Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Top of the morning Lads & lassies

Regular programming to begin = our summer of love is over..
Not sure I am ready for this week to start.
Julie

I'm first a very rare occasion. So here is some humor to help start the week off right.

Subject: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?


BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me...

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on ' THIS ' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the ' OTHER SIDE ' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his ' CURRENT ' problems before adding ' NEW ' problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us or for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not be en told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain. Alone.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? ' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side'. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ... reboot. ; & gt;

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

Well I was first. lol.

Here is a good article that will give you some idea what BHO has in mind for The United States of America should he be elected POTUS.

"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,"

This is just part of BHO's plan for "change". The sheep still follow the farmer to the slaughter house.
. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h-wpxs1Re-8vx2Zk5xnYygW1W67w

ROFL Fry! I actually thought the "W" one was funniest. But this one brought something to mind: "PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American. "

I do think that illegal immigration and border security is a HUGE problem in the country. I've also seen a big difference in the kinds of people coming in over the last few years as opposed to earlier. People in the hispanic/latino/chicano community that I know tell me that there is a big influx of pretty tough customers from Central America that worry them.

However, I remain unsure about the so-called welfare a lot of them are receiving. I live in a heavily ethnic area, and I go to the grocery store every couple of days. I have yet to see a hispanic person use a WICA card or any sort of government assist. I see lots of whites and lots of blacks using them -- but no hispanics. They always pay in cash. Not even sure that means anything except that they don't use banks and may not be paying taxes. But they sure ain't all on welfare.

If Obama claims victory in the primary after his Oregon win, it will be
premature, unless he reaches the magic delegate number. Since the Clinton campaign and Camp Obama can't seem to agree on what the winning delegate count is, Obama's claiming primary victory seems audacious and ungentlemanly. At the same moment, Hillary will be claiming a victory in
Kentucky to a probable double digit win, again, highlighting Obama's
Big Problem--he can't get the working class vote.

I thought Obama wanted to start the healing process within the Dem Party. His pushing his way to crown himself top dog won't appear very friendly to Clinton supporters.

Why shouldn't Hillary be defiant until all the states vote and
Florida and Michigan are counted? In answer to my question,I can hear all the pundits and O-bots now,
"But, she can't win. . ."

"The US has turned dramatically towards biofuels, with Congress raising the federal requirement for using the oil alternative from 6.5 billion gallons last year to nine billion gallons this year. As a consequence, about a quarter of the American corn crop was used for biofuels last year, driving up the price of corn and, hence, also the price of food for millions of families."

The above is from this article.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/You39re-running-out-of-oil.4095858.jp

Lets hope and pray there is a bumper grain harvest this year. The environmentalists are against, coal mining, burning of coal, oil drilling, oil refineries and nuclear power.
Odd that a country which has all the resources its needs, has to import most of its energy, whose price carry a 60% speculators charge, which then has to converted into by-products by fewer and fewer old out dated refineries running at near capacity 24/7. Oil is purchased by the oil companies at $125 a barrel who job it is to convert it into heating oil and gas and other by-products. If American want lower gas prices they need to prohibit speculators from entering the commodities market, they need to drill more oil here in the US and the need to build more refineries or start building new nuclear power plants, a 5 to 10 year project, but that won't happen so in the mean time enjoy that $4.00 a gallon gas, and that $5.00 box of corn flakes. Suicide by a thousand self inflicted cuts.

Off to work. Bye all.

Good morning All - Yesterday was a nice respite from the fray. No minds were changed, but at least the fever abated some.

Oregon truly interests me. After that massive rally, it will be fascinating to see the margin. I would dearly love to see under 10% if only to keep introducing Sen. Obama to humility. He might need to know about it at some point in the future.

Craig, you and I are probably relatives many degrees removed. I have a ton of Scottish Craigs and a few Crawfords hanging from the family tree.

Fry -Thanks for the chicken humor - lol

W did a wonderful thing for BO last week. Does the GOP secretly want to lose?
I have to say that the meeting BO held in South Dakota on Saturday was the best I’ve seen of him. (I find an arena full of screaming fans who are followers of a cult of personality to be quite pointless.) It was nice to hear what he had to say & to speak with people one-on-one.

However, he had to be backed into a corner before he chose sides with respect to Hamas, just as he did with Rev. Wright. (Apparently, he was also goaded into accessorizing with a flag pin, too.) He will cave to peer-pressure; he will play politics; he lacks definition.

Fry – Well, we do have to make some changes but, yeah, it’s a bit like Jimmy Carter telling us to turn our thermostats down in the winter & put on a sweater. In fact, although Carter is a wonderful humanitarian, maybe it takes someone with a bit more startch to be Prez. Things our grandparents did & we take for granted. We are spoiled & I am thankful to live here. However, imagine what the world would be like if we had put all of the money from Iraq into homeland security and energy R&D.

fry daddy..that was so funny..will send that to a few people today.....looking good for the girl today..on MSNBC showing new Suffolk poll.for Oregon..Clinton gaining ground...landslide in Kentucky

Craig,

Nice start to a new day. Good job everyone. reading the posts, I actually think I have gotten to know more of you. I actually wanted to read.

