Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hey First again! Let the coffee klatch begin!

Who should he NOT pick:

1. HRC

Anyone else is suitable......

It will however be a white guy....
Maybe Edwards. I think Edwards is the closest to trying to bring back HRC supporters. However it did not help in the primary. But on the other hand, GE time is another time....

The thing is, I don´t know if he would want to have Edwards on the team. A string of failed bids for Pres and Vice pres is not really what you want to have along as a runningmate....

Richardson is out of the question and poor Judas knows that.

GGG --

I don't know if a governor without previous DC experience is a good idea. And, some of those governors might be too obscure for the public to want to take a chance. Obama's got a big enough challenge overcoming the unknown/lack of vetting problem. The GOP will define him.

Tim Kaine's support these days is a mile wide and an inch deep in VA. His over-the-top behavior in endorsing Obama is ticked off a lot of his donors who felt he was disrepectful to Hillary Clinton. Kaine is NOT the governor that Mark Warner was -- he has not accomplished a thing. Our roads are still clogged with traffic, schools have not improved, our economy is wholly supported by the military industrial complex and federal government. He has not been successful in attracting new business to the state. His universal preschool idea is stuck in permanent time-out. We have over the national average in foreclosures. The VA Tech parents are very upset at the way he conducted that investigation ad effectively shut them out.

Webb is a new senator -- less than two years in. Zero personality. Terrible campaigner, no people skills, just doesn't connect. He doesn't bring the women -- we held our noses and voted for him as Senator because George Allen was so much worse -- but he was very much the male warrior, Tail Hook apologist when he was NavSec.

I don't know if I would want HRC to be VP for Obama.

But she is the most qualified.

I don't think the VP needs to be a white male as much as it needs to be someone who can connect with the Bubbas and the Bubbies.

Joe S. is saying if you're enough of a man you can pick a strong woman to be the VP. Good point.

Hi Alicia Knight and Jason,

I wish I could stay and chat, but I only have time stay for a few minutes and say hello to you and Jason.
As far as VP. I'm conflicted. The sentimental-not- wanting-to-let-go part of my heart wants Hillary to be VP, against the pragmatic, realistic area of my brian
that says she'd be miserable. I'm still feeling dazed and giddy, after the primary, like I had too much to drink at a New Year's Eve party and now the hang over is beginning.

typo--sorry I meant brain, brian was a guy I used to date in high school.

Hillary Clinton, arguably, is the most high-profile, talented, hard working,
intelligent, popular ( among many voters) Democrat, next to Obama in the party. All the other Democrats who ran for president were quickly eliminated. She also would bring over 18 million voters with her if she united with Obama.
Why is everyone pretending that Hillary isn't the most qualified Democrat
to lead this nation? Granted she lost, but she has earned a place next to
Obama on the ticket.

I know Obama supporters will be unhappy, but why not share some of the
unhappiness with Clinton supporters, Maybe uniting the party means that everyone has to make sacrifices and no one can be completely happy.

If Obama gave Hillary heath care to work on, she'd be busy most of the time
anyway and Obama could get on with other business.

I think the media and Obama surrogates are, as usual, condemning Hillary as VP simply because they hate her.

the clinton of damocles........

Good morning Marcia --

Some Hillary friends came over last night and we did have some champagne -- so I really know how you feel this am.

The Obama people don't just hate Hillary -- they hate anyone who disagrees with them. As someone recently pointed out if you question Obama, you're get labeled a racist, just like George Bush castigated anyone who raised question about his policies as unpatriotic.

To the rumor that Michelle Obama hates Hillary, I say to Mrs. Obama, grow
up and act like a politician's wife--do what's best for the party even if it means
putting Hillary on the ticket. I still think it's the dream ticket, although I would
have much preferred a Hillary as president, Obama as VP scenario. Of course,I know even a lot of Clinton people don't agree with me. My mother says she wouldn't vote for Obama even if Hillary was his VP.

I now wait for the onslaught of crazed Obama supporters to attack.

Craig -- I voted on the CQ VP madness. The info about Tim Kaine calls him a "First Term Governor." Now you know that Virginia's Constitution only allows governors to have one term, right? CQ needs to change that part.

Tim Kaine will have nothing to do after 2009. He would throw the Commonwealth over for his own political career, even if it meant that we would be stuck with a horrible GOP governor for a year.

The Obama supporters on this blog are constantly lecturing us Clintonistas
that we "have to get over it," "unite the party," "salute the new head
of the party." Yet, when the topic of Hillary as VP is suggested to pull the
party together, they rail against her and us, like the idea is scandalous. Doesn't it seem like the Clinton people are the only Democrats expected to make compromises? Why is that?

Prof Marcia,
Sometimes you should not question....... Just read and let it go!
Rationale is sometimes just ignoring.

Furthermore.... I know that HRC is the most qualified, without a doubt. Alas, I do not think that bringing her onto his team as VP would be wise for BO. She will overshadow him for the most part and probably would not get the credit. that will tick her off, in my opinion. The emdia will constantly look for her is he makes mistakes, blame her for everything and give him the free ride

HRC is not meant to be VP.

He can pick his alter ego, from whom he borrowed his speeches. Now wouldn´t that be a treat? We´d have twins as Pres en Veep. :))

I just checked to see who is ahead in the CQ Democratic VP race.
I'm astounded. Bill (no personality) Richardson is tied with pretty
boy, two-time campaign loser, John Edwards--not that there's anything
really wrong with either of these two men, it's just that I don't think
they'll be bringing the sort of high octane pizzazz to the party that Hillary would--
not to mention over 18 million voters. (I apologize if you voted for either of
these guys. I truly have nothing against them).

Everyone was making fun of HRC and her looks...
Has anybody taken a good look and Michelle O?

My mouth wasn´t cold about Oprah and she allready sent out a statement: She is very happy for Barrack and made a joyous dance for his candidature. She said. if he called me, I would go door to door for him and campaign.....
More and more I feel let down by her...REALLY!

