Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

"THAT is why we are the great shining city on the hill."

Uh, Warren -- Has Obama convinced you to be a Reaganite?

Great video, Craig. I'm glad to see so many folks in Virginia embracing the notion of a black president. Very encouraging!

Yes very encouraging, but I'm not sure how much it's about people willing to embrace the idea of a black president or it's about what is proving to be a "perfect storm" for Obama, an appalling economy, and an appalling GOP nominee. I'm still floored by just what a poor candidate McCain has proven to be.

Nice job Craig ... good production values as well.

James in Blacksburg hit the nail on the head - 20 years ago etc.
Bradly was 26 years ago. Wilder was 20 years ago.

The grave cures racism, simple fact is many of those that won't vote because of race are dead, or headed in that direction.

One thing I've noticed about the clips this season of people going into McCain's rallies are that they are old, fat, and white. Hardly a growth demographic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqcfqiXCX0&eurl=http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/mccainpalin-supporters-let-their-rac

More clues to your clip from Tenn. -

Drove by the Maryville courthouse today. Signs for everyone. Except McCain. Seriously, not a single sign.

If the McCain campaign is sucking wind in Blount County, home of U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, then pack it in, boys. I mean, this is the GOP stronghold where Democrats once had to advertise in a newspaper to recruit members.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Early voting continues across Tennessee after a beginning that brought out more than 18,000 in Shelby County and nearly as many in Davidson County.

Opening day crowds Wednesday nearly doubled Nashville's previous first-day voting record of about 8,000, set in 2004.

The Tennessean quoted Davidson County Election Administrator Ray Barrett saying 49,000 new voters registered in time to cast ballots.
In Memphis, The Commercial Appeal reported wait times of up to an hour to vote.

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/silence/archives/2008/10/tn_democrats_vo.shtml

Memphis -

Election Commissioners say the first day of early voting usually draws about three thousand voters. By 2:30 in the afternoon, more than three times that amount already casted their ballot.

http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=dc9f8dc2-0414-4652-a272-219ca019df8b

States » Absentee and Early Voting Laws

http://earlyvoting.net/states/abslaws.php

In Tennessee's northeast corner, 1,370 Washington County voters cast ballots Wednesday, 130 more than in 2004.

The Johnson City Press-Chronicle quoted county elections administrator Connie Sinks saying the initial numbers bolster her belief that the turnout for the entire election will set a new record.

http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/8397

That's some quality reporting there! My neighbors? I live a county in NW Ohio , bordering both MI and IN, which always has voted repugg 3 to 1 in all elections...sheriff, dogcatcher, or POTUS...always repugg.
I ride a bicycle all over tis small city almost every day. Obama / Biden signs outnumber the other people's signs about 3 to 1...a TOTAL reversal !
Here, were ready to see Bush climb that mother-effin' helicopter one last time!
And as Chris Rock says: "All you white folks , don't you expect no Black shit to get done on November 5...on that day, you gonna be carryin' your own bags!"

"Fox News accused me of fathering two African-American children in wedlock"

McCain Loses Hastily Convened Fourth Presidential Debate With Lifesize Cardboard Obama

http://dagblog.com/humor-satire/mccain-loses-hastily-convened-fourth-presidential-debate-lifesize-cardboard-obama

Craig -
another radio ad targeting Fla. , this is Bill Nelson on NASA.

http://obama.3cdn.net/efe284d304c5a1789e_25m6vacx0.mp3

The Obama campaign is very very good.

Joe the plumber's story isn't watertight

Wurzelbacher said he did not need a plumber's license to do residential work with Newell Heating & Plumbing, but David Golis, a Toledo building-inspections official, disputed that. "We were just discussing that we will send a letter to the owner of Newell reminding him" of the city's requirement that all who do plumbing work be licensed or in apprentice or journeyman programs, Golis said.

• Finally, Wurzelbacher admitted to reporters that the goal of buying the business was more aspirational than firm.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008277201_campjoe17.html

Joe will soon be in jail. Just to put people on notice.

To me, who Joe is and what he said isn't the story--it's the "spread the wealth" philosophy that requires some thought.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-seery/joe-the-plumber-meets-sam_b_135399.html

Joe the Plumber should meet Sam the Gas Station Owner......Huffington Post

"So I'm fed up with the Republicans. Tax cuts for the rich, the war--all that stuff. The middle class needs help. I'm finally convinced. I'm going for Obama. First time in my life, I tell you."

I asked him about paying higher taxes.

"I don't care about that. If I'm making money, I don't care. I'll pay my taxes. But I'm not going to make any money if the middle-class guy doesn't have money in his pocket to buy my gas or my food. I don't need the big tax cut right now. That's not going to bring the customers into my gas stations."

Joe versus Sam. You could line up economists spouting elegant theories for each side, but the basic arguments can probably be reduced to Joe's and Sam's respective positions on very gut levels. Joe's never made $250,000, but he feels that if he ever reaches that threshold, he shouldn't be "penalized" for his success. He seems to believe that cutting taxes for wealthy individuals somehow serves his current financial interests and his aspirations for the future. Sam's already lived those trickle-down and dream-up Republican talking points but now rejects them with hard-won conviction.

