Michael Moore a 'Total Ass'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The latest from the Political Grapevine:
Overseas Vote
Most American news coverage was hesitant to declare a winner in the final debate between President Bush and rival John Kerry, but there was no such hesitation overseas.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Scotsman says, "Kerry the Decisive Victor in Third Debate."
London's Evening Standard says, "Kerry Wins Big Swing."
The Daily Star in Bangladesh says, "Kerry Wins Third Debate."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Australian says, "Kerry Sweeps Debates to Peg Back Bush" and an online publication in Australia says, "Kerry Guns Down Bush With Zinger."
That zinger, by the way, was Kerry likening a Bush lecture on the economy to Tony Soprano lecturing about law and order.
Dems Denounce Fellow Dem
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Democrats in Maryland are condemning fellow Democrat William Donald Schaefer — the state's popular and outspoken comptroller and former governor — for saying people suffering from AIDS "brought it on themselves."
"Sad, mean-spirited and counterproductive" says Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.
"Appall[ing] ... insensitive and, frankly, ignorant" says Democratic Delegate John Hurson — who is calling for Schaefer's resignation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But, according to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 90 percent of all AIDS cases in the United States are the result of voluntary behavior, namely sex or drug use.
Offensive Flyers
The Special Olympics says it is "astounded and appalled by ... [an] egregious, gratuitous" political flyer now making the rounds in Tennessee.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The flyer — which Republicans accuse Democrats of distributing — shows Presiden't Bush's face on the body of a Special Olympics athlete, and says "Voting for Bush is like running in the Special Olympics: Even if you win, you're still retarded."
According to WMC-TV of Memphis, the flyers first appeared at the Lauderdale County Democratic headquarters after a man walked in and put them on a table.
But volunteers at the facility say they threw the flyers away. And Democratic officials suggest it may be Republicans who are to blame.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}'Total Ass'
President Bush's father is denouncing liberal filmmaker Michael Moore as a "total ass, slimeball" whose "lies about my family [are] outrageous."
Former President George H. Bush is specifically referring to Michael Moore's movie "Fahrenheit 9/11," which accuses President Bush of letting alleged ties to the Saudi royal family dictate his decisions.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}As for the current presidential race, the former president says it makes him nervous, insisting "A couple more weeks of this stuff, and I'll get [ulcers]."
— FOX News' Michael Levine contributed to this report