Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hey Craig, miss seeing you on the tellie lately.

I haven't had the time or energy to follow the minute details of the Dem battle. What I'm gathering is that the "bitter comment is resonating with the real folks.

tt

Good Morning all....

Have to scan through the msm to get my news because dutch press decided today not to write or broadcast anything about the race...

Nice article Craig, but I got lost reading district 5 or sth.
Will try again later....

How ´s everyone doing... OD hope you are still having energy to go on and be visible for HRC

No kidding, Craig, where've you been lately, tee vee-wise? Your loyal fans miss you much!

Hmm
Anyone has a link to the Michelle O´s appearance yesterday on Colbert...
Cannot find the link, and want to see how the woman did....

Amazing how CNN continues to ignore certain polls and only report on polls that have been WRONG the past primaries. Why would that be?

Should I be bitter today?

Jason,

Why do you think CNN only report the wrong polls- they are in the tank like all msm. 360 tonight did a full report on Obama, but only the nicey nice stuff. Nothing intensive. I get so tired of seeing it all about him, finally turned over to pbs.. Much as I hate Fox, at least they don't fawn over him. Larry King had a pretty good show on tonight, with 4 panelists on the "bitter" debate.

I thought Dutch news was doing a good job, what happened?

Julie

Larry King???? I stopped watching him last week after that ridiculous comment he made. I think HRC did good NOT to go to grandpa. As much as I was a fan, as much dismayed I am now.....

360 is a program that is only for CNN domestic, so I cannot see it over here.

I think the dutch press is not so much enthusiastic anymore. Now and then they do and show some news, but it is not spectacular. The people here in Holland do not view it as a high priority. In an poll, 46% of people said that the battle between HRC and BO is ridiculous and that the media is to blame....That was way back in February.

They do not view the media in the US as objective....

Jason..I'm working in Southern Oregon this week but brought mysigns with me.only got in 1/2 hour this morning..

Friday I'll be home and can work in headquarters and the usual sign stuff.

Growing enthusiasm here for Hillary. Pennsylvania looks good and Kentucky may be a total blowout.

Terry McCaullife made several appearances in Oregon today opening Hillary headquarters. The cling to guns and religion issue has great impact here.

Hi Everyone,

Watching CNN tonight, I had the same feelings that Julie and Jason
had. After MSNBC's glaring Obama fixation, I started switching to CNN recently hoping for more neutral coverage. But, every time I tune in to
CNN, there's another Obama tribute. Is there no where for authentic
journalism anymore? Mr. O doesn't need 100 zillion dollars in contributions for advertising. He now has two cable channels that do his work for him.
As a life long loyal Democrat, I'm ashamed to admit I find myself watching
Fox more, to ease Obama fatigue. The worst thing about
Fox now, for me, is the odious Dick Morris. He seems to have made
a career out of Clinton hate. He's pathological, spewing venomous
Hillary-hate as he spits and foams. Does anyone know why he
hates the Clintons so much?

LOL

Michelle Obama said last night: "the race will be over in June after all 50 states have spoken".

Too good, please....help...I am getting bitter over here. Am gonna cling to my religion for this one. hahahhahahahahahahahahhaha

Michelle is just the gift get doesn´t need any unwrapping. Every layer is fun. LMPO

This story will also just not die..

I think it will be used efectively if BO gets the democratic nomination

Judas. Remark by Mary Matalin and the story behind the Judas remark
http://jammerbirdi.wordpress.com/

Woman Who Published "Bittergate" Deluged With Hate Mail

The L.A. Times reports today that the 61 year old "citizen journalist,"
Mrs. Fowler, who posted her report on The Huffington Post about
B.O's statements concerning small town Americans says she's received
200 emails ranging from creepy to threatening including a few death
threats. So much for the new politics and all that positive change Obama
supporters claim to be feeling. Fowler, an Obama supporter, said
she thought O's remarks were "condescending, even elitist."

Thanks, Jason. For linking to my blog and the Mary Matalin angle on the Bill Richardson endorsement.

The more I think about this, the more taken aback that the MSM hasn't jumped on her version of events.

Think about it. She's saying that Bill Richardson LURED Bill Clinton to New Mexico. away from the campaign trail, to fund raise for him, on the ASSURANCE that Richardson would endorse Hillary. That's beyond anything that's been reported so far.

There is an mp3 audio file on my blog of Matalin on Imus.

http://jammerbirdi.wordpress.com/

But isn´t it appalling that MSM refuses to broadcast this, or at least mention it???????
I mean, how can we as a people just accept this and move on.

Let us look beyond the campaigns, beyond this circus that is called the primaries.

Just see how manipulative the MSM is, how they stratigically want us to just accept what they tell and preach. How important is it for us to just have and form our own opinion. It is amazing that we sit back and still look at this.

More and more during this primary I have felt let down by MSM which I thought was objective. People frequently confronted me with the un objective likes of CNN, MSNBC, FOX etc etc. I always wiped that away.
Now I sing a different tone.
Not only is it bad, but it is also very distasteful that we as a people swallow this.

Doesn´t matter if you are a Barrack Obama supporter or a Hillary Clinton supporter. We need to unify, seen as HRC or BO have allready won, we as a people will lose, if we let these dictators try to dictate their way into our choices.

I started my Larry King boycot two weeks ago, I think it is best if I just refuse to watch CNN in it´s entirety. CNBC will be added.

And for the record: I am not bitter.... LOL

p.s. Thanks for the audio jammerbirdi. Maybe we should find a way to get this through so that more people can hear it.

Morning Jason -- it's as if the MSM is deliberately trying to rig this election....

I'm really glad that jason is not bitter, but then he don't live in a country that follows the policies of Hitler and authorizes Torture like Der Fuhrer Bush.

So Prof Marcia...

Do you know or are you a friend of Torture Legal authority John Yoo.

Since the MSM has been in Der Fuhrer's back pocket and refuses to cover The War Crimes committed by his administration you have now put Obama in the same class as Fuhrer Adolph Bush.

Soon you will hear another rumor right out of Rove's Republican Play Book of Obama having an illegitimate White Baby. You know like what happened to McCain in S.C. in 2000. I would put nothing past the Clinton campaign.

Anon -- doesn't it give you pause that the same MSM that cheerleaded us into two GWBush presidencies, destroyed Gore and Kerry and rah-rah'd us into war is shoving Obama down our throats?

Patsi, that is what I mean.

And Anon, I am here on a two year trip to finish my dissertation. I have lived for 26 years in the USA and born in Suriname (south america).
I am a US citizen which will be back in the states in 1 year and about 4 months.....

Very good article in NY Magazine:

http://nymag.com/news/features/46011/

Good Morning Everyone,

.......by the looks of it, ya'll are greaing up for next weeks primary.....Guess its good that I have to work.

Jason, I haven't been around much, but would like to officially welcome you to Trail Mix. ;0)

Anon-p....so good to see you and you sound strong lately! You sound good. Please keep fighting the good fight.

This Too Shall Pass and we will spend days in cerebral heaven again. God Bless my friend.

Jason...

Didn't they sign the Geneva Conventions and if there not signatories than how to they feel that America in now a country that Tortures and invades other countries like Hitler did because they believe that country was a danger to them?

Like Hitler invaded Poland after telling the German People that Poland wanted to do them harm?

patsi...

And the MSM can support anyone if that's what there truly doing according to you and other Clinton supporters say, but like the old saying you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it.

So how are they shoving Obama down your throat? You don't have to vote for him now do you? So why are you complaining?

Don't like him don't vote for him. Sit home like a good German.

Thanx chef Sheila...(have been here now for 3 weeks)

Don´t know if you know, but "This too shall pass" is an amazing song written and performed by singer India Arie. It is one of my alltime favourites.

Patsi, I will read the article you provided under the link...

Jason,

I LOVE India Arie....wow not many know of her. I like you already!

"Don't like him don't vote for him. Sit home like a good German."

More condescension, anon.

Hey AP,

I haven´t got the slightest idea what you are talking about with regard to your quote to me..... I live in the Netherlands now, I don´t know if that may ring a different bell......

Anywho,
Let me paraphrase something to some of you in this forum. I am a thrity year old and do take notice that we live in THE YOUTUBE age! Anything you say or do will be published or broadcasted. Anything you didn´t say will be published or broadcasted.... The next level is that it is for a lot of people BELIEVABLE. You know why? Because they have no choice, they live in the age where news is news, and not a biased opinion.

In 15 years from now, we will look differently at MSM, because of this. People will look back and say: dayum, can´t believe those people fell for that crap. Now we just take in, and still believe that everything msm is saying is NEW and INFORMATIVE (INFORMATION).

If you can look me in the eye and tell me that BO has not had the free ride that everyone else notices, it is absurd. I only go back to the boring, know it all Al Gore. He got the elbow and he felt it. It is now HRC´s turn.
There are two differences though: She is female and she has more soul than the former.....

I guess the HuffPuff writer who broke the "bitter Pennsylvanians" story has burned her bridges with Obama's supporters. She's now getting death threats.

Patsi: Thank you so much for the link to the article in NY Magazine. I believe that women have become much too complacent in this perceived "post-Feminist" era and ignored some of the reasons the Women's Movement happened in the first place. Mainly, the need for women to maintain their own financial independence. I cannot believe how many of my friends thought that their husbands would be the new generation of men who don't leave their wives for the younger model.

And now that history is repeating itself, and my friends are being left by their husbands, they are reexamining their decisions to devote the last 10-20 years to marriage and children without remaining vibrant and financially independent. A new Women's Movement will happen because it has to. So many women have reverted back to their grandmother's generation only because they remembered the good parts: Baking pies, nesting etc. They forgot the part where their grandmothers (and mothers) were left in serious financial peril when the husbands who they baked the pies for and had dinner waiting on the table for left them for their secretaries or, as I see now, work associates.

The complacency has also led us to the new generation of young women such as Paris Hilton and the band of cheerleaders who beat the young girl in Florida. Hello? Ever heard of sisterhood? Most days, I am glad I have boys.

Silda Spitzer, and women like her, can afford to devote their lives to their husband. Middle class and even those in the barely upper middle class cannot.

(These are just my opinions...as I have said many times, I work out of my house so I can be here after school. I did many workarounds so I could have the benefits of spending time with my kids while still making sure I could support my kids and myself if my husband gets hit by a bus (or is shoved in front of one if he decides to make a bad decision...you get my drift.))

Chef Sheila,

That is good!
Although we support different candidates, we have India Arie in common....

So if CQ's analysis is accurate,and the delegate count is that close, will Hillary stay in? I hope so. I think the Super Delegates greatest fear is that they will have to publicly commit. That could be dicey for many of them. Massachusetts went for Hillary-Kennedy and Kerry for BHO-RI went for Hillary-Patrick Kennedy for BHO-same story for Richardson. Many of them are elected officials that have to be concerned about their own re-election. If they vote the way their state voted, that's good news for Hillary-she won the big states.The Democratic convention in August could be exciting TV.

Weeeellll,

"Attack the Messenger".

Craig's book will add another chapter because of this election.

The way I see it. Since I began my Palm Beach From Hell Trip last December. I have read a lot of material, rather than watched endless TV News and political programs.

What I noticed, was that articles are being written for and against across the board.

I see FOX (YUK) a great opposite for opinion for MSNBC. I see MSNBC speaking the negatives on Obama on a regular basis and I see Clinton being given a pass at times....I think both should be given passes for stupid remarks on both sides.

