Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Happy Saturday!

My town is going to be pretty congested tomorrow. Barack and Hilliary are both going to be within about two miles of each other just up the road from me at about the same time. She will be at Westerville North High School, where my kids graduated, and he will be at Westerville Central High School. Both of these schools are in Delaware Country, one of the highest income counties per capita in the nation. Hilliary is going for all of them it would seem. My niece, uncle, and first cousin met Hilliary and Cheslea at Bob Evan’s original restaurant a couple of days ago in Rio Grande, Ohio, where the income per capita is very low.

What will be interesting is to see the crowds that show up tomorrow because Westerville is a NE suburb of Columbus. It is John Kasich’s home town where much of his family still resides and a very Republican town. Regardless, my son-in-law and daughter’s audio visual and event staging company gets the business from all the politicians, so election years, as in ’04, mean more business. If only they could have had McCain at Westerville South High!

Jamie said:
Frank Eldridge
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/senate/index2.htm

Thanks, Jamie.

Mr Eldridge, if you're watching, thanks for your witty comment about the voters being sick of you. It always gets chuckles for me to.

Jamie, it's always sad reading the obits of public servants who gave much to their communities. Usually there isn't much recognition and lots of abuse from people who have never served in any cause greater than self aggrandizement.

Ping Pong, not a doc-just an old guy with Crohn's.

So how fun - was just playing with the PolitiFact truth-o-meter and it turns out on average...BO is a bigger liar than Hillary. LOL

32% of the time what he says is a flat out lie or barely true compared to only 20% for Hillary.

Hillary is telling the truth or mostly true 55% of the time compared to BO at 46%. He can't even get up to telling the truth at least half the time.

It's all about trust people - at least we could trust over half of what Hillary says...LOL

;-)

Well March 4th is shaping up to be the Democrat equivalent of the Ides of March.
There is talk that Clinton staffers are turning up for work late at campaign HQ, staff moral been low and that senior staffers are constantly bickering.
The unity train will start loading on March 5th.
The economy is so bad and is poised to worsen even more that Republicans are quaking in their boots.
No amount of spinning will mask the widespread suffering and dispair that is sweeping across Main Street.
John McCain and the Republicans will regret not standing up to Bush/Cheney over these disasterous years.

Digging into those CQ articles, the one showing the virtually identical positions on major bills of the two Democratic candidates makes it a case of who do you like best and which style suits you most.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/feb/25/fact-sheet-clinton-obama-voting/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-GFqhCq2HA&feature=related

Jamie,

It was the use in a hateful manner to depict him as some sort of "Manchurian Candidate" potential traitor to America that was the problem.

It is only the far right, fear mongers and radio creeps that are trying to sell that swill and passing it around the internet.

Actually it was former D Senator Bob Kerrey who first started using BO's middle name.

You are wrong about Bob Kerrey being first to mention BO's middle name, Fry. That and the Muslim crap had been being used in emails (I must have received a hundred of them) since he started his Senate campaign. The ones I received came from the same right wingers who always forwarded me anti-Clinton screeds.

Bob Kerrey brought it up in response to the meme already circulating, saying BO should use his multi-national background, name etc as a positive, rather than ignore it. Kerrey was just too damn dumb to understand that what he said would be then used against Hillary Clinton.

FD

What Patsi said. I've been getting that crud since the very beginning of the race. Unfortunately, it all went viral along with the picture of "not saluting flag" and the "not wearing lapel pin"... it's been a constant garbage stream from the right wing haters and the super patriotic/evangelical crowd and the Bill and Hillary haters. Snopes should just create a website for all the debunked garbage they send out.

SNL should be good tonight. At least we are back to having some laughs about this circus.

Alpha1906

If you drop by, this might interest you

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpha-Phi-Alpha---1906-Belt-Buckle-(RARE)_W0QQitemZ160213601021QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0802290820a3331

Bidding ends March 6

p.s. stick around long enough, you'll get used to my silly habit of being interested in everything.

Bamboozling the American electorate again

"Republicans have been organized in several states to throw their weight behind Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic rival of Hillary Clinton. At least three former fundraisers for President Bush flushed his coffers with cash early on in the race, something the deep pockets haven't done for any candidate in their own party.

The Time article went on to explain that rank and file Republicans were switching parties this spring to vote for Obama in the Democratic primaries. Though not mentioned in the piece, a group called Republicans for Obama formed in 2006 to expedite the strategy.

Called crossover voting, the tactic is playing a crucial role in what appears to be a Rove-coordinated effort to deprive Clinton of the nomination.

Last year, at the same time she commanded a huge lead in the national polls, political analysts and professional strategists retained by CNN and other broadcast networks began hammering across the notion that "the voters don't like her"."

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/2008Election.html

ROFL (maybe they should fine Rush Limbaugh or Drudge or the REAL perps....worth at least a couple of goats.)

Clinton faces Kenya cattle fine over Obama photo

By Daniel Wallis

NAIROBI, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Kenyan elders may impose a fine on U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, payable in livestock, after a photo of her rival Barack Obama in robes dragged their people into the race for the White House.

The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Illinois senator in a white headdress and traditional Somali attire during a 2006 visit to Wajir in Kenya's remote northeast.

Wajir elders resolved to file an official complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, dropping earlier plans to hold a protest after Friday prayers.

They said they would also convene a traditional Somali court to investigate the matter. It can impose fines that are payable in cattle, goats or camels.

The Fact-o-meter is not infallible. On the matter of Obama "bombing" Pakistan, the context of Obama's statement in August either doesn't make sense with Rice's present spin or he suggested far more than select predator strikes on high probablity targets in border areas. That would have little impact on Afghanistan's woes. His statements were denounced by both Musharraf and moderate Parties (are there really?)

On Obama NAFTA statements and voting "present", Fact-o-meter presents their spin, not the whole contexual truth or even why self-interest trumps voting principle. Same problem with missing sanction vote. How about some Fact-o-meter on Obama's Senate Sub Committee remarks, or even comparing Obama AIPAC rants with his voting record? Given the very nature of the Committee's subject matter Obama felt an expert in when requesting the job, his remarks since running -on the issues his Committee would have investigated, are parsed or suspect. In defense of Kosovo should it escalate, he talks about our allies keeping it from becoming dangerous, but he has little record of meeting with NATO or even European leadership as HIllary has, and JFK did before his WH run. His approach to many security questions are vague and frankly, silly as he slips into a blame Bush answer. Funny that Putin and others hate McCain.

With Kenya asking for Hillary to apologize, you might wonder if an Obama supporter worked with Drudge. Any culprit yet? And further talk with CTV or review of how our neighbors view NAFTA? And comments by Obama on the US warship off Lebanon. The USS Cole no less? Does Obama even support the UN voting to sanction Iran? Media will shut down all comments until after Tuesday, but then based on the results, they might show signs of cracking. The Crap is heating up and will certainly force policy statements that may sink Obama. Media might not support just anything Obama spouts. More people believe Bush at this point than the NYT.

No, the Facto-meter has been kind to Obama and far tougher on Hillary. Whining? No, but when the majority of Democrats have voted more for HIllary than Obama, the Fact-o-meter spin, media spin and filter, even pathetic bashing of SLN, how fair a playing field is that?

Secret? Once Obama started to rise and got media cover, Republican attacks on HIllary did not rally the Democrats to her. They knew this and pilede on. An attack by the Right, Independents and the Further Left have pushed THEIR candidate with sexism and race playing a major weapon at the polls and on TV. The fact that Hillary is still closer than her daily obits, is a tribute to her moderate base. The race is now whether Obama can keep a lid on this problems until after he defeats Hillary. Hillary beats expectations Tuesday, this is a huge problem for him because at the end of the day, how many Democrats voted for him and how will he really do against McCain running on the single issue of Iraq? Add Boomberg and you have in Obama Left meeting Republican. Now will most mainstream Democrats like that? Dean in new packaging without the Republicans and Independents they think will show up for them. LOL

Obama might beat McCain at the moment in a mythic poll, but I doubt those odds will stay the same. You're not going to find more dirt on McCain and Hillary. A harder look at Obama hasn't even begun. As I said, every issue of his save his faith can be revisited and seen in a far worse light than media has even hinted at. Funny how this didn't happen to Obama on DAY ONE. Maybe DAY 288?

It's times such as this that battleships were designed for--battleship diplomacy. Thin-skinned destroyers just don't cut it.

Maxture,

A harder look at Obama hasn't even begun.

Well if those Rs in Texas get out in vote for HRC like they plan to then all this stuff that is set to be launched on BHO can be shelved for another election.

What I have notice lately on this blog is a sudden hard turn to BHO by many of the so-called HRC heavy supporters. Seems like they forgot a week ago they were bashing BHO in their defense of HRC.

"No, but when the majority of Democrats have voted more for HIllary than Obama" Posted by: Maxtrue 1:22 PM

Max,

i don't have any particular problem with this since I think crossover voting is going to be important to our nom in the GE. Being a big theme in your anti-Obama spiels, will you provide the link that supports this the best. I assume FL, MI, and caucus voting numbers are not being horribly extrapolated or there isn't a heavy reliance on exit poll data. just curious.TIA

What, no poll on what "yard work" is a euphamism for?

I just love this three in the morning campaign by Hillary. You mean she wants to remind voters that makes the wrong decision when the time comes? I mean, if I were Obama, I would pay her to run this commercial.

And by the way, I watched her talk about answering that phone in the White House. Can anyone tell me what responsibility she had in the White House that gave her responsibility like that?

Wow, it's like the folks in the Hillary campaign have never played chess. Their calculations are very, very curious.

I figured he was the pool reporter on some mission of pivotal national importance.

alpha,
If you have the time, I'd appreciate your take on a piece written by Debra Dickerson:

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/02/7332_black_immigirants_the_invisible_model_minority_oh_and_imus.html

FryDaddy,
When your own campaign staffers are leaking negative info to the press , exposing the low levels of morale , exposing the level of disunity in the camp , when superdelegates are been ask to delay switching moves until after march 4th , then you know its time to change course.
I have recognised that this is the beginning of the end.
The overriding imperative is to unite around the eventual party nominee to not just win the general election but expand the majority in the senate and congress.

Proof the President may not be a total jackass...

This was his comment on Manny Ramirez being a White House No show when the Red Sox visited this week...

• Line of the Week comes from President Bush, on Manny’s no-show at the White House: “I guess his grandmother died again.”

• Line of the Week II also comes from George Bush, on Dice-K: “His press corps is bigger than mine. And we both have trouble answering questions in English.”

"What I have notice lately on this blog is a sudden hard turn to BHO by many of the so-called HRC heavy supporters."

I don't see any groundswell, Fry.

Alpha,

Did you see the link above for that Alpha1906 belt buckle up for bid?

I notice all the commentary about how awful the Clinton campaign staffers are feeling, how poorly she is doing, and what a horrible state of affairs everything has come to is all being posted by Obama supporters ... getting nervous people? :)

That woman will jeopardize the party and do anything to win just to be the first woman president. That has been her dream forever and she “will not” let it go. They are contemplating litigation in Texas due to the caucuses when, in fact, her husband won with the system the way it is.

"If it is true that litigation is imminent between one or both of your campaigns and the Texas Democratic Party, such action could prove to be a tragedy for a reinvigorated democratic process that is involving a record number of participants here in Texas and across the nation," party attorney Chad Dunn wrote. "Litigation regarding the TDP could cripple the momentum of a resurging Texas Democratic Party and ultimately the November 2008 election."

“many of Clinton's senior campaign advisers in Texas had helped to develop the rules governing the state's caucus system. A Texas party official also noted that former President Clinton won the state's caucuses in 1992 and 1996 following the same rules.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23408698/

And, she is crying that it is not fair that Obama has more money. Where in the f’g hell does she think it came from? Not big donors, that’s for sure. God she is such a whining bitch.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/29/clinton-campaign-obama-needs-to-sweep-march-4/

If she disenfranchises these new voters, she would not have a chance in hell in the general.

Bear -- you've stumped me now. What is a "mouly"? Is that some code slang for black?

Karolenna

If you did into that "litigation" line, you will find that both of the Senators are considering a legal inquiry to clairfy some issues because of the arcane way votes are counted in Texas.

MSNBC among others is spinning that it is ONLY Hillary. As usual, the bias to make her look bad while the shining one is squeaky clean even though they are doing exactly the same thing.

"That woman will jeopardize the party and do anything to win just to be the first woman president. That has been her dream forever and she “will not” let it go. "

Outrage, I tell you, Outrage!!! Take a pill. If someone changed "first woman" to "first black" people would be doing headstands. And both campaigns have questioned the Texas system, for Christ sakes.

Seems to me that the "O" The President folks are doing their best to alienate anyone not swooning over the opportunity to bend over and drop their pants for Republicans for another four years.

Yes Patsi,

If you think back to Eddie Murphy's standup film "Raw", he does a bit about some Italians who just saw Rocky. They walk up to counter order jujubee's and bon bons, then declare the mouly will pay for it....funny stuff!

To give you some campaign updates,

Yesterday, Huckabee was at the Fort Worth Stockyards speaking to about 100 supporters. He seemed to enjoy himself and got a very nice reaction from those in attendance. There were a lot of people not at his initial speech who wished him well and wanted him for their nominee instead of McCain.

Today, Hillary was at the same stockyards. There was an excited crowd of about 5,000 people in attendance. Her campaign said there was double the numbers. Both may be accurate because there was still a huge line of people to be screened before the Secret Service just said let everyone in. I figured out why she and Obama have had those issues. TSA is doing the screening. Her crowd was enthusiastic. She looked energetic and happy to be in such nice weather. I totally tuned out her stump speech so I have no idea what she was saying beyond the normal schtik. The crowd loved her though and seemed pretty fired up when the event ended.

Outrage, I tell you, Outrage!!! Take a pill. If someone changed "first woman" to "first black" people would be doing headstands.

I beg to differ...I have a bad neck so I could only do a handstand...lol

Ron Paul still leads the yard sign election. Hillary Clinton is running a closer second to him now. I have still yet to see yard signs for Obama, McCain or Huckabee.

"If you think back to Eddie Murphy's standup film "Raw", he does a bit about some Italians who just saw Rocky. They walk up to counter order jujubee's and bon bons, then declare the mouly will pay for it....funny stuff!"

Aha, Bear -- no I missed "Raw"....and I hate to admit this, but I have never seen all of Rocky in one sitting...just parts when nothing else was on tv....

Hillary looks tired - I think she needs a nap. I am sure she will sleep well on Mar. 5.

"Ron Paul still leads the yard sign election. Hillary Clinton is running a closer second to him now. I have still yet to see yard signs for Obama, McCain or Huckabee."

Yeah....here in Nashville I saw almost no yard signs prior to the primary....except for Ron Paul...both professionally done signs and a LOT of hand made ones.

