Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

wow!! this is a first! time for me to hit the hay.

Craig-
Great job today...you were the voice of reason all day and I and my blood pressure thank you.
Have you had a chance to analyze the % of the Florida vote that was cast today vs. absentee votes (Clinton /Obama) cast before the SC "bump" ?
I'm in CA and would like to know how much energy to expend worrying until Feb. 5th.
Thanx,
G

Hillary wins! Oh sure she wins an exhibition where she broke her promise to not campaign (wink wink), but man, what a relief. With that Michigan win over uncommitted and this huge Florida win over two candidates who didn't campaign, I have to say that Clinton is on a roll.

So let's tally what the Clintonites have done to "win" so far.

1. In Nevada, used a teachers union to try to disenfranchise Latino voters. Result: Lost the delegate count to Obama.

2. Ran in Michigan as the only name on the ballot. The other honorable candidates pulled their names off. She kept hers on, of course. She 'wins'.

3. In South Carolina, where do we start: Robert Johnson and drugs, Charles Rangle and the rest of the tired civil rights/politician surrogates, and Mr. First Black President... Obama wins.

4. Hillary breaks her word (does she even HAVE a word?) and campaigns in Florida. Declares it a victory in the same way that Fidel Castro will declare his next election a "victory".

I think February 5th will be a big surprise to the Clintonites. They're going to see that all of this Clinton politics is going to come back to haunt them.

only exit polls to look at right now, Gidget (but i gave up exit polls and cigarettes in this campaign). if somebody were to look at them, however, they would show a dead heat among last-minute voters. still hoping to get a look at real vote totals comparing early and live voting. but, pending that, i am assuming that there was a meaningful bump, yes. which means that it becomes critical to look at which Super Tue states have early voting, to see if HRC's absentees can compensate for Obama's big live vote

Craig-
I have read that 40% of the CA registered voters requested absentee ballots so that may be a good sign for HRC. That may also cushion her from the onslaught of Kennedy's the state expects in the next 6 days. And, IIRC, President Kennedy lost CA in 1960 and it was one of the states that Ted was in charge of, so maybe our luck will hold.
Fingers crossed-
C

Obama Needs a Lesson in Being Gracious..

One thing that is becoming clear is that Sen. Obama and many of his supporters have difficulty being gracious when they get less votes that other candidates.

It looks a little like the Old Politics

After Nevada Mr. Obama didn't congratulate Hillary and his campaign tried to SPIN her election win into their victory.

At the State of the Union, Senator O says he didn't turn away from Hillary when she graciously extended her hand to Senator Kennedy. He says he turned go greet Claire M. from Missouri..That seems odd since he walked into the chamber with Senator M.

MAIL IN BALLOTS..

It is amazing to watch people be dismissive about early mail-in ballots..

Oregon is the only statet sends a ballot to 100% of voters. Most voters mail in their ballots and a signficant number take them to drop off sites at firehouses/schools, etc..

The conclusion of experts after several elections of this type is that the early voters tend to be the most committed. This is in concert with polling which concludes that Senator Clinton has a larger % of her voters who arf very committed than do the other
candidates.

Looks like Mitt is going to have to spend many more millions, I hope this doesn't cause the stock market to crash as he cashes out another fraction of his portfolio.

Georgia update- Clinton and Edwards in ATL for a JJ Day Dinner, Obama wont be there...

Check it out:

Georgia t-minus 6 days

http://theaginghipster.blogspot.com/2008/01/georgia-presidential-primary-6-days-out.html

Hipster

The more I read of the b.s. from Obama supporters, the more determined I become to not vote for him should he get the nomination. I've had it with all the attacks on Hillary, and I think a lot of women voters will also turn their backs should the Obama machine get the nomination. One of my friends just sent me this in response to the NY Now statement re: Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama:

"I've said it before, and this only bears it out - Washington/politics is still a club of "good old boys" who believe a woman's place is in the home, barefoot and pregnant. They'll never endorse or accept a woman with the ultimate power in this country. I'm still shocked they're endorsing a black candidate! I figured they'd all be falling over themselves to endorse Edwards. Women in the U.S. are still second class citizens and while some of them have made it in Congress, I fear it will still be a long time before we see one running things from the White House. Nevermind that many countries around the world have had women leaders, it just proves how backwards we still are in America. Women in power, universal health care, gay marriage - they'll all be a long time coming, unfortunately. But I hope I'm proven wrong!!"

Oregon Democrat, I vote from Belgium and send my absentee ballot to Washington State. Unfortunately, I am told the WA primary is only a "beauty contest" because the caucuses are the only place where the preference votes count.

Eroutom,

So if Obama wins, you wont vote for him in the fall? Interesting. Its definitely your call.

Looks to me like McCain is going to be the nominee for the Republicans after last night. I cant see Romney getting much traction any where else. Huckabee is finished.

-Hipster

Off to work this morning for another long day, may try to check in later this morning. I may not write anything, but i will be lurking. Take care, C-listers.

-Hipster

hey, alpha1906 - I love Fidel Castro!

yay, McCain wins. War monger, the Dems can beat him no matter who the nominee. But wait, aren't lots of the Dems war mongers, too? Maybe, finally, the immoral war can get back of the front page and be one of the deciding issues of the election and we can stop the insanity about race, gender, attitudes, insults, haircuts, religion, etc,

How many haircuts could Mr Edwards afford with one week's worth of Iraq war cost?

Inquiring minds wish to know......

I guess this really wasn't Obama but just someone who looked like him in Fla in Sept promising to seat the delegation,.

Obama Hints He’d Seat Florida Delegation
Posted Sep 30, 2007 by William March
Updated Sep 30, 2007 at 11:28 PM

Barack Obama hinted during a Tampa fundraiser Sunday that if he’s the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he’ll seat a Florida delegation at the party’s national convention, despite national party sanctions prohibiting it.

He didn’t say it outright, but came close, according to local Obama campaign leaders Frank Sanchez and Tom Scarritt, both involved in organizing the fundraiser.