Hi Jason,

Of course, you make some good points. As I said, the pragmatic part me
realizes that Obama and Clinton might have some problems relating to each other, but my point is that maybe their pairing might win the election for
Democrats.

A new Pew or Gallop poll claims that Obama beats McCain by 5%
if Hillary is the VP and without her he is merely tied with McCain.

I think that he should pick Rev. Sharpton. That would be a unity ticket and would help with the AA vote.

Jamie, if you log in sometime today, before I forget, please change my classification.

Within the last 24 hours, I morphed into a Switcher-Loyalist. I'm hovering
between these two. But, I'm not a Vacationer.

Thanks so much for your wonderful list!

I agree that HRC is not meant to be vice president. Attorney General, maybe. My wish list for Obama's veep, in no particular order, consists of Ed Rendell, though HRC supporters could take this the wrong way and think of him as a traitor; Jim Webb, because he seems to be straight out of central casting as strong veep whose strengths complement Obama's weaknesses; and Gen. Wesley Clark, because I like and respect him an awful lot.

I think Obama should consider Skinny Dennis for VP
that would be turning page. It would set the stage for a Dept of Peace and for new forms of diplomacy.

Yesterday's post on who should be talking to whom and under what circumstances? Let me know when anybody starts talking to the Cuban government no matter which Castro is leading it. As long as we are behaving badly in our own backyard --any talk about elsewhere is just so much piffle.

Our Cuban policy is the standard for judging stupid.

Bowmanc,

That's so funny--Al Sharpton as VP!

hillary is not the most qualified.

she will not help obama win votes in areas where he needs help [like a strong military background]; she still has the highest negatives of anybody, ever, in the pres race; she is old politics, [situational ethics], and repubs are already using her words in ads against obama; repubs will come back from the dead to vote against any clinton; and on and on.

most importantly for our country...who on earth thinks they could govern well together? and, bill...OMG.

think, for example, wesley clark or sam nunn.

I thought Jim Webb was interesting as a leader until I read Alicia's earlier
post today. I'm now reconsidering. Alicia who lives in Webb's state says he is more of a male warrior, military, Tail Hook kind of guy.

Nobody jumps out as being the perfect fit. I suppose Wes Clark is good because he's a wonk, and he would neutralize the fringe military people that Mr Obama gathered during the primary campaign.

Webb would go crazy in the job.

Marcia, you're on a roll this morning!

I think that Ed Rendell as VP will piss off more HRC supporters. Aftr all these people who turned on the Clinton´s this would not be a very good move. And I don not think Ed would want it. Also think Evan Bayh would pass.....

To be quite honest, I think it will be either John Edwards or Katherine Sebelius.
He needs the blue collar and women, and doesn´t need the hispanics....(in his mind. Not meant condescending towards the Hispanics)

Too many cafe lattes at Starbucks this morning.

Flatus,
That is also a good point. He needs military expertise...
But he can fumble that onto a secretary of defense though....

The thriller on Chatrier is underway and Novak is trailing Raffa

Prof M -- I don't want Hillary anywhere near the ticket. They're already setting her up for his loss....and if she's on the ticket she'll get nothing but grief.

You've got that right, Patsi.

Not that I'm one of those latte drinking, elite, educated, upper middle
class Democrats.

or sam nunn.

If he picks Sam Nunn he is picking the worst of the worst old school. Nunn screwed over Democratic leadership while he was in the Senate to pander to the military, I don't think he is acceptable.

I would never vote for an Obama-Nunn ticket.
Plus his stupid participation in the phony Unity 08 nonsense makes him unacceptable as well.

I tried cream and sugar (once) in my mess hall coffee. I've been a purist since then. I do take off my work gloves before I start drinking it, mostly because of my arthritis. But I leave my hat on.

BO will probably pick Webb to counter McCain's military experience. Still playing to the left. BO & the DNC don't understand a thing about playing to the middle.

Novak is still trailing Raffa in the all important 8th game of the 1st set...
ohhhh the drama.....

Anyone with me on Katherine S. and John E. I think it is a lock.
HRC is definitely out and she knows that. She also did not engage the meeting yesterday.....That says a lot.

Patsi,

I'm sure you're right that the media would blame Hillary if she were
on the ticket and Obama lost. She doesn't need anymore hate mongering
from the pundits. Maybe she should just go to a nice spa and rest for
a month, have a facial. I don't know why this push to have her out campaigning for Obama. Give the woman some time.

If Obama continues to have problems with women voters, I don't think Webb would be helpful

Rendell has already said NO VP to Clinton when she was still in the race and to Obama. He is rumored to want to be Secy of Energy. Pa has some very innovative energey initiatives and it is more his style then being someone's punching bag.

Edwards is a non starter. Sebellius maybe but they better send her to Dale Carnegie first.

LOL @ prof marcia.....
Indeed,
a facial, a mudbath, an bikiniwax...anything to keep her away.
I am so fed up with this. Leave the woman alone.
If I were HRC...I would board a plane on Saturday after the meeting and jet off to South Africa, stay there for 2 months and come back at the start of August!

I mean, tarrantula Michelle said that she didn´t know if she would campaign for Hillary if she were the nominee. I would say: Hill, take 2 months and think about Campigining for Barrack.. :))

Katherine,
Why is Edwards a non starter?

They both ganged up on HRC in the primary. We all know Edwards loves BO. He only held off on endorsing him because of Elizabeth...
I think he is is a shoe in for the so called blue collar voters...think Pa, SD, Ky etc etc

All MOJO watchers: Do you love how they make fun of Hillary this morning with the Crown Royal shots and the pumping gas and the laugh and the coffee machine? I assure you that if Obama had lost the nomination (and it was basically a tie as it is now) it would be a 24-hour montage of images titled something like this: "Death of a Dream: The Barack Obama Candidacy". There would be endless discussion of the heartache in the AA community and the sure death of the youth movement. What does this mean to dreamers? How can the nation ever recover?