Now Time magazine has joined the Times and all media in reporting yesterday's story of the fall of Bush evangelical con man Goeglein, who resigned in disgrace yesterday.

Word is Goeglein at least was honest before he became Rove's right hand man.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1718644,00.html

It's funny how this campaign could have worked out...

After watching Huckabee in person, he has such an easy going many which allows him to connect well people. Even those who don't agree with him are willing to take the time to hear him.

I would have been fascinated by a race featuring him and Obama.

A McCain v Clinton race would have been a technocrats dream I think.

A Clinton v. McCain race would be a partisan's dream. It would be like the Hatfields and the McCoys all over again...

I think Obama v. McCain will be more about the issues.

Obama has been a street fighter from the beginning....this is from a piece in the current Dallas Observer, from a guy who was just trying to get started as a journalist when Obama was a newcomer:

"Obama has spent his entire political career trying to win the next step up. Every three years, he has aspired to a more powerful political position.

He was just 35 when in 1996 he won his first bid for political office. Even many of his staunchest supporters, such as Black, still resent the strong-arm tactics Obama employed to win his seat in the Illinois Legislature.

Obama hired fellow Harvard Law alum and election law expert Thomas Johnson to challenge the nominating petitions of four other candidates, including the popular incumbent, Alice Palmer, a liberal activist who had held the seat for several years, according to an April 2007 Chicago Tribune report.

Obama found enough flaws in the petition sheets—to appear on the ballot, candidates needed 757 signatures from registered voters living within the district—to knock off all the other Democratic contenders. He won the seat unopposed. "

I'm saying that he's no novice to hardball.

Rats, Bear -- I can't view YouTube stuff....so I missed the meeting....

And Hillary calls herself a fighter...

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=reu-boxing-japan-mum&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Patsi,

Do I read your post correctly that you are decrying a man for having ambition?

Not for having ambition, Bear. But I understand what the writer means by talking about someone always running for the next rung up instead of doing the job at hand. I've seen plenty of them in the music business, the ones who fail upward. And by "fail" I mean fail to get done what they were hired to do in the job they were in. Their energies are always spent on moving ahead. The kind of people who vote "Present" instead of putting their neck on the line.

Sometimes these people leave a serious mess in their wake. I don't know if Obama will. I'm just saying that getting ahead seems to always trump getting the job done.

And speaking of failing upward:

"I think this economy is down because we built too many houses." -- President Bush

Bear

I am presuming that for this purpose, Patsi and I are the Japanese?

I posted a link to that whole article yesterday. If you read the whole article, you find that virtually everything Senator Obama claims as a victory in the Illinois senate was handed to him to complete for passage by his mentor after other legislators had done 99% of the work. Lots of residual hard feelings. Also taking a lot of bows for the work of others as a community activist.

There is a great deal made of Senator Clinton has been plotting and planning for this her WHOLE life blah blah, but when you did into Senator Obama's past the ambition is equally marked. It's not a bad thing, but her supporters resent her being slapped for something he has done, if anything, more stridently than she has while climbing to the top on the backs of others.

Jamie! Sorry, I should have credited you with that link! And yes -- the ambition accusation has been leveled at Hillary every step of the way.

Both Ambitious

She gets punished for working hard
He gets praised for hardly working

Obama & Rumsfeld

Is this good judgement? Would make a nice attack ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxPA37n0oOU

I understand and recognize the argument you are making. The incumbent is an example. He did leave a past littered with failures as he climbed the ladder. Obama doesn't have those failures in his past so far as I can tell. People can say Hillary has health care but she failed trying to do something and in my book there is nothing wrong with that.

Jamie

At this level everybody has walked over a few people to get where they are and also everybody is hyper ambitious. It is a bit like the NBA or NFL players to play at this level everybody is good, tough and wants to win.
Only a fan type like Warren, believes his team is different.

Jack

Patsi and Jamie

I think we've lost perspective here.

Obama moving very quickly up the chain on the backs of his fellow democratic lawmakers in the Illinois Senate is just political ambition and he should be admired.

Hillary working for women's rights, human rights and fighting on behalf of foster and abused children for the past 35 years is just her being a power hungry bitch who will do anything to be President.

OK - wait - I have to give GORDO credit for that link...that's a real JEM!

Wendy, Thank you for the clarification. Now I can enthusiastically get behind this crazed mob with the torches and pitchforks.

Just what we need ... another hot spot ... maybe I should check out Revelations for end of the world scenarios

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Armenia_declares_state_of_emergency.html?siteSect=143&sid=8799921&cKey=1204398501000&ty=ti

Bear and others

Sometimes we learn more from our failures than we do our successes...I believe that makes people stronger...and yes...stronger leaders.

"Obama doesn't have those failures in his past so far as I can tell. People can say Hillary has health care but she failed trying to do something and in my book there is nothing wrong with that."

I can't find a lot that he's done one way or the other....did ignore the fight to save a cool and historic black blues club in Chicago when eminent domain reared its ugly head....but, hey, he didn't invade Indiana...:)

At any rate, if he's the Dem candidate I'll vote for him.

"I think we've lost perspective here."

ROFL, Wendy!

Jamie:

LOL

:-D

Reformer: Trial Will Reveal 'Cesspool' of Obama's Allies

"With the corruption trial of one of Sen. Barack Obama's longtime friends and supporters set to begin Monday in Chicago, Ill., reform watchdogs say it will reveal the "cesspool" of Illinois politics in which Obama came of age and has said little about in his campaign for president.

"This wasn't just some guy who wrote a check once for Barack Obama, it's someone who was an early supporter and had a personal relationship with Sen. Obama for quite some time," Stewart said.

A motion filed by federal prosecutors identifies two instances when Rezko directed contributions to an unnamed "political candidate" who has since been identified by Chicago newspapers as Obama. "

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4365942&page=1

Wendy,

Perhaps I should offer you what I would offer any bitter pledge of my fraternity...here's a lemon...were I you, I would scrub the peal because apparently it's not uncommon to have fecal matter on them when they reach your local supermarket...

If Hillary loses RI and I don't think she will, I would tell you to get a Del's frozen lemonade.

Obama supporters aren't calling her a power hungry bitch. It's the main stream media and others who draw that conclusion from her time in the White House. I applaud her work for the Children's Defense Fund. Why hasn't she talked about that more during this campaign? It's not Obama's fault she isn't running the right type of race.

However, anyone running for president is power hungry. It's naive to think otherwise.

Jack:

"At this level everybody has walked over a few people to get where they are . . . ."

Despite the fact that sometimes I sound like a 16-year-old - I have a realist streak to my personality as well.

I think the list of political enemies that Clinton (and McCain) has amassed over the years far exceeds that of Obama. This is just a product of her spending more time in Washington and in the public eye. Not too mention - she was involved in bitter partisan battles over healthcare and impeachment, which have left deep wounds on both sides.

For practical reasons - I think Obama will face LESS resistance. I know he will still need to fight - and that is why I am glad he can play hardball just as well as he can inspire.

Bear and others

Sometimes we learn more from our failures than we do our successes...I believe that makes people stronger...and yes...stronger leaders.

Posted by: Wendy! Author Profile Page | March 1, 2008 5:12 PM

I suppose I am being overly sensitive but your statement appears to be patronizing. Yes I am channeling Geraldine Ferraro as I say this too.

Smart people should always learn from failure. Yes you can learn things about yourself in failure that you won't learn from always winning. If you go to Successories and look at the poster describing Abraham Lincoln, we can see that while he ofter did fail, he wasn't content to wallow in it and throw himself a pity party. He got off his ass and chose to fight again and again.

Well, we'll see how it all turns out. The country elected George W. Bush. You never know what people will do.

Bear...sorry...I was roughly interpreting this:

"That woman will jeopardize the party and do anything to win just to be the first woman president. "

and other similar sentiments that I have seen posted here.

As for the Children's Defense Fund, she talks about it all the time - especially during the campaign...she talks often of her work for women and human rights and her work on behalf of children.

And I know that anyone running for President has a big ego and is power hungry...it is the Obama supporters that have portrayed him as something different. I'm just pointing out instances where it is clear that he is no different. I'm just poking some holes in his "new politics"...that's all.

If I were naive...I would be supporting Obama.

[ducking and running out of the room]

Obama has since called his decision to involve Rezko "a bone-headed mistake."

Is this an example of BHO's superior "judgment" that he is trying to sell?

patsi - RE: Fry's imaginary groundswell for BO

The key to understanding Fry is that he makes sense...except when he doesn't.

I'm not shifting my support from HRC. Mark my words-Obama = Shrub 2.0

There's always Streets of Fire.

Ralph Nader loves John McCain

"In 2004, Nader asked McCain to help his campaign -- and the senator rushed to his side. Is the consumer advocate now returning the favor?

Nader is already focusing his fire on the Democrats, with his Web site featuring dozens of press releases attacking Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, while none voice the slightest criticism of McCain. In his latest round of television appearances, Nader trained his fire directly on Obama."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/02/29/mccain_nader/index.html?source=search&aim=/opinion/conason

Bear...re your post above on lemonade. My across-the-street neighbor brought me five fresh-picked lemons right off her tree just a couple days ago. So like a good Floridian, I rinsed them thoroughly then made a pitcher of lemonade out of them, and then tossed the peels into the brew. But for whatever reason...I then dumped it right down the sink because I started thinking about all the birds and squirrels that had probably crapped on those peels.

So I'm glad to hear someone else worries about that kind of stuff too. I was beginning to think I was showing signs of OCD or something.

Wendy:

Sometimes you just can't help yourself. But I can't fault you since you are just aticulating one of the themes of Hillary's campaign.

There are plenty of naive people supporting Clinton. In fact, her base is low or middle class whites - which is the same demographic (only blue) that voted in Bush twice. These people get their political news from sound bytes - and when you don't hear the whole story - this whole experience thing - plus all the attack ads - makes Hillary seem like the safe choice.

But for people who pay attention - the media and elected officials - Obama's support is growing. You may think the people on MSNBC are sexist - but they are far from naive.

Heck - I even think Obama may get Joe S.'s vote in FL. He is not a fan of McCain. And even if you don't think this is a good thing - a vote is a vote.

"[most of] These people."

Warren,
I'm still thinking about (and liking more and more) the idea someone floated last night about Obama choosing Biden as a running mate if he gets the nom.

That might be enough to get me excited about voting for him.

I think Biden will be in Obama's cabinet. He has been campaigning for an executive position for years now. The Senate does not suit him anymore.

The Senate is for partisans. Biden just says what he thinks. Sometimes to his own detriment in our hyper-polite (some might say slightly facist) political environment.

“I'm not shifting my support from HRC. Mark my words-Obama = Shrub 2.0”

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve heard to date. Obama, very bright, intelligent with good judgment, not a bully, works with people to bring about change, has total command of the English languages as well as several other languages, and you compare him with a spoiled rich "boy", an egomaniac, says God tells him to go to war, does not know English, and who is totally stupid.

Unbelievable!!

"In fact, her base is low or middle class whites - which is the same demographic (only blue) that voted in Bush twice."

Warren! And you question my referring to the great unwashed! Yep, it's me, Jamie, Wendy, Flatus, Pogo and Blue -- just to name a few who've been here today -- and a bunch of other slow normal trailer trash types like Pat Schroeder and Maxine Waters supporting Hillary.

Depending on Tuesday's outcome, of course, I think it's important for Obama to start reassuring folks that he's going to have able folks around him if elected -- and to start naming names. That would do a lot to settle many of my worries about him.

The thing about Clinton when he was at this stage back in 1992 was that he was alreadly known to be a pretty widely-connected policy nerd. The kind of person who would be able to attract the Robert Reiches and Bob Rubins and Donna Shalalas of the world to his team. So there were no worries.

With Obama, who knows? The man is the message and the message is the man -- after that, it's pretty slim pickins.

"... Obama has claimed to be against the predatory lending practices affecting the housing market in the United States, he has nonetheless failed to inform the public (as part of his transparency rhetoric) that his ‘Campaign Finance Chair’ Penny Pritzker (pictured above) is one of it’s infamous proponents. Mrs. Pritzker used to be head of the notorious “Savings and Loans” Superior Bank, one of the worse offenders (sometimes considered the leader) of the sub-prime mortgage crisis that befell our Country a few years back, until it finally collapsed in 2002. Said bank is well known in the industry and among federal regulators for having engaged in highly questionable accounting practices, charging countless hidden fees, and for their deceptive and faulty lending, MOST of them made to poor minority consumers. Curiously enough, the sub-prime crisis fell harder in the Latino and African American community of Chicago (more than in any other part of the Country according to the Mortgage Bankers Association) and were her bank was located. At the end of this sad story, Pritzker and her colleagues were able to walk away unscathed with their pockets full of cash while many of those who were duped by their practices ended up homeless."

http://savagepolitics.com/

"an egomaniac, says God tells him to go to war,"

Are you saying that God didn't appoint Obama as the new Joshua meant to deliver you to the Promised Land, (as long as you genuflect beside the voting booth)???? Wash your mouth out with soap.

BHO's short list : Oprah, Jessie Jackson, Ted Kennedy,

Oh yeah. I forgot about Oprah. Consider me reassured now.
Maybe we can even get Kelly Ripa on board.

""an egomaniac, says God tells him to go to war,"

Are you saying that God didn't appoint Obama as the new Joshua meant to deliver you to the Promised Land, (as long as you genuflect beside the voting booth)???? Wash your mouth out with soap."

Patsi, get real. Obama has come along at a time in history when I believe he is needed. He is not from the Promised Land (as you call it), but at least he can communicate and inspire people to do better from the ground up. It's about time we had that kind of inspiration and leadership instead of from the top down. His fellow Republicans even consider him someone who can unite.

A VP for Obama: I still say Jim Webb of Virginia and the conversations now coming up are Rendell of Pennsylvania. I do not believe it will be Oprah; that was a joke on Obama’s part, although she could probably do a better job than Hilliary. She could at least unite more people throughout the world.

Folks...fun diversion for anyone who's bored. Go on YouTube and just search "William F Buckley"
Lots of classic moments will pop up, including a 1968 smackdown with Gore Vidal.
It's pretty fun browsing to do while dinner's on the stove.
(Not that I'd ever want to drive traffic away from Craig's blog. But hey...Craig blew us off today anyway for a bunch of stupid yardwork)

Lardass,

Did you mention Slim Pickins?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHSDa2Jwqc

Patsi:

And it also includes my family - who are supporting Obama. And I only have a few more months of "working for the man"...

"My momma voted for Obama!!"

Lard! I forgot to include you in the trailer trash crowd!