I see the race being reported in print and on the tele in a responsible fashion by both sides of the media.

NOT extreme right or left lol of course.

The media may not be perfect, but the audience is for the most part naive....you just have to admit that.

Pass schmass...lookey what the Cheyney gang ('legidlee') gets away with.

"Lane said Shaffer's rulings, including those blocking the release of videotapes that Lane said show the agents accusing each other of lying and trying to cover up what happen, have been very protective of the government."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080416/ap_on_re_us/cheney_man_arrested

Jason...

Thank you for your response. I believe that the Nederlands were signers of the Geneva Conventions IIRC and if they were how do they feel that America in now a country that Tortures those in our custody?

IIRC also I believe that it may have been Belgium were they changed the law so Cheney could set foot on their soil and not get arrested and charged with War Crimes.

If Fuhrer Bush gets us into another war {think Iran} and Russia and China support Iran and step in we may be in a Nuclear War before your schooling is up. You may not have a home to come home to.

ubns,,,,

Primaries are like waiting for the "AntiChrist". Everyone guesses and theorizes about when "The Coming" or "The Ending" will occur. But it will suprise everyone when it happens or doesn't happen.

Its Clinton's race. have faith and trust her for the best decision.

BTW, and Official welcome to you too! can we ask what your acronym means?

patsi...

"More condescension, anon."

Oh you will definitely know when I am. Soon I will put you in the same category as SnowFlake Blue Fritz. Maybe your his sister or perhaps he's your father.

HI Sheila...

Just wanted to say hello to you my friend and hope things are going well. Got to run and do some work.

Take care and ...

God Bless.

You too Anon-p!

"perhaps he's your father."

My father is dead, thank you. Nice to drag someone's dead parent into your paranoia.

Hilarious!

The Arab Media broadcast Obama bin Laden Gaffe.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamal-dajani/obama-bin-laden_b_96863.html

Patsi...

No different than the Clinton supporters using Obama's father or Mother to denigrate him.

After watching Michelle Obama on Colbert, I gotta say, they are running the wrong Obama.

"To show you how much things have changed for me, one of my greatest missions this year is to convince Rush to support the Republican candidate for President."
-- Joe Lieberman

Anon-site ONE time when HRC said anyting about BO's parents. Just ONE. You can't. Patsi , ignore these comments. OBO's are paranoid. Their house of cards is about to fall, if not now,definately in NOV. I will vote McCain if it's not Hillary. Lets face it,were you excited to vote for Kerry or Gore? No ,but as loyal democrats we did. Not this time.I'm sick of this loser party. Obama will be chewed up and spit out by Labor Day.

anon-p,

For the record, trashing the family of a fellow poster is what got ol' Fritzie packed up and sent on his way.

Ned Lamont ........the great left hope..........lost to that pantload . There's a lesson for ya........

sturgeone,

That pantload was endorsed by Senator Obama who chose him as his mentor.

If there is any actual logic behind any of that, please pack it in a bullet and shoot me in the head.

9/11,

While Anon-p did not take into account that Patsi's parents may not be here. He was not trashing patsi's parents in meaness.

He was making a snarky point, if not well thought out. I have seen many here who have done it in thoughtlessness and it went unchecked.

Just making the statement before another unchecked pile on occurs. This little bit of argument is between these two. Not us

AND on another note! I feel such lightness and pleasure when I see you 9/11!

It will probably lose Obama a few votes, but generally I think people will overlook it unless they already do not like his politics or him.

sturgeone,

That pantload was endorsed by Senator Obama who chose him as his mentor.

If there is any actual logic behind any of that, please pack it in a bullet and shoot me in the head.

Posted by: 9/11 survivor (sort of) | April 16, 2008 8:29 AM

HEY! lol We all have wingers in our repertoire. its how we learn from them that count. ;0)

I bet you have some. I know I do and that mistake has served me well.

mornin' all.

And a beautiful one it is, too. A touch of frost, sunny, and headed for almost 70 this afternoon. Pretty close to perfect. And I won in the first lawn wars skirmish ( I think). After 5 months of neglect, the lawn tractor fired right up - with gas that was probably bought at about $3/gal., 'cuz I bought it last October. (Compared to $3.47 this morning). But the oil companies are making their money this morning after gas prices jumped 22 cents here overnight. Funny, they do FIFO inventory control with LIFO pricing - pretty good sc am - buy oil at, say, $100 a barrel, refine it and deliver it to the pumps for sale at whatever price the spot market dictates the day the gas is sold. See, when the price of oil jumps, they sell the stuff already purchased and refined at the price that the stuff you are now purchasing for refining and sale later should sell at. McNumNuts' federal gasoline tax relief plan would bring gas down here to only 4 cents above where it was YESTERDAY, but lets the oil companies make their increased profit of an additional 7% in ONE DAY. Great plan - I wonder if the oil companies plan to donate that extra profit to the road repair fund that will go lacking under McNutjob's plan? Probably not. Deprive the fed highway admin of funds for road infrastructure development and maintenance, but let he oil companies go their merry way. Great idea, John.

Hey anyone notice that Ted "Tubes" Stevens is in the race of his life to retain his senate seat - in Alaska, which is a decidedly red state..

Tim Robinson may not be popular by some, but that is why I like him and this speech he made last week, hits Freedom of Speech and/or expression right out of the park.

The Power and Responsibility of our Nation's Broadcasters

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-robbins/addressing-the-national-a_b_96836.html

chef wonderful ecstatic sheila,

He did it. It was clear at the time Lieberman had little interest in the party whose nomination he seeks.

Lieberman's intense support of continued and expanded war was clear as well.

An elected Senator (or even a candidate) for public office has to be responsible for the things they justify doing politically.

That goes for all three of 'em.

That's politics dating back to humanity's tribal days -- as old as it's grimy, as infernal as it's eternal.

Gorgeously written 9/11.

I didn't state that Obama was right. lol I implied that the more imporatant lesson is what you "Learned From the Mistake".

I believe you and I both have learned very important lessons from mistakes in trusting a charactor that turned out to be less than we thought.

I'll admit I was being snarky to Patsi and I will apologize though I doubt she'll accept it.

A lot of you here have trashed Obama's parents and had no problem doing it. So you don't like Obama, fine. This gives you no excuse to trash his family which many of you have done several times over the past month.

He has been accused of being a bad parent, his mother has now been accused of being a bad parent and this in one of the reasons decent people don't want to serve the public and we end up with what he have now.

And I am angry and bitter that the Democratic play book is now no different then the Republican play book.

Enjoy while you can as your making McCain look more electable then either Democratic candidate.

And today the dollar fell to a new low. You better hope that Iran don't convince OPEC to start selling there oil for Yen and Euro's as the dollar will totally collapse and we will all be screwed.

Or that China don't dump all our dollars for other currencies or continue to buy all are assets as they and many Arab countries are doing by the selling out of America by both Parties.

sheila,

I didn't say you did!

I'm glad I'm merely a voter who occasionally gets helped and frequently gets ransacked by his public servants.

If I was anything other than just a voter... I don't think I'd survive ten days in that world inhabited entirely by Eve Harringtons of every sex and age imaginable.

Obama’s remarks feed class resentment
(Gene Lyons)

"A more perfect expression of pseudo-Marxist / academic cant—or a greater gift to Sen. John McCain and the Republicans—would be hard to imagine.

This is what Democrats get if they choose an inexperienced faculty-lounge lizard as their presidential candidate. People tend to assume that a black candidate has a lot of street sense, but Obama increasingly comes off as a classic Ivy League brainiac too impressed by his own SAT scores to change a tire without delivering an oration on the economics of rubber tree cultivation.

Since 1968, when Richard Nixon put his famous “Southern strategy” into play, two big themes have kept the GOP in the White House most of the time: race along with class and regional resentment. In seeking to transcend the former, Obama has handed them the latter on a silver platter. Republicans won’t have to caricature him as a condescending snob who looks down on working stiffs. He’s already done it to himself."

http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg§ion=Editorial&storyid=222937

CHuckles @ 9/11

"If there is any actual logic behind any of that, please pack it in a bullet and shoot me in the head."

ROFL! 9/11! That's a fabulous line...I may steal it sometime!

Craig...this has nothing to do with the post - although I appreciate the analysis.

I know you probably can't really answer this...but I'm going to ask it anyway.

Why does MoJo continue to let Mike Barnicle go on their and make sexists remarks when analysing this race when he could have someone who is much more fair minded, like yourself, come on and do the same type of analysis? I'm seriously considering turning off MoJo now too. I can live with Mika as an Obama shill because the group, overall, is entertaining and Joe doesn't let the bias get too far out of hand.

In fact, what brought me to your site was a day when you and Mike Barnicle were on at the same time and you were the lone voice saying: "Can someone please tell me what racist comments President Clinton made?" and Barnicle just scoffed at you and insisted that they did...even though he wouldn't really answer your question.

Anyway...I wish they would just have you on or at least both of you on so that you can give some balanced analysis rather than the baloney that comes out of Barnicle's mouth. Once he starts in with his woman bashing baloney, I turn the channel.

Ugh...anyway...I know you can't really answer that question - but I wish they'd get rid of him and just ask you the questions. You would answer them w/o having to pepper the answer with sexist observations.

Ah Wendy,

Real political discussion deserves diverse opinions to show what would be acceptable or not.

Barnacles comments will not influence anyone it already hasn't.....that is why he is on occasionaly. He's not on all the time, that is the more important point. ;0)

"McNumNuts' federal gasoline tax relief plan would bring gas down here to only 4 cents above where it was YESTERDAY, but lets the oil companies make their increased profit of an additional 7% in ONE DAY. Great plan - I wonder if the oil companies plan to donate that extra profit to the road repair fund that will go lacking under McNutjob's plan?"

I heard that, Pogo....it goes on and on.

Wendy: I think they have Barnicle on BECAUSE he is such an ass.

hey Wendy, et al -- for those wishin to comment on MSNBC they have a message board for MoJo:

http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/board.aspx?BoardID=877

AP

"A lot of you here have trashed Obama's parents and had no problem doing it. So you don't like Obama, fine. This gives you no excuse to trash his family which many of you have done several times over the past month."

Where? Outside of some of the tin hat muslim stuff about his father or posting articles that describe his later alcohol problems, I haven't seen any "trashing". There have been some questions asked, but they weren't mean. The only thing I've seen is criticism of the mass media for not looking into Sen. Obama's biography. You can go on line and find detailed descriptions of Sen. Clinton's childhood while there are huge blanks in Sen. Obama's only filled by vague descriptions from his books. The criticism is of the media not them.

9/11

I would give you a Sarah Siddons any day for dealing with the Harringtons.

the main point and an astounding one at that is that Barack endorsed Lieberman.......

"I think they have Barnicle on BECAUSE he is such an ass. "

I think you are exactly right.

what did Hillary do during Lieberman's independent run......if she endorsed lieberman i guess it cancels out........

Sheila:

I don't care whether Barnicle influences anyone - I'm tired of women getting bashed in the process. He's entitled to his opinion but I'm also entitled to bitch about being trashed as a woman. My complaint isn't that he favors one candidate over another - my complaint is that he hates women and is given a forum to express it.

It's sad to hear that the lady who broke the SF story is getting death threats now. If the press did their jobs and gave us equal information on all the candidates maybe she would not of brought up the story in the first place. There are so many more important issues to bring but the press chose this one to jump on and now won't let it go. We still don't know a lot about Obama, and if he becomes the nominee, the Reps have a field day. It maybe to late to do any damage control by then.

