Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

No one ever regrets looking pretty. : )

No, I am not ready to think about twenty-twelve...it seems just like yesterday when Hillary with her twenty million dollar war chest was touted as inevitably the next president.

I was totally shocked as Clinton seemed more like president of the BO fan club than his challenger. The handshake was the kiss of death to 2008...and I bet her campaign were shattered, and I bet surprised at how the air went out of the balloon just THAT QUICK...over and done with.

*gigglesnorts* I read that "president of the BO fanclub" there Dex and snorted soda out of my nose (ow). Yes, mentally I'm still 8 years old.

Anyhoo, here's another video for you all. It's from The Onion and EVERYONE should watch it. Funny cuz it's true...

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/poll_bullshit_is_most_important?utm_source=embedded_video

[repost]

Just saw Samantha Power, Sr. Foreign Policy Advisor to Barack, on Charlie Rose.

She is one of the wisest and smartest women I have ever heard speak. She gets it.

"We make bad judgments when we're afraid."

"To turn the Iraqi people into something more than a slogan - but actually a focus of policy attention is something Obama understands."

Pretty good debate tonight. I thought they went toe-to-toe. Obama did better on Foreign Policy, Commander in Chief issues, and jokes. Clinton did better on being a "fighter" and Healthcare and even had herself a New Hampshire moment (but overplayed her hand on the silly plagiarism charge).

Obama made clear he is ready to take on McCain and be President. And Hillary made clear she is ready to take on the Republicans on Healthcare in the Senate.

A good night for the Democrats.

Obama Plays Politics Usual Card

"What's even more jarring about the Obama camp sending this stuff around is that it came at a moment in the debate when Clinton extended her hand to him, also saying how proud she was to be running in the race with him. He's never been that gracious, with lines like "you're likable enough, Hillary," all he can muster. And he pontificates that he's the one that can bring people together?"

http://www.taylormarsh.com/

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/02/clinton-loses-pretty-in-pivota.html#comment-39842

FUNNY? AND TRUE! Uh...Julia...you weren't talking about Trail Mixers, now WERE you?

I was very proud of Senator Clinton tonight..always strong, gracious, and fighting for universal health care.
Another donation to hillaryclinton.com tonight..

Julia, very funny as is the crawl across the bottom.

Another good video TM, Craig.

Inasmuch as politics involves politicing, I don't think HC has thrown in the towel yet.

tt

I've got to embed the Video TM's on mah blog.

tt

Craig...Forgot to mention it earlier, but your video from the last TM was fabulous! And this one is quite good, too!

Julia...That link you gave for The Onion is hilarious! And...oh, so frighteningly accurate! Thanks!

That Onion clip is a riot!

Craig:

I agree with the points in your video. Some in the Clinton camp might have an eye towards 2012 - but I suspect others may be realizing that Obama can be a positive change for the Democratic Party. One that increases their chances to win the White House as well as their power to get things done once they're there.

And HC invoked a John Edwards *sigh* sentiment again tonight.

Here's about JE.

"Mysterious Traveler Entrances Town With Utopian Vision Of The Future"

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/mysterious_traveler_entrances

tt

tt...

I watched that one, too. Enjoyed it! Too bad he's not the leading candidate, huh?

YES harborwoman.

*weeping*

tt

As usual she was a total winner and totally classy...Standing next to her, he looked somehow a tad petty.....She has a good chance in Texas and Ohio I think....I am proud to be a supporter of hers...

The embedding, she is done.

http://patterns2.blogspot.com/

tt

Craig,

Normally, I agree with your assessment. However, on the issue of Hillary signalling that an imminent withdrawal is in the works, I disagree.

Sure, she has considered that possibility if she loses March 4th. That is a no brainer to anyone.

But, I think that this is another one of those "New Hampshire" moments where she shows her genuine side. Perhaps it is because I am female, but I think this will play very well with women.

Obama, in my opinion, is beginning to look stale. Maybe I watch both too much, but he repeats the same tired old lines. So does she most of the time. That is why that last answer tonight was so important. She showed a different side. It is one that we do not see too often.

Craig,

One last thing... when does the Rezko trial start? I recall that it is supposed to start soon. Is it still on for the end of this month, or has it been rescheduled?

I agree with Jan-- didn't see Hillary's being gracious as an admission of defeat. That's how it'll be spun no doubt. But there is smply no way a democrat can get tough with him or they'll get called racist. That's how this primary has come down. "Don't Destroy THE Dream"

That's the thing that is sickening to me, how race has been misused.

HILLARY is in OHIO today.....Toledo.....we are having lots of snow ...I hope she can still have her RALLY. Last night I think she looked like she felt sorry for him I know this probably doesn't make sense but I really felt like she didn't want to take him down, I think she REALLY LIKES THIS GUY, and she can't take down her friend. She would hold her breathe when he answered... AND WE ALL KNOW SHE COULD OF SHOWED HIM UP.

I don't understand why everyone is saying her comments were conciliatory. I think the netroots WANTS Clinton to step down but that it is not going to happen before March 4th. And I believe Clinton has every intention of working her hardest to win OH and TX even if will be a challenge. I think she realizes that she has a tough week ahead of her but her last comment was absolutely wonderful.
I am a Clinton supporter and I do not believe Obama will be a good president. I'm sure if I feel that way so does Hillary. She believes she is the better candidate. If she is even thinking that her candidacy is over she is already thinking ahead to 2012. I also would rather not have Clinton as VP because I want Obama to lose to McCain so he is permanently out of the picture and Clinton has a chance in 4 years.
Clinton's biggest mistake was not getting rid of Solis-Doyle sooner. If she had the money and a better strategy to fight in caucus states she wouldn't be in this predicament but no one would've imagined that Obama would turn his campaign into a religious cult. Clinton will either win in OH and TX or she will withdraw in hopes that Obama loses and she can come back in 4 years. That's what I'm hoping for.