This afternoon there was a special about Hilliary Rodham Clinton on one of the channels (didn’t pay attention to which one). I was surprised myself because Bill had such an insider group around him all the time from when he was running for the Senate (or was it Congress?) that even “before” they were married he would have these broads over and the insiders knew to usher them out the back door when Hilliary was coming in the front door. She definitely must have had her nose in a book all of the time because many women have that intuitive feeling when a man is that untruthful.

Karo supports Oprah's VP run: "she could probably do a better job than Hilliary. She could at least unite more people throughout the world"

Yeah, maybe she could put millions into a school in Africa (instead of in the inner city Chicago) and allow girls to be molested there. Helluva uniter.

McCain may blow himself out of the water. More and more I am thinking he is senile. Really senile.

"Lard! I forgot to include you in the trailer trash crowd!"

Is this a joke or are you serious about this trailer trash talk? I didn't think real Democrats who seem to care for everyone used that kind of language.

I think Obama might choose his VP from Dodd, Biden, Edwards or Richardson.

I think it makes sense to capitalize on people that have been on the national stage this year. We have seen how the candidates have improved their debating skills the more they participate in them. We need someone to stand up to a hard edge Republican. I think McCain will seek to stay above the fray and he will go with an attack dog for a VP.

Plus, all those people named already have a dedicated national following.

I did not say I support Oprah for VP. That line was used on (I believe) SNL.

Karolenna:

A woman's intuition is no match for one of the most gifted silver-tounged politicians in recent memory.

Plus - no one wanted to believe the guy could be that stupid! I am pretty sure I would get fired if I got caught engaging in "relations" wth an intern in my office.

That shit offended me more than most Dems. Even without getting into morality, I just thought it was incredibily irresponsible.

Maybe Patsi is hitting the bottle tonight!!!

I can tell you one thing for certain, the Obama nor the Hilliary crowd tomorrow will be talking to trailer trash. Many people in the area where they are speaking are in a very high income range.

LardAss,

I didn't worry about lemon's until I saw something on MSNBC.com about a study where they found ecoli or shit or other stuff on lemons...scared the crap out of me...literally...

Also, Kelly Ripa is hot and her father is a big time union boss in either northern PA or southern Jersey...if she is in the family mold she is a good democrat.

As for a VP short list, I speculate on the following:

1. Sam Nunn
2. Jim Webb
3. Bill Richardson
4. Kathy Sibelius
5. Dolly Parton

Bear -- ROFL re: Dolly Parton.....although, truth be known, she is one smart woman.

Sorry. I might have double posted some fun links to a Buckley vs. Noam Chomsky debate from the 60s. Watching it is a great relief from the sorry level of TV programming that passes for political discourse today. That's the only reason I posted.

Craig -- "the blog owner" -- may not allow us to see it though. Apparently my post is being "held for his review."

Bear...thanks for validating my innermost fears about crap-covered lemon peels.

Now...onto the next subject: Germ-infested shopping-cart handles. (Okay, I'm just kidding)

Sometimes I’ve read so much of a poster’s comments that it is the same ole thing all the time.

Good read about the Rhode Island upcoming primary about Obama’s momentum moving up.

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline said he still plans to vote for her [Hilliary] on Tuesday but added: "I continue to be very disappointed with the way the campaign handled that." [when firefighters threatened to picket a Clinton event and the Clinton’s “reassigned” him]. Cicilline is a superdelegate who might have a role in deciding his party's eventual nominee. In an interview at City Hall, he said that "it would be disingenuous to say recent events won't have an impact" on his decision.

RHODE ISLAND PRIMARY
Clinton Has Connections, While Obama Has Momentum
By Keith B. Richburg
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 1, 2008; Page A06

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/01/AR2008030100894.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

Bear:

I didn't know much about Nunn.

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

I think his expertise in Nuclear Threats could be key as VP. But in terms of the general election, I suspect the GOP would have fun with his record in the Coast Guard as opposed to the millitary. But then again he as also an Eagle Scout. I don't see how he would be better than Richardson - a governor (not another senator) who also has experience with Nukes and Foreign Affairs. Unless people are nervous about not having a white guy on the ticket.

Hey DND...very funny play off the slim pickins' reference. :)

Patsi, here's one time we agree but is she a Democrat? Celebration time, come on!

"Bear -- ROFL re: Dolly Parton.....although, truth be known, she is one smart woman."

I don't know...ole Ralphie is starting to win me over.

:-D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SyvkXzKsxE&feature=related

Wendy:

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

OK - if Dolly is VP candidate...count me in!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLmGabSz9vc

Somebody just needs to tranquilize Ralph Nader, then build an elaborate soundstage around him simulating the Oval Office, complete with "outside reality" piped in a la the Truman Show. Then wake him up and tell him he's president, and tell him the guys in the white coats are his "top aides." Then just lock the door. Forever.

Maybe then he'll leave us all alone.

LAL

Since Craig is away raking or something. Any post with more than TWO links goes in the hopper for his okay to prevent spamming.

You can post the links just make sure there are no more than TWO in each post.

So...here's my vote for a campaign slogan for an Obama-Parton ticket: "Three Boobs For One America"

Warren:

Wah wah wah wah wah

;-)

LL

ROFL!!!

Thanks Jamie. Either way, I will choose to withhold my earlier posts in silent protest to the crypto-fascist regime of Craig Crawford.

All you have to do, anyway, is go to YouTube and search "William F. Buckley" and "Chomsky" and all of the links should pop up. It's pretty fun viewing.

Karo -- Dolly is too savvy to get into politics as far as I know. So I don't know if she's a registered anything. Here in TN we don't actually register as a party member. But, as with Johnny Cash, while I've never heard of her saying she was one thing or the other I do know that she's a liberal -- and a staunch one at that. As was Johnny.

And before we argue about candidates again, tell us about your new grandbaby. Mine is two now. Maria Irina.

LAL

Well they could also use the theme song from Chorus Line that I recommended for the Stephanie Miller/Cici Goldwater ticket:

Tits and Ass

(Yes I know it's really Dance 10 Looks 3)

oops

wonder if Ted is senile too...perhaps they can put him and McCain in the same nursing home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APx2YJ-_jos

ha-ha-ha

If Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd both get in Obama's Cabinet, they'll have to install a lap-dance club in the Old Executive Office Building.

Dolly Parton is definitely a charter member of the group known in Hollywood/showbiz circles as "the good ones."

She's a pretty amazing person, who treats everyone she meets with respect and generosity.

3 boobs for the price of one...LL!!

ya gotta warn me when ya do that.. here i just got a new keyboard..and ya make me spew coffee all over it..

dayum

By the way Ty, my keyboard's mysterious malfunctions from last night seem to have magically disappeared. Tonight, I'm locked and loaded with all vowels and consonants.

ok..where are the donuts??? i'm starved

Lard -- Hyperbole....Me? Huh? :)

Jack and Hill

( Jack Nicholson endorses Hillary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOa3sXjqE4

Craig is all over the MSNBC special on Obama. Way to go Craig!!

Now some of you have an excuse to watch it. Don't worry - we won't tell Hillary.

Lardass,
"If Ted Kennedy and Chris Dodd both get in Obama's Cabinet, they'll have to install a lap-dance club in the Old Executive Office Building."

Just like the Clinton presidency. Remember it well. Good times!

well..i'll agree, yer loaded :) :)

wish everyone would just take a pill... it's the weekend..take a break

Take a pill? Take a break? Easy for you to say, Canada Girl.

We Yanks have screwed up an entire world and need to fix it. No time to relax!

:)

Take a pill? Take a break? Easy for you to say, Canada Girl.

We Yanks have screwed up an entire world and need to fix it. No time to relax!

:)

Teddy won't be in the Cabinet. He already got to be the king maker.

Anyways, Wendy are you troubled at all at the willingness of the Clinton campaign to throw anyone who stands in their way under the bus.

How did you feel about Senator Kennedy before this campaign. He has been spot on in his judgment on several key issues during the Bush years. And willing to stand up for them. But days after he comes out in support of Obama - the former President of the US is linking him to Bush and pointing out his failures on No Child Left Behind. Way to lift the party up.

Obama makes arguments why he is a better candidate than Hillary in this election. He does not attack any of the elected officals or pundits that throw their support behind Clinton. He is patient enough - and smart enough - to win them over in the end without leaving a trail of bleeding donkeys in his wake.

"In announcing his endorsement, General Shelton said, “I’ve been with Senator Clinton when she has been with our military men and women. I know from those experiences that she understands the demands and sacrifice of military life. I am confident she will always put the readiness and well being of our troops first. She is ready to be Commander-in-Chief.”

General Shelton joins General John Shalikashvili as the second former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have endorsed Senator Clinton. General Shelton is the fourth flag officer to endorse Senator Clinton this week."

Are We Preparing to Start a New Middle East Fire?

"I know some of you need a break from the campaign fol-de-rol, or at least think you do. Well, you’ll be sorry. Looks like the Administration is trying an indirect method to provoke Iran and its surrogate, Hezbollah, to do something provocative."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/03/01/are-we-preparing-to-start-a-new-middle-east-fire/

LL:

Can I be the Cary Grant?!

Warren...you can't be serious. You don't think Obama intended to totally antagonize Bill Clinton with his remarks pre-South Carolina about the Repubs having all the "big ideas" during the 80s and 90s?

That was absolutely a personal slam on Bill Clinton. And I don't think it did anything to "lift the party up", either.

I feel much taller and speak more clearly on the internet. Hah!

Warren..you have to learn to climb up the back of a dinosaur skeleton before you can be Cary Grant.
:)

"A late-February Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll found that voters believe McCain has 'the right experience' over Obama by a 53-22 margin."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/mar/02/barackobama.johnmccain

Old School is on ABC.

"How did you feel about Senator Kennedy before this campaign."

Warren -- I loved Teddy Kennedy before his endorsement and still do. He has been a GIANT in the liberal movement. He could easily have retired some time ago to spend his time sailing & quaffing scotch on the rocks. But he stayed on behalf of all of us. Just because I disagree with his choice of a candidate does not mean I would ever question his passion and commitment for causes that count.

"He does not attack any of the elected officals or pundits that throw their support behind Clinton"

You might want to check about that with the CBC members who have backed Senator Clinton.

And speaking of Howard Hawks movies, it's easy to be an Obama supporter: "All you have to do is put your lips together and blow."

That's from To Have and Have Not.

Craig was really good on that Obama MSNBC special. They have one out for each of the Big 3.

I guess they figure we know enough about Huck since he is on every damn station all the time. I think he may be a replacement on the Celebrity Apprentice once McCain "officially" wins the nomination.

Or maybe he just wants to be the new voice of the religious right - which to tell ya the truth - would be a breath of fresh air.

How bout Vince Vaughn?

What is my fascination with tall guys... Guess it could be since Cruise is such a kook. But he has hit the lottery in terms of wives (even though I'd rather score on my first try!).

In 52 Secs Why Barack Obama Cannot Win a General Election.

Put out by Freedom Watch in am email

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

Doom:

I don't get it. Can you explain the type of twisted message I am supposed to take from that? It sounded fine to me.

no

Warren. The reason Doom can't answer is because he is a cyborg. Leave him alone, and he will go away in search of some other blog.

LL wrote: "That was absolutely a personal slam on Bill Clinton. And I don't think it did anything to "lift the party up", either."

I completely agree...this was supposed to be a slam on Bill's administration which actually back fired on him...he was back pedaling so fast out of this one I thought he was going to hurt himself.

And BTW Warren...to answer you question. I have 2 items for you:

Chapaquitic and William Kennedy Smith

I have no problem saying Ted Kennedy is a misogynist and perhaps worse. AND THAT is how I felt about him before his endorsement of Obama. I'm not in love with the Kennedy's like a lot of people are. Sorry. I have always had a lot of respect for RFK jr. particularly because of his outspokenness when it comes to environmental issues. But there are plenty of Kennedy scandal to go around and Uncle Teddy is usually the ring leader or the go to guy.

BO has done plenty of attacking of Clinton supporters (e.g. the threats to the black superDs behind the scenes).

Sorry...I'm not going to help you perpetuate the myth that Obama is some kind of above the board guy ushering in a new era of "can't we all just get along politics".

Ted Kennedy endorsed Obama because he hates women.

End of story.

can I be Jane Withers? SHE turned EVERYTHING into a production! :) :)

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-obama1mar01,1,6796560.story

just thought it might be interesting to see what others(non-Obamas) are doing

This from the National Journal's Daily Breifing on Politics:

February 29, 2008
Pregnant Pause
It was, in this reporter's opinion, the most interesting moment in today's Clinton campaign phoner with reporters. Responding to the release of HRC's new TX TV ad, which asserts in no subtle terms that only she has the experience to deal with a major world crisis, and, relatedly, to keep your children safe, Slate's John Dickerson asked the obvious question:

"What foreign policy moment would you point to in Hillary's career where she's been tested by crisis?" he said.

Silence on the call. You could've knit a sweater in the time it took the usually verbose team of Mark Penn, Howard Wolfson and Lee Feinstein, Clinton's national security director, to find a cogent answer. And what they came up with was weak -- that she's been endorsed by many high ranking members of the uniformed military.

Ty...according to her Wikipedia, her last perfomance was a voice role at age 76 in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II (2002, Direct To DVD).

Life is sad. Can I just die now?

lol.. NO! ya gotta help me make everything into a big production.. mannn that girl could dance!! look at old clips..she was amazing!

Crap. I just wanted to die.
But I'll look at the clips, right after I flip this slab of ribs I've got cooking.

I am not pointing to stuff "behind the scenes." I am talking about a former President using that national stage to put down other Democratic leaders in a critical election year.

It is one thing to have Republican attacks paroted back by surrogates. I think it is a bit different when they are voiced by Bill Clinton.

He could have very easily talked about why Hillary should be elected instead of why Obama shouldn't be. Kennedy had to hit back hard because Bill Clinton was the only person who has landed a glove on Obama this entire campaign.

we had cheeseburgs... with Diana sauce.. mmMM good..

the news about the dave clark five singer yesterday made me feel really friggin old... sigh

Yes...I would say that was a fair question asked about Hillary...and fair that their was no answer.

That said...she has been in the white house during those moments and has seen first hand how those kinds of situations get handled...I'm sure she was even an adviser on some issues during critical moments. But...true...she didn't have to make the final decision.

So...same question to Barack Obama

I know I know he went to an anti-war rally and gave a speech. But has he ever handled a real crisis or been in the room or been an adviser to anyone during a real crisis?

Just wondering.

The judgment thing isn't working for me since he's shown lots of moments of bad judgment...some even linked or brought up here just today.

I may have missed the news story on the Obama in a crisis moment so if anyone can provide me a link...I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

oh come on warren... this is a man who, by all accounts, didn't have a racist bone(r) (I know, too easy) in his body... then the Joe Scarboros of this world let loose on him...

I meant "there was no answer" - hate it when I get my their there they're screwed up.