The On the Road Obama Mommas, AKA Dog and Sheila are in Colorado. Making our way to possible Boisie today. Rockies here we come!

I think having high gas prices is the only way to encourage the majority of Americans to want, and to actually change their attitudes about fuel consumption and fuel alternatives.

The problem is it's going to hurt financially, however, thats what it takes to create change.

Fry,

Hilarious. Thanks for the read!

Hope Oregan is close.

Does anyone think the "sweetie" remark helped derail the big MO?? I found it pejorative and sexist!! Some companies would fire an individual for making such a remark.

In the boozey hours during our first night of summer love, our host profoundly posited (applicable IMHO to the candidates): "you might find Makers smoother but WT 101 delivers the goods"
Is this not a sign of a great thinker?

oops!! Oregon...

Good Morning, again, everyone,

This morning Howard Wolfson on MoJo said there's zero chance Hillary Clinton will drop out of the race this week. He believes Obama's premature victory lap is
insulting. 'Hillary is in this race until we have a nominee and it will not be
Tuesday," Wolfon insisted.

Currently, more voters, over 17 million, have voted for Clinton than Obama.

http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=20080518_curtain_time_obama_part-5.htm

Interesting article on the migration of "gutter". Democrats will happy in the next few months that Hillary is available.....

In reference to Craig's post today:

I ask again, "Why shouldn't Hillary be defiant?"

She's been treated shabbily by the Dem Party and the press. Why
shouldn't she fight on. After all, she's still winning states.

http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=20080518_curtain_time_obama_part-5.htm

Interesting article on the migration of "gutter". Democrats will happy in the next few months that Hillary is available.....

Marcia: Bob Shrum was also on MOJO this morning and reinforced the message of the Obama campaign (and the DNC): Yes, Obama has a problem with white working-class voters. But, no worries, it isn't really a problem because he is "redrawing the map" with his millions of new voters (the "new coalition").

Tim Russert also reminded viewers this morning that the Obama campaign is quick to point out that Oregon is a "swing state" and that a Democrat must win Washington, Oregon and California to win the GE and Obama is better positioned to do that. It is completely irresponsible to spew talking points from the campaign that are simply stuck on stupid. Does anyone really think that Washington, Oregon and California will go red if Clinton is on the ticket? (Or if Obama is on the ticket?) As a resident of Oregon for 22 years and a resident of Washington for 14 years, I can reassure Tim Russert that the Pacific Northwest is safely in the blue column in the fall. I swear I don't think any of these guys have even been to Oregon in the last twenty years. They keep talking about logging?! UGH.

Prof Marica,

just thought I would help you out. Real Clear Politics has wonderfully even stats on the race. This is good for a conversation. Wish I could stay. But time to move.

Democrats Obama-Clinton Spread

Total Delegates 1899 - 1718 Obama + 181
Super Delegates 297 - 275 Obama + 22
Pledged Delegates 1602 - 1443 Obama + 159
Popular Vote 49.3 - 47.5 Obama +1.8
Popular Vote (w/FL) 48.4 - 47.6 Obama +0.8
Nat'l RCP Average 49.0 - 41.8 Obama +7.2
Oregon 51.4 - 40.6 Obama +10.8
Kentucky 28.8 - 58.4 Clinton +29.6

mornin' all.

Craig, buddy, maybe this column will finally convince one of the O-supporters here that you are not in the tank for Clinton.

After considerable congitation, I have come to believe that Hillary's SD press/ FL&MI strategy will likely fall short. I have also come to believe that if Obama stops acting like he's running for class president and starts acting like he's running for POTUS, bones up on and starts talking about national security, energy, and the economy like an adult, he could very well win in the Fall. All I can say is I hope his judgment is good, he benefits from a rising economy and he has the good sense not to get involved in bullshit conflicts in the middle east.

BW, the real problem with the "sweetie" remark is that
he never answered the GD question - which I believe was his intent. The BS apology the next day did nothing IMHO to repair the dismissive response. And yes, it was sexist. Wonder how he'd have reacted to bein called boy?

Sheila - Boise? I guess you do have to go through ID to get to WA unless you have all the time in the world to kill on the road. Hope the travels have been fun.

(and if this becomes a double post - don't blame me)

profM - you know of course, you have opened yourself up to an extended argument? :-)

Pogo,

Boise actually gets us over the Rockies in good time, while allowing Dogs Eye View a view she has never experienced.

All other ways put an hour or two on the road. I plan to be home by Tuesday.

Have a great week. Don't know when I will have internet access after Friday.

From the previous thread:

DNC: Fractured Fairy Tales

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

Sheila, well, Boise or no, you two drive safely.

BOWWOW44
Thanks for the link to the Hillary write in vote.Hope it has legs.

Ruth

This morning on GMA Michelle said she "just loves Hillary"

Ruth

Subject: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Frydaddy.

Fry, that was a Classic!
You really lightened my mood.
And your next post was perfect too.
Thank you for starting my day with a laugh.
It's hard to take things as seriously now.

j

Don't want to be downer about FryDaddy's post, (because it really is funny) but the Chicken gag is from an email making the viral rounds (i got several copies in my box) and posted on many blogs. original source appears to be unknown. if anyone comes across the source, i like to give credit to original sources on here.