" I do not believe Obama will be a good president."

I don't either. But I do think his band of believers will soon have "O" The President stickers on their SUVs. IF he can slide by McCain.

By the way, can MoJo and company be ANY more outraged on behalf of McCain?

Oh Lord...just turned on Morning Joe...Scarborough and Mika are STILL talking about John McCain.

This story must be a turn on for JS...maybe he is getting that Chris Matthews feeling in his leg!!

Guess I was watching a different debate. The very example Craig used about meeting with enemy dictators is a perfect example of why Obak Borama would be as big a failure as W.

Obak gave the Cliff's notes answer. Hil'ry gave all of the nuance; groundwork has to be done ahead of time to see how to handle it & what we hoped to get out of the meeting. He's a putz in sheep's clothing.

Why, exactly, did the media jump all over the handshake? If a woman is strong she's seen as a witch-with-a-b and if she's not, she's seen as passive/resigned to defeat? Ridiculous.

Will there be a debate with HRC, JSM and BHO?

patsi - "O" The President bumper stickers? Heck, I'm waiting for "O" The Musical.

First things... Craig - Nice Video TM... Outstanding - next need to Podcast the CQ.

Another view - If in the heart of hearts HRC and Willie are fighters, then watch out. Was last night a set up for sucker punch later? Is the nuclear option about to come?
Time will tell if indeed Craig is correct and HRC is hitting the escape pod. Part of me says No Way - and if she is going to be President - she will need to save the day NOW - as if she does not fight back then I do not see this as helping in 2012. Surrender is weak

And good Morning Old timers.... and lots of new folks on board. Amaziing to catch up now when one is away.

How is my buddy Brian?

The plagiarism thing.

Both campaigns seem to miss the point--that it's a fraud on the public passing off someone else's thought and words as your own. We are the ones who will buy into a dream based on the inspirational competence of the candidate. We are the ones who are cheated.

In politics, unattributed words such as those presented by Mr Obama demean the process.

debate?..... there was a debate last night?....

didn't watch a single second of it.....
I did scroll through the comments from last night to find Craig's analysis......

and Craig..... I agree.... I too think the "establishment" has won..... they want McCain to be president..... and by golly they're doing everything in their power to get him..... this current scandal crappola won't stick..... unless "the powers that be" really want Romney and they are the ones "creating" this scandal in order to bring Romney back....

whatever.... it will be interesting to watch....

Is it safe? I think I need to start asking that before I begin posting nowadays! Letterman had quite a few jokes about McCain last night. Jokes concerning what he looks like. Jokes such as:

"McCain looks like a guy who screws up the remote and asks "Why the Hell are all the channels in Spanish?!"

"McCain looks like a guy who gets arrested for mowing his lawn while under the influence."

Corey,
That's why so many people relate to McCain ;)

I relate to McCain because he likes women a lot! LOL!

McCain

Why don't people realize that it's a special experience when an older person, of either sex, has a collegial mentoring relationship with a significantly younger professional of either sex?

Well Craig I guess I have to disagree with you. She was NOT conceding defeat. There is ONLY 60 delegates between them. Check the math.
I have listened to both for months, as much as possible and he does NOT have his own words in anything. Even last night, he was stealing her words that she has said throughout the months. Example.
on illegal aliens, "coming out of the shadows". She coined that months ago.
"universal" health care. That has been coined by her.
What she did last night was show her diplomacy and intelligence and class. He is a loser as far as I am concern. As an Ohio working for her, she will WIN Ohio,close in TX and win PA.
She will also will win the New England states.

On McCain, has anyone else noticed that Cindy NEVER leaves his side? She is ALWAYS in the picture. What is that about?

On McCain, has anyone else noticed that Cindy NEVER leaves his side? She is ALWAYS in the picture. What is that about?

I am with you DisenfranchisedVoter. I cannot vote for Obama. Hope McCain buries him and his cult and then we can have a real President in 2012. In the meantime, remember sometimes you get what you pray for and then repent

Carol: I participate in an online investment club with several working women my age (late 30's.) Many of them are Hillary supporters. This morning several of them had left postings that they believe Hillary is gracefully exiting with a gamble that Obama will lose in November and she will run again in 2012. Some of these women are considering a vote for McCain in November in an attempt to defeat Obama.

Question: Will this become a movement amongst Hillary's strongest demographic, older women? Can you imagine Marcia Pappas and other NOW leaders voting for Barack Obama after all that has happened?

Personally, I have no interest in being in Iraq for hundreds of years so that pretty much rules out John McCain for me.

Even if Obama is elected, there is no guarantee that our troops will get to come home.

We only have BHO's campaign promise(his words), telling everyone that he will get our troops out of Iraq.

As I always say...like ALL politicians, he is saying what we want to hear, in order to get elected...blah, blah, blah...

If it BO and McC in November, the running mate choices are going to critical.

The plagiarism thing.

Flatus, your Republican government has perpetrated significant frauds upon us yet I hear nary a peep of outrage towards any of them, like Katrina, the war in Iraq, our economy, habeus corpus, domestic spying etc. If you are going to push your Republican agenda, at least fully disclose first.

John McCain is the fraud now. He will try to run on family values, even though he dumped his first wife, the women who cared for his kids and prayed for him daily while he was a POW. He dumped her for a far wealthier, younger woman.

