Here are our February 2008 exchanges:




So do you think you'll be going out with friends if you come here on the 28th of March? Knowing you, of course, that is a stupid question - but will you inviting a few of your "older" friends . . .

End of March - by then, if not before, hopefully Obama will have the nom all sewn up . . .sigh.

- - Ing, February 26, 2008



Nothing new for Kwame that I saw. I have a hard time watching Clinton supporters so I didn't really watch Jenny - but her hair looked nice - I think she is growing it out a little.

I really want Obama to win, now, you know - before, it was just a preference, but now I'm turning into an Obamamaniac! SNL was back on the air with new stuff for the first time since the strike - their take on the MSM being totally "in the tank" for Obama was funny. . . .my weekends are rarely "exciting" because we are both such homebodies - but I'm happy to hear that you're having fun! Jon Stewart did fine as Oscars' Host last night!

- - Ing, February 25, 2008



. . . or just tactics of desperation. Simple as that. "You know," I was not aware of the Clinton's involvement with the Wal*Mart corporation. I'm not a fan (although I don't go as far as to think poorly of those that shop there like other non-Wal*Mart fans seem to do) so that's another negative to Sen. Clinton in my neutrality between the two.

Did you see Jennifer Granholm on TV this past weekend with Janet Napolotino (Ariz. gov, I believe)? I missed it and may search on YouTube for the interview later tonight. What's the word with the Mich. Supreme Court and Kwame-gate?

- - Fair, February 25, 2008


I think that Hillary is trying to bait Obama into saying she is having menopausal or post-menopausal mood swings, with the way her tone has changed three times since last Thursday (conciliatory, angry and shaming, sharply sarcastic). But I think he is too smart to fall for this.

- - Ing, February 25, 2008



I can hear it on the audio clip used on WTOP. Seems to be a gradually building Booooooo volume-wise, but gets cut before the audience can end the boo-ing in the low volume range; if that makes sense.

- - Fair, February 22, 2008


Apparently the audience booed at the Xerox comment, but it's been hard for me to pick that up in the clips.

- - Ing, February 22, 2008



I didn't get to see the debate either, but the point you discuss about Hillary not attacking Barack's perceived lack of experience is all over the FM new-talk radio station (WTOP-FM) I am listening to right now. Perhaps later today I will look for the debate, or clips of the debate, online. In addition, they are replaying the audio of the portion of the debate where Hillary mentioned the Xerox comment.

- - Fair, February 22, 2008


So here's what I think about last night's debate, which I didn't watch, but saw excerpts and pundits' talk: Hillary was asked - is Barak ready to be Commander in Chief? She wouldn't directly answer, focusing instead on her own credentials. Her campaign guy - Wolfson (sp) - was more pointed in her behalf. But I believe she has reckoned there is a strong possibility she will not be the nominee and Barak will be - so why hand a line to McCain - "Even his principal opponent for the nomination believes he is not ready to be Commander in Chief!" In other words, this is somewhat sacrificial on her part - good for her! If I'm right (me and some of the pundits).

- - Ing, February 22, 2008



Could be part of the tale of how the Democratic party gift-wrapped the election for John McCain in '08 - but I'm hoping not.

I received the current issue of Time in the mail yesterday. There is an article that covers Hillary's campaign and it hints at the thoughts of entitlement - unprepared ground operations, no thought to campaigning beyond Super Tuesday, hiring loyal aids instead of those best at what they do, etc...

- - Fair, February 21, 2008


Don't agree with his ideology, but his logic is usually quite impeccable; from today's Washington Post, George F. Will column -

“Nothing, however, will assuage Clinton supporters' sense of injustice if the upstart Obama supplants her. Their, and her, sense of entitlement is encapsulated in her constant invocations of her '35 years' of 'experience.' Well.

“She is 60. She left Yale Law School at age 25. Evidently she considers everything she has done since school, from her years at Little Rock's Rose Law Firm to her good fortune with cattle futures, as presidentially relevant experience.