MUST. STOP. WATCHING. CABLE. NEWS.

Michelle should have gone to Sarah Lawrence rather than Princeton.

Off topic -- an adviser makes it clearer that McCain's backs Bush's arrogant, unconstitutional abuse of executive powers.

Pug? Kind of hard to have a divided government when the Prez believes he is 7/8ths of it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/us/politics/06mccain.html?hp

And one more cable news thing: On Anderson Cooper last night they had the whole BREAKING NEWS thing about the supposed meeting at Hillary's house. So they spent an hour talking about the meaning of the meeting being at her house. How it was a show of respect for Obama to go to her house; gracious. There is so much MEANING in the location. Of course, then it breaks that the meeting wasn't actually at her house. Um, they didn't go back and try to re-analyze all of the crap they had said about the respect and the graciousness.

And, Good Morning Trailmixers. Sorry to be such a crabby patty this morning but I am cranky. As far as the VP thing goes, I believe it will be Jim Webb. He will not ask HRC; his supporters will never stand for it. It will "tarnish his brand".

"I assure you that if Obama had lost the nomination (and it was basically a tie as it is now) it would be a 24-hour montage of images titled something like this: "Death of a Dream: The Barack Obama Candidacy". There would be endless discussion of the heartache in the AA community and the sure death of the youth movement."

Exactly right. Plus, How the Clintons Stole the Nomination.

Jason

I don't think Edwards loves Obama. I also don't agree that he brings in blue collar voters. Plus there is all the bad press that comes with Edwards breck girl, the hedge fund etc. I think the "poverty czar" position is more likely if Edwards takes any position in the private sector.

To make his narrative believable he needs to find someone like himself. Sebellius is close --
Another name mentioned is Janet Napolitano gov of Az
she has done some great things on campaign finance
and seems to be a pretty good governor.

I still want Hillary if she wants the job, but think it would be risky from the "getting blamed for anything that went wrong" aspect. Any other woman would just piss me off even more that I already am. Edwards has taken himself out of the running.

Obama needs someone with international experience but Richardson is a turncoat louse on a weasel so forget him.

good morning gang.....

I think Hillary should stay in the Senate.....

I did play the VP game for McCain..... but when I clicked on Craig's link this morning...... I just stared at it for a few minutes..... and then realized I could care less.....

hey Bowman..... now, now..... you know Obama must balance the ticket with a white guy..... I suggest Don Imus....

The Lists: Everybody heads up. I need changes, additions, corrections:

The Belmont

Big Brown - Renee, HW, Politically Pissed,

Guadalcanal

Macho Again - Patd

Denis of Cork - Maggiesd

Casino Drive

Da' Tara

Tale of Ekati

Ready's Echo

Anak Nakal - Pogo

Icabad Crane - Jamie, E. T.,

PS, Ally and other HFJ fans -- My son ran into Harold in DC yesterday and he said he's having a great time in all his new gigs....but REALLY loves teaching some classes at Vandy. Wish I could afford Vandy tuition to take one of them.

Alicia Vacation

Ally Gone

Bethyboo Loyalist - Write In

Blue In Dallas Loyalist - Write In

Bowman c Switcher (McCain)

Bye Bye Bri Bri Vacation

Carol Gone or Revolution

Chloe Switcher (McCain)

Coreen Vacation

Emmy Loyal - Write In

Euro Tom Loyal / Gone

Flatus Loyal - Write In

GAKaren Gone

Harborwoman Bridge Builder

Jamie Gone or Vacation

Jason Vacation

Julie Young73 Gone

KGC ?

Lardass Liberal Bridge Builder

Lizbeth Loyal - Gone

LushisLinda Switcher (McCain)

Maggiesd Switcher (McCain)

Nannymm Loyal - Gone

Nick Vacation

Painter/Ruth Loyal - Revolution

Patd Loyal/Gone

Patsi Loyal - Write In

Pennsylvanian Vacation

Pogo Vacation

Prof Marcia Loyal - Switch

Renee Loyal - Write In

Tan Vacation

Tonyb39 Gone

Unlikely Burrito Gone

Whiskey Jack Vacation

Fox got it right last night as far as the location of the meeting.

I saw the "fun" they were having this morning on MoJo at the expense of Hillary, tee hee, giggle. I can't remember which network it was but yesterday I heard some guy say something to the effect that Oprah would be able to bring all the female votes onboard.

Sebelius: Way too boring for the rest of America. She works in Kansas but I don't "get her" out of that state (plus the Don't Drop the Soap game of her son's would be endless fodder for Fox).

Edwards is a problem for the reasons KGC mentioned plus the 28,000 sq. ft. house. I agree he will be "Poverty Czar" or Attorney General.

I don't think any woman but Hillary would be a good idea. It will be seen as an attempt to pander to women and yet a big ole slap in the face at the same time.

Ally,

You are so right! I continue to torture myself by watching MSNBC--not
as often as I did, but I have to force myself not look as I switch channels.
It is despicable that even now the MoJo hecklers can't leave Hilary alone. And what about us? Her supporters? The pundits and Obama people continue to blab about pulling the party together, yet 24/7 Clinton and her followers
are ridiculed and punched.

Yeah, I really feel like coming together with these people.

PS, Ally and other HFJ fans -- My son ran into Harold in DC yesterday and he said he's having a great time in all his new gigs....but REALLY loves teaching some classes at Vandy. Wish I could afford Vandy tuition to take one of them.

Posted by: Patsi | June 6, 2008 8:20 AM

How exciting: A siting! And you are only two degrees of separation. Luckyyyyy.

One of my son's friends just got an amazing scholarship to Vandy for Jazz Band. Now the director is in weekly contact with another one of my son's friends for next year (my kid is only a Freshman but is good friends with the Juniors and Seniors in the program.) I have been opposed to him doing music while in college but I don't know how opposed I would be if it was that school. And knowing that a HFJ siting would be possible, I could be convinced.

Jamie, mornin'

Thanks for the updated list. I feel better now.

