Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

All our prayers go out to the Kennedy family

I'm not too happy with Senator Kennedy these days, but I admire his championship of the underdogs in American society and the world. I wish him a speedy recovery!!!!

Heart breaking news, truly.

My best wishes to Ted. Iwoudln't wish malignant glioma on anyone.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ted Kennedy and his family. Malignant glioma is about the worst form of brain cancer one could have. It is a tumor with tentacles that wrap around brain tissue. Very difficult if not impossible to successfully remove. My heart goes out to him.

Again my thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family.. this will be a trying time.

Word in Boston is that BO WILL offer the VP to Hillary..

We shall see....

My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy and his family. My son has had surgery twice in the last 6 years for a malignant brain tumor.I'm glad to hear he's in good spirits and that he has a close knit family. These 2 things will make the road ahead easier.

Anybody in the mood to predict what is going to happen tonight.

Hillary wins KY by the same amount as WVA.

Obama wins Oregon by 4 to 6%

I send my best wishes and posted to that on the last thread. I won't be redundant and have in the past alluded to the "Patrick deal" on another thread which seems now perhaps, Ted knew what was up.

Again sad. At least his life wasn't cut short by a bulllet.

Once again, best wishes for Ted and his family. For all the good ideas you tried to push forward, we salute you and hope that somehow you can recover from such a serious situation. .

Knowing Ted he would want us to not stop fighting for what we beleive in so let's go at it.

vad, that's probably a pretty good guess.

I know a kid who recently died from a similar brain tumor. He was 25 and from time of diagnosis to his passing was 6 weeks.

Am I the only person who thinks Republicans are disingenuous scumbags for offering faint praise for Kennedy while still using him as a fund raising punch line?

But as I say that, I still think it's odd that Kennedy has named Orrin Hatch as his best friend in the Senate...

ubns,
my prayers will include you and your son, as well.
Mary

So I have a question-a serious one - for the Obama supporters here, or anyone for that matter. Assuming Obama is the nominee, what statesdo you see him picking up in Nov..that Kerry didn't in '04? NM? CO? OH? IN? FL? And do you see any Kerry states moving to the Reps?

Bear, I thought Chris Dodd was Kennedy's best friend in the Senate.

Take a look at this map and maybe it will answer your question.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Obama/Maps/May20.html

Although I am angry with Ted Kennedy I too wish him a speedy recovery

I was unable to download Foxfire as my warning system does not want me to because of unknowns with the site.So I hope you all won't mind if I keep posting my letters.Maybe I can configure a code to go with them.

Ruth

If you want to compare it to Hillary's side the link is:

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Obama/Maps/May20.html

if you want to compare to Hillary's side, the link is: http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Clinton/Maps/May20.html

Ruth,
Bypass your warning system of firefox.com. It is completely safe. Many of us use it. Let me know if you need any help.

Maybe Obama will pick up the states that are going to Hillary down the road and he can flip the numbers. I am surprised that his numbers have not changed in the last few days based on what happened over the weekend at least with this poll.

............I resent the hell out of you trying to cheapen and make illegitimate Obama's victory. Posted by: BrianInNYC Author Profile Page | May 20, 2008 8:01 AM

Brian, I left early today without seeing your earlier post from 8:02 AM and felt the need to address it.

When I've been posting my feelings about how this election was handled, I wasn't looking at it from your, and other Obama supporters, point of view.

I did not expect to offend anyone in saying what I've said.
This morning, there were all Hillary supporters on the site, and we were just working out our frustrations and disappointments amongst ourselves. Most of the pain I felt about this election occured long before I ever got to this site, and it was so nice to find some others who felt the same way. And so I've been voicing all those feelings I've had from the last few months. But I was talking to those who had similar feelings when I was complaining. Not meaning to demean the Obama supporters.

I wasn't trying to belittle Obama's accomplisments in the way you think I was. I was strictly speaking from Hillary's point of view-my point of view. I related to her. So all that stuff I saw as sexism, unfairness, disrespect-well all that stuff, If felt like it had been done against me. And so, when you see me saying these things, your're seeing my anger and frustration at the system and I guess at some aspects of society too. It has a lot less to do with Obama (although he was the face of the opponent in my mind-the enemy) and a lot more to do with the DNC and the media and politicians and America and Everything.

So I apologize to the Obama supporters.
But I don't promise to never do it again.
Meg

I appreciate your post and sentiments meg.

The Kennedys have been part of my political awareness since I was 12 watching that remarkable 1956 convention on Black and White TV. Agree or disagree, they have been a model for what it means to be committed to public service. Ted Kennedy has dedicated his life to his family and his country.

My best wishes and prayers for him and his family.

Craig,

Who would be most likely to pick up the Kennedy mantle in the Senate? Is there anyone held in the same kind of respect even in disagreement?

If oregon is a mail in election how long will it take to get the results?

People can drop off their ballots at their local clerk till 8:00 PM local time. I suspect we'll start getting results shortly after 11:00 eastern

very, very sad news about Senator Kennedy....

I had CNN on while working..... a few minutes ago... they showed Senator Byrd's statement about TK on the senate floor..... he broke down into tears....
it was really heart breaking.....

I wish Senator Kennedy and his family well.....

Meg/Brian

" when you see me saying these things, your're seeing my anger and frustration at the system and I guess at some aspects of society too. It has a lot less to do with Obama (although he was the face of the opponent in my mind-the enemy) and a lot more to do with the DNC and the media and politicians and America and Everything."