Hi everyone,
Just a brief post and off with the dogs.

I think that in the competitive nature of cable news, that Mojo wants to be edgy trying to gain viewers and traction. Joe will let anyone say crap, as long as he's not going to pay the price for it, ie. getting suspended of whatever they do. They want people talking about their show, good or bad at this point.

I didn't see this show, and actually I have not been watching TV for a couple of weeks. It can really be mind clearing to take a break from the constant barrage of various opinions and predictions.

Anyway, the sun is out and the dogs are howling....

peace

^^^^^^^^

Chef Sheila Hussein The Nun - that was kind, an over-statement, but thanks. Have a good one. Oh - and right back at you. : )

To Chef Sheila--

Thank you for the welcome. I enjoy reading your posts. My acronym ubns-Uneducated But Not Stupid-is how I labeled myself after constantly hearing the MSM describing Hillary supporters as uneducated,downscale, lower class, low income white blue collar women. I've noticed they don't use that description as much anymore. Someone must have realized it sounds rather demeaning. Now, a personal question for you--are you a professional chef?

Craig:

I did send MoJo and e-mail about some of the garbage I heard this morning...I didn't mention your name though...I'll need to send a follow-up.

:-D

By the way, yesterday on NPR an economist said that if the last century was "America's Century" as a business and economic power, we need to understand that this century is "Asia's Century." He said "Look, we're already going to them hat in hand."

He laid out the case in pretty stark terms.

Bush was handed a great country by Bill Clinton, and he went out of his way to destroy it. Almost as if he liked Grover Norquist's idea of "starving the beast" of our government in order to destroy SS and Medicare and privatize it. Gee....do ya suppose....

ha, wendy, you can mention me as long as you say nice things :-)

Mika is in full Obama shill mode this morning with the snarky "yeah right" commentary on anything from the Clinton. If he were in the same room with her, she would probably be doing a strip tease.

jamie & AP, there is a fairly good article in this week's Time on Obama's upbringing. Pretty factual I thought.

AP, I have to echo jamie's thought- I haven't seen any trashing of Obama's family, although by Western standards, his father certainly would deserve some. The man is a poster child for the bad husband and father society, and this does not suggest anything negative about Obama.

UBNS....I LOVE THAT! Great moniker.

I am a professional Chef and a Private one. No restaurants for me anymore....unless I have to and then McDonalds would me more lucrative.... ;0)

What's worse about the lady who broke the "bitter" story is an Obama supporter (at least she gave $2300 to his campaign - otherwise couldn't be there) with a conscience...in fact...she published a couple of articles earlier in the week about that night and kept that under wraps...she clearly struggled with whether she should put it out.

I guess NOT everyone is entitled to their opinion in political discourse - especially if within that discourse, they expose something negative about Obama.

Lovin' this "New" politics.

Craig going to be on tonight during the debate?

LOL Craig...of course

;-)

ubns - I have fell the same way about that description since the first time I heard it......

I am surprised they could hold themselves back from adding "fat & ugly, bitter & bitchy".

: )

....ok ok , now they are crazy ( the dogs) gotta go.....

UBNS

Sheila is a chef and a wonderful one. She also wouldn't get lost looking for the White House kitchen though now she indulges a Palm Beach family.

Speaking of which, Sheila, when do you get to go home for a break?

"Craig going to be on tonight during the debate? --Posted by: vadaryl"

haven't heard from them for a while, vadaryl. doin imus tomorrow

Well,

With a bitter wind a blowin in amongst the posts now, I believe its finally time to unpack the care and settle back in before starting work again tomorrow.

Ya'll have a great Day.

I mean are you going to beon your blog during the debate.

What time are you going to be on Imus tomorrow?

"I mean are you going to beon your blog during the debate. -- Posted by: vadaryl"

oh yes of course, always love our debate rodeos

imus 630a tomorrow, links in today's post

Oh Jamie!

I AM HOME!!!! As of last night. I am really relieved.

Do you think it will be another lovefest or a real debate this time.

I think the last time it was on ABC Charles Gibson did a great job. I think he has been the best so far. Even CNN repeated the ABC debates. Wonder if they will do it again this time.

First some non political fun from the folks at McClatchy, about about measuring and detection in science

"The enthusiastic stomping of soccer fans after a goal creates a "footquake" on earthquake gauges 30 or more miles away."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/33774.html

On political comment

I noticed yesterday that Obama's mentor ,Lieberman
was busy trashing him.
Obama doesn't have very good luck with father figures.

Out of here for the day good weather has arrived and the work has piled up.

Jack

you mean, will Hillary turn into Annie Oakley tonight? dunno. advisers beat the life out of debates, warning candidates about voter backlash if they actually debate

typical debate pattern for most candidates is to play nice, then go on the stump the next day and say all the mean stuff you wanted to say during the debate

sturg - Hillary supported Lamont.

http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D8JNM09G0&show_article=1

Lamont didn't return the favor.

But this time the stakes are so high and I just have a feeling the Charles will ask questions that may tell us more about where these two people stand on the issues instead of spending time on what was said in SF.

Craig, still would love to know which Bill you favor on the Press protection Act. The Senate version or the House? Which version if ANY do you think our Founding Fathers would have voted for?

I agree on Thursday they will go back on the attack mode but I hope Charles allows them to engage each other on some questions without getting ugly. If I remember right he did that the last time he ran the debate and it went well.

well if it's about issues then there really won't be much debating. almost no difference between them on issues

Just watch this and skip the debates

From Annie Get Your Gun -

I Can Do Anything Better Than You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txbxRCxVFQc

Ok I'm really gone, I mean it, really
I'm out of here

Jack

I do want to say that I like what Michelle Obama said about herself being a product of public education. I think those are actually very important comments since public education in this country does seem to be under fire. And in the end...when public education is supported, you can produce accomplished people who can attend schools like Princeton and Harvard as Michelle did.

The substance of the "public education" part of her comment will be lost, unfortunately, because of what she was responding to, but I hope that some folks will pick up on it and recognize it for the important statement that it is.

well, craig - I tried. Maybe it's our firewall or our virus program (or maybe they just heard about me and don't want me to commetn on their site) but MSNBC won't let me sign in because it doesn't think I'm typing the correct characters from the damn security picture. I know Abrams used to be the GM - I had his e-mail address. Who's the GM now, and do you have his or her e-mail?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/04/pennsylvania-delegate-hunt.html#comment-68461

Maxtrue, must confess i havent examined those bills closely, will do so soon. that is important stuff, and i noticed McCain backed one of them

Excuse me, anon-paranoid, but the aware for the nastiest comment about parenting or family life goes hands down to Michelle Obama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN1qZMBE9Gc

For the record, I think Chelsea Clinton is evidence that Hillary Clinton is "running her own house" just fine!

pogo, Phil Griffin runs msnbc now but i don't have his email, maybe one of the media monitroing sites has it

i think clinton will come out both guns blazing''
shooting from the hip'' she's got nothin to loose

And craig, if you can't publicly post the email of the MSNBC GM, you can send it to my email..larry.chafin@steptoe-johnson.com

Your right they agree on a lot of issues but maybe he can get them to talk about what there differences are and debate them. one question could be: Why they think they are the one who has the best chance of defeating McCain.

craig, thanks - I'll see if I can dig it up.

anon-paranoid: Your comments re "attacks" on Obama's family notwithstanding, the award for the NASTIEST, most inappropriate actual ATTACK on a candidate re their family life goes hands down to MICHELLE OBAMA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN1qZMBE9Gc

Chelsea Clinton,, who may be the most together kid in the White House in decades, would suggestion that Mrs. Obama is incorrect in suggesting that Hillary Clinton "can't run her own house."

i really dont have it, pogo. i steer clear of executives

Actually, McCain hasn't really said which version he is backing. Conservatives might blast him if he says the House version.

Very important stuff that has implications for internet journalism. I wish the pundits chimed in, but I have the feeling they support the House version. Then they can protect their sources that tell them everything China makes is junk. If you want some details, check out Stubborn Facts. They would be honored by your opinion. As a jounalist, I figured you would be concerned about this issue as well as all here. My remark over at SF excluded you Craig, because I have a feeling you understand these important "rights" were meant "for the people" as your comments have consistently implied. And everyone with a printer and computer fits what Franklin thought defined the "Press".

I wonder if Hillary will ask Obama if he ever met Auchi...LOL

Also since they are still active senators what are they going to do today that will make a difference until Bush is out of office.

This is who I e-mail regularly at NBC:

steve.capus@nbc.com, phil.griffin@nbc.com

"will Hillary turn into Annie Oakley tonight"

I wanted her to whistle, "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better", but given the coverage, the press would report it as "You Can't Get A Man With A Gun".

Agree or disagree with McCain at least he proposed something that can make a difference now. Ask them what there stance is on his Gas proposal.

you bet it's important, Maxtrue. and i ought to be on top of that, usually am, but the campaign trail (and my tulips) distracting me these days

good morning gang....

just poking my nose in here..... working hard lately.... want to take some time off as the weather improves.....

Sheila.... welcome home.... although some would think it funny that you consider being in Florida for the winter "hell" instead of Michigan..... I think all of us in northern climes had record snow this year....

let's see...... should I watch the 1,063th Democratic debate.... or watch the Red Sox/Yankees game..... hmmmmmmm....... GO RED SOX!

oh yeah...... GO DEMOCRATS!

craig how's your leg?

Have not heard in awhile what going on with FL & MI?

Well, here is an example of citizen jounalism.

Two days ago I met a person who drove a top unnamed executive for NBC. He told this driver that NBC wants Obama to win and offered him free air time which of course would be illegal. The limo driver was struck by the comments about supporting Obama though he also supports Obama. After this episode the driver told me that he thought the Press was way over the top in advocating a candidate. Now had I posted the NBC exec's name and tried to leave this drive out of it, I would have no protection no matter how "regularly" I post here or elsewhere. . I know this is just one poor example, but if you read the House version, it really is a perversion on what the Constitution states. Given the partisanship of the Press, I doubt protecting the "club" by the crtieria stated will help the public debate.

In any case, your tulips will look lovely and given the campaign trail, I don't expect you eo be ominpotent, unless of course you've been drinking the Kool Aid....

Dickerson had a fine article about that....

I doubt that it is likely to have much effect, but for any who are interested, the msnbc e-mail address is letters@msnbc.com.

Craig: Understand that it's a delegate race, but is the following possible/probable:

Clinton wins by double digits in PA
Clinton wins HUGE in WV, KY and PR
Clinton wins Indiana
Edward endorses Clinton and she closes the gap to points in NC (Obama probably still wins)
Super delegates get VERY nervous about Obama's inability to win the electoral college
Someone negotiates a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket
Your thoughts?
I know you joined Cuomo and Leon Panetta in pointing out that joint ticket may be the only way to go. Just wondering what you think scenario will be if Clinton REALLY closes in.

thanks, Ally. I'll try those.

well lynn, that's a rosy scenario but not out of the question i suppose. still think this path is about her best shot: http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/03/clintons-tortured-path-to-vict.html

ankle is doing great, vadaryl, thanks for askin. almost back to normal

i gotta run, you guys play nice

renee, came a hair's breadth from coming to NH (Manchester) tomorrow. Had to pass because the return flight schedules couldn't get me back here in time for LP's first AAU tournament game Friday night. Oh, well.

