Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

all right!

Obama will bounce McInsain one-bounce into history's dust bin.

abstractly politics is the most peculiar of all businesses

okay, night all, peace~

not to nit pick (ok, maybe a little) but for the most part Obama's favorability rating has exceeded McCain's for most of the past year. Aside from McCain's march bump McCain's ranking on this score has been pretty anemic.

http://gallup.com/poll/election2008.aspx

Cute TM again.

tt

OBAMA'S STRANGE BEDFELLOWS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNfRb87dtY4

I just watched The View. If Mark Mckinnon were Obamas media person ,as he was Bushes, he would have threw a fit. Twenty wasted minutes. One good story about her daughter. Thats it. Dont they practice these things, They had one super friendly on the panel . Shouldnt they have set her up with a couple of good questions. It doesnt make sense. Just on media image who would you want to sit next to on a airplane flight Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain?

I'm figuring if things work out right I'll never sit on a plane again next to ANYone...........

Greetings from the desert:

Craig, don't go too crazy following the bouncing ball and the bouncing polls between now and November. Like I've said, the national polls don't mean a great deal as it's the state polls, especially in the so-called swing states, that are worth watching. Newsweek says at least one reliable pollster says the electoral college would end up in a tie, 269-269, if the election were held today. I don't quite buy that but I'm not a professional pollster, only a polling consumer for the past forty years or so. My understanding of the data is that Obama will win, 290-252. But, it could be closer depending on events between now and November. Have a great day everyone.

Craig,

Do you expect the reporting out of NBC to be different, i.e. more slanted one way or another, now that Russert is gone? After all wasn't he the Washington bureau chief ?

Clinton (McCain) Supporter Threatened

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek-idgd8JJg

Rez.......I'm thinking there's going to be an epic power struggle within NBC news.........

i mean like epic in the way who to how to best please general electric.........

Jimmie roges getting more women than a passenger train can haul............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIBmGZxAhg&feature=rec-fresh

As far as Obama's good favorability rating - we learned months ago that the less people know about a candidate, the higher his/her favorability rating. Thus, Obama's high favorability rating - we know tragically little about this out-of-his-league candidate.

we know he's the demo nominee i reckon..............

What is it it you feel you don't know Fran? I mean other than his plan to enslave the white race after winning the white house.

Well, this is a surprise! I'm usually the tag end, and here I am number 10 (?)

Unlikely - I answered your last question on the last page if you're interested. Thanks for engaging in the conversation - it was food for thought. I would never want to hurt this country - that's the problem.

Sturgeone - is that a random thought or was there a path to it? I quite agree with you,btw. With the airlines tanking, tho, I may never be in an airplane again.

Someone requested names of good historical books, and aside from the ones you all have mentioned, all I can come up with is one I loved from a Russian history
class, 'Why Lenin?Why Stalin? by Theodore Von Laue.
It's not a big book but fascinating. The czar and czarina are not my favorite characters in history.

In fiction, I love Kenneth Roberts. Another author is pretty arcane - the other Winston Churchill, an American ca. 1900. He wrote 'The Crossing ' and
'Richard Carvel' and 'Janice Meredith' about the revolution, and 'The Crisis' about the Civil War, which I have never read because I hate that war. It's pretty old-fashioned and flowery, but I love them. Aside from the Civil War one, I've read them all quite a few times.

Speaking of reading books more than once, is it possible anyone here has read the Francis Lymond Series by Dorothy Dunnett which begins with "Game of Kings"?

Here it is, at last:

THE REAL REASON FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ!

"Big Oil Firms Ready to Sign Agreements With Iraq
Two-Year, No-Bid Contracts Aimed at Boosting Production"

http://patterns2.blogspot.com/

tt

path........have not enplaned since 77 .....

If god had meant for pickles to dance he'da given 'em tap shoes.....

---Danny "Ruester" Rowland.

I just came across The Map.

Has RAN been around?

tt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI

My God Craig is that your house? It's beautiful and HUGE !!!!

Corey I think Rick Astley is great !! I bought a recent CD of his... it's very bluesy and soul ..

The Ones You Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxSXKCL4LaE

WHAT HAVE I BEEN THINKING??????

Or what was I thinking???????

Books to read?

MSM keeps saying, Oh if Teddy White were alive today - what would he have made of this?

They have not mentioned reading - because of course their reading stops at the current best sellers - his best and most inclisive, 'In Search of History'.

It may not have the imprimatur of the Durants or Churchill or Manchester, etc., but I strongly recommend it for anyone who would like an overall view of the world since... well, for most of the 20th century. I would warn your about the chapter about the jfk assassination, which I couldn't get through.

In the same vein, I would say read Edgar Snow's
'Red Star Over China".

Additionally in the fiction vein, " The Dream of the Red Chamber', altho I have have not had success in finding the full translation.

Happy books to you.