“The president who came to office with the most glittering array of experiences had served 10 years in the House of Representatives, then became minister to Russia, then served 10 years in the Senate, then four years as secretary of state (during a war that enlarged the nation by 33 percent), then was minister to Britain. Then, in 1856, James Buchanan was elected president and in just one term secured a strong claim to being ranked as America's worst president. Abraham Lincoln, the inexperienced former one-term congressman, had an easy act to follow.”

- - Ing, February 21, 2008


T. likes NASCAR but isn't a rabid fan and I'm not a rabid fan of any sport - I like sports stories, though. Yeah, the timing you mention is probably best. I gave to Kerry/Edwards - probably $50 - so that would have been after the ticket was set. I'd like to put a sticker/sign in my car, but T. is real paranoid about it - thinks someone would rear-end the car or something - I'm not sure where he gets that?

- - Ing, February 20, 2008



I will be donating only after there is one candidate to make my scarce resources go the farthest. Obama has enough money for now, at least that's what I remember hearing. Sorry to include NASCAR the way I did in my previous e-mail (not sure if you're a fan). I guess that's a few too many Comedy Central specials under my belt...

How much do you plan to give? I'm thinking around $30 - maybe more or less depending on who it is. Of course a sticker will go on the rear window of my car.

- - Fair, February 20, 2008


Your points are well-taken. And, by the way, Clark's jacket fit well this morning! See - I am more superficial than you.

Even though I am quite logical and analytical in my approaches to things, I am still swayed by the emotional/inspirational appeal Obama has - and the two things are not mutually exclusive. After all, the guy taught constitutional law - can't get much more logical and analytical than that! I just hope the millenials do not lose interest, because right now, I have more faith in them than in bringing over the teeth-and-brain-challenged crowd you reference.

If we do get a Republican, we could do a lot worse than McCain . . .but I want to have HOPE - I should probably go to Obama's web site and donate some $.

- - Ing, February 20, 2008



Regardless of Clark's involvement w/ the ClintonS campaign, I still think Obama will need someone like him (national defense credentials that are generally known to the public) to counter the "lack of experience" statements that the Republicans will toss at him with regard to keeping our troops safe and letting any gains in Iraq (year, right) become lost during a transition. Sen. Obama's age is not of any concern to me, neither is race among younger and educated voters (comment below).

I imagine something like "Can we afford to put our troops at risk by placing a noble vision before solid experience?" ...even though the Bush Admin. continues to only have a sick vision.

I like Clark's views now as I did four years ago - just one of my 2008 hopes. I also think Clark would help ease uneasiness from the uneducated/NASCAR/missing some teeth/lacking brain cells crowd that could be hesitant to vote for, well, remember the '06 Harold Ford Senate campaign in Tennessee? That's unfortunate, but is still alive in more rural, non-diverse portions of the country.

You know I'll be voting, but if the millennials that are all caught up in the Obama moment now get bored/move on to the next hot topic by November, hello President McCain.

- - Fair, February 20, 2008


I was very interested in your theory on Clark - till I saw him this morning on MSNBC in the capacity as a Clinton advisor and possible running mate for her. But who knows . . .

Here's the problem. No way is Hillary going to drop out of the race gracefully. She will lose - eventually - after a lot of pain and angst to the party. Meanwhile, she and her team will dig up and dish out as much dirt on Obama as they can find (or make up?) and then, McCain and the other Republicans will use it all against him.

It will be up to YOU - the millennials - to come out to vote in November in record numbers to get Obama elected!!!

I don't really like political speeches, but I do like listening to Obama - heard his whole speech last night - was up late for me! When Hillary wouldn't concede to him or even mention Wisconsin, he just came on the air and all cable networks went to him. Rude? Well, she started it.

- - Ing, February 20, 2008



Wow- Barack is on a roll. I thought he would capture Wisc., just not by the margin he did. I think Obama will take all remaining states - TX included - with OH being the only one about which I am not sure. I did some research on Gen. Wes Clark as a possible VP. If I had a choice (yeah, right) I think I would suggest to Obama that Gen. Clark be his VP. I remember when he ran for President four years ago - I wanted to vote for him but he dropped out of the race before I had the chance.

