Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Hola.

[Repost]

Jamie:

Bold move placing Samantha Power as Sec. of State. She is definitely one of the smartest indivduals going.
I like it!

Chuck Hagel would be a great Sec. of Defense in order to get GOP support for Obama's policies.

Craig:

Will be interesting to watch. But I think the polls will have to get worse for McCain before anyone would actually concede defeat (even in secret).

well, warren, McCain can always count on the old adage that the great thing about hitting bottom is that you can push up -- he's done it before

"About the only way an imaginative McCain supporter could try to spin away Barack Obama's widening lead in the polls would be to hope that overconfident Democrats or marginal independents won't bother to vote."

Well, I haven't heard about the great student revolution that was supposed to propel Obama into office with massive registrations and later, voter turnout.

Carl Jeffers( on with Imus Tuesday) gave an interesting possibility as to how McCain can win, involving his winning FL, OH, PA, and especially VA...all we can do is wait...at least we have vigilant Democrats observing more poling places this year...and I am very happy Ken Blackwell is no longer Sec'y of State here in Ohio...that crooked bastard rigged the election here in 2004...now we have more Democrat precinct workers. More overseers.

Obama just broke 80 on Intrade .

http://www.intrade.com/

Craig:

I also think America's love for underdogs will help the polls tighten over the coming weeks.

Only die-hard fans tend to like a prohibitive favorite. Just look at how people felt about the Patriots last year.

(Plus, let's not forget that Clinton's "inevitability" was the beginning of her end...)

Obama - and his supporters - need to keep their head down and keep working hard.

yes, warren, there is plenty to worry about when conventional wisdom deems your election inevitable -- but mccain does not appear to be connecting in ways to shake the CW -- his evening news sound bites are some of the worst i've ever seen in politics -- he does best in retail settings like new hampshire, but in the superficial one-liner give and take of a wholesale general election campaign, just awful

Levi Drops Out of High School

"The news was buried in an AP story yesterday. Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin's fiancé and soon-to-be baby daddy has dropped out of high school."

"The baby is due Dec. 18. Johnston has dropped out of high school to take a job on the North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician."

Poor kids, both of them

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081013/ap_on_el_pr/palin_wasilla_heartthrob

Gotta love that Thomas Frank -

My Friend Bill Ayers
Once wanted by the FBI, he's since become a model citizen.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122402888900234543.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I still am not convinced, remembering the huge lead Dukakis had over Pappy Bush in '88...something like a 17 point lead in the national poll. Then Bush blew him away in November.
Outside of the tank-helmet incident, I cannot recall what Dukakis did to lose that huge lead, twenty years ago...can you give me a capsule-form review, CC?

I would still feel better if the election was tomorrow.

(And no one can compete with the Clintons when it comes to the evening news sound bite - "Jobs, Baby, Jobs!!!!")

Ipsos/McClatchy: Obama's lead has grown to 9 points

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53914.html

Craig

Lets not count the votes until election day. That is the problem with all these polls. They have the effect of saying this person won. Remember the exit polling in 2004 they said Kerry won, but in reality in was Bush.

We need to stop having all these polls, the founding fathers did not expect elections would be by pollsters.

Enough allready with all these polls, I have said over and over again we need a pollster break.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

Dex J -

The if your wife was murdered question and Willy Horton ad.

warren, me too...11-4 cannot get here soon enough. Strike while the iron's hot...remember, just a MONTH ago, McCain had a 2-point national lead and was rising...then , just as 9-11 propelled W to an 80 per cent approval rating in the early months after 9-11, this financial blow-out has hammered McCain, the king of de-regulation.

I have said over and over again we need a pollster break.

Turn your computer off.

I remember "the tank", the "Kitty/rape/death penalty debate answer", and "Willie Horton" in re Dukakis' losing effort.

Once again a racist McCain\Palin supporter yelled "kill him" at a Palin Scranton rally.

And again I accuse the GOP and the McCain\Palin campaign of Conspiracy to Incite their base to murder a sitting Senator and Presidential Candidate.

You can all go ahead and ignore the facts that are in the public record but rest assured that if they do than America will become the next Iraq.

Representative Lewis was right when he remarked that there playing with fire and what they release will consume us all if they continue.

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

Craig McCain should keep doing exactly what he's doing, he's doing a fine job to help Obama get elected. But seriously, this is something Sheila was chatting about just a short time. Any man who has run the type campaign McCain has run has no business thinking he can be president of The United States. And as this campaign season has progressed it's become to me very apparent why Obama decided to use temperament against McCain.

thanks, anon...how could I forget CBS Bernard Shaw asking MD about "if your wife Kitty Dukakis was brutally raped...", and Dukakis's stony-faced reply. And...the Horton smear, of course.
I heard one pundidtsay Dukakis shoulda said, "I'd strangle that S.O.B. !!"

You ever been to Scranton, anon-paranoid? You'll have some of that. It's Pennsylvania charm. You should hear what they say at Eagles games.

"I still am not convinced, remembering the huge lead Dukakis had over Pappy Bush in '88" -- posted by DexterJohnson

that 17-point Dukakis lead was gone by Labor Day

A-P, I am surprised we are being allowed to hear the Republican cries to harm Obama, the "off with his head" was WAY out there...the "KILL HIM"? Jesus...that crazy bastard should be thrown in with Hinckley just for observation, at least.

As far as i know, nobody even questioned that potential murderer...but say "bomb" in an airport and go directly to the airport detention center.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158860

agree with that, anon-paranoid -- the secret service arrests people who mumble such things in a bar -- seems like anyone yelling that stuff in public ought to at least be questioned -- or maybe the assassin profilers figure that its the bar mumblers who might really carry it out, not the goofs who shout it at a rally

Well, then Craig, I guess Obama is in a much better position with his huge national lead. I keep wondering if Virginia's southwest district will go for Obama, since Webb was pushing hard for his people to see the Obama-light. Along with Mudcat's interesting commentary , The New Yorker ran a very interesting story about "the Fightin' Ninth", I think it is....

Dex......maybe if you hadnt used that electric megaphone........

Pass may be prologue, but not this time.

Good night everyone. "See" you at the debate!

Now dammittall, Sturgee...I can't just let it rust away in the closet!
Ever see Tom Waits? He actually sings through one of those at his concerts...or he used to...lately he prances around on a scaffolding set-up, arms out like a scarecrow....

Go ahead champ and defend the racist hate spouted by the McCain\Palin\Gop.

A political rally is not a hockey game or a sports event.

And one thing that Palin got correct is Obama is not one of us as she referred to her base.

This is the McCain\Palin\GOP base.

http://www.withoutsanctuary.org/pics_80.html

And the majority of America is not part of their base either.

Your support of those actions by the McCain campaign says a lot about you champ and its not very good.

Actually, Sturgee, I have leather lungs and don't need a super megaphone...at least Agnew heard me hollerin' in 1972 and directly answered me at a speech...he called me a "bleeding heart". Oh my.

btw - my philosophy re: all the violent slurs - ignore as much as possible.

It is one thing to talk about it here and there. But I don't think people talking about it all the time - and getting all worked up themsevles - does anyone any favors.