Were the two of them to meet and strike up a conversation, side by side on adjacent treadmills, I dare say that Sam would be giving Joe an earful, not the other way around.

Joe appears to be one of those typical Limbo/Hannity listener types who get one point down from their hero and then rush off to talk about it......then as soon as they are past the point which they managed to have memorized.....they show themselves up for the true picture......shovel leaners.

Brother Dave Gardiner used to have a story about 2 guys down in the ditch digging......one guy'd be leaning on his shovel, chewing tobacco and saying....."One of these days.....I'm going to OWN this company."
The other guy didnt talk much, cause he just absolutely LOVED to dig.........he lived for it, and wound up digging enough for the both of them.......he dug from morning to night, just digging his butt off........and the other guy would lean on his shovel and say, "One of these days Im going to OWN this company."
So then fastforward about ten years later: the guy who loved to dig has a mansion, a fleet of dump trucks, 150 back hoes, 500 employees, etc etc. and the other guy is still in the ditch leaning on his shovel and saying, "One of these days, I'm going to OWN this company." And on the weekends the guy who loved to dig would be out in the back yard of his mansion digging in the garden.

I think Joe the plumber probably leans on his shovel a bit.

I remember the sense of pride I felt went Brent Barry won the slam dunk contest awhile ago. It let me know that in this great country of ours white men could one day indeed jump and win the slam dunk contest.

But what if he had "Flubber" on his shoes?

Robin Williams! My nephew used to watch that movie over and over!

Good morning all. TGIF. Hi to Corey and Sturge and Patsi and ubns and anon and anyone else up drinking coffee this morning (or whatever) and surfing.

Anon, from Tennessee (?) or thereabouts: welcome. Have enjoyed your posts.

Are we ready for our Friday morning pep rally? I guess this is where W's cheerleading skills come into play.

WE'VE GOT SPIRIT, YES WE DO! WE'VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW 'BOUT YOU?

Ha.....i had in mind the Tommy Kirk, Fred McMurray version......"The Absent Minded Professor"......but same deal, same flubber.......lol

Craig..... a most excellent and interesting video!

Corey..... you crack me up!
sorry about your Dodgers.... the Red Sox were down 7-0 in the 7th inning and won the game 8-7 with a walk off single by JD Drew in the 9th...... I still think the Rays will take the series...... but my beloved RSox have given me much to cheer about this season.....

I saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!....

Oh yeah, some stories from my job this week. I worked at our "Center of Excellence" (insert your own joke here) 4 days this week. The guy I was working for there said that he and his wife were in the process of adopting two young children from Uganda. I worked at my new job last night. Making doors for the Jeep Liberty. Did not realize that we ship some of these doors to Venezuela and Egypt. Who knew that Hugo Chavez drove a Jeep???

SWING TO THE LEFT, SWING TO THE RIGHT, STAND UP, SIT DOWN, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

rr - Congrats to your Sox.

Craig - Very interesting vid today.

Wasn't "I screwed up," the line Hugh Grant used on Leno after he solicited the services of Divine Brown?

I've seen that as well, Renee. A few houses that had campaign signs of both candidates in their front yards. I thought for sure the Red Sox had lost last night when I left for work. Couldn't believe it when I heard the news. Thanks Renee, gotta have some humor here sometimes.

"saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!...."

Renee -- I saw one with one Obama and one Ron Paul yesterday.

Obama is campaigning in Roanoke VA today, so maybe some of Craig's interviewees will get to see him in person. Roanoke Civic Center, 12:30 with Jim Webb; free event; doors open at 10 a.m.

From local paper: Roanoke regional registrations up 30,000 this year, with 10,000 (up 23% over 2004) in Montgomery County (home to Virginia Tech). Area voted for Jim Webb and Tim Kaine in recent elections; used to be reliably GOP but no longer.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/180778

Virginia Tech, huge school in Blacksburg: students are voting at their school address, if they choose.

Smaller nearby school, Radford University, is a different story -- I am told by a student there the mayor has strongly discouraged students voting in his locale -- he's insisting that only those students planning to live in Radford after graduation should register; others must vote absentee.

Am told the Obama campaign office in Radford is on top of that and working hard to make sure students have registered at their (family) homes and are voting absentee.

I was just looking at the Oct 20th New Yorker. There, on page 82, was a cartoon that made me think, "That's gotta be Craig!"

Shrub on television again. Shrub must hate McCain.
Everytime lil boots appears on tv, McCain's percentage drops

I can't wait to see W..

Not a surprise, but the Washington Post endorsed Obama for president today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603436.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

With early voting, I wonder how many other big papers will endorse soon. No waiting until November any more, with mail-in ballots and absentee voting in person.

They already have lines for early voting in North Carolina.

Wonderful job on the video Craig.

My Dodgers fell apart so I am temporarily a Red Sox fan.

I still think there is a "reverse" Bradley effect about to happen that could knock the socks off the pollsters.

I'm rooting for whoever plays the Phillies. LOL!

