Alaskans cringe after month of listening to Palin
Published Thursday, October 2, 2008
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Sarah Palin
Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was his choice as vice presidential running mate on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaskans' two-year honeymoon with Gov. Sarah Palin may have ended around the time the Republican vice presidential candidate started saying that she told Congress "thanks but no thanks" on the Bridge to Nowhere.
The line brought cheers on the campaign trail but drew winces back home among those who knew Palin had supported the $400 million Ketchikan bridge and only turned against it after Washington backed off its financing.
"I think people went a little bit like Homer Simpson - 'D'oh!'" said Ivan Moore, a pollster who has tracked a drop in Palin's popularity in Alaska since she was named Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate on Aug. 29.
Most people in Alaska are staunch defenders of Palin and say that she has represented the state well during a month in the national spotlight. They are proud of how she has handled herself in her rapid ascent from small-town mayor to Alaska governor to vice presidential nominee.
But they now cringe when Palin opens her mouth. Most are surprised at how their usually confident governor has foundered in interviews, giving rambling answers that, like the Bridge to Nowhere line, either go against their own recollections or end up lampooned in "Saturday Night Live" skits and by the hosts of late-night talk shows.
On the eve of Thursday's vice presidential debate, they wondered whether the former beauty pageant contestant will once more look like she's in over her head or if she can acquit herself against one of the most proficient debaters in the Senate, Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
"I'm very hopeful that she doesn't embarrass us worse than she already has," said Mark Barnhill, a 53-year-old building inspector from Anchorage. "A lot of the mistakes she's made are plain old rookie mistakes and I don't expect to see much from her other than more of that."
Palin's approval rating in Alaska have been astronomical since she took office in December 2006. But three weeks after she joined the GOP ticket, her approval rating dropped from 82 percent to 68 percent, according to surveys taken by Moore for several Alaska news organizations.
Just about any elected official would be happy with a 68 percent approval rating, and her standing among Republicans remains largely unchanged.
Such a drop doesn't happen very often, but "not many politicians have as much positive to lose than Palin," Moore said. His polls of 500 likely Alaska voters have a 4.4 percent margin of error.
What has changed is the bipartisan support she's enjoyed since taking office. According to Moore's numbers, Palin lost 25 percent of her Democratic support in Alaska. Similarly, support by independents - who make up the biggest bloc of Alaska voters - dropped 18 percent.
One of those voters who changed his mind is Jed Whittaker, a construction worker from Anchorage. He said he supported Palin until reporters arriving in Alaska started uncovering things about her.
"We do know a lot more about Mrs. Palin now than we did three weeks ago," Whittaker said. Among those revelations, he cited Palin's religious views and that she once said it was God's will to build a multibillion-dollar pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 states.
"I think a lot of people didn't know that, and I'll bet John McCain didn't know that, either," Whittaker said.
The McCain campaign said Tuesday that the drop in Palin's approval rating is due to political attacks against her.
"I think after weeks and weeks of vile partisan attacks, her approval rating is still quite strong and they would naturally fall when you're dealing with constant attacks and falsehoods and miscommunication," spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said.
___
On the Net:
McCain campaign: http://www.johnmccain.com/
Obama campaign: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
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"We do know a lot more about Mrs. Palin now than we did three weeks ago," Whittaker said. Among those revelations, he cited Palin's religious views and that she once said it was God's will to build a multibillion-dollar pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 states."
google Obama/Selma speech that he made and he has the same revelation, well according to his speech...quite interesting.
>he cited Palin's religious views and that she once said it was God's will to build a multibillion-dollar pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 states.
Well, it is an accepted expression that - Lord knows the lower 48 need the gas. So I don't see the big deal here.....
However, her other comments do remind one of the old bumper sticker -
Who would Jesus bomb?
Another fair and balanced story from the DNM. The DNM should change it’s name to the Anti–Plain Rag. Under that it should print “Only anti-Palin stories reported and printed”.
The AP is worthless.