There are plenty of other things to talk about. And when such nonsense is given so much attention - that does nothing to discourage the crazies...

Too many examples of how this year is unlike any year before .

Here's another example -

The Georgia surge continues
If it is, the news continues to be extremely good for Obama. Early vote totals have now reached 499,582 -- more than 75,000 more than were cast early in all of 2004, according to Matt Carrothers, a spokesman for the Secretary of State.

When we see places such as Nevada, and Georgia showing the same trend. Look out .

Craig...

When I called the Secret Service to complain about the "kill him" remark at the Clearwater rally they said they didn't hear about it.

I told them it was in the news and on video tape. A day or so after it was reported that they were now looking into it.

I lived in the Garfield Park area in Chicago during the Chicago riots and remember very well the carnage and burning of blocks and blocks because a fire truck hit and killed a black women {I believe it was a women though it could have been a man or child}.

America will become the next Iraq if Obama is murdered and I don't think that anyone will be able to stop the violence once it starts.

Are people ready for a War and Bloodshed once again on America Streets and City's. This will make the Civil War look like a board game.

Russians Invade Alaska

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/237113.php

"I keep wondering if Virginia's southwest district will go for Obama, -- Posted by: DexterJohnson"

like in most of rural America, Dex, Obama doesn't have to win there just do better than Kerry's 20-point loss. in the sept. poll of rural voters in battleground states Obama was only 10 points behind. but so was Kerry at that point. Bush won reelection by doubling his lead among rural voters from Labor Day to Election Day. that's what mccain's "otherizing" campaign against Obama has been all about, but i don't think he's yet matching Bush's last-days gains among these voters, thanks to pocketbook concerns.

Jim Webb Cuts Ad For Obama, Strongly Defends Him On Guns, American "Greatness"

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/in_his_first_ad_jim_webb_vouch.php

Look out southern Virginia.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158876

interesting, anon. you'd think that the secret service teams for McCain or Palin would take notice, if not action

UPDATE:
-------------
"Right now, there are some Internet rumors swirling that Michelle Obama has admitted to her husband's dual citizenship.

According to an article at African Press International, Michelle Obama called them to clear the air about any questions regarding her husband's citizenship and eligibility to be president of the United States.

A little after midnight, I had an extensive conversation with Philip Berg about the African Press International piece, most of which was off-the-record.

"If she did say these things, and listen, I can't say whether or not these statements were made up, then it solidifies the arguments I've been making for months now," Berg said, acknowledging that the African Press International article was suspect. "If these statements turn out to be valid, then she admitted that he truly was adopted by his stepfather in Indonesia and therefore cannot be eligible for the presidency."

http://www.americasright.com/2008/10/rumors-swirling-surrounding-purported.html

Obama - and his supporters - need to keep their head down and keep working hard.

Posted by: warren | October 15, 2008 12:23 AM

........and that is one thing that this campaign really has. They work hard and never seem to be growing tepid. The organisation is amazing and that is one thing we can learn from the BO campaign. Props for everyone involved in this rigoruous working.....

Thanks, Craig...no doubt this crisis has aided Obama...but the real winner was GB's Gordon Brown, "not able to be elected dogcatcher" before the financial crash,one reporter stated...his plan to infuse the banks with national capital seems to have satisfied much apprehension not only in Britain, but worldwide.

Obama is doing much better with (white) men than Kerry did, that's quite an accomplishment, also Craig Bush had a much better campaign operation than McCain has. I find it fascinating that McCain seems to have suffered the same pitfalls that Clinton did.

Craig -
I'm guessing those boys and girls are very busy these days.

Gordo -

You're gonna need to work on those critical thinking skills after the doctor adjusts your meds.

OK. This has probably vbeen said allready somewehere, but nice to hear that HRC is saying no more presidencies or supreme court noms for me! Thank you Mrs. C......

On another note: Can someone think back if it ever occurred that a candidate came back from such hugh polling numbers and pulled off a win (within a month)? I cannot remember.... So is it then safe to say that Craig is right and that Johnnie Mac should put his resources to better use?.... I have no bloody clue.

but the real winner was GB's Gordon Brown, "not able to be elected dogcatcher" before the financial crash,one reporter stated...his plan to infuse the banks with national capital seems to have satisfied much apprehension not only in Britain, but worldwide.

Posted by: DexterJohnson | October 15, 2008 1:27 AM

True, right observation DJ.
The only question remains: which government will first fall over when it doesn´t actually pan out.
Alas, I have to say, given the circumstances, it is the best thing he could´ve done. In Holland now, the finance ministers popularity is soaring due to his handling of the crisis here in Holland.....

Analysis: Why is Elizabeth Dole vulnerable?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/14/senate.dole/index.html?eref=rss_politics

This is an interesting read, but I really think Dole was done after her infamous appearance on MTP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO5cze0cuPI&feature=related

I'm sure she was number one on the Democratic hit list from the day on.

CQ Politics tonight switched Dole Senate race from Republican favored to tossup:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002951060

The only person on the Hill i want to see go down more than Dole is Lieberman, sadly we have to wait 4 years for that. But at least he'll be without any chairmanships come 1/1/09

If Barak Obama eventually goes on to win the 2008 Presidential election, one could conciveably point to September 15, 2008 as the day John McCain lost the election. An analysis of the Intrade.com Presidential Futures Market shows McCain's probability of winning the election peaked on September 15th, the same day Barak Obama's chances bottomed-out prior to moving through the eighty-percent, probability-of-winning level.

The analysis also suggests that the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates made absolutely no difference in changing the direction of each candidate's probability-of-winning trends. The convential wisdom would suggest the race should tighten in the next two weeks. However, unless Senator Obama stumbles badly, the mind-set of the American people is somehow moved off the economy, or Senator McCain's campaign suddenly finds a campaign theme that begins resonating with larger numbers of voters, this election could already be decided.

http://worldsofspike.blogspot.com

Spike...that matches exactly what Carl Jeffers identified Tuesday while he was a guest of Don Imus.

Jason: Paulson forced the major bankers to sign a document yesterday that made them take a $250,000,000,000 bailout, even though Wells Fargo's chief howled his dissent...he signed...http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/business/economy/15bailout.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/business/economy/15bailout.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Oh please, anon-p. I wasn't defend the moron at the rally, I just think you're making too big a deal of it. Some idiot yelled out something stupid at a rally. Stop the presses.

To put some additional analysis behind Craig's current blog, a review of the Intrade.com U.S. Senate Futures markets suggest things aren't so great in Dixie...

In states that have been solidly Republican in the recent past, the Republican South seems to have cracks in its armor. At this time, the Senate races in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky are still too close to call. Even the Senate seat previously held by hard-core Republican Trent Lott is too close to call. Finally, traditionally-Republican states of Virgina, Louisiana, and Montana are also predicted to go Democratic at this time.

http://worldsofspike.blogspot.com

Why are SoetorObama and the DNC fighting discovery in the Berg lawsuit? Do any of you know enough about his history to guess? These are some of the documents Berg is after:

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/is-the-economy-a-political-dis.html#comment-158605

He probably is not using his legal name (Barry Soetoro ?). His citizenship status is more complicated. At best - a naturalized citizen. If the proper procedure was not followed, he would be an illegal alien.