Fry, I know you toodled off to work, but good to see you're back in the saddle fer real. Now that the two nominees are pretty well determined, I expected you'd be back full tilt. Hope Ping and others (JennBe?) who are of the Republican persuasion will contribute. I'll be looking forward to our old vigorous, sometimes rancorous, Dem v. Rep arguments (I would have used "debates" but it would only have been in the sense of Hannity misuses that word - so I though I'd just go with the more honest "arguments"). anyway, that is a great chicken post.

good Monday morning gang.....

fry..... good one!

Pogo..... too bad about the Cavs...... NOT.....
now on to Corey's Pistons...... I am kinda nervous about this one, though....

oh yeah..... politics.....
why did the politician cross the road?..... to manipulate the politician on the other side into thinking he had crossed the road when in reality he had crossed the road but hadn't intended to so there........

Obama's lead shrinks to +4. Could a surprise be in the offing?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/or/oregon_democratic_primary-298.html

IvyGreen, you lurking - AL/MD chatting awaits.

Dearest Painter, are you not able to use your refresh button to rebuild pages? I know the one-character post is your method for doing that, but surely there is another way. Email us at cqtrailmix@verizon.net with info on the browser version you are using, and I'll see if someone can help you out.

Today's joke for those who love both language and saying exactly the right thing at the right time:

A linguistics professor was lecturing to his English class one day. "In English," he said, "A double negative forms a positive. In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative. However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."

j

I gardened all day yesterday so did not participate in the Summer of Love. However, I did go back and read the posts and applaud Jamie and Brian for their kind words for Obama and Clinton.

The most disturbing posts were definitely from the reformed Bye Bye Billary now posting as Mr. Democrat. I guess I am one who holds grudges (or holds people accountable), and just cannot quite stomach this reformation. I believe it about as much as I believe that Michelle "just loves Hillary." Stark Reality Mode is super duper annoying.

renee, yeah, yeah. Congrats to the Celts. (Before I became a Cavs fan - with a wife from Cleveland and a kid who worships Lebron and insists on getting his number on his jersey in every sport when he has the choice, a move in the name of domestic tranquility if nothing more - I was a huge Celts and Bulls fan. The Bird, McHale, Parrish era was wonderful, and of course with the Bulls there was that Jordan guy). The difference between the Celts and Cavs is in the number of players that can actually play the friggin' game. Lebron isn't actually on his own out there, but he ain't all that far from it. And speaking of chickens, I'll count some before they hatch - the Celts should beat the Pistons and make it to the finals - I just hope they win one or two on the road so they won't go into it with 3 straight 7 game series. I think the western conference could go any way, but my money is on Kobe & the Lakers. If I were Pierce, I'd be praying for SA to make it - worst road record of those 3.

jamie, L.

Hey
What a weekend!!!!!

Bet you women in here enjoyed all the love and affection from the Obama trolls

"Sorry, about slapping you around babe, But you know how I hate it when you get that attitude. You know it was for your own good, baby. You know I love you and I won't ever do it again. Promise, I love you babe, I just can't live without you. You mean the world to me. I promise I'll never do it again. I'll do anything you want, I'll take counciling if that's what you want. I love you babe ,I love you , I love you I love....................................."

It is a dysfuntional family over there.

Hey
Time for mama to pack her bags.

Get a little freedom

Get a little respect

You know what I mean.

The Obama folks don't respect women.
Look at them.
Jesse "hillary cried because she was worried about her appearence" Jackson Jr.
Merril, "crying fits" McPeak
and the top man himself
Barack"sweetie" Obama.

The question.

Why would you trust any of these bozos with womens issues?

LOL
my rant for the day.

deadlines to make
Payroll to meet
and miles to go before I sleep

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

Craig
The refresh button does not do it and your tech people have already contacted me and they could not figure out what the problem is.They have suggested I download Firefox which I haven't done yet.
Was going to do it yesterday but windows downloaded a new pack and it took most of the day.Dial up sucks!
Ruth

Craig: I noticed that the last time you were on Abrams they referred to you as an "MSNBC Political Analyst" but sometimes they refer to you as a "Contributing Editor for Congressional Quarterly" (usually when you are on MOJO.) I realize you are both but do you know why they refer to you with different titles depending on the show or segment? And do you have a preference?

Taking a road trip today so will be off for the day
Have a good day everyone
Ruth

Pug, btw, I left you out of my Trailmix Republican All Stars list - so sorry.

"DNC: Fractured Fairy Tales
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvuMDmqwwbI" Gordo

Gordo, I had missed this.
A work of art! Thanks.

Ally, i understand the difficulties some having with Bye Bye's rebirth as Mr. Democrat -- but in this comment the new Mr. D offers what i viewed as a genuine apology: http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/05/the-summer-of-love-challenge.html#comment-84687

As much as I agree that the old Bye Bye was offensive on so many levels, I appreciate the honesty and contrition in identifying himself with the new screen name. After all, he could have just started a new name with no reference to the past, and no one would have known. It seems to me that he first came on here playing a silly character as so many do on other blogs, not realizing that we try to keep that stuff to a minimum around here -- but then got stuck in his own typecast and is now trying to honor the spirit of this place. I understand if some cannot forgive, but I am giving it a try.