What others mistake for rambling answers by Gov. Palin are actually instances of her speaking in tongues. They make sense to anyone who's right with God. But for the Spawn of Satan (liberals, reporters, Hollywood types, etc.) it's confusing and sends them recoiling in fear. All the more reason for us upstanding types to get out and vote for her.
Go, Sarah, Go!
(Now, who's her running mate again?)
>“Only anti-Palin stories reported and printed”.
Hey, post some links to story's where she outlines her plans for, oh I don't know, ANYTHING.....
mrderik,
it would be our pleasure to post these articles, however, when they are filtered and authored by the liberal media, ... they do not exist.
Sure, we could post from blogs and non-partisan politcal organizations, but liberals and network media would be quick to discredit these articles as biased, right-wing propaganda.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Cringe when she opens her mouth, embarrass us mr barnhill? Bogas left wing bull crap as usual.
GO SARAH!
How come if someone runs a story you don't agree with it must be because they're up to something?
Hmm, Matt Volz again...
Ponderous -
I want to see someone, anyone, go to Washington who isn't a career politician and shake things up. That is exactly what we need. And I love the fact that Sarah shook up the good ol' boys network between our States' 'oil cartel' politicians. The jury is still out on whether what she did was smart or not - But I think (she) we had to try.
Fast forward to the National level. The last time we elected someone to the White House who was under qualified, and who's only experience was running relatively small companies, he ran up $5T (and counting) in National debt, got us stuck in two wars and quite possibly is bankrupting our entire Country. I'd like not to make that mistake twice. So people SHOULD be tough on Sarah - Having the LEAST amount of experience, she's got the MOST to prove.
I would LOVE to see her to give Biden the smackdown. And certainly on local, everyday person, issues she easily could. But she's not running for Fairbanks Mayor. She's running for the second highest position of a Superpower Nation. And frankly, based on what I've seen so far, that frightens me....
It's somewhat funny how scared you all sound. Sarah Palin has NOTHING of substance to show this country and the world.
>The AP is worthless.
Amen. Pass the ammo will ya.
Valk,
"How come if someone runs a story you don't agree with it must be because they're up to something?"
It would benefit the news reporters to not have this stigma if they at least chose their headlines wisely. When the headline is written as if I'm going to read an editorial then I am left with nothing to believe that it is written with personal bias.
Really, I could care less who wins come November 4th. My only beef is with the news media these days and their obvious polictal clout.
I hope She'll talk about the Dinosaurs that humans rode around on, I mean the universe is only around 5000 years old. She may not regularly read any major newspapers, magazines or books, but she is a passionate human being who cares about life. She even cares for the copulation of rape victims, that is compassion. I mean tens of thousands of children & adults die each day from the lack of clean drinking water in the world, but these LIVING CELLS are PRECIOUS! She is going to hit them with some Truth tonight!
This kind of Reporting is Why I ONLY shop and buys from Wal-Mart stores, because they “don’t Advertises with the Newsminer
mrderik -- "...last time we elected someone to the White House who was under qualified, and who's only experience was running relatively small companies..."
From the rest of your statement (particularly the $5 trillion in national debt) it is clear you are referencing the current president. I hate to inform you (no really, I do), but he was also governor of Texas for 6 years (1994-2000). If you are going to mention that he ran relatively small companies (such as Arbusto), you should also mention how he ran them into the ground and then sought outside financiers to pick him back up for his next adventure...oh wait...that sort of sounds like a bill in congress...
are any of you who keep saying Go Sarah paying attention? have you a clue what's going on outside the bubble up there? do you realize she may be home before Nov 4? are you getting it yet?
ANOTHER BASH PALIN ARTICLE PRINTED BY THE NEWS MINER....
brassmonkey - Lest we not forget the sports stadium he got the taxpayers to buy, then sold at a handsome personal profit. Deja vu anyone.....
Getting back on track, Sarah is certainly better than THAT. But that comparison is a high jump over a VERY low hurdle.
Matt Volz/The Associated Press.
Matt Volz is from New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was a newspaper reporter for two years. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor's degree in international studies and studied Russian language and literature in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lithuania and an information officer for a humanitarian aid organization in Kosovo. He is currently studying for a master's degree in journalism at Columbia University.