Obama was asked during the event about making sure Floridians have a role in the nomination, despite the DNC sanctions and the pledge. He responded “do what’s right by Florida voters,” Scarritt said.

Obama also appeared to violate a pledge he and the other leading candidates took not to campaign in Florida before the primary

Giants say "We almost beat the Patriots once, we can almost beat them again."

---from the Onion

EuroTom

Glad you sent in your Washington absentee ballot. It is my understanding that about 50 per cent of Washington voters are on the permanent absentee list.. I think Washington will eventually adopt the Oregon system with all voters receiving their ballots in the mail.

You know Hipster, I probably would vote for him. I have voted for the DEM each and every time since 1980. It was fun to actually win twice. I am pissed off at all the attacks on Hillary and the MSM ready to give Obama the nomination coronation, but at the end of the day, I couldn't support a Repug.

but I will remain a supporter of HILLARY's until the nominee is finally determined.

Cheers,

Tom

P.S. I wish some of the "haters" out there would stop disrespecting Mrs. Clinton. Her name is "Hillary", not "Billary"

DOES REZDOG HAVE A BLOG?

Fox News just had a discussion of Obama's "Hillary snub" at the SOTU. Face it, he is an arrogant jerk. Might be even worse than the one now in the WH.

Thanks for the reply Tom. See you all after a few hours.

-Hip

GORDO - if you're interested, here's Maureen Dowd's take on the so-called snub

Seeing Red Over Hillary

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/opinion/30dowd.html?ex=1202360400&en=9e016887cba2b40e&ei=5070

Craig,
The Arizona senator won a solid victory over Mitt Romney on Tuesday - OK John McCain did get just over one THIRD of the votes - 5 points more then Mitt. So you have now declared McCain the Republican nominee? Only McCain left Standing?
Question - McCain won in Florida because the FLorida Political Machine adopted John. Why?
Will this hold true in other states?

And with all of the support John McCain received - Should he have won a landslide - Which he did not win by a large margin.

Here is McCain's own quote "Florida has always been a special place to me," said McCain in Miami, flanked by U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and Gov. Charlie Crist. "Our victory may not have reached landslide proportions, but it is sweet nonetheless."

The Obama campaign can not get the "Hillary snub" story straight. I am hearing multiple explanations. Very poor "spin" on this incident.

I tuned in last night to watch Hillary Clinton get nearly a million votes to win the Florida primary. After CNN and MSNBC dismissed Hillary Clinton's victory speech and switched over to 911uiani's concession speech, I changed the channels to Bravo. It's outrageous that these MSM outlets would cover Obama's speech at AU and every single minute of Obamarama and yet cut Hillary Clinton's vistory speech after the first minute. Tell me there is no media bias. Those who would denigrate this decisive victory would do well to remember that this is the first of the big state primaries and there is a very good chance that the delegates will be seated. Ugh, now Joe and Mikka are blathering on an on and on about Obama. Joe is actually saying that as a conservative GOP he gets chills with Caroline's Obama ad? Give me a break! The conservative GOPs that I know have always hated JFK.

I'm so glad to have found his blog which seems to be populated by reasonable, rational people. And I love Craig -- he seems to be the only voice of reason on TV these days.

I have given up on MSNBC. It has become a disgrace to NBC News.
CNN has John King who is a bright light, but Bill Bennett is a party hack who shouldn't be doing election coverage.
During one the few times they were acknowledging Hillary, two other panelists commented on a Hillary question. When it was the gambler's turn, he dismissed the question and started raving about John McCain.
I love politics, but this horrible coverage is so disappointing.

GORDO, with all due respect, it seems to me that we are all falling into the trap of getting excited and emotional about non-issues. I personally don't care about snubs when children are starving and soldiers are dying. We've been duped by the media smoke screen. Who's going to save the country?

Colleen -- I couldn't agree with you more. I think the "snub" story is a non-issue.

Cue Johnny Carson: It is SO cold this morning...
Cue audience: HOW COLD IS IT?!

Johnny: It's so cold this morning....I think Brian must have announced that he is now endorsing Hillary Clinton for President!

*Audience roars with laughter!*

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's COREY.........

"Given her brazen quote to ABC News, Obama is right to be scared of Hillary. He just needs to learn that Uncle Teddy can’t fight all his fights, and that a little chivalry goes a long way."

--Maureen Dowd(30JAN08)

I totally agree :)

9 degrees with a wind chill that makes it feel like 20 below. Many people called in to work last night and many people called in this morning. It is damn cold! All schools and colleges here are closed.

Colleen---This incident (and others) raises questions about Obama's character. At least it does for me.

GORDO - they're all POLITICIANS - 'nuf said.

Nothing better than an election party. New Trailmixers photograph

http://www.savagechickens.com/blog/2008/01/third-anniversary.html

off to work. bye y'all.

obama compared to jfk'' martin luther king'' robert kennedy''' no history or credentials to base this on'' just a good speech writer

The Big News last night is Florida rejected Rudy. Sorry but switching to see Rudy withdraw was the lead and proper live feed.
And with the Fla Dem Delegates this is a Dem issue so get over it and stop using that move by the entertainment leader of the Dem party that fanned the flames and getting upset with the press.
Oh and by the way where is that dynamic Dem leader? He is no asset - but you can find his value in the term asset.....

It's cold in belgium too and my gas station has been without electricity since 11 am. It's 2:15 now...

Huff PO - RFK and Hillary

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-schlesinger/hillary-and-rfk_b_83856.html

It is going to be close to 70 in Orlando.. Come on you are welcome

Ping Pong,

I believe at this point MCCain is inevitable. Do you think his "100 years in Iraq is fine with me (as long as the troops ae safe)" will come back to haunt him?

Hipster

Thanks to Florida, the terrorists have won.
-Rudy

president mcann''93 more years of war''' we will have the gnp of bolivia by then

ha......passed by and caught kerry on msnbc....

JS.....hey what about bill clinton?
Kerry........I'm not here to talk about bill clinton
Matthews.......Ok, that's nice but what about bill clinton?
Kerry........I think it's you media guys fueling that.
JS.........but what about bill clinton?

