Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

In making race central to this, the media has done a great disservice to both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I've surfed around on a lot of message boards, and Craig Crawford appears to be the real winner for being what most are calling "the voice of reason" in an insane media cycle.

Good morning all...the horses are off in Georgia's primary, and I have sweep of stuff going on in just a bit.

Good morning Patsi.

-Hip

Hipster, I think I missed the info about your horses....did you say you are in the business?

Interesting thoughts on Clinton's use of Jesse Jackson, Craig

-AH

No, Patsi, I was saying "horse race" as in the candidates are about to come out of the gate in Georgia

:-)

AH

Ha! I keep forgetting that this thing morphs from horse race to beauty contest and back again!

I did meet a woman at the mini mart yesterday who saw my Hillary jacket and explained to me why a woman should NEVER be POTUS. Had to do with hormones and emotions.

Sounds like some serious self loathing on her part. I think sometimes we need a bit of emotion in that office----

well---hopefully you know what i mean---a bit of caring

AH

Yes, the woman was interesting. She was somehow under the impression that Hillary Clinton collapsed after news of Bill's cheating....I told her I didn't exactly remember it that way. But somehow it all tied back to the woman's divorce and raising two daughters, neither of which would she trust to be president. Which got me thinking about Huckabee's dog-hanging son....:)

Race baiting is the easy way out, instead of a reasoned analyis, sensationalism grabs peoples attention. I usually miss the Sunday morning political shows. I am now thinking that I sould make it a strict policy not to watch them.

Wow, Crawfords two lane highway has morphed into the Interstate. Get the bulldozers and pavers out to widen the road. Over 500 comments on a thread, I'll never be able to keep up and hold a job at the same time.

Joe Scarborough (and the other panelists) gave Pat Buchanan a rough time last night. Very similar to treatment Craig received that morning. Would not let Pat speak, and when he did, there was constant interruption. Looks like Joe is reaching for the "Biggest Bully" label on MSNBC. Still has a way to go--Matthews may be unbeatable. Pat still has his money on Hillary for the nomination. Joe does not want to hear such talk.

Patsi,

That's a bit weird of her to say....I know a guy at work who still goes on and on about Clinton getting a haircut and stopping air traffic at LAX. From what i understand it didnt even happen....but he's still harping on that after 14, 15 years, and thats why he is a big Clinton hater.

Bowmac,

I think this is prime time for Craig

AH

I have a post up about the race in Georgia. Come see it if you are interested. We are (as you all know) 10 days out.

http://theaginghipster.blogspot.com/2008/01/georgia-primary-10-days-away.html

AH

and with that i am out for right now but will try to cruise back in today.

I promise to be nice.

AH

I posted this a few days ago....but I was watching MoJo when the Bill Clinton "fairy tale" thing first came up. They talked about how it was being represented as racist....then played the whole clip. Every person on the show shook their heads and said they couldn't see anything remotely racist....but then something happened....and the spin started a day or so later.

I am not sure who came up with this term "crap artists", i find it appropriate for Tweety and Moaning Joe.

I am sure when one of our prolific posters wakes up and joins the fray, he will find a way to show everything Bill and Hillary did in South Carolina was racebaiting. Not naming any names of course...

Patsi---I posted this last night: More on Russert---The MTP that Hillary appeared on provided a great example of media manipulation. He showed the "fairy tale" clip. But the clip began with "give me a break". Russert did not show the Iraq comments which preceded "give me a break". Russert wanted viewers to read "race" into Bill Clinton's remarks. Is that dishonest? There is no other possible interpretation dailyhowler.com discusses media bias (a lot on NBC & MSNBC). Check out the archives.

Do you folks think that Bill Clinton went over the line in South Carolina? Or to rephrase, are there moments or things that he said which could have handled or said better?

I did not spend too much time in front of the TV last night but I thought I noticed that Tweedy was missing. If he was, where was he?

morning all,

yo soy Horsedooty!

could someone explain the nicknames? Who is tweety?

"At least for tonight, the Clinton campaign hardly looks like a juggernaut. But to be fair, an outspoken northern woman was never going to do well in this state. Of all 50, this is her weakest and thus it is Obama's strongest." http://thephoenix.com/toteboard/default.aspx

Did Clinton go over the line – NO
Could he be the master manipulator?
Do you want to play political chess with “The Clintons”

He is better then ever – that if he wanted to bring race into the situation, it has been done in a factual manner that is very appropriate. The elephant is in the room

Facts are Facts

Thomas, I am of two minds on Bill's involvement. First, I see no race baiting....including the Jesse Jackson comment. But I also have come to understand that race was probably always going to be a huge issue even in the primary. It's a very sexy story for the press. I think Bill should have seen that coming and concentrated on Hillary's strong points, not gone on the attack. Having said that, I keep thinking how silly all this "racist handwringing" over a normal, tough campaign is. If this was a campaign where two anglo men were engaged in the same dialogue, it would politics as usual. (And I'm taking into consideration that one of those men is an ex-president.)