During the first seven weeks of the course, the class reports on different Russian and Ukrainian religions found in the New York area through visits to churches, """mosques and synagogues""". Each student is required to become the class expert on a specific faith.
Can Anyone say ""Muslim"" Now say ""Obama""
I think the more telling comparison is that Bush was Texas governor for 6 years and really botched things up whereas people argue that 2 years of Alaska governor will make her a wise leader. <sigh>
That was an amazing example of bait and switch a grabbing head line that wasn’t indicative of the rest of the article SHEESH
Glockmod --
You attempt to relate Matt Volz to Obama (whom you falsely allude to as being Muslim) because of components of Voltz's education and professional background in relation to an article on Sarah Palin. nuf said.
Well, she has her last chance tonight, lets see how she does.
"Well, she has her last chance tonight, lets see how she does."
Agreed. Also, all the speculation about McCain's health is a bit silly. Andrew Jackson had two attempts on his life (didn't press charges either time) and fought many duels (usually over insults to his wife). He famously had a bullet lodged too close to his heart to ever be removed and still lived to be 70 something. In addition to almost eliminating the national debt, he was a real bastard when it came to native Americans and is lucky the Spanish were so friendly in handing over Florida.
So airboat454, emo, mrderik, akmom1, where do you find the news? What are your sources for the facts as you know them? Enquiring minds want to know.
One thing's for sure. Palin has demostrated that it doesn't take much to govern Alaska with 700,000 or so folks and billions in the bank. For me, I don't want Joe Sixpack (who now can probably afford but a three-pack) anywhere near the nuclear code.
The pinhead speaks, yeah were paying attention and she is going to show up tonight. Are you paying attention pinhead? With this new bailout plan, how will obama be able to do any of the things he has promised? Do the math, he can't, if you have been paying attention that is. Think outside the bubble!
GO SARAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY IS THERE NO ARTICLE IN TODAYS DNM ABOUT THE SENATES APPROVAL OF THE BAIL-OUT???
Yesterday evening there was an article on the vote, is this not important enough to maintain through even a 24 hour period??? What kind of BS is the DNM trying to pull, keeping us in the dark?
I want news, not stories like "Campaign comedy: Palin featured on late-night TV".
The editor of the DNM should be fired for this stunt.
If you are referring to the 'facts' about Bush, his past 'accomplishments' as Governor are very well documented as part of the public record. I can't speak to his personal business 'achievements' although if we assume he was as successful at running companies as he is a Nation, well, need I say more....
Not having TV, I mostly read a wide variety of sources from Obama to Limbaugh, George Will to Jeremy Scahill and everything in between.
no, junior. actually, it's several Conservative commentators who are calling for her to gracefully step out. but that's ok. keep watching Fox.
>WHY IS THERE NO ARTICLE IN TODAYS DNM ABOUT THE SENATES APPROVAL OF THE BAIL-OUT???
They probably didn't have time either to read all 150 pages of the Bill, of course, that didn't stop our Senators from voting on it.... Can you say, Pork me, baby, Pork me....
Disclaimer, I didn't have time to read the entire thing either. I simply read between the lines.....
I suspect that Sarah Palin will be back to her old folksy self for the debate. Good on style, not so good on substance.
Hey, Matt Volz!
Both you and I attended journalism school. Apparently they didn't tell you the difference between news and editorials. You have every right to spew whatever opinion you want anywhere you want, but don't fool me into thinking this is news:
>>>But they now cringe when Palin opens her mouth. Most are surprised at how their usually confident governor has foundered in interviews, giving rambling answers that, like the Bridge to Nowhere line, either go against their own recollections or end up lampooned in "Saturday Night Live" skits and by the hosts of late-night talk shows.
On the eve of Thursday's vice presidential debate, they wondered whether the former beauty pageant contestant will once more look like she's in over her head or if she can acquit herself against one of the most proficient debaters in the Senate, Democratic nominee Joe Biden.<<<
Most? They now cringe? Who are these people, Matt? Not only are you writing with unnamed sources, you're providing statements without even the slightest pretense of attribution. Biden is a proficient debater? Is this when Joe isn't embarrassing himself with another gaffe, or when he's plagarizing the speeches of British politicians? Foundered in interviews? Rambling answers? Where's the attributions and quotes to back up your statements?