GORDO allow me to congratulate on "green blogging", it's amazing just how many times you've recycled the same crap.

Oh please, anon-p. I wasn't defend the moron at the rally, I just think you're making too big a deal of it. Some idiot yelled out something stupid at a rally. Stop the presses.

Posted by: champ | October 15, 2008 2:43 AM

I am with you on this one champ.
This is somehow uncontrollable. Although a very sad remark, any moron can yell out anything.

DJ,
I don´t get it. Why did all of them have to sign? Huh?

I am asking around here in the office what the policy was in GB and in Holland. I will get back to ya on that one.....

Why withhold documents? They are hiding damaging info. Guess why Berg wants the certified copies of Obama’s Application and Admission forms for Occidental College, Columbia University and Harvard Law School. Do you know enough to make a guess?

Morning Jason -- You know, I've listeneed to some of the Matthews/Olberman rants, and it almost seems to me that they are ginning up the "threats of violence" meme as a news story. It seems to excite them in a creepy way.

I do think that whatever wack job yelled that should be checked out by Secret Service and probably a shrink -- or six.

But sometimes watching Chris Matthews makes me shudder -- it's as if he wants either violence on some level, or racial unrest -- or something bad as long as it makes people tune in.

I can't remember what old time news man said this, but the statement was made, that cable is completely ruled by "conflict." That means even handed commentary is shunted aside. And it's funny -- the reason I started being a fan of Craig's is because he was one of the most even handed of the pundits.

Also, I've been listening to Charles Barkley and Ben Stein on Larry King. Ben Stein is a complete maroon. Barkley was talking about America's poor....and Stein said, "Oh well, people usually get out of poverty in one generation."

God a'mighty. Does he really beieve that?

Oh, good. Ben Stein is leaving the show half way through and Barkley is staying.

I helped Tanya Tucker do a book called 100 Ways to Beat the Blues. Lots of celebrities gave answers. Barkley's was --

"One word. Rebound."

Ha!

Patsi,
it is indeed sad. But what I cannot understand is that you watch these idiots and give them ratings. I have seen enough during the primaries....they live for these things. Everything in their power to elect the run away guy who upset the inevitbale and will show that the American dream is still alive...
After that, it will be sending him to the butcher shop and making sure that scandals will plague his four years in office.

Guys like Matthews and Olberman are sad, Patsi ... plain sad....

"After that, it will be sending him to the butcher shop and making sure that scandals will plague his four years in office."

That's the underlying truth of it all. This has nothing to do with their real political beliefs, even though they act like rabid partisans. Just whatever keeps people watching.

It's like Maureen Dowd -- she now writes with such pomposity about her disdain of the Bush crowd, yet she is the one who first annointed Don Rumsfeld with the title "rock star." People forget this duplicity.

Craig another nugget from the Denver Post -

"After together spending nearly $2 million in Colorado Senate ads in the last two weeks of September, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Freedom's Watch — two of Schaffer's biggest backers — suddenly pulled out.

Those two groups are now spending millions in Senate races in Oregon and North Carolina, where Republican incumbents are at risk. "

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10720718

Patsi just to refresh your memory about Dowd. She never celebrated Rummy as a "Rockstar"

A column written one month after the Iraq invasion, at the height of that PR boom .
Out with the in crowd
Why Donald Rumsfeld's party invitations should be a matter of international concern

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/apr/28/usa.comment

She referred to him as a rock star in the NY Times, anon. Because I was appalled at the time. The Times cheerleaded that war relentlessly.

Funny Patsi that column isn't in the Google database.

I guess I must have just imagined it....

BS, anon. Whether you want to remember or not, she called him a rock star. Of course, Maureen flips back and forth on most things....she's often an equal opportunity snark. But a LOT of media waved flags at the time.

Here she is 3 weeks before 9/11 :

Liberties; Rip Van Rummy Awakes

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B05EEDC1731F931A1575BC0A9679C8B63

Sorry there Patsi I never remember things that didn't happen. Dowd never sent flowers to Rumsfield.

champ...

Then I apologize to you. It is a big deal and no one should make light of it.

I remember JFK, RFK, MLK and others who were killed for their political beliefs. On the the drug addict Rush show Palin said when asked if she was going to continue the attacks against Senator Obama she said "I have nothing to lose".

We don't need a racist VP in the Peoples House after the scum we have in there now.

Dowd from the above op-ed -

" ..... Rummy, Dick Cheney and Paul O'Neill -- and the most striking thing is how out of touch they act. Perhaps because they have been in the rarefied atmosphere of corporate suites so long, these guys seem constantly taken aback that when you state your position in Washington, it isn't the end of an argument but the beginning.

How can the people who were supposed to know how the world works not know anything about how the world works? "

anon -- I know she turned on that crowd...but I also distinctly remember her calling him a rock star early on.

Just like so many commentators joked in 2000 that Bush would be more "fun" to have as president.

And you cannot deny that the Times was a culprit in the lead up to war.

Good Morning everyone!

For the debate tonight -- wouldn't it be nice if CNN ran a lie meter at the bottom of the screen instead of the undecided voter reaction meter?

Patsi nice slide ....
"And you cannot deny that the Times was a culprit in the lead up to war"

Your comment was on Dowd,
Dowd never drank that cool-aid.

"Don't try to confuse me with circular logic ... I work for the phone company".

patsi

would this have been the column?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E0D8173CF936A35751C1A9679C8B63

Jack

It may have been Jack -- but the term rock star sticks in my mind. The trouble with Dowd is that she often makes fun of people in a way that seems fawning, and vice versa.

And yes, anon, I did point the finger at Dowd. And i still say she fawned early on. Then went for the throat.

By the way, Gravel has a new book out with his take on the primary season and media in general as relates to Bush. It's an ax-grind about the way he was treated, but an interesting read anyway.

So sad. My girl Madonna and husband Guy are calling it quits....

Hey Patsi -- I was looking up the Maureen Dowd "rock star" comment -- I haven't found the rock star thing -- but I don't disbelieve she said it at some point either in a column or while commenting on air. CNN's Jamie McIntyre definitely did during a DOD press conference and Maureen Dowd was referenced by Rumsfeld with that comment, saying, "Well if you believe everything in Maureen Dowd's columns..."

While I was searching I came across this little comment by Roseanne -- and thought you would really agree with this too:
it is fine to say that ms. palin is an extremist, who doesn't care a whit about the web of life, or the living environment, that she equates birth control with abortion, that she is all military and guns, just do not start calling her woman hating words! alot of women will make the mistake of voting the other way if they are offended enough by democratic bloggers! the comments by alot of misogynist dem bloggers are vomitous!

Jason -- That only means Madge is available now! Good news for you!

"wouldn't it be nice if CNN ran a lie meter at the bottom of the screen instead of the undecided voter reaction meter? "

It sure would be...I don't understand undecideds at this point.

"Look, I work for the phone company. I've had a lot of experience with semantics, so don't try to lure me into some maze of circular logic."

Phone repairman and Elaine, in "The Maid"

Have Madonna and her husband been married a long time, Jason? I'm way out of that loop....more of a Wynonna fan....or of course (we've had this conversation before, ha!) my girl Aretha. And since we're on Aretha -- I hate this dispute of sorts between two of my all-time favorites, Aretha and Tina!