He is for law and order, yet he had no problems intervening on behalf of his wife to keep her out jail after she was caught stealing prescription drugs. Why Rush still doesn't support them is beyond me.

He used public matching funds as collateral for a loan for his campaign. Though not illegal, isn't it odd that Mr. campaign finance reform would use our money for a personal loan?

He flip flopped on torture, taxes, immigration. Sounds like he is saying anything he can to win.

You may think Obama is cultish but I give the man credit for having the same message.

Anyone who would go from a Hillary vote to McCain, to me, doesn't really care about Hillary's issues. If you were worried about the Supreme Court, you would cringe at the thought of McCain picking his own Alito. You should cringe at the 3 headed war...Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran. Our further decline in world prestige. I find it laughable that "Democrats" would basically shooting the classroom because their kid brought home a B+ and someone else got an A.

But then, why should we limit hypocrisy to just the candidates.

Julia,

This isn't a Hillary defense but in line with my theme about the constant bashing she has taken from the media. Did you notice in the Onion piece that the only candidate mentioned was Hillary and the only picture of a candidate was of Hillary with Bill?

Oh, Lord...talking about HRC saying, "we will be fine..."

Did Mika actually just say(and I am paraphrasing),..."we thought HRC might have been plagiarizing John Edwards' words, but we ran both clips and they didn't quite match up."???

HRC media bashing...uh, ya think???

"If it BO and McC in November, the running mate choices are going to critical."

Absolutely.

Bear -- it was Barack Obama who first started floating the idea that unless he was the nominee his supporters would stay home or vote Republican. And THAT is a fact. So don't try to hang that whole concept on Hillary's people just because a few feel that way now. He has tried to be divisive from day one, while aping GW Bush's "I'm a uniter" idea.

I rewatched there are tiny blips of Giuliani and Edwards who are already out, but only her name is used in the ending.

Ok am I the only one who didn't really like The Onion video?

Linda,

Politico ran a story and KO picked it up at the start of his post debate show that the finish that HRC used was paraphrasing a common refrain from John Edwards.

I think Obama himself has said that he can get all of Hillary's votes but she can't get all of his so the idea of people staying home or going McCain is hardly confined to a few HRC supporters.

Oops...Patsi. Just said the same thing you had said a few posts prior. Sorry! I responded to Bear before I read your response!

You may think Clinton for being an opportunist but I give the woman credit for having a consistent message.

Anyone who would go from a Barack vote to McCain, to me, doesn't really care about Barack's issues. If you were worried about the Supreme Court, you would cringe at the thought of McCain picking his own Alito. You should cringe at the 3 headed war...Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran. Our further decline in world prestige. I find it laughable that "Democrats" would basically shooting the classroom because their kid brought home a B+ and someone else got an A.

But then, why should we limit hypocrisy to just the candidates.

ally,
This is the problem, people are giving up on her because the media has already made him president.
I have no doubt she will get the nomination. He has not been scrutized and let me tell you once that happens he is done. I won't go into things on here.
The media has intervened biasly and that is terrible.The country will suffer because of it.
Mika is an poor in my opinion.

Corey, why is unsafe to post here? I'd say you got a good 4 hours safe yet.

Look, it is not over until it is over. I am a Senator Obama convert, and I would love to see him get the nomination, but the reason why I don't think we can count Senator Clinton out is that there is still a goodly amount of the population who do not believe that Obama could take the vote in the general election that he would need to compete against McCain, even though there is a goodly amount of us who don't want the establishment back in, but want a completely fresh start. (Pardon me for the Proustian long-winded sentence but that is how I am feeling about Senator Obama - breathless)!

I think Obama himself has said that he can get all of Hillary's votes but she can't get all of his so the idea of people staying home or going McCain is hardly confined to a few HRC supporters.

Posted by: Ally | February 22, 2008 9:19 AM

Yes, and this is when I decided that I would not vote for Obama if he got the nomination... because of the arrogance of his statement. BUT... Bear makes a very good point. The Supreme Court liberals are getting closer to the days when "life support" will need to be administered to keep them going.

But, to be honest, I remain TOTALLY committed to Hillary. IF she and Obama join forces on the ticket, I will be there with BELLS ON.. figuratively speaking. At this point I'd welcome Hillary as the vice-presidential candidate. If Hillary is not part of the ticket, I really will have a hard time casting a vote for Mr. Obama.

Oh and I don't like that the potential new president is 2 years younger than me DAMMIT :-) ... Also i keep thinking about Michelle's comments that he smells bad in the morning and snores horribly, or something like that. It's not really a "presidential" image you want in your head. LOL LOL LOL...

decisions, decisions.

If it gets boring again, we can all go back to discussing the soaps...

Ladies,

I agree with your sentiments but you must consider he was saying that after Mr. Clinton was marginalizing his early primary victories, especially in states with large black populations.

I would like to think that if he lost the nomination to her and didn't help her win the general, he would realize that his future on the national stage would be gone.

If the candidates truly believe they are trying to improve things, they should just shut the F up and make sure the party wins in November.

In sales, you realize that you can't make as much as you want on every deal. 75% of something is a hell of a lot better than 100% of nothing

Ha! Ally -- like minds and all that....

Tom's right Corey....Brian ain't up yet.

Bear -- sorry if that post of mine sounded harsh...didn't mean it to seem aimed at YOU specifically. It's just that the young Obama people have been making those threats for so long they've got on my last nerve. You REALLY see the snotty attitude on so-called progressive blogs, and they often use gender-based slurs when referring to my candidate so I take it personally....not every young voter is as even handed as Warren usually is....

mornin' all.