You know, Matt, I worked as an editor of a newspaper once. It's the awful truth. If you had produced this piece of dreck and passed it off as news, you'd be hauled into my office and fired for a complete lack of understanding of what the news is supposed to be like.
And the media wonders why its approval rating hovers in the darkness where the single digits lie, and why newspaper readership continues to decline year after year.
Of course, if you want to write this as an editorial or an opinion, go right ahead. The facts are, Matt, you describe no one I know and no one I've talked to, so I just suspect you're making it up as you go along.
How to field dress a donkey! > http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/14220
pinhead, Conservative Commentators? Commentators? Really? Well the last time I checked, there were liberal commentators who wanted hillary instead of barrack weren't there? What happened there? They were pointing out his inexperience, lack of voting on key issues, and oh yeah, his claim to fame is he was a community organizer. Well gotta go, Neil Cavuto is on.
Gee, Mr.Derek, here's a thought, why not compare Governor Palin to the person who holds the office for which she if running? Vice President. That would be Dick Cheney, not George Bush.
Im Alaskan and I dont cringe about Sarah Palin. Go Sarah!
I am curious... what were the political reasons, what was going on at the time, that got Mrs. Palin elected governor? No sarcasm intended, would just like to hear it from real people who were there, not rehashed stuff from journalists.
ok
>Gee, Mr.Derek, here's a thought, why not compare Governor Palin to the person who holds the office for which she if running?
Oh, you mean Darth? Now THERE'S a scary person. Although my impression is, history will judge him as someone who was doing his job. And I don't mean that as a cop-out. What I mean is, he is exactly as he represents HIMSELF - in other words I don't think he tries to fool people. He does exactly what you would expect him to do. Has he (personally) ripped off America, probably. Has he towed the line on EVERY bad idea to come across his desk, you bet. And yet the press practically ignore him. The only reason I can think of is that it's like watching the ringmaster Bush catch the Circus tent on fire - everyone inside is focussed on that. So they don't see the clown in the corner pillaging the concessions stand and shredding the evidence.
And for the record, I am cursed with the duty to only vote my conscience - So neither the Dem nor Rep candidate get my vote.
>Dont know if this is the place to be asking to be porked.
Oh behave!
Once again, attribution bites the dust and we are all poorer for it. I have referenced this before. I am glad to see someone else has recognized this shortcoming as well. Who are the sources? As kids in the playground would say "sez who?"
Having read fairly widely I think the writing is on the mark, Palin is in way over her head and we are all holding our breaths for her next disconnected sentence; but for those who rely on one paper as their only source of news (big mistake), readers deserve to know "who sez so?"
Lack of attribution in stories purporting to be news is endemic in small town journalism (broadcasting and print). Sad fact.
Susie 77--She basically won because she isn't Frank Murkowski. Also, there are no investigative journalists up here, so we don't have people dedicating their lives to digging up dirt on everyone who runs for office and trying to ruin their reputation and lives by exaggerating, spinning, and basically lying about every little tidbit they can get their grubby little hands on. She has done many good things for Alaska, but she seems to be in over her head on the national level. Local politics are more civil. No one has the time or resources to delve in to the kind of sleezy campaigning that goes on in a national election. I don't intend to vote McCain/Palin, but I would vote for her again for Governor of Alaska.
Matt Volz
All you need to know about old Matt Volz, and religion, including “”mosques and synagogues”” QUESTION: Where is Obama at today!
Follow the link below “And Read” !! All of it.
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/journalism/g...
To My Brass Monkey, never forget that I hold the Rope!
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i141/t...
Have a Good Day !
Relevance, Glock? Matt Volz isn't making Sarah Palin look like a fool, she's doing a fine job herself. He's merely pointing out the obvious that rational human beings can recognize - that she doesn't know SQUAT! I can't wait for the reactions later after she likely tanks in this debate.
