Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

going to be a BHO night.

please roll down to about the middle of the page.. amazing letter from Lois Dubin, a professor at Smith College.. now here's someone who can write!

http://katalusis.blogspot.com/

Craig...since we were discussing reporters in the last thread, I am curious about John King. You must have met him in your time in the beltway...what do you know about him. I think Shuster is smart, but lacks on camera control. That is something I think John King has...are you free to comment?? I cannot find much out about JK's background.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_King_(journalist)

Tylenol
You are correct, that letter says it all perfectly.

Professsor Lois Dubin of Smith College, Mass. has written a letter to MSNBC responding to Shuster's offensive comment regarding Chelsea Clinton. Professor Dubin doesn't take sides between Obama and Clinton, but she has strong words for the media's continuous blatant sexist and misogynist attacks on Hillary Clinton. To read more, go here:

http://katalusis.blogspot.com/2008/02/msnbcs-schuster-ignites-latest-media.html

thanks, Tylenol..still thin on the info compared for someone who has been around since 1985. I just like the fact that his reporting usually seems unbiased. He usually has an even keel...

We need Al Sharpton to discuss the Shuster remark.

LOL blonde

Maybe the Shuster remark will overshadow BHO's night. It is a weekend, so not much news play for the general population. But, the Chelsea thing will grow...that is my prediction.

Yep, Obama is going to be winning for the next two weeks.

I'm wondering if Obama will cede one of the Ohio/Pennsylvania/Texas primaries and concentrate their money in two of the states? That way he can steal one possibly?

Ah, Barack just won LA.

Here's what's happening in my country: We have a minority government, which sometimes is quite good because it means the party in power has to make deals with the others in order to stay in power.. but our involvement in Afghanistan (remember that?) has become a huge issue... our soldiers are dying every day and our government just announced that they want to extend the mission to 2012... This is the issue that will bring down our government...

The Chelsea comment is a blip. The Clintonites want it to grow for the sympathy factor (or the "Payback factor" for the South Carolina row), but it ain't gonna happen. That said, even as an Obama supporter, I've always grated at Chris Matthews' depiction of Clinton. I always wondered if he was shut out from all of the parties during the Clinton years? LOL

John King is engaged to Dana Bash. Who is Shuster married to?

I guess this means they go ahead and start production on "Obama Girl 3 "

Blonde,

Professor Lois Dubin may be a Lib-O-Maniac, but lord did she ever nail MSNBC. I loved the way she gently entered into her attack and then slid the knife in oh so stealthily. Obviously Professor Dubin is not a street brawler but more on the order of a ninja assassin. Good for hr her, a Lib who takes no prisoners.

Interesting interview with Cher ... It's about her life, Sonny and at the end she talks about the Presidency. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwHsHBoWu3E

Congratulations to Barack Obama on his wins today. Now we will see where things end up in Ohio and Texas. If he wins both of them I assume the nomination is basically over?

Cheers.

Not at all to diminish Mr. Obama's wins today, but Washington State was never in question. I grew up in Minnesota, another caucus state where Obama took around 75% and I was certain the same would happen in Washington State. I would like to know what the primary votes were in Washington State. If they stack up the way the caucuses did, then my complaint about caucuses will be proven untrue in this instance.

I really think Shuster should be fired for his remarks, but I can think of few others that I would like to see go before him.

I thought the remarks on The VIew were just awful and Shuster continued that with his reporting on that incident. Again, I think Huffpo let The View cast off too lightly.

If Obama gets either Texas or Ohio, it's all over but the shouting baby!

Obama08!

Lib-O-Maniac?

Tylenol, in belgium we have an emergency government because the Flemish and the Francophones could not agree on an agenda after the June elections. Belgium went 6 months without a government, besides a care-taking one. Finally the current Prime Minister was charged by the King with trying to get a government going, and that's what was set for 90 days. The real fear is that Belgium might actually split in two separate countries and I think we are about the size of Rhode Island as it is.