Really...this Kennedy / B. Clinton thing is a big pissing contest if you ask me. Kennedy hates it that the young whipper snapper Clinton took over his role as grand pub ah of the party. He just hates it...so...you know what's got thrown out on the table.

I have no respect for Kennedy so I don't care if he gets called out.

[shrug]

And Wendy the point about Reagan is an important one. You refuse to accept it because it is fatal to Hillary's campaign.

Obama has the potential to do exactly what Reagan did. Build a working coalition to actually get the Democratic Agenda moved forward in Washington (Reagan Dems = Obamacans + Indys - who are registering where they can to vote for Obama on Mar. 4)..

Clinton cannot make the argument that she can do any better than the 50 + 1 strategy (and she can win the big states that usually go Blue). She will have serious problems in the South. She also would not be as great an asset as Obama in getting more Dems elected. There is no doubt who is better on the campaign trail.

With Obama - and the desire for change that is out there - the Dems have the potential to win by a record margin (at least when compared to recent elections). And yes - Obama could stumble. But so could Hillary (and Bill could also make a mistake that could hurt her in the general - especially when the GOP breaks out the long knives). I'll take my chances with Obama and the hope that our government can do better.

Wendy,
The issue is that Penn , Wolfson and Feinstein are all high paid senior staffers who just can't get it together.
No wonder HRC's message ain't resonating.

LL...Anne Miller..that's who i meant.. she's here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2huRQ8-vZYg&feature=related

I saw Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney do Sugar Babies in Portland about 20 years ago..She was wonderful, full of energy and could still dance well at about 70.

Hey Warren

I see your argument. It's definitely a wait and see. I believe that all those red states you guys hope he's going to win...he's not...but neither of us know.

You can point to Republicans and Indies voting for him...but nobody is sure just exactly how much of that is genuine. I'm not saying some of it is not genuine...clearly Hillary is also picking up some Indie and Republican votes...according to the survey I think linked yesterday or today...she's within a couple of points of O' in both Indie and Repub categories.

That said, I wouldn't point to either of those as proof that she can do the 50+1 that you keep talking about.

For me electability is off the table as a reason to vote for someone because based on what I've seen I don't think he's anymore electable than the other 2 in the race (McCain and Clinton). I'm using different criteria for my vote.

You are welcome to stick with the elctability strategy.

yep..and she DID turn everything into a big production :) :)

Vivian

I don't disagree...

I really don't like Penn at all - gives me the creeps every time he's on TV - she should have fired him a long time ago or at the very least not let him be interviewed.

And where are those tax returns?! How come the so-called biased media isn't all over this story. If she is making an electability argument - we should see those things during the nomination process - not after it.

I know he can be a bastard - but Tucker said he could go down to his basement and get his tax returns in 20 minutes. The Clinton machine needs to see how much the law will allow them to hide before she discloses anything.

Damn...Ty...now you got me going on a misbegotten Jane Withers goose chase, and I should be mad. But instead, I love you even more, because look at the gold I found. I think this clip symbolizes the current Dem dilemma:

Jane Withers on the tricycle = The Obama Juggernaut
Shirley Temple = Democrat Base
Rescued Doll = Hillary
Old Guy In Wheelchair = Ted Kennedy

This is from the 1930s movie Bright Eyes. Watch it. It actually makes a lot of sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltsEms2SkGI

" I am talking about a former President using that national stage to put down other Democratic leaders in a critical election year. "

Jesus! And Obama didn't try to destroy the legacy of Bill Clinton???? Warren, stop and think for once.

Wendy -- aside from my respect for Teddy's liberal legacy, I do agree that here is something personal between him and Bill Clinton.

Time to feed Lucy. I imagine this place will be pretty tense leading up to Mar. 4. This is the real Super Tuesday coming up - for both parties.

HRC missing from flight from Texas to Ohio this evening.
Speculation is wild that she spirited off to NC to meet with John Edwards.

I know Patsi...you and I keep forgetting. If Bill and Hillary call someone out...they're tearing the party apart. If Obama calls someone out he's just trying to start a movement of change.

"Obama has the potential to do exactly what Reagan did."

Destroy middle class America?

Ribs done. Lardass over and out.

See you all later.

Love ya Ty.

hahahaaaa i love it, LL!!

Patsi:

There are different rules once you become President. But then again - Bill Clinton has never been a strict textualist when it comes to rules. One of his greatest skills is exploiting the grey areas...

The whisper is that Bill Richardson will be endorsing tomorrow morning on CBS's Face the Nation.

Vivian...where did you hear that or you messin' w/ everyone?

"There are different rules once you become President. But then again - Bill Clinton has never been a strict textualist when it comes to rules. One of his greatest skills is exploiting the grey areas..."

And you know all this because of your long interest in politics?

you know with all the blackberrys out there, leaks are hard to control. I guess it matters who your friends are.

cyborg is me HA !

You're right Patsi. I am clueless.

Anne Miller and a lady that I worked for were very close friends so I did get to meet her once. She was very down to earth, nice person. Now they are both gone except for a whole lot of great movies and names memorialized on buildings.

FDR: beginning in 1907

Public Advocate
New York State Legislature
Asst. Secretary of the Navy
Governor of New York

His public service was interruped in the early 20's by his battle with polio. This period had enormous impact in developing his character and his empathy for those without his opportunities. Anything written by Doris Kearns Goodwin is helpful in understanding FDR.

Or just rent a very good move

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054354/

just for fun....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RHHZy2X0jY

Wendy,
Richardson is appearing tomorrow on Face the Nation with Sen Chris Dodd and Evan Bayh.
My source tells me he will be making an endorsement.

cmon..get up and dance.. wth!!

NYT is also reporting that former two term NY Governor Carey has endorsed Obama.

I just saw the news story on the missing Hillary.

I found the BR appearance now.

Does your source tell you for who?

Come on Vivian...tell us!

Richardson did promise to endorse by the end of the week, so the Sunday show seems like the place. Any hints as to who?

Looks like they may have something else to talk about on Sunday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians

With the current state of the world - do you really think America should wait until its "preconditions" are met before it starts to utilize its soft power. And if so - in all your infinite wisdom and all the four-star general endorsements - can you give me an idea of when that might be or how it will come about without the direct assistance of the US President?

To me, it sounds like a recipe for an escalation of hard power - at a time when our military is already strained.

Hillary went to NYC for SNL

Oh shit. To tell ya the truth - Tina Fey scares me more than Richardson.

doom-n-gloom

oh...yea they said they were going to do more stuff this week because it went over so well last.

That'll be fun...I might actually try to stay up and watch it...I'm a light weight though and am usually in bed by 8

:-(

Wow Wendy - you are probably waking up when I am going to sleep on most days.

if it is SNL I think it's a smart move the weekend before junior tuesday - her letting her guard down and laughing at herself a little bit I think will help her out.

Has todays younger females abandoned the feminist movement? Do they no longer care about the advancement of women?

To answer my own question I think they have otherwise HRC would be light years ahead of this lightweight BHO.
I still have faith in HRC to become the D's nominee.

Goodnight.

I get up at 5 a.m. most mornings - I'm a morning person.

I just saw on CNN and NYT that it is SNL - this should be fun. She's doing the Daily Show on Monday...that too should be fun. The lighter side of Hillary...might as well put it all out on the table.

Wendy
My source tells me that there is incresing concerns amongst "key Democrats" that the race is tilting too negative , they want to end the promaries after March 4th.
This will give the party time to heal and shift the focus on not only regaining the White House but increase the Democrat majority in Congress.

Jamie...I have a hopeful theory on the Richardson endorsement. I say hopeful because the rational side of me says he'll endorse Obama tomorrow.

My hopeful theory, however, is that he and Bill C. struck a deal on Super Bowl Sunday to do the endorsement the Sunday before junior Tuesday. With NM being a neighboring state...maybe they thought it would be more effective if it came right before.

OK...now I'm putting my realist cap back on. He'll probably just jump on the Obamawagon like everyone else...hoping maybe for the VP slot.

Hey Vivian:

thanks for the hint...

sigh

Wendy

I'm with you in the hopeful category. If I were planning miracles, it would be Richardson tomorrow and Edwards next weekend.

Wendy:

I think it is possible Bill struck a deal during the Superbowl. Richardson may have secured a VP spot or a Cabinet spot with Hillary in exchange for the Clintons being able to call on his endorsement whenvever they thought they needed it most.

Richardson has spent a lot of time with the Clintons during his political career (of course that is why an endorsement of Obama would be a big statement from Richardson).

I am not counting the Clintons out until I hear the concession speech.

well according to Vivian...Hillary is going to have to try to move forward w/o the support of the democratic party.

Hopefully Richardson won't make a difference and Hillary will still win where she needs to on Tuesday and they'll have to reconcile themselves with letting all the states vote.

Of course..the superDs will probably end up deciding the race after all...endorsing Obama after 3/4...which is what everyone on the Obama side doesn't want them to do..that is unless of course...they decide it in favor of Obama.

This is why I can't affiliate myself with a party anymore and have switched to Independent. In the end...the race is still close and if all the states were 1) allowed to vote and 2) all the votes counted...Hillary could very well be the nominee but the "party" has decided how they want it to go.

I know Hillary will not do a Huckabee...she's very party focused...so I know if she knows the party has turned on her...she'll step out.

"HRC missing from flight from Texas to Ohio this evening."

doom got it right. SNL reported several places.

She had no choice but to show up there or be faced with a 3:00 am bimbo call skit.

"My source tells me that there is incresing concerns amongst "key Democrats" that the race is tilting too negative , they want to end the promaries after March 4th."

Key Dems = Obama supporters?

Richardson's campaign theme of experience would seem in concert with a Hillary endorsement.

G man,

source = Larry Sinclair?

The question for me with Obama is he a 'Bill Clinton" or is he a "Dan Quail"
I hope for the former but see little proof he is not the later.

Jack

Huffpo's got a page identifying most of the SDs by state. Interesting...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/p/huffposts-offthebus-superdeleg.html

Damn, I'm seeing the mute finally speak up! You know it's tight as a tick if Chelsea comes out.

I have a wonderful reproduction of the final FDR unfinished portrait in my living room....It was a gift from a friend who visited Warm Springs.

"She had no choice but to show up there or be faced with a 3:00 am bimbo call skit."

BIMBO? Point Rez?

Wendy:

If the super D's start throwing their support behind Obama on Mar. 5 - after Obama has won 15 states in a row (or at least gone 13-2 since the supposed end-all-be-all Super Tues.), and he has won a clear majority of the states and the popular vote - I do not think the super D's will be taking the election out of the people's hands. They will be reflecting the reality of the last two months and circling the wagons to prepare for the general.

The super D's that I really have a problem with are the ones that made up their minds before any votes were cast declared who they support - and then chose to stick their heads in the sand this entire primary season. And most of those support Clinton.

And you argue on behalf of letting the other states have their say - but of all the remaining states after Mar. 4 - the Clinton campaign claims they can win a single state - PA - and her support there is slipping.

HRC miscalculated on the depth of the opposition to the war amongst the Democrat base.
She got the political cover from Dodd and Biden to acknowledge that the vote was a mistake but she wouldn't do it.
James Carville and Paul Bagala encouraged her to do it but she held her ground.
She was more concerned about Al Gore entering the race.
In the end Gore had other interests and Obama emerged to score the upset.

Keep talking Warren...this kind of crap might be the only thing that could keep me from voting for your boy in the general.

BIMBO? Point Rez?

My bad Patsi, wild speculation.
I'm guessing SNL had (have ) a skit that included the red phone ad theme.

Clinton has always been too hawkish. I am not a total dove - but I don't think Bush was the right person to have taking on the world. Finally someone else said it today on Russert that her record - including the Iraq vote - may have been carefully orchestrated to make sure she could look tough for a general election.

I don't know what the heck she really thought about. But I don't buy the argument that she expected Bush was going to engage in diplomacy that would in any way be productive. She knew full well that the authorization gave him the ability to go pick a fight. Bush made clear he was not going to listen to the UN if it said no.

Anyways, this is how I think sexism has hurt Hillary. If she had to consider that a vote against Iraq would make her look weak - and this was unacceptable because she planned to be the first viable female candidate for President - then this is what we need to change.

If she voted against Iraq - she probably would of wrapped this thing up on Feb. 5th and Obama would be her VP.

Rezdog ---------------------------

Scandal ? = 'Larry Sinclair' File:

http://bigheaddc.com/category/larry-sinclair/

Patsi:

Don't shoot the messenger.

I am not making this stuff up.

The economic outlook is so bleak that if either Dennis Kucinich or Mike Gravel was the nominee they would win the general elections hands down.
Bush has placed this country in a bottomless pit in his pursuit of protecting his legacy.
The republicans will be blown away come November.
Mccain is tainting his reputation in accepting the Republican nomination.
He should give it to Hackabee who has nothing to lose.

I'm betting that McCain will win in November. The Obama bubble will burst.

Here's kind of a neat site giving power rankings of senators and congress critters:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/overall.tt

Taking a quick look at it, butt kissers tend to do well.

Hey Warren:

There was no argument in what I wrote about letting the states vote. I was simply making a statement that Hillary's intent is probably to go on if she wins 3 of 4 on Tuesday and the only way for Dem Party to get what they want (in response to Vivian's earlier post) is for the SuperDs to move towards Obama to make this happen - which of course is what all the Obama supporters have been crying foul about except now it's for Obama so it's ok. Just a statement...no argument.

And BTW Hillary is leading in more polls than just PA in future states.

And if you read through my entire statement I ended by saying that I believed Hillary will not do a Huckabee but being very loyal to the Democratic Party, if she feels they are moving away from her en masse, she will step aside.

I support Hillary's candidacy and as you said will till she gives the concession speech.

So no...nowhere in my statement did I make an argument for letting all the states vote or matter. It's a shame they won't have a say but that's just the way it goes.

Hey Clinton supporters there are some really fun new videos on the Hillary Speaks 4 Me site if you need a little pick me up.

http://www.hillaryspeaksforme.com/

Vivian wrote: "HRC miscalculated on the depth of the opposition to the war amongst the Democrat base."

Hey Vivian: I agree that war opposition was a miscalculation but think that a lot of that might be coming from Indies. Hillary actually has a bigger share of core Democrats voting for her than Obama...so not the Democratic base that is necessarily putting O' over the top.

Hey G man,

I'm relatively new here, but to be honest, I have no clue as to who you do support for POTUS. I do know you do want what BO in the job. I have my guesses as to the reasons for that. I think these LS and company stories are a bunch of crap and as others have commented, I pay little attention to your quoted BS.
At least be more creative and make so personal remarks from time to time. i can't say it'll change my opinion but i bet you'll feel better.

I don't find anything on tv credible these days.