Jamie...
For the 5th time: I am not an vacation, I am GONE! :))

Thankx Katherine,

Well in my opinion it WIIL be a white male...Or if he is focussing on women, a white woman. But I don´t buy it. He is a miunority and cannot afford too much of drama, he needs for balance a white male....

Richardson is done. For sure. And he knows it. He also knows that he will not come back as governor, he is labbeled as traitor and that is going to bite him...forever.

Don´t know that much about Napolitano though......

Marcia, Lizbeth: What the pundits (and the campaigns) don't realize is that when they ridicule her or say that she needs to be "vetted" for the VP position, it IS an insult of sorts to her supporters. She was good enough for the 18,000,000 people who voted for her but now they condescend with such statements as "she needs to be vetted"? If they want to drive the camps farther and farther apart and almost to the point of no return, just keep it up with this kind of rhetoric.

Ally,
maybe that is their goal......

OMG...

My poor Novak is really losing it at this point....Aiiiiiiiiii

One more question: Donna Brazile on CNN last night said, on more occasion, that now the DNC can focus on the convention and things like the RBC seating the entire Florida and Michigan delegations. Say what? We all knew they would do this once Obama secured the nomination, but is it good idea to advertise the strategy a mere 5 days after the big production was made over the penalties? And the rules? Double oy on that one.

I meant to say "on more than one occasion."

Jason: I know. I know.

So let it be said so let it be written:
CNN's Political Debates
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/debates/

ABC's Clinton-Obama Debate Pennsylvania:
Obama on taxes. Is it $75,000 or $250,000? Is it per family or individual? The enlighten ones answers, then restructures his answer. When pressed his answers always turn out to be non-answers. But the starry eyed MSM just chalked it up to another mis-speak. Not good to prove the enlighten one for clarification, or some might might think of us asracist.

STEPHANOPOULOS: An absolute commitment, no middle-class tax increases of any kind?

CLINTON: No. That's right. That is my commitment.

GIBSON: Senator Obama?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Would you take the same pledge?

OBAMA: Well, I not only have pledged not to raise their taxes, I've been the first candidate in this race to specifically say I would cut their taxes.

One of the centerpieces of my economic plan would be to say that we are going to offset the payroll tax, the most regressive of our taxes, so that families who are earning -- who are middle-income, individuals making $75,000 a year or less, that they would get a tax break so that families would see up to a thousand dollars' worth of relief.

Senior citizens who have earnings of less than $50,000 wouldn't have to pay income tax on their Social Security. And middle-class homeowners who currently don't itemize on their tax filings, they would be able to get a deduction the same way that wealthy individuals do.

Now, here's the reason why that's important. We have seen wages and incomes flat or declining at a time when costs have gone up. And one of the things that we've learned from George Bush's economic policies, which John McCain now wants to follow, is that pain trickles up.

And so, partly because people have been strapped and have had a tough time making ends meet, we're now seeing a deteriorating housing market. That also is a consequence of the lack of oversight and regulation of these banks and financial institutions that gave loans that they shouldn't have. And part of it has to do with the fact that you had $185 million by mortgage lenders spent on lobbyists and special interests who were writing these laws.

So the rules in Washington -- the tax code has been written on behalf of the well-connected. Our trade laws have -- the same thing has happened. And part of how we're going to be able to deliver on middle-class tax relief is to change how business is done in Washington, and that's been a central focus of our campaign.

GIBSON: Senator Obama, you both have now just taken this pledge on people under $250,000 -- and 200-and-what? $250,000?

OBAMA: Well, it depends on how you calculate it, but it would be between $200,000 and $250,000.

GIBSON: All right. You have, however, said you would favor an increase in the capital gains tax. As a matter of fact, you said on CNBC, and I quote, "I certainly would not go above what existed under Bill Clinton," which was 28 percent. It's now 15 percent. That's almost a doubling, if you went to 28 percent.

But actually, Bill Clinton, in 1997, signed legislation that dropped the capital gains tax to 20 percent.

OBAMA: Right.

GIBSON: And George Bush has taken it down to 15 percent.

OBAMA: Right.

GIBSON: And in each instance, when the rate dropped, revenues from the tax increased; the government took in more money. And in the 1980s, when the tax was increased to 28 percent, the revenues went down.

So why raise it at all, especially given the fact that 100 million people in this country own stock and would be affected?

OBAMA: Well, Charlie, what I've said is that I would look at raising the capital gains tax for purposes of fairness.

We saw an article today which showed that the top 50 hedge fund managers made $29 billion last year -- $29 billion for 50 individuals. And part of what has happened is that those who are able to work the stock market and amass huge fortunes on capital gains are paying a lower tax rate than their secretaries. That's not fair.

And what I want is not oppressive taxation. I want businesses to thrive, and I want people to be rewarded for their success. But what I also want to make sure is that our tax system is fair and that we are able to finance health care for Americans who currently don't have it and that we're able to invest in our infrastructure and invest in our schools.

And you can't do that for free.

OBAMA: And you can't take out a credit card from the Bank of China in the name of our children and our grandchildren, and then say that you're cutting taxes, which is essentially what John McCain has been talking about.

And that is irresponsible. I believe in the principle that you pay as you go. And, you know, you don't propose tax cuts, unless you are closing other tax breaks for individuals. And you don't increase spending, unless you're eliminating some spending or you're finding some new revenue. That's how we got an additional $4 trillion worth of debt under George Bush. That is helping to undermine our economy. And it's going to change when I'm president of the United States.

GIBSON: But history shows that when you drop the capital gains tax, the revenues go up.

OBAMA: Well, that might happen, or it might not. It depends on what's happening on Wall Street and how business is going. I think the biggest problem that we've got on Wall Street right now is the fact that we got have a housing crisis that this president has not been attentive to and that it took John McCain three tries before he got it right.

And if we can stabilize that market, and we can get credit flowing again, then I think we'll see stocks do well. And once again, I think we can generate the revenue that we need to run this government and hopefully to pay down some of this debt.