Good morning,

Today is the day for Scott McClellan to testify before the Judiciary committee. Morning news says they will focus on VP Cheney role in Valerie Plame identity case.

Jack, miss your thoughts and music

bethyboo, some of White's essays were really fun, too. He wrote one talking about his wife, a "Bryn Mawr woman". Anyone who knows a woman so afflicted will understand.

Watched Joe unload on Mr Obama this morning regarding his 180 on campaign financing. They played Mr Obama's announcement reneging on last year's promise.

He did the 'Nixon blink' every time he came to a point of gross obfuscation. He never once made eye contact with the camera.

"It sounds crazy at first. Amid dire reports about the toxic political environment for Republican candidates and the challenges facing John McCain, many top GOP strategists believe he can defeat Barack Obama — and by a margin exceeding President Bush’s Electoral College victory in 2004."
http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=2&threadid=795810

Heard on CNN this morning that Obama was bullying emailers, but didn't catch the story. So did a search (obama campaign bullying emails) Scary endless list. This was first. Didn't realize how long ago this 'take over' started.

Obama takes MySpace page from backer
updated 12:11 p.m. CT, Thurs., May. 3, 2007
WASHINGTON - Is MySpace always mine or can it belong to someone else? At the cost of losing 160,000 friends, Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign has taken over control of the MySpace page listed under his name on the popular social networking site.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18466315/from/RS.3/

Craig, Good to see your sporting and ball handling skills remain intact !!

To keep a good bounce you gotta keep the air in your program. Obama works the hardest at filling his with HOT AIR.....

McCain hitting Obama hard on his written promise to use public fund financing and now reneging. McCain saying how can you trust him, if he goes back on his word on a written promise. I agree

Russ Feingold is also pissed about the decision to throw campaign financing under the limo. Obama has set this cause back decades. It has long been a huge issue for me, and I see no way for our system to improve unless campaigns are publically financed and equal.

But the biggest concern should be the willingness of Obama supporters to march in lockstep at this and any other backtrack. I truly believe if Obama came out in favor of waterboarding, his supporters would just stand there glassy-eyed chanting "Yes, we can!"

Politics should not be turned into a quasi-religion, and we should be very wary of it. That's exactly what the Bush crowd did and look what we got.

Fundamentalists have taken over both parties.

But the biggest concern should be the willingness of Obama supporters to march in lockstep at this and any other backtrack. Posted by: Patsi Author Profile Page | June 20, 2008 7:50 AM

Question Obama's judgment and motives. Never!

If there's anyone who is a natural expert on "bouncing", it's you "Ping Pong"...

My thought for the day: Should Barack Obama come out during the campaign and formally break with the entire concept of a "War On Terror."? We take the concept as a given, now, because it's been part of our reality for going-on seven years. But don't forget it really is a political slogan created by the Bush Administration. So why shouldn't Obama make the formal renunciation of those words part of his campaign? Not that we're going to go "soft" on terrorism, but rather that we are simply going to eliminate the idea of an unending, hopeless, unwinnable "war" with no finish line -- a "war" that was designed primarily to manipulate people through fear.

Any thoughts? Would it help or hurt Obama to explicitly declare War on the War On Terror?

Or has he done as much implicitly already in this long campaign?

The fumes from that bus are getting really gaggingly strong.

HmmmmLard I think Obama enlisted this week in the War on Terror

Sen. Barack Obama today named his National Security team and delivered a prepared speech on the war on terror and Guantanamo. I'm disappointed with it.

Three examples:

There are terrorists who are determined to kill as many Americans as they can. The world’s most dangerous weapons risk falling into the wrong hands. And that is why the single greatest priority of my presidency will be doing anything and everything that I can to keep the American people safe. (my emphasis.)

If you were hoping universal health care or creating more jobs or reducing our country's reliance on incarceration would be his greatest priority, this is a letdown.
http://www.talkleft.com/main/2

Was Obama's "Certificate of Birth" manufactured?

"In short, there is nothing in this copy to indicate that it is, in fact, a "certified copy." As I have shown above, there is a whole lot of evidence that it is a manufactured copy. There certainly is a very strong motive for creating one."

http://polarik.blogtownhall.com/2008/06/20/was_obamas_certificate_of_birth_manufactured.thtml

In direct contradiction to recent Q and ARG polling, Ras sez McCain by 8 in Florida, and the off shore drilling issue does not hurt McCain:

The Florida survey also found that McCain currently leads Obama in the state by a 47% to 39% margin. Six percent (6%) said they would vote for some other candidate while 8% are undecided. However, after voters were told that McCain favored offshore drilling and Obama opposed it, McCain’s lead increased to eleven points, 49% to 38%. While a three-point net gain is not stunning, it is significant that the issue didn’t push voters towards Obama. All of McCain’s gains on the offshore drilling issue came from male voters.