Renee,

Could you get me email addresses for Manny and Ortiz? I want to try to convince both of them that Joba Chamberlain's dad, Harlan, is also their biological father and that they should spend the next two days at the hospital with him and Joba.

I don't know if Big Papi is still slumping, but I know that digging up the new Yankee Stadium and pulling his jersey out was a bad idea. There are just too many possible headlines like "breaking out" and "rising from the ashes" that I'm afraid we might be reading in the next few days.

Good luck. As usual, I'm rooting for your guys to come in second tonight and tomorrow.

Todays endorsement:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080416/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_union

Here's something for the Obama supporters. My son came up with the words and his buddy put them on a T-shirt.

http://www.zazzle.com/gikitease/product/235632652940242969?CMPN=ltte&color=black&context=mfong&group=mens&lifeStyle=all&side_back=horz&side_front=horz&size=a_m&style=basic_tshirt_light&view=front

Bruce Springsteen endorsed Obama this morning.

Yeah, I know he supported Kerry last time out. But this is during the primary season.

http://brucespringsteen.net/news/index.html

Obama has never done well in debates unless he has Tweety and his other fans to help him.

Still waiting for the income tax story to take her down.

Barry is about to be passedover

Text of Bruce Springsteen's endorsement letter.

Dear Friends and Fans:

LIke most of you, I've been following the campaign and I have now seen and heard enough to know where I stand. Senator Obama, in my view, is head and shoulders above the rest.

He has the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years, a generous nation with a citizenry willing to tackle nuanced and complex problems, a country that's interested in its collective destiny and in the potential of its gathered spirit. A place where "...nobody crowds you, and nobody goes it alone."

At the moment, critics have tried to diminish Senator Obama through the exaggeration of certain of his comments and relationships. While these matters are worthy of some discussion, they have been ripped out of the context and fabric of the man's life and vision, so well described in his excellent book, Dreams of My Father, often in order to distract us from discussing the real issues: war and peace, the fight for economic and racial justice, reaffirming our Constitution, and the protection and enhancement of our environment.

After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken. I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans.

Over here on E Street, we're proud to support Obama for President.

Hoosiers for Hillary Announces Endorsements of 21 Additional Mayors, Four Local Democratic Leaders

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6915

OK, vad, now let's wait for the attacks on plasterers and cement masons.

"Amazing how CNN continues to ignore certain polls and only report on polls that have been WRONG the past primaries. Why would that be?"

They are setting it up for Clinton to outperform expectations. I think if she wins by over 10 points - which she very well may - it will be the BIG victory they have been waiting for blah blah blah. It will be spun that she is now the frontrunner - and somehow Obama needs to catch up.

Anyways, it will all be a lot of noise - and I will just be paying attention to the popular vote.

Some of these ladies might be Bruce Springsteen fans as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpDTvlSd0x4&eurl=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

More evidence to support my secret Clinton supporters theory.

(This is the theory that some loyal Clinton supporters will claim they are undecided in polls - to ensure that Clinton gets the late push and exceeds expectations).

Chuck Todd said this morning on MSNBC that despite the variations in the polls (with Clinton have leads of 5-15) - the support for Obama is always hovering around 40% - and it is Clinton's numbers that tend to fluctuate.

Looks like not all Clinton supporters got the memo (that is what makes it a secret...)

Btw, this is pure speculation and it is based on nothing more than a hunch.

So, are all of you Clintonites bitter that no matter what, you can't defeat Obama? Not with hyper parsing of his comments. Not with surrogates running around frantically claiming that this is it. This is the gaffe that make Obama unelectable?

BTW, what's with your surrogates? They are some of the weirdest supporters ever. You've got Billionaire Bob, who made his name and money via women shaking their ass on BET. He's so reviled in the black community that every time he speaks, Obama gets yet another percentage point in the black community. There's Kiki McLean, who always has this strange smile on her face, as though she's on meds. Then there's Ed Rendell, who's hedging his bets by saying Obama will be fine for the GE. Lanny Davis, who is as hack as they come. Yikes, and then there's bitter racist old woman Geraldine Ferraro. No wonder Billary's campaign has exploded.

Anyway, she better win by 20 points or she's just jacking up jump shots without a jumper. Times a marching on, y'all, and your candidate is running out of it. Just about eight more candidate shopping weeks before Clinton 08 bumper stickers go on eBay at .10 per, right next to Confederate dollars and Buffalo Bills Super Bowl t-shirts.

Warren----------------------------

"They are setting it up for Clinton to outperform expectations."

Do you REALLY believe this?

I hope you are just spinning.

Depth.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/opinion/15brooks.html?em&ex=1208491200&en=b52df7c95f4b9205&ei=5087%0A

Prof:

"Does anyone know why [Dick Morris]
hates the Clintons so much?"

He knows them so well....

Gordo:

I think CNN favors Clinton more than MSNBC.

Dick Morris, the guy who swore under penalty of perjury that he was accurately reporting his income and taxes due - what, to the tune of a $2.5 million dollar lie? Now there's someone you can trust to tell the truth.

warren, I think we agree on one thing (almost). I think CNN favors Obama less than MSNBC. If that's favoring Clinton more than MSNBC, you're probably right.

Obama tied to lobbyists, but boasts of not taking money

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama often boasts he is "the only candidate who isn't taking a dime from Washington lobbyists," yet his fundraising team includes 38 members of law firms that were paid $138 million last year to lobby the federal government, records show.

Those lawyers, including 10 former federal lobbyists, have pledged to raise at least $3.5 million for the Illinois senator's presidential race. Employees of their firms have given Obama's campaign $2.26 million, a USA TODAY analysis of campaign finance data shows.

Thirty-one of the 38 are law firm partners, who typically receive a share of their firm's lobbying fees. At least six of them have some managerial authority over lobbyists.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-04-15-obama_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

And yes - if you start from the premise that Clinton is going to win PA - then that BEST coverage she can have leading up to the Apr. 22 is doomsday stories that she might lose...

Even though she had 20 point leads a month ago in all the polls - if she wins by 10 - which she likely would have done with or without the bitter comments - all we will hear from the Clinton camp on Apr. 23 is "See, we told you - Obama can't connect with people in small towns."

Total BS - but I expect nothing less from the Clinton camp.

Maureen Dowd on Bittergate:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/opinion/16dowd.html?em&ex=1208491200&en=15e8d2b236bc8983&ei=5087%0A

Gordo:

Let me translate for you:

"Thirty-one of the 38 are law firm partners, who typically receive a share of their firm's lobbying fees. At least six of them have some managerial authority over lobbyists."

Which means about 32 out of 38 have almost nothing to do with lobbyists. Law firm partners profit from a ton of activities that they are not involved in.

pogo - would you disagree?

The problem with Dowd's analysis is that Obama is not unfamiliar with bowling and other small town PA past-times because he is an elitist - he is unfamiliar because he is a black guy who has spent most of his time in the States in Hawaii and Chicago.

John Kerry he is not. (And Dukakis - please - the GOP only wishes....)

obama has 38 lobbyists on his staff and bashes clinton for lobbyists....they had their spouses donate money and have pledged to raise millions for him........full story in usa today

heres the list of obama's lobbyists
These 38 fundraisers for Barack Obama's presidential campaign work for law firms that have lobbying operations in Washington, D.C. The dollar figure reflects the minimum amount each has pledged to raise for the campaign.

BUNDLER
MIN. PLEDGE LOCATION FIRM

Scott Harris $200,000 DC Harris, Wiltshire and Grannis

Allan J. Katz
$200,000 FL Akerman Senterfitt

Michael Lawson $200,000 CA Skadden, Arps

John Levi $200,000 IL Sidley Austin

Karol Mason $200,000 GA Alston & Bird

Thomas J. Perrelli $200,000 VA Jenner & Block

Thomas A. Reed $200,000 VA Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis

Christina Tchen $200,000 IL Skadden, Arps

Tony West $200,000 CA Morrison & Foerster

Mark L. Alderman $100,000 PA Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen

Timothy M. Broas $100,000 MD Winston & Strawn

Peter Bynoe $100,000 IL DLA Piper

Gregory B. Craig $100,000 DC Williams & Connolly

Norman Eisen $100,000 DC Zuckerman Spaeder

Nicole Lamb-Hale $100,000 MI Foley & Lardner

Andrew Schapiro $100,000 NY Mayer Brown

Charles C. Adams Jr. $50,000 Switzerland Hogan & Hartson

David Burd $50,000 DC Arnold & Porter

Tom Cole $50,000 IL Sidley Austin

Michael H. Dardzinski $50,000 China Reed Smith

Howard W. Gutman $50,000 MD Williams & Connolly

Jeff Horwitz $50,000 NY Proskauer Rose

David C. Jacobson $50,000 IL Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal

Hrishi Karthikeyan $50,000 DC Covington & Burling

Ronald Kirk $50,000 TX Vinson & Elkins

William T. Lake $50,000 DC WilmerHale

Edward Lazarus $50,000 CA Akin Gump

Jack Levin $50,000 IL Kirkland & Ellis

Kenneth G. Lore $50,000 DC Bingham McCutchen

Charles B. Ortner $50,000 NY Proskauer Rose

Susan Pravda $50,000 MA Foley & Lardner

Paul N. Roth $50,000 NY Schulte Roth & Zabel

John Schmidt $50,000 IL Mayer Brown

Robert M. Sussman* $50,000 DC Latham & Watkins

Kathryn Thomson $50,000 VA Sidley Austin

Barry B. White $50,000 MA Foley Hoag

Steven M. Zager $50,000 TX Akin Gump

Robert S. Litt n/a MD Arnold & Porter

* Robert M. Sussman retired as a partner on December 31, 2007.
Source: Obama for America, Center for Responsive Politics, Public Citizen

Share this story:

Warren: It's about perception. Saying he will tear out the bowling alley in the White House and replace it with a basketball court doesn't help him get MORE votes. As I have said over and over in the last several days: He needs to tap in to the demographics where Hillary is beating him. Harwood was on MOJO this AM saying that Obama isn't Dukakis because he is comfortable on the basketball court and has a cockiness in his step. Good. Great. Doesn't help him get the votes he doesn't have.

Queen Elizabeth visits and President Bush speaks of her giving him a look only a mother could. We should be greatful he didn't refer to Pope Benedict as Big Daddy.

Warren, no, I don't disagree with your assessment of how law firm partners make their money. It's pretty simple - firm "equity" partners get a cut of whatever profits the firm generates after all the expenses are paid. "Nonequity" partners get paid a salary, generally not "at risk" based on the firm's profits or losses. The question is whether "member" means partner or just employee, and if it means partner, whether that is equity or non equity. And I'd agree with you that it's possible that 32 of the lawyers don't have anything to do with lobbying, but on the other hand between 10 and 16 either were lobbyists or currently manage their firms' lobbying efforts.

I would say that one correct assessment of the lobbyist issue is that Obama has received $2.26 million from lawyers in firms that lobby the federal government. His fundraising team consists of, among others, 38 lawyers in those firms, 31 of whom are partners, 10 of whom are former lobbyists, and six of whom have managerial responsibility over lobbyists. Whether someine in one of those categories is also in another is impossible to tell. Thems are the facts.

I wouldn't necessarily draw a conclusion that all of the $2.26 mill should be considered "lobbyist money", but neither can a straight faced argument that he doesn't take money from lobbyists be made in light of those numbers. That's drawing too fine a line to be credible. And being in a large law firm, at least by WV standards, I can say that from time to time, personal appeals suggesting donations to one candidate or another are made, and it doesn't mean you are in the same practice group as the partner mking that suggestion.