Corey,
Merril Lynch is forecasting oil prices could reach $120-$150 per barrel by year end.
The budget deficit and the trade deficit continues to widen , the national debt balloons out of control while social security moves closer to insolvency.
Low growth together with increasing inflation = Stagflation.
This economic crisis will not be shallow , just look at the Japan and Germany experience.
Maybe McCain aspires to be the modern day Napoleon
Then again we can borrow from China and the Saudi's to fund McCain's continuation of Bush's war of choice.
The Saudi's won't mind because they are rolling in oil windfall profits and the Chinese will have greater leverage in geopolitical affairs.

Jamie,
On Pandora,is there a way to replay a previously played tune?I can't seem to figure it out.

Obama - Building a Religion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xtNr5-up0U

Lucy is all walked. Time to hit the town (got to keep my ear on the streets).

Night all. Wendy, isn't it past your bedtime.

I am waiting for Muhammad Ali (GOAT) to weigh in on the
Hussein name controversy.

The opening of SNL was great tonight and seeing HRC at the end of the debate spoof was a delight. I really like her. I wish she would have gotten this type of good humor instead of all of the media bashing all along.

Really uplifting and funny.

If she was willing to do it earlier in the campaign, she would have. She's like the actress or the athlete that big times everyone when they are big and then wonders where they all went after times sour...

No popcorn movie here, no SNL.
I watched "The Earth", a Russian film by Aleksandr Dovzhenko.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021571/

My godfather went to Harvard Law School with Ralph Nader. He always chuckled at the fact that in spite of graduating at the bottom of the class, he is the one who gained the most prominence.

Anyway, when Ralphie was writing his book about the deathtrap Chevy Corvair, he mentioned that GM tried to get him in a sex scandal to discredit him. One of the reasons my uncle refused to own a GM car is because if they were to lazy to do some research on Nader's likes and realize he liked men, they wouldn't have been dumb enough to use female escorts to come on to him. He smelled the rat pretty quickly and avoided trouble.

My uncle always thought it odd that even in the current climate that he never did come out...

Am I the only person here who wonders how Craig can afford a house in DC with a yard? lol

What is The Earth about Dexter?

I've been stressing all day...it was a beautiful day here about 80 degrees and I did yard work like Craig...found the spot where one of my turtles is hibernating and the ground above him was broken apart...he was still under the yard plastic (like screening) and I am afraid he isn't buried deep enough. It still can freeze and its too early for him to be awake. I put more soil over him. Now its a waiting game...really stresses me. The turtles usually come out in late April. I guess the good news is that he didn't move, so I hope he is still hibernating.

Late Night, Guns Blazing Edition

1. General Wesley Clark
2. General John M. Shalikashvili
3. General Henry Hugh Shelton
4. General Johnnie E. Wilson
5. Admiral William Owens
6. Lt. Gen. Joe Ballard
7. Lt. Gen. Robert Gard
8. Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy
9. Lt. Gen. Donald L. Kerrick
10. Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vllrath
11. Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak
12. Major General Roger R. Blunt
13. Major General George A. Buskirk, Jr.
14. Major General Edward L. Correa, Jr.
15. Major General Paul D. Eaton
16. Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr.
17. Major General Antonio M. Taguba
18. Rear Admiral Connie Mariano
19. Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman
20. Rear Admiral David Stone
21. Brigadier General Michael Dunn
22. Brigadier General Belisario Flores
23. Brigadier General Evelyn "Pat" Foote
24. Brigadier General Keith H. Kerr
25. Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard
26. Brigadier General Preston Taylor
27. Brigadier General John M. Watkins, Jr.
28. Brigadier General Jack Yeager

http://taylormarsh.com/

Blonde Whino,

Turtles Hibernate?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5JHN5HaUg28

Hillary Clinton Appears on Saturday Night Live

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

Bear

Wow...I wonder if that manager is still in Mexico with the bass player's wife.

Always makes me feel better that I am not the only one who gets screwed in business.

Bear...interesting stuff about Nader..he really hasn't been the same since his stroke. And I guess for him it isn't all about truth in advertising, so to speak.

My neighbor, a long-time independent voter, told me of this e-mail he had received, then forwarded it per my request. Make of it what you will. My personal take is that we long ago lost all ethical and civil boundaries re politics, and this season has been the lowest of my life-time. I feel we have more to fear regarding ourselves and our lost decorum than we do from any outside influence, terrorists or otherwise. Differences of opinion are necessary to a democracy. However, ad-hominem, vacous, childish schoolyard attacks are deplorable, and are causing true issues to be ignored. We should be better than this, but sadly we are not.

*With apologies to many posters on this blog, you are the exception to the norm, and I applaud you!

The E-mail referred to :
Here's the email from Republicans for Obama:

E-mail to send to Texas Republicans
Sat, 02/16/2008 - 10:49pm -- afnighthawk

http://republicansforobama.org/?q=node/3 59
Attention All Texas Republicans and Independents!!

On March 4th, Texas Republicans and Independents will have an opportunity to end Hillary Clinton's (and Bill's) presidential ambitions once and for all!

Since Texas has on open primary, Republicans and Independents should sign in at their polling place and request a Democratic ballot. They should then vote for Barack Obama. Even James Carville admits that if Hillary loses Texas, "she's done!" Republicans can help make this a reality!!! Just think, no more Clintons in the White House!

Voting Democratic this one time will have NO effect on your ability to vote in the next Republican primary or obviously on your vote in November. Since John McCain has the Republican nomination locked up, voting for McCain or Huckabee at this point will have no effect on the outcome on the Republican side.

After you vote during early voting or on March 4th, you ARE NOT done! Report back to your regular polling place at 7PM on March 4th to sign the Barack Obama list for caucus delegates. In a little known Texas voting quirk, 67 delegates to the Democratic convention will be seated because of these caucuses. This is a full one-third of the total number of Texas delegates. For Hillary to lose, she has to lose the primary votes AND the caucus votes.

I urge you to vote against Hillary Clinton by voting for Barack Obama. Please forward this e-mail to all your Texas Republican and Independent friends so that we can help ensure the Clinton's defeat on March 4th!!!

Well, that says it all MC.

What a way to end the night.

Really good editorial on the whole Louis Farrakhan question.
------------------------

Farrakhan's not running for president

February 29, 2008

Among the many chest-tightening moments of Tuesday night's presidential debate, The Farrakhan Test was most perplexing. When moderator Tim Russert asked Barack Obama whether he accepted the support of Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, Obama's simple and articulate rejection of Farrakhan's record of hateful rhetoric just wasn't enough.

Russert felt the need to repeat, blow by blow, some of Farrakhan's more odious statements about Jews. What was he expecting Obama to say? Was he looking for Obama to say he agreed with some of the statements? Yeah, right.

"I strongly suspect that Barack Obama is being asked to condemn Louis Farrakhan not because there's some bogus two-degrees-of-separation thing going on, but because Barack Obama is black, and because black politicians are supposed to condemn Louis Farrakhan before they can be trusted," said Henry Farrell, a white guy and political science professor at George Washington University.

"This isn't racism, but it's an implicit double standard, under which black politicians have a higher hurdle to jump before they deserve public trust than white ones," Farrell posted at crookedtimber.org.

It is, indeed, ridiculous to continually use the renunciation of Farrakhan as a litmus test for black leaders. Former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley got caught up in this, and so did former New York Mayor David Dinkins, among others. But here we are once again being distracted from important issues that affect all Americans just to play gotcha with yet another black leader who is thisclose to cinching the prize. Even Hillary Clinton got in on the action on debate night:

Sen. Clinton: "There's a difference between denouncing and rejecting. I just think we've got to be even stronger."

Sen. Obama: "I don't see a difference between denouncing and rejecting. There's no formal offer of help from Minister Farrakhan that would involve me rejecting it. But if the word reject Sen. Clinton feels is stronger than the word denounce, then I'm happy to concede the point."

Touche, Barack.

While the mystique of Farrakhan peaked years ago, some people feel the need to trot him out as if he were the black community's dirty laundry, waving the stench of his anti-Semitism and demagoguery under our noses. The question that should be asked is why Farrakhan still holds sway among the people he does lead?

The answer: Black folks aren't stupid.

Amid Farrakhan's prolific rantings is some pretty good news the African-American community could use: Messages about self-determination, helping ourselves, investing in our communities ... his message is positively, uh, Republican.

We also don't think mainstream society has the right to tell us who our leaders are. Many African Americans view this unrelenting Farrakhan pop quizzing as a thinly veiled attempt by mainstream society to veto black people's choice of a leader. Where's the freedom in that? Will you get your foot off our necks, please? Thankyouverymuch.

And the thing about demagogues is people might hear what they say but make up their own minds about what's useful or accurate. The African-American community no sooner takes to heart his hateful statements about Jewish people than we do disturbing statements he makes about us. You see, Farrakhan is an equal-opportunity offender.

Fortunately, more leaders are getting the message that African Americans crave more practical nuts-and-bolts strategies for harnessing the American Dream. It's happening right here as the Chicago Urban League has for a year refocused the civil rights organization's historic focus to one of economic empowerment with programs and initiatives to match. It happens yearly when Rainbow/PUSH conducts its Wall Street Project Economic Summit.

Still, the cynical insertion of Farrakhan into political debate is inappropriate and must stop. He only becomes newsworthy when moderators like Russert and desperate candidates make him so.

As more leaders of all races take ownership of Farrakhan's message of self-determination, personal responsibility and economic empowerment, the more his power, real or perceived, will be diminished.

Big news from OH. There was a great UFC match in Columbus. Anderson "the spider" Sliva - a soft-spoken Brazilian who is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and a Muay-Thai specialist - choked out All American Dan "Hendo" Henderson - who is a tough veteran and two-time Olympic wrestler - in the 2nd round.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=ApOpunzi58gKn0NdjyTxI0U9Eo14?slug=dm-silva030208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Anderson Silva has risen up the ranks quickly and is now considered one of world's best fighters pound-for-pound (or otherwise).

Hopefully this will encourage voters in OH to pick Obama - the best candidate pound-for-pound. Barack may be skinny...but he's tough!

*stretch* morning dog.. i'm contemplating going around the corner for coffee cream..nothing worse than making coffee only to realize ya got no cream :(

Morning All Any News

Kook Central

Guess you can forget paying attention to that Oprah endorsement. Apparently, she is leading all you folks to hell

http://www.goodfight.org/hwowinfrey.html

Latest poll numbers show that it's going to be an interesting election night.

And a You Tube video

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

Meet the press should be good today with Carville and Matlin together.

For your Sunday pleasure....

I just found this out.. any emily dickenson poem can be sung to the tune of "yellow rose of texas"...

go on..have some fun...

http://www.mith2.umd.edu/WomensStudies/ReadingRoom/Poetry/Dickinson/a-door-just-opened

"... an under-reported fact in Sen. Clinton’s unique experience in national security and military readiness:

In 2004 Hillary was asked by the Department of Defense to serve as the only Senate member of the Transformation Advisory Group to the Joint Forces Command. The military wanted her on that committee - she was the only Senator invited to serve on this committee tasked with reforming the Pentagon."

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/

Tylenol

Love the Emily Dickenson link.

There's another quirky one. You can sing "House of the Rising Sun" to the tune of Amazing Grace. Goodness knows those ladies could probably use it.

What I like are ones where the exact same melody in two different rhythms can sound like two different songs and be sung as a duet. One of the best is from Wilson's "The Music Man"

76 Trombones/Goodnight My Someone

The MTP panel is great. Love the slash and burn on Mark Penn. What Richardson does today could be very, very crucial.

So, it IS true!

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/29/Worldandnation/Some_people_just_love.shtml

AUSTIN, Texas - Robert Morrow is on a roll, talking loud enough to draw wary glances from two women lunching nearby at Macaroni Grill.

"Chelsea is the seed of Web Hubbell and not Bill Clinton. Would I bet my life on it? No. I would bet my pickup truck," he declares between bites of salmon. "Hillary Clinton was sleeping with both of her law partners, Webb Hubbell and Vince Foster. And she's a lesbian, too."

Well there is one difference. This time the men are dumping their wives for a younger man.

Dog, thanks for linking us to Burrito's friends obituary. May Sgt Martin rest in peace. The quality of the obituary prompted me to email its author with a copy to the State Newspaper in Columbia, a paper that publishes some really poor obituaries for military personnel. Here's what I wrote:

Dear Ms Wilson,

Thank you so much your eloquent obituary for Sgt Timothy Martin; it should be required reading for every writer having the honor of preparing obituaries for our fallen soldiers and their brothers and sisters in the other military services.

I've taken the liberty of forwarding a link to it to my local newspaper:
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-martin2mar02,0,2095031.story

Thanks again for your moving tribute.

Flatus Ohlfahrt
Chief Master Sgt, USAF (Ret)
Columbia, SC

A non-political item:

The Hope College Mens basketball won their conference tournament yesterday and finished the regular season with a 24-3 record. Next up is the NCAA Division III tourney.

The Hope College Womens basketball team also won their conferencen tournament yesterday and finished the regular season with a 27-0 record. Next up is the NCAA Division III tourney. They are the #1 ranked team in division III.

We can play basketball here in Holland!

OK - so can I just say that I've lost respect for Bill Richardson. I was fully prepared for him to endorse Obama today and if he'd done that, I would have been disappointed, but fine with his decision.

But then he comes out and says...I'm not going to endorse...endorsements don't mean anything...I might STILL endorse before Tuesday...but endorsements don't mean anything...

AND then

proceeded to basically endorse Obama with his sort of veiled...whoever is leading after Tuesday should be the nominee and there is too much negativity and that Hillary's ad takes a swipe at Obama for not having experience...when it actually doesn't. Do I think it prays on people's fears a little...yes...I think it does but it never mentioned Obama just asked America who they want answering the phone. Yet...Richardson says nothing about Obama's ad which insinuates that Clinton has poor judgement.

So had he just come out and said, I think Obama has a lot of momentum, he's started a movement, we need to unite and I think we should get behind Obama (which is what he was saying w/o actually saying it) I would have left that interview with my respect for Richardson intact.

He's playing both sides of the fence and I hope it bites him in the butt in the end.

Now...I can tell you that he is one VP candidate that would NOT make me consider voting for Obama.

BTW I thought Bayh was much better than Dodd...Dodd was trying to use Obama speak to say why he was a better candidate and it didn't fit him well. Bayh stuck to more substantive things one could really wrap their head around.

BHO in Texas: would love to see the video of this

Obama went on to say, “I know some of y’all you got that cold Popeyes out for breakfast. I know. That’s why y’all laughing. . . . You can’t do that. Children have to have proper nutrition. That affects also . . . how they learn in school.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/821013,obamaweb030108.article

Happy Birthday, Miss Jamie!!!

How many candles did you say? 32???

Is it Jamie's B-DAY?

Happy birthday Jamie - Best wishes - hope you have a fund day!

