Showing posts with label republicans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label republicans. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
McCain: Hagee Apology Praised, "Reconciliation" Stressed
On the other hand, compare Barack Obama mentor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's race-baiting, "God Damn America" posture. There's no reconciliation there, just unrepentant anger.
Monday, March 17, 2008
McCain Visits Iraq; Where's Obama & "God Damn America"? Hillary Issues Iraq Plan
Republican presidential contender John McCain is visiting the troops in Iraq. Meanwhile, Barack Obama is busy trying to dig himself out of a hole for his decades of support for his anti-American, anti-white pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as she presents her plan for handling Iraq. She says it won't be easy.
At least she's focusing on real issues facing our country, and complimenting our troops. Obama, meanwhile, continues on the "me, me, me" narcissism trail, but this time, not even adoring media can cover his gigantic problems with being revealed as "the great divider."
Michelle Obama has told us that with her husband's ascension to the spotlight she is finally proud of her country. After attending a prime magnet school, Princeton, and Harvard, and having a six-figure job, she's also been busy telling middle and lower-class Americans that they shouldn't try to get jobs in corporate America.
Her salary in corporate America was doubled when her husband gained power in Chicago and Illinois politics. But Michelle Obama, whose thesis talked about how she was disenfranchised at Ivy League schools and in society, wants others, who probably will never have a shot at Princeton or Harvard, to avoid seeking business success.
The Obamas had their children baptized and taught by Wright, and faithfully attended church at Trinity United Church of Christ, whose articles of faith include allegiance first to Africa. Wright's attacks include allegations that the US created HIV/Aids and introduced it to Africa to get rid of blacks.
Obama now is desperately trying to prove that he wasn't in church on just one day of many when Wright declared "God Damn America." Still to come: fallout when people really get into Obama's book, especially the part where he declares that when the going gets tough, he will stand with Muslims.
Yea, yea, Obama finally, under extreme pressure, condemned Wright's comments. Acting as though his "spiritual mentor's" views were a news flash to him, Obama tried to distance himself from 20 years of support.
Or was it? There are two Obama stories about church now. When questions were asked about his attendance at a Muslim school, and possible Muslim ties, Obama and his campaign went full speed ahead with his Christian dedication to Wright's church.
Supposedly, Obama was a faithful supporter and attended regularly. Now, however, Obama seems to be busy noting how often he missed church, and how much he didn't know about Wright's beliefs and published statements.
McCain goes to Iraq, Hillary addresses Iraq issues, and Obama is doing the shuffle about his real church attendance, and his support for "God Damn American."
You choose: God Damn America, or God Bless America? Barack Obama is making the division between the two philosophies very clear--for those who want to hear and get past the Obamas' hypocrisy.
Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as she presents her plan for handling Iraq. She says it won't be easy.
At least she's focusing on real issues facing our country, and complimenting our troops. Obama, meanwhile, continues on the "me, me, me" narcissism trail, but this time, not even adoring media can cover his gigantic problems with being revealed as "the great divider."
Michelle Obama has told us that with her husband's ascension to the spotlight she is finally proud of her country. After attending a prime magnet school, Princeton, and Harvard, and having a six-figure job, she's also been busy telling middle and lower-class Americans that they shouldn't try to get jobs in corporate America.
Her salary in corporate America was doubled when her husband gained power in Chicago and Illinois politics. But Michelle Obama, whose thesis talked about how she was disenfranchised at Ivy League schools and in society, wants others, who probably will never have a shot at Princeton or Harvard, to avoid seeking business success.
The Obamas had their children baptized and taught by Wright, and faithfully attended church at Trinity United Church of Christ, whose articles of faith include allegiance first to Africa. Wright's attacks include allegations that the US created HIV/Aids and introduced it to Africa to get rid of blacks.
Obama now is desperately trying to prove that he wasn't in church on just one day of many when Wright declared "God Damn America." Still to come: fallout when people really get into Obama's book, especially the part where he declares that when the going gets tough, he will stand with Muslims.
Yea, yea, Obama finally, under extreme pressure, condemned Wright's comments. Acting as though his "spiritual mentor's" views were a news flash to him, Obama tried to distance himself from 20 years of support.