Who is right? To be honest, this seems more in line with my feel for the state of the race in Florida.
http://www.talkleft.com/main/2

And that is why the single greatest priority of my presidency will be doing anything and everything that I can to keep the American people safe. (my emphasis.) http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/banking-on-the-bounce.html#comment-105345

Sure that wasn't Bush that said that?

Thanks for the link, KGC. How timely.

I do, however, think there is still room for him to maneuver -- I think the object is to talk tough about national security on his own terms, not the failed terms of the Bush Administration. And the most symbolic way to do that would be to renounce the actual phrase "War On Terror"

A rhetorical gimmick? Maybe. But it might actual resonate with a citizenry that is tired of being told to be afraid all of the time.

bethyboo,
Thanks for your thoughtful response.

LL - "My thought for the day: Should Barack Obama come out during the campaign and formally break with the entire concept of a "War On Terror."? "
That is an excellent idea, keep that thinking cap on....it helps the rest of us.... : )

I am off to the dog park....everyone enjoy your day.

Lard
I think it's a great idea but I also thought the war tax was a good idea.

The BHO ad that Joe keeps raving about fails to mention 2 things. 1. BHO is know for his ability to deliver a great message when read from a teleprompter, and 2. he didn't write it, he is only reading what someone wrote for him. Sure it sounds good, but the next time you see it look at BHO's eyes. There is certainly a disconnect between what you hear and what his eyes are saying say.

And is that ad with the mother holding her baby, isn't that a 527 ad? Funny MSNBC keeps running that ad right after the BHO ad.

Obama Can’t Speak Without A Teleprompter
http://www.floppingaces.net/2008/06/09/obama-cant-speak-without-a-teleprompter/

Thanks, Nick

Craig!

Tell your young protogee that this video was sophisticated and nicely edited. Your always good on camera and your writing is great for TV. But this guy Souter? Is a natural and what could have been a nighmare with a bouncing ball, flows very well from one edit to another. Well done!

The Two Obamas

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Article Tools Sponsored By
By DAVID BROOKS
Published: June 20, 2008

God, Republicans are saps. They think that they’re running against some academic liberal who wouldn’t wear flag pins on his lapel, whose wife isn’t proud of America and who went to some liberationist church where the pastor damned his own country. They think they’re running against some naïve university-town dreamer, the second coming of Adlai Stevenson.

But as recent weeks have made clear, Barack Obama is the most split-personality politician in the country today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/opinion/20brooks.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

link from above-stuff there that shouldn't be there and link missing

My personal take on this NON Issue for Barack Obama.

When faced with Public funding that would give him 87 million or public funding from small donors (Like Me)that equals 500 milliond.......wellllll.......

What would you choose? I know what McCain would have chosen and I know what it is costing this Thread.

The only people who have been impacted financially are the ones who donated.

Thats pretty good in my books. Nothing illegal, everything voluntary......So i don't really think this will impact his standing in the poles either.

The unbelievably ineffective team of Pelosi and Reid strike again. How can two people supposedly in charge of the majority party in both houses of Congress hand a President with barely a 30% favorability rating every single damn thing he wants?

Apparently the only thing they are good at is destroying their own party with their petty prejudices.

Senator Clinton to Campaign with Senator Obama next Friday!

good morning gang....

Craig.... another winner of a video!

I think paying attention to polls during the summer is entertaining for political junkies only..... the rest of the population doesn't give a crap until after Labor Day.....

BTW..... really nice shirt....

and Happy Summer Solstice Day everyone!

Our favorite son Joe Biden on MTP on Sunday!

Sheila,

I agree that it simply will make no difference. As long as you are willing to admit that Barack Obama is a politician. He will do anything and everything to get elected just like every other politician before him.

Whether or not he will end up going down in history as someone whose machinations finally led to better conditions for the people of the US is a matter that will have to wait, but don't for a single second think that any of the high flown phrases mean a damn thing from any of them. They are what they are: Political animals and political animals bite.

Apparently the only thing they are good at is destroying their own party with their petty prejudices.
Posted by: Jamie Author Profile Page | June 20, 2008 9:36 AM

The only control we have over our politicians is with our vote.
Maybe now that the general public has become so aware of what's going on, there'll be enough organized agreement to do something about it.

Dude. Thanks for reminding me. We haven't seen bounce like we used to in the old days. I'm sort of ready for a new game, and Obama is playing like the young baller that he is, while McCain is looking like he's got a blown ACL. What happened to McCain? I remember enjoying his game. It was sort of fun watching the Celtic blow out the Lakers...it was highly disrespectful, but a lot of fun to watch.

Well Nick and Patsi,

The proposed 50 state strategy lives under the present campaign financing for Obama and the DEMS. This present phenomena of small donors lends an opportunity that will not come again in this age.

I say the Obama/Clinton and DNC finance teams are working to expand our reach for a long time to come and this is the best chance scenario.