I actually spent an hour today talking to a reporter and what I had to say was pretty much what Meg has uttered. (I'll let everyone know if I get another 15 seconds of fame).

it really isn't so much Obama except as he typifies those who seem to progress without real accomplishment and represents all of the sexism within society and in my own life, and how it has impacted on this election.

Jamie Tweety said something interesting yesterday, that if Hillary had voted against the war and went with her liberal soul there would be no room for an Obama in this election. Maybe once the visions of oval office glory are no longer dancing through her head she could return to her liberal core and become a Kennedy like figure on the Hill.

Clint Eastwood feels 'sorry' for Clinton
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10481.html

vad, thanks. Looks like maybe IA, NM & CO, with MI, NH &WI going the other way - a 10 elector loss. I don't like it. But there are more "barely Rep" states than "barely DeM" that could be subject to picking off, and I do like that.

Pogo, left a judge response at the end of last thread.

In the last thread Rez wanted to know why McCain doesn't correct the impression Americans have that Ahmadinejad runs Iran. He seems to think that not correcting this misperception by Americans is some kind of inherent McCain fault. A. McCain did help clear the matter up by stating to the Press that the Mullahs call the shots and B. His not wanting to meet with Ahmadinejad is that without any pre-conditions or likely chance of benefit, meeting would give Ahmadinejad the very recognition he needs to support his weakening postion, both abroad and at home.

Now here is a question for Rez. AP reported today that a new international report claims that the lack of new sanctions and sufficient pressure to stop Iran's enrichment program is causing serious dangers to proliferation effects. 13 Middle East countries are pressing for their own programs. The report goes on to explain that if the West does not act soon to stop the direction Iran is going in, proliferation will become a serious danger we will not be able to reverse.

Rez, doesn't this drectly refute the claims of Obama that A. no new sanctions are needed ASAP, B. we can afford to wait until Obama talks to Ahmadinejad and determines whether military force is even an option and C. that we don't already know now with the NIE report, this new report, the evidence of new carbon P-2 centrifuges, the rejection of Russia by Iran, the continued rants by Iran that urgent efforts to sanction Iran (which the NIE calls for) is something a realistic US President should advocate?

And what could you possibly make of Susan Rice's comment last Thursday in light of the bashing Hillary has gotten from Obama on Iran? Rice said that Obama will tell Ahmadinejad directly that if he doesn't stop the support of terrorism and enrichment, we will use military force as a last resort.

Perhaps you think McCain ought to tell Rice and Obama that the Mullahs run Iran? Perhaps they want to negotiate to the wrong persons.

I was just thinking about how Bill Simmons wrote a book titled "Now I can die in peace" after the Red Sox won in 2004. I'm sure he is thinking that now but I wonder if he can make it to see a Dem get back into the White House.

I am also curious if Jimmy Carter has made any sort of public comments since the news. I know he was no Kennedy fan.

"and become a Kennedy like figure on the Hill. "

Given the number of "friends" who have endorsed Sen Obama, she might not want a Senate career though that is exactly what Ted Kennedy did after his failed presidential campaign. I think she would want a more international role to match Bill Clinton. That would require VP, Cabinet, or Ambassadorship of some sort.

Max

You are what you are
You are a net kook who is causing harm to people who are not even part of these issues
You don't prove any of your slander you've never made your connection.

You should be ashamed of what you do.
But , You have no shame

Yes , crud is an apt discription.

Jack

My bet is that for supporting Obama, she gets Reid to retire and gets majority lead in the Senate. Then she can both check Pelosi and establish the credientials to lead if Obama gets elected and fails. She can also be ready from that position should McCain win. Just my take, though someone more informed suggested this to me.

Frankly accpeting a positon related to Obama's winning in exchange for her passionate support might not be a wise move. That would require Obama winning.......

"there anyone held in the same kind of respect even in disagreement? -- Posted by: Jamie"

i know of no one, Jamie. that is how amazing his legislative skills really are.

i've got my issues with his handling of the '80 campaign, as many here know. but i so admire his skills in the Senate. i once was lucky enough to overhear him with Strom Thurmond, who was chair of Judiciary at the time. After a joint press conf about something or other, they walked down the hall together, Kennedy threw an arm around strom's shoulders and said, "C'mon, let's go trade some judges." And as it turned out, that's exactly what they did that day.

"You are a net kook who is causing harm to people who are not even part of these issues" what harm to what people? Sounds really kooky to me....

"You don't prove any of your slander you've never made your connection" Slander Jack? I alone here spout mere slander and make no connections between reocrd and history. And note Jack, I don't begin to say the cruel and nasty things about Obama or any of Obama supporters that is thrown my way or Hillary's way.

Did Woods Fund give money to an organization that supported the Viet Cong and has championed strong Left Wing views vilifying much of America's leadership in the world? Is that the slander you speak of? Or is it slander that Obama didn't really know much about Ayers and barely ever spoke to the man? And Jack, I am certainly not alone is bringing these things up. I think many people here are concerned about the gap between the image Obama tries to convey and his history. How that hurts people who are not even part of these issues is beyond me, perhaps to can explain.