Chuck Todd said something telling on Russert's show yesterday. He said that race was always going to become an issue once Obama got to SC because he HAD to campaign directly to blacks. Before that, he didn't have to. Chuck has now no doubt got the memo that his analysis must be silenced.

Thomas-

I do look forward to you being here and I do want to apologize for my part in last night's blow up. Some of what i said was over the top.

Tweety is Chris Matthews.

-Steve
Hipster

Tweety is MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

Ping Pong-

Hope to see you face to face some time this Summer. Let me know when you are coming up.

Hipster

South Carolina is NOT close to being a representative state so is a poor measure of transferability of the campaigns.
Florida is a much better measure with elements that can be studied and implied to future voting demographics.

OH, and Morning to all

After watching Craig on Morning Joe yesterday morning, I made my first post on a political website here and hope to be a regular. I specifically recall President Clinton being criticized on cabel news yesterday for previously making the comment that this primary was not about race or gender. We were then told that this is actually secret code meaning exactly the opposite, yet in his victory speach Senator Obama made the same assertion to critical acclaim. I agree that the media coverage on the issue of race has become a sad thing to watch.

HIpster, Absolutely !! look forward to it
I am calling for a Florida gathering this week... But maybe a unit of 1 !!

Tweety is Chris Matthews named by his own staff during a 2000 election campaign contest. Shrub was handing out nicknames and "mediawhoresonline" decided to have their own contest. They thought his hair dye matched tweetybird
I think it stuck because of his fat head

Morning load - Joe Scarborough

Pumpkinhead is Tim Russert

Ok, back out for a bit. I will be back in later. Ping Pong, see you in a few months

-Hip

the media sucks anyway....they certainly did not do their job in the run up to the war in eyerack. Of course when you have you head up Bush's butt it is hard to see the light.

And based on Russerts behavior and the FLorida version of MTP - vs being a debate - I am now adding this to my bycott list - Russert must have been drinking to many umbrella drinks and time on the beach before the Florida debate (or what was to be a debate)
The Panel STUNK IT UP.......

FLORIDA by PING
HRC wins - No Brainer on the dem side.

Watch for McCain to have a solid win. He is getting all of the big endorsements and for those that may have been on the fence - He has answered the questions to pull them in.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/orl-flaprimary2708jan27,0,6100848.story

Interesting that like NH, the polls were way, way off.

Speaking of race and gender, Caroline Kennedy's endorsement of Obama can't be making the Clinton camp too happy. If she goes out on the campaign trail with him, it's over.

Morning DND,

I was very taken with Caroline Kennedy's endorsment and OPED. For all us Other Thans, it was a very heartening night. Now down out of the clouds to reality.

Clintons are a force not to be taken for granted.

Is Edwards now officially out?
Sorry Brian

If Hipster is still here.. Steve, it's ok. I was wound tight after a crappy evening.

Folks,

I am not going to post these number to rub anything in. However, you have to pay attention to reality in SC. It should open your eyes to the fight ahead in all three camps.

Obama got 295,091 votes to Clinton's 141,128 (more than twice as many).

He got more votes than John McCain and Mike Huckabee combined (279,723).

He won 78% of the black vote,
25% of the white vote, and 52% of the non-black vote under 30.

And he was more than a little responsible for the fact that Democratic turnout was twice that of 2004 (532,000 to 280,000).

These numbers are pretty hard to run away from.

Morning Shelia,
Congrats on your guy's big win.

Thanks dnd,

I am humbled by the numbers. It say a heck of a lot about the American People and not just what we want, but what is clearly a desparate plea by all of us.

So, each candidate should see this as a mandate of what they will be doing in Washington come Jan 09.

Republicans should feel a chill of fear. The People are rising up and the Democratic Party, for better or worse is at center stage!

Shelia,
And so he should have hit these numbers as he also spent more time and money and effort in SC. So I am not saying this to rub you the wrong way.
Had Clinton done the same ????
ALso remarkable is NO MENTION OF EDWARDS in his home state.
So begs the next question:
How is Barack organization set in future states for the variable vote?

Also,
As to Craigs point in this post, If this is a statement for Barack, then it must be confirmed in Florida - where he has out advertised HRC 100 to 1

Here is a reference to the facts on the Organization in SC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22859254/?GT1=10755

It is MSNBC/ ge so you do have to question the accuracy

Ping Pong,

JE is still in and as a matter of fact is in Georgia today.

Thomas-

Cool let's move on and we will argue again I am sure.

Hipster

Not my point Ping...not my point.

Besides, if the people of south carolina hadn't liked the message, they wouldn't have voted for the messenger.

