's Vietnam service, but it's pretty sickening to hear the McCain campaign exploit that difficult chapter in his life every time he sticks his foot in his mouth. I mean, c'mon; In three short sentences, Watkins mentions twice that McCain is a "patriot" and "an American hero." That has absolutely nothing to do with the issue at hand, which is that despite all the GOP talking points to the contrary, John McCain is the one candidate in this race who cannot empathize with the struggles of average Americans.

But, but, but....that's his strong suit. Right?

WaPo:

In comments to reporters on Thursday, McCain asserted that “I can tell you that it is succeeding. I can look you in the eye and tell you it’s succeeding. We have drawn down to pre-surge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet and it’s long and it’s hard and it’s tough and there will be setbacks.”

In fact, as the Obama campaign was quick to point out, the troop level in Iraq is at about 155,000 right now, well above the 130,000 that would mark a return to pre-surge levels.

And the McCain camp's response:

Advisers to Sen. John McCain said the flap over whether the senator was mistaken about the troop level in Iraq is nothing more than "nitpicking" about "verb tenses."

So the lives of 20,000 soldiers is just "nitpicking"? Nice to know you really "support those troops," Senator.