The bottom line for me is it's not that big a deal - he should just stop acting like the money he's gotten comes only from regular folks and not from the traditional sources who want something in return.

Just because Obama has a couple of kooks supporting him that should be in a padded cell instead of a voting booth - does not mean that you Clintonites can dismiss a "new politics" because of them.

I am sure ANY politician with millions and millions of supporters - will no doubt attract a few nuts....

Please judge Obama based on his words and actions and the words and actions of his campaign - not every Obama-maniac out there or on this board.

(I mean - I saw Carville on MTP this past weekend and the man was acting like he had rabies...)

sometimes the public does get it right

How Bad is it For Obama in Pennsylvania?
Yahoo! News -
That period probably produced a greater increase in his polling "negatives" than any other in the campaign.

Rock star Bruce Springsteen endorsed Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for president Wednesday, saying "he speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080416/ap_on_el_pr/obama_springsteen

Take that!!

Ally:

"He needs to tap in to the demographics where Hillary is beating him."

He will after Clinton drops out. (Just like Clinton would get more than 10% of the black vote if Obama dropped out.)

People read way too much into those numbers....

Clinton and Lobbyists:

John Edwards said:

"Do you believe that the candidate who's raised the most money from Washington lobbyists, Democrat or Republican, the candidate who's raised the most money from the health industry, drug companies, health insurance companies, the candidate who's raised the most money from the defense industry, Republican or Democrat -- and the answer to all of those questions is: That's Senator Clinton."

His statement was found to be mostly true.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/152/

And there is no question about this:

Clinton raised $517,525 from registered lobbyists in the first three quarters of [2007], according to the Center for Responsive Politics. This is $200,000 more than the next biggest recipient, Republican John McCain, and more than twice as much as the second biggest Democratic recipient, Chris Dodd.

Warren: I am talking about the primary. It would be good for Obama's case with the Superdelegates if he could show inroads with those demographics. I guess if he doesn't we will just Hope for the best.

Great chart:

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/select.asp?Ind=K02

Warren-----------------------

"...a "new politics" ..."

I hope you don't really believe this - it has to be spin. Please tell me you are just spinning.

Good Afternoon Craig, Everyone:

I did not come to post, so you all can breathe a sigh of relief, I just felt compelled by honor and dignity to thank Julie-Young and all those that stood up in my defense, thank you for coming to my aid in a time of need. I will always remember that and keep it in my heart

As for those that ganged up and piled on me yesterday, I harbor no ill will and I hope you feel the same way towards me

--Heather

Gordo:

Read the Audacity of Hope....then come talk to me.

The entire book is about a "new politics."

And to tell ya the truth - it ain't that "new". It is simply getting away from the partisan non-sense that has consumed Washington for the last couple of decades.

(I realize there has always been party politics - but it has gotten out of control recently - I think in large part due to the 24/7 media coverage....)

Pogo....
rats!.... it would have been fun to have lunch with you....

EdVB..... LOL!.... yeah.... I root for your team to come in second too....

it's a beautiful day here..... have fun focusing on all the negativity.... I gave it up for Lent..... wait... that's gone by... hasn't it.... oh well.....

Warren---------------------------

"...getting away from the partisan non-sense that has consumed Washington for the last couple of decades."

How can you believe that Obama would have any success working with Repubs - many Dems disagree with him. You have swallowed the "Kool-Aid". Obama is a con man.

And, by the way, taking the coffee is just good manners. Good home training.

Obama is the only candidate to pretend he didn't take
money from lobbyists. His claims of being the candidate who took no money from lobbyists was found to be "pants on fire.

Gordo:

I like to think of it more as "Hawaiian Punch" instead of Kool-Aid.

http://www.hawaiianpunch.com/

"lowest common denominator"
"dumb it down politics"

The attitude of Obama and his supporters.
What a burden to always be the smartest person in the room.

The problem with Bush isn't dumb, it's dishonest and representing the interests of the few instead of the majority,

Democrats have read what Obama said, and most of them aren't too upset about it. But they don't like the Rovian distortions of Clinton.

Hillary is losing and, as she gets dirtier and dirtier, the slide will only continue.

Ever see the TV show "Street Smarts"?

HomeDiariesBreaking BlueE-Wire 2008Insider Advantage Poll : Clinton Rebounding in PA
by lori, Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 03:58:51 PM EST

-- A new InsiderAdvantage/Majority Opinion poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton regaining some ground she'd previously lost to Sen. Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary race.

Here are the results of our new poll:

Clinton 48%

Obama 38%

Undecided 13%*

Which is it? Obamarama . . .

"A Pinocchio problem? To fib . . . or is it a faulty memory?

To wit: Dem presidential contender Barack Obama's handlers may be telling the press Obama has NO "recollection" of a 2004 party at influence peddler Tony Rezko's Wilmette house, but a top Sneed source claims Obama not only gave Rezko's guest of honor, Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, a big welcome . . . but he made a few toasts!

Trial file: The name of Auchi, who was banned from the U.S. in 2005, according to court papers, surfaced at Rezko's trial Monday. (Top Illinois businessman and Rezko pal Bill Cellini, whose name has also surfaced at the trial, was also at the Rezko party.)"

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/896844,CST-NWS-SNEED16.article

I thought Maureen Dowd was a first read for every Obama supporter and yet no link to her latest column.

http://dailyhowler.com/

In tonight's debate, Obama will take the high road and talk about policy. He will talk about the future of America. He will be eloquent.

Hillary will take the low road and snipe at him about Rev Wright and "bitterness," mixed in with a few well-parsed racist code words. Then she'll talk about the past, and all the wonderful things she did as first lady. She'll come off as nasty, arrogant, and out-of-touch.

She'll lose all the undecideds and Obama will win in PA.

for all the Yankee/Red Sox fans....funny 8~D

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080413/483/874aab14cd2742758d324726bb0ba9e4/

for all the Yankees/Red Sox fans....funny 8~D

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080413/483/874aab14cd2742758d324726bb0ba9e4/

Latest national poll of all Democrats:
Obama 51%, Clinton 40%.

Obama's lead has increased over last week.

oops...sorry for the double post....I tried to correct my "yankee" spelling, in the first post.

Hey...speakin' of baseball...how 'bout them NATS!!!

David Axelrod, "National polls don't count only the state ones matter."\

Clinton gaining in all the remaining states.

None of the predicitions made by Obama supporters on this blog have come true.

Heard about "Margin of Sampling Error"?

Do you have a link to the new InsiderAdvantage poll. The last one I found was April 8/9.

Hey WTF wasn't Hillary supposed to have this thing in the bag by Super Tuesday?

the typical Obama response. "I know I am but what are you?"

"Lowest common denominator " lolololololololol

it does not make sense that one poll PPP has Obama leading by 3 and all the others show she is gaining points in PA. Something is crazy here. Le'ts see the new ones after tonights debate.

I love the way the Obama folks complain about all the viscious things that the Clinton people say and then post things like this. Read through the comments and see if any of the Clinton people post anything close.

"Hillary will take the low road and snipe at him about Rev Wright and "bitterness," mixed in with a few well-parsed racist code words. Then she'll talk about the past, and all the wonderful things she did as first lady. She'll come off as nasty, arrogant, and out-of-touch."

Arianna defending Obama's eiitist remarks

"Actually, you know what confirms every right-wing demagogic caricature of the Democratic party? Arianna Huffington attempting to rebut charges of snobbery with a story filed from a yacht off the coast of Tahiti."

David Geffen's yacht, for the record.

smpzq

Clinton should hire the Obama supporters posting here.

This is a candid and intriguing report by Salon's Rebecca Traister about how some women are fed up with the Hillary-bashing:

"I began reporting this story in part because, as a 32-year-old woman who is more liberal than either candidate, and who was quite torn until Super Tuesday, I had found myself increasingly defensive of Clinton in the face of the Obama worship that rules the mostly white, liberal, well-educated circles in which I work and travel. I was confused by the saucer-eyed, unquestioning devotion shown by my formerly cynical cohorts, especially when it was accompanied, as it often was, by a sharp renunciation of Hillary Clinton, whose policies are so similar to her opponent's. I was horrified by the frequent proclamations that if Obama did not win the nomination, his supporters would abstain from voting in the general election, or even vote for John McCain. I was suspicious of the cultlike commitment to an undeniably brilliant and inspiring man --- but one whom even his wife calls 'just a man.'

"I am a loud feminist and a longtime Clinton skeptic who was suddenly feeling that I needed to rationalize, apologize for, or even just stay quiet about my increasing unease with the way Clinton was being discussed. Meanwhile, I was getting e-mails from men I didn't know well who approached me as a go-to feminist to whom they could express their hatred of Hillary and their anger at her staying in the race -- an anger that seemed to build with every one of her victories.

"One of my closest girlfriends, an Obama voter, told me of a drink she'd had with a politically progressive man who made a series of legitimate complaints about Clinton's policies before adding that when he hears the senator's voice, he's overcome by an urge to punch her in the face."

She's got a number of women saying similar things.

What a beautiful day in Southern Oregon..sunny and crisp..

Won't be able to watch debate tonight..have meeting, but there should be replays.

Volunteers are pouring into Hillary campaign here..

It is fun to have some excitement for our primary.

Luscious,

Thanks for the link.

The thing to remember about that picture from the new Yankee Stadium is that David Ortiz had something like three hits in forty-three at bats while that jersey was in the ground. That's why I told Renee I would have thrown it back in and buried it again. Actually, I probably would have run out and bought a Manny Ramirez jersey to throw in there with it.

WTF..There are a lot of creepy people around who don't like people because they are a woman, black, or Catholic, etc..

It is very unfortunate..We have a particularly large representation of the anti-woman crowd on this site. I think it is one of the things that explains the degree of venom spewing forth.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/04/16/CAMPAIGN_DEBATE_0416.html

"She seems to have halted the erosion of whites and white women in particular," said Clay Richards, the assistant director of the Polling Institute at the Connecticut university.

"She even gained back some ground in the Philadelphia suburbs, the area where elections are won and lost in the Keystone State."

pesky facts

Lynn C said:

"The problem with Bush isn't dumb, it's dishonest and representing the interests of the few instead of the majority,"

Let's give credit where it's due, President Bush has done a great job for that few he represents.

"Heckuva job, Georgie."

"victim role crap. "

No I'm tired of the name calling from vile people who use a political candidate as an excuse to totally atrocious behavior towards other human beings.

Pretty funny the person with no sense of humor suggests someone else ..."lighten up"

Have fun OD! I am from Medford!

He's right, Jamie.

That's why he takes so many lovely naps.

Aren't naps delicious?

Nom nom nappy!

Yesterday evening it went far beyond politics. And lots of feelings were hurt--no that's wrong, it went beyond hurt.

And almost all of it revolved around sexual issues ostensibly in the political arena but clearly in the personal.

If I learned one thing in my career it is that what one person might find as fair give-and-take, another will find deeply offensive.

And, of course, lots of people beyond the direct participants get hit by shrapnel.

I didn't enjoy the experience; I can only guess how the people closer to these deeply personal issues felt.

Ally..Medford is very nice. I think they have opened a Hillary office there. I'm in Roseburg area this week. People are very nice here and the scenery of Southern Oregon is gorgeous. We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

LOL My God. Keep posting!