Kerry goes off and they all talk amongst themselves......about bill clinton

ha ha ha ha

To: The voters of America
From: "Pretty Boy" Romney

OK, here's the deal. If you vote for me, I'll send you each a check for $2.00.

That'll still leave me $100M for my old age.

kerry coming on Imus next.....will be nice to check out the difference in the interviews......

Latest MSM "narrative."
At the State of the Union speech, Obama was "mean" to Hillary.
MoJo was all over this important story.

Hipster..
I would like to see Craigs analysis as to why the Republican Machine has adopted McCain? What did Mitt do - besides be a true outsider ?

And on the war - If it continues to turn around - be stable, Troops come home with mission accomplished then McCain could win the election.
Oh and Oil prices drop - stock market stable..
Then McCain could win the election
OH and a recession is two down periods, If this does not happen As it has not happened yet..
Then McCain could win the election

Imus? Imus? Who is this Imus person?

"if he’s the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, he’ll seat a Florida delegation"

KGC- I think presumptive is the key word there. Seating or not would have no bearing on nomination.

Alpha

Obama ran commercials in Florida and lied about why he had to do it. Senator Clinton did not run commercials because she did a National buy without Florida which Obama could have done.

She did not campaign in the state.

She left her name on the Michigan ballot because the national party didn't tell anyone to remove their names. The ones who removed their names left them on the ballot in Florida. Perfectly legal.

On the Obama snub. It amazes me that he says he had to shake hands with a woman who entered the chamber with him. One hello wasn't enough?

When knocked down, Senator Clinton gets up and comes back fighting. When insulted, Obama sulks until someone says nice things about him again.

Divalicias
The conservative GOPs that I know have always hated JFK.

I think the Mafia, Bay of Pigs fighter, elements of the CIA, Castro may have hated him, Communists, but not a blanket all out hatred by conservatives. Today's biggest conservative, Rush, is always touting JFK's tax cuts, something we conservatives would love to see our government do more.

Let there be no doubt, Obama's snub of Hillary was intended.

Something that is not being cover by MoJo or Imus this morning is Maxine Waters' endorsement of Hillary.

I did not catch all the details. Has anyone heard about an attempt to have Hillary and Obama sit together at the SOTU? Hillary agreed and Obama refused. Did this happen?

Yep, Maxine Waters will bring in the black vote to Clinton. Just like all of those black ministers and pols in South Carolina did. Hey, she's my rep in Los Angeles and I forget she's even in Congress.

On the Obama snub. It amazes me that he says he had to shake hands with a woman who entered the chamber with him. One hello wasn't enough?

Jamie - If you heard his reply to the reporter who asked, he said 'turned to answer a question from Claire M.'' and that he had already greeted Hill upon entering chambers, waved at her, I think he said.

JFK's record today would be Conservative Republican. JFK would reject todays Democratic party - but had the horrible tragic event not occured maybe the Dems would not have driffted to such a place

Rezdog

That's what I meant by needing to greet a woman who walked in with him in the first place. McCaskell walked him in and he was seated by Kennedy. I'm sure they all must have said hello at some point before Seantor Clinton reached out her hand.

LOL@dowds column

MODO must be in hog heaven she got to call HRC a mean spiteful, vendictive bitch and was able to call Obama a weak sulking mamas boy. She probably broke her arm while patting herself on the back.

Get the woman a gossip column and get her off the opinion pages
Yuck

Jack

Gordo,

It is being related as a "rumor", but was actually mentioned on CNN yesterday so probably some basis in truth.

MSNBC didn't mention the RFK kids endorsement so they aren't about to mention a senior Congresswoman such as Maxine Waters. Don't expect MSNBC to mention anything favorable to Senator Clinton. They don't know how.

Hillary's actions of walking over to shake Obama's hand only confirms my belief that she is the only one on the D side that will walk into the lion's den. Obama's story of turning around to answer a question is pretty lame.

Who CARES! All of this child talk about snubs is a waste and shallow at best. OK fun for the pundits but the sad part is the real meat and Potatoes (;~)) is lost. People are going to decide who to vote for over this discussion. BS but maybe sadly true.

We have so much technical capacity of information with so many TV outlets, Internet..... That we do not have the intellectual resources to fuel and provide quality content.

Confirms that the Washington Political world is distorted…..

WOW...JE to withdrawl?

I hope EE is OK.

Craig:
"if somebody were to look at them, however, they would show a dead heat among last-minute voters."- C.C.

I heard your buddy Timmy say by his look at the exit polls, there was a significant number of voters who decided in last three days that went with Obama.

"still hoping to get a look at real vote totals comparing early and live voting. "-C.C.

I understand an "early" absentee voter could have turned their ballot in up until 7pm Tuesday and many did. Not good data for comparison in my mind.

ping,

I hear that sentiment that JFK would be a conservative now but it always comes from the right. I would say that no one stays the same, they move one way or the other. Teddy is still a Dem and Caroline is still a Dem as is the whole Kennedy clan. So, although we will never know, it is perfectly reasonable to me that JFK would be right there in the Democratic Party.

yo soy Horsedooty!

Edwards dropping out- already people are trying to make it be "the whites will now flock to Clinton"

Almost everyone I knew was choosing between Edwards and Obama- and many pretty strong Edwards leaners went to Obama at the end.

If you look at people voting on the issues- Edwards is much more akin to Obama than Clinton.

WOW...JE to withdrawl?

About time I would say. How many times can he keep coming in 3rd place? The real question is who will gain by him dropping out? For that question you have to look at who makes up for the majority of his supporters. If that turns out to be the 18 to 25 year olds, then Obama gains, older voters Hillary gains.

Jamie- I see all this as just NOW and others trying to get attention. I think it's rather nit picking. To further nit pick ,:)
greet is different that responding to a question.

Not that the Dem candidates are all that far apart on the issues. Here are their lifetime Conservative ratings and current if applicable.