Okay Ruth (Painter), we can always pretend it is some alien code you are posting that will eventually lead us to eternal life, or something really cool like that.

Just being contrarian, but I am really starting to get totally fed up with the yakking news heads using lines saying it is all over for Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama is declaring victory.

Whether or not it is probable or even absolutely true, it is also extraordinarily rude and disrespectful of the voters who back Sen. Clinton.

The convention is in August. The delegate votes will be cast in August. Until those votes are actually cast, the "theoreticall count" could be 99 to 1 in his favor and he still would not be the nominee.

Declaring him the winner before the vote is taken is a diservice to the American public. At least have the good grace to say "Potential" nominee.

The SDs don't want to deal with the reality that Obama would be a severely flawed nominee and reject him - too much trouble for the Dem Party. If Dean and MSM succeed in this theft, I'll be joining the McCain camp - none of this "We're all Dems - Let's get along" nonsense works with me. I put country ahead of political party.

Pugnacious nails Mr, Democrat
"Sorry, about slapping you around babe, But you know how I hate it when you get that attitude. You know it was for your own good, baby. You know I love you and I won't ever do it again. Promise, I love you babe, I just can't live without you. You mean the world to me. I promise I'll never do it again. I'll do anything you want, I'll take counciling if that's what you want. I love you babe ,I love you , I love you I love"

This is what batterers tell their wives when they want them to come back,

The Democratic Party has requested that Mr, Democrat find another name as he does nothing to enhance the brand.

Craig: You said I understand if some cannot forgive -- a statement more profound than you may realize.
I realize that Democratic Party officials cannot admit that there may be a problem with women voters -- and, of course, many of them just think that a pro-Choice woman could never never vote for a Republican, but IMHO most of the rhetoric about Hillary supporters voting for Sen Obama in the end is as sadly dismissive as much of what has already been about all us downscale, uneducated, racist women ...
Personally, I do not intend to waste my vote on a write-in or a failure to vote...I do intend to vote for Sen McCain (who will be checked by a Democratic Congress) and I will consider that vote just as appropriate as the vote I cast for Gerald Ford in 1976.

Ally, regarding my on air titles, there's no ryhme or reason to it really, all happenstance. Whenever asked about why MSNBC does anything (or about the various conspiracy theories that bounce around), I like to quote what Henry Kissinger once said about the Soviets: "Never assume they actually have a strategy."

Craig, Is there any way to recognize those professional blogger implants we keep hearing about? The one's they say may have been here for months already. There's something creepy about it, and I find myself looking for them (but only occasionally), wondering if someone is trying to brainwash me. It would be nice to believe that everyone here has genuine and innocent motives.

Is A Funny Thing Happening On the Way To Obama's Coronation?
By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon May 19, 2008 at 08:56:34 AM EST
Tags: (all tags) Share This:
Suffolk Universtiy's latest polling seems to say so. In Oregon:

Obama 45
Clinton 41
Undecided 8
Refused 6
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/19/95634/8338

Speaking of MSNBC -- for some reason my local cable service is having trouble broadcasting MSNBC today -- it could be a conspiracy of some kind 'cuz CNN is doing just fine.

"various conspiracy "

Whenever I read one of these "deep dark nefarious dealings" type offerings, I always remember not to ascribe to conspiracy when simple stupidity will do.

Lynn C - That refused number is interesting. I've never seen that in a published poll before. Lumping that number in with the undecided causes one to wonder what the reality is.
I would say this, however, Hillary's campaign did leave Oregon a day earlier than originally scheduled, so I would think that their internal polls probably showed that she was not gaining ground there. Still, one can always hope.

Craig, might I suggest that you mention to MSNBC and the other news outlets who occasionally (far to few times recently, I might add) bring you on for analysis that they are missing one of your better, and certainly more noteworthy, titles - as Appletini Test Pilot.

Hey , Meg

It is MrDemocrat.

If he is not on McCains payroll
he should apply for the job.

What a interesting person !
(this comment was changed and edited in the spirit of the summer of love)

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

Look who's trashing Hillary now.
by Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Mon., May 19, 2008

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/19/24353/9198

The ARG poll is almost identical to the Suffolk but doesn't have the "refused" category. The internals are interesting

http://americanresearchgroup.com/

ARG hasn't had a close accuracy rate but being this alligned with Suffolk makes you wonder a bit. Since Oregon is totally by mail, early votes vs later votes could cause quite a swing.

Craig: I didn't think it was a conspiracy. I was actually wondering if it had something to do with money. I just didn't want to be vulgar and ask outright. I wasn't sure if "MSNBC Political Analysts" are on retainer during the election and maybe this was an indication that we would be seeing more of you!

"Everyone is focused on making Oregon the state that pushes Obama over" on pledged delegates, said Nick Shapiro, Obama's spokesman in Oregon.