Nice to see that polite discord has disappeared from this page. If anyone wanted to see a more personal demonstration of our destruction of our environment here in the US, the degradation of this page has certainly mirrored it.

I wonder how long it will take the Democrats to use 9/11 as a weapon against the Republicans?

Consider the following:

The feds rate cutting that led to the market conditions which resulted in this credit crisis, were a direct reaction to the terrorist attacks.

We have evolved into a consumption based economy and everything from the feds stewardship of our economy and the presidents suppositions of a robust economy which could support tax cuts to his base were a direct result of 9/11.

Our involvement in Iraq was permitted and accepted by our country because of 9/11.

If you start calculating how much money Osama Bin Laden was able to bleed out of our country, I think a safe estimate is at least $2 trillion?

We are left with meager choices for our next president. We have a credit crisis that may take as long to resolve as it would to completely withdraw from Iraq...I am just stunned.

Someone needs to create a 2 minute ad showing the economic impact caused by Condi Rice, W and the rest of the government ignoring that August security memo.

"Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama on Wednesday disagreed with former President Jimmy Carter's overtures toward Hamas, saying he would not talk to the Islamist group until it recognized Israel and renounced terrorism."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/usa_politics_mideast_obama_dc

Satisfied now Max?

(No need to answer - I know you are not...yet at least.)

flatus,

I admire everything you have shared about your career -- and I enjoy the things you share about your life.

You've done a lot of which you should be proud.

Didn't get back to the hotel until about 10:30 last night
so I missed much of the discussion. Perhaps it is better I skip it.

I like checking in about 1 a.m. Pacific time..just a few people and the limited discussion is usually so civil.

The best thing about this site is that you get links to interesting information. There are also some very nice people with different political perspectives.

I try (succeed some of the time) to be bemused by some of the nutty chatter.

It is obvious that people come here for different reasons, some good and some not..

Sen. Obama has captured much of the nation's imagination for a reason. He offers real change, a vision of an America that can move past not only racial tensions but also the political partisanship that has so bedeviled it."

Hmmm ... obviously at least one ardent Obama supporter here on the C List didn't get the memo.

http://condimustgo.com/?utm_source=rgemail

Condi should be indicted.

Last week negative responses to my Hillary sign holding netted $8.50 for Hillary..Most people are very nice-even those have a different view.

I notice that here the vast majority of Obama and Hillary supporters are respectful of each other and feel a kind of bond, something that is often distorted by much of the media and a small part of supporters.

The Clintonites are going to be on crack after PA. (They will totally over-react since they are not used to winning)

Like Ohio where apparently Obama won and is keeping it a secret. More of Warren's conspiracy theories.

I think Warren is on crack

warren,

Since you brought it up, how do you feel about drug dealers?

OD, I'll round it up to $25. My contribution's on the way!

Lynn C:

Contests won:

Obama - 30
Clinton - 14

Pledged Delegates:

Obama - 1644
Clinton - 1498

(Please note that vast majority of Super D's that have declared since Feb. 5th have broken for Obama)

Popular Vote (w/FL):

Obama - 13,931,423
Clinton - 13,509,109

And you still think this race is tied?

Now tell me who's on crack....

9/11:

I think drug dealers should do time.

I think drug users should pay a fine.

Flatus..That is very generous of you. Thank you..OD

One of things I like best about this election is the involvement of so many contriubutors.

Hillary supporters can track their online doations at hillaryclinton.com
click on take action
click on Hillraisers
if you aren't signed up it only takes a minute.

When I first checked I had made 13 small donations.
They add up and it is good for people to be part of the process, whichever candidate they support.

Warren..the "crack" comments are beneath you. Go buy a maple bar..They always make me feel better.

This isn't necessarily the greatest ever from The Onion, but it may add a little comic relief for both sides of the Clinton Obama debate here.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/77499

Bear,

Re: Your 2:24 post.

Discord is exactly what we've had here. What's missing, though some have tried, is polite or even civil discourse.

Julie:

I give what I get.

Discord is exactly what we've had here. What's missing, though some have tried, is polite or even civil discourse.

Posted by: EdVB | April 16, 2008 2:58 PM

Amen to THAT EDVB.....over and over and over.....I give.

Just think - only 7 more weeks of campaigning before the primaries are over. seven more weeks. Jesus Christ, seven more weeks.

Thanks for answering, warren.

Do you think the ones who are proud of what they do (or did) have any, well, moral or ethical authority?

I've run into one who's rather proud of that accomplishment and, honestly, that bewilders me.

9/11:

The only thing I could see someone taking some valid pride in - would be getting away with it for a long time.

In other words, they would be proud of the fact that they were intelligent enough to outsmart the authorities.

But no. I don't think someone should be proud of being a drug dealer. And with respect to some drugs - such as coke and crystal meth, which often destroy people's lives and impact their loved ones - those people should be ashamed.

The Florida RCP average is very interesting..

Democrats v. McCain

McCain .3% over Hillary
McCain 11.7% over Obama

Perhaps Floridians are ticked at not having their votes count..

How Obama supporters are seen

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/dining/16voters_sidebar3.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Obama song to woo the bitter voter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaC_Isku2jE

Hitler was nice to his dog but that doesn't excuse or make up for the rest of his behavior.

Talk about a glass half full view of the world -

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/business/16cnd-bank.html?hp

Oil hit a new record high, the dollar hit a new record low against the Euro, and the market rises over 200 pts. when one of the best run banks in the US posts a 50% loss in earnings, because the analysts thought it would be worse.

I was talking to my friend the other day and came up with a new "fortune cookie philosophy":

Lower your expectations of others and increase your expectations of yourself.

(and remember there is a difference between "desires" and "expectations")

warren,

That's such a lucid, insightful perspective.

How do you feel about your upcoming transition to working for a Federal judge?

(I think it's useful for everyone to remember that lots of people here offer life so much more than their opinion.)

warren,

That works on its own. And it also preserves a person from falling into the old canard of diminishing others to elevate themselves.

Dog,

Thank you, Malbec will do just fine.

This Friday, I'm going to stop by the Elks club my Dad belonged to. I'll eschew my usual Coors Light for a Dewars and water to honor his memory.

OD,

I guess you missed this one yesterday.

Obama does better against McCain than Clinton in Michigan poll- Kathy Barks Hoffman-AP Monday April 14, 2008, 1:44 PM

Here's an interesting poll for everyone.

http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/04/obama_does_better_against_mcca.html

You Might Be An Obama Supporter if..... lol this is too laugable, so what is wrong with this list? Don't tell me its elitist......

Your exercise regimen involves trail running. (Sheila Hussein) nope, walking and slaving away in a Kitchen.

You like burgers made from grass-fed local beef. (sheila Hussein) NOPE...Grass fed is too strong a flavor for me.

You use Sugar in the Raw as a sweetener. (sheila Hussein) I like chemicals like Sweeet and Low.

Your favorite supermarket cookie is a soft chocolate chip. (Sheila Hussein) Wrong again! I like Frosted Animal Crackers.

Your fast food restaurant of choice is Panera Bread. (Sheila Hussein) My favorite fastfood is Ceasar Salad

You shop at your local farmers' market. (Sheila Hussein) NOPE! Because they cost too much money. I

Your shopping cart includes the following products:

Bear Naked Granola Nope
Lara Bar energy bars Nope
Olive Oil YES....and all people our
age should be using this product.

IZZE Sparkling Juice drinks What a waste of a drink!

Wolfgang Puck All Natural frozen pizza NOPE, I don't do frozen pizza.....Ok this is my only snobbiness.

Kettle Chips..........LOL YES.....they are the best and they satisfy the crunch!

Based on information compiled by MarketResearch.com using Simmons Market Research and The Hartman Group

Actually I was comparing you to Hitler and the reasons given for defending you.

And just for the record,you compared Clinton supporters to Hitler youth in picture you posted which was applauded by your friends. te Chef

so the only one flinging Hiler comparisons here is you.

I can't wait. I am really looking forward to the job. I interned for a judge in law school - and it was one of the best jobs I ever had (other than bartending of course).

And I am also looking forward to the perks - taking 3 months off before the job starts and having a normal life again, i.e., working 8:30 to 5:30.

Speaking of Florida, I spoke to my Aunt & Uncle who are lifelong Democrats from Chicago. They have been there 20 years, are about 80 years old and they and all their Democratic friends in Florida are mad as hell. They are angry that their votes are not going to count. These old people are a bit crabby and say for the first time in their 70 plus years as adults, they are going to vote Republican for the first time. I really think the Democrats are in trouble because of this fiasco.

Just watched Michelle Obama stumping. She will make a great 1st lady if they get elected.

EdVB: I think those Elks will be happy to have an occasion to drink to your dad; they will enjoy visiting with you. They miss him too.

Warren: loved the fortune cookie philosophy: wrote it out and posted it as a reminder.

Tying the two sentiments together: we none of us get as much time as we need before the long sleep and best to treat your fellow travelers more kindly.

mamaknows:

Tell them that of course they can cast their vote for any reason they see fit - but voting out of spite is not too wise (especially not in an election as important as this one.)

Plus, they should not hold Obama accountable for a decision made by Howard Dean - and one that was accepted by all the candidates - including Senator Clinton (who I assume they support).

Rez..Thanks for the info..I usually stick to gallup, rasmussen, and most importantly RCP.

You may have noticed that yesterday I posted info. showing O doing better in Wisconsin.., unlike the nutbirds who only allude to info. sheding a positive light on their candidate.

mamaknows: those Floridians sound older and not wiser. Don't they care about the world they are leaving to their grandkids, at least? They can say what they want now; November might look different to them.

I think shedding has two "d's" sorry

Rez - I'm guessing your 3:39 post is in response to OD's 3:25. Michigan has gone blue in the past 4 pres elections. Florida went blue in only 1996. Michigan has 17 electoral votes, Florida has 27. You make the choice.

Michelle Obama made a lovely speech and spoke of something common 40 - 60 years ago when a single middle class income could support a family of four and one partner in a marriage could afford to stay home with the children and be active in the school and neighborhood. She wasn't wealthy, but she was darn lucky.

chef genuine funny sheila,

Was that part of what the NYT featured today?

Bear Naked? Just looked -- it was!

Too many freaking assumptions.

I wrote a post that got swallowed earlier today about what pogo had written earlier.

Here's the short version.

Everyone's childhood (and parenthood) is peccable as hell.

Senator Obama's father abandoned him. And what he did in his first memoir was a very sound response to it. (If you're a Harry Nilsson fan, he devoted so much of his work to imagining his father and finding him as well. And he did -- turned out he was the scout who put together the Big Red Machine.)

What happened with Senator Obama when he chose to stay in Hawaii is familiar to thousands upon thousands of teenagers whose parent or parents choose to move: they choose to stay.

Where Senator Obama seems to go wrong is that he has used his private history so successfully to build his public persona.

There's a point where that will implode with anyone in public life.

I have come to believe him when he describes Rev. Wright as his (whatever the description was) uncle with whom he does not always agree. Men in their twenties and (often their thirties) seek out father figures who they find different (or believe to be better) than their own.

It's stronger in young men whose father (or mother) abandoned them.

I think he is in a position he did not anticipate.

All these associations with other men -- from those he knew to JFK -- have created the predictable heights of expectations to valleys of disappointment in how others perceive him.