I say let the rest of us who have donated our $50 for this month, help all of you too.

Hey

McCain's energy strategy a winner!!!!
"67% Support Offshore Drilling"
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/67_support_offshore_drilling_64_expect_it_will_lower_prices

Vote for Obama,
LOL
Vote for $4 gas forever!!!

I'm back!!!!!!!

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

Is it known who will host MTP this sunday?

Brian Williams MTP this sunday

".... As long as you are willing to admit that Barack Obama is a politician." Jamie | June 20, 2008 9:42 AM

Agree.

It's not demeaning to Barack in any way to look at him objectively. You can disagree with some things about him and still support his candidacy. He's a much more attractive candidate if others don't insist on putting him on a pedestal. It's hard to agree with Obama fans that seem to insinuate he's perfect in every way. It turns those sitting on the fence to go the other way.

Sheila,

I agree that it simply will make no difference. As long as you are willing to admit that Barack Obama is a politician. He will do anything and everything to get elected just like every other politician before him

Jamie,

I agree! A politician is a politician. Obama is not a prophet. ;0)

But you have to admit that there is a "Chance" that Obama is being on the level with the public.

There have been honest politicians in American History. Time will tell if this one is a good as my hunch says. Myself and a great number of this country have vetted him ourselves. Under the present day selection We feel he is the best chance for change.

Politicians are never a sure thing. The political climate needs changing. I thing we are on the brink of being about to change it. We shall see!

I saw someone mention Russert was also the Washington Bureau Chief. Does that necessarily mean that whoever is chosen to host MTP is also the same person who becomes the new chief? If so, it's a much bigger appointment. And if it's a Washington outsider, they'll need to relocate. Maybe that goes without saying.??

We shall see! Sheila

'We shall see' , I like that a lot better than 'Yes we can".
Good Sheila!

Chloe,

I see young people not being able to voice the reason for their choice eloquently. That is what I see. I see the rest of us, having the choice of a "Politician" that so far, has been reasoned and brilliant in his handling of this campaign.

I see hope for great handling of a very tuff situation to inherit in January. Watch the gray hair excellerate.

Craig -- Throwing balls around the inside of my house will get a timeout. Nice video though!

Jamie -- I look at those Congressional Approval poll with a jaded eye. No one ever likes Congress collectively. Congress is usually held in the same esteem as real estate speculators and used car dealers. Unless, UNLESS, it's one's own Congressperson. Then the numbers tend to be a little more reflective. People tend to like their own individual Member of Congress more than they like the Congress as a whole.

The next Prez needs to come in with a strong, clear agenda -- and a timeline to get things done -- otherwise it will be more of the same because Congress leads as well as a herd of cats.

McClellan testifying on CNN

Chloe,

Time Russert was the first Washington Bureau Chief to have the MTP seat too.

I don't think they will do that this time. Its a daunting role. I think a journalist to meet Russerts standards on MTP is hard to find too. the next person to take the role of on air will have to start at a run.

Bureau Chief is probaby already filled for now.

a herd of cats.
Posted by: Alicia Knight | June 20, 2008 10:00 AM

Great analogy Alicia.
I had to laugh.
Can you imagine telling ONE cat what to do? Good luck.

Hey
Can it be true?

Jesse Ventura is back!!

Jesse Ventura for senate '08
Could be.

Go Jesse!!!
LOL

Other news in Minnesota
The comedians a flop
send him back to holly wood.

Dems miss golden opportunity in Minnesota!!!!!

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/minnesota/election_2008_minnesota_senate

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

NBC News Executives Debate Names to Replace Tim Russert
Russert was a fixture beside first Brokaw, then Williams, on election nights with his contagiously enthusiastic analysis. He was a frequent guest of the "Today" show, explaining the latest political developments. His loss likely means a larger on-air role for Chuck Todd, the network's political director, who was recruited to NBC News by Russert. Todd has been increasingly visible this political season, particularly on MSNBC.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,367866,00.html

I like and trust Todd.

Sheila,

I actually like him a little better this way ... clay feet and all. All that sweetness and light was putting me in danger of contracting diabetes just by being in the same room with one of the worshipful ones.

I just wish it had become more obvious to more voters during the primary. One thing I have always contended is that you can't change anything if you can't get elected in the first place and I honestly believe that we had two potentially "tranformational" politicians running at the same time. I believe that if they can work together it will be even better for the public.

My only remaining gripe is that the campaign run by Axelrod against Sen. Clinton was unnecessarily vicious and dishonest. I'm willing to give Obama the benefit of a doubt, but how he treats Sen. Clinton will be the final deciding point.

Hey
Can it be true?
Jesse Ventura is back!!
Posted by: Pugnacious | June 20, 2008 10:04 AM

Pugnacious is back too!

sturgeone-

I'm thinking McClellan is testifying today to divert attention from the FISA vote which I believe is scheduled. Which story gets the headline on the evening news?