GIBSON: Senator Clinton?

CLINTON: Well, let me start by saying that I think we know that we've got to get back to an economy that works for everyone. The president has been very good for people who are doing well. And that's great. But it was better for our country when we had an economy that lifted everyone up at the same time.

And we had that during the 1990s. You know, 22.7 million new jobs. More people lifted out of poverty than any time in our recent history. The typical family saw $7,000 increase in income. And we have lost that.

You know, now, the typical family has lost at least $1,000. And the fact is that, you know, I don't want to take one more penny of tax money from anybody. But what I want to do is make some smart investments. And I was the first to come out with the strategic energy fund, where we need to be investing in clean, renewable energy. And I think we can put 5 million Americans to work.

I think we need to invest in our infrastructure. That also will get the economy moving again. And I believe we can put about 3 million people to work, and good union jobs, where people get a good wage with a good set of benefits that can support a middle class family with a rising standard of living.

I want to see us actually tackle the housing crisis, something I've been talking about for over a year. If I had been president a year ago, I believe we would have begun to avoid some of the worst of the mortgage and credit crisis because we would have started much earlier than we have.

In fact, I don't think we've really done very much at all yet in dealing with a way of freezing home foreclosures, of freezing interest rates, getting money into communities to be able to withstand the problems that are cause by foreclosures.

Governor Rendell has done a great job in Pennsylvania. He saw this coming. And unlike our current president, who either didn't know it or didn't care about it, he has really held the line. And Pennsylvania has been much less affected by home foreclosures.

But the president hasn't done that. And what I have proposed would do that. So, you've got to look at the entire economy. And from my perspective, yes, taxes is a piece of it. But you've got to figure out what is it we would invest in that would make us richer and safer and stronger tomorrow, which would help everybody.

GIBSON: I'm going to go to commercial break. But I just want to come back because of one thing you said. And I want to be clear, the question was about capital gains tax. Would you say, no, I'm not going to raise capital gains taxes?

CLINTON: I wouldn't raise it above the 20 percent, if I raised it at all. I would not raise it above what it was during the Clinton administration.

GIBSON: If I raised it at all. Would you propose an increase in the capital gains tax?

CLINTON: You know, Charlie, I'm going to have to look and see what the revenue situation is. You know, we now have the largest budget deficit we've ever had, $311 billion. We went from a $5.6 trillion projected surplus, to what we have today, which is a $9 trillion debt. I don't want to raise taxes against on anybody.

I'm certainly against one of Senator Obama's ideas, which is to lift the cap on the payroll tax, because that would impose additional taxes on people who are educators here in the Philadelphia area, or in the suburbs, police officers, firefighters and the like.

So I think we have to be very careful about how we navigate this. So the $250,000 mark is where I'm sure we're going. But beyond that, we are going to have to look and see where we are.

GIBSON: Very quickly, because I owe Senator Clinton time, but do you want to respond?

OBAMA: Well, Charlie, I just have to respond real quickly to Senator Clinton's last comment. What I have proposed is that we raise the cap on the payroll tax because millionaires and billionaires don't have to pay beyond $97,000 a year. That is where it is capped. Now, most firefighters, most teachers, you know, they're not making over $100,000 a year. In fact, only 6 percent of the population does.

And I've also said that I'd be willing to look at exempting people who are making slightly above that.

But understand the alternative is that, because we're going to have fewer workers to more retirees, if we don't do anything on Social Security, then those benefits will effectively be cut because we'll be running out of money.

GIBSON: But, Senator, but that's a tax. That's a tax...

OBAMA: Well, no, no, look...

GIBSON: ... on people under $250,000.

OBAMA: Let me finish my point here, Charlie. Senator Clinton said she certainly wouldn't do this, this was a bad idea. In Iowa, when she was outside of camera range, said to an individual there she'd certainly consider the idea and then that was recorded. And she apparently wasn't aware that it was being recorded.

So this is an option that I would strongly consider, because the alternatives, like raising the retirement age or cutting benefits or raising the payroll tax on everybody, including people who make less than $97,000 a year...

GIBSON: But there's a heck of a lot of...

OBAMA: ... those are not good policy options.

GIBSON: There's a heck of a lot of people between $97,000 and $200,000 and $250,000. If you raise the payroll taxes...

OBAMA: And that's...

GIBSON: ... that's going to raise taxes on them.

OBAMA: And that's why I've said, Charlie, that I would look at potentially exempting those who are in between.

But the point is we're going to have to capture some revenue in order to stabilize the Social Security system. You can't get something for nothing. And if we care about Social Security, which I do, and if we are firm in our commitment to make sure that it's going to be there for the next generation, and not just for our generation, then we have an obligation to figure out how to stabilize the system.

And I think we should be honest in presenting our ideas in terms of how we're going to do that and not just say that we're going to form a commission and try to solve the problem some other way.

In honor of VP Madness, and I posted this yesterday, if you are pro an Obama/Clinton unity ticket, go to:

www.voteboth.com

Katherine

If you shove messages in the middle of ones with the name Jason at the bottom, how am I supposed to know who is who.

Please folks. Doing these lists is crazy enough without trying to figure out all the aliases, nicknames, and various alter egos.

It will be Arnold Schwarzenegger. He will become a Democrat, and that will sew up the Kennedy thing and bring California. Only draw back is his 'Star Power" threat to upstage BO.

Side Comment:. I do not beleive that Edwards loves BO, he strikes me a someone very interested in personal hygene.

And just for the people: I am NOT hating Obama.
I am not voting for him because he has run a dirty and very divisie campaign. That is why I will not be voting for him! he lied to people for being the Change champion, wehn all he did was run the ugliest if Old politics camapign....

I have a deep rooted cathlic background. That means I forgive and sometimes (LOL) forget. But I will not, for party unity sake sell my soul only for the dems to come into office. I have did that once and I will not do it again!