He needs his independence. Because he really doesn't crave the new associations with Dukakis (ridiculous and based on mentions of leafy greens) or the far more estimable but dismissed Stevenson. (George Will, warming it up like the Little Leaguer he always shall be yesterday.)

I keep returning to the remark the Senator's biographer made about him -- that Obama believes he can walk into any room and convince anyone of his point.

Which is a little different from people feeling they were listened to --

Which is the exact quality successful pols possess.

I think that process/outcome approach can be amended.

Some pols can grow during races, big or small.

Here's hoping.

warren, congrats on the clerkship. that's one thing that I didn't aspire to, not having gone through law school until I was in my late 30s/early 40s, and the competition for the clerkships was just more cutthroat than I was willing to put up with. It did always look like a great job, though.

Warren, I was very impressed by what you wrote yesterday... seriously...

EuroTom; Just sent you an email.

Gracias!

Hunters and Shooters support Obama: He "gets it"

President of the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), I announced our endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

Senator Obama has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the 2nd Amendment by his vote in support of the Vitter amendment to HR 5441, This amendment prevents the Government from confiscating guns in a time of crisis or emergency. Senator Clinton, on the hand, failed to grasp the importance of this critical issue to hunters and shooters and voted against this Amendment. She turned her back on America's gun owners.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00202

9/11 - great analysis of Obama and his reaction to his family members' deficiencies in his formative years. I certainly don't hold those deficiencies against him. I don't know of any of us who had the luxury of choosing our parents, and don't believe anyone should have the failures of their parents held against them, unless of course they choose to emulate and perpetuate them in their own lives. I don't see that in Obama.

The rest of what you said is golden.

WOnderful 9/11 ;0)

That was a great post and I could not help myself.

As far as the White Elephant of this election. I respect his loyalty for the body of work a man has done. I respect Obama's measured loyalty.

Since he did not and has never said that same things, I think the majority aggree with me that the Wright issue is a moot point.

And for the GE? If he makes it,

I think its been talked enough. If the bigots that are in both parties want to throw a fit about it, then let them by all means.

just my two cents my dear.

Usually, the failures of our parents make us stronger...

dog huessin dog: of course I told them that we can't have 4 more years of Republicans, they hate Bush, but old people say what they want and hopefully they will change their minds. In addition, they neither like Hillary or Obama, they were for Edwards.

de nada.

....and...I know 9/11, that you weren't talking about that, but you inspired me to say it.

Whatever EUROTOM,

That is all I will ever say on the subject. My silence on it resumes. I would rather enjoy myself here, then engaged in a constant battle Royale about a grown man.

Pogo,
the reference was to FL voters were mad at not being recognized. like MI No?

btw OD what does WI have to do with anything, next door (across lake)to MI?

"If the bigots that are in both parties want to throw a fit about it, then let them by all means."

They will. But to do as Clinton suggests - and have the Super Delegates vote for her out of fear of the Wright controversy in the general would be to back down from and give in to the bigots.

And that ain't how I roll....

(Plsu, the Dems will not beat the GOP by acting like a bunch of cowards...)

warren, you may be right about that, but there are a legion of psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, etc. who will either agree or disagree with that assessmetn, depending upon which ones of them you ask. Of course, in this business, as you well know for the right money you can find someone to agree or disagree with any proposition - and do so with an almost palpable air of authority.

Ok I am done with my comments on this because I don't think anyone wants to feel targeted. Folks, if I have done that I am sorry. I am not a good mediator, and I am as biased as the next person. For the sake of the blog and out of respect for Craig and others, can we all try to work together and see the good in each other? If I sound like Pollyanna it's because I still genuinely believe that people are mostly good.

I had a very aggressive customer last Friday and I've been pretty shaken up since then. I like to visit a blog to release some tension through camaraderie and online friendship. And I own up to my bad behavior of the past and sometimes I get pretty snarky with a comment or two, but I don't mean to be mean.

Honest...

Pollyanna

P.S. I don't look good in drag.

Pogo Aggreed.

That is why, the what ifs about this campaign have to be let out with the rest of the dogs. Its time to circle the wagons even if you have to hold your nose. ;0)

Rez - not in the link I read, but that may have been your thinking in responding. Still, if I had to choose ...

SWAK! LOL

oh...TOM, That was for you.....meet the other Pollyanna of the group. ;0)

mamaknows:

The GOP penalized FL as well - and only awarded them 50% of the delegates that otherwise would have been awarded. (Plus, I think, but am not sure, that it was a Republican legislature that voted to move up the primary in violation of the rules).

In the end - I suspect the Dems will do something similar to the 50% penalty that the Republicans did.

So tell them to "get over it" and to vote for who they would think will make the best President in the fall.

pogo,

I know you're gone for the day (and bless you for it).

You're right.

We're humans. We always want to go home whether home was any good for us or not.

It seems to me (who doesn't know anyone involved here) that he married a woman who is as intelligent and ambitious (a GOOD word) as his mother was -- but also a great deal more grounded in her commitments.

It also seems to me that he considers (a very big word in parentland) his children's feelings and needs.

I voted for Hillary in my state primary. If Biden had remained on the ticket I would have voted for him. Both are people who have really ticked me off in their political actions and speeches over decades.

But I didn't vote against anyone. I'd rather not vote than do that.

And if he is the nominee I will vote for Barack Obama in the general -- I mean FOR him and not against John McCain.

And I fully expect to be ticked off with a potential President Obama in the future.

As that's the American way.

Pogo,

this is not real big deal, and pretty simple.

As I took OD, he was pointing out that FL voters support HRC over BO against McCain, because he think they are mad at FL vote situation. I was simply pointing out contradiction with MI voters are in same boat but who support Obama more than Clinton against McCain.

Warren and Mamaknows,

I know it was last year, but the Republican commitee in Florida forced the DEMS hand. The RNC penalized the state by reducing delegates by 50%.

The DEMS warned Florida and Mi of the consequences. Losing evrything for the Primaries and they chose to disobey anyway. the rules have been for the following for years.

I'm sorry its hard on the citizens. But they should be penalizing the Demcratic commitee for the state of Florida and Michigan.

Geez, people, stay focused

Don't be bitter

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/senator-harry-r.html

and for news items,

Obama now wears a flag pin... (the pivot has started along with a speech to the Jewish community explaining that talking to Ahmadinejad does not mean talking to Hamas...LOL)

And gues what Hamas did to show how much they appreciate Jimmy Carter? They launched an attack killing three ISraeli soldiers that has escalated into more death. Yes, "talking" can be dangerous......

There's a tough road left to go, so I suggest those not willing to slug it out, retire so the rest can press their points with civility.

For a centrist take on Obama's sneers there is always this;

http://stubbornfacts.us/politics/2008_election/a_fresh_angle_on_obamas_sneers

I miss Karolenna. And I hope Heather comes back too.

Well said 9/11. Circle the wagons cuz here comes that faithful!

chef lucky we've got her sheila,

I held my nose when I voted for Senator Kerry.

For some reason I expect I will have a hand free should I have a lever to pull for Senator Obama.

And since he will then be free, I will vote for David Axelrod to be my next agent.

(Do you know Roger Ailes manages cabaret singers?)

Warren, Everyone will come back. This is a neighborhood. They'll be calling over the fence soon enough.

LOL Axelrod will be in demand, won't he? And no I didn't know that ailes did that,,,,,but it doesn't surprise me somehow. lol

Thanks Sheila...

:-)

now back to your regularly scheduled program...

and a song to express what I was trying to say.. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgBMyQoh4oY

Nah, Rez, it isn't and I thought that was what was going on. I think the polls reflect what is going on in both states, but MI voters don't seem as favorably disposed to Hillary or as likely to hold that grudge against Obama(if those polls are anywhere near right) as FL voters. Maybe FL voters perceive Obama as having opposed their plan to get the delegates seated where MI voters don't, maybe FL voters hold the " I'll do right by FL voters, seat them if I'm the nominee" statement against him where no similar statement that I'm aware of was made in MI. Or maybe it's just that Hillary's suppor tin FL is that much stronger than Obama's. I really don't know anything beyond the polls' resutls, and those results lead me to believe FL will be in the McCain column if Obama is the nominee, but has a good chance to be in the Hillary column if she were the nominee. Of course, much could change between now and Nov.

Max:

I think it is irresponsible to argue - without any proof - that the attack was somehow caused by Carter's visit.

And like I have said - I think it is a wise move to have Carter go there unofficially to get a read on Hamas - while having the US maintain its official position that it does not meet with terrorists.

WSell, all, soccer practice for LP calls - gotta go. Have a good evening and try not to run anyone else off.

Pogo,
I don't put much faith in the accuracy of any polls. They offer some insight and may express a trend, but it's the vote that will matter. Obviously I'm not privy to any Obama strategy, but I do believe he offers a new matrix in the overall popular vote. So IMO there are new States in play this time out and maybe others that have been important in the past are not so critical this year. It would appear he believe he can win without FL and i'm sure he his crew has some other less orthodox routes in mind to the WH. i guess we'll see.

My biggest point, contrary to most HRC supporters, is that Obama can win the race unlike McGovern, Dukakis, Gore and Kerry. WJC won the 1st time only because of Perot. Re-election was a piece of cake.

SO cute, "White Haired Women for Obama"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tpDTvlSd0x4

dog is sane dog,

Sometime ago someone questioned the point of civility in free speech.

I think the distinction's simple.

When a person describes him-or-herself as "brutally honest", too often the honesty is just a means to lunge ahead brutally.

I wrote earlier this week that I had no desire to see this place become a pastoral idyll. I do have a problem when political ideas, even passions, lead to a state where people (me included) mistake (yeah, ha) other people as toilets.

I always think it's fun when someone's response to a bunch of posting is to send some dollars to their candidate.

I think it's terrific when someone's passion for a candidate or an idea or a policy evinces a lot more for me than I was prepared to allow.

I mentioned the level of satisfaction people here (pingpong and frydaddy aside) for the Democratic candidates up until Iowa.

I also want to add that there was a lot of excitement and terrific content in those reports for Trailblazers, no matter how a person felt about the candidate they espoused.

And you took to the road to work!!!!!

It's that walking the walk thing. There are quite a few people here who have done it.

That deserves to be universally respected.

Again... that uncool civility.

There was such little arrogance then. There was passion along with a tolerance for the interest people had then, often in more than one candidate.

And the passion that one person in particular had for his candidate -- even his intractable belief that his guy would be The Next President Of The Universe -- wasn't used excessively to diminish others -- just to say his guy would win, win, win! (All predictions, all the time, none of them right, delivered in a way that could annoy a person but that wasn't expressly or explicitly about maligning them. Once again being with a winner can make a person turn into a weiner.)

Go love and support your candidates.

Express yourselves. This is a blog which is a place for that.

However, if you feel a need to pee and shit on something, there's water in your toilet for that.

A revelation, right?!

Good lord you people talk about me a lot, it's a beautiful day, go outside and get some fresh air!

Good lord you people talk about me a lot, it's a beautiful day, go outside and get some fresh air!

Carter telegraphed his trip to Hamas a while ago. The Hamas attack was green-lighted within the last 48 hours. Only you would think such an attack would be carried out without the approval of Hamas leadership knowing full well Carter's vist had drawn protest from even Barak. Yet they attacked anyway while pleading with the world to get them very fuel from lines they attacked a week ago.