But my point is the rest of the country is feeling the same way about real change in this country. So if Republicans don't get a clue, they will be left in the dust and not even Karl Rove will be able to stop it. Which ever candidate wins.

It's pretty hard to tell what the message in SC was

False statements about Senator Clinton were widely distributed and I am not sure this is an accurate picture of what people in other states will be hearing

Sorry Ping.

What I was pointing out that I forgot to spell out is;

South Carolina is a traditionally RED State. The Dems are typically voting a small amount each year. THIS WAS BIG.

Wonomini!!! SO proud of you and Dog!!!!

Sheila quite a win last night for our guy. Cheers! Make sure you check in at my blog during the week. I will be blogging updates about Georgia.

Hipster

Shelia,
Then the test will come in Florida next Tuesday, For the most part a neutral impact from campaign activity - so a very interesting lab set up by the DNC for the Poly Sci Folks.
If what you state is correct Barcak should have a big win, along with Mitt.
If not and HRC and McCain have big wins then it may speak to the campaign machines.
You may have to much faith in the general American People that they actually spend the time to understand.
But a Campaign based on the slogan "Change" as the catch word - maybe people do not have to dig deep

So Regardless Shelia you set up a very interesting question

And there is viirtually no chance SC will be in the Democratic column in November no one thinks that

And by the way I also LIke the Vision of Barack, Liked his book - However I do not like his methods to make it happen, I am not for BIG GOVERNMENT running everything.
But maybe that is the only way to make it happen?
I hope not

Ping.....really....I'm not talking about Barack Obama right now.

I'm talking about what the numbers mean to us. Not that Obama has a chance.

That people are really serious about change. All people no matter who they prefer. So open your mind ping. For a moment see that a clear majority, so far in all the Primaries and caucuses are voting in HUGE numbers for change.

Obama may have opened enough eyes to demand change from ANYONE who becomes President.

Ping Pong,

Which one of the books did you read? I;ve read "Audacity of Hope."

I've got some concerns about the size of government myself.

Hip

Ok Off the Stump. ;0)

I'm having a great cup of coffee this morning. Zingermans is the local Deli that should have gone national. They have beans that drip oils. Makes a darn fine cuppa!

I so wish I had your optimism, Sheila. I just don't see the right wing playing nice on any level. The financial interests are too deep. But if Obama is nominated and elected, I sure hope the congress is so overwhelmingly Democratic that he can do something.

Everyone hates Bush

people are angry and what a competent government
no one needed anyone to tell them that

it's pretty obvious. the question --who has the skills to fix the Shrubco mess

Sheila and Ping Pong,

Here's a link i posted last night comparing SC turnout for GOP and Democrats. Hope this helps

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC

Hipster

Most Accurate Student Mock Convention
Predicts Clinton as Democratic Nominee

LEXINGTON, Va. – After two days of political events at Washington and Lee University, the 2008 Mock Convention selected Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as the Democratic presidential nominee. The prediction marks the 100th anniversary of the most accurate student-run mock convention in the nation.

Students at W&L, a historic liberal arts college, have picked the correct presidential nominee for the party out of power every time but once since 1948, and have a perfect record since 1972. Since its inception in 1908, the overall record stands at 18 correct predictions out of 23.

More than 90 percent of the student body is involved in running the convention. They spend over two years planning, researching and organizing the quadrennial event, which has consistently featured prominent political figures and received national media attention.

This year, the convention featured the following distinguished speakers:

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
Democratic Leadership Council Chairman Harold Ford Jr.
Sen. Carol Moseley Braun
Sen. Geraldine Ferraro
Virginia Governor Tim M. Kaine
Sen. Jim Webb
Rep. Charlie Wilson
Former Georgia U.S. Sen. Max Cleland
Richmond (Va.) Mayor L. Douglas Wilder
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin
Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden
Texas State Rep. Patrick M. Rose

I agree with you fears Patsi girl.

I just can't help feeling that even if Clinton gets it, people all over the country are going to pull their chins forward and circle the wagons against the evil that has been created by the Republican Machine.

People want to know that this is THEIR country. They want a say again. It is definitely showing in the numbers.

Shelia, Got your point, So lets see what happens, I am not sure this is an effect of the People wanting change (and also on the Republican side no one is jumping for GWB to help) or the fact that SC got so much attention.

Hip - Yes Audacity of Hope - I think all of the Candidates on both sides would see the "dream" - the difference is can you and how to get there.

Speaking of getting there - got to get the Pong ettes up and moving and on to worship

Will keep eye on the post

Shelia - The evil republicans that let the party and people down got their @$$ kicked last mid term.
Take some time and open up to the possibility that good solutions can come from less governement

to go forward, I think the first thing we have to do is make a choice:

1.) Do we want to spend here at home and improve internally, learning to accept a lower standard of living- buit have things like Social Security and medical care?