"McCain said “Joe the plumber” faced “much higher taxes” under Obama’s tax plan and would pay a fine under Obama’s health care plan if he failed to provide coverage for his workers. But Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher would pay higher taxes only if the business he says he wants to buy puts his income over $200,000 a year, and his small business would be exempt from Obama’s requirement to provide coverage for workers. "

But isn't exactly Joe's concerns when he asked Obama how his taxes would be affect under and Obama presidency? Joe was planning on purchasing a plumbing company where the revenues would be over $200K, or would like to grow the company's revenues over $200k. Most small business are Sub Chapter S Corps, or sole proprietorship, and the revenues are taxed the same as individual income. So Joe's business could be affected by paying higher taxes under the Obama tax plan. Punish success, punish those who risk their capital to build businesses so other can have employment. Really is ass-backwards.

"Not a surprise, but the Washington Post endorsed Obama for president today."

I'm just surprised they hadn't done it before.

A Black president? Looks like the people in SW VA are leaning that way, but that doesn't mean they would pull the lever for Obama. Now if it was a Colin Powell type, do you really think you would have heard all that hesitation in their answers.

The NYTimes looks at the possibly for the plumbers's tax bill.
Although the article makes many good points, the insults to the guy in Ohio are numerous. The NYTimes has completed it's drop into daily drivel. The once great paper is now just another piece of crap...with the few good reporters being buried in crap. The Times has some excellent financial reporters but none of their stuff was highlighted during the recent crisis. Gretchen Mortensen places the blame for the crisis squarely on the shoulders of Alan Greenspan but that reporting has not shown up in the Times --although she says it when she is on the speaking tour.

the Washington Post endorsed Obama for president today

Say it ain't so, not the Washington Post, next I guess someone will be posting the New York Times endorsing Obama.

Someone must have given Shrub "US Financial Crisis for Dummies"...that's what he sounds like this morning.

"The NYTimes has completed it's drop into daily drivel. The once great paper is now just another piece of crap...with the few good reporters being buried in crap. "

Very true....

Craig,

Lots of body language going on in that video clip which tells a completely different story. Didn't see many people smiling, most didn't look real happy talking to you.

Patsi

The loss of the NYTimes has completely ruined my Sunday.

Well this speaks for itself, and this is why there has to be a hell.

http://tinyurl.com/5rhhzy

Good morning! T. Boone Pickins just appeared on Imus. He is truly a great American. His army is nearly 1 1/2 million. Said that he was disappointed that this late in the election "neither of the candidates have an energy plan".

I was just looking at the Oct 20th New Yorker. There, on page 82, was a cartoon that made me think, "That's gotta be Craig!"
Posted by: Flatus Author Profile Page | October 17, 2008 8:04 AM

Good morning.

Flatus, I'm curious (as always). Was that cartoon you're talking about in this group? (if not, I guess I'd better take a look at the issue today when I shop) :)

Cartoons from the Issue
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2008/10/20/cartoons_20081013

Good Morning to all, and including the supporters of Mr Government

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122412908424239827.html

"I saw a house in a neighboring town yesterday that had both an Obama and a McCain sign on the front lawn...... now there's someone who believes in equal opportunity!...."

Renee,
Ha! Or a husband and wife that have a serious disagreement.

Yo Camp

I want to root for the philies--------buy I can'-----------It's that Chris Mathews effect--------he lives in phillie.

Pogo,
I am definitely not looking to get into any arguments with anyone today. (As a matter of fact, I desperately do not want to.) And I'm the first to admit the obvious, I don't have a great understanding of the economy. But the following two paragraphs quoted from the WSJ article you linked stood out to me, and I'm hoping you'll give me your opinion on what you think about them.

"But there won't be any wealth to spread if no one creates it.

These ideas reveal that Mr. Obama thinks economic growth derives mainly from growing the government. They merely redistribute money taxed or borrowed from the private sector to favored political constituencies. At least Bill Clinton sold his tax cut in 1993 as a way to reduce the deficit; Mr. Obama is proposing to take federal spending to heights not seen since the early 1980s. If this is his agenda to spur recovery, no wonder the stock market is tanking."

Anselm,
I think most everyone agrees that the BO tax plan wouldn't make it as it is now. As you've said it is completely contrary to job creation. I'm just amazed that all I hear from either candidate is tax cut and new spending. Has anyone even mentioned a say....10% cut across the board on Govt spending....of course not....that's what a business or family would do in times of a crisis

"It's that Chris Mathews effect--------he lives in phillie."

Tweety is only "from" Philly..now he is just another beltway blithering idiot.

You can safely root for the Phillies without doing a thing for the
maroon.

I just realized that was to ping pong. Now it makes more sense. Sorry ping/

Yo Champ-----want to correct,can't seem to do more than 1 thing at a time lately, but you get the picture.