I meant fun day

but if you get some funds as well...then it will really be a great day

LOL

Wendy,

Totally agree about Richardson. I don't like mealy mouthed. Take a stand and stick with it.... Of course, that is the reason I don't respect any of the SDs who have promised and now jump ship because it looks like the buttered side of the bread.

Bayh stuck to more substantive things one could really wrap their head around.. Bayh is like that.

Yes it is my birthday. Thank you all. Anyone who wants to know how I feel about it: http://jdurward.blogspot.com

"At issue is trying to put together the whole story about Obama and Rezko -- all of which speaks to Obama's judgment, his main selling point as he seeks the presidency and seems positioned to win the Democratic nomination."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/820948,CST-NWS-sweet01.article

Texas accent and naming the favorite chicken place in black communities. Can you say pandering and playing the race card?

Perfectly fair, but shoots the whole idea of superior nobility all to hell.

Happy B-day Jamie!!

OK - so now it is time for the Clintonites to throw Bill Richardson under the bus...

He probably believes Obama is the best candidate - but his respect for the Clintons stops him short of a formal endorsement. You are lucky he did not go that far. And do you ever stop to think that the guy is just being honest instead of "mealy mouthed." A lot of people are on the fence - and are choosing Obama because he ran a better campaign and....(earmuffs Clinton supporters) - he is winning!!!

And c'mon Wendy - the 3:00 am ad "never mentioned Obama"... There are two candidates left and this is a clear swipe at Obama on the Commander in Chief issue - even though Clinton refused to directly challenge Obama on this issue at the last 2 debates.

Richardson lost alot of points in my book today. Obviously he is playing both sides of the fence. I would have admired him more if he had enough guts to take a stand. Now he just looks like any other guy who loyalty is for sale.

Did you notice the new dye job on his beard. It was A handsome grey and black. Now he looks like a guy going through a mid-life crisis trying to look 30 yrs. old again. I guess you can't be a hip democrat if you look old. I guess he doesn't want to look too old when he is standing next to obama as VP. Why didn't he just go ahead and endorse him. Oh, but what if Hillary does win. Then he could go and be the wonderful loyalist who knew she was the one all the time.

To be this kind of person to me is disgusting. I admire people who take a stand that they believe in. Even if I don't agree with them.

BR wants "FACE TIME" - he lives for it!

Warren,

If he hadn't made a public statement that he would endorse by the end of the week, then the wavering wouldn't be objectionable. He could have just fairly laid out the pluses of both candidates and let it go at that. It is the reneging on his word and then all but endorsing Obama ... I prefer politicians who can keep their word and take a stand. "I don't know" is always a perfectly good response to any question.

BTW
Happy birthday Jamie. Hope you have a fine day!!

Did BR say in one of the debates that as POTUS he would put human rights ahead of national security? That's a "killer" in the GE. He can forget about VP, if he said that.

Warren:

You are such a Doris Day - my partner is just like that - always looking for the good in people.

Before I met her, she voted republican, which means...yes...she voted for Bush. Just before the war as I ran around the house saying...he's lying he's lying there are no weapons he's lying...she said...The President would never lie.

Well...now we know he did - what was it...935 times.

I always say she's a Doris Day because she so wants to think the best of people.

And as is no secret...I love Doris Day...so you can take it as a compliment Warren - it's not a gene I have because I am suspicious of everyone and their motives - so I actually do admire it in others.

Now...what I was saying in my criticism of Richardson was that he did not criticize Obama for having an ad that took a swipe at Hillary just criticized Hillary for her ad - and if you want to say it's a swipe at Obama...OK...I'll concede your point.

And...your right to preface your best candidate comment with probably. What you should have said is that he "probably" thinks Obama is going to win and wants to make sure he's set up for the new Administration. I have my doubts about whether he thinks he's the best candidate otherwise he would have endorsed.

Oh...and where is Edward's endorsement? His non endorsement of Obama speaks volumes to me. The one thing I give Edwards credit for is not plastering his face all over the TV and saying stupid things like:

I'm not going to endorse right now...endorsements by politicians don't mean anything...I might still endorse before Tuesday...endorsements don't mean anything.

He made himself sound like a chump.

I would have been fine with him endorsing Obama...and now that he looks like a chump who has his lips firmly planted on Obama's behind...he's more welcome than ever to endorse Obama because he's lost his credibility.

Truebeliever:

Nicely put...and I'm not a big Dodd fan...but at least the guy had the guts to put his lips on Obama's butt and say I'm proud to be kissing his butt!

Richardson wouldn't fit under the bus.

BHO....what a swell guy

ttp://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/index.shtml#mea=224714

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/index.shtml#mea=224714

Rezko Trial Begins Tomorrow

"The there's the other thing, you know, the Clinton rules. That is, if this was about Clinton it would be blasted across the U.S. media, whether it had anything to do with Clinton being guilty of anything or not. "

http://taylormarsh.com/

Ouch...

March 1, 2008

Dear Senator Obama:

We were surprised and disappointed to learn that your top economic adviser reportedly had a secret meeting with a representative of the Canadian government where he dismissed your anti-NAFTA rhetoric.

According to Canadian news outlets, your adviser, Austan Goolsbee, told the Canadian Counsel General Georges Rioux that your criticism of NAFTA is “just politics” and should not be taken seriously.

After a series of misdirections and half-truths, it’s time for you to come clean about your campaign’s communications with the Canadian government about NAFTA. Enough with the non-denial denials and the Washington double-speak.

Many Ohioans are concerned about the issue of trade and we want answers to some simple questions:

1) Did you direct your top economic adviser - Austan Goolsbee - to tell the Canadian government that your speeches railing against NAFTA are just political rhetoric? If so, why?

2) Are you aware that Mr. Goolsbee held a secret meeting with the Canadian Counsel General Georges Rioux? Have you spoken with Mr. Goolsbee about that meeting and will you repudiate his comments?

3) Why has Mr. Goolsbee been unwilling to deny that he discussed your positions on NAFTA with Mr. Rioux? Why won't your campaign disclose the full details about that meeting?

4) Given these reports, why should Ohioans believe that you will act on the campaign promises you have made about NAFTA?

5) Sen. Clinton has issued a comprehensive plan to fix NAFTA. Why haven't you done so as well?

The people of Ohio are eager to hear from you - there’s too much at stake.

Sincerely,

Gary Dwyer, Secretary-Treasurer, Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council

Barry Pickett, Business Representative, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 24

I think the power aspect of politics is what I dislike most. The reason someone should run for office is for the good they can do. And the reason people should vote for someone is because they feel that person will do the things that are important to them. But there is always this element of people who just want the power. They want to be able to say that they are someone important, or are a part of something important.

Bill Richardson just embodied that for me. I know its just politics. But I respected him before this. And I don't care who he would have endorsed. Or if he endorsed. As long as he was doing something he believed in.

more details Obama -Rezko

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23430819/

Wendy,
I went to the OSBCTC web site to look for a copy of that press release/letter. Funny..no where to be found..Curiously searching further, found it at HillaryClinton dot com and at the TaylorMarsh web sites.. Real suspicious.

Rezdog

There is always a problem with letters such as this. Are the signators speaking for themselves as individuals or as spokespersons for the Union.

If as individuals, it would not appear on the union website and should not be on the union letterhead.

Has either union endorsed a candidate?

I am a member of the WA State Democratic Party.....lots of possibilities...

btw Jamie, I had a ? about Pandora... I promise to be nice in the future :)

Can you replay a previously played tune? TIA

Query this in Google.
Georges Rioux Austan Goolsbee NAFTA

You'll find a number or articles on this issue. here is just one.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2008/03/nafta-wars-a-sign-of-how-close.html

Could there be a spy in the Obama's camp?

Hey Rez: I'm sure if the letter is a fabrication and not something sent from the two undersigned...we'll all be hearing about it. You know how the media loves to smack Hillary down.

I'll leave it to you crack Obama reporters to dig up the dirt that the Clinton campaign fabricated the letter.

:-D

"For at least two years before the property purchases, news articles had raised questions about Mr. Rezko’s influence over state appointments and contracts. There had also been reports that the F.B.I. was investigating accusations of a shakedown scheme involving a state hospital board to which Mr. Rezko had suggested appointments."

Good judgment...eh? If Rezko was being investigated even perhaps by the FBI for 2 years prior to his so called..."bone head" involvement with Rezko and that property deal...how is that good judgment to do a deal with a guy under investigation.

Dean today said that he thought it wouldn't matter who was the nominee and didn't care about the little democratic squabbles currently going on because the Dems aren't going to have the "ethics" issues that McCain is going to have...ummmm...sorry Dr. Dean...if you guys persist in your love affair with Obama...you're gonna have some serious ethics questions doggin' you through to November...and let's not forget the lying about a conversation with the Canadian Embassy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23430819/

Wendy,
i did not say is was either a bogus letter or fabricated issue. Actually I think it is important to know if both camps did not play games in the background. I just found it curious that the OBCTC organization did not issue the letter under their cover. I think it would have been more effective and meaningful.
I don't like it that our union AFSCME here in WA endorsed HRC. I called and told them so but not much else I can do.

Hey Rezdog

My only point was that this issue is not going away and people are going to continue to press him on it.

I was also pointing out that the Rezko issue cannot just be pushed aside either because he continues to sell himself on being above board...transparent...and possessing good judgment. More and more stories are coming out that portray him in quite a shady light at worse and at best having incredibly poor judgment.

There is a very good chance that under the weight of all of this...the Obamawagon is going to run out of gas on the way to the White House...just like the Kerrywagon did.

Jamie,

With some further searching I found out that you can't replay previously played songs unless you use another piece of add-on utility, like Zilla??, and capture the streaming music and replay it later. Not sure if that's legal. I guess if you step away from the computer you can pause it but that's not the same.

Latest Delegate Counts

ABC: Obama 1,380, Clinton 1,276
AP: Obama 1,373, Clinton 1,277
CBS: Obama 1,373, Clinton 1,265
CNN: Obama 1,369, Clinton 1,267
MSNBC: Obama 1,194, Clinton 1,037

http://thepage.time.com/

For those of you who are looking for a summer job:

http://craig.senate.gov/releases/pr022608a.cfm

Rezdog

I'm still playing with it. As far as I can tell, you can't replay a song, but as it is playing you can mark it thumbs up or down so that it remains or is thrown out of your mix. If I figure out anything more, I'll let you know.

Rezdog

I don't think any union should endorse without at least polling their members.

Since you are part of the Democratic Party here in Washington, did you get an earful on the caucus? I'm a Clinton delegate and heard a lot of feedback about how unprepared the party was for the caucus crowds.

BTW,

On that letter. Since there was no announcement of a union endorsement, my guess is that they are writing as individuals. No problem using their titles as long as they don't use the Union letterhead to write the letter as that would indicate endorsement by the whole union.

jamie - Happy B'Day!

blonde - Not sure where you're at, but lots of turtles sunning themselves in N TX yesterday. Lots of new ducks lately, too. They are smaller than Mallards and have little blonde and white mohawks. (pOp would've known what they were.)

Love SNL's continued skewering of the media. (Is there anyone Darrell Hammond can't do?)

If it weren't for the writers' strike, HRC would've had a stronger showing in the earlier primaries/caucuses because being forced to look in the mirror might have broken Obaaak Boraamalamading-dong's spell.

How do the Baracrazies feel about the TV Funhouse piece?

My sister is a registered Republican. Every time Obama comes on tv she says "Look! It's Barrack Hussein Obama!" I just shake my head and tell her "He brings people closer together!"

Jamie, happy B'Day and all that entails!

Jamie,
I going to the County as a BO delegate. Our precinct had about 80 voters total as opposed to about 30 in 2004. All 5 precincts present more that doubled previous totals I'm told. They ran out of sign-in sheets and had to use blank paper.:-)

"What was a 29-point gap in favor of Hillary Clinton among Hispanics yesterday (61%-32%) has climbed to a 40-point gap for Clinton (67%-27%) after our latest night of interviewing."

http://www.wfaa.com/s/dws/img/standing/wfaa/poll/data/0229/summary0229.pdf

She's also making gains in getting back her white voters in TX according to Zogby...since Zogby is a shill for Obama...that's saying a lot.

Michelle Obama was separated at birth from Omerosa ? she did seem a bit familiar.

voters who feel "...“best understands the problems of people like you,” a slight increase over yesterday.Hillary Clinton leads among these voters 54%-38%,"

I thought Obama was the candidate that connects with the people? At least that what everyone here has been saying...guess the people of TX feel differently.

:-D

Isn't Clintonista spanish?

Rez

I was at McIlveigh. The crowd was literally standing room only. You couldn't hear even with the mike. It was a madhouse. Between the Obama leader and myself we managed to get our precinct organized and done fast, but boy do I hate the caucus system. I can understand the two part system caucus/primary like the Republicans had but caucus only is just plain undemocratic.

In trying to remember her name I think it was Virginia Harper. I know people are skeptical of alternative methods of treatment, but after my ex's experience I am more skeptical of hospitals and doctor's who must keep those millions of dollars coming in to support themselves and their institutions.

The one thing that I can tell you is that after hearing all those people and thier stories, and the first hand experience with my then husband, If I ever became sick with a major aliment This is the first thing I would do. Not only did he become immediately better, he beat the worse kind of Melonoma and didn't receive the first chemo treatment.

John Zogby's brother James (DNC - superdelegate) is for Obama.

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

Thanks, truebeliever.

It typically takes up to 15-years before someone with Crohn's is actually diagnosed as having the disease. During that period most of us try everything under the sun in effort at relieving our symptoms.

If there's one common thread, it's that what may work for one person doesn't work for another. That's a major source of frustration for all of us and our families.

The treatment I'm on now can't be restarted if I stop it. So, since it's working (somewhat), I'm unwilling to discontinue it unless there's a peer reviewed study indicating that an alternative will provide better results.

In other words I know I'm in a fragile balance, and if I start tweaking things beyond what my sense tells me, then fragility will prevail-possibly with devastating consequences.

And, of course, when I hear marvelous stories such as the cure experienced by your ex, I want to try alternatives as well. But, then, I don't because of the reasons up above.

I did a quick Google and it appears that her approach is macrobiotic. In the newsgroup I scan, most of the people who tried that approach were unsuccessful, not that that means anything because there aren't enough numbers to support a conclusion.

Thanks for jumping in--I appreciate it.

Yes Flatus It is the macrobiotic diet You shouldn't have to discontinue any treatment to try it. As long as it is medicinally administered. This diet or versions of it are regularly used in places like the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Most doctors who recommend it (and there are some out there who do) use it as a suppliment to there medicinal treament.

Most people say that it helps ease the effects of chemo. I still encourage you to look into it. Most will tell you that you will be able to see a difference in how you feel in two weeks on the diet. In my husband's case( and in mine) he notice a difference in 6 days. Suddenly he didn't need his oxygen nearly as much. After 2 months he only had to have oxygen at night.