2.) Do we want to keep intervening in the world and have an empire that allows us to have cheap consumer good?

Both have advantages or disadvantages, but I think we are going tohave to choose one or the other. Thats just me.

-Hip

Ping, I'm for less government. I've always described myself as a

Fiscal Conservative With Bleeding Heart Liberal Tendancies. Meaning that we can pay attention to the bank account and proactively help our people. Give them the chance to succeed.

I won't remind anyone how large this Goverment has become in the last 8 years. But even with a War, we should have been doing better.

When SC goes for a Democrat in the General Election.....that will be big news......Happy for Barack's win in SC demo just as I was happy for Hillary in New Hampshire, and we'll see where it goes, but SC wont go anything but GOP in the general, just like always......wait.....did SC go for George Wallace way back when? damn, cant remember......

Oh Ye Of Little Faith! ;0)

Sheila, Ping, dnd....everyone should read the book I keep shilling for: Free Lunch by David Cay Johnston, investigative reporter for the NY Times. He pulls no punches about the fact that Democrats and Republicans alike have put in place a system where the "folks"who are responding to this message of hope have NO chance. The populace will continue to support business interests with their tax dollars to the people's detriment until a major upending happens. I frankly believe John Edwards was the one candidate who might have been willing to take that system on. (Still supporting my "girl" but, I'm just sayin'....)

We just went through Dr. King's holiday. The essence of which is to judge people "by the content of their character".

In a dem race with almost no issue differences.

Can anyone honestly make the case that any group could split 80-20 for a candidate based on the content of their character? If A.A. aren't being fair in their assessments of Clinton, how is that in Dr. King's spirit?

Or is it the view, that no matter what, Obama should win because he's black and that's it.

SC always went democrat in the general until Strom Thurmond angrily changed to GOP after the passage of the Civil Rights Bill ......then the people of SC followed suit and thus it has been.......

Nixon carried SC in 1968

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1968

-Hip
"Pointy Headed Liberal" (anyone know that reference?)

Are Sheila Jackson Lee and James Clyburn just to be reduced to Clinton shills bought and paid for? I think not.

craigfarmer welcome!

Nope! The majority here, no matter what, will vote for the Dem that get nominated.

Because the content of the character of all three is pretty "Damn" (quarter in the jar) fine.

The best set of candidates seen in our lifetime. How exciting!!!

Craig:

You ROCK!

"pointy-headed liberal" was that George "standing in the school house door to bodily keep out the blacks" Wallace?

This is my first post ever. After yesterday's Morning Joe and last night's MSNBC election coverage, my frustration with the media, especially MSNBC, is at an all time level.

I know controversy sells but what about their credibility (especially Tim Russert.) How can they so distort the facts, be called on it and continue to do it?

Is it because they think we aren't smart enough to see through it?

Craig', your opinions and rational thoughts are so refreshing, it's like an oasis in the desert. Thank you.

I wonder...If Bill Clinton starts criticizing John Edwards on his record, will the media accuse Clinton of playing the "rich white guy" card or say that he is "phony populist" baiting?

After all, as pointed out on the Tyra Banks show last week, Edwards is the true minority in this Dem Primary...Right? Cheers!!

Patsi, Communism as a social and economic system is a proven failure.
Supporting Business is not a bad thing, Free Enterprise is what makes the world go round...

Welcome Shannon

Yes, Sturg, Wallace went around saying that in his bomb Vietbnam stump speech. Troops this is too much fun and bad for my job. I've got to get back to some lesson plans.

Check back in later

-Hips

Hip Its Sunday.....Have some fun!

Welcome Shannon and Matt-man!!!

Free Enterprise........you mean like all the no-bid contracts for gop based Iraq war profiteers?

OK patsi I can agee to some degree that danager from big corp worlds like with ge/NBC creates a confilct of interest - but the good thing is alternative and the big's do not have a monopoly.
I wonder why TIm Russert asked the green question in such a manner in the Fl Debt, Oh Maybe that Jeff I says marketing Green is Green?

Here's an anomoly......On washington Journal this morning, I have heard many many elderly Republican women say that if McCain gets the nom and Obama is the Nom, they will vote Obama.....

Ping.....this book is NOT advocating comunism! It is about making corporations accountable.And it shows in many instances how those very business interests are damaging the country's true idea of capitolism. Every time someone talks about corporate welfare, certain people yell "The Commies are coming!"

TN: Clinton 34, Obama 20
AZ: Clinton 37, Obama 27
IL: Obama 51, Clinton 22
MO: Clinton 44, Obama 31
CA: Clinton 43, Obama 28

Sturg - I agree that many republicans left the right house / I agree that change must be made in the Republican house and it will continue to happen.

Thank you for the welcomes. It looks like I've found a home that might get me through this election.