So.... the moral of the story... there are messes here as well :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shuster

shuster's married to a journalist too

alpha I don't know all the mathematics here, but if say Obama took one of them and Hillary took the other, would that automatically make Obama the winner?

I replied to a comment by bear about the VP choice and than read his comment where he wouldn't be around for awhile.

I wonder what everyones thoughts are on this.

He had mentioned Lincoln Chaffee in regards to some the former Senator endorsing Barack and I ask him if he thought that Chaffee would be a good choice as Barack's VP.

Senator Chaffee was the only Republican to vote against the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

What do you think of Barack Obama asking the former Senator to be his VP and would that be a good idea to garner more Republican votes come November if he wins the nomination.

God Bless.

MSNBC actually did something wildly unusual for them or Rachel Maddow forced them to concede that the speech Senator Clinton gave was a wonderful one and focused on the future without praising her own campaign.

Obama is opening with aren't I wonderful everybody cheer for me plus digs at Senator Clinton. He may end up President. He is also a spoiled brat.

Jamie I loved what Cher had to say about the U.S. Presidency. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwHsHBoWu3E

ET. we have our language issues too... but we seem to have gotten over them.. this is more left v right... and the right didnt get the gas-guzzling SUV.. they only got the keys to a rented Hyundai..and we're calling in the rental..

Good night...sorry to say that this was not as exciting as Super Tueday. It is a BHO night, but it is not the nomination. Texas should be interesting.

And the Huckster with little money still is winning out there.

I also do not think we have heard the last of the Chelsea and the View and Shuster.

well here there is a definite linguistic and cultural divide. The Flemish are a germanic people and the francophones are a latin people. Each Fleming has to pay an extra €1000 a year in taxes to prop up the economy of the poorer south, myself included... Belgium is a very high tax country but the social system is very strong. Health care is excellent. Workers get 5 weeks vacation a year and a 13th month salary. Here people work in order to live, whereas in the USA it was my experience that we, more often than not, live in order to work.

I could say more, but it's 4:40 in the morning and we can talk about Belgium later. I don't want to do anything to take the spotlight off of Mr. Obama's wins tonight nor of the enthusiasm of his supporters in this blog.

The Dubin letter was great. Hillary's was on target as well.

I know we all pretty much post anonymously here but I wonder how many of the cynics who are posting negatively about this are men compared to women.

Anyone willing to do a straw poll? Just curious.

I think it's because it's the Clinton's that makes the comment seem OK or no big deal to some (perhaps even some women). I've made the same point as Dubin--if he said it about Michelle Obama, the reaction would have been...less mixed. I'm certain of it.

I've been watching MSNBC as well and it's not just that comment - it's a culmination of things - this is just the straw...

Obama is making an exellent campaign speech. He is doing it at the Jackson/Jefferson Dinner. He is being incredibly rude. He is literally earning the a**hole of the year award. It is a vile thing to do and anyone with so little idea of proper conduct shouldn't even be considered for President.

LB...

I have to agree with most that David Shusters remark about Chelsea Clinton was over the top.

Its possible though that opinions formed when young often stay with you as you grow older. He may not have meant it to be taken the way it was, however he never should have said it in the first place.

If he grew up in a home where that was a common practice he may be voicing thoughts without realizing that the remarks are not tolerated in todays world by many.

So even if he didn't mean it, he still should never have said it.

My two cents worth.

God Bless.

Euro, I honestly don't know. But if Obama wins the Maryland/Virginia/DC cluster, then basically Hillary has to win Ohio and Texas to hold serve. She's favored there, but I think Obama can steal one, maybe Ohio.

Hey, I'm getting a kick out of Huckleberry Finn winning over the presumed Republican nominee. Go Huck Go!

EuroTom

I'm wondering the same thing about Washington primary.

I have a theory that Obama does well with caucus' because of the type of atmosphere and who can go and in Washington's case perhaps confusion about the process.