Or was it? There are two Obama stories about church now. When questions were asked about his attendance at a Muslim school, and possible Muslim ties, Obama and his campaign went full speed ahead with his Christian dedication to Wright's church.
Supposedly, Obama was a faithful supporter and attended regularly. Now, however, Obama seems to be busy noting how often he missed church, and how much he didn't know about Wright's beliefs and published statements.
McCain goes to Iraq, Hillary addresses Iraq issues, and Obama is doing the shuffle about his real church attendance, and his support for "God Damn American."
You choose: God Damn America, or God Bless America? Barack Obama is making the division between the two philosophies very clear--for those who want to hear and get past the Obamas' hypocrisy.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Will Hillary Clinton Quit This Friday?
Will Hillary Clinton give up her campaign for the White House this Friday? Supposedly, she will--according to someone's dinner conversation with someone else.
Let's face it, this has been a weird presidential campaign. With the media serving primarily as a Barack Obama cheerleading squad, the Democratic campaign and seemingly endless debates have seemed like street theater, a high-priced busking for electoral votes.
In the Obama-Clinton Punch and Judy show, many are already counting Clinton out on a TKO. Apparently, the only cubic zirconia jewel left in the not-even-triple crown is the right to be the first to declare Obama king.
The "Hillary will bow out" story is posted here by blogger Jay Severin. Here at the Peanut Patch, we figure that the Drudge Report will slap down chips by tomorrow morning.
We don't know what Hillary Clinton is thinking. We haven't had dinner with anyone who's had dinner with someone who's highly-placed or "in the know".
But, looking up from our at-home, in-front-of-the-TV dinner, we do know this: she hasn't been given a fair shake before she's baked. The media and self-ordained pundits have been too busy tsk tsking Sen. Clinton as nothing more than Hillary Housewife Clinton.
Bottom line: regardless of our party affiliation, we Americans showed up for a presidential campaign, with issues in the forefront. What the Democrats, aided and abetted by leftists and the media (or is that redundant?), have given us is rhetoric, political cant, and the desperate search for a Kennedy-esque, Elvis-quality rock star (cue Obama)
The Republicans scrapped it out with substance and style. The Democrats, on the edge of the great Kennedy divide, have yearningly stampeded toward a Liberace-style road show.
We'll be honest here: Hillary Clinton isn't our candidate. But she's smart, serious, and has significant expertise--not that you'd know it by now. She's been fair game for the old power ploys meant to whittle down the little woman who thought she could.
And that, folks, just isn't right. If Hillary Clinton bows out early, it will be everyone's loss, and a triumph of spectacle over substance.
Our advice? Run, Hillary, run. Don't let yourself be forced out by media, bloggers, rumors, or anything else. Fight back.
Because frankly, we'd like to see a match-up between you and Republican John McCain. We figure that contest would get down to reality's core, instead of the current Democratic search for "Miss Congeniality."
And yes, we do want world peace (thank you, Sandra Bullock). But what we need to maintain our security at home, fight global terrorism, and be a world leader is more guts and less glitz.
And running for president as a woman, with Bill Clinton as baggage, took guts. Especially when no one assessed extra freight charges on Obama for his long-term support for indicted slumlord and political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Waffle Watch: Part-Time Senator Obama , Race, Iraq, & The Poor
Although Sen. Barack Obama, the very junior Democrat senator from Illinois, apparently is now more a star than, say, Elvis Presley, it's still not a bad idea to get past the hype and look at reality. As this quick-look by CBS shows, Obama has waffled on Iraq for years.
Even though Democratic party apologist Sen. Dick Durbin spreads the justification jam, the message is clear: Obama's campaign is actually a giant moving waffle house. There's another hidden message in Obama's speeches, and here CBS shows a major one.
Obama speaks of his campaign bringing whites, blacks, and Latinos together and of working on anti-poverty programs for those groups. Memo to Sen. Obama: among Illinois' top 5 ethnic groups are the original inhabitants of this land: Native Americans.
Census results from the turn of the century show that about 100 tribes are represented in Illinois, most in the Chicago area. Many Native Americans were moved to Chicago during the government's ill-fated "relocation" programs designed to break up tribal communities and reservations.