I saw Tina in Vegas back in 1979 or '80 -- pre-comeback. She opened for Lou Rawls, and he might as well not have even come on stage after Tina's show.

I think the main point about the crazies in the McCain/Palin crowds - is that we started hearing these outrageous comments right after McCain and Palin made a major shift to start highlighting Obama's connection to "terrorists", saying he thinks "America is so impefect" and asking "who is Barack Obama."

So McCain and especially Palin - cannot simply say "we can't control what people say" - when it is their tone that is influencing such comments.

If they need to take this hard tack because they think it is the only way to win - then they also have the responsibility to keep the crowds in line.

Ref. polls.

It would seem to me that not knowing the specifics of how a poll is conducted, the individual selected, how the questions are phrased, the results of such polls are meaningless.

At the bottom of most polls you'll see something like this:

"This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1070 adults nationwide, including 972 registered voters, interviewed by telephone October 10-13, 2008. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample and the sample of registered voters could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher."

Although it indicates this was a "random" sample, it doesn't provided you with the specifics of how this random sample was generated, what databases were used, what was the make-up of those called, what was the ratio of Republican, Democrats, Independents, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, age groups, blue collar, management etc. Does anyone one know how these polls can be further broken down to expose the exact method how the poll was taken and the respondents chosen?

Patsi

I haven't read dowd for years. I don't like her style.
As I read through the list of her columns on the times web site, I realised why. All of her columns are attack and scorn. She is too hip to praise or find something positive. Just cheap sophomoric hipness. No thought behind it. So I doubt that she praised Rummy, but she may have backed off on the vitriolic. But considering her high level of vitriol for the Clintons, it would have been impossible to maintain

Jack

keeping the crowds "in line" has not always been in the gop's interest......in fact, hinting that they should get "out of line" has been more their forte'

ie.....McCain may be currently in a box of crunch, but there's no way the crazies will not be encouraged, by and large.......

I read that Roseanne piece, Alicia. It was good. I'm not that sure Palin ran the state as quite the extremist she's being painted. But her world view is absolutely right wing.

And Roseanne's correct when she says "the comments by alot of misogynist dem bloggers are vomitous!"

-- the left's attacks have caused some women I know (Repubs and indies) to decide to vote McCain, when at one point, they were sitting it out.

And yes, I stand corrected by anon, that Dowd didn't cheerlead anyone in the BushCo for long....but I distinctly remember the rock star thing. You may be right -- it may have been on television. Who knows, maybe it was when she was calling in to Imus, because I watched him a lot during that time. But I remember it. (Unless of course, I'm going senile, which is always a possibility.)

Oh! Good news....the little "deck cat" is back and doesn't appear to be a new mom. Now I do have to decide whether to try and get her adopted or just take her to the vet for a "tube job."

"If they need to take this hard tack because they think it is the only way to win - then they also have the responsibility to keep the crowds in line."

Agreed, Warren. They should immediately stop and shut that down.

Jack -- yes, Maureen does little but slam people....and she may have just been being sarcastic about it. You are on target about her attempt at terminal hipness.

The hypocrisy of the Liberal women groups.

When Clarence Thomas was accused by Anita Hill of sexual harassment, with absolutely no evidence, the Liberal female community went crazy. Out raged that a female would just make up such claims. When Bill Clinton, although he had a past of womanizing, the female members of his Cabinet and Congress stood on the South lawn defending him, and ridiculed the females who made such claims. When there was mention in the press of Hillary Clinton's cleavage showing, the feminist groups went berserk. But you can say, print, the most demeaning, god awful things about Sarah Plain and her daughters, these same Liberal feminist groups are dead silent.

From my prospective it appears all the hyperbole that has been generated from these Liberal female feminist for all these years only applies to females who embrace their liberal doctrine, otherwise you are just SOL. They should be truthful and hang a sign out in front of their organization stating, "Females with opposing views need not apply".

Patsi..... great news about the kitty!

I'm glad to see that CQ's Poll Tracker has Shaheen back in the lead over Sununu here in NH..... although it looks to be a squeaker.....

Jack.... it's good to see you posting again.... I miss your level headed..... albeit a tad curmudgeon..... analysis of the election.....

Alicia..... I LOVE the lie meter suggestion...... as long as it was on BOTH candidates.....

mornin' all.

Don't have much time to blog this week, but Anon, Maureen Dowd did call Rummy a rock star.

http://www.rantingprofs.com/rantingprofs/2004/07/maureen_dowd_ag.html

Anselm,
I think you scored a B+ on your post.
have to give it to you also. Good write....

Patsi, of course I do not get the whole Aretha and Tina feud. Only that Beyonce made reference to Tina during the grammy´s as The Queen, while Aretha was in the audience, and Aretha did not like that... boehoe...

Madonna was married for nearly 8 years to Guy...

Diva, No , not availbale for me. Madonna is the best artist out there, and I truly admire her artistry and her efforts...But she is not the person I wanna call: Wife....

oops, need to read more carefully - still looking.

"When Clarence Thomas was accused by Anita Hill of sexual harassment, with absolutely no evidence, the Liberal female community went crazy. Out raged that a female would just make up such claims. "

I sure don't remember it that way, Anselm....unless I'm misreading what you are saying. I knew NO feminists who didn't stand behind Anita Hill. But I may not be getting your point on that statement.

On the other hand, I agree that true feminism is about gender equality. That should include different political views. I know some strong feminists who are pro-life. Abortion, while I consider choice as crucial, should not be the litmus test.

If we slur women whose political beliefs are different from ours, and do it on a gender-based level....then we are not feminists at all, but partisans using the term for our own purposes.

The first stupid thing many "public" feminists did was arrogantly dismiss homemakers and volunteers. I gave a lot of speeches about that problem back in the day, and I never allowed that kind of snark in my feminist magazine.

There is another issue: mediocrity. I knew too many early feminists who held "average women" in contempt. My belief was that we will achieve equality when mediocre women can go as far as mediocre men.

Anselm....
you've hit the nail on the head.....
which is why I haven't joined in the making fun of Sarah going on here...... although I do think some are just doing so for a bit of jocularity......

Pogo..... you're missed..... hope you have more time next week....

Tina is THE woman...... but Aretha is THE ONLY queen........ IMO, of course....

What I'm finding are articles recounting that CNN (and a slew of other media outlets including USA Today and the Guardian) referred to Rumsfeld as a virtual rock star and Maureen referred to him as Rummy.

Maureen may have referred to OBL as having become an international rock star following 9/11.

Pats, fwiw, I had the impression Dowd called him a rock star, too. Then again, I am afflicted with an acute case of CRS.

Thanks, Renee - I hope so, too.

"Oh! Good news....the little "deck cat" is back and doesn't appear to be a new mom. Now I do have to decide whether to try and get her adopted or just take her to the vet for a "tube job."

Patsi, if she disappeared for a day (and that abnormal for her) then she's probably in heat. If you're going to have her spayed, you don't want to wait too long. I'm glad she came back this morning. They're never safe outside at night.

http://thedailybeast.com/

tina brown's webpage......nice site.