If we as (former) democrats want to make a stand and want to tell our (the) leadership that we have had it, we got to do it now. This has nothing to do with Clinton, Obama, Dean or Brazile. This has, in my opinion to do with what we as a country stand for and what we expect and moreover ACCEPT!

My dad taught me that one man CAN make a difference..........

Now back to topic,
How are you holding up Prof?

Posted by: Jason | June 6, 2008 5:25 AM

008 5:25 AM

Hi again, Jason,

I'm still feeling a bit dazed after the primary. I feel like I was on a merry-go-round and it suddenly stopped, throwing me off balance.

I feel a lot like you do. I don't hate Obama personally, either. I just know that
I cannot vote for him. There are many reasons. Most of my thoughts
concerning Senator Obama have been expressed in the numerous
posts I have written here.

Since I don't feel like a Democrat anymore, I don't give a fig about
party unity.

Posted by: prof marcia Author Profile Page | June 6, 2008 5:57 AM
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/mccains-diplomacy-attack-not-t.html#comment-97565

isnt arnold ineligible?

Jamie........sturgeone the yellow dog democrat.

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

JMcC

From TPM:

1992. Three reporters from Arizona described an incident involving McCain's temper. Wife Cindy McCain playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you (expletive)." McCain's excuse was it had been a long day.

Watched "Bobby" last night. Still cried at the end, but the fictional aspects about the movie still aggravate me. Wish someone would do an accurate one while still including some of the conspiracy stuff.

Now I remember why I stopped watching Goodmorning Joe.

I see Mika is still waving her pom-poms, and is heard saying "yes", everytime she hears some speaking well of BHO, and frowns and makes disparaging remarks when someone dares to questions him. How can anyone take her seriously as a news persons.

It is too sad watching Novak D on chatrier at this moment...too sad
I hope Gael can make my dat later on....

Jamie: I believe you referenced an interview Obama did with NBC yesterday and black youths? I saw it replayed last night and, I must say, it is the best interview I have ever seen Obama do. It was gratuitous, of course, because Brian Williams was the questioner—but regardless, Obama did quite well.

Now I remember why I stopped watching Goodmorning Joe.

I see Mika is still waving her pom-poms, and is heard saying "yes", everytime she hears some speaking well of BHO, and frowns and makes disparaging remarks when someone dares to questions him. How can anyone take her seriously as a news persons.

Posted by: FryDaddy | June 6, 2008 9:06 AM

Fry: I gave my whole Mika schpeel the other day and I won't go there again, but the whole "Daddy" thing she does with Zbig is just so icky. Of course, I don't have a "Daddy" type relationship with my father so maybe it aggravates me on that note. Who knows...I am probably the one with the issues.

Guess who,

You sure talk about looks a lot.
You must be one UGLY person.

Not very funny Guess who. There is nothing wrong with Chelsea Clinton.

Mornin' all.

Fry, for god's sake just use the link.

He needs military experience? Why? Because McOldFart was military when he was a kid? That's what a SecDef is for, right? The kid has bigger needs than military experience in a VP - and IMO, his VP better be a strong, expperienced hadn with broad expertise in some area that the voters think is important going into the election. List his strengths and weaknesses and pick someone to fill in in one of the eakness areas - and they are legion.

It's good to see Patsi, KC and Fry back in the ranks. Stick around.

Ummm, Fry, and Alter:

John McCain was who made that derogatory statement about Chelsea- not me

just wanted those pugnacious McCain supporters know who they were backing-

I'd never vote for the guy.

Folks, please don't copy and paste massive blocks of text. A link, an excerpt and your own explanation for sharing the info surely get the job done.

Fry and Ally -- Mika's eye rolling shtick is more than I can stand. Awwwk.

And Pogo -- I just have to know to exit when certain posters come out of hiding.

" I don't have a "Daddy" type relationship with my father "

Ally,

If they are over 30, they are the ones with the issues. : )

Sturgeone,

Arnold is ineligible. The VP must be able to qualify as President and he can't unless we get an amendment to the Constitution.

Good morning:

Here is a statement from Planned Parenthood-he has a zero rating- the lowest given in the Senate!!

THE TRUTH ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN
For the past 25 years, John McCain has consistently voted against women's health. From opposing funding for family planning programs to voting against requiring insurance coverage of birth control, McCain has taken extreme positions. He has voted against women's health and has not supported legislation that would help reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion. This has earned him a zero rating the lowest rating we give in the U.S. Senate.

"Sen. McCain believes government has the right to interfere with the most personal and often the most difficult decisions affecting a woman's health. Most Americans believe just the opposite and, as more voters realize Sen. McCain's ardent anti-choice position, this will be an issue for him in the general election."
— Cecile Richards, president, Planned Parenthood Action Fund

I echo Fry's response to GW. She wasn't the cutest of kids, but she's not bad looking as an adult.

Ally,

I always got the feeling that Mika and dad have a strained relationship.

I do think she should interview for a position on "The View", if one become vacant. That is a more forgiving format for her style of blather.

Posted by: Jamie | June 6, 2008 8:51 AM

I have no idea what you are talking about
I did shove anything and I responded to Jason and he responded to me.

I did not shove anything

Here is a planned Parenthood link about McCain's zero record

http://www.ppaction.org/ppvotes/thetruthaboutjohnmccain.html

Geez, Pats, who could that be referring to? I wonder...

KGC

My apologies. We are up to almost 90 messages since 3 AM my time. With all the copy/paste instead of linking plus all the changing identities, it is really difficult to know who is who.

Didn't mean to upset you. Just peevish this morning.

LAST CALL FOR YOUR VIDEO STILLS

Deadline is 10am Saturday for Trail Mix regulars who want to include their personal photos (your self, your dog, your favorite plant, whatever) in our 3d Anniversary Video this weekend.

Send to cqtrailmix@verizon.net

Include your Trail Mix screen name if you want it identified (No real names will be used)

Nice alert!