Obama needs to check on poverty statistics and needs for that section of his constituency, which makes up slightly more than nine per cent of his state's population. It's apparent, though, that like most black politicians before him, Obama finds Native Americans to be invisible--to him, at least.
Someone might also want to tell Obama that there are Asians, in fact, many racial backgrounds, in his state, and home city, and that many of them are poor or working poor. Again, Obama makes it clear, to those who can get past the media hype, that his focus is on snake-charming the all-important black, Latino, and white voters.
Does America really want, or need, a president who not only is a waffle king, but who's only interested in serving only certain groups at his slick cliche cafe? We need to think about that.
There's another problem here: the issue of race. Obama's campaign waffles there, too. It's supposedly not about race, but the mantle of "first potential black president" gets whipped around in the air like a Spanish matador's cape.
Make no mistake, it is about race--as duplicitously defined by the Obama camp. If you support him, it's not about race. If you don't support him, then you're part of America's racial problems. The core message is subtle, but pervasive: a vote for Obama is a vote to prove the U.S. is not racially prejudiced; a word, or vote against Obama proves it is.
Or so the Obama camp would have you believe. In fact, the essence of racial equality in politics is that all candidates get evaluated by their record and their statements, regardless of their race.That applies to Obama, too.
If this country really wishes to continue to mature racially, then it's time to get past the rhetoric and the hype, and make one thing clear: voting against Obama is not a vote against blacks, or a vote for white domination. It's simply a vote that chooses another candidate as more qualified and more trustworthy, based on the individual voter's beliefs and choices.
Will some people vote against Obama because he is black? Of course. On the other hand, will some vote for Obama because he is black? Of course.. Interestingly enough, a vote for Obama because he's black isn't a racial choice, according to the leftist rhetoric, whereas a vote against him is. Or (back to the waffle counter here) a vote for Obama is a good racial choice, proving our racial fairness; a vote against is racism.
America doesn't have to prove anything racially. Within a very short time, the U.S. has moved from the rotten era of routine segregation (not to mention routine sexism) to an integrated nation. If you doubt that, check out the Secretary of State's office, the Supreme Court, and just about every facet of our daily lives.
Dealing with racial issues isn't easy. Xenophobia seems to be hard-wired into us as a species. We each have to outgrow that, just as developing babies in the womb have to outgrow vestiges of a tail and the stage where the fetus looks more like a newt than anything else.
The reality is that in no time, in no place, will prejudice ever be totally rooted out of the human race other than by education and cultural changes, such as those demonstrated in the U.S. in less than 50 years. To frame this election only in terms of race is the mirror image of pre-integration days, when everything was framed by race.
We don't have to buy into proving ourselves as "not racist" by voting for Obama. That needs to be repeated. Evaluate him fairly--which means looking at him without the "first black" rhetoric.
Because color, or racial background, is a lousy reason to vote for, or against, someone.
Even though Democratic party apologist Sen. Dick Durbin spreads the justification jam, the message is clear: Obama's campaign is actually a giant moving waffle house. There's another hidden message in Obama's speeches, and here CBS shows a major one.
Obama speaks of his campaign bringing whites, blacks, and Latinos together and of working on anti-poverty programs for those groups. Memo to Sen. Obama: among Illinois' top 5 ethnic groups are the original inhabitants of this land: Native Americans.
Census results from the turn of the century show that about 100 tribes are represented in Illinois, most in the Chicago area. Many Native Americans were moved to Chicago during the government's ill-fated "relocation" programs designed to break up tribal communities and reservations.
Obama needs to check on poverty statistics and needs for that section of his constituency, which makes up slightly more than nine per cent of his state's population. It's apparent, though, that like most black politicians before him, Obama finds Native Americans to be invisible--to him, at least.
Someone might also want to tell Obama that there are Asians, in fact, many racial backgrounds, in his state, and home city, and that many of them are poor or working poor. Again, Obama makes it clear, to those who can get past the media hype, that his focus is on snake-charming the all-important black, Latino, and white voters.
Does America really want, or need, a president who not only is a waffle king, but who's only interested in serving only certain groups at his slick cliche cafe? We need to think about that.
There's another problem here: the issue of race. Obama's campaign waffles there, too. It's supposedly not about race, but the mantle of "first potential black president" gets whipped around in the air like a Spanish matador's cape.