"Obama decided to use temperament against McCain"

This is a winning strategy as McCain for his entire life has not been able to control himself. He's not going to change now, and what many see as "maverick" others will conclude he is hot-headed, irrational, and a knee-jerk decision maker.

I am not so sure how many Republicans want McCain trying to help them retain their seats.

Anon-P - I think you are correct in doing whatever you can to stop the violent shout-outs for murder. That anyone, would choose to turn a blind eye to that is unconscionable. My goodness, you can't say "ho" or "pimp" nowadays , but our society accepts "kill him"?

wtf ?

happy day to all.
peace~

Actually, Anselm, the liberal feminist establishment was outraged that the media and the right wing defenders of Thomas were claiming she just made up those allegations. And let me ask you how, in the absence of anyone else being present, one can offer any proof of allegations like Hill presented to the committee? It's classic he said, she said, and the outcome was the same with Thomas that it is with most such cases of sexual harassment - if no one else saw it, the accuser loses.

I Hope Mitch McConnell loses. I thought the Dems were robbed when Bunning won last time around.

McConnell is the personification of what is wrpng with the Republicans. Gutless, greedy, gasbags who patronize the rest of America.

"My goodness, you can't say "ho" or "pimp" nowadays , but our society accepts "kill him"?"

UB -- The times people have come down on "ho" or "pimp" have been in the media. I don't think these two things relate. Do you honestly believe someone wouldn't stop a person on television or radio from saying "kill him"?

On the other hand, the media keeps whipping this up.

Patsi,

"I sure don't remember it that way, Anselm....unless I'm misreading what you are saying. I knew NO feminists who didn't stand behind Anita Hill. But I may not be getting your point on that statement."

You are correct and that was my point, the feminist groups stood behind her 100%, even those there was no evidence to support her claims. And Thomas didn't have a history of womanizing other female workers which didn't support her accusations. I am not saying it didn't happen, just there was never any proof to demonstrate it did happen. But the feminist groups at the time said, "a woman/female would not make-up such claims if they weren't true."

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158944

Pogo

CRS is a totally normal condition. It's when it evolves into CRAFT that you have a major problem. :-)

pogo,

It was a he say, she say sort of thing. Thomas didn't have a history of doing such things, and as far as I am aware Hill wasn't a fatal attraction sort of female. So it comes down to who do you believe.

Good Morning all
Jason
Yes,sad for Madge! Stiff upper lip for her though,she's performing 'Sticky and Sweet" tour tonight in Boston...Go girl....I saw a clip of Madonna a couple of days ago in concert on a Palin sing along rant...Ha

Patsi -- Good news about the kitty --- I'm sure you know some vets who will do low-cost spaying for feral kitties. Check out Alley Cat Allies http://www.alleycat.org if you need a referral in your area. Trap-spay-return is a very humane way of helping feral cats. At the very least, the cats need vaccinations. I have a friends who buys the vaccine on line and vaccinates the alley cats in her neighborhood for everything except rabies --- the rabies vaccine isn't sold to non-vets. At least her efforts keep the housepet cats from catching other cat diseases.

Renee -- Definitely have both candidates hooked up to the lie-o-meter. I had a vision of McCain and Obama wearing Pinocchio noses during their face-off tonight. Would certainly add to the hilarity of the Debate Bingo and drinking games.

Sigh.. just frickin' wonderful economic news.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/business/economy/16econ.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

See how effective the prior tax stimulus package was.

Tonyb39 -- I thought Madge was feeling smothered/controlled by Guy Ritchie and would be glad to be away from the relationship.

Not every divorce is unhappy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158844

Craig -- This Phoenix rising meme of McCain's does give me pause, but I wonder how many comebacks does an old guy get? Even cats only have 9 lives.

What I forgot to include in my original post is this. Larry Flint is reported to be producing a porn movie staring a look-a-like Sarah Palin. Again the feminist groups are silent on this matter, and that is not only totally unexplainable, but totally unacceptable.

Seriously do you think the reaction from these groups would be the same if these horrendous vicious personal attacks had been directed towards Michelle Obama and her daughters? How can anyone take these groups and their mantras' seriously when they are distributed so unevenly?

jamie - I haven't QUITE progressed to CRAFT, although there are times when I expect to retire to a chair to mutter and drool.

Anselm, that was my point. It was he said, she said, and SH claims often are, which is why they aren't often successful. A history of that kind of behavior makes a claim more credible, but is not proof that the claim being made occurred. FWIW, I have defended employers against such claims, and there is a huge disconnect between what happens and what can be proved. IMHO that is one area of the law where justice is rare and elusive.

Alicia
I agree,that's been my sense too..I feel Guy is to straight laced for Madge! My friend Baz in Australia thinks Guy is homophobic ,based on reading a book by Madonna's brother...Maybe a very happy divorce?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158957

Pogo, The "stimulus package" was doomed to failure from the beginning. Those check could be spent only once ... poof it's gone and nothing left behind.

Unless the money goes to where it stimulates jobs, bolsters infrastructure etc. it just disappears into somebodies already over filled coffers.

You would think that people who are supposed to know so much about money wouldn't keep making the same stupid mistake. Afterall, the rich know that the way you become rich is to only buy something of value whose value is likely to increase over time.

You don't go out to dinner, you own the restaurant.

A question for the females of this group.

What is the one most important issue you'll be focusing on this election?

Iraq/Afghanistan, health care, the economy, terrorism, equal pay, etc?

"Afterall, the rich know that the way you become rich is to only buy something of value whose value is likely to increase over time."

Donald Trump should know that, but he lost his butt on the casino business in AC, and that is why his new place in Vegas does not have gambling.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158937

Anselm - Feminists have come out to decry sexism as the media applied it to Palin. But it is not sexist to discuss her views and policies, or even how she runs her family. Like other political types, the family comes into play when they are trotted out and held up as props for the candidate. Palin has done with with her own family at every turn. McCain's family situation and Obama's family have also been widely discussed and analyzed for insights into each man's character.

You might be surprised to learn that before the GOP was taken over by wrong-wing zealots, the national GOP platform included planks for the Equal Rights Amendment, and was pro-choice. Many of the second wave feminists were GOPs. Jill Ruckelshaus gave one of the most passionate and inspiring speeches ever on behalf of the Equal Right Amendment.

OBAMA FIRES A 'ROBIN HOOD' WARNING SHOT
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10152008/news/politics/obama_fires_a_robin_hood_warning_shot_133685.htm

Obama's tax plan: Robin Hood Approach
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/09/18/obamas-tax-plan-robin-hood-approach/

Is this a good sign or not. Just how many number 2 leaders does AQ have? At this rate I wouldn't be very excited about learning I have been promoted to #2.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081015/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158960

Anselm, your memory is short - Michelle has been (and continues to be) the target of may of the right as an angry black woman, yada, yada. She has taken a very low profile since the flurry f media attention that drew such fire from the right, which is in large measure why there isn't a lot of attention direced at her right now. And Obama was pilloried for using his kids in the campaign video, and he stopped doing that, so the furor died down. Palin is front and center, and such conservative pillars of virtue as Rush and Sean couldn't stop drooling over Palin when she was announced. They played up her attractivness, contrasted her to Hillary, so they (and you) can complain that she's being treated unfairly, but when you enter this arena and your supporters play up your attractiveness, you're going to draw fire as a result. Fairly or unfairly she's attacked for saying one thing and being another wrt her family (limited almost entirely to the eldest daughter from what I can tell) because the results of her philosophy of family values are obvious and ironic at more than one level. As to Flynt, he's a businessman and I'm sure he just sees a chance to make a few bucks. He trades in sex, so what product would you expect him to produce? I wonder if an Obama look alike will be in it too? If not, he's missing a great gag (excuse the pun) opportunity. Be interesting to see who buys the video - I'm betting as many Republicans as Dems buy it.