Max, I just went and read your post. We have different concerns re: the judiary and judicial nominees and will just have to disagree on the judge and justice issue. Just as the founders didn't put gun ownership outside of militias into the constitution because as you argue it was so basic, they did not mention any right to privacy or self determination, both of which are pretty universally considered basic in this country, and which was established as part of our jurisprudence mainly because of the line of privacy cases that Roe stands squarely in the middle of, and which are considered textbook examples of judicial activism. And while abortion has been practiced since well before the inception of the United States, and could arguably be considered a right similar to other inherent, but unnumerated rights, I doubt that many jurists would take that position. I waffle on whether abortion should be a state's rights issue or a federal issue - but privacy as an individual right trumps states rights for me, so while I may disagree with the viability framework, I don't take issue with its basis in the right to privacy and really don't care what the founders believed about the soul/body dichotomy. I don't see privacy as something the states should determine the breadth of.

I understand well the breadth of the Commerce Clause's reach - but speculating about the balance the court would draw as betwen the CC and the RtP under the 4th & 14th amendments is the heighth of guessing until a case that challenges those relationships comes before the court. I coud envision the court restricting a state from preventing an out of state citizen of the US from obtaining an abortion in a state where the procedure is legaal (should Roe be overruled), but otherwise don't see much of a Commerce Clause issue in that context.

And I disagree about Alito and Roberts - they have been virtually lockstep with Thomas and Scalia on issues that pit the government in the war on terror against individuals. My concern is that a Wilkinson for example - from the 4th circuit - will replace a Stevens or Ginsburg when they step down and that the 1/3 of the appointments to the Circuit and District Courts currently products of Carter and Clinton will be filled with conservative leaning judges as they retire, and that the slow restriction of our rights will continue for a generation.

Craig,

I'm curious, having seen John Harwood make an appearance on Countdown last week, will you be on again any time soon or will you need to come out as a Lesbian to steal some of Rachel Maddow's time?

Yes Craig, and Kennedy has worked with many Republicans. Does anyone one know how many Bills he has helped to craft in his career. There is no doubt he put in many many hours.

P.S. Jack, sorry I asked you any more questions...save it for another time. I don't feel like arguing right now which is why I left my comment for you on the last thread -out of respect for Ted.

I will not take up your craziness now. My question for Rez was respectful and I didn't answer it before when he asked.

Max,

That was Joe Klein reporting on the continuing misstatements by McCain. He confuses the leaders of Iran and that Obama said he wanted to meet with Ahmadinejad.

This isn't the first time he's been confused about the geography and leaders in the ME.

Doesn't that bother you?

Take it up with JK regarding link

I'm reading up on the AP report you mention.

In 1997 I went to DC on behalf of the American Liver Foundation (I was very active with the org. at that time) to lobby for money for hepatitis research, I ended up spending about 45 minutes with Senator Kennedy (we originally were promised 15 minutes of his time), in all candor it was one of the highlights of my life. Needless to say Teddy made sure we got our funding.

PS I didn't gush, I was all business!

Pogo. keep reminding me about the judiciary. Fear of the damage McCain would cause by his judicial appointments is the ONLY reason I may hold my nose and vote for Obama. But it's not easy so keep giving that pep talk.

pogo...

Do you have any concerns about the impact of the Roberts Court on the relationship between big business and the general public? Seems to me they haven't missed a single opportunity to rule in favor of business over the people.

BTW Max, I forgot to include this. here is part of the transcript.:This is from 5/19 on CNN Situation Room

BLITZER: All right.

I want you to respond, but remember, when -- when Senator Obama made that suggestion at one of the debates, even Hillary Clinton said it was naive, not a good idea. Joe Biden disagreed. John Edwards did.

How does Senator Obama defend that decision to meet without preconditions with a leader like Ahmadinejad?

RICE: Well, first of all, he said he would meet with the appropriate Iranian leaders. He hasn't named who that leader will be. It may in fact be that, by the middle next of year, Ahmadinejad is long gone. There will be elections in Iran.

BLITZER: So, let's say there is a new leader.

(CROSSTALK)

RICE: But he said Iranian leaders.

. . .
RICE: Well, first of all, as I said, it will be the appropriate Iranian leadership at the appropriate time, not necessarily Ahmadinejad.

Actually, Pogo, you and I don't really stand so far apart. I agree with you about Privacy, though I am not sure how private our Founders thought things were. And of course they did not have AQ or WMD to contend with. One fact to back you up was that if a confidential letter was exposed to the Press, heads could role. Ask Franklin about that one. Today such a confidential letter is fair game, as are videos..

I think the originalist idea has lots of merit and though I would never have picked Roberts or Alito, I meant they were not unacceptable radicals anymore than Ginzberg was. I believe Warren can correct me, but originalist intent for the lawyerly means how particular words were used in past days and not what the Founders "had in mind".

My suggestion about Roe was to kick it back to the States where it was originally. My only problem would be the effect on those too poor to jump State. I think you could see how the CC would kick in,; only the preforming of an abortion would be illegal in THAT State which cstill ould not allow such a ban to prevent the right of an individual from obtaining it in another State. Since it involves heath and the life of the individual, the State banning abortion would have to provide transport to a State where such service was not banned. Well, that is a short answer, but better minds than mine have considered what returning the issue to the States would mean. I was however, asking you to look at the enrmous power of the Fed that has grown from Starry and the expansion of power under articles like the CC. This singular issue I suspect keeps the Libertarians towards the right.

hw, you bet. I'm operating on gut feeling and poor memory on that issue, but will do a little review of recent court decisions impacting that issue when I get a chance. I'll get back to it - maybe tomorrow.