Chloe

Thanks for the link to the cartoons.. I was wondering too
My guess goes for the author signing at the porno book store.

mornin' all, busy today, so you won't hear much from me. Anselm, your RW flat tax BS is disproved by the growth of the US economy in GDP terms. Since at least 1890, notwithstanding the differences in top marginal tax rates on income from aroudn 20% to over 90%, the US economy, expressed in terms of GDP, has grown relatively constantly (with the exception of 3 period - two were the depression and the recession of the 70s, and the third was a period of rapid expansion during WWII) since 1890, expanding overall by a factor of 43. Unless you contend that the great depression and the recession of the 70s were caused by a rise in marginal tax rates (and that argument would not be borne out by the relationship of tax rates to GDP) your argument is crap. Increased tax rates do not depress economic activity, and the additional 3% tax proposed by Obama for income of over $250k certainly is not enough to do what you suggest. Instead, people who earn that much are much more likely to work even harder to earn enough to make up the difference - I know that's what I would do.

OSH, I'm sure Pickens is disappointed - his speculation in the renewable energy field won't provide him the returns his pro formas suggested when oil was above $130/bbl and rising. He should have listened to Carville. He will have to be more patient on this venture than he was when he was wildcatting inTexas 50 years ago.

"These ideas reveal that Mr. Obama thinks economic growth derives mainly from growing the government."

Chloe -- Here's my take. The good news and the bad news are the same news: Barack Obama is just another pol. He's promising pie in the sky and he knows it. He is pandering now and hoping that his followers will make excuses for him later, when he delivers very little. As, of course, they will.

He's not going to damage business -- he is too far in the pocket of big business to cross them. It'll all be smoke and mirrors. However, if you believe that the first rule is "do no harm" -- I think he'll do less than McCain.

So if I were you, I'd breathe easy.

Pogo,Jax this was discussed on the last thread

Joe the plumber throws a wrench into tax debate

By CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press W

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Small business owners, the kind Joe the plumber hopes to become, will need an expert from another profession - a good accountant or perhaps someone with a crystal ball - to know whether Barack Obama's tax plans will help them or send money swirling down with the Drano.

Is John McCain right? Would someone owning a company that makes more than $250,000 a year pay higher income taxes under Obama, as McCain claimed in making Ohio plumber Joe Wurzelbacher the man of the moment in Wednesday night's presidential debate?

Much depends on how such a company is organized for tax purposes, and what its profits are. Wurzelbacher could well end up with a tax cut under Obama if the company he works for and wants to buy - now a two-person operation - continues to share earnings.

Patsi- you're probably right. neither one is talking about shrinking gov't but when the lower tax receipts really start to hit home it'll be difficult to add any new programs either.

Solar,
Maybe his new jobs plan is based on us having to hire more accountant and lawyer services....now that just might work...laughs

jax, that republican anti-tax meme based on job creation and growth in the economy is unfounded in fact. Use Dumya's administration as an example. Even in the face of Dumya's tax cuts, the percentage of the population employed has dropped from 64.4% when he took office to 62% in August.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

That compares to an increase in that ratio of about 3% under Clinton, which btw was about the same as occurred under Reagan.

http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

In short, the higher taxes = lower job creation and lower economic growth argument is based on a false relationship.

Yeah, I thought that might be the one too Katherine.

Remembering Those Other American Dreams
"Everyone — except for a few at the top — feels exposed, everyone feels their own vision of the American Dream imperiled, whether they believe in an agricultural, blue-collar or white-collar dream. That convergence could nudge Obama and the Democrats far enough to the populist left on taboo issues like trade and regulation that they end up showing they value more than just professional America — that they actually respect Will Hunting, even if he keeps laying brick.

Maybe then all those Reagan Democrats will finally come home."
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3967/remembering_those_other_american_dreams
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3967/remembering_those_other_american_dreams

Have a good day.

Pogo,
I can only tell you this. I own 3 businesses and I rely almost entirely on my own working capital as funding for growth. I've grown every year for 9 years. I grow as my working capital grows. If I have less I grow less. It's really not based on gov't doctrine. I know that this is boringly micro but it's true for me.

Jax

I don't have new equipment---very good ones that i can devalue, if you have new, and are making payment, i would stay in touch with creditors often, take the person that sold you the merchandise for coffee once in a while and show paper work of how the co, is doing,always, bad,bad, bad, but the key thing is to stay in touch with someone that understands,he will then in turn represent your side of the situation with the creditor?

Solar, and nevermind that Joe doesn't now make over $250k, has no current plans to buy the company, doesn't know how he could manage to do so even if he wanted to, and THE COMPANY DOESN"T MAKE $250K in any event. The repugs can't let little things like facts get in the way of a chance to make Obama's economic plan look bad - since they don't have one that appeals to the voters other than by trying to scare them with the spectre of higher taxes.

Solar,
I don't have anything new either. My newest tug boat is a 2005. I've almost paid it off. I do alot of auction buying for capital assets and refurb its the only way for me

jax, you and every other responsible business out there. I'd wager you've never said to yourself - well the next $10k I make above what I'm making now will be taxed at a higher rate, so I'm not going to bother.