Make no mistake, it is about race--as duplicitously defined by the Obama camp. If you support him, it's not about race. If you don't support him, then you're part of America's racial problems. The core message is subtle, but pervasive: a vote for Obama is a vote to prove the U.S. is not racially prejudiced; a word, or vote against Obama proves it is.
Or so the Obama camp would have you believe. In fact, the essence of racial equality in politics is that all candidates get evaluated by their record and their statements, regardless of their race.That applies to Obama, too.
If this country really wishes to continue to mature racially, then it's time to get past the rhetoric and the hype, and make one thing clear: voting against Obama is not a vote against blacks, or a vote for white domination. It's simply a vote that chooses another candidate as more qualified and more trustworthy, based on the individual voter's beliefs and choices.
Will some people vote against Obama because he is black? Of course. On the other hand, will some vote for Obama because he is black? Of course.. Interestingly enough, a vote for Obama because he's black isn't a racial choice, according to the leftist rhetoric, whereas a vote against him is. Or (back to the waffle counter here) a vote for Obama is a good racial choice, proving our racial fairness; a vote against is racism.
America doesn't have to prove anything racially. Within a very short time, the U.S. has moved from the rotten era of routine segregation (not to mention routine sexism) to an integrated nation. If you doubt that, check out the Secretary of State's office, the Supreme Court, and just about every facet of our daily lives.
Dealing with racial issues isn't easy. Xenophobia seems to be hard-wired into us as a species. We each have to outgrow that, just as developing babies in the womb have to outgrow vestiges of a tail and the stage where the fetus looks more like a newt than anything else.
The reality is that in no time, in no place, will prejudice ever be totally rooted out of the human race other than by education and cultural changes, such as those demonstrated in the U.S. in less than 50 years. To frame this election only in terms of race is the mirror image of pre-integration days, when everything was framed by race.
We don't have to buy into proving ourselves as "not racist" by voting for Obama. That needs to be repeated. Evaluate him fairly--which means looking at him without the "first black" rhetoric.
Because color, or racial background, is a lousy reason to vote for, or against, someone.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Iago of It All: The New York Times Launches Masked McCain Attack in Shakespearean Saga
The New York Times, having undergone a transgender experience from its former existence as the good Gray Lady, is now appearing as Iago.
Under fire for its savage smear attack on John McCain about his relationship with a woman lobbyist, the Times today fielded David Brooks in an op ed column . In a grand display of passive-aggressive hand-wringing, Brooks manages to lay the whole mess at the feet of McCain staffers.
Cunningly, he also gets in a whack at McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, dissects the personalities of Davis and former staffer John Weaver, and declares at what point McCain's presidential hopes will be over. Waving Desdemona's handkerchief, Brooks, pandering relentlessly for the Times, declares McCain to be a hopeless romantic who likes death under fire but who is "a fine man."
Brooks does everything but directly parrot Iago's famed quote about the warrior Othello: ""I follow him to serve my turn upon him." Yesterday, the Peanut crew, no stranger to Shakespeare, asked if the Times had endorsed McCain only to later knock him down. And so we come to act II, Scene 3:
"When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows.
Now the meaning of the Times' endorsement of McCain as the best Republican candidate becomes clear. Here, we need to page Dr. Freud, because Brooks, either knowingly, jabbing at someone in the McCain camp, or unknowingly, takes on Iago's own language of poisons: "the poisons have yet to be drained."
Here's an out-take from Brooks' column:
"But while calling around to a dozen senior McCain friends and advisers Thursday, what struck me was the enormous tragedy of the rift. They all love McCain. They all say it is absurd to think he abused his power in the way that is alleged.
But the rift is like some primal sore. It affected every conversation I had Thursday, as it has infected McCain efforts again and again over the past many years.
At his press conference Thursday, McCain went all-in. He didn’t just say he didn’t remember a meeting about Iseman. He said there was no meeting. If it turns out that there is evidence of an affair and a meeting, then his presidential hopes will be over. If no evidence surfaces, his campaign will go on and it will be clear that there were members of his old inner circle consumed by viciousness and mendaciousness.