- - Fair, February 20, 2008


Haha. Good observation. I'll take ill-fitting collars over someone who shoots friends in the face :)

- - Fair, February 19, 2008


Yes, you are probably right about Wes Clark. He's okay - doesn't "excite" me, really - this is totally trivial, but I have noticed when he is wearing a suit jacket that it doesn't fit him right around the collar area. If he's going to be on TV as a commentator or expert or whatnot, he should get well-fitting jackets! But yes, his military background would be a plus against McCain.

The Free Press pointed out that the woman in the case stepped down right away, but the man stays on - sexism seems to be stronger than racism . . .

- - Ing, February 19, 2008



I've not heard too much on the latest dem squabble. I had friends from the Detroit area fly in Friday PM for the long weekend. . . .

Keep me posted on the latest Clinton-Obama news. I can probably guess that this means she is less likely to be asked to be his running-mate. (Speaking of running mates... I think Wes Clark would make for a good VP with either dem - to counter McCain's "all things military" credentials. Thoughts?) My main focus today and tomorrow will be to see if the Mich. Supreme Court decides to take up Kwame-gate and when/how the text messages and agreements are revealed to the public.

- - Fair, February 19, 2008


I am so annoyed at this latest made-up controversy - Obama PLAGIARIZES! - according to the Clinton camp. Two words: "Just words?" That is the whole extent of the "plagiarizing" from the Gov. of Mass. So they both quote two important phrases - from the "I have a dream" speech and from the Declaration of Independence "We hold these truths to be self-evident. . . " and then to say, "Just words?" Quoting from Bill: "Give me a break!" What is someone going to bring up next: I said "change" first and now you are quoting me without attribution? Oh, if Wisconsin ends up going for Hillary over this, I will be SO disappointed with our neighboring state. . .

- - Ing, February 19, 2008



I hear we may all get to see Mayor Kilpatrick's secret documents by Tuesday.

- - Fair, February 13, 2008


I know what you're talking about with Granholm/Devos - that was pretty funny. As much as I can. I try to tune Hillary out - she really has a grating voice, and a hectoring-school teacher manner. I will definitely vote for her over McCain, but I just hope that isn't the choice.

- - Ing, February 13, 2008


I also think Obama gives great speeches. I like his, what I'll call pointing-finger hand gestures. I still think Gov. Granholm would slice him during a debate (I think she could do that to pretty much anyone from what I've seen). I think both he and Hillary debate at about the same level. That just made me laugh - I had a flashback to one of the Granholm/DeVos debates where he looked like he was staring at bright lights into the camera. Haha- those were some fun TV moments.

Hillary's use of the phase "you know..." is kind of annoying. Have you noticed the "you know..." use?

I've of course been keeping up-to-date on Kwame in the Free Press and News, but not everything always get included online. How about we play the game where we look for honest politicians...

- - Fair, February 13, 2008


The pundits I watch all seem to think that Bill's getting sort of nasty before S. Carolina, backfired on Hillary. So I don't know . . . personally, I am getting pretty tired of Hillary's "day one" readiness mantra. Now, McCain is starting in on Obama - talk of hope is just rhetoric, it doesn't accomplish anything. Yeah, I did notice that Bush-McCane thing from Obama, but the Iraq situation is dicey - depends so much on what's going on right before the election.

How do you like Obama's speech-style? He has been doing great speeches, in my opinion, everytime he wins - the cadences and such - I like that stuff.

The Rev. Al Sharpton was on MSNBC and I actually 100% agreed with him about the votes from the Michigan and Florida primaries and how they shouldn't count because that would be like the officials in a football game coming into the 3rd quarter and just changing all the rules!