"This is how Washington works," said Keith Ashdown of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington research group. "A big pot of pork is their recipe for final passage."
The special provisions include tax breaks for:
* Manufacturers of kids' wooden arrows - $6 million.
* Puerto Rican and Virgin Is- lands rum producers - $192 million.
* Wool research.
* Auto-racing tracks - $128 million.
* Corporations operating in American Samoa - $33 million.
* Small- to medium-budget film and television productions - $10 million.
Another measure inserted into the bill appears to be a bald-faced bid aimed at winning the support of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who voted against the original version when it went down in flames in the House on Monday.
That provision - a $223 million package of tax benefits for fishermen and others whose livelihoods suffered as a result of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill - has been the subject of fervent lobbying by Alaska's congressional delegation.
Some of the pork-barrel measures buried in the financial rescue package had been contained in a bill that previously passed the Senate, but died in the House.
The Congressional Budget Office said the package of breaks - including obvious pork and some more defensible tax-relief measures - will add about $112 billion to budget deficits over the next five years because the bill doesn't contain enough offsetting revenue hikes to keep the budget balanced.
The legislative lard annoyed Tom Schatz, president of the watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste.
"There's always something that goes on at the end where the last dozen members are trying to get something for themselves or for a special interest rather than what might be good for the country," Schatz said.
Some of the other measures added to win approval include a $3.8 billion health-care provision that forces insurance companies to provide coverage for mental-health treatment equivalent to the coverage they provide for physical illness.
Other add-ons will increase individual tax credits and help shield more than 20 million Americans from the painful alternative minimum tax, and offer breaks for businesses that invest in alternative fuels.
Also, several federal income-tax breaks due to expire will now be extended through 2009.
WTG Don Young.
I'm embarrassed to say I'm Alaskan anymore.
How about this for a headline:
Alaskans Cringe After Month of Incessant Editorializing Hit Pieces By The Assassination Press
mrderick - good point about the bailout. Come on, people! Wake up... VP debate - it's a big show.
I wish I had a 68% favorable rating.
Go Sarah Go Sarah
Show 'um how a Field Dressed #2 Donkey looks!!!!
Starting at 5 pm!
Heck I might tune in to see the Greatest Show Earth... how we pick the president of the world's greatest power in all of history.
Ladies and Gentleman:
Place your bets!!! The Wheel of Fortune is about to spin, around and around she goes.
Where she stops no one knows.
Will it be her; Will it him!
Go Sarah Go
Hopefully the Veep-wannabe's elucidate the specific technicalities of the pertinent issues of the day better than the two dudes who wannabe the TopDog.
So far.. just chit chat.. tooting the horn of the presidential candidate.
Double talk on votes where they voted both side of the issue. (like the Senate bailout bill)
5:15 pm
Palins problem is that she is trying to deal with the media by playing their game. Political correctness and out of context quotes have made the political coverage we are subjected to worthless. The only thing that maters is past performance. Who has done what.
Yawn, yawn..
Just political babbling back and forth -- who voted both sides of some issue and when.
Same thing you all have heard said before.
Class warfare BS scooped from the Communist Manifesto. I have always been surprised how many filthy rich, brain dead, Democrats support taxing the rich.
Over all well rehearsed.
And way over hyped.
Should have watched Star Trek re, re, re runs.
Way too much inaccurate and misleading rhetoric.
These politicians need to further their education..
hopefully not at my expense.
We cannot allow ?
We cannot allow ?
We cannot allow a hornets nest to stay in a house full of termites because we have a trillion dollar baseball-bat that we love to bash things with? So we're gonna bash the house and declare victory?
Why not calling in a bug specialist like Orkin?
Better yet don't call Orkin, call an entomologist and trick the bugs into taking up residence elsewhere.
PALIN THE POLARIZER ???
War is not a hockey game..
Biden is only slightly less lost in the woods..
there is never anything that resembles victory in any war,ever.
War Victory is a complete fantasy.
No nation in world history has ever had a victory in war..
you can be victorious in football, baseball, basketball.