Heres another anomoly....

a man on Wshington Journal just stated that Obama is not black enough. ;0)

shannon,

We are just as reactive as the rest of the country. We get excited and we snip a bit. But we like each other very much.

I'm sure you will have an interesting time here. ;0)

Patsi. I will get the book and should reserve until I have the facts, I sit corrected !!! Free Lunch... I am on the net now placing order

ping......get DIXIANA MOON by Wm Price Fox also......you'll never regret it.......

Shannon
Sit right down, it's quite comfy cozy.. Sometimes the elbows are sharp but it is all in the interest of not living in an evidence free zone.
Hi Mattman

Kate,

That was the cutest welcome I've seen. I'm charmed!

Hi Sheila
I get the zingerman's catalogue....it's always a good read.

Well Katie,

every time I buy a bag of "Roadhouse Joe" beans, I have nirvana.

I'm not kidding when I say that the oils are still gleaming. The flavor is nutty not bitter.

Sheila: " man on Wshington Journal just stated that Obama is not black enough. ;0)"

I heard that, it's been out there but it's pretty damn sad that it has to be one way or the other.

Sturge....William Price Fox! Yes!

good morning one and all, rookies and vets

well, our craig-man seems, with today's post, perhaps talked himself out of a semi-regular day job?

Sheila, Obama not black enough? Gawd, some of these talking (as opposed to thinking) heads are so offensive. Maybe Obama and his family can do an old Al Jolson repartee at his next speech, would that make for increased comfort?

Ping, communism may not work, but socialism does. We have a responsibility to stop the cycle of rampant materialism, and we have the opportunity to do so with this election.

Yay, Caroline Kennedy! Obama's speech made me cry.

Hey, but I still want Edwards, since Dennis was forced by MSM to drop out.

Is Edwards white enough to be president?

and uh......is Hillary woman enough?

Me Too Colleen,

I just don't know how anyone could not have gotten choked up.

First guy to post a link to Al Jolson in blackface has to sit in the corner........

Even truthful statements about Obama and his campaign are considered off-limits by Big Media. But any lie about Hillary is fine. I am sure Big Media just wants what is best for the American people.

Craig mentioned last night that his mother was concerned about Elizabeth Edwards -- apparently she wasn't anywhere to be seen. Did anyone find out how she is?

Elizabeth was spotted..seemed to be fine..

Shannon and all.

I think we can safely assume that since this is their home and the children are school age. Mrs Edwards and the Children went home to have a some time in their own beds and away from the crowds.

That is where I'd take my small children if I got close to the ole homestead.

If their was a problem, John Edwards would not have been out there.

Sheila,

I think Elizabeth is a private person. If she didn't feel well, she would want John to be out there and not cause any alarm, don't you think?

Good morning All,

Hipster - My vote is for number 1. In many ways the U.S. has been living in a fools paradise. Following WWII, we were practically the only country on the planet still standing with all our assets intact.

It gave the U.S. one of the richest economies ever accorded to any nation. Unfortunately, with the recovery of other nations, mushrooming population, war in Viet Nam, and funding of the cold war, we now have gone from the largest creditor to the largest debtor nation. The rich kid ran through the family fortune, didn't save for the future, and pissed away the assets. It's time to go to work for a living.

In order to keep the wages down we sent the women to work. Now the older children are going to work, but still staying at home. What used to take one wage earner to support a family of four at a good middle class level now takes two or three. It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better, and that will only happen if we change our wasteful ways.

As forms of government, they all (communism, capitalism, heck even anarchism) have redeeming values. The problem is in the details. The problem with communism is the "Animal Farm" effect... that absolute power corrupts absolutely. And GWB has done his best to make capitalism, at least in the US, as absolute as possible. The whole point of western democracies is that the power is supposed to be in the hands of the people.

Yes, but. Edwards is the type that would be by her side if it was serious. All I'm sayin

This from HuffPo...Jake Tapper of ABC news...

Bubba: Obama Is Just Like Jesse Jackson
January 26, 2008 8:18 PM

Said Bill Clinton today in Columbia, SC: "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in '84 and '88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here."

This was in response to a question from ABC News' David Wright about it taking "two Clintons to beat" Obama. Jackson had not been mentioned.

Boy, I can't understand why anyone would think the Clintons are running a race-baiting campaign to paint Obama as "the black candidate."

Sheila,

If it was serious, I have no doubt he would be with her.

Elizabeth Edwards was there last night..

oh boy Maureen Dowdy and Byron York on MTP roundtable.....oy......on the edge of my seat.......cant wait......breathless in anticipation......

Good Morning Matt Man

For those who haven't met him before, Matt Man is running for President, so you may want to check out his web page or You Tube for is campaign materials as you may want to vote for him.

I've posted his blog page a few times as it is one of my daily reads for a laugh and think http://bagwine.blogspot.com/

Those of tender or virginal sensibilities may want to cover their eyes and have someone read it to them. :.)