Feminists have come out to decry sexism as the media applied it to Palin.

If so why isn't it being reported in the news media? As far as family props go, I believe i have seen the Obama's with their 2 lovely daughters on a number of official occasions. Are they to not props? But I think you are missing my point. The silence of these feminist groups in deafening.

It is deafening Anselmo.
Some of them cired foul during the primaries with Hillary (not all of them) and now it is amazingly silent....
That is why I am happy Bill and Hillary did not demean her ........

Jamie, it was just a one time tax cut disguised as a stimulus - of course it was doomed to fail. The problem with the "cut taxes" approach is that while it does put more money in the economy through the taxpayer, it's the same money that would have been there through the govenment, so while it may stimulate the retail segment, it doesn't represent a net addition to the overall economy unless goverrnment continues to spend (by deficit spending) at the level it would have but for the rebate or tax cut. It hasn't worked for the past 8 years, so why would we expect to see it work now?

And the Dow responds - down 225.

Patsi- I think that the two are related, albeit on different levels... I think it's the role of society to set the mores, and if someone was in the crowd was yelling "Palin is a whore", my guess is that the general public would find that unacceptable. It's about what we, individually "allow ".......if the crowd (or one person in the crowd) was yelling the "N" word would that be okay? ( I think not )

I just feel we need to bring our society up a bit. I guess I am still hoping for a better place to live......and a respect level that is higher then it is currently. (imo)

I voted yesterday....Dona Ana county in New Mexico uses a paper ballot that is fed into an electronic reader...I was 1104. It took me less than ten minutes to vote and I had to wait one minute for my voter confirmation and ballot. There were two electronic readers and no booths. I sat at a school desk with a generic, cardboard barrier that had "vote" in red ink.

I threw the bums out...not a republican survived either my husband's or my ballot. Race was not a issue. Gender was not an issue. It was the economy, stupid. I listen to Sirius radio and the repug chant of "my money is more important than your money" finally put me over the edge. Repugs are desperate to protect their money. Same chant as all other elections, but this time they are shrill.

Something you need to know about me, although gay, I am not a woman hater. As to the equal treatment of women in the work place and elsewhere I am probably more woman's rights that these so-called feminist groups. Where I disagree with them on is the lipness test issue regarding abortion, and their selective defense of certain women, and their kick to the curb of other women. Other than that I am pretty much in agreement with most of their issues.

"What I forgot to include in my original post is this. Larry Flint is reported to be producing a porn movie staring a look-a-like Sarah Palin."

If this is true, then Flint needs a slapdown.

And it's not completely true that no feminist groups supported Palin -- I believe the LA chapter of NOW endorsed her.

And I don't know one women who is really a feminist who would join in on the gender-based ugliness. There are a lot of women who think it's funny and fair game. But they are not feminists no matter what they call themselves. Read above what Roseanne Cash said, it was spot on:

" do not start calling her woman hating words! alot of women will make the mistake of voting the other way if they are offended enough by democratic bloggers! the comments by alot of misogynist dem bloggers are vomitous!"

pogo,

"it's the same money that would have been there through the govenment"

One gigantic exception. I'll much rather spend my money on what I deem important, not on some government pet project. I am really starting to detest money spent on the study of certain animals/insects sex lives.

" "Palin is a whore", my guess is that the general public would find that unacceptable. It's about what we, individually "allow ".......if the crowd (or one person in the crowd) was yelling the "N" word would that be okay? ( I think not )
I just feel we need to bring our society up a bit. "

Agreed, UB -- but I think people ARE raising hell about it. In fact, I'm not sure that Chris Matthews's rants aren't making it worse. There's been a load of ugly talk this season. As Roseanne Cash said: vomitous.

On women's issues in this campaign and defense of Palin.

We are still waiting for something substantive from Governor Palin.........waiting and waiting. If that is the Campaigns fault, shame on them.

All the official women's groups in the world cannot blindly support someone who has only come out with one solid stand. Against RoeVWade.

Women of this nation are not one issue voters. Plain and simple. Right Now, Sarah Palin is NO Hillary Clinton, Susan Collins, Kay Bailly Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe, Barbara Boxer.....I could go on.

As far as sexism, the only outwardly displayed sexism I have seen are coming from Right wing radio hosts commenting on her spiked heels and overall beauty in ways that are not exactly respectfull. The right wings seems to thing that this is as acceptable as the "Monkey" dolls with Obama signs that are being swept up at McCain rallies.

Tell Palin to give more substance and I bet the women's groups will given intelligent response.

Tell these GOP personality types to put their tongues back in their mouths and treat Governor Palin like a real candidate.

There is my input for the day ;0)

Anselm -- if you read what I posted above, I agree about the litmus tests. I have had disagreements with some of the feminist organizations from day one. And I am a text book case of a woman who was involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements, and felt angered by the sexism found in both. Remember when Stokley said the only position in the civil rights movement for women was prone?

When many of us turned our efforts to feminst causes, too many saw it in exclusive and elitist terms. As I said before, only when mediocre women -- and minorities -- can succeed at the same rate as mediocre white men will anything change.

Good Thoughts Craig,

All though I really think that McCain cannot help what is happening to his fellow republicans. just another example of cleaning house again. Back in the 90's it was time for the Democrats to take stock and update their beliefs, issues, all things that Americans care about.

I think Sudan Collins is going to squease by. I'm glad because she is a great senator for Maine. There are going to be good legislators that get swept up in the wave of change. However, in our history we have seen the best of the best rise again. I have no doubt that this will happen again. Bottom line for the public is, "Who takes care of me".

Anselm, most of us would, but that puts you in the low tax, small governemnt, trickle down works just fine, get a job camp. Most of that money goes for defense, Medicare, and social programs. 18% is devoted to non military discretionaly spending, and if you looked into that, you'd find that non-military discretionary spending includes funding for what we typically consider to be the central work of government: environmental protections; education; health care like the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, public health services, and biomedical research (but not Medicare or Medicaid); international affairs such as the State Department; the federal courts and prisons; agriculture programs; air traffic control; energy programs; poverty reduction; federal law enforcement; roads and bridges. Bush proposed a decrease of about $20B in NMDS in his '09 budget - about 1/3 of 1% of the budget. Many of the silly funding projects you complain about is through earmarks, and makes up about 1% of the budget. So let's cut all that out and cut your taxes to reflect it. Enjoy that 1 1/3% tax reduction. A couple of very good summaries follow.

http://www.cbpp.org/pubs/fedbud.htm

http://www.ucc.org/justice/federal-budget/2009-federal-budget-overview.html

Pogo, the stimulus checks were just a sop to the masses.