Let's be clear: Iran has a very complex system of government with varying institutions, but at the top of it sits Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who essentially has only accountable to the Council of Guardians made up of clerics, many of whom are appointed by Khamenei. So, Ahmadinejad is not the leader. And as the Council on Foreign Relations explains, especially in the area of foreign policy, Ahmadinejad has very little influence.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20080520/cm_huffpost/102611

Sorry Rez, I though the interviewer asked McCain if he knew who ran Iran and he said the Mullahs. When asked why he doesn't inform Americans that Ahmadinejad doesn't run things and why it was bad then for Obama to meet with someone not holding the power. I think McCain only answered the latter so I suggested answers for the former. The Mullahs do run Iran. Ahamdinejad is their quasi-puppet.

I mean, didn't McCain's reason for not meeting make sense? A hmadinejad doesn't call the shots and would give his disgusting comments and political life and view points validity.

Sorry if I missed something, but I'm not sure I did. It is quite well know than Afghanis don't speak Arabic.
That gaffe was because Obama reflex is to tie everythin Iraq to all our problems, as opposed to times where the candidates are simply tired.

Rez, how about the part where Rice tells Biltzer what Obama would tell Ahmadinejad? And doesn't she first say military force is always on the table and later that only after talking to Ahmadinejad would Obama know if force was an option?

Max
This is in the spirit of Ted Kennedy
One thing I know for certain he does not tolerate silly bastards like you. So I don't think he minds that I call you what you are. For you and others like you are causing harm to people on the southside of Chicago and I believe that Senator Kennedy would gladly be ther champion . He might have a politer name for you than I do but I believe that if we look in a thesaurus they both would be listed side by side. You and others like you who try to attack Obama by slandering organisations like the Woods Fund and all of the little community groups on the south side of Chicago, You hurt people, You hurt a lot of little people that need help.
Do you think Senator Kennedy would approve?
Do you think he would let you use his time of trouble to keep from being held accountable for your words and actions?
Your sad Max.
Very sad

Jack

Well, Max, we don't disagree that much after all. I don't trust the states to determine whether the federally based right to privacy is broad enough in each to cover the relationship between a woman and her doctor. The crazyquilt results in any areaof the law that you find among the states tellsme that the states can't be entrusted to enforce basic individual rights acknowledged by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. There's a reason that so many criminal matters make it to the Supreme Court on writs.

The difference between the Judiciary Committee that existed under Clinton andthe one wehave now is simple- that one had a president who vetted his nominees with the committee leadership before sending them up. This one doesn't, and the JC doesn't have the brass to say no.

Gotta go -later.

HarborW...
your post reminded me of the last hour of the Diane Rehm Show this morning....

she had on a former congressman and founding trustee of the Heritage Foundation, Mickey Edwards..... he's written a book entitled "Reclaiming Conservatism"....

it was a fascinating hour and one of the things I remember Edwards espousing was that any Republican who would favor big business over individuals wasn't really a conservative.....

Warren, Iran is somewhat fragmented with competeing Mullahs. There are significant alliances and Ahmadinejad has more power than you suggest. Also Quds and the nuclear program fall a bit more into his power strings. There are aspects one Mullah but not another knows about. We see this in China at times, and there is as much if even greater islands of power amoung the 300 or so clerics that control the next level down. And there re things that happen below that are not fully understood at the higher levels, yes?

And of course the Mullah's green-lighted the Sha's coup. The generals were split.

pogo...Thanks! I'll look forward to your review and opinion.

Renee...I should try to catch the Diane Rehm Show sometime. You and others have mentioned it before, but I've never heard it. Where do I find it? (Today's Bush Conservatives never miss an opportunity to strengthen the fortunes of business over those of the people, IMO. It's one of my biggest concerns in this day of 'extreme deregulation'.)

Warren...Great to see you back! Where ya been?

Best wishes to the Kennedys as Senator Ted battles this cancer.

The gop is playing the tower of babel card..........

Yes best wishes to the Kennedys...and to all the other families who will receive that grim diagnosis this week.

HarborW...
the Diane Rehm Show is carried on various NPR stations..... if your local affiliate doesn't carry the show you can google her name and listen online...

on Friday mornings (aired live at 10am-12pm EST).... she does one hour of domestic news roundup followed by an hour of foreign news roundup..... they are the best 2 hours of news to be found anywhere, IMO....

Jack, I never "slandered" groups nor did I take issue with all the groups that Woods Fund supports. This was a discussion from months ago when Woods Fund first came up. I am sure there are groups I would gladly support that Woods Fund supports and I was born in Chicago so I hardly slander all of the South Side. I directed specific comments towards specific groups, specific connections and political activity. Some of that activity is now on trial. I talked about specific aspects of Cairns and of positions Khlidi has taken. I listed several groups that Woods Fund gave money to that are Far Left and not particularly "disadvatntaged", except perhaps ideologically. It is you who slander me by suggesting I "slander" ALL communities and groups on the South Side or that somehow taking issue with specific common causes Obama had with Avery at Woods Fund is a horrible horrible thing.

And Jack, I'm sure Ted has far more things to concern himself with than one commentor on one particular blog objecting to particular Left wing groups that Woods Fund supported when Ayers and Obama were both board members. Next you'll be telling me I have a lot of nerve objecting to the Church Oprah walked out on.

knowing teddy, he's going to go out working.......he's a kennedy....................