{CLICK}

Glad to hear about Elizabeth Edwards....she's a gem. And you can see the toll this campaign has taken on the faces of all these candidates. Why anyone would put themselves through this is beyond me.

Oh, good....Maureen Dowd, the arbitor of angst, is going to be on MTP. Guess I'll be watching Kurtz's dog show.

Craig,

Please omment on this as you can. What's it like with the others at MSNBC after an eruption like yesterday? Is it personal?

A.A. were punishing HRC, fairly or unfairly, for what they perceived as using a cannon to kill an ant. They saw the week as Bill especially going over the top. Their premise is that Obama is special, therefore he deserves special treatment.

Here in Florida, surrogates and grassroots activists of both candidates are furiously campaigning prior to Tuesday. Obama has been advertising on cable here for about two weeks.

The AA vote last night shouldn't surprise any one. It was almost the same in Nevada. Check the CNN entrance polls. My gut is that HRC takes the nomination, and then goes on to take the White House. My question is, does she make Obama her running mate?

just added bagwine to my faves :)

gee nash I guess you would have preferred revisionist history

and a second question: would Obama accept?

Shannon....I doubt Craig should be commenting about other pundits....he's probably already in trouble.

race baiting.......you want to see REAL race baiting wait until the GOPians get ahold of the issue if Barack were to win.....Remember McCain's black baby in SC 2000?

You aint seen nuthin' yet.
---Al Jolson

Politics sometimes makes strange bedfellows a la Reagan/Bush, Kennedy/Johnson, Clinton/Gore, Kerry/Edwards.

Morning to you Jamie...

Thanks for the shout out and thanks for bringing me to Crawford's site. Cheers, and Hi to all.

*smacks everyone around on the MTP set*

Jonathan Chait, LA Times:

I crossed the Clinton Rubicon a couple of weeks ago when, in the course of introducing Hillary, Clinton supporter and Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson invoked Obama's youthful drug use. This was disgusting on its own terms, but worse still if you know anything about Johnson. I do -- I once wrote a long profile of him. He has a sleazy habit of appropriating the logic of civil rights for his own financial gain. He also has a habit of aiding conservative crusades to eliminate the estate tax and privatize Social Security by falsely claiming they redistribute wealth from African Americans to whites. The episode reminded me of the Clintons' habit of surrounding themselves with the most egregious characters: Dick Morris, Marc Rich and so on.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-chait26jan26,0,7890763.column

Hi Matt-Man..great blog!

Thank you for your calm and reasonable analysis of current events and politics, Mr. Crawford.

I wish you could report on Mr. Joe Trippi's role in this campaign season. Every time I see him he's praising Obama, attacking the Clintons and their 'surrogates' and all the time rarely if ever saying a word about his candidate, Mr. Edwards. For most of this campaign he has been of dubious help to Edwards and now he's talking about making a convention role for the Edwards' delegates when Edwards has shown no interest in any such role -- the media keeps asking itself what Edwards wants with such a role as 'kingmaker' etc.

I deeply distrust Joe Trippi. Perhaps it's just my paranoia. To me, keeping a reportorial eye on Mr. Trippi would not be wasted time and could illuminate an unsuspected shadow game in this campaign season.

And obama's has his share of liars and losers

and he lies about his connections to lobbyists and then bends rules so he take pretend to be on the high road while still raking in the cash

how is life in your evidence free zone...

seacoast Welcome,

But I have to say, Trippi is soley taking action for his Boss John Edwards.

Edwards is very smart and kingmaker is a great chess move to get what he wants in issues and future policies.

The Edwards campaign is playing smart.

Exhibit A in the drive by both Obama and Edwards to "clean up" Washington is their refusal to accept "a dime" from "Washington lobbyists." It distinguishes them clearly from their chief Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who has raked in more than $500,000 from the lobbying industry this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics (website is opensecrets.org) But it turns out that both Edwards and Obama have adopted a narrow definition of the word lobbyist, which raises questions about the effectiveness of their campaign.

They still take money from state lobbyists.

They make no attempt to distinguish between lobbyists for big corporations and lobbyists for small non-profits. They treat a lobbyist for Haliburton in the same way as a lobbyist for child poverty or cancer research.

They accept money from former lobbyists and future lobbyists.

As Clinton has pointed out, her rivals have no problem taking money from the people who pay the lobbyists, and give them their "marching orders." (ABC News debate, August 19, 2007.)

They have no problem about taking money from people representing other "special interests," e.g. trial lawyers and the hedge fund industry.

So far this year, according to Opensecrets.org, Edwards has taken more than $8 million from lawyers and law firms, some of whom employ the federally-registered lobbyists whose lucre he refuses to touch. Obama is not far behind: $7.5 million. (Clinton has taken $9.2 million.)
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/10/obama_edwards_and_the_lobbying.html

Are WE discussing the issues? No.
We are discussing RACE.
This is what the Clintons wanted.