War is NOT a game.
Wars are never won, they just stop from exhaustion.
Even the American Revolutionary War of 1776 had NO Victors.
Yes, wars and conflicts often set benchmarks in history, but war is not the only thing that forges historic change. War always leaves behind more regrets than inspiration.
The world still cringes at america..
hmmmmm....
We're not smart enough yet,
human self-extinction is still a threat
terrorism is not a mysterious threat, it's a mental health problem..
goofy enough to use the military to solve the mental health problem?
That's just as dumb as calling the police to respond to a 5alarm warehouse fire, and at the same time ordering the fire-department to go investigate a bank robbery.
American politicians have traditionally been tragically retarded.
[open mouth and insert icecream cone into forehead]
Nukes are a terrible deterrent [another goofy fantasy]
Nuclear Weapons only have one practical use..
..deflecting asteroids from crashing into earth.
It does no good to cherry pick.
"I love Israel, and I hate Iran"
....how very immature of both of these goofs
I've spent a thousand afternoons in gun-shoppes telling war-stories, each time I leave the guys something to think about, these guys slowly read more everyday.
Fight?
Fight?
Fight for Freedom ??
...that's the same thing as killing for freedom.
the dead guy who made the mistake of getting in front of your barking FREEDOM muzzle doesn't get a second chance to learn about anything.
Scheunemann crammed her for the wrong test, that test was dated 1972.
The world is not just Black&White,
it's not just a spectrum of grays,
it's even more rich than a color TV image..
If I had either one of these two candidates working to remodel my house I'd keep them under tight supervision.
I vote everyday, and I still vote no for president..
..don't need one. Let the Bloggers rule.
This story is really funny. No Alaskan that I know actually feels like the author of the story suggests.
Pathetic excuse for a story; Typoical Socialist disinformation... Reminds me of so many other pro-Barack Hussein Obama stories... Almost as if Docter Goebbles arose from the grave to write the Obama Party's material...
LOL
The script called for them to defend the top of the ticket.
Both VP candidates followed the script.
Many viewers may not understand the babbling back and forth about who voted for what.. is just babbling.
Both candidates have voted several ways on various issues.
Here is why: many of the bills have more than one subject; you vote no. The bill comes up again it is changed and you vote yes. It goes around again and you vote no. And, it goes around again and you votes yes. Bills go back and forth several times between the house and senate over to the president and a veto and back to the house and senate for an over ride or change.
We sit at home listening to this crap with whip lash and our heads spinning like Bettlejuice.
You will notice: did they talk about the version signed in to law? [not that I could clearly tell!]
That is the only vote that counts!
Democrats will vote for Obama; Republicans will vote for McCain.
Game tied! no hits, no runs, no errors.
Glockmod23, thanks for the link to the Columbia School of Journalism page on journalism and religion. Looks like a great course, terrific bios, wonderful list of students enrolled in the class.
So what was your point?
It's heartening to know that a new host of journalists may emerge who can write knowledgably about religion.
The weird question of "where is Obama at...?" invites the response that all good journalists answer with: "behind the "at," of course!"
Nothing in the link you provided seems pertinent or even relevant to Barack Obama and certainly nothing deprecates Matt Volz in any way. If you disagree with an issue or statement, it's pointless to try to insult the writer so speak to the message. It's typical of some to avoid addressing real issues by merely attempting (unsuccessfully) to insult the writer.
Yo Andy,
She is an embarrassment to me and most of the folks I know. Maybe my circle of acquaintances actually reads and/or pays attention to something other than Fox news and Limbaugh.
My friends in the lower 48 see the problems with her and I just spent a week in BC and The Yukon and Canadians see it too.
That said, when she was governor I could ignore a lot since her wacky religion and her lack of knowledge about the world outside Alaska weren't such a worry when dealing with local issues.
I bet Putin and Hu Jintao can hardly wait to embarrass her themselves. Maybe she'll get some God or other to help her see into their souls like Duhbya could with Putin.
And if embarrassing is what you really have to see;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv_TozVnp...
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