Fox will be having some of Kentucky's exit polls in a moment-they said.

Now this is gonna get ugly I think...

http://www.unconfirmedsources.com/index.php?itemid=3275

As they say Strug, party hard, work hard. Teddy did that.
I think many members could take a lesson from his effort and he didn't give up when he ran into trouble.

Hell, the guy stood up to a lot of physical pain and personal trauma. Regardless of the politics, which I have not enjoyed of late, he was a fighter and shares that quality with Clinton. THe peole of MAss seem to have agreed.

Rush needs to start taking his meds again. It is beyond me the GOP doesn't pull his plug.

I am serious. Rush will harm McCain far more than help. McCain's only play is to be his centrist self, and Rush will only remind people the House McCain comes from.

I would say something nastier, but what's the point?

Craig,

My quibbles with Sen. Kennedy are the same ones that I have with the far left of the party and that is simply like the far right they often forget human nature.

Anything you are willing to pay for, you will get more of.

What starts out sounding like a noble idea flounders on that central truth.

Still, TEd Kennedy for whatever failings you may perceive has done his duty. Over and over again he has demonstrated a dedication to both his public and private roles. I would like to think there would be another, but in today's adversarial climate, I'm not sure it is possible.

Fox
Hillary's base: True Believers
65% think she will still get the nomination.
They just don't get it, I guess.
She still is holding the working class.

Hey, dex!

Jon Lester may play for the Red Sox, but he's a Tacoma boy! Just had to tell you that!

Former South Dakota Senator George McGovern tells KSFY this news hit him right in the gut.

"I think he's one of the great Senators of all time."

McGovern adds while Kennedy is a hero to some and a villain to others, one story about Kennedy reveals why he and McGovern are friends.

"He refuses to fly in first class on commercial flights because he doesn't think anybody ought to be treated as second class."

McGovern adds he has always been impressed by Kennedy's record on civil rights, saying he championed equal access for all at time when it was very unpopular.

nannymm-

Thank you for your kind words. My son is doing fairly well right now. My family and I are grateful.

To add a political twist to this,my son was 2 days shy of his health insurance kicking in when he had his first seizure and diagnosis. It was a new job. It was and still is a nightmare.

Leslie

Apparently the ability to give praise without criticism is not a talent you hold Jamie.

Bear

Rush Limbaugh has to be one of the most disgusting human beings every to pollute the airwaves. Even those who agree with him politically must feel the need of a bath to scrub off the slime.

Brian

You just don't get it. I admire Sen. Kennedy a great deal and wish him well. LIke it or not life is real and I could pretend to be some pie in the sky the world should be as I wish it to be wave my magic wand or cry in agony when it is not, but I'm not that kind of person.

Sen Kennedy would understand better than most. When life is crud, you pick up the pieces and put it together and keep going. The man I admire as a politician is great. The man I admire for doing his family duty is great. The man whose politics I think don't work is still a good man while at the same time being an adversary.

brian once again fails reading comprehension.

Rush is a loose cannon. Smart skippers with a loose cannon on their hands, will do everything possible to stabilize the ship---or steer it over the side.

Twice in one week you've proven you lack the ability to rise above the fray. I'm going to take a nap, I want to be well rested when Oregon comes in.

there's a great fictional account of an actual loose cannon on the deck of a sailing ship in one of Kenneth Robert's books......I'll try to find it.....He's the guy who wrote RABBLE IN ARMS

Get well wishes to Senator Kennedy. He is not one of my favs but I don't wish him any harm, he is the last reminder of Camelot....
There are some however, that require a slap in the teeth..... Brian NYC; To enjoy the MORAL highground your candidate would have had to be involved in the process of voting(or not) for the war. This fool doesn't even know how he would have voted had he been there - why - he had no one at that time to tell him which way to vote. Just so you know, the moral highground here belongs to Chuck Hagel who went against his own party to vote NO.
.....notbush: History will record George W. Bush as the worst (illegitimate) president ever, anywhere. The hypocrisy of this admin. is not to be believed, they run around the world legitimizing, or not, elections but have absolutely no qualms abound stealing their own. John McCain is akin to this administration, after all, he's a Republikan.
....You guys sound like that big-mouthed bitch BO is married to, oops forgot, spouses are off limits, unless they are ex-presidents. I can't believe how farcial this primary has become. Geraldine Ferraro is spot on.

sturge,

Kenneth Roberts.

Way to go, way to go.

Max,
I couldn't find that discussion in the Rice interview. we're probably thinking about two diff. ones. anyway.

Jack,

btw thx for your comments. I know we don't always agree, but I trust your sincerity. I didn't realize the level of cynicism here. Sure are some jaded folks around. I'm especially impressed by those who know the motives and deliberations of these candidates better than the candidates themselves.

Sturg, if you've never read them CS Forrester's series of books about a boy who sails out as a midshipman and finally ends up an admiral and lord are absolutely fascinating for the detail they provide of life in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic War.

Do a search on the hero, Horatio Hornblower.

As new works would emerge, they would be serialized in the Saturday Evening Post. Great stuff!

Okay, I was raised in a family that worshipped Kennedys just like a lot of other people here probably were. And I'm very sad to see this diagnosis for someone who has been a terrific legislator and torchbearer for the Democratic Party over my entire lifetime. Robert Byrd's tears on the Senate floor today were truly moving.