But lingering over everything is the bitterness of the rift, which has caused duplicity and anger to seep into the campaign of this fine man. The poisons have yet to be drained."
Having done everything but posed downstage to proclaim "Oh, notable strumpet!" about lobbyist Vicki Iseman (without even a handkerchief as proof), the Times has revealed--perhaps too quickly?--its Iago strategy in endorsing McCain.
"Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.
Yet, for necessity of present life,
I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign. "
Senator McCain: don't pick up any more handkerchiefs with the initials NYT embroidered on the edge, no matter how perfumed.
Under fire for its savage smear attack on John McCain about his relationship with a woman lobbyist, the Times today fielded David Brooks in an op ed column . In a grand display of passive-aggressive hand-wringing, Brooks manages to lay the whole mess at the feet of McCain staffers.
Cunningly, he also gets in a whack at McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, dissects the personalities of Davis and former staffer John Weaver, and declares at what point McCain's presidential hopes will be over. Waving Desdemona's handkerchief, Brooks, pandering relentlessly for the Times, declares McCain to be a hopeless romantic who likes death under fire but who is "a fine man."
Brooks does everything but directly parrot Iago's famed quote about the warrior Othello: ""I follow him to serve my turn upon him." Yesterday, the Peanut crew, no stranger to Shakespeare, asked if the Times had endorsed McCain only to later knock him down. And so we come to act II, Scene 3:
"When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows.
Now the meaning of the Times' endorsement of McCain as the best Republican candidate becomes clear. Here, we need to page Dr. Freud, because Brooks, either knowingly, jabbing at someone in the McCain camp, or unknowingly, takes on Iago's own language of poisons: "the poisons have yet to be drained."
Here's an out-take from Brooks' column:
"But while calling around to a dozen senior McCain friends and advisers Thursday, what struck me was the enormous tragedy of the rift. They all love McCain. They all say it is absurd to think he abused his power in the way that is alleged.
But the rift is like some primal sore. It affected every conversation I had Thursday, as it has infected McCain efforts again and again over the past many years.
At his press conference Thursday, McCain went all-in. He didn’t just say he didn’t remember a meeting about Iseman. He said there was no meeting. If it turns out that there is evidence of an affair and a meeting, then his presidential hopes will be over. If no evidence surfaces, his campaign will go on and it will be clear that there were members of his old inner circle consumed by viciousness and mendaciousness.
But lingering over everything is the bitterness of the rift, which has caused duplicity and anger to seep into the campaign of this fine man. The poisons have yet to be drained."
Having done everything but posed downstage to proclaim "Oh, notable strumpet!" about lobbyist Vicki Iseman (without even a handkerchief as proof), the Times has revealed--perhaps too quickly?--its Iago strategy in endorsing McCain.
"Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains.
Yet, for necessity of present life,
I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign. "
Senator McCain: don't pick up any more handkerchiefs with the initials NYT embroidered on the edge, no matter how perfumed.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Romney Endorses McCain as Republicans Unite
Noting that Democrats are "skilled at rhetoric that allows them to strike heroic poses," Mitt Romney said that former Vietnam POW John McCain was a "real American hero." The joint appearance stressed overall party unity and American togetherness in the face of a global jihad.
The debate's over, and Mitt Romney is poised to endorse John McCain in just a few minutes. He'll ask that his delegates and supporters swing their clout and votes to McCain.
On the other hand, the Democrats are continuing to cannibalize themselves, with a former President Bill Clinton staffer coming out for Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton axed a top staffer. The Kennedy family is lining up on both sides in this inner circle Democratic brawl.
The debate's over, and Mitt Romney is poised to endorse John McCain in just a few minutes. He'll ask that his delegates and supporters swing their clout and votes to McCain.
On the other hand, the Democrats are continuing to cannibalize themselves, with a former President Bill Clinton staffer coming out for Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton axed a top staffer. The Kennedy family is lining up on both sides in this inner circle Democratic brawl.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
No Surprise: Mitt Romney Out of Presidential Race
The only suprising thing about Mitt Romney's suspension of his presidential campaign is that anyone is surprised.
Romney, the former governor of Massachussetts, is first and foremost a businessman. Using business logic, it was clear that the numbers just didn't add up for success. After spending approximately $35 million of his own money, Romney only earned 273 Republican delegate votes, or only about one-third as many as front runner John McCain.