I think warren summed it up well in his 1:04 post - good night for the dems. I certainly cringed at the change you can xerox line - I hope whoever came up with that is on the bricks this morning. But she ain't conceding, Craig.

Tip, LOL at the Onion clip on the traveler you linked - particularly love the crawl.

Carol, Cindy never leaves his side because she's afraid he'll find another version of her that is the age she was when he found her. My wife last night saw her first picture of Iseman and said, and I quote "My God, they could be twins." I mentioned to her that they could be twins but for the difference in their ages. But really, JMc has got to be thinking his lucky stars this came up to distract the media from his public campaign financing pledge and his potential illegal opting out after using the public campaign funds as collateral for a loan of private campaign funds.

Bear

I was watching MSNBC(my personal train wreck)earlier, when JS and MB were trying to make the HRC "we will be fine" vs the JRE (paraphrasing)"this son of a mill worker will be fine" plagiarizing argument stick.

They both agreed that it didn't quite match up(but those crazy kids tried their darnedest to make it so).

OK..so, so far the words HRC obviously cannot say are:
be
can
fine
we
will
yes

anymore?

I think Obama himself has said that he can get all of Hillary's votes but she can't get all of his so the idea of people staying home or going McCain is hardly confined to a few HRC supporters.

Posted by: Ally | February 22, 2008 9:19 AM

Yes, and this is when I decided that I would not vote for Obama if he got the nomination... because of the arrogance of his statement. BUT... Bear makes a very good point. The Supreme Court liberals are getting closer to the days when "life support" will need to be administered to keep them going.

I had to chuckle when I read that Euro and Co. We often bemoan that candidates don't tell us what they are personally thinking. They are too rehearsed. He makes a statement, which is unfortunately based in some fact if you get into the depths of the polling and he is being bludgeoned with it...

I am scared to death at what McCain will do to the court...

Also, is anyone else wondering if McCain should be the new Ariel Sharon? I don't wish him in health in the least, but I do remember some whispers in Israel about Sharon's health prior to his last election...

Craig, what are the rules if something were to happen to either candidate after the nominating conventions?

Corey -- the other day you mentioned other message boards and how evil they can get. I used to read a bunch of aol boards....one of them got closed down over Elian Gonzalez....and then a music board I sometimes read went ballistic over what happened with the Dixie Chicks. Of course, Clear Channel had them banned and some stations held parties in their parking lots to run a bulldozer over their CDs. The Chicks were getting death threats. This was back before a lot of people realized Bush is a lunatic. Those of us who defended the Chicks were basically told to get the hell out of America. The music boards finally put an end to ANY political references. Back when Merle Haggard said he supported Hillary and even wrote a song for her, someone mentioned it and the board host removed the post!

Linda,

She can say "is" depending on how she defines it...lol

Julia's 1:30 am post

OMG

I AM ROFLMAO

ET, so far, it looks that way. :-{)

ROTFLMAO @ Bear!!

TOUCHE!!!

mega millions lottery tonight: 270 million...yikes

Participating states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, or Washington.

The Onion piece is on my blog as well, but I added commentary to tie it to the article "Betrayal" from yesterday.

Jan wrote at 3:11: "But, I think that this is another one of those "New Hampshire" moments where she shows her genuine side. Perhaps it is because I am female, but I think this will play very well with women."

Based on the e-mails I'm getting from Clinton campaign last night and this a.m. - I think it's her new strategy to see if she can get a bump out of it.

If she moves forward...she's going to have to spend the next week and a few days...not in large venues...but in town halls and diners (which I heard the guys over at Plays 2 Run saying was her best bet anyway - a week ago).

I still agree with Craig though at the core of it. It's so late to make this shift it really is just losing pretty and they are setting the 2012 campaign up.

Warren - best of luck - I know you're feeling optimistic about BOs chances in November but the McCain story is D.O.A. They're going to have 9 months to kick his teeth in like they did John Kerry.

Oh and just one more swipe at BO

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002889.php

"Meanwhile, as I write this, CNN reports that the Obama people are circulating a comparison between a line from Clinton during the debate and a very similar line used by John Edwards. That seems contrary to the whole point of Obama's rebuttal to the "plagiarism" charges, which is that people don't care about or like this tit for tat stuff. I agree -- and the Obama campaign should cut it out too. It doesn't hurt Clinton at all and it undercuts Obama's credibility on political change, which is central to his candidacy."

I was watching the little CNN dial meter last night - this was a total bomb for Hillary - she should drop it and he should again stop acting like the hypocrit he is and drop it.

OK folks,

Have a good day...I'm off...I am not feeling well all of a sudden so I'm going to jump into the third world medical system down here...

Ok I think this is really funny...

It's a parody on the Mark Foley scandal. you've probably seen it before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd_lkdiWjto

And Patsi... LOL... you got the meaning of my comment !!!!

"Brian ain't up yet."

He won the Blog Bully of the Year Award last night and he is sleeping in with his statuette.

Bear...
the thought of a president McCain and the Supreme Court scares the craps out of me too.....

Patsi.... Rick and I never listened to country music until that whole flap happened over the Dixie Chicks..... we started buying their CDs..... really like them and are now exploring that music genre via the internet..... I've learned I really like the steel guitar....

1319 Obama
1250 Clinton That is 69 delegates, hardly a mandate for him. Lots more delegates to come including Fl and Mich. It is all about delegates. I think the party will have to make the decision.
I can see Clinton Pres, Obama VP and give him time to grow and not be so naive.

