Here are our January 2008 exchanges (sorry for being out of order - just ended up that way):


I just hope Hillary isn't able to get Michigan votes counted - if Obama could have campaigned in Mich., I sure would have voted for him and many many others would have also - her going after those delegates now, in the words of Keith Oberman (MSNBC Countdown - formerly Sportscenter) would be changing the rules while the game has already started - the sort of nasty trick the ClintonS have no compunction at pulling –

- - Ing, January 29, 2008


The reason I am not feeling too strongly about either Dem. candidate is because I will end up supporting which ever becomes nominated. I am turned off by the Clinton's (mostly Bill's) actions of late - but I still would support either Hillary or Obama over someone on the other side. President Clinton's comment about past winners of the SC primary was out of taste. I guess for once I'm not getting on any band wagon... just yet at least.

- - Fair, January 29, 2008


So have you had time to keep up with the ongoing political saga? Obama's big win in S.C. and Bill Clinton dissing it? The Kennedy "pass the torch" endorsements? Why are you holding back on becoming an all out Obama supporter? ;->

- - Ing, January 29, 2008


I get a shorter version of the Washington Post, the Washington Express, that is distributed free to Metrorail riders. Unfortunately that reads more like a complimentary tabloid (think Lansing NOISE from the LSJ) with day old headlines. I don't have much time to review the website really, other than checking in on the updated headlines. As a gen-Y er, I continue to rely on the Daily Show as my main source of information ;->

- - Fair, January 23, 2008


Yes, there was a truce, but during that S.C. debate, Obama and Hillary really went at each other - John E. would say - there are three of here in this debate - and the pundits, said yes, but the three were Obama, Hillary and Bill. Do you ever read stories or columns at www.washingtonpost.com ? That'll keep you up-to-date (plus they have a local section about your own backyard ;-> ).

Did you hear that Ted Kennedy and someone else of that stature asked Bill to back off? But he won't - they are like children - He started it! Mom, she did it! etc.

- - Ing, January 23, 2008


I did hear about the coke-head volley that was thrown from the Clinton camp but immediately dismissed it as ridiculous. Was there not some sort of truce agreement by Obama and the Clinton's? Wasn't the Edwards campaign getting upset that John Edwards was losing a good amount of face-time because of the Obama-Clinton discussions during the S.C. debate?

- - Fair, January 23, 2008


I tend to get invested in the stories, the narratives, and inevitably, the personal nature of these things. Yes, Bill was very popular with black voters - since when does the popularity of a spouse with a group translate to the president? That sort of thing has been reserved in the past to the Vice Presidential candidate.

The other thing has to do with tactics - if Bill and Hillary are so pro-african-american, why are they trying so hard, either directly or indirectly through surrogates, to portray Obama, the first credible black candidate, as unready, unconvincing, inconsistent, a former coke-head, etc. Of course politics are dirty, but I'm afraid the Clintons have only just begun to show how dirty they can get in their relentless pursuit of a return sojourn in the White House.

In my opinion, back when the Monica saga broke, I believe Hillary made a bargain with Bill - I will not leave you, I will support you if, when the time comes, you will support me with everything you've got, for me to be president.

The whole thing would be a lot "cleaner" if the possible first woman president - a good Democrat, don't get me wrong - didn't have a former president as a potential first gentleman.

I hope you get a chance to follow this more. And you're right about the sniping - it just makes Democrats look bad.

- - Ing, January 23, 2008


To be honest, the reason I did not respond is because I was not following the events all that closely. The most I know is what was included in the last issue of Time magazine - but that was before Bill got involved. Of course this is only bringing negative media attention to the Dems.

Perhaps Bill got involved to sort of even out the "race issue" since Bill Clinton was so popular among African Americans. Hillary doesn't seem to be as popular, at least at this point, among African Americans. Maybe that is only because of Obama's candidacy; I'm not sure.

Either is OK. I prefer Obama as the agent of change (I'm thinking brooms on K Street - was that Nancy Pelosi's photo op?); as a policy wonk/bureaucrat, however, I support Hillary Clinton and the comfort zone that, in my mind, she would bring. My lack of passion toward one or the other may also be a function of "anything but another Republican."

- - Fair, January 23, 2008


When you have time, I'd still like to hear your opinion of the Obama/ClintonS (both of them) dust-ups. Are you still neutral? Either Democrat is okay?