It is painful for you to keep making excuses and call me irresponisble as more dead lay on the ground from those really responsible. How can you ask anyone to be party to such thinking? How can you ask Americans to buy your good cop bad cop logic when it is a construct you get from watching too much TV? I don't care that Obama now wears a flag pin. I take what he says to Jews with the grain of salt it deserves as I do the pleas from those Texas mothers who want their children back while refusing to discuss the issues that seperated them in the first place.

So cling to your opinions and have faith in your belief. It is nothing personal really. I suggest however, you read the posts you'll find in the thread at SF I linked above about Obama's sneers. And if you can forumate a coherent rebuttal, there are many who would debate you civily. If you can't articulate your objections then perhaps they are not worthy of the advocacy you promote them here. I see much of that lately.

Hey,,,,then I never going to talk about you ever again....I find it boring. ;0)

See?

Everybody's positive!

(And not just on their blood tests.)

People used to hold each other accountable, until it got to the point when people would attack you for trying get involved in their business. In general, was a kinder more polite society when people watched out for each other and condemned people when they were out of line.

On this bog everyone has a right to say whatever they want, and no one has to defend anyone or get involved.

But what I saw was hate. Hate comes in all shapes and sizes, and it is everywhere. I have been trying to eliminate as much of it from my life as possible. In order to eliminate it, I first have to recognize it.

So this what I have to say: I think Heather wielded a razor sharp hateful post ( 6:41pm ) which is a reflection of her own character, not her intended victim(s).

That's all. . . . . peace.

Max,

one favor you could make for us; Please remind us who you are talking about? I know I get lost, I bet others do too.

Sheila, I thought Max's remarks were pretty insightful. And I really don't think you need to pin names to the things he was saying. Just like 9/11s 5:09. Or ET's good messages today. And Warren, if you read this far, you got a clerkship???

My last post was talking to Warren about his remark about my irresponsibility in connecting the Hamas attack on Israel to disrespecting the gesture Carter made of "talking" to them. I am sure it was obvious to him and when I have responded to you, I always mention your name.

I say Rez when I respond to him. I say Warren and Craig when I respond to them. I say Wendy, Jamie, LL and Flatus when I respond to them. Sometimes when I specifically respond to a thread like one about Hamas, I assume the poster knows who I am talking to.

Perhaps you're tired. Bickering can take a lot out of you. And the good news? I've had my say for now. Perhaps I need a rest and have myself some dinner.

As Craig said, be nice cause our enemies feed on our stupidity regardless of political affiliations.

Flatus,

I am confused. That is why I asked. if you are more intune than I am Congratulations.

Thanks Max,

I was being sincere.......

Charlie Gibson, Will You Ask Barack About Auchi?

"Let’s hope ABC anchor Charlie Gibson... will see this nosy Sun-Times columnist’s question about telling the truth, and ask Barack if his fuzzy memory has improved about that now-infamous party:"

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/04/16/charlie-gibson-will-you-ask-barack-about-auchi/

Warren

"But to do as Clinton suggests - and have the Super Delegates vote for her out of fear of the Wright controversy "

Has she said this? Has anyone said that she has said this? Or was there just an article saying she is thinking this? A great deal of what people accuse Sen. Clinton of is something someone imagined her thinking.

Rez..I think Michigan is very different from Florida since not all candidates were on the ballot in Michagan. Perhaps..i don't know for sure , Floridians feel that since the candidates were on the ballot, their votes should be counted or there should be a re-vote..just an observation.

Personally, I think a re-vote should have been worked out in both states and then let the chips fall where they may.

I'm afraid the Democrats may pay a price in November for this mess, no matter whose fault it is..

Jamie,

I think you hit on a subject that hits home for the other side too.

off topic: how our view of beauty is distorted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

Amazing UB! just amazing!

No wonder they look so great... : )

I KNOW. Its just horrible what they are doing to little girls and men! lol

burrito and 9/11: thank you for getting it. Kudos.

G-man,

Not sure what his response would be or why Gibson would ask. I think in previous interviews, neither recall meeting each other. if it were me and i wasn't sure, I'd take a page out of HRC's playbook on File/travelgate and just say, I don't recall'.

Well, I am honored - I didn't know if being a burrito would ever get me anywhere. .... but I stuck with it... it was a challenge....

: )

Remember too that the young in pennsylvania are the cell phone generation and hard to poll.

I don't know how many new Democratic voters registration it was, but it may just pull Obama within a few points, at least.

Well UB,

your definitely not Chicken, so are you beef or bean?

LOL Maybe Veg is more gentle a burrito?

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

Auchi is a "dot".

Well, instead of all you talking about burritos, perhaps you might want to consider this.

http://stubbornfacts.us/domestic_policy/civil_liberties/molesting_the_first_amendment_maybe#comment-14023

It was what Craig and I mentioned this morning. think Obama or Hillary will be asked about the topic? How about them asking their questioners about it.

No, Gordo, I don't think Auchi will come up, or even why Obama might be sporting a flag pin. It is always tame during the debates and Hillary usually fails to take the opportunites given to attack. She will wait until after the debate as will Obama.

I think Hillary would be wise to point out that Hamas responded to Carter in yet another attack and explain why the US must have more than just hopeful suggestions about what talking will do. Italy and Korea have elected more pro-American leaders. I think she would be wise to explain that more countries are willing to back the US up in light of obvious threats that are growing and Pakistan has failed to allow CIA questioning of AQ KHan. She would also be smart to poke some fun at Obama's trips decades ago as foreign policy experiance and the idea that Iraq is the singular measure of Obama's great judgment. If he dares to bring up Bosnia as a retort, Hillary can remind voters what Obama was doing at the time she visited Bosnia. How about fund raisers with Ayers and Khalidi and backing from Rezko. She can suggest that despite supportive speeches, policy is often crafted by the advisors one keeps. That would clearly link Zbig to Carter.

Naw....Obama won't rip her because he knows Hillary will rip back. They'll be nice and avoid looking too bitter....

Lee Iacoca was on Fox this afternoon in defense of Hillary. Barney Frank is again calling for her to give in and Iacoca said to ignore them and go for it. Of course they are calling for her to quit - this will be the 4th win in a row and the are getting antsy about it..

Julie

Given how events have played out since Friday (not just in the media), that's a real possibility.

Rumor has it that Obama toasted Auchi at his party. I don't think this will surface tonight, but again, the denial by Obama of meeting ot talking to Auchi was a huge mistake. It will add to the story he is trying to put out. A

nd no matter what kind of nut case Sinclair is, if there does exist phone records going TO Sinclair from Donald Yound just prior to the gay Trinity church choir leader's unsolved death, what a complete mess.

Have your popcorn ready everyone.....

Just got back.

I think I am chicken or black bean.
They deliver anything in NYC don't they ? even cheap Mexican ?
I would think the delivery charge would make it "not"so cheap?

It's beginning to sound a lot like Fitzmas --

The premise of some terrible revelation, stacked to the ceiling with inconvertible truth.

Truthout.org used to claim absolute bona fide proof that Fitz was indicting Karl Rove on you name the date you love best.

The source was not the most stable of reporters and he had a mission -- to redeem his reputation as a journalist and a person.

I don't think it worked.

Now, of course, all three of these candidates have lousy histories around money.

All, except Obama, have been the center or very near to the center of a bunch of different state and federal investigations.

I have a few questions to which I don't know any possible answers.

1) If the GOP slime machine and the AG's office are both involved in the obliteration of Obama, what political op outside of a hack thriller would wait until after the convention to begin undermining that person with rumors.

2) Do either GORDO or Maxtrue feel that Obama has committed any felonies or misdemeanors?

3) On what planet would the Clintons -- who are in such significant political and financial despair -- wait even a NANOSECOND to put together all this information into Their Glorious Juggernaut?

Thank goodness the American people never forgave the charismatic Bill Clinton for his remarkable range of offenses, indictment, impreachment or not. Similarly... they surely would not sympathize any other sad sack who faced less association with charges related to money, regardless of the politics attached.

I mean... John McCain is America's hero, a bestselling author, a terrific guest on SNL --

What did he do anyway? Destroy a bunch of those OTHER S 'n' L's?????

Nota bene: if there ain't no sex in it, do not ask for whom the remote clicks, it clicks for American Idol.

Interesting commentary. worth the read.

The End OF Liberal Elites
by: Chris Bowers
Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 16:17

http://openleft.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=3A2D5BB12464F12B91CF08559980B6A1?diaryId=5189

In 2008, we have probably reached a point where the demographic tilt of the electorate favors those candidates by 50% + 1. If this is the case, then it would represent the end of the "liberal elite" and civil right backlash narratives as an effective anti-Democratic tactic on the national level. Obama is just about the perfect demographic test-case for this theory, and he is not losing ground against either Clinton or McCain nationally during a month long wave of attacks based on these narratives. As such, I think there is compelling evidence that we have indeed reached the end of "liberal elites" and civil rights backlash as a majority position in America. Hopefully, this will result not only in Barack Obama becoming President, but also in Democrats in general starting to realize that they are beholden to a very different sort of electorate then the one that handed them numerous resounding defeats from 1968-2004.

If you change which voters Democrats believe they must attract in order to win elections, you change the Democratic Party irrevocably

If this debate ends up being a fake "love- fest " I will be disappointed. I hope HRC wears a subtle color, not that yellow-jacket get up.

G-man,
It a dot for your elk not small town America.No one beside Larry Johnson, Rense et al no anything of these characters.

I hope Gibson asks him if he thinks ST Americans are bitter.
It will give him national airtime to further explain his remarks and to add that not only are people bitter, but they're pissed at what's been happening with their gov't for the last 25 years.
This "bitter" campaign has been a boost for him and allows him to attack her on the "politics of old" line.

Go Obama!

Maybe Biain, he'll get to question her support of the 2nd amendment. lol

BTW Max,

I don't recall where i saw HRC denounce Carter for his Hamas visit.

I always thought it would have been fun to have Lee Iacoca in the U.S. Senate..He would have livened up the place.

I think Barney Frank was born in a suit..He is smart but sometimes I wish he would just take a breath and stop talking.

typo...lol elk =ilk

EdVB, I appreciate your comments. Suffice it to say, I have said all I want to on the subject. : )

NEW THREAD, debate at 8pm EST

Mix that martini or bring out that brew (Rolling Rock, I guess) -- Craig's debate party is on.

New Thread. Reload. That means you.

I have a general question --

What was the first political group you joined?

Mine was my junior high school's Youth For McCarthy club. Lots of canvassing, helping on phone banks and memorable, rewarding time spent with Allard K. Lowenstein. (And, no, when he asked any of us over for dinner we were a mix of girls and boys and had dinner with his wife and kid.)

Next one was supporting Lowenstein in his winning run for Congress.

Someone mentioned that it was Bobby Kennedy who forced LBJ out of the running in the NH primary.

Not so. It was Eugene McCarthy.

And I started HATING Bobby Kennedy for what he did to all of us who were Clean for Gene and Gene hisself.

That was until the night of the CA primary.

I was almost 13 then.

Once the trauma and guilt resolved... the memory of my anger towards RFK has a life as a recurrent lesson.

RFK was a lot more peccable in his political history than Obama is. But the man who became our junior Senator was different from the AG who was different from the man who sat with Roy Cohn.

I remember how all of that was a major source of resentment in my community.

And then I felt RFK was a coward who simply usurped McCarthy's brave win and momentum.

Now... I cringe when I think of President Eugene McCarthy. But I cry when I yearn -- still -- for President Robert Kenned.

Both opening statements were good. But Hillary's was better on substance.

NEW THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!