He was only on the diet for 6 months.

BTW, Senator Obama seems to have tweaked his stump speech on health care. Apparently, if you can't afford the plans he comes up with, you will be able to buy into the Congressional plans without any penalty for pre existing conditions.

Where have I heard that before? Oh yes. Senator Clinton. Me too strikes again.

Hey Doom - thanks for the support - while i've seen evidence of all u pointed out - I for one can say i've never felt intimidated.

I usually just chuckle and scroll on.

Also this diet is not for the faint of heart. It is very stringent even at times strange. It is japanese and they have rigorus rules that you have to follow in the preparation. And you can't cheat.

I look at it like this--no it does not work for everyone on all ailments, but what is two weeks to see if it works when it might rid you of such an uncomfortable ailment. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I Wish you my best. If you decide to check into it more I would be happy to help you. BTW Virginia Harper lives right outside of Nashville. She Runs the Ki of LIfe Center.
In Franklin Tenn.

Joseph C. Wilson weighs in on OBama's anti war stance.

"There is no credible reason to conclude that Obama would have acted any differently in voting for the authorization had he been in the Senate at that time. Indeed, he has said as much. The supposed intuitive judgment he exercised in his 2002 speech was nothing more than the pander of a local election campaign, just as his current assertions of superior judgment and scurrilous attacks on Hillary Clinton are a pander to those who now retroactively think the war was a mistake without bothering to acknowledge Senator Clinton's actual position at the time and instead fantasizing that she was nothing but a Bush clone. Obama willfully encourages and plays off this falsehood."

There is more, follow this link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-wilson/obamas-hollow-judgment_b_89441.html

For Jamie: The Bird and the Bee song "Birthday"

http://www.indie911.com/directory/pop-rock/the-bird-and-the-bee

Joe Wilson: "Obama willfully encourages and plays off this falsehood."

Oprah's new Book of the Year: The Million Little Pieces of Barack O'scama.

The Wilsons have certainly shown courage in stating their convictions. We're lucky to have people such as them as compatriots, and thank God for the First Amendment.

This afternoon's playlist:

Stonewall Jackson - A Tribute to Hank Williams
Johnny Gimble & The Texas Swing Pioneers
Vassar Clements- Hillbilly Jazz
Lloyd Green-Steel Rides

And if that ain't country, I'll kiss your a**.

Obama Backers Urge Clinton to Exit if She Loses

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/us/politics/02cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&hp&oref=login

The old boy network has spoken. "Forget what the popular vote is, how close the delegate count is, the fact that more Democrats voted for you, and just get out of our way. Because if you don't we'll say you tried to steal this thing. You broads just don't get iit."

Are the media giving Obama a free ride? Sure ,they are in the bag for him. complete failure of journalisms principles.

JOHN IBBITSON

From Friday's Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080229.wwprimaryibbitson29/BNStory/National/columnists

WASHINGTON — Next week, Tony Rezko, a Chicago developer and political fixer with close ties to Barack Obama, goes on trial for extortion, money-laundering and fraud. And yet only one newspaper in North America, the Chicago Sun-Times, carried a story yesterday mentioning the coming trial.

Outside Chicago, the Obama-Rezko affair has received only sporadic coverage, despite acts that Mr. Obama admits were "boneheaded mistakes."

No wonder Hillary Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer admits to being "just angry" at how the media are covering the Democratic presidential nomination.

Ms. Clinton openly accuses the American media of bias in their coverage of her and of Mr. Obama's campaign. In essence, the Clinton camp believes that reporters go out of their way to criticize her, but are so enamoured of Mr. Obama that they ignore or minimize information that might cause voters to question his fitness for the presidency.

"And if that ain't country, I'll kiss your a**."

DAC! Oh, yeah.

He's an equal opportunity offender....women, blacks, hispanics, men, Christians, athiests -- you name it. But I love this part:

"IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY,
IT'LL HAIR LIP THE POPE
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, IT'S A DAMN GOOD JOKE
I'VE SEEN THE GRAND OLE OPRY,
AND I'VE MET JOHNNY CASH
IF THAT AIN'T COUNTRY, I'LL KISS YOUR ASS"

"Look! It's Barrack Hussein Obama!"

Corey,
Tell you sister to least get it right!
It's Barrack Hussein Obama Jr.

lol,

Barack Hussein Obama Jr.

that's what i get for being lazy

Hmm....Monster? I'll take it. For you I'd suggest C.H.U.D.
(and all that implies...)

But no more of this silliness. "Fredo, you are dead to me."

Corey,

Thank you very much. That was really sweet of you.

"you are the Aileen Wuornos of our little corner of the internet. "

Ha! Only if you are in the habit of picking up female hookers on Florida highways.

What would these people running for president do if we have a shooting war between Columbia & Venezuela?

We get oli from Venezuela and drugs from Columbia. Columbia is our ally. Do we send Joe Kennedy to calm down Chavez? or do we just let them go at it?

Make that oil.

It's an honor to be sharing the national spotlight with Texans this Tuesday...especially Texans from El Paso...

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kinky+friedman/asshole+from+el+paso_20079467.html

Oh sure, there's a video, too. "We don't wipe our asses on Old Glory..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a50gPRSi3Ic

Whew! I didn't want you to ruin your reputation! :)

If any of yas saw Senator Evan Bayh this morning on Bob Scieffer's "Face the Nation" you'll appreciate him here, impersonating Barry McGuire...Bayh set Schieffer off with this message:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8SfiCnwF28

This is supposed to be a democracy (actually a Republic) So how does pressure like this make our country more democratic? I want to see all the states have their primaries before this is called for either candidate.

WASHINGTON — Top supporters of Senator Barack Obama, joined by at least one prominent Democrat yet to endorse a candidate, put pressure on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday to bow out of the presidential race unless she scores clear victories in the crucial big-state primary contests on Tuesday.

Do not cave, Hillary

If the democratic party fractures under the strain, I won't consider it a loss. It is disfunctional right now and has no consensus by its members and hasn't accomplished anything of note in years.

And now for the quote of the day:

"Obama's gyrations on Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran are not the actions of one imbued with superior intuitive judgment, but rather the machinations of a political opportunist looking to avoid having his fingerprints on any issue that might be controversial, and require real judgment, while preserving his freedom to bludgeon his adversary for actually taking positions as elected office demands."

Thank you Joe Wilson!

Here's the back story on Bayh's appearance on Schieffer's show today:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/03/obama_and_clinton_surrogates_f.html

corey: WHAT THE HELL WE GONNA DO TO FIX THE WINGS??
10 OF 11 GAMES WE LOST NOW! HOLMSTROM RETURNS OR WE DIE!

For some who have wondered where early money that financed Obama came from (by the way there is a direct connection between Lester Crown and General Dynamics, that great anti-war company.):

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-galesburg_obama_webfeb01,0,4286527.story

But the union that represented most of those Galesburg workers isn't impressed with Obama's advocacy. It has endorsed his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Its leaders say they wish he had done more about their members' plight.

What rankles some is what Obama didn't do even as he expressed solidarity four years ago with workers mounting a desperate fight to save their jobs.

Obama had a special connection to Maytag: Lester Crown, one of the company's directors and biggest investors whose family, records show, has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Obama's campaigns since 2003. But Crown says Obama never raised the fate of the Galesburg plant with him, and the billionaire industrialist insists any jawboning would have been futile.

Damn Bret Hume, most elegant pundit!

'If Republicans don't want a President Clinton or Obama, they need to get off John McCain's back"

LOL

Wendy,
"'looking to avoid having his fingerprints on any issue that might be controversial, and require real judgment, while preserving his freedom to bludgeon his adversary for actually taking positions as elected office demands."

Strange bedfellows. I actually agree with Joe Wilson on something.

Obama is the the king of the no answer answer, and finally that observation is becoming more obvious everyday. Everything is a promise and the details will always follow at some time in the future. You must have hope in my good wishes to bring you change. I am Obama.

Rezdog

'If Republicans don't want a President Clinton or Obama, they need to get off John McCain's back"

And they will before the November elections, but not now.

“I think it’s a mistake for his campaign to be calling for her to drop out,” Mr. Rove said on Fox. That would be seen as “rubbing her nose” in the fact that she is trailing, he said. “It’s up to the delegates at the convention to decide who wins and loses,” he added."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23437753/

The Republicans I know are all ready, lining up and ready to give both money and support to McCain. They can't imagine not voting and they would never consider giving the White house away without a fight. It's not in their make-up.

FD

Those are Hume's words not mine..lol

doom-n-gloom,

It is not just the Rs, there will be a lot of conservative Ds who will vote for McCain if Obama receives the D's nomination. HRC isn't what the R's would want to see in the WH, but at least she has been fully vetted. Obama on the other hand, we hardly know ye.

so true Fry

I know several people who "say" they refuse vote BHO and with the far right hating McCain, it makes McC look better.

It is a mess.

Rezdog,

Yeah I know, but you are the one who quoted him and Bret isn't a member of this blog, so I quoted your quoting him. BTW he is right on the $$$.

BTW I found some amazing analysis on Obama’s campaign. I haven’t seen anything like this mentioned anywhere in the MSM.
Check out “Al-Qaeda Gets Offended” www.savagepolitics.com/?p=162 and “Predatory Lenders and the Red Phone” on www.savagepolitics.com/?p=158

SAVAGEPOLITICS.com
This site offers brilliant writing & analysis. EVERYONE into politics should check it out!!!

Time to eat and so I'll have time to get ready to watch the next to last episode of The Wire. The best show on TV for so many different reasons.

FD,

Conversely; Not just Ds, there will be a lot of moderate Rs, Rs and Independents who will vote for Obama now that McCain has received the R's nomination.

Excuse me, I don't want to be too presumptuous and upset anyone.

Conversely; Not just Ds, there would be a lot of moderate Rs, Rs and Independents who would vote for Obama if nominated and not HRC, now that McCain has received the R's nomination.

Spent good part of the day at the Obama event. I stood in line about three hours and was probably in the first quarter of the line. The line stretched out around the building, down through the parking lots, and for hundreds of people back through the subdivision where Westerville Central HS is located. By the time I got in, the main gym was closed and they put as many as they could into the auditorium where I was seated. I guess all the other hundreds had to be turned away. I will be looking at tomorrow’s paper to see how many actually turned out.

HRC was two miles down the road at Westerville North HS. Looked like she had a big crowd by the sites I’ve checked out but don’t know if they opened up the auditorium.

Obama came in first to talk with us in the auditorium and apologized for not having a larger venue for this town hall meeting. We had a screen and audio to hear when he went to the gym. Most around me thought he could have filled the Value City Arena which seats around 20,000. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_City_Arena

BTW, for “some” of you who spend each waking hour (Wendy, et al) bashing Obama for his religion, he addressed that in Nelsonville south of Columbus today. Doesn’t surprise me it was addressed in that region. Redneck country. Here is what he said:
“The Illinois senator also sought to ease lingering Internet-fed concerns about his religion, in particular whether he was a closet Muslim.” (Some jerk probably asked)

"I am a devout Christian. I have been a member of the same church for 20 years. I pray to Jesus every night," he declared at an earlier appearance in the rural southern Ohio town of Nelsonville. He said he wanted to halt "confusion that has been deliberately perpetrated."

http://portal.grandecom.net/news/read.php?id=15967256&ps=1017&srce=news_class&action=2&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_NKNWU00L2_UNEWS

BTW, latest Zogby polls:

http://www.zogby.com/

Ohio:
Obama = 47%
Clinton = 43%

Texas:
Obama = 47%
Clinton = 46%

I like those numbers!!!

Actually, I got the states reversed. Should be:

http://www.zogby.com/

Texas:
Obama = 47%
Clinton = 43%

Ohio:
Obama = 46%
Clinton = 47%

I like those numbers!!!

Hey Fry,
Let's bet. Who will defend Columbia first as Chavez moves tanks to the border in retaliation for Columbia taking out a terror leader? McCain, Clinton, Obama? I'm not sure Obama can get past deciding if FARC IS a terror group. Hillary might miss the opportunity altogether. McCain might be asleep.

Candaian journalists have not all agreed Obama never made statements about "playing" the NAFTA game. Just read his speeches anyway. If he becomes President there'll be a new term called Obamaian. Vague rhetorical idealism masking speaker's former statements to the contrary.

US Warship off Lebanon. Putin's man is winning. Hillary needs to follow up her ad with policy. Tell Ohio and Texas just exactly what threats are uping their game out there and why Obama is too afraid to be firm. He'll be waiting for the NIE to confirm Quds in Caracas are doing more than selling flowers. Politics of fear? More like the politics of realism. Chavez HAS deployed tanks. Gaza IS a mess with missiles smuggled into Hamas. Obama's not going to say anything to the press for 42 hours. Big window for Hillary.

Economy, defense, attack-proof, determined, healthcare, bipartisan, energy/climate, Free trade over protectionism, has won more Democratic votes, well-liked and well know in the world (Clintons).

That's the ticket and Road Runner has been running a pole all day. McCain beats Obama by 10%. Why should Hillary bow out? By the convention there may be many things producing buyer's remorse. Perhpas a survey of DEMOCRATS out to sway the Superdelegates who are their to keep Republicans and Independents from highjacking mainstream Democrats, pure and simple. Throw in Florida and Hillary is doing far better than the media spin. Yeah, go Obama, you're the top dog now.......

If I were McCain, a personal trainer and HGH would be important..LOL How he projects is key. With Obama setting the bar so low, I would memorize key lines from key speeches. MLK, JFK, FDR and Lincoln would be a good start. Just reference Patrick. Sound confusing? Use a teleprompter.

Yeah, I would suppose you like Zogby. Let's hope he is as right as he was in NH. Keep those polls coming. The higher they are, the more that help Hillary.

Thanks

Don't however show any polls with McCain beating Obama by more than he beats Hillary.

I have never been polled.

Hmmm....A Obama/Hagel Ticket....something to think about. And other interesting tidbits in this article.

From The Sunday TimesMarch 2, 2008

Barnstorming Obama plans to pick Republicans for cabinet

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3466823.ece

AS Barack Obama enters the final stages of the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, he is preparing to detach the core voters of John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, with the same ruthless determination with which he has peeled off Hillary Clinton’s supporters.

The scene is set for a tussle between the two candidates for the support of some of the sharpest and most independent minds in politics. Obama is hoping to appoint cross-party figures to his cabinet such as Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator for Nebraska and an opponent of the Iraq war, and Richard Lugar, leader of the Republicans on the Senate foreign relations committee.

Senior advisers confirmed that Hagel, a highly decorated Vietnam war veteran and one of McCain’s closest friends in the Senate, was considered an ideal candidate for defence secretary. Some regard the outspoken Republican as a possible vice-presidential nominee although that might be regarded as a “stretch”.