Romney was also pushed hard by ultra-conservative candidate Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. Huckabee's surprising strength also played into another factor in the complicated equation of politics: religion.
Huckabee is a conservative fundamentalist Baptist preacher. Romney is a devout Mormon whose religion had come under question, and often, fire.
Romney may be best known for his stunning turn-around success as CEO of the scandal-ridden 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The no-nonsense businessman who added up an astonishing American success after a lousy start is the same man who added up his own losing numbers in the presidential race.
Romney and his wife Ann also faced the extra challenge of campaigning while she struggled with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dedicated to his family, Romney also keyed in the personal costs.
In suspending his campaign, Romney also made a sound business decision. With a suspended campaign, he can still receive donations to pay off campaign debts.
Romney also tallied up the costs for the country if a Republican battle continued. With the Democrats at war between the Kennedy family/Barack Obama and the Clinton family/Hillary Clinton camps, the Republicans have a chance to come together and unite months before the conventions.
Continuing, Romney said, would mean that "I forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I'd be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."
"If this were only about me, I can go on. But its never been only about me. I entered this race... because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I now have to stand aside, for our party and for our country," Romney told members of the old the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.
Romney, the former governor of Massachussetts, is first and foremost a businessman. Using business logic, it was clear that the numbers just didn't add up for success. After spending approximately $35 million of his own money, Romney only earned 273 Republican delegate votes, or only about one-third as many as front runner John McCain.
Romney was also pushed hard by ultra-conservative candidate Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. Huckabee's surprising strength also played into another factor in the complicated equation of politics: religion.
Huckabee is a conservative fundamentalist Baptist preacher. Romney is a devout Mormon whose religion had come under question, and often, fire.
Romney may be best known for his stunning turn-around success as CEO of the scandal-ridden 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The no-nonsense businessman who added up an astonishing American success after a lousy start is the same man who added up his own losing numbers in the presidential race.
Romney and his wife Ann also faced the extra challenge of campaigning while she struggled with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dedicated to his family, Romney also keyed in the personal costs.
In suspending his campaign, Romney also made a sound business decision. With a suspended campaign, he can still receive donations to pay off campaign debts.
Romney also tallied up the costs for the country if a Republican battle continued. With the Democrats at war between the Kennedy family/Barack Obama and the Clinton family/Hillary Clinton camps, the Republicans have a chance to come together and unite months before the conventions.
Continuing, Romney said, would mean that "I forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I'd be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."
"If this were only about me, I can go on. But its never been only about me. I entered this race... because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I now have to stand aside, for our party and for our country," Romney told members of the old the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
New Hampshire Primary: McCain Wins, Clinton Edging Obama, Shakes Up Campaign. Carville On Tap?
"We make our history--we are not its victims", John McCain said to a cheering crowd in tonight's victory speech.
Much to pundits' surprise, the "old man", John McCain, the tough, uncompromising Vietnam POW, swept the New Hampshire primary today.
On the Democrat side of the race, it's just about neck and neck, with Hillary Clinton slightly edging Barack Obama at this time. Predictions had been that Obama would decisively down Clinton.
Rumors abound that Clinton is going to shake up her campaign staff, and bring on some old tried-and-true President Bill Clinton era staffers. Among them: James Carville, Hillary's own former White House chief of staff Maggie Williams, ad guru Roy Spence and possibly Paul Begala. Carville and Begala, however, are stoutly denying that they'll get into the game on Clinton's behalf.
Clinton had already scheduled a key post-New Hampshire staff meeting to plan her campaign re-structuring. Just floating Carville's name might have boosted Clinton's campaign.
Much to pundits' surprise, the "old man", John McCain, the tough, uncompromising Vietnam POW, swept the New Hampshire primary today.
On the Democrat side of the race, it's just about neck and neck, with Hillary Clinton slightly edging Barack Obama at this time. Predictions had been that Obama would decisively down Clinton.
Rumors abound that Clinton is going to shake up her campaign staff, and bring on some old tried-and-true President Bill Clinton era staffers. Among them: James Carville, Hillary's own former White House chief of staff Maggie Williams, ad guru Roy Spence and possibly Paul Begala. Carville and Begala, however, are stoutly denying that they'll get into the game on Clinton's behalf.