Still, this is a state that relishes its independence, where voters believe they're making a real difference and are mulling the decision carefully. So the door could be open for a Clinton pitch. The upside to 30 percent ballots cast is that 70 percent aren't in yet - whether for indecision or laziness - and theoretically up for persuasion.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Clinton supporter, said earlier this month Clinton had a chance to win here, but that "Obama already has the edge." Today, this is what Clinton spokesman Isaac Baker said in a press release: "We faced an uphill battle in Oregon where Sen. Obama started with a significant lead and has outspent us nearly 2-1-- but we've campaigned aggressively throughout the state and Oregonians have responded."
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/no_fullcourt_press_for_clinton.html

oh i see what you're asking Ally, no i've had no change in status with them for several years -- under contract as a political analyst, and the bookings come and go according to no particular plan

Allegedly in the early voting in Oregon Clinton and Obama are tied. If the late breakers follow tradition and go for Clinton this race could be very close.

Jamie and Lynn C - the question is, would a close loss do anything at all to change the narrative? The media and the Obama people certainly used the close loss in Indiana to his advantage, even though it was a state that his campaign originally thought it would win.

I do find it interesting that with mail-in voting a smaller percentage of voters have voted than had voted by absentee mail-in ballot by this time in California. One of the spins of the California win (despite the influx of Kennedys and the huge rallies) was that people who made up their minds early and voted for Hillary by absentee ballot would have voted differently if early mail-in ballots were not allowed. HA!

Craig: So if you are "under contract" does that mean you cannot go on other cable news networks like Fox and CNN but you can do your C-Span gigs?

I really wish that MOJO would have you on while Joe is in Florida. But, I'm afraid you would be labeled by Barnicle and Mika as a Clinton apologist much the same as Pat B. has. Along with Bob Shrum they really went after him this morning.

I also hope that everything is OK with Joe's wife and her pregnancy. Joe isn't always my favorite guy but he has certain redeeming qualities.

"Craig, Is there any way to recognize those professional blogger implants we keep hearing about? -- Posted by: Meg"

no clue meg. if the point is to conceal their identity, assume identifying them will be quite difficult. this is a common practice for record labels and other marketers, btw.

"Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil; With them forgive yourself." -- William Shakespeare

Craig: And sorry for the roundabout way of asking about your title on MSNBC. I have been living in the Midwest only for two years but the "never talk about politics, religion or money" policy has already rubbed off on me. I used to be much more vulgar and nosy (as seen in my follow-up questions!)

Ally: Interesting that you mention Bob Shrum, the architect of failed candidacies. I really wonder that this guy has so much political credibility, frankly.

"Barack Obama has ordered his faithful to “be nice to Clinton supporters“!!! Are you not excited about this??? Everybody can line up and fall into place now and join the Hope-y Change-y Train! We know from past experience that he’s an honest and sincere man who never lies and isn’t a bigot, so let’s get with the program! There’s no reason why we shouldn’t trust him, right? Right?"

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/05/19/obama-orders-faithful-to-be-nice-to-clinton-supporters/

Meg,

In 1972 while living in Campbell, I attended the Angela Davis trial in San Jose ... in sympathy with the lady yet!

36 years later I can hardly claim to be a Berkely liberal or a Black Panther. : )

We are very encouraged in Oregon by the two most recent polls..Only election day will tell ..

President Clinton and Chelsea just copleted a vigorous 2 day schedule in the state. There was a great rally on the Salem Waterfront yesterday.

Obama had a huge rally on the Portland waterfront similar to the John Kerry one in 2004.

I have two full days of campaign work so you all have a nice day.

The hour live townhall which Senator Obama refused to participate in has been very helpful to Hillary.

Ally, i am excluded from going on CNN and FOX, other cable news, but C-SPAN is an exception

GORDO: Did you happen to catch Donna Brazille yesterday? The so-called neutral but really supporting Obama member of the DNC? Not one negative word about the Clinton campaign, saying she should stay in as long as she wants ... blah, blah, blah.

Ivy, catch my AL/MD post? Two states we have in common. Where in AL are you?

Craig needs some new titles. I like Appletini Tester, but it should include the corollary Tree Impact Measurement Authority.

My addition to the list: "RFD Cow Counter"

Any other suggestions?

Maggisd: These failed (and often scandalous) architects seem to go away for a while and then reappear. The Democratic party is FULL of them and the cable news networks are happy to give them a voice.

ha, lovin the new titles

maggi, Donna Brazille neutral? In whose mind other than her own? If she was any less neutral she'd be wearing clothing made from Obama '08 campaign signs.

Two things might convince me to change my mind about Sen Obama
If he chose a Clinton supporter to be his running mate ... say Evan Bayh.
If he would publicly, either in a speech or in an Op Ed express regret that so many of his surrogates / supporters accused the Clintons of racism and if he would also acknowledge (as per the recent piece by Peter Beinart in Time) that Bill Clinton's centrist policies actually took several GOP wedge issues off the table, things Obama might otherwise have had to contend with ... welfare, crime, affirmative action to name a few.

Thanks for the info Craig. My youngest son (13) is obsessed with politics and aspires to be a Senator, Congressman or (egads) lobbyist. He loved the book "Thank You for Not Smoking" and is a fabulous bullsh*t artist—so being a lobbyist isn't all that farfetched. I am trying to convince him to be a journalist instead (no correlation to my bullsh*t artist comparison). BTW: He reads your blog everyday.

Pogo: Exactly my point. It's just too bad that there is no real way to indicate sarcasm or irony online ...