Former Senator John Edwards 10 NA
Senator Hillary Clinton 9 --- 12
Senator Barack Obama (IL) 8 --- 8

This "snub" incident says something about Obama's inability to move forward. He "stews" about things--like Nixon.

If you think JE's supporters are going to Clinton, then you don't know those supporters. They're anti Clinton and you don't then become a Clintonite once your candidate leaves. You either throw your support behind the other anti Clinton candidate, which would be Obama, or you stay at home and don't vote. BTW, I wonder if we'll see Al Gore endorsing Obama this week?

AP story on Edwards withdrawing, per Talking Points Memo:

Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voter's sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.
The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two of his advisers. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning — Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Jamie and GORDO and all you commenters about the alleged SOTU snub:

grow up and get over it. I can barely stand to read this blog any more with all the juvenile whining on it.

Many of you used to be far more thoughtful, gracious and incisive. Now it's just pick and smear.

Does it really matter if Obama gets the Edwards' supporters? I don't think so...he can have them.

Clinton/Obama '08 :)

Rezdog

"question" was the third explanation. None of which truly matters. I'm more concerned about the supposed news media onslaught against one candidate while lambasting another. That is far more dangerous to our freedoms than one snit fit if it happened.

we could take up a collection to supply Roger Ailes some Tums. I love this story.

http://mediamatters.org/columns/200801290001

yo soy Horsedooty!

Edwards dropping out means that it will be a one on one debate tomorrow night.

Championship 15 Rounder - Bring Popcorn

dog,

We are just stating the obvious. Question when did you switch from Edwards to Obama?

My condolences to all the Edwards supporters here. Shame that he's dropping out. Funny how the tabloid MSM gives the guy with the most concrete ideas the least coverage...

Dog
It is only a smear if it is untrue.
If the Obama campaign had not given three different excuses in the first day , it would be less of an issue.
I feel like I'm in an old Saturday night live skit with Jon Lovits. (yea , yea thats what happened thats the ticket)

Jack

dnd,

Did you read my post yesterday @ Dell computers?

For the record, disappointed John Edwards supporter checking in-- my vote goes to Hillary --regardless of whether he indicates support for either Hillary or Obama.

Once the dust settles & the dems have a nominee hope that you all rally around that person & direct your energy at the real goal.

What Obama doesn't want to talk about is the demographics of the Florida vote.

A far smarter fellow blogger posted this about Obama's outing in Kanas yesterday (he answered my questions):

("Did you wear polarized sunglasses?"

Yes. They shield you from the deneuralizer flashes. 8^)

"Wasn't there any call to put a man on Mars? Make any sacrifice to defend freedom and liberty? Ask what we can do for our country and not how much more our country can do for us? Did Obama call any country an evil empire or did Lincoln come up? Did you buy a subscription to McCafferty Digest without noticing until after you had left? "

In order, no, no, here's what your country will do for you if you vote for me, screw other countries, one utterly snarky (and IMHO dishonestly used) Lincoln quote, and I resolutely refused to sign anything or accept any literature. One really cute gal slapped me on the butt and winked at me when I turned around. A few minutes later another one did the same thing fom the other side. I smiled back and moved on before peeling the Obama stickers off my butt as inconspicuously as possible. (I suspect a local Dem organizer of my acquaintance put them up to it.)

Sebelius? Don't get me started. --Tully)

Yes, the Stepford rebutal to show Democrats they don't hate women and try to spin to Americans that Republicans and media are the cause to why there is partisanship is just dandy. No Bush No Cheney No Sense!!!!!! Naw... Democrats just want to reach out, be moderate and be respectful........Gees Obama couldn't even support Bush on Darfur. Do blacks even notice?

Shows you the extent of Dean Wing mindcontrol. I thought Sebelius had just come out of her pod.

I bet NOW is gonna be pissed with the Ted Kennedy stuff and Caroline's logic: my kids love him so I think he could create many more young Democrats. Brilliant, that's more important than advocating ideas her Father stood for, or her Uncle Bobby.

Anyway the spin on Flordia this morning by media is insulting as usual. Obama should be proud of himself. Gone in Flordia is the full spectrum appeal Obama thinks he had as he tows his reaching out campaign towards Super Tuesday. I suggest Independents listen to his rebutal of Bush's SOTU closely and find the gracious bipartisan message in it. You'll be looking for a long time. Same old tired politicking and conventional KosWorld strategy though Obama's comments on Iraq are wrong and McCain will make toast of that come November. At least Hllary can tell McCain that she had to soften her Iraq position to counter the fire coming from the Right and Left in order to see a centrist line prevail. She never refused what the Presdient asked nor set a timetable that would over ride the Generals. Just look at how Obama spun her vote on Iran as he once again failed to vote on "tough issues". Maybe later today, some Obama surrogates might call the Florida results a Jewish Conspiracy, I now see some Left bloogers already have as they also suggested Hillary rigged voting machines in NH. And why would theysepeople support Obama? You decide.

Nope, not a graceful word by Obama on the SOTU. Not a peep on Iran, Darfur, Kenya, or Pakistan.

Kudos Florida for sending the Mavrick and the Liberal Centrist forward and rejecting the false triangulations of Obama and Romney backwards. What we need from the Left and Right is at least a minimum of honesty.

Check out Judicial Watch List on the web. Most of the claims against CLinton have long been vetted by media without any criminal results. But look at Obama's history. And look at those other Democrats. The idea Obama spun yesterday in Kanas is disingenuous because he is selling himself, his sterling character, his clean hands and unconventional ideals and wisdom. He sets a bar that unfortunately, as we move closer to November, seems as seamly as all the rest thus inevitably standing on the light of his record, behavior and endorsements. On that count, coupled with the sordid spin of biased media pundits, Obama sails in a leaking ship, hoping we buy his sales pitch, rather than reading consumer's report first.

Until MSNBC suspends Mathews, others McCafferty, Russert and the rest of partisan talking heads are silenced too, my viewing of NBC, CNN, MSNBC will be limited to noting what the partisans are spinning. At least with FOX, they admit their spin and O'Reilly has defended Clinton more than all those others combined. How's that for fair and balanced?