Clinton had already scheduled a key post-New Hampshire staff meeting to plan her campaign re-structuring. Just floating Carville's name might have boosted Clinton's campaign.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Daily Drive-Through: Hot Tasty News About Al-Qaeda, Terrorism, Bush,New Hampshire Primary, Winter Storm, Alaska Plane Crash
The gloves are off in New Hampshire, as the primary countdown clock ticks. Other Republican candidates ganged up on Mitt Romney as the digs got down and dirty. Romney fired back as tempers became testy.
Ron Paul had his chance to jump into the mix. The Republican Party withdrew their sponsorship of the Fox News debates after Fox decided to eliminate Paul/
Across the U.S., a massive winter storm ripped into several states. In Alaska, a small plane crashed into icy waters at Kodiak, killing six people. Four survived.
Ron Paul had his chance to jump into the mix. The Republican Party withdrew their sponsorship of the Fox News debates after Fox decided to eliminate Paul/
Across the U.S., a massive winter storm ripped into several states. In Alaska, a small plane crashed into icy waters at Kodiak, killing six people. Four survived.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
McCain: 100 Years in Iraq Would Be Fine With Me
In a New Hampshire town meeting, John McCain made a comment destined to be controversial as an excerpt. However, he also gave a neat little history lesson and frames American involvement in Iraq.
But will this controversial statement enhance or derail his presidential campaign? Will it inspire some honest dialogue among other candidates?
Stay tuned. McCain just set the gold standard for campaign honesty.
But will this controversial statement enhance or derail his presidential campaign? Will it inspire some honest dialogue among other candidates?
Stay tuned. McCain just set the gold standard for campaign honesty.
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Daily Drive-Through: Hot, Tasty News About Britney Spears, California Storm, Iowa & Kenya
Would you like fries with that?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Iowa Caucus Results: Obama & Huckabee
Sen. Barack Obama (Democrat) and Gov. Mike Huckabee (Republican) won decisively tonight in Iowa. Other Democratic voting put Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John Edwards effectively tied for second place, with Obama taking a several-point lead.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee emerged as the Republican standard-bearer, with Gov. Mitt Romney several points behind. Sen. Fred Thompson and Sen. John McCain limped in third and fouirth.
The weather's been cold, but the campaigning has been hot--and sometimes hot under the collar, as charges of negative ads soared. Will these votes be an accurate forecast of the next set of primary or caucus elections?
Stay tuned.
Question: are you surprised at any of the results? The comment box is free and open.
Note: video and other coverage follows below.
Iowa Caucus 101: How It Works
Believe it or not, the Republicans and the Democrats do it differently; the electors have to stand up and declare who they're for and why, and--well, it's basically a community meeting with speeches by citizens, politicing, and confusion.
In New Hampshire, the primary is a state-run function. In Iowa, the caucus system is run by the two major political parties. Citizens who want to get involved have to do more than show up and vote--these gatherings can take hours.
We hope they're serving some hot apple cider. Maybe a little hot apple pie, too.
In New Hampshire, the primary is a state-run function. In Iowa, the caucus system is run by the two major political parties. Citizens who want to get involved have to do more than show up and vote--these gatherings can take hours.
We hope they're serving some hot apple cider. Maybe a little hot apple pie, too.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Caucus Countdown: Candidates in Wonderland
Yea, yea. We know. The excitement is building (yawn) for the first caucuses. Actually, the *real* battle, rasslin' style, was over which state got to have one first.
Did you ever stop to wonder just what the heck a caucus really is and why everyone's running so hard? Fear not. We're about to tell you.
Your primary resource is Alice in Wonderland. What, you thought it was just a weird kids' story? Not at all.
The tale of the caucus begins after Alice, while she was nine feet tall (oh! the ego of politicians), cries a pool of tears. Yea, this is the substance abuse time in the plot (hel-lo, Obama!).
Having had her (literal) upper and downer, Alice picks up the wrong tool (a fan, hel-lo Bill and Rudy, pardon the pun!), and shrinks again. Next thing you know, Alice is in a deep pool of salty water, with an odd collection of fellow travelers swimming around. Yea, they finally get out, but now they're soaked and they want to dry off.