Now they want us to "Attack the Messenger." (Blame the media.)

What a tangled web we weave . . .

Patsi -- you're right, of course, but I'm really curious. My hope is that it isn't personal -- that adults can have a disagreement but not let it affect their personal or professional relationships.

I know Craig is not going to take it personally but with MSNBC, Joe, and Mike Barnicle, I'm not so sure.

Shannon,

don't worry. Ratings speak more for Craig than whether he is liked because of yesterday.

Glad you liked it Tylenol. In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I am (under the table due to drinking) paid staff as Matt Man has promised me the Ambassadorship posting to St. James (don't tell the Feds as this is most assuredly illegal).

that adults can have a disagreement but not let it affect their personal or professional relationships.

---Shannon

all right for adults, but what about the folks at msnbc?

This morning, noticed Clinton surrogates getting slapped down when mentioning Jackson"s SC wins in 84 & 88. Another example of "Truth Cover-up". Big Media wants to create a Big Bounce.

actually Nash I thought we were discussing the sleazy opinion piece you posted and your failure to acknowledge the Obama and Edwards are hypocrites...I think that is an issue

What the Clintons feared, after Iowa, was that Obama would be perceived as the young, idealistic, change-oriented candiate with fresh ideas (which he is).

What the Clintons feared, after Iowa, was that they would be perceived as aging and cynical defenders of the status quo, funded by, and under obligation to, multinational corporate business interests (which they are).

So they shifted the focus of the media's attention to personal attacks, the most subtle of which was the appeal to racial bias, using black surrogates to attack Obama's "character."

It worked.

Half of the Democratic party is outraged, while the other half admires the Clinton's ruthlessness, thinking that only be these disgusting tactics can we hope to beat the Republicans.

We have met the enemy, and it is us.

I think it is Obama that wanted race discussed
it was his campaign that distributed the inflammatory memo accusing the Clintons of racism

Sheila,

Well, I'm emailed "Morning Joe" twice yesterday morning letting them know that Craig is just about the only reason that I'm still a viewer.

Rachel Maddow is another sane, objective observer. My hope is that her star rises at MSNBC.

Obama and Edwards are hypocrites... not just you Katie, but all the same.....

Common. Lets don't slam the name of any candidate today including Clinton.

Like Nash Said, Issues and of course lets get out our troubles and worries without slamming OK?

the enemy has always been "us"........since ancient athens, and since the romans and before and after......nothing new under the sun on that front......

Actually Nash the facts are that Obama was not doing well among black voters at that time and they needed a away to get his numbers up because the media narrative was if he couldn't get his numbers up in the black community he couldn't be a credible candidate

so they made it about race

Good morning all. If I would have known so many would be here so early I would been on about 7 this morning. But, oh what a beautiful morning! Ahhhhh! I am SOOOooooo happy this morning. Go Obama. And, with 25% of the white votes!!!! But, I know it’s a long way to go and a lot of the Clinton’s doing ANYTHING to get "them" elected.

I’m sure most have seen or heard that Caroline Kennedy has endorsed Obama saying: "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans,"

Kennedy was who inspired my interest in politics as a young girl. Even remember giving a report in school on “Profiles in Courage”. I remember spending the night with my “Grammie” and “Pop” in their big 3-story house along the Ohio River. Pop was listening to the television and it was late. I was in bed along with others in the house. It was July 13, 1960. I just remember the entire house exploding with celebration. Anyone remember what happened that night? Probably most of you weren’t even born!!!

I too think this board is civil. I once had an entire web page created just to denigrate me from another board!!!

Oh, and if Tweety is Chris Matthews? I love Tweety!!

Great post Nash! Very timely!

MSNBC news cookie just referred to the person describing the falling satellite as being on "Armagedon Duty". She probably thought that was "oh so cute". Blech Gag

Laughing @ Jamie!

Dammed if you do dammed if you don't.

Any criticism of Obama is now racist. He is the untouchable of American politics. If this persists there will be a terrible backlash (I hope that word is not banned) and once again the Republicans will have the White House.

Karolenna,

Looks like your dancing on the ceiling. Congrats!

what bowmanc said...

if the gop wins the next one, I quit.....outa here....one more time the steal it and the country is sunk to depths I dont wish to see.

they steal

Karolenna

If you "love" Tweety, you probably need to make a trip to SJIHCM if you haven't been there as yet.

http://sweetjesusihatechrismatthews.blogspot.com/

Common Bowmanc

"""Any criticism of Obama is now racist.""" YOu really believe that? You can speak your mind anywhere....unless your in a republican huddle.....

This is not over and I for one believe in our process. Despiste my Obama leanings. I don't believe anyone would be called a racist except by the Press and you would let the press get to you like that?