"Ha! Or a husband and wife that have a serious disagreement."
Chloe..... I never considered that..... thanks for the insight......

god knows I'm no economist....... hell.... reading pogo's 9:40 made my eyes do strange things.... but I've been listening to and reading some stuff on this crisis..... and people I respect such as Kevin Phillips, Dean Baker, William Greider and a few others..... have all stated that in their opinion, the only way of out this mess is for the government to spend money in order to create jobs....
yes, they know it will greatly increase the deficit and all our great grand children will be paying for it.... but they say it needs to be done if our great grand children want a country with an economy that's healthy....

time to go listen to Diane Rhem...... for all you Andrew Sullivan fans..... he's on her first hour of domestic round table.....

jax, accountants and lawyers - or a good bookkeeper and $55 for TurboTax Premium Edition. You make the call. LOL

Pogo, you're right....but so much of what we do is based on our personal optimism and risk assessments. It's very depressing when you see money leaving the company that you know will be wasted...it's just another burden...and it's just not necessary...regardless of who you support...i defy you to show me anyone that thinks the new tax revenue will be well spent

Jax

I said something similar as what Patsi said this am, O, or M is going to be instructed by others they both don;'t have the knowledge to fix this mess.

About Joey Sturg has a keen eye, he is a shovel leaner, when i saw him he did not impress me as much of a doer, plumbers are very shy by trade also, don't know many that would just walk up to a national figure like O and start talking like that, they save that up for the tavern.

renee, LOL - it's just basic stuff - bottom line is that historically, tax rates do not predict growth in economic activity, income, or job creation.

It's been nice this morning...gotta run...trucks to load-out...

Jax---

There might be a time that you do not want to grow the buis,
every now and then it might be prudent to let the wife have it her way and save a little, i made a mistake and grew to fast awhile back, but it's all up for grabs now, whatever it takes will be our new guide line, thanks

jax, I don't disagree with anything you've said - but those are different arguments. I'm sure that the Rockefellers and Chases of the world thought the same thing, but they didn't stop investing and growing their businesses because their tax rates were rising. And as to government spending not being done well, the same can be said of the tax revenue collected under any administration.

some great posts this morning...watching faux news here and I had to fire off an email to the bozo Megan. Howard Wolfson is getting what he deserves by working for FOX...abused by Megan for stating that Joe the Plumber' first name is not Joe. Huckabee is having "Joe" on his show. Faux News is riding Joe the Plumber like an old hooker. Joe is an obvious phony.

Off to work...I hope my lousy, early vote makes it to the big time! Kick the bums out! Vote democratic.

Jax---Hey Jax, Jax where did he go?

KGC, looks like a repug, can't stay in a room full of D's huh,,just kidding Jax---about phillie---i was just tweaking champs nose a little, but what you said about cm ditto.

Barack Obama has expanded his lead over John McCain in Missouri to six percentage points.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds Obama with 52% of the vote while McCain is supported by 46%. Earlier this week, Obama was on top 50% to 47%

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/missouri/election_2008_missouri_presidential_election

Florida turns into toss up after financial meltdown.

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/10/17/D93S46D01_campaign_florida/index.html

The Times has moved VA from tossup to Obama and now puts his electoral college count at 277!

Friday 538 numbers

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Today is cut off day for the Electoral College Guessing Game. Need guesses in by 8:00 p.m. eastern time. For those who have entered, check to see if I have your guess correct or if you want to change your numbers.

Trailmixer Obama McCain Declare Winner % of Pop Vote

PatD 290 248 10:05 PM Obama +1
EProf2 295 243 11:02 PM
Rezdog 297 241 11:06 PM
Pogo 301 237 12:01 AM Obama + 5
Lardass 307 231 11:03 PM
Karl 313 225
Euro Tom 349 189 11:04 PM
Gilbert In DC 353 185 11:07 PM Obama + 7
Unlikely Burrito 364 174 11:00 PM
Brian 365 174 11:01 PM Obama + 8
Sheila 365 174 11:02 PM Obama + 5
X Repug 372 166 Obama + 7
Jamie 386 152 11:05 PM Obama + 10
AP 390 148
Corey 538 0

Oh my god - I hope SNL doesn't pass up the chance to have Brolin as W in a room with HRC, the 2 Sarahs, BO, JM ... this could be one of the funniest skits they ever did.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Palin-SNL.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Jamie my final count, 376/162

""spread the wealth""

ubns, that is just a knee jerk reaction to words that have been used in writings about communism. If you saw the actual interaction is was about making the tax system fairer, so that those who held the majority of the wealth paid the majority of the taxes for the country whose freedoms allowed them to become that wealthy.

As it stands now less than 10% of the people control more than 95% of the wealth but pay only 40% of the taxes while the costs for the rest are shoved down on the middle class, cities and counties etc. Our infra structure is crumbling, health care costs skyrocketing, and wages decreasing while cost of living climbs.

CEOs that used to make 40 times their lowest paid employee now make 400 times. Greed has virtually destroyed the economy and the only way to correct the mess is to cure the middle class that Republican policies have darn near killed.