Stewart had a great animation of Obama dancing with Teddy and a blast at Sebelius. He makes far more effort at staying in the middle that even the New York Times today. Note fiction writer Brooks in another lame spin, this time on Obama and JFK. One could hardly tell the NYT is a NY paper that endorsed Hillary. LOL

New York Post heralds's Bamalot. I suppose in this analogy, Media is the Great Merlin. Will Obama be able to pull the Great Sword out of the JFK legacy, or will it be another gimmick, this time pulled out of Teddy's ass? Stay tuned...........

The "snub" speaks to Obama's character (lack of ?).

Gordo,
"The "snub" speaks to Obama's character (lack of ?)."

No it doesn't. But continually bringing it up speaks to yours.

Fry,
"Did you read my post yesterday @ Dell computers?"

No. What was it about?

"According to the overall vote totals, Barack Obama did not get a natural bump from his recent South Carolina win or the Kennedy family endorsement" - C.C.

Craig -
If I recall correctly, the average on RCP had Clinton's lead at 20% pre SC and Kennedy. The final seems to be 17. I don't know what constitutes a bump. Did Obama need to erase it significantly to qualify as a bump,
The problem I find is that most pundits do not explain their measurement standard beforehand We only learn later, so adjustments can be made, if necessary.

Gordo
It only speaks of his character if it is true.
Claire McCaskill gives a good explaination of the event.

The only thing even giving this 'snub' legs is the clumsy manner in which the Obama Campaign handled it.

Jack

Hi all.

Fry: realized I'd become an Obama supporter sometime before the holidays, although still have great respect and admiration for Sen. Edwards and his family. Remember feeling bad I could not travel to Iowa to help out with caucuses, due to family obligations, but then started reading you all about broken bones and ice and general travails there.

Not free for New Hampshire either, but did spend 10 days in SC in advance of that primary.

And even SC managed some snow during my visit.

====

Maxtrue: have heard your long posts are well worth reading, so will look over your latest when have a few moments. Welcome.

====

Any guesses on whether Al Gore will endorse anyone soon, and whom?

dnd--Just trying to get the last word. You know how that goes!

Maxtrue,

Great post!!! It is amazing to read and listen to the MSM keep touting Obama as the next JFK.

So now John Edwards is dropping out. That's a pity.

dog -- Good to see you and hope you are now feeling 100%!

I think he stays out, at least prior to the convention. If he weighs in with Obama, which i believe would be his inclination, he would further despoil Clinton if she wins the nomination.
So he campaigns for the nominee in the fall . But what do I know!.

dnd,

If I recall correctly you were in the market for a new computer, Dell I believe, if you haven't purchased one already you may want to now as Dell is offering their computers with XP operating software. The reason, Vista has caused them to many customer related problems.

I think Gore will stay out until the nominee is chosen

mornin' all.

To all those who said yesterday's Florida Dem primary was just a beauty contest, didn't mean anything, etc., apparently it did. I can't believe it, but I agree with Bigot Buchannan on this - it was the only state that did not have intense retail politics by the dem candidates (aside from MI, which I won't count since HRC was the only one of the big 3 left on the ballot) before the voting and may be a better bellweather of what will happen on SDT and beyond than the prior contests. I hope no one here is naive enough to think that John's withdrawal from the race the day after Florida's primary, delegates or no, was just coincidently following his second third place finish in southern states.

And I also hope that no one is naive enough to think Obama and Clinton will split JE's supporters - aside from those in the south who just can't bring themselves to vote for a black man, and among Edwards' supporters I do not believe those are likely to be huge numbers, I see most of Edwards' supporters going to Obama - JE & Obama are much more alike than JE & Clinton.

Fry,
Thanks. Not looking now. Got one about 6months ago. And I hate Vista. However I may look at Dell, because 1) they've got some real bargains and 2) they're loading XP in lieu of the crippled Vista.

Oh, and by the way, I forgot - GOOD RIDDANCE, RUDI.

I am getting one of these EUROTOM dread feelings that I get when great opportunities are lost.

I may be TOTALLY off my rocker, but I think the Hillary/Obama fights have torn apart the women and black vote coalition. I think this may not be repairable. If it remains that the Obama supporters won't support Hillary and the Hillary supporters won't support Obama (depending on which one gets the nomination), we will be saddled again with a right-wing President for the next 4 years at least.

For me, I am a bit insulated living in Europe, but America is my home and birthright and I despise what the right wing nitwits have done to democracy, the constitution and individual freedoms.

EuroTom listening to Peter Gabriel "Games Without Frontiers" with the lovely Kate Bush accompanying.

Patsi: thanks! Got some sleep, which helped mucho.

Fry: good to know re Dell. May get a PC laptop and want to avoid VIsta like the plague it is. (Jamie was very instructive there.) Still learning to use my Mac laptop...

Here's an interesting NYT letter to the editor, not a sentiment I'd ever seen expressed elsewhere:

To the Editor:

In “The Bush Who Got Away” (Op-Ed, Jan. 28), Jacob Weisberg describes the compassionate conservative George W. Bush might have been as president.

Aside from the obvious issues of 9/11 and the subsequent Iraq war, one of the main reasons this compassionate conservatism never came to fruition is that President Bush served for six years with a very conservative Republican-controlled Congress that had only a passing interest in his compassionate conservative initiatives.

By the time the Democrats regained control of Congress, the war and its attendant huge yearly deficits and partisan acrimony dominated the political discourse.

One can only imagine how the Bush presidency might have differed had he served the first six years with a Democratic Congress.

Kent K. Gordis
Brooklyn, Jan. 28, 2008

Guys dump the PCs and go for Mac 24". Macs rule !!!

Without 9/11 Bush would have been a one term President.

Top of the day peeps. Well I guess I'm officially an Obama supporter now!

another thought, had Kerry been a candidate worth any salt, Bush STILL would have been a one term President.

Good Morning Brian...

EuroTom: I fear you are correct re O and HRC supporters not supporting the other candidate.