Washington has the third largest Asian population - a group that supports Hillary - that said - with a primary proess and a caucus (for Dems primary doesn't count), I believe this group might get confused...think they already voted...find the caucus process confusion...it could be a language issue.

Working class as well - even on a Saturday - some of her voters admitted they had to work.

It's hard to get people to be at a certain place at a certain time and hen stay there for a long enough time to be counted.

Voting all day is a great way to let more people have a say - and those who really really want to vote...can probably vote.

With that said. It's the Clinton campaigns fault or lack of resources (choosing to use resources in places they feel they have a better shot at) that kept them from getting the ground game going with their core groups. Obama clearly does a better job doing that.

jamie...

If your talking about the mandated insurance plan by Hillary she said in an interview that if someone refused to buy the insurance that one of the possibilities was to garnish their wages.

God Bless.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

second item... that war sure is worth it, huh?

Oh Jamie, could you just be a bit less harsh. You support Hillary. Fine. No need to call him an asshole. We're all Democrats here.

If Shuster had used the phrase "pimped out" in reference to anyone in the Obama family, the hue and cry over racism would have been very loud...and appropriately so. It is simply not okay to use such offensive language on the air, and it certainly isn't okay to use it in reference to someone who may become the leader of our country. Another complaint about the comment as he used it is that it's inappropriate for a major media outlet to have its on-air 'talent' talking as though they're taking part in a frat party. If you think about it, a number of the MSNBC programs have sunk to that level in recent months. Morning Joe come to mind?

That said, I don't think Shuster should be fired. I do think, however, that the powers that be at MSNBC need to have a meeting with their on-air staff to discuss limits...and then they need to enforce those limits.

sorry..there IS no other definition for "pimped out".. and certainly not the way Shuster used it!

Jamie...

Have you become a registered Democrat now? You were an independent before, right?

"refused to buy the insurance that one of the possibilities was to garnish their wages"

No the reporter suggested that. She said she didn't know what form it would take only that in order for it to work, everybody needs to be in the pool. This is an absolute. If everyone isn't in the pool the system fails.

Your Social Security is mandated. Don't be afraid of a word.

In Washington State you don't register by party

harborwoman...

When I see the ad MSNBC does for the Morning Joe show I have to laugh. Watch it sometime and listen to how he describes himself.

He talks about how no one owns him and that's what got him in the Senate and that's why {from here I don't remember the rest}.

Then he makes a comment and says I believe, that's what will keep me here. You really have to listen to it to catch the full impact.

When I hear it I think and that's why you got voted out.

God Bless.

"We're all Democrats here"

Alpha, Everybody at that dinner is a Democrat. It is an annual major fundraiser for the party. It is not a campaign event. It is a unity venue.

The reporter just commented about his talking about HIS wins. She was gracious and lauded his campaign and her hopes for the future and party.

IOW - wrong place wrong time - He was a total a**

health care insurance SHOULD be mandated. It is the only way to keep costs down.

jamie...

I saw that interview and your right the reporter did ask. She tried to skirt the answer and than he brought it up again and she admitted that that was a possibility.

I'm not knocking her, but I did hear her admit that.

God Bless.

I missed this. Did Hillary speak at the same place Barack just spoke at? Were the cameras on Hillary as long as they seem to be on BaracK? If it isn't his venue then I think Jamie has a point here, though I would say I like his speaking style.

Until this thing is settled, I am still for Hillary.

EuroTom...I don't think it matters what state you live in, you can choose to be a member of a political party. In WA state, however, you aren't required to be a party member to participate in the caucus.

Jamie..."We're all Democrats here."...Tell that to fry!