Craig, I believe this was the best video yet assessing people's beliefs. When you first started this series I told you that you could easily be the next Charles Kuralt. Folks in the video seem to have an immediate bond of trust with you and became thoughtful and introspective beyond the typical "man on the street" stuff we see elsewhere. What the folks had to say was very heartwarming, especially the gentleman who said he wouldn't have answered the questions the same way twenty years ago. Now that's progress!

flatus and chloe, from oct 13 issue the cartoon on page 92 brought to mind our gracious host vis a vis his blog:
http://www.cartoonbank.com/product_details.asp?mscssid=V42HWENAV83F8H6L5BS9F8UKBUP0APT9&sitetype=1&did=4&sid=125689&pid=&advanced=1&keyword=undefined&artist=§ion=prints&caption=&artID=&topic=&pubDateFrom=10/13/2008&pubDateTo=10/13/2008&pubDateMon=&pubDateDay=&pubNY=2&color=0&title=undefined&whichpage=3&sortBy=popular

RCP moved FL from "leaning Obama" to "toss up". Obama 286, McCain 158, Toss Up 94.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/

FWIW, this is what I think the post election map will look like.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=1

Today's thread on The BackChannel Blog
[Erase Hate Week]

Intellectual Bigotry, by dnd

http://clistersbackchannel.wordpress.com/

"When you first started this series I told you that you could easily be the next Charles Kuralt. Folks in the video seem to have an immediate bond of trust with you and became thoughtful and introspective beyond the typical "man on the street" stuff we see elsewhere."

eprof -- I think you've hit on a very good point. Craig does have the touch -- I wouldn't answer anything from most of the people asking questions "on the street."

Today's dread on blistersyeahbutchannel

Eraserheads

Intellectual bigots

Barack Obama for President

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603436.html?nav=hcmodule

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27238980/

Glad to hear it, Corey. It's been working so far.

Hell of a game, last night, Renee. Whatever happens, the Sox put on a good show. That Ortiz shot was classic.

the pm must have listened to pickens today on imus.

Gordon Brown launches attack on 'scandalous' Opec
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/17/economy-gordonbrown
"The prime minister also reaffirmed his intention to stop Britain being dependent on the behaviour of what he considered to be a manipulative cartel.

He said: "We don't want to be dependent on unstable regimes or regimes that want to dictate the terms of the oil they are providing for reasons other than commercial reasons....
He added: "Our strategy is reducing our dependence on oil and by moving to a low-carbon economy, which means building nuclear power stations, we challenge the power of the cartels by our ability to diversify."
Brown's comments came a day after he called for retailers in Britain to make sure that cuts in the international price of oil were passed on to consumers."

good news on the Court decision Bear! very good news

Other vulnerable or potentially vulnerable GOP incumbents who were outraised included: David Dreier (Calif.), Brian Bilbray (Calif.), Marilyn Musgrave (Colo.), Christopher Shays (Conn.), Vern Buchanan (Fla.), brothers Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart (Fla.), Tom Latham (Iowa), Tim Walberg (Mich.), Joe Knollenberg (Mich.), Sam Graves (Mo.), Patrick McHenry (N.C.), Dean Heller (Nev.), Randy Kuhl (N.Y.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio), Henry Brown (S.C.), John Culberson (Texas) and Frank Wolf (Va.).
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/democratic-challengers-strong-in-third-quarter-house-reports-2008-10-16.html

It would make my day if McHnery lost...the safest Republican District in the Country. Although any of the goopers on this list lost it would be fine with me.

time we have a President that represents one of the things that makes our Country great - Diversity.

THAT is why we are the great shining city on the hill.

You can't have true freedom - if all persons are not created equal.

Why don't you stop trying to tear Obama down - and appreciate the historic nature of this moment.

Posted by: warren Author Profile Page | October 16, 2008 11:53 PM

You must feel the presidency is so inconsequential that it could and should be used for motivational purposes rather that executive ones. The rationale that a candidate should be supported due to his or her skin-color is just as racist as the rationale that the same candidate shouldn't be supported for those same reasons. Vote for the most competent candidate, regardless of his or her ethnicity. That's being "color-blind".

There is a reason they call it the "Bully Pulpit" Champ.

Brian,

I got the change.

cool Jamie, btw if the number seems odd, I think Obama will pick up one electoral vote from Nebraska.

Chloe, Patd

This is the one I had in mind:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2008/10/20/cartoons_20081013?slide=12#showHeader

Oh no...

ModernTube: Barack Obama jumps on the Phillies bandwagon
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/ModernTube-Barack-Obama-jumps-on-the-Phillies-b?urn=mlb,114836

You dick!

Jamie,

TACOMA, WA – The Obama Campaign announced today that Sen. Joe Biden will hold a Change We Need Rally on Sunday, October 19th in Tacoma, Washington.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Cheney Stadium
Tacoma, WA

Doors Open: 12:00pm

Program Begins: 2:00pm

Obviously Obama (and Corey, apparently) doesn't understand the conventions of baseball allegiance. One is supposed to root for the team that beats one's favorite team, and if that team loses, one should root for the team that represents the league in which their favorite team plays. This is Baseball 101, people. Can America really afford a President who doesn't understand that?

Al Bundy endorses Obama!

Now that's the one that will put us over the top.

I've been waiting for that one.
The hell with Colin Powell.

http://washingtonbureau.typepad.com/election2008/2008/10/al-bundy-stumps.html

There is a reason they call it the "Bully Pulpit" Champ.

In Bry Bry's case --the chat bully pulpit

Ms Cracker,

"Little boots" ! ! ! Thought I'd die laughing.