1319 Obama
1250 Clinton That is 69 delegates, hardly a mandate for him. Lots more delegates to come including Fl and Mich. It is all about delegates. I think the party will have to make the decision.
I can see Clinton Pres, Obama VP and give him time to grow and not be so naive.

Good morning peeps, greetings from a very snowy NYC. Hey Ping Pong.

Speak of the devil...

Hey ping pong...how have you been?

I just hear Paul Wellstone's name mentioned on MSNBC...how different would our country be if he were still alive?

Blue wrote "The very example Craig used about meeting with enemy dictators is a perfect example of why Obak Borama would be as big a failure as W."

I agree - he is naive and has no real grasp on foreign policy. I also don't agree that he won on the Cuba issue - was doing more back pedaling that making good points...again showing how naive he is.

Also...good news for Hillary supporters - there are always 2 republicans in between democrats - so based on the patterns of the past 30 years...McCain should win and only serve a 4 year term.

Hopefully the Obama's will keep their promise and not run again in 2012. Somehow I doubt that but one can HOPE.

:-D

Morning all. Bear: you feel better soon, hear?

oops I spoke too soon

ET: "Ok am I the only one who didn't really like The Onion video?"

I actually loved it - it's time to laugh a little - I didn't think the end was funny because we really know Obama is the king of Bull Shit - but the part about folks can get together on the internet and discuss bull shit was kind of funny . . . when you think about it.

"My wife last night saw her first picture of Iseman and said, and I quote "My God, they could be twins." I mentioned to her that they could be twins but for the difference in their ages."

Pogo -- I have often thought that Mrs. Pogo and I were on the same page....that's what I thought too.

Bear -- go take care of your health!

Renee --- The Chicks are wonderful...and what was done to them reprehensible.

"I am scared to death at what McCain will do to the court..."

I keep reading everyone using this politics of fear to convert Hillary supporters to their candidate.

I think the liberal judges everyone is so worried about will be just fine for 4 more years. They WON'T retire if McCain is President and probably they won't die. Stop trying to scare everyone.

Isn't that part of BOs message? We need the winds of change to stop the politics of fear! So why do his supporters continue down that path - has he taught you nothing?

I'm not worried about the supreme court...so that frees me up to write in Minnie Mouse or whomever else I want to write in.

I ain't scared of no ghosts!

Pogo,

Unlike many people here I really like the McCains, but your wife and I are on the same page. Yesterday, I told my boss, "What greater tribute to a current wife, than to hook up with someone who looks like she did twenty years ago?"

He was going to go home and try that sentiment on his wife, but I suggested it's best that it be a "silent" tribute.

Obama Tries to Hide Ayers Tie

"Ben Smith at Politico.com has the start of the story of Obama’s ties to an unrepentant former member of the Weather Underground, a terrorist group. It goes beyond Ayers just making a $200 dollar donation in 2001. Nope. Ayers helped raise funds for Obama. It all started in 1995:"

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/

Ed & Patsi - Mrs. Pogo would be honored to be in such good company.

You guys actually think that skank is prettier than Cindy McMain???

Lush, not me - she'' s just younger. Ask a 71 year old guy whether that matters. My bet is 9 of ten will say yes.

Amidst all our condolences to the Clinton family - and perhaps someone posted this yesterday and I missed it - in that case I'm sorry -

has anyone noticed the Gallup numbers starting to go back the other way?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/104488/Gallup-Daily-Tracking-Election-2008.aspx

very interesting development.

Must stay tuned.

Change You Can’t Believe In

By Gabor Steingart in Washington
(Der Spiegel)

"The rise of democratic frontrunner Barack Obama signifies an alarming victory of style over substance. Not unlike the dot-com hype, his campaign promises more than he can deliver. The one thing his voters can count on is that they will ultimately be disappointed. "
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/20/can-they-list-his-qualifications-part-deux/

The Clinton campaign has this up on the web about the delegate count

http://delegatehub.com/

LOL @ pogo..I guess you are right!!

Wendy!, if you liked the Gallup daily polling results, you'll love this.

http://www.pollster.com/08-TX-Dem-Pres-Primary.php

ET: "Ok am I the only one who didn't really like The Onion video?"

In case you didn't see, I put up the Onion video but added commentary on my blog

http://jdurward.blogspot.com

New one for Tiptoe's Republican corruption list

Congressman Rick Renzi (R) indicted for corruption in land deal

Luscious,

I didn't mean to imply that she was prettier than Mrs. McCain, just similar. And as for name calling, the NY Times already labeled her "a lobbyist". I think "skank" is a step up, isn't it?

Wendy!,
"I'm not worried about the supreme court...so that frees me up to write in Minnie Mouse or whomever else I want to write in.

I ain't scared of no ghosts!"

Do you want the blood of thousands of more solders on your hands? Not to mention the billions of dollars wasted each month in Iraq that could be be better spent here or in foreign aid?

Just curious...

Hey, when's the fighting going to start in here? I got the peanuts, popcorn, and beer ready... :D

jamie, dear friend, thanks for that link.

Ed, you think your tribute line would work on a spouse? Juuusssstttt kiddddinnnggg.

dnd has a great point. You plagiarized that from me didn't you? :-{) Kidding - my saw is that the USSCt is all a dem needs to remember before tossing a vote out.

We have blood on our hands every day we stay dependent on foreign oil....

ET, say something negative about Obama and the bell will ring.

The guy who got kicked out of the other group I'm in runs the Pottersville Blog. Some of you've been there.