Is it okay if I really, really really dislike Nancy Pelosi a whole lot?

How nice it would be to have a media actually capable of handling both, eh?

For all OOOOOld Women.

Take heart
One of yours is hanging tough

"North Carolina Senate: Dole Takes 14-Point Lead Over Hagan"

Elizabeth Dole is kicking young butt.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/north_carolina/election_2008_north_carolina_senate

Whoo hoo
Score one for the Old farts

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

Well Jamie,

On behalf of my candidate I say Thank You! Well said and heart felt and eloquent as only you can express.

I have no doubt that these two have devoped a devotion for each other. I saw it increasingly during the campaign and I bet we see it again, now that things are calming down.

Pug.......ha ha ......that's not oldfartism......that's NC yahooism.........

LOL Pelosi.....

YOu can if you want! I am leaving my final assesment for after the election.

I know I've said this before, but I really beleive there is some under current of extortion in Congress. there is something that is tying their hands...So many HUGE EGOs are silent.

I know I've said this before, but I really beleive there is some under current of extortion in Congress. there is something that is tying their hands...So many HUGE EGOs are silent.

it certainly does appear that way.........

Hey
Sturgeone

NC is Obama Country!!!

Right?

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

Hey Sheila

Hands not tied.
Hands are full of $100 bills

LOL

Vote divided government
Vote McCain

there is some under current of extortion in Congress. there is something that is tying their hands...So many HUGE EGOs are silent.

it certainly does appear that way.........
Posted by: sturgeone | June 20, 2008 10:20 AM

I think they are required to agree on everything. By the Party. Otherwise, they are shunned.

Hands not tied.
Hands are full of $100 bills Pugnacious

nail on the head.

pug......yeah, right.....if you leave out the confederately inclined faithful......

I think they are required to agree on everything. By the Party. Otherwise, they are shunned.

Posted by: chloe | June 20, 2008 10:25 AM

To a certain extent, yes. Many bills are strong armed the party way. But the overall look of this. The DEM's were supposed to be the heroes when they got majority.

With the Republican's that should have started voting with the Dems to save their asses with their constituents and they DIDn't?

Pelosi in her right mind should have wanted to seem all powerful and MURTHA has been silent too.

There are just a lot of markers for something going on behind the scenes....

David Brooks editorial on "The Two Obamas"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/opinion/20brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

There are just a lot of markers for something going on behind the scenes....Posted by: Chef Sheila | June 20, 2008 10:30 AM

Sheila,
I agree with you.
But aren't there always?

Pugnacious

Elizabeth Dole is horrid. She was horrid 25 years ago. A quarter century has not improved her.

jamie......but her hair has become much much harder over the years.......she doesnt have to wear a hardhat when she panders at construction sites now.......

it's approaching Glen Campbell TV Show hardness.....

Chloe,

Not like this.

We are in crisis. they know it.

The war was wrong and the Prez and Veep are scene as war criminals around the world. They know it.

Economy is in a swift downward sprial and we've known it for at least a couple of years.

I mean, can it be any more crazy? and all told, there are no heroes in congress? No one that wants to be the hero?

I really think that if Feingold wasn't hog tied by something....he would have been forcing something.

Feingold is the Patrick Henry of this Party.

Ok, gotta start getting ready for the day. TTFN!

Ok, gotta start getting ready for the day. TTFN!
Posted by: Chef Sheila | June 20, 2008 10:40 AM

Thanks Sheila.
I see your point.

Chloe

I agree with Sheila on This one. There is simply no reason for the Democrats to cave so visibly or for some of the major respected power brokers such as Feinstein to quitely vote as expected.

Something is going on and I have a major feeling there will be a lot of books written about this last year in the Bush presidency. He is worse than a lame duck. He is a dead duck with everyone waiting for the body to be removed. Handing him all these legislative victories doesn't make sense.

Pass the tin foil. I need a new hat.

ET , there was a story behind the Rick Astley video. There is an internet phenomenom about it. Supposedly , you send someone a link , but you tell them it is something else. When they clink on the link you send them they are led to the Rick Astley video for "Never Gonna Give You Up". LOL! They call it being "Rick-Rolled". Apparently some political blogs said they had the elusive Michelle Obama "Whitey" video and posted a link to it. When people clicked on the link they were led to the Rick Astley video. Hence , they were "Rick-Rolled"

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

Pass the tin foil. I need a new hat.
Posted by: Jamie | June 20, 2008 10:42 AM

Make that two.

They said Obama was looking at Edwards as a possible VP. I thought Edwards had already said he didn't want to be VP? If Obama is about change isn't picking a former VP candidate not really change?

Jamie and Chloe,

While your at it, make one for Pug! A double layer maybe? With a brim to protect fully protect him from all those Divided Rays.

"Handing him all these legislative victories doesn't make sense "

Jamie, do you think they're using it to negotiate with Bush. I know that doesn't make much sense, but neither does anything else.