He didn't elevate his horse to the rank of Senator, but our 'Little Boots' thinks the truculent mutterings of dick cheney are memos from God.

Champ....
it was worth staying up late just to see that ol' Big Papi magic one more time.....

and I agree with your 12:58...... I am voting for a man to become president....
he happens to be black.....

LOL, good catch there Rez! Sunday's MTP is going to be interesting to say the least.

Al Bundy, whew, I thought it was Ted.

Some folks (me, f'rinstance) like Krugman. Some don't. Whether you do or don't, here's his piece from today's Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17krugman.html?em

No Pogo, Ted's gone to hell already.

Krugman sed; "It’s now virtually certain that the unemployment rate will go above 7 percent, and quite possibly above 8 percent, making this the worst recession in a quarter-century."

That don't sound very good. Hell! Joe better stop worrying about tax cuts and hope people have their jobs and enough money to keep his boss and him busy.

Obama isn't "black." He's a white guy with a black father.

X-rep
Little Boots
I wish I had thought of it but sadly no..others smarter and funnier came up with it first. But it does fit perfectly.
I think the first time I saw it was in 2007.

"The rationale that a candidate should be supported due to his or her skin-color is just as racist as the rationale that the same candidate shouldn't be supported for those same reasons."

thanks, champ

Jamie,

It is not often that I disagree with you, but I must. One cannot rescue and strengthen the middle class until one breaks and bridles the Croesus class. Plutocrats have ruled by virtue of their ability to control the public discourse through the ownership of, and the manipulation of, the 'news' media. This manipulation takes two forms :

1. Unregulated Infomercials
I refer to the talk and 'news' shows like o'reilly, rush, hannity, savage, etc. that are nothing more than advertisements for the Mammonistic republican party, Mammonistic republican candidates, and Mammonistic republican legislative initiatives, like invading Iraq, deregulating financial markets, and eliminating the GI Bill of Rights.

2. Paid Advertising
This is the first time since at least 1964 (possibly as far back as 1944) that Democrats have had more money to spend than republicans. Traditionally, republican execs send contribution envelopes around the offices of their subordinates, and those who don't cough up can expect to face discrimination in the future, sometimes subtle, often overt. I say this based on my personal experience. Admittedly, the offense happened in reagan's heyday, but I doubt that the Croesus class has adopted higher ethics since then.

Popular Mammonistic propaganda master, george will, promotes the lie that spending money is free speech. He contends that limiting the contributions members of the Croesus class can legally give campaigns prevents free speech. This year Mr. will has been remarkably silent on the topic, however, we can expect him to remount this hobby horse in the run-up to the next Congressional election. To understand Mr. will's argument, we should keep in mind that vandals view grafitti as free speech, kleptomaniacs view shoplifting as free speech, johns view prostitution and trafficking as free speech, wife-beaters view battering as freespeech, and klansmen view burning crosses as free speech. I put Mr. will and his bizarre idea in a class with these others.

Until America re-institutes the Broacast Fairness Doctrine, and adopts a fair and equitable public campaign finance law, our middle class will remain in danger from Mammonistic republicans.

Jamie,

Obama 380-51.4
McCain 158-46.2

Who's saying Obama should be supported because of the color of his skin? That doesn't mean we can't acknowledge that there are good things about a black man being elected. I just don't get why some people take umbrage at that. I find it especially odd that many who seemed to be most bothered about this are people who supported Hillary and had no qualms about saying things like it "it's time for a woman to be in the White House".

Levi STubbs, lead singer of Four Tops, Dead at 72

http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20081017/Obit.Stubbs/?cvqh=itn_stubbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_1QwoFZWpc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9B1msRZyBQ

pogo,

Serial murderer ted bundy was a republican, and in '68 ran a Nelson Rochefeller office in Seattle. He was a paid dirty trickster in republican Gov Dan Evans' campaign, and caused a little kerfuffle when he was caught at it.

XR

Actually I think our disagreements are minor. On the Fairness doctrine, I would change the law about station ownership in markets rather than try to enforce a station by station "fairness law". One thing the Republicans got through was that an owner could have newspaper, radio and TV with little competition making it possible to blanket a market with one political position. That ownership law is what needs to be changed.

I also agree that only speech is speech, but we will have to take that one up with the Supreme Court. Money is not speech and corporations are not people.

We do need some inforced balance in commercials, but I haven't quite figured that one out in my own mind. The election season of primaries is way too long and it is insane that politicians have to start raising funds for the next election the day after they are elected. Perhaps some form of the British or Canadian system that sets a commercial window prior to an election for signs and air time combined with a series of "Super Tuesdays" that clumped states into five or six geographic groups.

On strengthening the middle class, the two components you need most are pre school through university (or trade school) free education, and universal health care.

I would like to see full employment of some kind that would infuse tax money into public service and infrastructure but again haven't fully thought that one out as yet.