The Cher interview is great.

well when I registered in Minnesota, I had to declare a party as I recall. I remember I registered on election day 1980 as then immediately voted for Jimmy Carter. I never voted for a winner until Bill Clinton, and I haven't voted for a winner after him either (no surprise there). I used to be a voter registrar in Washington State. It was fun. I'd do it at The Evergreen State College on the first few days of classes to bring in students right away as they started the school year. I don't have rights to participate in Belgian politics yet.

oops sorry, Lord Voldemort doesn't speak to me. Hallelujah Jesus! Oops now I said his name. I am doomed.

jamie...

Also what if they can't afford to buy health care, than what?

Like I said, I'm not knocking her plan, none of the plans are perfect and they all need a lot more work.

God Bless.

Was Obama alright---he kept stumbling on his words and million when he meant billion---I thought maybe he needed glasses because he couldn't see his speech.

If a woman could only have a deep booming voice!

nite all!

oops Jamie, you are going to be told now that L.V. isn't speaking to you anymore and please respect this.

What's going to happen when everybody is covered by health insurance and the insurance companies still continue to deny certain procedures?

Do we still just go home and die?

HW

"Jamie..."We're all Democrats here."...Tell that to fry!"

That wasn't about the blog. That was about the Jefferson Jackson dinner where Senators Clinton and Obama were the featured speakers.

ok since you asked. in order to work, you must have health insurance. There is no way around out. But wages are set by industry in negotiation between labour, business and government. There are no such things as below minimum wage jobs. Salaries are designed to be liveable wages and that includes paying for health care. By everyone having health insurance, cost containment is better maintained. There are plus and minus aspects of this. Positive is that the average cost to see the doctor is perhaps €25 per visit and you are reimbursed 75% from your health insurance. Each patient has to pay the doctor cash on the spot. Pharmacies charge only your co-pay, depending on the medicine it can low or rather high. My diabetic glucose pills are free. I have purchased extra hospitalization insurance because then you get greater attention in the hospital plus you can then have a private room. but it's bloody expensive.

ANy other questions?

Jamie:

Great point on the word mandated and health insurance.

Chickadee

That is the whole point in it being universal. They can't deny the claim. You are covered. That is why everyone has to be in the pool. The healthy offset the expenses of the ill and the insurance companies can't cherry pick only well people nor can they deny coverage for pre existing conditions.

jamie...

I'm not going to argue with you about this. My only point is she should say that this is a possibility and end the talking point that Obama makes of it.

He has already took some gaffe because there is a hole in his that he says still has to be worked on. That's all I'm saying.

I to need to get off line and hit the sack. Four thirty still comes early, to early for me, but I have to get up.

Catch everyone tomorrow.

Take care all and...

God Bless.

Well I have this theory that the only way it can work chickadee is if everyone has livable wages. I believe that unemployed also get health insurance provided. But in a truly national health insurance system, medical procedures will have to have specific coverage mandated and also cost containments. Can that work in a system where Dr. Greed measures his worth by the size of his... YACHT? I don't know.

Here is one little story. I have reflux problems which creates extreme heartburn even if I eat a piece of bread. I have to use Nexium to control it but in order to get it, I have to swallow this camera every 2 - 3 years to see if the condition is still there. It is not fun! I chose to receive a generic version of Nexium simply because it is cheaper.

Thing is, I don't think the health care system can be changed on its own without a radical re-evaluation of wages and benefits, and compensations for insurance big wigs, doctors etc. Also it is virtually impossible to sue here, so this would have to be addressed as well. If I am not making any sense it is because I am tired. 5:30 am and still no sleep.

goodnight to my friends and even to "he who cannot be named"

I know you are but what am I?

Thanks PeeWee

She can't say it because it doesn't exist yet. She is honest and Obama is taking advantage of that because he knows that without the mandate, his plan won't work. That is why Obama is using the knock off commercial that the Republicans used to defeat healthcare more than a decade ago. A decade during which people died because they didn't have healthcare.