The mayor has accused the Detroit Free Press of breaking the law, getting the text messages and such. The city council is pushing back against Kwame - but I don't know. Even if he were incarcerated, I feel like he would still stay on, if that's legal. I know the city council has a lot of power, but I don't know if they could fire him. . . .the moral of the story, if you're going to philander, don't get caught! Didn't he learn anything from Bubba?

- - Ing, February 13, 2008



I'm expecting the Dem. primary to get nasty; what do you think? I'm sure the ClintonS are not happy about Obama's string of wins. I just hope what I suspect will be a visible fight (the media will be watching closely) will not turn folks off of either Obama or Clinton and on to the GOP. Obama, in his celebration speech last night, used the phrase "Bush-McCain" several times (instead of just McCain). Did you happen to catch that? There was extensive local coverage.

So what's the latest with Kwame? That is what people ask about here - about 'that mayor.'

- - Fair, February 13, 2008


I actually didn't have time to meet the primary registration deadline when I moved. It was about two weeks after I moved, around Christmas, and I was so busy getting organized/unpacking/dealing with the holiday's that I didn't even think about it. I actually wish that Michigan did not advance their primary - there would have been more attention on Michigan right about now, at least with the Dem. race (I'm sure it would have had implications on Mitt-ney's strategy). I will be getting a VA license and registering to vote as soon as I feel I can use some time (it's tough starting leave balances from scratch!). I do not think the Mich./FLA rules should be changed half way through either. That isn't fair. I do, however, think that the states should be involved as much as possible in other ways as both will be important in the general election. Upsetting voters over primary rules would be a mistake. I can't even think of an easy resolution...

I just hope that the level of nastiness between the two Dem. camps is at its peak because of the so-called "unified" position of the republican party and the advantages they will try to use while the Dems. decide a nominee.

- - Fair, February 11, 2008


So, do you wish that you had registered to vote in Arlington, so that you could vote in the "Potomac Primary" tomorrow?

The super delegates are coming up as an issue. Should they vote "their conscience" or according to how their state voted? Lani Davis (a Clinton supporter) was on MSNBC this morning saying he participated in the creation of super delegates for the Democrat's process and they were supposed to be an independent voice, so why change the rules in mid-game? Yet, many Clinton supporters say that Michigan and Florida votes should count as cast (majority to Hillary) - talk about changing the rules in the middle of the game! But naturally, the reporters didn't follow up with this. They never follow-up the way I would like.

- - Ing, February 11, 2008


You know that the Daily Show tapes at 5:00pm or so, eastern time, so the polls will have been still open - if you get MSNBC, we recommend that - esp. since FoxNews (or Fox Noise, as Keith Olberman calls it) is so ANTI- MSNBC.

- - Ing, February 5, 2008


I'll be watching the Daily Show tonight to find out who is leading after most of the polls close tonight. John McCain... don't get me wrong, I admire him for his independent decision-making and "straight talk" but I just have to wonder how that political veteran keeps going and going and going and going on the campaign like he does. My assumptions: Hillary will take NY and the southern states (and *probably* NJ); Obama will take Ill and the remainder of the midwest/NE. Not sure how to call Calif. and NJ.

- - Fair, February 5, 2008


Since the Clinton campaign seemed to pull Bill back from being an attack dog on Obama, I have softened my animosity toward her - if she is the candidate after all, I want to feel at least neutral when voting for her. Glad you can see what I'm talking about, some, but . . . you, scripted? I wouldn't say that. Maybe you are a bit less expressive when in professional/meeting situations, as compared to casual situations, but that seems sort of natural to me. And the more time that goes by, who am I to make such judgments - your professional life and style are no doubt evolving. . .

- - Ing, February 5, 2008



As I've been paying closer attention to the dem. campaigns lately I can see why you like (at least I assume) Sen. Obama over Sen. Clinton. While I do not think Hillary is as scripted as some say (I've been told that I seem scripted at times), I like the energy from Obama - hard to explain. I also think it's time we had a President from a large city to bring forward a true "urban agenda."

- - Fair, February 4, 2008