Ally: Re Democratic pundits, Susan Estrich also comes to mind although I doubt anyone could have dragged Michael Dukakis over the finish line. Even I didn't want to vote for him ... although I did.

The Summer of Love was really nice. Kudos to Jamie and Brian and everyone that participated.

Maggisd: Yes, she is definitely around. Mostly on Fox, right?

How rude of me ...

Of course, kudos to our host, Craig Crawford. I would not have survived this primary up to now if you not for you, Craig! LOL

That should read "if not for you, Craig."

Haven't had my coffee yet and it shows.

maggi, I figured you were being sarcastic - anyone who's watched Bazille knows who she supports. Funny you mention indicating sarcasm on line. According to at least one source "lol" was originally meant as a way of indicating sarcasm. Irony is a lot tougher, it being all subtle and such.

maggi: The only Democratic candidate I ever wanted to vote for was Bill Clinton.

However, I have voted for every other lousy candidate they've run since 1980.

No, I am not one of the Gore worshippers although I will always see him as President Gore since he actually won the election.

maggisd ---------------

I never listen to Donna Brazile. After many years of monitoring right (and extreme right) wing radio, I've developed a high tolerance for verbal garbage, but DB is too BS for me.

Donna Brazile? Isn't she the genius that told Gore to run away from Bill Clinton?

She should be made to apologize to the world every day of her life for giving us George W. Bush.

GAKaren, People close to that campaign tell me Donna was a TRAINWRECK.

If Paul Begala had said he was "undeclared" but not "undecided," do you think CNN would not have given him the heave ho from their election night panel? (I doubt it.)

GAKaren: Like you, I spent a lot of time holding my nose while voting for a series of unappealing candidates (except I voted for Ford in 76). And Bill Clinton was the first one I was enthusiastic about (having started out as a supporter of Jerry Brown).

Funnily enough, my best gal pal voted for Clinton only because of Al Gore, whom she continues to admire and adore. I could not agree with you more about Ms Brazile's running of Mr Gore's campaign, although I also blame the Media ... by everything good and right about this country, he should have been our President. Just a few months ago, Tweety Matthews was still jumping all over Mr Gore about his "lies" ...

Ally: Speaking of CNN, I have a very hard time with another of their supposedly neutral analysts .. Roland Martin. I really do prefer people who admit their bias or their support of one candidate over another, no matter which one.

Patsi: She must have been. There is just no substantial reason that Al Gore should not have been our President.

Maggisd: Totally agree.

Gotta go ... double digits predicted again and errands must be done soon or not at all.

Maggie is so right about Gore and the media. They trashed him mercilessly. And still do.

Patsi: That seems to be the consensus about Ms. Brasile. I hold her personally responsible for Gore not winning his home state. If she had done her job properly, Florida would not have mattered.

Maggi: Tweety will never let go of that Gore internet stuff even though he knows it is a complete fabrication. I would love to smack Tweety in the head just once. Not that I'm advocating violence or anything ... LOL

" I hold her personally responsible for Gore not winning his home state."

Yep -- I'm in Tennessee, and the campaign was just terrible. The campaign offices were staffed with young kids who were jockying for position and getting NOTHING done. Plus, they sat on their hands when that story about him being a slumlord came out. The people who were renting from him had practically destroyed the property, and he was absentee so wasn't even aware of it. Then it got to be a circus, with the trashy folks living there practically turnng into extortionists.

Good morning peeps,
My feeling is Clinton won't drop out officially but will more than likely suspend active campaigning. From everything I've read she really doesn't have the cash to go on.

Me as the mole? That would be great if I were getting paid. I'm a very pro capitalism Democrat, after all.

Obama Warns GOP "Lay Off My Wife"
Obama Loses Argument With Wife Over Getting a Dog
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=4881883&page=1

I did throw in the towel last week but I still don't understand why Obama can't put the nail in the coffin. He should be worried about losing KY by big numbers. You can't throw away the results of WVA and KY. This late in the game he should not be losing by big numbers. If he wins Oregon by under 10% that also should be an indicator that something is happening.

From what I observed on the Sunday shows and this morning's cable news coverage, it appears that Obama will continue to be the media prince and McCain will replace Hillary as the evil challenger (on every network except Faux).

Roland Martin (who I know), Donna Brazile (who I don't know) are two really dedicated people. Roland is an independent and Donna is a dedicated Democrat. I think it's a bit much to tear them down simply because they may APPEAR to like Obama. I say appear because if they were supporting Obama, like Paul Begala and James Carville, it would be quite easy for them to state it. I respect that they've decided to give each side an equal shot in their analysis.

meant, "like Paul Begala and James Carville support Hillary"

Craig do you know anything about the process in Oregon. Since it's a mail in state, I'm not sure how the vote will be announced. Is there a cut off time ballots must be filed by, is there a time the vote will be announced?

Mr.Dem - I know nothing of nor care about Roland Martin. Donna Brazile on the other hand is shameless. She is as strong an Obama supporter as Paul Begala is a Hillary supporter. At least Begala has the integrity to admit his support. You think she may APPEAR to like Obama? She has been a regular on the cable newsers and hasn't uttered a negative word about him, his campaign, the issues that favor his coronation or his supporters since the day the campaigns began, and hasn't missed a shot against Hillary's. I exaggerate a bit, but very little on this issue. Give me a break.

lunch break, actually.