This Cartoon Says It All

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?ID=1769

Here's the kind of stuff a vp with experience in could help Obama in the Nov. to attract issues voters.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/business/07jobs.html?hp

Tina Turner said it well - We Don't Need Another Hero. We need someone who has an idea how to deal with complex issues that are screwing our country up.

Let the young women and young men deal with the choice issue.

They seem to think they can manage quite well and have no respect for the fights that gave them the freedom they have

Let them do the heavy lifting. . People like Kate Michaelman have turned it into their personal crusade
and national Naral is a disgrace to the choice issue.

The end of Roe v Wade is not my problem.

I echo Fry's response to GW. She wasn't the cutest of kids, but she's not bad looking as an adult.

Posted by: pogo | June 6, 2008 9:17 AM

And she will only continue to grow into her looks, just like her mother did. HRC is stunning. No two bones about it.

Kathy,

That McCain record is why I won't be voting for him. OTOH, I will not let the DNC that so abused my candidate and her supporters take my vote for granted. This Donna Brazile "well now MI and FL count all their delegates" after that four delegate smackdown is enough to make me go third party unless I get a darn good reason not to. If McCain wins he wins.

Have a good weekend all!

Not Bush,

The push about Roe simply doesn't scare me. Outside of the exceptions for rape, incest, life of mother etc. Can't say I care that much, though I have a great deal of sympathy about some massive medical issues with an infant even if it doesn't endanger the mother. STill most of that is dealt with in State law.

For the rest: Keep it zipped, cross your legs, or learn about birth control. That's what we did. : )
A child is hardly a place to say, "Oops!" mulligan.

Obama should ask Elizabeth Edwards to be vp

I was talking with an acquaintance last night- she is a 70 year olf women , a North Carolinian, who moved up north in 1959. She was telling me about when she went to school, she went past a very small schoolhouse in a mud puddle where the black children went, and even as a young girl, she was very aware in the days of segregation the disadvantages blacks had due to their color, and she felt bad about it.

Her grandson is black, via an adoption, and when she looks into his eyes she thinks about his heritage and what his forefathers endured in coming to this country.

She is a very strong supporter of Obama, and thinks that no one can say that women have overall had it worse in this country than blacks who were brought here as slaves. And she is very happy that we have made so much progress in this country that a black may be president- something completely unimaginable to her as a child.

Help me here. You mean after all that elaborate show, the DNC (newly organized, I guess) is now saying they are going to fully count Florida and Michigan? I don't understand.

lizbeth

That's whay Brazile said. It may not be official yet, but she is one of the officers on the committee, Dean is still chairman, and Obama pretty much gets his way.

Why would they want to count them now and not Saturday? Because that was the very last straw with me so it would seem if they count, they count whether it's now or a couple of days ago.

If he picked HRC he's have to hire a food taster. She deserved to lose because she ran a racist, dishonest, disingenuous campaign and she still LOST, LOST LOST.Jim Webb would be good. He's a military man, former secretary of the Navy and from a mid south state.

Hey! Don't forget that Donna is undeclared! She doesn't have a horse in this race!

The other night Pumkinhead said he wished he were an inner city school teacher on Wednesday morning
so he could see the looks on children's faces when they talked about Obama

What a load of hooey. If he really believed that why haven't they put more people of color on NBC news
Why did they make Al Sharpton their go to guy?
Why did they do all the things they did to further the narrative against Harold Ford when he was running

All these tears of joy over the impact on youth is nothing but hypocrisy in action.

There is plenty that could have been over the years
but nothing was done. Should be tears of shame

Skylark: Wow...how original. You're right. Hillary Clinton is a murderer. I don't know how she is even walking the streets. Maybe you should make a citizen arrest and put her away once and for all.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_on_el_pr/spain_us_politics_edwards_4

Edwards takes himself out of the vp race
Clinton takes herself out of the vp race
Rendell takes himself out of the vp race

The job no one wants

As to the VP search--looks like John Edwards
is not interested.

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/6/6/74758/06590

I don't believe in doing anything if guilt is the sole motivation. So are we supposed to vote for Obama because there was a school in a mud puddle 50 years ago? It is the people in this party who are now being thrown to the side who have worked to put an end to that scenario.

I couldn't just place a link to BHO's confusing reply to the tax question as it was a part of the entire debate, and my only interest was to make clear his confusing position on taxes. HRC was firm on her position but not the enlighten one. The enlighten one has positions on many things, and they all sound good until you start looking beyond the words. Why the weak sisters of the D party gave the nod to BHO over the more qualified HRC comes down to just one thing, "THE GUILT FACTOR". They, the D party, have totally dismissed their core voters in favor of the youth vote (who have no life experiences and are voting on pollyanna promises) and the Afro-American voters (who usually sit out elections). When will the MSM post BHO's achievements? Andrea Mitchell's suggesting that because he live abroad when he was 6 year olds, somehow makes him experience in international affairs. He understands their plight. A 6 year old? Well he is the enlighten one.

If Ed Rendell would do it, Obama has an excellent chance to bring in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. That guy is a man's man and women respond to him as well. I want him to be my "Daddy." (tribute to Mika...nothing gross intended.)

Lizbeth-

You misread my intent of the post- it is that it is amazing that we have come so far in this country, that 40 years ago people were being killed for equal access to voting in this country, and that now we have a black man who may very well win the presidency.

It is wonderment and awe and blessedness that my friend spoke of, that we really have come a long way in this country.

You can feel this way whether your ancestors were slaves, slave owners, or in other countries at the time.

That guy is a man's man and women respond to him as well

He responds to women a little too well. Although the rumors are he only has one girlfriend now.
Rendell has already said no.

Actually, my ancestors were not slaves, slave owners, or in other countries.

Edwards and Clinton not interested.