Noun 1. hypocrite - a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives

what else would you call someone who takes lobbyist money but pretends he doesn't

What nash said.

see, just like nash said, here we go with the race stuff again. a big, fat smoke-screen.

2nd that dnd. ;0)

what about criticism of Condi Rice, Justice Thomas, and Colin Powell?

Racist?

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/epolls/index.html#SCDEM

yep, sturge.. that's how it would be perceived..

Recon run...

KGC, How old were those state polls? Will they hold up to air wars? How much of a bounce do you think Obama will get in those same polls?

Out and back to grading papers...

Hipster

Hip
fairly current
they are from real clear politics
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-192.html

Genie is out of the bottle. Anything Bill Clinton now says will be looked at as tainted. Instead of being our first "black president" he is now our first "blackface president".

i wonder if there'll be dustups in florida today? McCain's gotta feel like he's on a roll..

Morning Fry.

Simple amazing stats. I don't think any of us could have imagined those.

More evidence of a "vast left wing conspiracy."

FRANK RICH OP-ED COLUMNIST
The Billary Road to Republican Victory
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/opinion/27rich.html?_r=2&hp&oref=login&oref=slogin

Who fact-checks the fact-checkers?

while I was getting another coffee.. i started to wonder if this jackson remark might be this year's Dean Scream? I know that Clinton was just saying that historically, Jackson won SC, and didnt get the nomination, but that's not the way this is going to play out..

youdontthinki'vehadtoomuchcoffeedoya?

So Folks,

What is happening on the political talk show curcuit today?

Who should I be watching?

I usually watch ABC Sunday Morning. By virtue of the fact that I used to work for it.

But is anyone better this morning and why?

Fry,
Thanks for the link. Really interesting numbers.

"what else would you call someone who takes lobbyist money but
pretends he doesn't

An Edwards. Not only does he take lobbyist money, he actually worked for a hedge fund. But when asked, John PB Edwards didn't know what the hedge fund did. I would have thought this wallop he took in in home state SC would convenience this egotistical, hypocritical, class warfare monger, that no one is interested in his BS campaign. Johnny Boy you have been pronounced dead by the majority of Democratic voters, you just can't accept their findings.

Hey Ty,

It depends on how the individual voter feel about it. Obviously they are thinking for themselves this year.

As a political junkie, I heard it and then read it and then went, "OH oh, That was a loss of control".

Shelia,
Obama is on ThisWeek.

It's snowed in Sonoma County
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/Gallery/template.cfm?galleryID=523&StartRow=18&sitecode=photogallery&s_code=

Oh Hey!

Looks like I'll be watching George S again.

this is a pretty go analysis
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/winning-large-by-digby-congratulations.html

Sheila.. i wasnt talking about the individual voter.. i was talking about perception and the role the media plays.. like the Dean Scream.. I've known Dean for a long time, a wonderful person and a political junkie himself, but as soon as that scream got played over and over..the campaign was over.

Folks...whether we support Obama or Clinton, we should all just probably batten down the hatches and deal with this madness for the next 10 days. The media-imposed story line is a disservice to us all, but it will be with us until the media find another story line they like better.

I just finished watching the Roundtable portion of Meet The Press and was stunned by the absolute uniformity of views among the panelists over "what it all means." There was no give and take or truly critical thinking -- it was all "me too." These people are not reporting on reality as it exists, but on their own sensibilities and their sense of what should be.

For example, after excoriating the Clintons for making Obama the "black candidate", Maureen Dowd then talked about how moving it was to see Obama supporters with placards in front of the S.C. Capitol with the confederate flag flying. Of course she is correct -- it is truly historic. But if we are truly to be as color-blind as some might have it, and deny the existence of race as a political factor altogether, why should that scene be so moving? I guess the only answer is that it's okay for THE MEDIA to make Obama the black candidate as long as it serves the narrative purpose of the moment.

It's like the media is saying: "He can be black when we want him to, because it makes for a really neat story. But most of the time he's not really black...and if you even ask if he's black (or not), or give any consideration to that question, or suppose that voters in the great unwashed electorate might somehow notice that he's black (or not), or (God forbid) make political calculations based upon that supposition, then you're racist or a race-baiter."

Race is so complicated. And trying to boil it all down to sound bites is so typically American. Unfortunately, our media are not sophisticated enough to treat the topic with the complexity and sophistication it deserves. And they're not going to acquire that capability between now and Feb. 5.

wow..KGC..hell IS freezing over.. lol

amen, lardass..and welcome back :)

tylenol

I was just thinking..what happened to global warming

Ty,

I think we are on the same subject but different plain.

I think that half the country had heard yesterday night about the Jackson statement.

There are a lot of people who would have winced no matter who they are for. But as pointed out last night, this year is different.

There are not a lot of people who are letting t