I'm tearing Donna down for running a dismal campaign for Al Gore. Period.

"Jamie and Brian (and Craig), thanks for your generosity today. It has been quite interesting to read the comments. Several things come to mind:
1) The grief process - I don't see that as the problem - at least not at this point. I must confess that I am very optimistic about "bad" things and seem to always be looking for a way to make something work. Regardless of that, I see the path Hillary is taking as a genuine attempt to STILL win the nomination. It is the same type strategy used in MI by keeping her name on the ballot. She is going to finish the primaries if it hairlips the world. There is a very good chance that she will indeed have the most popular votes. MI & FL will be counted. While that still may not put her over the top, I think the Super Delegates will have to look long and hard at who can win - using polls, current environment. Just because BO has gotten all those SD's since NC means little. I understand that the SD's are just as divided as the rest of us and HC has her share of die-hard SDs', no one knows how the rest of them will go, and any and ALL of them can change their minds at any time. HC has Terry McAuliff, a recent chairman of the DNC and Ickees (sp?), a DNC member who, it is said, knows the DNC rules better than anyone! If she comes up short after that, I surely would be able to accept it much better than if she were forced out as they have tried to make her do since Iowa. 2) The disappointments I have from a Dem Party stand point are staggering - the blatant unfairness has really gotten to me - the congressional women who have deserted Hillary, the democrats inside the Washington Belt Way - Sally Quinn, Carl Bernstein, the women reporters - Gloria Borger, Andrea Mitchell, Nora O'Donald, elected officials - President Carter, Al Gore, George McGovern, Nancy Pelosi, Clair McCaskill, Ted Kennedy and family, former Clinton appointees - Richardson, and at least 5 or 6 more, the news media, especially MSNBC and their FirstRead Geek Squad - Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann. I never dreamed I would be watching more of Fox News for 'fair and balanced news', but I have. When all is said and done, this is still my premise: It takes a while to do the improbable. It takes a little while longer to do the impossible. Good night all. Fran"
Posted by: FranSC Author Profile Page | May 19, 2008 1:12 AM"

"Tweety in the head just once. Not that I'm advocating violence or anything"

In his case having reservations would be a waste of emotion, lets just attack en masse. You may not have been around when I suggested slathering him in honey and staking him out nude on a hill of fire ants.

Craig,
WT 101 is moonshine. If you want something to "deliver the goods" try Knob Creek or (naturally) Elijah Craig.

Thanks, Pogo:

I'm still workin' my way through the 413 SOLC posts...if you can direct me back to the posting you're referencing, I will check it out. BTW, I chose "Ivy Green" after the street our first house was on which was in Texas... then I discovered it's the name of the Helen Keller birthplace in Tuscumbia not too far from where I live now...

http://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/

Is "Shrink" available by the hour...maybe we can book in advance for some group therapy time...?

I don't understand how Oregon works. It's just a mail in only primary? Does it have any polling places? If they don't then it's no better than a caucus. Not all voters will vote. What happens to the last minute people?

Glad you reposted that from Fran. Over the weekend I spoke with a friend who said she'd had lunch with a colleague, a major NY book publisher, and an Obama supporter. But he told my friend that he was sickened by two things during this campaign season. First, the sexism that went unchallenged by the Democratic powers. Second, he said that we've now seen the media take control of two election cycles, giving us George Bush and Barack Obama. He wasn't saying the two were alike -- just that it was obvious both had been annointed by the media. Despite his support for his candidate, he said it didn't bode well for this country.

MSNBC is so weird. They are rotating a story about a death on the Great Barrier Reef as if it were "NEWS". Small detail. It happened five years ago.

They must have had the video left over from the doc bloc and no one could find any news of interest below the IQ of a slug to broadcast. Point of information it is about a pretty, dead, blond.

Meg...regarding professional "commentor implants." I think you just have to follow your nose and judge case by case. For example, that commentor "Daniel" who crashed the lovefest yesterday evening struck me as a paid McCain flunkie. He didn't have any background with this site, yet immediately started trashing our whole effort to be civil for a day. But this post was the clincher for me:

"I think I may like it here lots of cool women here kicking butt going with McCain if Hillary loses, I must commend you. I must say I think Hillary would have been great in the military she'd have made one heck of a drill instructor! I wish I had here in my outfit."

Actively recruiting disgruntled HRC supporters to McCain's side with empty flattery? I wonder how much he's getting paid?

Anyway...I was going to let him have it last night, but I figured even first-time commenters here deserved Summer Of Love protection. Plus, I was still in Bible mode at that time.

I don't understand how Oregon works. It's just a mail in only primary? Does it have any polling places? If they don't then it's no better than a caucus. Not all voters will vote. What happens to the last minute people?

Posted by: vadaryl | May 19, 2008 12:20 PM

Oregon only votes by mail for all elections.
Ballots must be received by 8pm on election day.

http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/dbcs/elections/election_information/voting_in_oregon.shtml

When will election results be known?
Ballot counting cannot begin until election day. Initial results are released at 8pm election night and will continue to be updated through the evening until all ballots have been counted.