>>>>>Before I go>>>>

Corey,

(1) Edwards said that to deflect attention away from Veep. he still may.
(2) No politician with an ounce of sense would say anything to give the paparazzi a reason to bug them.

Time to go!>>>>>

They said Obama was looking at Edwards as a possible VP.... If Obama is about change isn't picking a former VP candidate not really change?Posted by: Corey | June 20, 2008 10:48 AM

I don't know Corey.
But they sure looked good on that stage together when Edwards endorsed.

Well , Edwards is a known commodity that the average person who DOESN'T follow politics closely will still probably know. That would be an advantage.

Know Obama
No Obama

WWW.OBAMA-WIRE.COM

I think he almost has to pick one of the people who ran against him. None of the others mentioned from elsewhere really carry any impact. They all just come across as rather wimpy.

It may sound strange, but I think because he is so new to the national scene and virtually unknown internationally, that he almost needs a Co-Star to sell the movie. Clinton, Edwards, and Biden come to mind. If it isn't Clinton I would really like to see Biden. Either would carry a lot of International credit.

Oooh, The New Politics
I am so excited by Barack Obama's new politics. Like Chris Matthews, I got a thrill down my leg when the senator announced his candidacy promising a "new kind of politics." As I recall, he said, "Our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, commonsense way. Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first." Goosebumps!

Somebody catch me, I may swoon.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/06/oooh_the_new_politics.html

Hmmmmm.

It’s the first MTP show following Russert’s death (other than the retrospective / memorial piece last week) and Joe Biden is the guest.

Any one else suspect this is his major audition for the VP post. It’s hard for me to believe this is coincidental. Biden is the name the Washington insiders have been hearing for more than a week, and I think that’s why they went after him for MTP. I know he likes medial attention, but I don’t see any real reason for Biden to go on unless he WANTS the VP post and sees this as his opportunity to convince BO and others that he’s the best choice.

Any one else suspect this is his major audition for the VP post.

Either that, or he was already scheduled long ago.

Jamie said,
"Is it okay if I really, really really dislike Nancy Pelosi a whole lot?"

That's how this household feels, her nickname here is Pel-loser.

Obama, John Barrow & the telecoms:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/19/obama/index.html

At least Donna Edwards dodged the bus.

The last round in the Dem veepstakes has started and a whole lot of somebodies are pushing Judas over Biden.

Clintonistas Unite!!!! Vote Biden. : )

UB

Peloser, Pukelosie. Put her on stage with McCaskill and you have both of the witches - West and Midwest.

I suspect that the Dem leaders think that the more successful bush is, the bigger the reaction will be in November.

Such a cynical policy would not do Ried, Polosi, or the Party credit. However, I can't think of any other rational explanation for this co-operation with the forces of evil.

I smell a 'Dewey Wins!'

Jamie,
The only reason you don't like McCaskill is because of Obama.

You should be proud. She's Freakin great!

BIDEN BIDEN BIDEN!!!!!

Hey

LOL

A good one

The Corner:

"Two Cheers for Obama [Ramesh Ponnuru]

Good for him for not making taxpayers fund his campaign. He may have flip-flopped, and explained the flip-flop dishonestly—that's why I'm not giving him a third cheer—but he ended up in the right place. "

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NmZhNTQ5NGFhZmQxYzRmNDJlNmZiODQ0OTY5Y2YxYjE=

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

Hey

McCaskill

Looks like a Democrat

Votes like a Republican

That's my girl

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

Exclusive: MoveOn To Close Its 527 In Response To Obama's Candidacy

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/moveon_to_close_its_527.php

MoveOn's decision, which will dramatically impact the way it raises money on Obama's behalf, is yet another sign of how rapidly Obama is taking control of the apparatus that's gearing up on his behalf.

By shuttering its 527, MoveOn is effectively killing its ability to raise money in huge chunks from labor unions, foundations, and big donors who would give over $5,000. The decision doesn't mean MoveOn will stop spending on Obama's behalf. Instead it will raise money exclusively with its political action committee, whose average donation is below $50 and will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend.

I love Pugnacious. Glad he's(?) back.

House just passed FISA

I voted for Biden in the Veepstakes.

However, I think that the demonization of Richardson is no longer helpful to any cause, and could further upset Indian and Hispanic voters.

When I try to balance the hurt feelings of many against the hurt feelings of others, I have to come down against hurt feelings.

"Oh, it's a fat girl's name" - Judd Nelson in "The Breakfast Club" after Molly Ringwald tells him that her name is Claire.

Obama has raised $225 mil so far, right?

He's not going to honor his "promise" to stick to the $85 mil Public Financing.

McCain is. Hell...Obama already has a "Read My Lips..." thing going. Very disappointing. We need an honest candidate. What's going on with this ? anybody know? Why did he make the "promise " to use only Public Financing at all?