Thx Jamie,

Ran across one of the best old "Snag" tune.lol

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

God and the devil were worried that some from heaven, and some people from hell would change sides, the bored ones from heaven would trade places with party tired ones in hell, god said let.s put up a fence, the devil said, you get the mtls and put it in, and i will pay you later, after god puts up the fence he asks, and demands that the devil pay him for half the fence, god told the devil that he would sue him, the devil said i don't know how all the lawyers are on my side of the fence--------i know it corny so sue me

Champ, I don't follow those sports rules. Although they are terrible this year, I like the Michigan Wolverines. My Mom can never understand why I root against Ohio St. , Michigan St. and Notre Dame in football. If you've ever been to a OSU message board and read what their fans write about Michigan, you'd understand why I root against OSU.Besides, if we were gonna go your logic, I would have to root for the AL champion, because the Detroit Tigers are in the AL and I should root for the AL champion.

Speaking of influences of the media types; while I can't stand McCain, it's real pitiful to watch him grovel on Letterman.

Corey,

I have to go with the National league because of the Dodgers, but I am rooting for the REd Sox until the American League is set, then I'm stuck with the Phillies drat their hide.

Jim Webb is hilarious. About McCain's choice of Sarah Palin, "I know what I was doing, but what was I thinking?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hU8iZ6sTFw

Was she wearing a little white tank top?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdpSQD2bns

Could be. You know someone in the family had a shot gun.

Bear,

I have your numbers

Corey,

Did you want to stick with your "In your dreams" forecast?

Jamie, I'm the only person who has the "kahunas" to forecast that. Yeah, keep 'em! Besides, I think I stand with Craig on this election, although I'm not really an idealist.

xr, that shoudl surprise me?

Corey, but Michigan is coached by the evil Rich Rodriguez - who screwed over both WVU - LP's favorite - and Uof AL - my alma mater. I suspect the boosters are wondering what the hell they thought they were getting.

I'm just bullshittin', Corey. It's a silly game where grown men get paid to hit a ball with a stick and run around; I'm under no illusions. It's a welcome distraction form all the other bullshit going on over which I have just as little control.

I luvs me them lawyer jokes, solar.

bye, all. haveaniceweekend.

Pogo, my best friend works for the Michigan alumni association. He told me the reason the Rodriguez was hired was because the coach of Rutgers has the same agent as Rodriguez. Michigan wanted to hire the Rutgers coach, but he decided to stay at Rutgers. His agent then told Michigan that he was also the agent of Rodriguez and that Rodriguez might be able to be persuaded to come to Michigan. That's how it happened. Each time Michigan loses a game the alumni association is bombarded with angry e-mails.

On voting for Obama because he is black. If that is the ONLY reason, then it is a kind of reverse, if somewhat understandable, racism. At the same time I think it is a perfectly legitimate added factor that a voter might take into consideration.

The years Sydney Poitier won the Oscar as Best Actor for Lillies of the Field, I was pounding on the floor before the announcement saying his name because I really wanted him to win. Now I still love the movie, he did an amazing acting job, and I love him as an actor, but he was up against

Cleopatra (1963) - Rex Harrison (I)
Hud (1963) - Paul Newman (I)
This Sporting Life (1963) - Richard Harris (I)
Tom Jones (1963) - Albert Finney

Paul Newman and Albert Finney were equally deserving of the award as it was a really good year for actors, but I was really happy that it was Poitier both because of my admiration for his talent and as an added plus finally breaking the color barrier for one of the top four awards of picture/director/actor/actress.

There always has to be a "FIRST" when one of these barriers comes tumbling down. I wouldn't vote for someone totally unqualified just because they were black, but I might give added weight to someone I consider qualified for being black.

I know that Hillary was totally qualified for the job of President, but the fact that she would have been the FIRST woman did add to that favorability.

Just took Warren Buffets advise to heart. Buy when everyone is fearful and sell when they are giiddy. Been sittin in MMkt since last Nov Just plowed every retirement cent back in the market....wish me luck

Corey

Yest but does your Kahuna have cojones?

The Hawaiian version, Jamie.

jaxtrader

As long as the companies you chose have solid fundamentals, it makes sense to take advantage of bargain prices.

Jamie,
I'm too busy to watch things so I just throw it all in some quality mutuals and cross my fingers...laughs

Jax

all the luck in the world-----------but don't let any of your workers (do not fire them) now, if you can take a chance on the market, you better not let any worker go, if you do every time that you look in the mirror, you will see a shit.

"Serial murderer ted bundy was a republican,"

Maybe McCain can get the Green River Killer to counter balance Collin Powell's pending endorsement.

Jax

just sat down at my desk---that may have been a little strong but you were going to let go some workers,,,,,,now if you can gamble on the markets, you don't need to let anyone go?

Solar,
I wish i could use this money. it's all retirement funds so i won't see it for 20 at least. I've got every penny outside of that buried in the business. I'm not so worried about my regular employees right now but I've got about 40-45 owner operator truck drivers that lease on with me on 30 day out contracts and I'm scrambling to keep them busy. It's getting difficult.

Colorado senate candidate Bob Schaffer (R-CO), whining because he can't use crib sheets at a debate -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVYh_hFsYU4

More and more it sounds like the McCain campaign is being run by GORDO, it's a very sad day in American politics when the RNC is paying to robo call people to accuse the Democratic Party nominee of being a terrorist.

double them up share the wkly hours--so that they can share a check, meet with them , see what , how they think about all,i b