The only thing that does exist in Clinton's plan is the idea that it will be paid by employers, employees, the government (low income and elderly like Medicare) or some combination of these entities.

anon...I've wondered about people who are unemployed...no paycheck to garnish. I think all the candidates' plans are still works in progress to some extent...and the bottom line is that Congress (with the input of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, unfortunately) will determine what any new plan might look like.

jamie...sorry! thought you were responding to my question as to whether or not you'd become a registered Dem.

One more point then I'm outta here.

My concern about the whole health care issue is not for me. It's for my daughter who will never be able to hold down a real good paying job.

Due to her brain tumor and a hairline fracture a year later where she had a massive blood leak in her brain she is learning disabled and hearing impaired.

She is almost deaf in her left ear and though she is 25 she has the comprehension of a twelve year old.

She wants to work, but due to her medical condition there is no way she can get a job paying good enough wages to support herself.

She is finally once again getting SSI and SS. As a child under eighteen she qualified with no problems. When she turned eighteen they cut her off because as an adult her IQ was 1 point more than allowed to receive it.

It took over five years to get her back on and then they only back paid her for 2 and a half years.

She still has to have scans every year of her head, neck and spine and also blood work and all the rest that goes along with being in remission of cancer.

If she ever loses her SSI and SS there is no way she could get insurance coverage for cancer if it comes back because it would be considered a pre existing condition.

I just want to know that she will at least be able to get medical care and tests if she needs them, that's all.

I'm outta here now.

Take care and ...

God Bless.

From “chickadee”:
“Was Obama alright---he kept stumbling on his words and million when he meant billion---I thought maybe he needed glasses because he couldn't see his speech. (Give it UP. He’s still a young President-to-be)

If a woman could only have a deep booming voice!” (Gender does not matter. Remember that and keep repeating it. If it doesn’t matter to me it doesn’t matter to anyone. Believe me!)

Your comment said what it was meant to say. It is BS. If anyone is going at the rate and duration as these candidates, they would be tired. I know this ole broad (meaning me, who just had her first grandchild within the last 48 hours and it was a difficult delivery) has been going non-stop and it shows on me. Obama is much younger than I and he has been going non-stop. I thought he was tied tonight, as I am, but he is still my candidate. Give it up for these older, white females voting for “her” because I am not one of them and I’m ready to “take it to the streets in Ohio” for Obama. Change! That is entirely, completely what it is about this year.

At this point we know that both of them are intelligent. We also know that only one of them has good judgment. So, use your intelligence when you make a decision.

AP Under Senator Clinton's plan she would be covered, probably paid by government because of low income.

I have no idea whether or not she would be covered under the Obama plan, since it doesn't cover about 15% of the population.

Yes... Hillary does have good judgment ;-p

Karolenna---what the hell are you barking at me for? I commented on what I saw and I was actually concerned for the guy as he spoke!

Yeah Karolenna you have been up to long giving birth--go to bed!

Beginning to believe that Obama has the potential to be FAR more arrogant than Bush. How a person reacts to winning, as well as losing, is a test of character.

o/~ We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones to make a brighter day so let's start givin ' ~\o

BUT...Neither plan as the candidates have written them is the plan that will be implemented. The FINAL plan will be manipulated by a Congress filled with members who are very much beholden to huge corporate interests.

beware of people bearing gifts of "cream"

Karoleena,
I fully intend to "use my intelligence" when I make my decision. I voted for Hillary last Tuesday, and I fully expect to vote for her come November.
Having Hillary Clinton as our first female president is EXACTLY the change we need.
As for judgement, while I disagreed with Hillary's vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq, I think you have a hell of a nerve to state that "only one of them has good judgement." Barack does not walk on water. He has made his mistakes, too. But that doesn't mean he doesn't "have good judgement."
Can't we all disagree about issues without denigrating the other candidate?

Good night, kids! This has descended into repetition of the same points and same complaints you've each been making about your own and the opposing candidate for the past couple of weeks. will check back in tomorrow to see if there's something new and interesting to talk about or read....

BTW...from one proud grandmother to another, CONGRATS!!! Is it a boy or a girl?