I thought everyone knew this. Shouldn't let the press control your thoughts. Read or listen to what the Human Being says and take them at their word. This is why this Blog is by and large so bitter.

liz, here's my take. The DNC made it's showing of standing its ground re: it'sridiculous rules, it has realized that a good number of about 18 million of its primary voters think it was wrong, the rules are stupid and the DNC officials are incompetent, that it was punishing their candidate rather than the states for holding their primaries before the rules allowed to benefit the DNC's preferred candidate, that they have royally screwed the pooch and are in jeopardy of losing a lot of those votes and the votes in those two large states that are critical to victory in Nov., so they are trying to salvage something from their screwups, and appearances be damned. I think they are trying to make the most of a hugely bad situation,largely of their own making, and I think they are not helping themselves much in the process.

Jamie....
your 9:26 post to Kathy...... I couldn't have said it better myself..... "if McCain wins he wins".....

I too am sick and tired of being hit over the head with the "Wade v Roe" argument..... I used to care about this issue dearly..... but now as an aging bitter old white hag.... I care more about the issues of healthcare, SS, and protecting our retirement funds..... if the younger women want to keep their abortion rights intact, then they can now get off their butts and fight for it.... of course, IMO......

KGC..... ooooh...... how I missed your endearing terms..... feels like old times to see "Pumpkinhead".......

KGC: I saw him on a couple of shows where he said No, but I still think he might reconsider. He said he doesn't do well as second fiddle. Anybody who knows him well knows that he likes to be in charge. However, he is getting older and, as you say, he is down to one girlfriend, so that may mean that he is ready to sit back a bit.

I'm glad someone mentioned this. Edwards announced a long time ago that he did not want to be VP.

I see Skylark has softened considerably since the chosen one won. LOL.

www.johnmcbush2008.com

ally,

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/06/vp-madness-dem-edition.html#comment-97673
RFLMFAO

I really hope that Hillary does not want to be Obama's
VP choice--although I believe she would ensure that
the dems. win.

Katherine & Patsi,

Add me to the list of admirers who are very happy to see you both back where you belong.

Could/would there be enough support for HRC to go Indy? Although I am a R I am not that in love with McCain that I wouldn't vote for HRC if she was on the ballot. I can not imagine how livid HRC and Bill are over the way the D party has treated them. Talk about being kicked to the curb. But it just wasn't the D party, oh no, HRC's defeat can be directly linked to the bias coverage of the MSM.

Pogo....
IOW..... the DNC = Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al....... stubborn!

pogo, that makes me even madder, if that is possible. If the rules are so sacred don't bother to change them now.

I have to say, my main considerations in the voting are not my own concerns but more the future of my children- the rights of my 11 year old daughter no matter what happens to her planned or unplanned, and the ability of both of my children to a clean environment and to travel safely as an American abroad.

I want to see a return of habeas corpus and the shut down of Guantanamo. I would love my family not to have to pay thousands a year for health insurance, and would love to be able to squirrel away some money for retirement which is impossible.

But it is for the future of my children that I am politically involved- just as my own mother who was without a high school education did so for me.

Renee, have you changed your "Vote Dem in Nov" stance - because of all the love you have gotten from the Obama supporters since he won, no doubt? Or are you just expreesing that you are sick of having Roe thrown up as a reason to vote for O?

Ally

Rendell is both a good politician and IMO done a good job as governor. He does like to have fun and media types likes him because he "gives good quotes."

But I take him at his word that he doesn't want to campaign anymore. After the last race for gov he said it was his last campaign.

If you get a change check out the energy initiatives, he would make a great secy of Energy. I'm 100% sure he would not have made the Wen Ho Lee mistake.

What about some of the Trailmixers here? Obama could pick one of them for his VP? That'd be kinda cool.

Renee, the parallels are unmistakeable.

The media keeps perpetuating the story that Obama would have a boatload of "Terms and Conditions" that HRC and WJC would have to "abide by" in order for Obama to consider her for the Vice Presidential post. Meanwhile, Obama said that he would meet with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea without preconditions. Yes, apples to oranges and all that, but I still find it amusing. You would thing HRC was the devil herself the way they are talking about how she would need to be kept in her place.

liz - I'm not arguing with you, just giving you my take. I think the rules should be changed before the next election - they are both stupid and unfair.

Fry: I think she should start the National Women's Party.

KGC: I never take any politician at his word but I know what you mean. And he will certainly have a post somewhere...

kathy, I'm wit' ya.

I too have concern for the coming generations.

My mother and father worked to make my life easier.
The difference is, I didn't turn around and disrespect the work they had done. Can't say that for the Obama youth who seem to think they invented change.

Life is tough but I see no reason to support people who are spitting on what I thought was my legacy to them.

pogo, no, no, I didn't think you were. I am just amazed after the big show that they would now change their stance.
And I do appreciate your explanation.

Pogo....
I wrote a rather long post about my evolution the other day to Chloe....
to make it shorter for your sake..... after years of learning and accepting of being a neutral election official.... I became uncomfortable with campaigning for one side over the other as people started to express a desire to vote for McCain should Obama win the Democratic nomination......

I truly do respect everyone's right to make their own choices concerning voting...

as for the other issue..... the extremes of both parties are more alike than they are different, IMO..... both are very intolerant of disagreement....

liz, IMHO, this just underscores my feeling that what I've said about Howie and his leadership of the DNC all along was right. The big problem- his incompetence benefitted Obama, so where's the incentive to dump him and reform the rules?

Donna Brazile is uncomitted? LOLOLOLOOLOLOL

Not Bush: The Presidency has turned into a popularity contest. If the Fist Bump Heard Round the World is any indication, our criteria for choosing a President have changed and will never, ever be the same. I literally read a story yesterday about how exciting it is for the possibility of a President who is "hip". From the instantaneous world we live in where an extra day for Hillary to concede seems like WAY TOO LONG from the caucus pep rally mentality, things have changed. And they will never go back. Hillary will never be able to run in 2016 because I seriously doubt we will ever have a Presidential candidate over the age of 60 again. A highly charged celebrity and youth culture make it highly unlikely. The way we have access to imagery 24/7 ensures that this new phenomenon isn't going to leave us.

Scratch Arnold, forgot he was not native born.

Looking for someone Cheneyesque with gravitas.