So only solace: any possible Pres. McCain will be dealing with Dem majorities and has shown a maverick streak in the past. Good things could get done no matter what.

Gordis letter re what Bush would have done with a Dem congress is appealing; having the GOP rubberstamp unleashed his (and Cheney and Rove's) worst instincts.

And now hope the GOP congress will pay for their poor patriotism. They're Americans first, not GOP.

Good morning everyone! Brain you made my day.

Ok Cheryl, we know that Brian is smart, but you don't need to call him Brain ;-)

dog,
Glad you're back and doing better.
That NYT letter reminded me:

"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely."
-- Lord Acton

Hey Dog's Eye View,

I don't know how much time I have for this, but with the primary at a critical point, I thought I might throw some help towards the Clintons. If not now, when. Sorry for the long posts, but I don't chit chat very much. Please forgive the length of posts and since I can't post often just tell me to stop when I exceed bandwidth.

To all, hello. Gore just came up and I though a post I made somewhere else earlier this month would amuse you. Now I know I'm not one of those brialliant and creatively imaginative writers on strike or working n the Obama camp these days off the books, but here is what SNL could have used if they decided to fight the union and let scabs make a dime.

Here goes (and it is rather long):

Scab Saturday Night LIve Sketch for 1/12/08

(Obama’s house as he and his wife are at home watching TV on their couch.)

phone rings “Yes,” says Obama.

Split screen with Gore on the Left, Obama on the Right.

“Hello”, says Gore.

“Al Gore?" asks Obama.

“Yes, siree-ee. Mr. Al Gore here,” he chuckles.

“Well, it’s great hearing from you Al, I was sure hoping you’d call me”, Obama replies squeezing his wife’s arm smiling.

“That’s good,” Gore laughs, and then says “I almost didn’t have enough CHANGE to call."

Obama doesn’t think that’s particularly funny and but says anyway; “Oh, that’s a good one Al, the change thing.” He waits for Al to continue.

“Well, Bar-ak I’ve been thinking that maybe the time has really come for us to change the world. You know the polar ice caps are beginning to melt and soon the water’s gonna get real high..Like Dylan said, 'the time’s they are a changing'.”

“Yeah Al, I fully agree with your inconvienent truth and an Obama administration’s gonna change this. We would love you to come on board our good ship lollipop and help us make us reshape the world. We need your support Al, this great task is too difficult without your support.” Obama strokes Gore as his wife is getting a bit excited.

“Oh you’re good, you’re good Barak. If I could talk like that, I would be king. Man, that is good. You and Bill ought to have some kind of mortal combat face off or something and I could judge who was greater….of course to fund our effort supporting cli-mate change. You know, he’s ve-ry good.”

“Yes, I know Al, Bill Clinton is a great orator, but I lift more lines from MLK and JFK and women find me sexier, or at least that's what my female staffers keeps telling me,” he raves as his wife’s long nails dig into his back. “And you know how I deliver words like hope and change…”

“Those were Bill’s lines Barak”, Gore admonishes. “You need credibility; you need more than Oprah and Kerry, Bradley and Clarke. You need more than NBC, MSNBC, the NYT, and Andrew Sullivan, ...way more than Andrew Sullivan to win this thing,” Gore says.

“You need something special, something grand, something that can help inspire your message of hope and change,” Gore declares mesmerized by his own words.

“What is that Al?”, asks Obama.

“My stamp of Gore’s better world approval of course”, answers Gore. “My endorsement is as gold as this noble award on my desk. It’s like 10 Oprahs, or 20 Kerry’s ……it’s starting an election with at least 15 or 20% of the vote already cast for Barak Obama courtesy of Al Gore, noble prize winner, former winner of the popular vote in the 2000 election,” boasts Gore. “Now if I had half the appeal I have now, then, I would be calling you as former President Gore and the world would be way cooler,” he reflects.

“You know I want you on board Al,” pleads Obama. “It means a lot to me and the people out there who need us together like Jedis to deliver the change they’re begging for. Let’s do it Al, let’s deliver the force and our unconventional wisdom to Washington to we can change the world.. What can I say to get you on the SOUL Train, baby,” drives Obama, his hand clenching his wife’s leg.

“Well,….I thought of maybe I could be Secretary of State, but how could I not be the Department of Energy. But then I always fancied myself a judge of difficult to see at first truth…..and maybe being the Chief Supreme Justice would be a more important job. …."

“Well, Al, I’m sure we can work out a great spot for you in an Obama administration. Were you a lawyer? We can make you our special envoy to the world. How does that sound, special envoy to the world?” asks Obama. “You know, Edwards wants that spot, or was that Carter?”

“That sounds real ni-ice, but I was hoping maybe we could change the conventional wisdom and break the staus quo by creating a new and supremely important office. It would solve our most important problems,” says Gore.

“That's fascinating Al, but what would we call your position?” asks Obama.

“I dunno yet. I have a small staff here working on that at this very moment. I had thought maybe the Department of Solvation, or maybe the The Secretary of Progress,..a..a.. the Office of Global Cooperation, or,,no… the Supreme Justice of the Global Court of Policy Decison,” Gore stops to think, but it seems a bit painful and he seems stumped..

“Gee, “says Obama wondering how many marbles are left in Gore’s head. “You know what a hall you pack Al. You’re a freakin celebrity, dude. I know the Constitution pur-ty well, Al and I.m certain there’s enough soft corners on that old parchment that we can remodel those cabinet positions. My wife just redid our kitchen cabinets. They look great. She’s been wanting to change them for years. I don’t think those Executive cabinets will be any harder to repaint Al” Both Obama’s are laughing along with Gore. “All I need is to call Home Depot and they can make me any cabinet I want.”

“And from recycled wood scrapes from the tropical rainforests,” laughs Gore. He pauses and thinks for a moment. “Will you let me go around the world in the space shuttle and broadcast my message of saving our world from global pollution and then broadcast ethereal music that stimulates the area of the cerebral cortex that will encourage all people to more easily accept my ideas and policies?” asks Gore.