BTW...from one proud grandmother to another, CONGRATS!!! Is it a boy or a girl?

This is of course for Karoleena

Obama mistake = REZKO

What the governor did, or the audience, or Obama himself is not the point. He was an ass. She had class.

Jamie, you are wasting your breath. While I agree with you tatally, there are some with whom you cannot reason. Let's take comfort from the thought that in the end, Hillary will most likely prevail. And Barack will be able to spend the next 8years preparing for his run in 2016.

Another 4 years of SMIRKS from the WH?

"" "Illinois Sen. Barack Obama soundly defeated New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Saturday’s Democratic caucuses in Nebraska, one of four states that held Democratic contests four days after Obama and Clinton ended the “Super Tuesday” voting on Feb. 5 in a virtual dead heat""

How sad and unprofessional and biased the media is, and they have no shame in showing it.

There was no "dead heat" on Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton winning the BIG STATES that are BLUE STATES was a huge win and of huge importance that sadly all the media chose to play down or totally ignore.

While Obama wins small inconsequential states, mostly red states that won't vote blue, the media continues to paint him as king. It's our new generation of kool aid drinkers, sheep, that now reside on the left of center.

How sad, how embarrassing.

BJ
http://politicaldiscontent.blogspot.com

I justed listened to Obama's speech.

I'm afraid Jamie is right...it was in bad taste.

I'm still going to support him in the the general election if he does get the nomination...but I'm feeling less enthusiastic about it all the time.

I agree with the post about character when you win...he always acts arrogant after he gets good news or wins. I'm a woman...arrogant men bother me...I can't help it. I know it's my problem.

NEW THREAD

If he is sooo great, and such a winner, why is it that he has never surpassed her in the delegate count? She has been consistently ahead there, and still is, after his big sweep. Thanks for listening

Uh BJ, let me let you in on a secret. They run primaries and caucuses in all states because all states count. Yeah, I know that may be a weird concept, but yeah, you have to show that you can win around the country. And since there are going to be a number of "red" states that will be close races (Colorado, Virginia for example) in the general election, I seem to like Obama's strength there. But then again, I know you're thinking of 1990s political strategy, so it's understandable that you wouldn't get it.

To Blonde Wino--
Huffpo is letting The View off so easily because Barbara Walters is Godmother to one of Arianna's daughters.

I too have written to MSNBC about their coverage of the Democratic side of the Presidential race. I think it is very one sided. Chris and now Keith are just cheerleaders for Obama. I also agree with the comment in the Lois Dubin letter that all hell would have been raised if the "pimping" remark would have been made about someone from the Obama family. I used to enjoy Countdown, but I too think KO is believing his own headlines. He should be his own "Worst Person"

Naturally, you Hillary supporters can and probably will vote for her. Watch how many independents and young people (and probably me) “won’t” vote for her or even turn out, thus, giving McCain the presidency and back to the R’s. She is too polarizing and too much of the old establishment. I frankly believe the old establishment (super delegates) will be the only thing that gives her the nomination because she is a part of…the old establishment.

How can two people run against each other when they pretty much believe the same thing, except McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100+ years? They have hung around and been drinking together on many political junkets. McCain beats her or is dead even with her in almost all polls and that is probably not even factoring in the non-voters. Right now Obama is the only one who beats McCain. People who don’t like her, just don’t like her and will not vote for her. Then, we will have McCain in there appointing conservative judges.

Thanks to all for the Congrats on being a first-time grandmother. My daughter has a beautiful little girl (Aubrina Faye Lastname). Her middle name (Faye) is my grandmother’s name.

Google

Google

Texas Secretary of State released the official results of the Democratic primary on March 29th.Obama want to beat Hillary Clinton in the race for delegates. While Clinton won the state's popular vote, Obama racked up more caucus support. That means Obama won Texas.
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george
http://www.treatmentcenters.org/nebraska