Smart people with debt, could have used it to reduce future payments.

We spent ours in Korea. Others spent theirs buying Chinese merchandise ~~in the big boxes that have simply done wonders~~ for domestic production and employment.

Take any such money and put into long-term socially desirable enterprises such as greening our country. Will have tremendous return if done thoughtfully.

"As far as sexism, the only outwardly displayed sexism I have seen are coming from Right wing radio hosts commenting on her spiked heels and overall beauty in ways that are not exactly respectfull."

Then you haven't been reading the internet in the past few months.

Criticizing Palin for no substantive ideas is on target, but calling her and her daughters sluts is another. And the photoshopped picture of Palin's daughter tarted up, saying "Like Mother Like Daughter" came straight from a male liiberal former friend of mine....it was all the rage, so he said. I'd say disgraceful, but I like Roseanne's "vomitous" better.

I think that Palin is not ready to be president of this country should McCain win the election and die in office..... that thought actually scares me.....

but IMO.... both the right and the left have been equal opportunity offenders in smearing her womanhood.....

the word "choice" was never just about whether to... or not.... give birth to a baby for me..... it meant to be able to choose on anything and everything....

Sheila,

Do you not read the NYT? Read the DailyKos, listen to David Letterman, John Stewart, numerous Hollywood types, the upper west side intellectual types. They have been attacking her and her family personally from day one. So much for the open minded, cohesiveness, fair mindedness label the Liberal always like to display for the world to see. And as far as worldly view are concern Obama has only been to the middle east just 1 time more than she has, and he has never been to Afghanistan. And you are correct she is NO Hillary Clinton, Susan Collins, Kay Bailly Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe, Barbara Boxer, and for that we can be thankful she isn't part of the old DC establishment that Obama claims he wants to part way with. But I noticed Obama picked a legionary DC insider as his #2 with over 30 years in Congress.

"Then you haven't been reading the internet in the past few months."

Patsi, the behavior of our left-wing friends has caused me feelings of the utmost revulsion.

I simply can't understand why anyone would wish to associate with people (in either party), who would comport themselves in such a manner.

After all it is only money, well our money..

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/first-100-days-start-early-2008-10-14.html

I am off to practice my throw. I'll be back later.

You and Patsi are partly right. I avoid Internet websites that have proven to be trash sites.

I weigh what is obvious prejudice and throw it out. That includes both sides. NO I don't read KOS anymore.

Patis, I'm sorry you are reading that stuff. I think its trash on both sides. Those poor kids need to be left alone by both sides. Children are not political no matter who their parents are.

But my reasoning for bringing up those talk show hosts.....I was blown away. This is their candidate and they show such disrespect? I thought they might be diferent.

Anselm, Bottom line for a LOT of people. Sarah Palin is a rising start and she's smart. She knows she had a small chance of becoming Vice President. She is using this opportunity to launch herself into the future. She's no fool.

McCain should have named Romney.....I figured Romney was a shoe in.. . I mean he's brilliant! But all anyone could think about was his LDS beliefs? Sad....

McCain needed someone to fill in his weak spot which was obviously the economy.... I mean, age aside, that's what Obama did.

Most of people were waiting for some reason to vote for McCain and he blew that away.

Well, time for work! Nice talk,
Pasti, good to see you again. ;0)

"the behavior of our left-wing friends has caused me feelings of the utmost revulsion. Posted by: Flatus

Flatus, Me too.
I'd even go so far as to say, it's been a real 'culture shock' for me.

Next president confronts staggering to-do list
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-14-whats-next_N.htm

Infrastructure,

Along with, safety,Financial stability, is what we expect from government, it's viability is essential.

Safety: My Republican friends , say that Bush has kept us safe, we have not been attacked since 9/11, and we should go after Iran, I no longer point out the obvious, the diversion from Afghanistan to Iraq, we don't have the$ to get involved in another war, etc etc, they agree to the three main functions of gov. these are simple and non argumentative. Knowing that they are staunch R's,and are friends, i just ask, by these standards, this present administration fails your requirements, the financial melt down has weakened all three. Like i said they have picked a side and will defend their side of the football field, but based on this talk 2 of the 3 will not vote at all for McCain, the third said he's a true R and will vote for the devil if he is running against O. 2 out of 3 ain't bad as new independents.
Im going to try the same approach with some of my left wing nut friends and family, but add some altruistic factor, with out all the ambiguity that confuses things so much, the ranks of the Indies, are going to grow this year i tink?

Pogo, the stimulus checks were just a sop to the masses.

Smart people with debt, could have used it to reduce future payments.

We spent ours in Korea. Others spent theirs buying Chinese merchandise ~~in the big boxes that have simply done wonders~~ for domestic production and employment.

Take any such money and put into long-term socially desirable enterprises such as greening our country. Will have tremendous return if done thoughtfully.

Flatus, yes, it was a sop to the masses, and a lot of people - the ones using their brains - did use the checks to pay down debt. Would that more folks thought like you.

Moron.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Meltdown-Bush.html

Solar....
I don't watch much cable news nowadays...... but my parents watch CNN and I happened to be at their house a couple nights last week while they were watching Lou Dobbs..... he seems to be on a crusade to turn as many people as possible into independents.....

I've been registered as an independent (actually undeclared) here in NH for 26 years...... I will be voting for every Democrat on the ballot on Nov. 4th.....
with the exception of a one term governor and a freshman Congressman whom are both Dems...... I feel just like Blonde Wino this season..... throw the bums out.....

" I avoid Internet websites that have proven to be trash sites.
I weigh what is obvious prejudice and throw it out. That includes both sides. NO I don't read KOS anymore. "

You are wise to avoid them, Sheila. I've stopped reading a lot of them. Because they really have become trash sites. I certainly wouldn'thave opened that email with the photoshopped picture had I known what it contained. I couldn't believe the friend who sent it thought it was great. And continued to defend it even after I told him I thought it was out of line.

One of my great-nieces had a baby and THEN married last year/. She is a professional woman, smart, and a happy mother. If someone photoshopped a picture f her because of the timing of her son's birth, I'd be bouncing off walls.

She's non-political -- maybe wouldn't have even voted, I don't know -- but after seeing the media frenzy about Palin's daughter, she decided to vote Republican. She saw it all as a direfct slap in the face. That's what Roseanne was talking about.

This race will tighten to 6% because the media needs it to tighten. They will trip over themselves to say McCain won this debate so that they have a three week story line that corresponds to the tradition of races tightening. All of the pundits will have an opportunity to scream, why can't Obama close the deal, or Bradley Effect!, or whatever else they think will get eyeballs to their newscasts until Election Day. At no time will they tell their viewers that a 6 percent national lead is a landslide, in the same way they didn't tell Clinton voters that the race was over in February. All that said, the Republicans are about to go into political wilderness. Their ideas are old, tired and erratic. They don't have any fresh politicians to put before the American people, except for a dumb, demogague who feeds the base but turns off the rest of the American people.