“Ah…sure Al.” answers Obama, trying hard not to crack up. “You’re not a Scientologist are you, not that that's a bad thing.”

“Nooooo I am not. You know, Barak,... I’m way more than Rosie,” Gore whispers.

“Okay,….then I hope we can meet tomorrow and have sushi for lunch. I know you can change that problem of yours and weigh less than Rosie in no time. A deal?” Obama asks.

“Well I guess so” responds Gore somewhat perplexed. “I only have 28 carbon credits left for this month, so lets make it for twelve am and within 500 miles of Charleston.”

“No problem Al, I know a great place. My staff will call yours. We give our best to your wonderful wife Tipper, Al. Hope and Change, we can turn the page, together Al, Peace.”

“Okay, Barak. And you stay fired up but lower than 68 degrees to save energy, … bye,” ends Gore.

“Bye”, answers Obama as Gore hangs up. “Gees..I better call Oprah. Damn, she’s gonna be real mad.”

EuroTom: completely in agreement re Bush would have been one term without 911. Even more the tragedy.

Did any of you get to read Lawrence Wright's The Looming Tower re bin Laden? Excellent work.

Oooh, oooh, I forgot another one - bye, bye Huckleberry, it was good to know ya - not. (I know, he hasn't announced his withdrawal yet, but with little money and after a 4th place finish where the evangelical vote went to Romney fuhchrissakes, the only thing missing is the announcement).

dnd, if you get back into the market give CDW a look - they have a ton of XP machines at pretty decent prices.

Rezdog,

It would really surprise me if Gore endorsed any time soon if at all before the convention. He now has a global reputation and a world wide cause. Whoever becomes the President will need to be someone with whom he can work with on those projects.

EuroTom---Without Nader, Bush would have been a zero term President.

Bye for now.

another bad day for Lou Dobbs concern troll for immigration.

EuroTom---Without Nader, Bush would have been a zero term President.

Posted by: GORDON | January 30, 2008 10:25 AM

not to mention the Supemes and Katherine Harris
and the Brooks Brothers militia

Rez, what the heck are you doing in Olympia? Do you know my best friend Curt Pavola?

Damn Nader, now him me hates!

Tweety said obama has firecrackers in his pocket ...

and so far the reporting has amounted to an Obama strategy session.

Morning Tom,
I don't know Curt, I'm not involved in local pol. i do know your old boss Jerry. He and Judy are neighbors.

What, no sense of humor? (you have to imagine that South Park Gore voice.........)

Well, maybe Frydaddy got a laugh.

Work beckons y'all for this non-pundit workin stiff

May the force be strong

Posted by: Maxtrue | January 30, 2008 10:21 AM

Maxtrue (and all) -- PLEASE post just links and few exceprts for such long items.

It is not fair to the source to copy and paste their entire work product without a link to their site, and it is an eye-gouging experience for readers who might not interested in it.

I am glad to see Giuliani exit presidential race today -- got my wish there -- and saddened to see John Edwards depart as well. Whatever anyone says about his candidacy and presidential prospects, he got his message out there, and it resonated. And has been adopted, to some extent, by other campaigns.

oh i get it, Maxtrue, that is your own work product. sorry. do you have a blog? can provide link in your comments to such long items. and also would be glad to put a standing link in our blogroll

According to the news reports Edwards spoke to both Obama and Clinton and they both agreed to feature the issue of poverty.

that would be news from a real news source ...not
cable news

Kathy.... I agree with your comment from last night that McCain will be a formidable opponent for the Democrats....

Dog.... good to see you again.... and I agree with those that think Gore will not endorse anyone during primary season..... but will help once the Dem nominee is chosen....

Divalicious..... LOVE that moniker!

EuroTom..... on this blog we have trashed the Republican candidates by calling them all sorts of names..... Plunger or misspelling it as Rudi or Ghoulinani for Giulinani...... calling McCain an old fart..... and calling Romney Maxheadroom... Huckabee is Hucksterbee...etc. etc....
please note that I voted for Hillary in the NH primary..... but if the above is acceptable than in order not to be hypercritical we must accept the name Billary, IMO...

I disagree that Obama supporters won't vote for Hillary and Hillary supporters won't vote for Obama.....
are you saying that people who feel passionately about their chosen Democratic candidate are going to vote for a Republican..... what a nonsense idea! ..... yeah sure..... you're gonna vote for 100 yrs of war old fart McCain......

Sorry, I didn't mean to hog. I was just trying to spare the readers from sorting through many posts to find this spoof above on another blog page. It had no individual link, just a long thread....

Will try to keep posts short, or link as you request.

Looking back on my other doozies, thanks for having been so tolerant.

Max

NYC

oh yeah....

I forgot to say how truly sorry I am to all the Edwards supporters that he is dropping out of the race.....

I wish the best for both him and Elizabeth.....

Hillary supporters should just save themselves a lot of heartburn and accept that the dynamic of the media coverage of this primary fight will never result in so-called "momentum" shifting to Hillary.

The dynamic is:
Hillary = Immovable Object
Obama = Irresistable Force.

The media will always be on the side of the Irresitable Force in any coverage scenario -- whether it's an election or a football game or a baby stuck in a well. Why? Because Immovable Objects are boring and Irresistable Forces are exciting with lots of action.

So, really, all Hillary can do is become more inevitable. The media will never, ever be on "her side" no matter what. So just try not to take it too personally, and enjoy the show. Can't wait til Thursday night!

Yes, all posts so far were written by me (explains the typos...LOL). Finding some similar sentiment here was refreshing and brought some creative imagination berhaps far from the brilliance that produces wisdom.... (yes some of my typos have been intentional).

I created them just for you all, but the last one was from a blog elsewhere and I should have just linked to it rather than reposting it here. I will try to keep my threads shorter and as you requested, link to the original source when possible. It was may error as I was just trying to provide some political humor and interject a comedy break between the messaging.