"will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend"

LOL,LOL,LOL,LOL,LOL,LOL

Hey
Stealing money from the little leagers.
Bake sale in front of Walmart.

LOL

Wanna bet
taking Obama's side
Screwed the big money donation.

Nobody trusts them
Nobody wants them.
They are gonna go eat worms

LOL

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

Claire McCaskill is wrong on FISA and wrong on immigration, just to name two. She's freakin alright but not great.

Bankruptcy Biden not to mention his spineless performance on the senate judiciary committee.

Dexter says: " We need an honest candidate. "

Sorry to say, that is never going to happen in politics....the best you can hope for is someone will will do the right thing when it comes to the big decisions. . .and you can not even expect that 100% of the time.

McCain is. Hell...Obama already has a "Read My Lips..." thing going. Very disappointing. We need an honest candidate. What's going on with this ? anybody know? Why did he make the "promise " to use only Public Financing at all?

Posted by: Dexter | June 20, 2008 12:51 PM

Because even Obama could not have predicted the windfall of this campaign and the realisation that the 50 State Strategy might be possible.

McCain promised he would not use 527's either and he is allowing them and not condeming.

Would you stop the small doners and have the money coming from the DNC which is in fact, by and large broke?

Sheila

My first response to McCaskill was that she looked as if she was bagging kittens for a swift trip to the river. That is still the way she comes across.

Standing too close could get you a knife in the back. There is something about her that sets off my Ow-ooh-gah sirens. Pelosi looks practically benign by comparison.

I am going to ride my bike to the store. . . . .

It's a beautiful day here on the north coast. . . .

oh, I almost forgot

Happy Friday Everyone!

peace~

Okay. I'm outta here for the weekend. Nice day for a drive. Be good!

Republicans Prove Their Commitment to White People
http://www.236.com/blog/w/katie_halper/republicans_prove_their_commit_1_7261.php

Bloomberg defends Obama from 'lies'

New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, speaking to a Jewish audience in Boca today, offered an extended defense of Barack Obama, according to prepared remarks released by his office.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0608/Bloomberg_defends_Obama_from_lies.html

chloe - BO got no bounce when Edwards endorsed him. They do "look" good together, but let's hope that's not how people actually vote. BO is gonna have to go with somebody with military/foreign policy experience.
Still, he will actually have to prove that he has something substantial and positive to offer; somebody more well-equipped for the job, perhaps.

tiptoe - Nice post.

Craig Crawford - Please do NOT play ball on the stairs! We'd like to keep you in one piece for awhile.

Pug, I lived in MN during those silly 'ventura' days.

The big thing james janos (dba jesse ventura) did as governor was get the legislature to lower the license tab fees for expensive jesse ventura type cars. Four years of non-stop hoopla only produced cheaper tabs for Porsches and Bentleys.

Two weeks after he took office janos made himself a lame duck by saying in a playboy interview,

"Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for the weak-minded", and that his highest aspiration was to be a 38 DD bra. The former was impolitic, but the latter was disgraceful.

Later, janos pushed for the legalization of prostitution, claiming he had ho'd once, himself, and that it was good. By that time no one would listen to him anymore.

janos wined, dined, and provided a king-sized bunk at the Gov's mansion for several months (at taxpayer and Foundation expense) for the relative of some obscure Hollywood tv type, who it turned out was not actually related to any Hollywood types, obscure or otherwise.

If janos (the first MN governor ever to operate under an alias) could get as much as 10% of the vote, it would be a miracle.

Afscme Endorses Obama

By Steven Greenhouse

The union that was organized labor’s biggest supporter of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton — the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — announced on Thursday that its executive board had unanimously endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president.

Mr. McEntee said his union, with 1.4 million members, would campaign as aggressively for Senator Obama as it did for Senator Clinton. He said his union would mobilize 40,000 volunteers for the fall campaign and spend $50 million, largely on voter education and getting out the vote.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/afscme-endorses-obama/index.html?ref=politics

All the dominoes are lining up!

Blue,

Just the idea of Craig being more than one story above flat earth is enough to make you nervous. Gravity and Mr. Crawford are not friends. : )

Jamie I didn't know you're a "flat eather".

The repuggs without 527's are like fish out of water.
But, gee, why did so many people believe the SwiftBoaters's crap in first place?
Casting Kerry as a liar while Bush was exempted from going to war with his status in the inactive military was quite a feat...but how did they get the public to ever believe it?
Kerry was too above-the-fray to just slug it out with the repugg lying machine...I think he thought the great American populace would itself condemn the ridiculous claims about Kerry's Vietnam service. They made it seem that going up and down those rivers in Vietnam was a picnic. HA!! It was the most dangerous US Navy ops in the entire war...sitting ducks on a small watercraft...but...people believe what they will....those swiftboat crews and the helicpoter crews had our deep respect while I was in VN....