LOL...Jamie, aren't the always pretty, young, blondes?
MSNBC is a disgrace.

Vad: Oregon is ALL mail-in. And, if your ballot arrives at the County Elections Office after 8 pm on Election Day, it doesn't count.

Maybe, like RFD TV has "One More Cow" as an unofficial slogan, MSNBC can use "One More Dead Blonde."

What else do you expect from MSNBC since they don't want this primary season to go on anymore. They don't have much to report on so they generate some news. I hope their ratings tank over the next several weeks.

Sorry Lynn...apparently we were posting at the exact same time. Yours is more detailed though!

Pogo,
Don't know if you're still on board this am, but I don't find the "sweetie" remark to be as outrageous as others do or as offensive as say, "boy". But then that's just me.

I've lived all over the US and if "sweetie" is sexist, then what about all the women working in the service biz (restaurants and bars); since thousands have called my wife and I sweetie, hon, and sugar over the years. I agree it wasn't a good choice for him.

Jamie,

McCain isn't the nominee either I guess. So why do we think of him as such? A couple of those repugs have only suspended their candidacies and not withdrawn or quit.

If Dean and MSM succeed in this theft, I'll be joining the McCain camp - none of this "We're all Dems - Let's get along" nonsense works with me. I put country ahead of political party. Gordo

Will you marry me?? My hubby is supporting BO and it's a little tense here!!!

Posted by: Ally | May 19, 2008 12:31 PM

No need to apologize, just another example of great minds at work!

Now I see why Obama leads in Oregon. It's just like a caucus, the young will vote in huge numbers but the old don't bother or find it to confusing to do so.

Rez...I agree with you about the "sweetie" thing, even though I'm HRC-friendly. The place where I used to work had a cafeteria where this lovely woman used to make sandwiches, and would call her customers "baby" or "love" when she asked them what they wanted. Some uptight jerk complained about it, and she got suspended. Unbelievable. People were outraged.

Although, context is everything. I guess you can make the case that when a POWERFUL man uses uninvited familiarity with a LESS POWERFUL woman, it is a subtle effort to put her in her place.

Either way, I didn't get all that exercised about Obama saying it to the TV reporter. Most reporters worth a damn have been called things like "fuckhead" and "asshole" by newsmakers and survived. It's just considered part of the job and not "news" if it doesn't get picked up by a camera so people sitting on their asses back in the studio can pontificate about it.

Interesting Rezdog chooses to confer with another male to understand why the use of the word "sweetie" in a professional situation is not like a waitress in a diner being overly familiar with the customer.

Daryl...but this time, maybe we can anchor our hopes in "the young" not being able to figure out how snail mail works! LOL!

I did not have a problem with Obama calling the reporter Sweetie, I had a problem with the media making a big deal out of it. Also when he called the reporter back why did we have to hear the call. I think the reporter or the place she worked at was trying to make a bigger deal out of it than it was. I know today everything is a big deal but that should of been between them.

No Surprise...

"Sweetie" is basically the equivalent of a 60-year-old politician whose feet are being held to the fire by a 28-year-old male reporter prefacing his comments with "Son..." or "Sonny Boy..." It's a rhetorical tactic to gain leverage. Politicians are full of them.

Annoying? Most definitely. Worthy of DEFCON 3 level outrage? I think not.

vadaryl has does Oregon being a mail in state make it "no better than a caucus" state?

Now I see why Obama leads in Oregon. It's just like a caucus, the young will vote in huge numbers but the old don't bother or find it to confusing to do so.

Posted by: vadaryl | May 19, 2008 12:35 PM

Not at all. Vote by Mail is very successful in Oregon and has been used for years. It is easier to vote this way. Obama does not lead in Oregon due to vote by mail. Every single election in the state of Oregon is conducted this way. Oregon has a very high rate of participation in all age levels.

If Obama wins in Oregon it is because the state's demographics favor him not the vote by mail.

This is from a the Oregon Secretary of State a few years ago on the success of vote by mail.

Interesting Rezdog chooses to confer with another male to understand why the use of the word "sweetie" in a professional situation is not like a waitress in a diner being overly familiar with the customer."

Because Pogo brought it up earlier at 8:43. It might pay to read all the comments.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40032-2004Dec31.html

Left out the link on vote by mail

Vadaryl

Actually the percentage of participation has gone way up in Oregon since they instituted vote by mail and is expected to be near 75%. Unlike a caucus where you have to be at a specific place at a specific time, you can mail or drop off your ballot at anytime during the election window. The elderly and disabled love it because their polling place is their mail box.

I find it a little hard to believe that people around here are making an issue of the "sweetie thing". If anything I think we should be focus on the fact that he took the time to call the woman and apologize. After 8 years of Bush what a refreshing change!

There is a new pro Hillary group forming.
"Organize a demonstration in front of your local NBC affiliate on election night, May 20th, starting at 6:30pm, until, preferably, the close of the 11:00 news. If you do not live close to your NBC affiliate, DO NOT WATCH IT. MAKE THEIR RATINGS PLUMMET."

http://hillary1000.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/clinton-supporters-count-too/