We all know this primary has been short on humor and long on....well, whatever

And Craig, don't stop now. There are too few little indians left on cable.

you're gonna vote for 100 yrs of war old fart
rr

roflmao

not too mention the Katrina VandenHueval comment

McCain: Puts a polite face on war mongering

and good call on the nicknames ... I did stop calling Tucker - Tucker Faye cuz I thought you made a good point about Karla Faye Tucker being included unfairly

Max, I've enjoyed your posts. Can you give us a link to your blog?

Lardass, was Lazio an irresitible force that Russert and media assisted? Had Bill been on that stage, yes, his fist would have been the immovable object.

I have heard that logic before and it sweeps away alot of the real dynamic going on. Yes, it works on one level, but on others it offers as much comfort as creationism does to an evolutionary scientist. Seems your theory might be the immovable object and rejecting it, or rather defying it, the irresistable force voters send with their votes. See NH.

Show of hands...

Who thinks Edwards will support Obama, and who thinks he will support Clinton?

Someone above (jamie?) mentioned a concern that the current supporters of HRC& BHO would not support the other one in the general. I don't share that concern, altough I'm sure they won't support the other as entusiastically as they would have supported their own candidate, which may affect turnout. I still believe that Dems will turn out in droves for what will be a monumentally historic election whether the woman or the black guy is on the ballot against the old white guy.

Here's the curveball -while we aren't hearing much about it, Bloomburg is still laying groundwork for a run -he's apparently getting weekly briefings on US Security and foreign affairs and is building an organization. He might draw significant enough vote totals in NY, FL CA and other places that could swing an otherwise close contest to the Rep column. I'm hiding in the weeds waiting to see if that happens.

BTW, dog, don't be a stranger-I'll be happy to converse without the slime.

In February 2001, President Bush delivered an economic address to a joint session of Congress, a year later, he delivered his first State of the Union address at a time when his approval rating was near it's highest point.

Below is a look at his approval rating in the Gallup Poll around the time of each speech.

—February 2001: 62 percent approval.
—January 2002: 84 percent.
—January 2003: 60 percent.
—January 2004: 53 percent.
—February 2005: 51 percent.
—January 2006: 43 percent.
—January 2007: 36 percent.
—January 2008: 32 percent.

Pogo I do think there is a risk that if Obama doesn't make it some of his younger supporters will not turn out for Clinton. I don't think they'll vote for the repub, but will just stay home. Just a hunch on my part.

re: Edwards & Giuliani

Florida's new advertising campiagn should be...

"Come to Florida, and Die."

Not sure I'm tracking Max, but that's probably because I'm just dense. Anyway, the roles can certainly be interchangeable over time. Both Hillary and Bill have been the irresistible forces in their lifetimes. (thanks for correct sp, BTW). I don't know enough about the media coverage of Lazio-Clinton to address your point there.

Gallup rolling averages

http://www.gallup.com/poll/104017/Gallup-Daily-Where-Election-Stands.aspx

I once thought Al Gore would have his final chance if there were a brokered convention. Gore had a chance on the second vote. Now, I find out Edwards is dropping out of the race, so much for a brokered convention. The debate tomorrow night is going to be very interesting.

Max

If you put up the link to your blog, it can be added to the blog roll as several of the trailmixers have blogs.

Did everyone see the new group picture above. We've been muppets, now it is pick an alien. :-)

Renee, I realize this is a non partisan blog populated mostly by Dems,and accepting Billary as a pejorative term for Hillary would clearly be consistent in an intra party sense with accepting the other names we've used for the repugs in an interparty sense. Of course, that does open the door to intraparty namecalling, which has not occurred here for the most part. I assume it will be fine to use pejorative references about Obama as well, although I won't and would rather not see it - while I support HRC, I do have a good deal of respect for Obama.

Cheryl -- "The debate tomorrow night is going to be very interesting."

To borrow from an old saying...
"I went to the fights, and a Presidential debate broke out."

I'm waiting to see if the intro music the network uses is from West Side Story ...

nash, I think Edward will eventually support Obama.

I think that Edwards and Clinton are a better fit as far as their supporters go, but he is cordial to Obama.

The older Democrats would go to the polls for the candidate no matter who was running. If the second coming was held one day before, they would vote absentee.

Disappointed youngsters, maybe not so much.

day one MSnbc free -
Thinking about my one vote in November. That's it -one vote.

Sometimes we get carried away with % and overall wins and loses. But right now today - Hillary has received more votes in Florida alone than Obama received in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina combined.

NYTimes: US economy grew only .6% in last quarter of 2007.

We are proably in a recession right now.

Brian, your hunch would reflect the typical voting trend among age groups and is probably more likely right than wrong. Did you have to get a new saddle for the new horse or did the old one fit?

Don't have my own blog but have posted at several. A while back I decided to engage in a running discourse with a few Liberals and a number of non SOCON Republicans who try to be civil, open-mined and factual. Being rather the lone supporter (posting as Maxtrue) of Hillary I have taken a bit of fire. If you care to see my rants against Hillary Haters, feel free to stop in at Stubborn Facts.com. You won't see any Bush/Cheney bashing because at SF, what would be the point? I find it more interesting to argue with the Right of center, rather than waste much time at Kos, Huffington, Common Dreams etc. only to have my comments deleted. No Bush derangment syndrome for me.....LOL

Please be nice as those lawyerly centrists over at SF don't take kindly to bad language, bad facts or purely political rants. If you review the history of threads there, they are not Cheney or Bush lovers, nor are they Obama or Kuncich lovers. They are respectful however. As I said, more in the middle and wickedly to the point. And I do find that time to time one can learn something from Conservative Lites, like the largest lost of revenue to the government from Bush tax cuts came from lower taxes for those who are not the richest. I also learned that Gore made a deal with the Russians under Clinton that led to the import of technology and weapons from Russia to Iran that threaten us today. Nope, things are not so black and white as partisan would have us ALL believe. If you want to battle Republicans, use factual arguments with those to the Right that understand facts trump ideology. The rest are not worth the breath and unfortunately, this applies to BOTH extremes, no matter what Kool Aid they're serving.

As per all my comments, -they are just my unprofessional opinions.

pogo the old one fit nicely!