Pogo,
On advice of my council, I can neither confirm nor deny that I plagiarized that from you. ;)

Barack Obama: There Will Be Bamboozling

(Obama is a fraud - what does it take to convince you?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuB_W8o_UsU&eurl=http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/02/20/there-will-be-bamboozling/

Here's Krugman's Friday take on the economy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/opinion/22krugman.html?hp

I watched Today for a while this morning - there are 23,000 condos currently for sale in Miami, and 25,000 are expected to come onto the market soon. Remember, Miami has a home ownership rate of only about 50%. Condos bought 2 years ago are on the market for about 90% of what they were puchased for then - and they are not selling and Miami is becoming known as foreclosure city. Think this is an isolated thing? Think again.

Why should there be any fighting, did you Clinton folk get the memo, we're now in party unity mode. I assume you were all watching the same debate last night that I was. I think there is a very good chance that Hillary will be the next VP. And you know what they say, half a loaf is better than no loaf at all!

OMG...ROTFLMAO @ EdVB!!!!

dnd says, turning back to the microphone after whispering to the well dressed man beside him. :-{)

Gordo - I can't open streaming sites here, but my advice to you - duck and cover.

I didn't get the Onion video. I guess the joke was saying the word "Bullsh*t" over and over again.

" I think there is a very good chance that Hillary will be the next VP. "

It would be madness for her to accept that spot. Something like agreeing to marry a wifebeater.

I watched the ending of the debate last night. Did BHO try to get up and Campbell said, "no"(sit there like a nice man and bask in the stand "O" for HRO)???

It's friday evening here, but I am off for a nap... been an exhausting week. Will check in later and cheers all...

*standing "O"

"It would be madness for her to accept that spot. Something like agreeing to marry a wifebeater."

Patsi you've said a great many stupid things on this blog but that's by far the most stupid thing you've ever posted here.

Corey

The joke was that virtually everything you hear about the campaigns on cable TV is BS while the real news gets totally ignored except for the ribbon running on the bottom of the page and the cancellation of the show at the end about Saving Africa.

It was a slam at this not doing the job that is supposed to be part of their public trust and using satire to do it.

Name One Accomplishment of Barack Obama

(When asked, they are unable to name any.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m01NyUlyjfE&NR=1

Yeah , but we all know that already , Jamie. :)

http://www.twincities.com/ci_8327303?source=most_emailed
A President Obama would mean a much bigger, more intrusive and costlier government. Indeed, when considering his policies, one searches in vain for any break with liberal orthodoxy. Personal accounts for Social Security? Entitlement reform? School choice? Obama rejects them all, calling such proposals "Social Darwinism."
That's a lot less inspiring than Obama the candidate.

The best choice of all three is Hillary!!

Brian, I don't think the Clinton camp or Obama camp got that party unity memo - check out the link in jamie's 10:34 post and this link.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Obama_lawyer_warns_of_reckoning_for_Clinton_527_donors_and_staff.html

If this is party unity, I'd hate to see rancor.

And as for the debate, pretty predictable stuff with a couple of exceptions, but no one not wearing Obama colored glasses seems to be saying that either party did a lot in it to swing the tide one way or the other. And if you think that handshake was a concession, you can ride with Craig, but you'd be wrong about that.

"Yeah , but we all know that already , Jamie. :)"

But we are all smarter than most of the people taking the coverage seriously. :-)

I think I get it......Barack Obama is being set up to be the sacrificial lamb.......president in ' 08.......the next president is really in a no win situation, and the more inexperienced the next president the better for the "powers" who run around behind the facades erected for the public to view.......they build him up over hillary.....then they smack McCain.....obama becomes president and they have 4 years to rip him to shreds and show how incompetent the democrats are in leading the country.......
Maybe Obama will show them wrong in their assessments......maybe not......it's the GOP's best shot, though......

Obama is wrong and a little racist like when i say hello to a black person and they just keep on going well i don't do that anymore by the way did'nt obama do that to hillary the fisrt day he came into the senate chambers for the first time anyway he is wrong to say that hillarys supporters will vote for him i will not i voted republican for many years and hillary is the only dem worth a dam or should i say has backboneanyway go hillary or go mcain.

Craig and to all clinton supporters,

maybe the reason why hilliary was concillitory and toned down last night was because she was surprised to see Barack at the debate last night....hmmmm! some maybe wondering what im talking about please read the following article http://www.star-telegram.com/667/story/486413.html.

a famous british writer (her name escapes me at the moment) said she is convinced that Obama will be assasinated before the white establishment allow a black man to become prez of the united states and the face of america for the next four or eight years. a friend of mine who is well connected to the Obama campaign told me this morning that there is going to be a major fallout both privately and publicly from what happened in dallas, major fallout! is it beyond the powers-that-be to assasinate Obama i would think not. rememebr this is the america that has assasinated many great people. even allowing a young man flying a private airplane to be flown into the white house while clinton was president. this story will have a lot of traction over the coming days and Obama better supplement the secret service protection with his own security. the secret service ordering the weapons screening machine to be shut down so that the crowd could hastily enter the arena to hear Obama speak were begging for or arrangiing for a diaster to take place. for this to happen last wednesday in this day and time with loonies and al-queda and crazy KKK folks is scary, unacceptable, and beyond accidental, there is much much more to this story. stay tuned!

Geez, Patsi,I didn't realize you said so many stupid things. Been critical of the golden boy, have you? :-{)

"......it's the GOP's best shot, though......"

Sturgeone, The way Texas Republicans are switching parties and voting for Obama in the early voting, you might not be wrong.

I doubt that folks who voted en mass for GWB suddenly had a massive change of heart and switched to someone with a 100% liberal rating.