Lard - Nice thought, but I think if BO said we were ending the "war on terror" it would make him seem even softer.

It's a good idea to move toward peace, toward stability instead of putting forth the idea that we need to be in conflict with someone/thing.

It would be wonderful if people would accept doing that. BO would have to have a detailed plan of how to bring about peace and stability if he made such a claim. To date, he hasn't really been able to communicate details about much of anything to some of us.

Peace.

If you love the music of Bob Dylan, see, rent or buy "I'm Not There". There is no way to explain the movie other than that it is a cryptic as some of his lyrics slipping back and forth from black and white to color and from one time period to another while using dialogue from much of the Dylan interviews.

It helps if your brain is permanently wired on strange, but the music and Cate Blanchette are worth the price.
Do a double feature with "Across The Universe" featuring the Beatles music and you may never be the same again. : )

Just recommending it as a safety precaution for our favorite pundit.

blueINdallas,

it is still too early to discuss plans in detail, which the opposition will only rip to shreds between now and Nov.

That is one reason why every vp between Van Buren and oldbush (and Al Gore) lost - they inherited detailed plans that were well-known to their opponents. Premature disclosure of plans may also have been a contributing factor in the defeat of Gov. Dukakis.

This isn't fussing for a fight, just a bit of curiosity. Has anyone seen more than one picture of Sen. Obama with his mother?. The latest commercial has the single photo when he is a baby.

Jamie, I thought you know how to use google.

http://images.google.com/images?q=ann%20dunham&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

Jamie though this does not directly answer your question, it reminded me of Obama's response when he was asked what his more treasured possession was:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-12-13-968474278_x.htm

Brian,

Those are the same ones I pulled up. There is the one as an infant. There is one as a very small child with Soetero and his sister. The one and only one with him as an adult is the Wedding photo, but that one has been pulled for some reason so I can't check the details in the full sized photo. It is probably her, but because of the weight gain I can't be sure. It just surprised me that there were so few.

"Any thoughts? Would it help or hurt Obama to explicitly declare War on the War On Terror? "

Lard....I'm with you on the "War on Terror" rhetoric...and would LOVE Obama coming out with some honest criticism of the "concept." But for his own political good, I think he should not.

Kathy,

You have to give Fred Thompson points for honesty:

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson: "Trophy wife."

I'm not surprised Jamie, lets not forget she died just as the net was coming into it's full flower and more than a few years before Obama came to the nation's attention.

Jamie- I know that was my favorite part- No acting involved in that answer!

Jamie though this does not directly answer your question, it reminded me of Obama's response when he was asked what his more treasured possession was:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-12-13-968474278_x.htm

Posted by: Kathy | June 20, 2008 2:00 PM

Kathy Awesome. That's worth posting again.

Jamie, I suspect the obvious;

(1) They family wasn't as photo savy as most.
(2) The photos that they have are precious and worth keeping to themselves. Private.

Kathy I just went and looked at the link you posted, Mitt can't anything right.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: 1962 Rambler American, which his sons bought for him. "The last year that my dad was president of American Motors and made Ramblers was 1962, so it's a connection with my dad and that era."

My first car was a 1966 Rambler American. God that idiot can't get anything right.

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

Brian,

Those are snapshots. Photography happened before the net was invented. You would think that more photos had been scanned for use.

Brian

He says 1962 was the last year that his father was President of Rambler, not the last year the Rambler was made.

Jamie- here is a comprehensive article about Barack's mom- good to read especially after the discussion here this week about mother's effects on their sons.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/us/politics/14obama.html?ex=1363233600&en=59b18ce891d6c067&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

I loved my little ramber ,drove it for 6 years, nothing could stop it.

"Obama, John Barrow & the telecoms:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/06/19/obama/index.html"

Thanks jeejee...this is an important article.

Stanley Anne Obama Soetoro. A complex human being. Thanks Kathy.

Corey,

These are for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMG87axdarw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcmOe2geZ4Q&feature=related

Gallup: Obama 46, McCain 44

...and the AMC Gremlin was ridiculed by all except the Gremlin Fan Club. Now, it's easy to see where the Toyota Matrix got its design from...the AMC Gremlin.

bama takes MySpace page from backer
updated 12:11 p.m. CT, Thurs., May. 3, 2007
WASHINGTON - Is MySpace always mine or can it belong to someone else? At the cost of losing 160,000 friends, Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign has taken over control of the MySpace page listed under his name on the popular social networking site.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18466315/from/RS.3/
Posted by: tictac | June 20, 2008 7:24 AM

That was long ago. I am active on MySpace and I remember when it occurred. Barack Obama wanted to use his own name for his run for the Presidency. It wasn't anything nefarious or heavy handed I think. The person who ran that MySpace could have created a MySpace name different such as "Fans of Barack" or maybe "Obama Supporters United"

I don't think this particular story is really worth anything.