But it's already started: I've seen "the Kennedy curse?" headlines on a couple of websites, and I'm sure it's being given that treatment on cable as well. And we have to trot out all the old "Camelot" crap all over again. The man is 76 years old, for crying out loud. If this kills him, he will have lived a full and meaningful life. This is not another "Kennedy-style tragedy." As Flatus said, this is the type of reality that tens, hundreds of thousands of families deal with every year. It's called "life." As others have pointed out, brain tumors like this kill people in their teens and twenties as well. Now, THAT is tragedy.

But what this is the moronic media we have serving us, folks. It absolutely cannot function until it has shrinkwrapped and logo-labeled every single news event into some sort of archetypical story that it thinks the public needs in order to comprehend what's going on.

John Kennedy was a great politician and a potentially great president who never got to prove himself. Robert Kennedy, sadder still. Ted Kennedy, as Craig points out, was an amazing legislator who probably accomplished more in a practical sense than either of his two brothers combined.

Their father was a social-climbing criminal and Nazi sympathizer who pushed his handsome sons and locked his retarded daughter away. The heirs have a few stars among them, but also lots of dissipated losers and hangers on.

"Camelot" was bullshit. A big lie. Why do we have to keep doing this dance?

What else? Am I missing something?

Anyone who doesn't think that the phones within the Senate side of our government have not been red hot since he became ill, is delusional. New relationships will be established by the end of this week, with or without Ted's blessing.

Rez, just one point. For months Obama has been under attack for "talking to Ahmadinejad". You and I know the Iranian loonie has been named directly, over and over. Even Hillary brought it up. Now after several months is Obama claiming he never said he would talk to Ahmadinejad really credible? He could have said this long ago and stated the position he states today. Is this flip-flopping due to polling data? Is he now suggesting he will start with low level talks (we have) and then work his way up to the Mullah he thinks holds the most power? Will after doing all this he know where Iran stands and whether the US should resume the push for sanctions? It does seem a bit strange, doesn't it and forbodes a long period of time for Iran to string us out. I wonder if Obama is digging a deeper hole as I suggested he might as he tries to pivot center. These are the first "clarifications" and they do sound a bit strange in light of mixed signals on preconditions and who constitutes "leaders". I understand your point better now about your earlier link. I hope you post he full transcrpit of Rice's comments. I think some on the Left will be upset and many on the Right point to a rather funny pivot to center after what was hurlded at Hillary.

Obama said he would speak to Castro without preconditions, yet during a debate mentioned he would have some preconditions.

So would it be slander to say Obama is changing his tune? Apparently Rice did that too last week. It is gettng rather confusing at the very moment you would think the message would be getting clearer.

Just wondering.

I should have noted in that Rush link that it was satire, but not far from what he would actually do however.

Brian,

Put a sock in it and go look at my blog

http://jdurward.blogspot.com/

Today continues as a busy campaigning day. We started with big Hillary signs during rush hour and then lots of phone calls. Lots of volunteers and a large number of people coming in to help for the first time today.

I came home to watch the first Kentucky returns and then back to make calls.

Current miniscule Kentucky returns

Hillary 580
Obama 79

84 to 11%. I would love it if that held up,but ofcourse, it won't..

61-33

Lardo,

Haven't you heard, reality can't get commercial sponsors.

Max,

Here is the link to the most recent CNN interview. I'm sure there are others. To be honest I don't recall if he has mentioned the fool by name before and this is a means to switch gears. My guess is that, if so, it won't be long before noquarter, et al refutes it. we'll see.

BTW, McCain is getting called on his flip-flopping on all issues more and more as the light is turned his way.

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0805/19/sitroom.03.html

Hey Bear

A real conservatives reaction

http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODJmODkyY2RmN2Q2ZjA1YzQyZDIyYjM4MDc3N2ViZGU=

Friends don't let friends vote a straight ticket
Vote for divided government
Vote McCain

Jamie...I like your plan: All BBC, all the time.

Lardo

If only for Dr. Who and Torchwood : )

Who needs reality when fantasy looks that good.

Jamie...your blog treatment of this story is straight-up and respectful....and most of all REAL. Very good.

Sending good thoughts and support to Ted Kennedy and all the other people and families out there in midst of the battle.

peace~

Lard, perhaps some are really thinking about all three brothers and also about history. There are few moments anymore where we get linked to the past and the stream of time. Perhaps the jolt shapes some new perspective. It made me think of RFK and what Liberalism came forth from JFK.

I guess it is not so much about mortality and great epersonal affection but the precarious branch of Liberalism and the health of the tree is springs from. Despite what the Press does, this evokes for me a connectedness to a different time where Liberalism meant different thiings and rallied for different means. These thoughts just happened; a strange unintended consequence of what time taking hold of Ted, of what will befall us all.

jamie,

Exemplary recounting.

Oregon Democrat,

Thank you.

Thank all your friends and colleagues.

All I did was vote.

All you did will have an outcome that is greater than even a winning total.

Thank you Lardo

One of my favorite books is "84 Charing Cross Road". The principal character says that she likes "I Was There" books. Real life is so damned fascinating.

Hey

Bring back the Geo
One of my favorite cars
Tough, economical

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/20/geo.metro/index.html

Friends don't let friends vote a straight ticket
Vote for divided government
Vote McCain

Jamie,

My favorite I was there book?

Goya's The Disasters of War.

"This I saw."

"This I saw, too."