Pats,
I can see why your great neice had that reaction - my little sister (a Republican - I don't know where I went wrong) was in the same boat as a kid, and her older brother :-) had the same experience as well - from the male side of the equation and when old enough to decde to make both the decision. But of course the morality of Palin's daughter becoming preggers before marrying isn't the issue...it's the hypocrisy of Palin and the abject failure of the policies she supports that are...but you knew that. Palin's daughter should not e the target - Palin should.

"This race will tighten to 6% because the media needs it to tighten. "

I believe you may be right.

MD, that's about where they are now - the average poll result for Obama released today is just under 7 pts, and even considering that 14 pt. CBS/NYT outlier, RCP's average is 7.5%. I they used the convention of throwing out the highest and lowest difference then averaged, it would be under 7.

MD, it would be 6.666...

I don't see why yelling "kill him" is automatically a racist comment. Maybe they want to kill him for reasons other than his race.

Obviously, it's still troubling - but not necessarily racist.

Here's a little ditty with a little something for everyone.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/health/16infant.html?hp

The good news is that infant deaths in the US dropped 2% in 2006. The bad news is that our infant death rate is stilll abysmal.

If you want stats done right, go to: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Bill, true enough. It could be because he's an Arab??? Or he pals around with terr'ists??? GMAFB

MD, thanks - interesting site. More info than I want, but I'll keep tabs on it.

"Erasing Hate" = thought control. It's an effort to suppress free speech and expression.

OBAMA CAMPAIGN ISSUES TALKING POINTS TO MEDIA AHEAD OF DEBATE
Wed Oct 15 2008 11:13:03 ET

The Obama campaign issued a set of debate 'talking points' to media on Wednesday morning, the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.

Press Secretary Sean Smith issued the directive in an email from Pennsylvania, 12 hours before the debate.

The memo oddly mirrors much of the main press analysis and theme of the current campaign:

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashotp.htm

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-159009

Bill,

Murder is murder and inciting the prejudices of the nut cases of whatever type is still reprehensible.

hey all, i figure on doing a debate thread here tonight like we've done before. so dust off those refresh buttons and join us.

I was checking Rasmussen and found this...

http://minimovie.com/film-128454-Dancing%20With%20the%20Politics%20Stars

Craig, don't you think McCain is about as toxic as Bush is by now. Why would Smith even want McCain to come to Oregon to campaign for him? McCain doesn't have any coattails.

When you erase all the hate, all the poverty, all of the lofty goal that we aspire to erase, can we then please erase religion.

RR

I like LD most of the time used to watch his for yrs, I turn the volume down, or shut off the tv now, when he goes into his stupid questions like, do you want an iligale to have sex with your stuffed barbie doll, that what he sounds like to me, he has made some good point about protecting the boarder, and some other good points, but

Craig

CQ needs to get a real time system for these big events, but I will give the button and spit and polish so it is already to go.

Champ---hi

Where you been--watching tv again?

just teasing, hey was toast with you, haven't seen her?

Yo Solar,

I've been watching playoff baseball and have been enjoying it. The commercials are pure evil, but I just look away. I hate Joe Buck and Tim McGarver; is that a prosecutable offense?

Champ the commercial are the only thing that i enjoy of all tv, i look for the creativity, loved the one about a bounch of cats in a corral and someone trying to lasoooooo one of them,

prosecutable only if you know their names, have fun

If McInsane is doing so poorly, why in the world would Repugs want him to campaign for them? Wouldn't that be like using trying to build a structure on quicksand?

Speaking of sports, lol

Hey Pogo,

Northern Trust, Accenture, Banco Popular, Zurich, Wachovia, Morgan Stanley, U.S. Bank, RBC, Deutsche Bank,

Foresee any major problems for the PGA the next few years?

Hope y'all have a good debate watch. Des Moines is hosting the World Food Prize (sort of a Nobel Prize to honor people who have made difference in helping feed the world). I'm volunteering at a forum this evening featuring this year's laureates, Bob Dole and George McGovern. Probably won't be back in time to watch all the excitement (zzzzzzzzz)....

At no time will they tell their viewers that a 6 percent national lead is a landslide, in the same way they didn't tell Clinton voters that the race was over in February.

Posted by Mr. Democrat

The race wasn't over in February. The MSM did all they could to show Hillary as delaying the inevitable. I'm voting for Obama, but sorry... the MSM were totally in the tank for him.... and YOU know it.

Moron
Posted by: pogo Author Profile Page | October 15, 2008 11:49 AM

He's flying to Grand Rapids to tell all those GM workers that in the long run everything will be O.K.
In the the long run we'll all be dead, therefore O.K.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-158909

Interesting article Anon. I am wondering if the Dems will be putting forward all the resources necessary for Tim Mahoney's re-election campaign in Florida, given the latest news that he has had two affairs simultaneously after being elected as a Congressman who would restore values and morality to the seat previously held by Mark Foley. I wrote to Mahoney's website to complain that he would be so stupid to do this. It's a distraction that the Dems don't need and, as far as I am concerned, it's gonna cost the Dems a seat they were certain to hold onto.

Finally the MSM is also saying it's probably going to cost him his seat.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/10/rep_tim_mahoney_d-fla_publicly.html

I am so ashamed of the proclivities and "extracurricular activities" of many of our politicians! This sort of cultural morass needs to stop!

The economy recovered from the Great Depression, too. Of course it took 18-28 years (depending on the economist you believe) and a World War to get there.

I hope every GM exec who got deferred comp in the form of shares of stock are still holding it.

Rez, you betcha - they'll have to play the BankSuisse Torrey Pines Open and the XingDao Desert Classic.

From the Beast

How do I love David Gergen? Let me count the ways.

I love his low, quiet voice. That unmodulated buttery whisper that sounds like it’s elbowing its way past a cough drop that’s permanently lodged at the back of his throat. You know how Bed Bath & Beyond sells those white noise machines that help you sleep? And they usually make ocean noises? I want one that’s just David Gergen gently muttering about the economy.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-15/im-in-love-with-david-gergen/

Funny stuff

ET, Mahoney was VERY apparently thinking with the little head. Who's running against him - Foley? Lessee, sex with consenting adults; sexual harassment of minors - it's so hard to choose.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2008/10/saving-gop-senators-mccains-la.html#comment-159036

Now THAT'S funny. LOL

Champ..... I'm with you, pal...... I hate Buck and McCarver too.....
those two bozos are so in the tank for the Yankees..... no matter what teams or division they are covering......

looks like the Tampa Bay Rays are this year's "team of destiny"..... if they win the ALCS ( I find it hard to believe that the RSox are gonna pull one more down 3-1 rabbit out of the hat).... I'll be rooting for them in the World Series.....

NEW THREAD

Today's blistersyeahbutchannel
Thready but sure

Let's Play Post Office
"Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor gloom of night"
will keep us from posting self important missives
for those who labor ignorance

Gosh, Craig, are you saying it's over? McCain could do the right thing for his party (& the nation -- we do need two parties in a two-party system) and help MODERATE Republicans -- not Mitch McConnell, who's just as mean & nasty as McNasty -- but I suppose he won't.

Craig's comment is linked on RealityChex.com at http://www.realitychex.com along with other analysis of the debate.