Pogo my friend it's time you wake up and smell the coffee. Hillary has a less than 20% of winning the nomination. You know it and I know it. It's time to shed the magic thinking and think about the best way to defeat McCain. It is my sincere hope (dependent on when Hillary bows out) that Obama offers her the number two spot, and that she accepts it. In reality I don't think she's his best choice, but that would be offset by the gains in party unity.

Too many around here have lost sight of who the true enemy is, it's not another Democrat, it's the repugs, it's time to start moving into general election mode.

Dallas is usually such a safe place for Presidents to be! I don't get it!

jamie......and should mcCain happen to somehow actually win.......so much the better.......win/win for the gop.

Paul Volcker endorses Obama!
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/whalen/

jamie, you are soooo cynical. Of course they have had a change of heart. I'm sure that Kay Bailey Hutchinson is already shining up her red boots to dance on stage with Barry. GS

" it's time to start moving into general election mode. "

Don't you think we might allow the 15 or so states to hold elections before crowning his majesty.

Wendy,

My mention of the Supreme Court isn't to scare Clinton supporters to vote for Obama, it's to scare intelligent Democrats into voting for whomever the Democratic nominee is...unless that person were Zell Miller or Joe Lieberman...

I am still shocked that the lever next to Lieberman was the first I ever pulled in a legal election...

Pogo,
"And if you think that handshake was a concession,"

Look at the tape. It was Obama who shook Hillary's hand after she said how honored she was to be there with him.

I wonder what caused the crash of the officer escorting the Clinton campaign.

Here is some campaign news from the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Some sad news is that one of the policeman in the Clinton motorcade died in a traffic accident this morning. May he rest in peace...

http://www.star-telegram.com/

Apparently, HRC had a rally in Oakcliff, an area of South Dallas which is heavily black and latino and is described by some locals as less safe than parts of Iraq...

She will be at the Fort Worth Court House later today...I'll go check it out and report back what I see!

From GORDO: “Name One Accomplishment of Barack Obama

(When asked, they are unable to name any.)”

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D), MISSOURI, OBAMA SUPPORTER: Well, he‘s accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time, whether it was working with Senator Lugar in terms of securing loose nukes, loose nuclear weapons, around the world, whether it was his efforts with Senator Coburn to open up the records of spending of government to the people on the Internet.

Obviously, one that I cared very much about, he was the first senator to effectively go after the wounded warriors disgrace at the Walter Reed Hospital and got a great deal of his initial legislation, the first senator to file that legislation, got most of that passed into law within a matter of months. And then obviously, the one that‘s right in Senator McCain‘s back yard, earmark reform.

I think that if we‘re going to talk about who is capable of bringing people together—even though Senator McCain has a good record in terms of looking down his nose at earmarks, he was not able to accomplish the kind of reform on transparency that Senator Obama was able to accomplish in a very short period of time after he arrived in the Senate.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23275784/

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/02/22/daily_texan_endorses_clinton.html
The Daily Texan, the student newspaper at the University of Texas, gave Sen. Hillary Clinton its endorsement for president Friday in the wake of Sen. Barack Obama saying in Thursday’s debate at UT that he’s swung the editorial backing of every major Texas newspaper.

Excellent editoral

A little more news. It was a female officer. She was running ahead of the motorcade to block off the next intersection and apparently lost control on the downslope of the bridge.

Texas people: Is it icy?

Jamie,

The way people drive down here, I wouldn't be shocked to hear he got rammed by a driver...

But it is cold this morning, so he might have caught some black ice too...

Must say that every single day I run into people here in Central Ohio who say they are voting for Obama. I am surprised at the ones who tell me this. My best friend and I do not bring up politics because she and her husband are wealthy, hard-nosed Republicans. When we talk about it, well you know what happens. But, yesterday she told me she and husband are both voting for Obama. It floored me. I hear that every day. So, you Hilliary supporters may be surprised at the outcome. I’ve always said and many pundits also say this – that Hilliary is best in the Senate.

Obama can beat Weathervane McCain. The independents and middle-of-the-road Repugs will not vote for McCain. And, you watch; there will be more coming out about the affair because I don’t believe McCain’s words were authentic and compelling enough for me to believe.

Vicki Iseman seems to really get around Washington!!!

http://www.rightpundits.com/?pp_album=main&pp_cat=&pp_image=Vicki_Iseman.jpg

Those are inclined to react rather than respond can ignore this.

Jonathan Martin has a piece up today on Politico which explores the similarities between the Obama campaign's "will not dignity with response" non-response to this week's "proud of my country" taffy pull:

"And as of now, Wednesday morning, Michelle Obama has made no public comments nor issued any statement to stop the bleeding. Only Obama campaign advisers have sought to explain away an obvious gaffe.

"Now, the Obama camp can make the case that her comments are being distorted and that they don't want to legitimize their right-wing tormentors by having Michelle apologize or even clarify the statement.

"After all, the mainstream media hasn't exactly pounced on the affair. The New York Times, for example, had just a small story deep in the paper today, completely overshadowed by Obama's success last night.

"It all sounds familiar, doesn't it?

"Kerry and his top aides didn't want to elevate the attacks of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth by forcefully rebutting them. And the Swifties didn't exactly garner much attention when they launched their campaign in the summer of 2004. The elite newspapers and network newscasts initially gave them only the most cursory mention. Plus, Kerry was riding high after his military-bedecked convention. Why dignify a few fringe voices?"

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0208/Obama_not_yet_wise_to_Freak_Show.html

Objectively... the late trickle of "what she meant was..." doesn't really cut through or quiet the wake of the swifthopers.