Ever think politicians are all wet? How do they dry off (and get dry behind the ears, too?) Simple.
A caucus race. Here's the point where we reveal the secret of the caucus gallop.
"`What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.'
`What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.
`Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)
First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'
This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have prizes.'
`But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices asked.
`Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!'
Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. There was exactly one a-piece all round. `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.
`Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.
`Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly.
`Hand it over here,' said the Dodo.
Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short speech, they all cheered. "
Yep. They start when and where they like, running an erratic course, stopping--where first? Oh! Iowa!
And somewhere, one of these racers will get an "elegant thimble" as a reward. This thimble will look like a montage of facts, votes, graphs, charts, analysis and what-nots. Then the runners will be on to the next caucus race, for another thimble. Thimbles that, in essence, they all bought and paid for (How many millions? Billions).
Lewis Carroll was wicked clever when he wrote Alice in Wonderland.
The Electoral College is the dodo bird, folks. Let's get rid of it and figure out a way to save time, money, and resources.
Note: help yourself to any of these videos if they will help you with your webpage or blog. Here's how: watch the video, then click "embed." It's easy!
Did you ever stop to wonder just what the heck a caucus really is and why everyone's running so hard? Fear not. We're about to tell you.
Your primary resource is Alice in Wonderland. What, you thought it was just a weird kids' story? Not at all.
The tale of the caucus begins after Alice, while she was nine feet tall (oh! the ego of politicians), cries a pool of tears. Yea, this is the substance abuse time in the plot (hel-lo, Obama!).
Having had her (literal) upper and downer, Alice picks up the wrong tool (a fan, hel-lo Bill and Rudy, pardon the pun!), and shrinks again. Next thing you know, Alice is in a deep pool of salty water, with an odd collection of fellow travelers swimming around. Yea, they finally get out, but now they're soaked and they want to dry off.
Ever think politicians are all wet? How do they dry off (and get dry behind the ears, too?) Simple.
A caucus race. Here's the point where we reveal the secret of the caucus gallop.
"`What I was going to say,' said the Dodo in an offended tone, `was, that the best thing to get us dry would be a Caucus-race.'
`What IS a Caucus-race?' said Alice; not that she wanted much to know, but the Dodo had paused as if it thought that SOMEBODY ought to speak, and no one else seemed inclined to say anything.
`Why,' said the Dodo, `the best way to explain it is to do it.' (And, as you might like to try the thing yourself, some winter day, I will tell you how the Dodo managed it.)
First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn't matter,' it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,' but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'
This question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead (the position in which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest waited in silence. At last the Dodo said, `EVERYBODY has won, and all must have prizes.'
`But who is to give the prizes?' quite a chorus of voices asked.
`Why, SHE, of course,' said the Dodo, pointing to Alice with one finger; and the whole party at once crowded round her, calling out in a confused way, `Prizes! Prizes!'
Alice had no idea what to do, and in despair she put her hand in her pocket, and pulled out a box of comfits, (luckily the salt water had not got into it), and handed them round as prizes. There was exactly one a-piece all round. `But she must have a prize herself, you know,' said the Mouse.
`Of course,' the Dodo replied very gravely. `What else have you got in your pocket?' he went on, turning to Alice.
`Only a thimble,' said Alice sadly.
`Hand it over here,' said the Dodo.
Then they all crowded round her once more, while the Dodo solemnly presented the thimble, saying `We beg your acceptance of this elegant thimble'; and, when it had finished this short speech, they all cheered. "
Yep. They start when and where they like, running an erratic course, stopping--where first? Oh! Iowa!
And somewhere, one of these racers will get an "elegant thimble" as a reward. This thimble will look like a montage of facts, votes, graphs, charts, analysis and what-nots. Then the runners will be on to the next caucus race, for another thimble. Thimbles that, in essence, they all bought and paid for (How many millions? Billions).
Lewis Carroll was wicked clever when he wrote Alice in Wonderland.
The Electoral College is the dodo bird, folks. Let's get rid of it and figure out a way to save time, money, and resources.
Note: help yourself to any of these videos if they will help you with your webpage or blog. Here's how: watch the video, then click "embed." It's easy!
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