Not sure why, but my favorite Francisco Goya painting

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Francisco_Goya_-_Casa_de_locos.jpg/800px-Francisco_Goya_-_Casa_de_locos.jpg

Here is a video tour of the word's great cities and what they look like at night, from the International Space Station. Full color -- 60Meter resolution. Pretty cool stuff. The images are billed as the product of "culture, geography and technology." The music alone is worth it.

So if anyone out there is getting stoned later tonight, tuck it away for viewing then. It's about 10 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEiy4zepuVE

I got this off YouTube, but it was posted on Gawker today.

My step-niece is waging a similar battle as Senator Kennedy. Things looked bleak last year at this time but she is now doing much better now. We continue to have hope that she will be okay. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

Going to the lower level now ... tornadoes in the area. I think we will be okay, though.

Kentucky voters say - Obama voter 71% would vote for Senator Clinton.

Only 33% of Senator Clintons supporters would vote for Obama.

CNN projecting over a 30% win spread. Rural areas 75% for Senator CLinton 19% for Obama.. He pulls it in more in 2 larger cities where AA voters are..
54% say Obama thinks like Rev Wright - 44% not.
Julie

Kentucky will remain red no matter who the Dem nominee is, waste of spin Julie.

CNN panel is pretty good despite Donna Brazille being an "uncommitted committed". She's a good lady, just come out and declare and stop the phony stuff then she could be balanced with another Hillary person.

Lard, your ARE funny, thanks for the slap.

Brian,

Spin is a twisting of the truth.

Donna Brazile said she would quit the democratic party if the nominee was elected by special delegates. WIll she? Or just spin.. She is a BO supporter, either one can only win by special delegates.

Julie

Julie I appreciate you think Hillary can walk on water, regardless, KY will remain a red state come the general.

as will SC

and NC.

etc

Fox sure thinks Hillary will be veep if she wants it,
with that slew of votes and delegates she has. That sounds like it could make a winning ticket.

And the point of the numbers in Kentucky is not whether or not the Dems will carry Kentucky, but it's about the huge numbers she's carrying the working class, women, youth and college grads. He is not carrying the working class and it gradually is getting worse.

Brian I said the same thing about many of Obama's "wins", but you protested that claim. So shall we not count Obama's Red State wins?

Almost 30% of those polls in Oregon are atheists. A sweeping Obama victory might cast some cloud on Obama's FaithHopeChange.

Maybe the Democratic voters for Obama see through this ruse.

The trend is hardening Hillary voters do not bode well for Obama. Many pollster say it goes far beyond any love for the Clintons. Give them meme of disingenuity, picking a VP to mend this gap might not play as the DNC expect. And again, Obama made a huge point about his Red State wins. Even now before the campaign ends, there is a flip-flopping. Obama has not won the biggest Blue States and has lost a series of Red States and Rural States that show problems on both ends of his spectrum. Funny how Donna thinks those "good old" Clintons will rescue the demographic problem despite the obvious bitterness tehy woudl keep Hillary from VP.

Maybe this will become what Wright says about "coming back to roost"..

Hey
Brian

as will Virginia
North Carolina
Kansas
and all those other states
that the Obamamath people
keep spouting as states
they will win with their new coalition.

Not happening.

Not happening in Ohio either

If you can't take Ohio you can't win
period.
end of statement

Friends don't let friends vote a straight ticket
Vote for divided government
Vote McCain

Max...I guess I must have both a soft spot and a blind spot for you...given how much I appreciate and enjoy most of your posts but also taking into consideration some of the vitriol expressed here against you by others I so admire -- like WhiskeyJack, and even good old stalwart, the usually naked, pothead Brian....who whether you love him or hate him, certainly does his part to keep this site alive.

Are you really Satan? Bent on taking food out of the mouths of poor kids in south Chicago? Fess up. And keep in mind you are addressing your answer to someone who probably will disgust YOU by breaking down and voting for Obama in November. Which I know you define as "selling out." LOL.

Not my job to reconcile any of this. I'll just keep my own counsel.

I just hope you all stick around, and the rest of the gang here sticks around too.

Celtics-Pistons. T-Minus 37 minutes.

No max I'm talking about KY, and KY only. I think there are many red states Hillary could win in the general. I just happen to think Obama's chance are a lot better, especially red states with a large black population, SC and NC to be exact. Obama will take NC in the general.

All but two counties in Kentucky will be won by Sen. Clinton. She will win all the other counties by 75% or more. He will still get 1/3 or more of the delegates.

However this year turns out. The party needs to fix this mess for four years from now.

Have no fear Lard, regardless of who's lever you flip in the general you disgust me.

Fox sure thinks Hillary will be veep if she wants it,
with that slew of votes and delegates she has. That sounds like it could make a winning ticket.

Posted by: Meg Author Profile Page | May 20, 2008 7:56 PM

Since Fox wants McCain to win, it sounds to me that they want her on the ticket so that the RNC has the best double swiftboating opportunity.

Brian at his charming best.

Have no fear Lard, regardless of who's lever you flip in the general I love you.

Brian...
You usually sound like a man who hasn't had his lever flipped in awhile. You should get out more, dude.
LOL.

Since Fox wants McCain to win, it sounds to me that they want her on the ticket so that the RNC has the best double swiftboating opportunity. Posted by: frank

Don't agree.

Thanks Jamie. Same to you.

Obama will take NC in the general.