New wavers... the toxic riptides are here. And one candidate is still frolicking in that sweet blue Hawaiian surf.

As Duvall's character chanted... "Charlie don't surf!"

But does anyone remember seeing a helicopter crashed into a tree as the gunboat goes up river much later in Apocalypse Now... and that a body hangs from that tree wearing a cavalry hat and scarf identical to Duvall's?

Nope. Charlie just shoot you down while you surf.

News about the crash...

http://cbs11tv.com/local/clinton.motorcade.crash.2.660392.html

Jamie if you want to live in fantasyville go for it, I won't stop you.

(This is the Obama campaign response to his "words" problem. Absurd.)

"The Obama campaign clearly went into panic mode when they heard the extraordinarily passionate and personal answer Senator Clinton gave at the end of the debate. Senator Clinton's response demonstrated why she’ll be the next President which is why the Obama campaign is now attacking her for using a common English phrase in that answer – “whatever happens, we’re going to be fine.” - Clinton campaign"

http://www.taylormarsh.com/

Brian, I'd make it more like a 45% chance. You have your opinion and I have mine - and I don't accept your assessment as truth any more than you accept mine. On Feb. 5 I may be changing my assessment, but I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, or yours for that matter. I grant you that Hillary's chances of winning at this point are less than Barack's, he has more pledged delegates, more money, better advisors and he's got ObamaMO. She's got cards up her sleeve, but I don't know whether they'll turn out to be aces or not. And we do differ on whether she would accept the VPslot should she lose - possible, but not probable unless she thinks she'll just be too old in '12 or '16 to run, and the old fart JMc may just be showing her that she won't be too old.

Link for a live blog from the local CBS station following HRC. If you read the entries, you will see a new scandal brewing...

http://cbs11tv.com/politics/live.blog.clinton.2.660339.html

Just saw that the female cop who was in the motocade has died. So sorry about this.

OK - this is kind of funny since it appears the Obama campaign - despite proclaiming the higher ground on tit for tat (or whatever he said) continues to pursue a claim of plagiarisms over Clinton using a common phrase (LOL):

Laura Bush: 'Whatever happens will be fine' [El Paso Times, 5/19/00]

NBA Star Shaquille O'Neal: ‘We'll be fine, no matter what happens.’ [AP, 10/8/03]

Actress Lindsay Lohan: ‘No matter what happens, we're going to be fine.’ [AP, 4/19/07]

Former Redskin Dexter Manley: 'Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine.' [Washington Post, 7/26/98]

Former Redskin Gus Frerotte: 'I look forward to whatever happens. We're going to be fine.' [Washington Times, 12/22/98]

Notre Dame football player Tom Zbikowski: 'Whatever happens, we're going to be fine back there.' [Notre Dame football player Tom Zbikowski, 4/22/07]

Angels GM Bill Stoneman: 'Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine.' [Los Angeles Times, 2/22/03]

Former Giant Christian Peter: 'And whatever happens, I'm going to be fine.' [Asbury Park Press, 1/29/01]

Chicago Cub Larry Rothschild: 'I'm not worried about that. Whatever happens, I'm going to be fine.' [St. Petersburg Times, 4/1/01]

Diamondback Edgar Gonzalez: 'Whatever happens, I’ll be fine because I’m in the big leagues.' [Edgar Gonzalez, Diamondbacks, 5/2/07]

Hockey player Richard Hamula: 'Whatever happens I'll be fine with but hopefully I can still stick around here.' [Richard Hamula, hockey player, 9/20/02]

Leonard Hamm, interim commissioner for the Baltimore City Police Department: ‘Whatever happens, I’m going to be fine.’ [Baltimore Afro-American, 11/19/04]

The guy who sat in front of me in homeroom from 1968-73 after the car whose window he was hanging out of rolled over while racing around the high school's traffic circle: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Then he died.

Evidently the Clinton’s can’t handle money within their campaign so how could they manage the economy and a national budget? This has been a contention amongst their donors before saying “where is the money going” and the reason she has had trouble getting more donation. She would have had a better chance at this election if she did not have the slime bag Marc Penn running her campaign. “Dirt” does not sell especially with the dirt we’ve had these past few years.

“Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s latest campaign finance report, published Wednesday night, appeared even to her most stalwart supporters and donors to be a road map of her political and management failings.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23286123/

Pogo VP loses Hillary nothing. She gets her place in history as the first female VP, and I'm willing to bet Obama would give her health care.

Wendy,

I think MLK has a variation of that line from his mountaintop speech to...

They should be harping on the Yes She Can! Then maybe complain that they are breathing the same air, talking to the same people on the same networks... god dammit, she better not eat Kentucky Fried Chicken, or McDonald's...

I would tell her to go to Kincaid's burgers...best I have had in Texas and they serve crinkle cut fries...

Screw the doctor's here...the only thing they are good for is free wifi...I'll see if I can post from her Fort Worth rally...there must be a ton of hot spots from where she will be!

Pogo wrote: "if you liked the Gallup daily polling results, you'll love this."

No don't love the TX polls

:-(

but that's why I'm staying tuned...perhaps poor Obama having to duck and weave all this little crap will give Clinton a chance to do her town halls where she can put her arms around the shoulders of everyday Americans as they tell her about their struggles.

As per my last post - Obama may be making a mistake by pursuing this so called tit for tat - he should just keep on keepin' on - as if Clinton doesn't matter anymore.

AP: "Republican Rep. Rick Renzi has been indicted for extortion, wire fraud, money laundering and other charges related to a land deal in Arizona."

And in the wake of Goldwater flows ever so much ethical sewage.