Jack Nicholson on web for Hillary Clinton

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/03/hillary_clinton_gets_jack_nich.html

"He'll be waiting for the NIE to confirm Quds in Caracas are doing more than selling flowers."

Let's hope she even reads it.

Good evening my Honored Friend.

From Sheila Hussein The Chef Nun!

doom n gloom

almost no one has ever been polled by a legitimate company. They regularly interview 1000 people who then represent millions.

Other than push polls which almost everyone gets, I've never been polled in more than 40 years of elections.

Oh Happy Birthday Jamie, '

You don't write a day over 30!

So Jamie,

What is it about Bremerton then. 1999 and 2000 I got polled for the Presidential. must have been a pull of the old lever.

Obama’s Rhode Island Jaunt

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/obamas-rhode-island-jaunt/

“Real change means saying what you mean and meaning what you say,” he said. “A real change, for example, is not calling NAFTA a victory and saying how good it was for the American people until you decide to run for president like Senator Clinton did. That’s not real change. I believe in trade, and I won’t stand here and here and tell you I won’t stop every job from disappearing because of globalization. But I will tell you, I will be thinking about workers and not just Wall Street when I think about trade legislation.”
He added, “Real change isn’t voting for George Bush’s war in Iraq and then telling the American people it was actually voting for more diplomacy

White guys as Swing Voters

David Horsey.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?ID=1722

In Any Case, Happy Birthday Jamie,

One more time!!!

Celestial Chior

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/Obama-s-Celestial-Choir.-1tW.htm

Obama's Hollow 'Judgment' and Empty Record
by Joseph C. Wilson

"Obama argues that he deserves the Democratic nomination and Hillary Clinton doesn't because he possesses superior "judgment," as he calls it, on the key issues we face as a nation. As definitive proof he offers one speech he made in 2002 during a reelection campaign for an Illinois senate seat in the most liberal district in the state, so liberal that no other position would have been viable. When he made that speech, Obama was not privy to the briefings by, among others, Secretary of State Colin Powell, in support of the Authorization of Use of Military Force as a diplomatic tool to push the international community to impose intrusive inspections on Saddam Hussein. "

http://taylormarsh.com/

Off TOpic.....THank Goodness and too funny!

http://www.comics.com/editoons/luckovich/archive/luckovich-20080216.html

Big Shoes To Fill

http://www.comics.com/editoons/luckovich/archive/luckovich-20080206.html

Actually 32nd. It was a particularly good year so I just celebrate anniversaries now. :)

Thank you Sheila, Dog, et al.

Sheila, It may be that the pollsters have determined that your area represents some demographic that they need for their matrix. People who get polled tend to get polled again. Lucky you.

Does BHO show "superior judgment " by smoking cigarettes?

Does BHO show "superior judgment " by smoking cigarettes?

Posted by: doom-n-gloom | March 2, 2008 9:09 PM

Certainly showed a lot of STRENGTH to quit. ;0)

Well, so long as he's still chewing that nicotine gum, he's still addicted.

At least he's not passing around second hand smoke.

Jamie, May you have many more 32's.

The polling; I took it as a sign that is was good to be home. After traveling all over for so many years.

Hussein in the membrane!

Flatus,

Took me a lot of disipline and practicing of new habits to quit my 20 year habit....so if he's still chewing nicorette, thats a good thing.

So is peppermint, bubbleyum, straws, peanuts, anything else you can come up with.

I've been smoke free for 9-yrs, 5-mos and 2-days. I totaled up how many cigarettes I smoked and it was something like one million and 47-thousand--enough that if you put them end to end it would make one giant one stretching from Orlando to Tampa.

One of these days he's going to have to stop taking nicotine.

Karolenna wrote: "BTW, for “some” of you who spend each waking hour (Wendy, et al) bashing Obama for his religion"

For once I was trying to read through one of your tiresome posts when I came across the above quote.

I know you are a lazy ... you know what ... so I know you won't do this but I challenge your SMART ASS to find one post where I have EVER bashed Obama for his religion.

I welcome any of you to take a swipe at me with your smart ass remarks for anything I've said or done...I have no problem with that. But I don't go after people for their religious beliefs. If OBAMA was a Muslim and the right choice for President w/o all the other crap that I do kick his ass over...I'd vote for him.

So now I can go back to skipping over your tedious A#$% posts.

sits beside Dexter and Corey with the smug smile of a fan of the first-place canadiens :)

so... why is everyone getting so personal? this is a political site that happens to have a comments section that most of us feel at home on... it's politics... advocate for your candidate but how 'bout we all stop taking it so personally? a swipe at your candidate (no matter which one) is not a swipe at your relative.

Sheila , your name is getting a wee bit too long. :)

He will Flatus,

We did and so can he.

Hi TY!

Corey,

Its a Stephanie Hussein Miller support for Obama. You can to if you want.... ;0)

besides Corey, I still haven't filled all the spaces yet.

Hi Sheila! just got home from my first shift at my new job.. i'm a happy camper :)

Hey Ty,

Can I ask what kind of job it is....or is this the obvious, being its Sunday? ;0)

Corey,

Did you see;

Dog Hussein Dog.....Blah! So Clever.

I've been hanging out here for a while quite happy to lurk in the shadows, but I do feel like I need to step to Wendy's defense here. I've never once seen her attack Obama for his religious views. She may be a "passionate" Hillary supporter, but I think many here are somewhat passionate about their candidates or else they wouldn't be here exchanging their viewpoints.

For me, I think this is a great place for everyone to air legitimate concerns about both candidates and I've also enjoyed reading some of the exchanges like the discussion with Alpha regarding the concerns of younger African Americans the other day.

Just my two cents...

Obama & “Ax” Lie Today to Voters

“Earlier today, Sen. Obama attacked Hillary on Iraq by invoking Sen. Rockefeller and incorrectly saying that the WVA Senator opposed the 2002 Iraq vote. The truth is that Sen. Rockefeller voted for the war resolution - not against it as Sen. Obama suggested to the people of Ohio. This seems to be an Obama campaign talking point since its top strategist also claimed that Sen. Rockefeller voted against the war resolution when he was on national television this morning.

“’Sen. Obama is so desperate to divert attention from his limited national security experience that he’s not just misleading voters about Sen. Clinton, he’s also misleading voters about his own supporters. That is not change you can believe in.’ — Clinton spokesperson Phil Singer”

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/

Wind warning just in time for junior Super Tuesday (Russert's calling it this lame name, not me)...really bad wind this afternoon. Expect a bad tornado, most likely on Tuesday.

" I think this is a great place for everyone to air legitimate concerns about both candidates "

It should be, but Hillary supporters are accused of everything from being racist to being feminist shrews to starting the Hussein flap. Obama keeps that last concept racheted up. I saw him do it on television today, suggesting that Hillary was behind the Muslin emails. Since I started receiving them when he first ran from the senate, I hardly think Hillary Clinton is behind them. Therefore all this So-and-Hussein-So pen names his followers have assumed becomes more less-than-subtle accusations aimed at the wrong crowd.

My concerns involve lack of experience, empty rhetoric, quasi-religiosity, pandering to the Reagan-types, willingness to damage the record of a very good Democratic president, and misrepresenting his support, which is most assuredly corporate-based.

People in the press have reported that he is very different than the image he puts forth. That he can be thin-skinned, angry, cold and stand-offish. Yet he feels comfortable saying, "You're likeable....enough" to Hillary.

He continually likens himself to MLK, JFK, RFK, and JOSHUA, for God's sake. There is something close to Messianic about this.

He talks of new politics yet surrounds himself with old-style politicians like John Kerry, Tom Daschle, Gary Hart and Ted Kennedy. This is the crowd that for weeks have been calling for Hillary to withdraw "for the sake of unity." Why even have a campaign? This is a very close race. Yet one candidate gets the daily stoning, the drumbeat to withdraw.

There have been reports that early on, in Iowa, his campaign margionalized blacks who came to support him, that the campaign specifically painted a picture of his base being young white kids. That fit right in with his ignoring the black community in national politics until he needed them.

All these concerns boil down to a lack of reality to him, in my book.

I see y'all been real chatty this weekend.

What a mess it is in here what with all the dollah cigar butts overflowing the ashtray and empty bottles all over the place.

*opens all the windows*

tt

sorry the reply took so long, sheila... daughter rushed in with emergency computer need.. lol

I did work this morning [the Sunday stuff :) ] but this afternoon I started working for a market research/political polling firm.. yep.. i'm one of those ppl who call ya and ask who yer supporting (in election season)... we dont have an election right now so most of the surveys are consumer research... anyway.. I just wanted a job that I showed up at a certain time, walked away at a certain time, and no stress. I have enough stress in my life.

nite all.... i miss craig..on here and on MSNBC...

Alexander Graham Bell...1847, Edinburgh.

...and corey, wherever you are, WE WON ! Finally! Buffalo was so flat the first two periods. At breaks they showed live-cams from Niagara Falls. I wonder what the light bill is to light it up like that all night long?

Jeezus! The Angels wanted Mick DEAD??? What the HELL!!??

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080302/NEWS07/80302049

IT'S ON ! Countdown to nomination , and we're smack-dab in the center of the universe!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/us/politics/03ohio.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Euro -- Glad the weekend was great!

Morning All,

One for you Eurotom

Matier and Ross
Gonzalez on Nader campaign: 'Get beyond 2000'

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/02/BAMVVBN13.DTL

"People say we're being self-centered and egotistical - but in politics, everything is called egotistical," says Ralph Nader's new running mate, Matt Gonzalez.

"If you run for mayor, people say you're being egotistical," Gonzalez, who nearly upset Gavin Newsom in the 2003 San Francisco mayor's race, told us Friday. "If you decide you won't run for mayor, people say you're being self-centered and egotistical.

"Why should it be any different when you're running for vice president against the two-party system?"

Such is the burden that the 42-year-old former San Francisco supervisor must bear as he teams with Nader for what could be another upset of the presidential election apple cart.

"The way the system works is, they make it almost impossible for third parties to run, and then when we do, they attack us for running," Gonzalez said.

Here is something very important that won't get a speck of air time.....

Winter Soldiers to Testify Against War
By Maya Schenwar
t r u t h o u t | Report

Saturday 01 March 2008
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030108Z.shtml

Thirty-seven years ago, in the midst of a bitter-cold Michigan winter, 109 Vietnam veterans gathered at a Howard Johnson Motel auditorium in Detroit to tell their stories. For three days, they told of ransacking undefended villages, attacking civilians, mutilating bodies, torturing Viet Cong suspects, burning houses, destroying Vietnamese property and livestock and killing innocent children. At the conference, entitled Winter Soldier, the veterans accepted responsibility and mourned for their actions. But, taken collectively, their words incriminated a much larger culprit: the war itself.

This year, from March 13 to 16, about 300 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, gathering for a second Winter Soldier conference, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) it will make up the largest gathering ever of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Their mission? To tell the story of the war in the terms of those who have actually lived it.

Here's a nice story. ;0)

In Texas, Clinton’s Veterans Test Obama’s Rookies

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/us/politics/03texas.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

The women did not seem to mind that their tiny office, with its wooden cactus decorations and plastic flowers, was not even listed on Mr. Obama’s campaign Web site. Nor that the candidate himself had no plans to appear anywhere near it before Tuesday’s primary, a contest fought in recent days with a fierceness that has few parallels in the state’s political history.

“I just felt that if I could be a dot on the ‘i’ in this thing, I should be,” said Ms. Dixon, 56, a graduate student who left school for the semester to devote herself to the campaign and calls herself an “Obama grandmama.”

In dozens of interviews across Texas over the last two weeks with campaign workers, volunteers and voters, a similar picture has consistently emerged from place to place: a well-prepared Clinton campaign has relied on longtime friendships and deep connections to the state’s party operation here, especially in the highly organized, heavily Hispanic cities of South Texas. At the same time, the Obama campaign nearly always feels smaller — sometimes even makeshift, despite its considerable money advantage — but it also seems remarkably self-generating, drawing hundreds of the first-time campaign volunteers that have fueled his success elsewhere.

“I remember they put out the call right after the Chesapeake primary for volunteers to help set up offices, to paint, bring in furniture,” said Adam Schiffer, an assistant professor of political science at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, where the Obama campaign had three campaign offices to Mrs. Clinton’s one (she recently opened a second). “They had set aside two days for the job. Before my students could even volunteer, they sent another message saying they had enough volunteers already, and they finished in only one day.”

This may explain the force of Obama.

The phenomenon of Senator Barack Obama’s campaign is astounding. He has packaged policies largely indistinguishable from those of John Edwards or Hillary Clinton in airy platitudes about “change” and “hope,” and suddenly he’s a rock star - complete with swooning and fainting fans at his huge campaign rallies. He can do no wrong, applauded wildly for everything from interrupting his speeches to give out water bottles to fans overcome by his presence to-no joke-blowing his nose onstage.

His spokesmen on national TV are flummoxed when asked to identify a single accomplishment in Obama’s political career, yet it doesn’t make the slightest dent in his support. Conventional wisdom says this adulation and intensity level cannot last. But conventional wisdom may be missing something fundamental.

His evident charisma aside, a clue to the source of Obama-mania may be found in the demographics of his support: he is far and away the favorite of younger voters and college students, routinely winning over 75% of the votes of Democrats under 30. Obama has tapped into is the first generation educated in schools focused on “self-esteem.” Now, the products of self-esteem education have come of political age in substantial numbers, perhaps with profound implications for this and future elections.

For the past two decades, America’s educational establishment has stressed the inculcation of self-esteem as the supreme educational goal. Self-respect - the product of struggle and achievement - is out; self-esteem - the entitlement tofeel great self-worth regardless of actual accomplishment - is in.
Strict correction of misspelling or of wrong answers to math problems is discouraged. Competition is a big no-no: many youth sports leagues forbid keeping score, lest any child’s self-esteem suffer from the indignity of losing. Posting honor rolls is discouraged, as it might injure the self-esteem of those who did not make the grade.......................

From:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204473064711&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

" The women did not seem to mind that their tiny office, with its wooden cactus decorations and plastic flowers, was not even listed on Mr. Obama’s campaign Web site. Nor that the candidate himself had no plans to appear anywhere near it before Tuesday’s primary, a contest fought in recent days with a fierceness that has few parallels in the state’s political history.

I don't get it? Is the "O" campaign playing the victim card again, this time because Clinton is organizing in Texas? The above paragraph appears to make the point that Obama's national campaign isn't paying much attention to this particular office. So what?

just a feel good story. Human interest is always preferable for ones stress level.

I appologise if some can't feel the love today. ;0)

Thanks Sheila... they have a point. As always, I am unsettled... but time will tell :-)