Posted by: BrianInNYC | May 20, 2008 8:02 PM

You needn't concern yourself with that area of my life LL, it's rather healthy thank you very much.

"To add a political twist to this,my son was 2 days shy of his health insurance kicking in when he had his first seizure and diagnosis. It was a new job. It was and still is a nightmare.
Leslie"

Oh, my God -- Lese.....that makes it a tragedy on an even bigger scale if that's possible. This country is letting its citizens die.

Brian...I'm not too concerned with you and your lever. So don't worry.

I'm strictly a "punch-card" man.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/north_carolina.html

Clinton does better in NC against McCain

Oregon Democrat

I applaud you for all your efforts and time you have given to Senator Clinton campaign. Your determination at the sign holding and meeting people surely has brought about some voters for her that might not have been but for your effort. However Oregon turns out, know you helped..
Thank You

Julie

Lard I'm not really interested

I second Julie's tribute to OD. Has there been anyone on this site for the past several months who has done more ACTUAL WORK in support of their candidate? I'm talking measurable foot-pounds of labor, not psychic investment or clicking "submit" on the campaign contribution website, or whatever.

Oregon Democrat wins on that score, no matter how things turn out.

Lardo

"I'm strictly a "punch-card" man."

I probably shouldn't ask about the "hanging chad" : )

Jamie..after you've had a bunch of South Florida condo commandos spend hours gazing at your unmentionables, you definitely know what hell is!

from Senator Clinton's Kentucky speech

"Tonight we've achieved an important victory. Some of have said the campaign is over, your vote doesn't count. That didn't stop you. You've never given up on me because you know I'll never give up on you.

This is one of the closest races in modern history. We're winning the popular vote and I'm more determined than ever to keep going."

The promised flood of Obama SD turned into a tiny day by day trickle. Maybe Senator Clinton should read the story of the tortoise and the hare to Senator Obama

"especially red states with a large black population"

Hey
Now I get it.
Obamamath= Rovianmath

Juice up the wing nut base
Feed them large chunks of red meat
get a high turnout

trust the center to be so confused they will vote for you anyway

Hey

Thats Karl Rove
100%

Meet the new boss
He's the same as the old boss

4 more years of pandering to the wing nuts

No thanks!

That is why McCain is the only option
He owes his wing nuts nothing
He can work with the center
He can and will reach across
To Democrats

Maybe, we can clean up some of this mess

Obama man is owned by his wingnuts
He will be busy passing out favors like a Chicago alderman

Friends don't let friends vote a straight ticket
Vote for divided government
Vote McCain

This is interesting piece about how fucked polling can be.
Hillary closes Oregon gap — or does she?
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=121124143851071200

And it begins. Chris Matthews tonight and previously. Keith Olbermann and Dana Milbank did it before. Puerto Rico is a big joke to them. The DNC said they have a say in the process of deciding who our nominee will be. But count their votes? Not to the bigots at NBC.

The ugly racism and bigotry of NBC now joins the previously ugly sexism and misogyny. Here it comes.
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/20/194848/442
NBC has no decency. None.

Any other bad actors in the Media tonight? Let us know.

Here is Andrea Mitchell's dumb statement of the night. Obama can't pick Hillary because it messes up his change message soooo he CAN pick SENATOR Evan Bayh or Governor Ed Rendell. How stupid can you get?

Chris Matthews LIES again, claiming Obama won the young voters in Kentucky. He is simply LYING. Clinton won the 17-29 group by 20 points. And now the education lie from NBC. Clinton won the college educated by 60-34. The Obama News Network marches on.

"South Florida condo commandos spend hours gazing at your unmentionables,"

Electoral dysfunction

http://images.politico.com/global/florida-county-map.gif

Thank god, I thought she'd never shut up, now we can on to something that matters, Oregon.

MSNBC projects with the KY delegate breakdown Obama is now 1 delegate short of taking the pledged delegate absolute majority. As the great one like to say:

HOW SWEET IT IS!

Gee...Brian...why does Oregon somehow matter more than Kentucky? Is it the fact that it has lots more Starbucks shops, but only two more delegates?

Please explain your wisdom to all the "hillbillies" like me whose votes you will need in November.

Thanks Nick. I appreciate what you said. And no matter how I vote, I'm sticking with this blog.

Brian...I'm not even going to wait for your moronic answer. I've got a basketball game to watch.

Lard, Brian doesn't have time to explain himself....he's getting more cascades of blood tattooed running down his legs. GAG. What a classy guy we've allowed in here as the resident bully.

Obama's band at the Des Moines rally is playing "Sexual Healing" to warm up the crowd. WTF?

Oregon matters because it's a state that will vote Democratic in the general, KY won't. If Hillary was running for queen of Appalachia her victory in KY would mean something, but since she's running for prez of the US it's meaningless. Just this man's opinion.

Curious. No Gallup daily today.

that archuleta kid sings like an old pro.......

Brian -- By that same logic you could also say that MOST of Hillary's winning states will vote Democratic in the General and MOST of Obama' s states won't and therefore are meaningless .

Glad you finally caught on to that fact.

"he's getting more cascades of blood tattooed running down his legs. "

I thought it was a tat of the thrill that ran up his leg

Wednesday, May 21 Survey usa
Race Poll Results Spread
North Carolina: McCain vs. Clinton McCain 43, Clinton 49 Clinton +6.0
North Carolina: McCain vs. Obama McCain 51, Obama 43 McCain +8.0