- - Ing, January 23, 2008


McCain would be tough as an opponent to Obama, less so for Hillary. But I have become all turned off against the Clintons. I agree with those who perceive them as operating a "machine" and that they have the superlative ability to spin anything into anything - e.g., Obama saying that Reagan was an agent for change but Bill wasn't. Immediately the Clintonites said, oh Obama likes Reagan and Republican ideas best! When actually, it was the more subtle idea of who, for better or worse, had the most far-reaching impact. (Bill could have been such an agent, had he not gotten bogged down in his inability to control his sex life.) This subtle point of Obama's is lost on observers, just like Time magazine has made Hitler and Stalin men of the year. It doesn't mean you agree with them! Just that they had the greatest impact.

Back to the Repubs - if Democrats really mess things up and lose the election, there are worse possibilities than McCain (such as Rudy or Huckabee - what would Huck do, make Chuck a goodwill ambassador?). My Repub guy, Mitt-ney - I think he bristles too much. Hillary would be a good match to him as well . . .

I wonder - could it be Hillary/Obama as a ticket, in that order? Would Obama accept that? That would be a pretty formidable ticket. But Obama and Bill would have to make nice. . . .

- - Ing, January 22, 2008


Did you see the "dust-up" between Mitt-ney and an AP reporter yesterday? The reporter kept saying, you do have a lobbyist running your campaign, and Mitt-ney was all, Listen to my words, I don't, that guy is just an adviser, so-and-so RUNS my campaign and she is not a lobbyist. Mitt is sort of geeky in a way, and reporters love to call him out on "it depends on what the definition of is is" sorts of word-fights. I just don't think it is going to redound to Mittney's favor in the end,

Funny about the snow - but just you wait till next July or August - are you going to be okay with sweltering, humid heat!

- - Ing, January 18, 2008


I am happy that Mitt-ney won our state for two reasons:

1) I think it would be neat to have a President from Michigan in Washington - even if it means a Republican is there.
2) Mitt-ney is one of two (the other being Rudy) Republicans that I could actually live with if I was forced to accept a Republican candidate.

As I mentioned earlier, I think our state "won" overall because of the media attention. Even this morning on talk radio there was mention of how the Michigan primary helped bring the economy to be a front and center issue, even though it should have been all along.

Metro D.C. got about 1-2" of snow yesterday. You would have thought the world was ending the way some were acting. Schools began closing before any snow fell :), and the roads... what a mess. Cars and trucks everywhere - which I saw out of my fast-moving Orange Line train on the commute home.

Have a good weekend. We have MLK off on Monday. Today was Lee-Jackson Day in VA. Not an official holiday "inside the beltway" - incl. FFX County, only out yonder. State of VA offices are closed.

- - Fair, January 18, 2008


So - I'm happy Mitt-ney won Michigan and that Dem. - uncommitted was as high as it was.

- - Ing, January 18, 2008


Michigan moving the primary up did accomplish one thing: our state has been prominently in the news for the past week - esp. since the N.H. primary ended - including on the local D.C. network affiliates. Along with the extensive election coverage has been discussion of the struggling Michigan economy, the 'Detroit Three' and the NAIAS.

- - Fair, January 15, 2008


When T. went to the store to get newspapers this morning, shortly after 7 am, he said there was a "traffic jam" in the vicinity of Onondaga Twp. Hall - our polling place. So maybe turnout will be good. I'll vote on my way home from work. How does it work with absentee ballots? Have you mailed yours in already?

- - Ing, January 15, 2008


Hahaha - I was wondering what your "uncommitted R" strategy was before reading the corrected e-mail. You could help to spoil the R primary by voting Rudy Giuliani.

- - Fair, January 14, 2008


I've been very wishy-washy about the primary tomorrow - but I'm pretty sure I will vote for Mitt-ney. Other choice is uncommitted on Republican - I mean Democratic ballot. Pretty interesting election year!

- - Ing, January 14, 2008


Speaking of true VA... funny story: there is a calendar that compares the holidays off for FFX County, Fed, and state of VA employees. The state of VA (not FFX) gives its employees "Lee-Jackson Day" off. Of course, this "yank" had to ask, What is Lee-Jackson Day?

At least I got smiles back in response.

- - Fair, January 14, 2008


I guess voting in a primary is based on more idealistic, odd, or "romantic" reasons - but when it comes to the general election, it should be all about PARTY party party - I'm sure I've explained my reasoning before - our legislatures are organized by party and they and the partisan executive get things done. So looks and personality don't much matter except to the extent they help someone be a schmoozer.

In my opinion, Mitt-ney is the best looking person of the entire bunch - in a bland, Clark Kent kind of way. Worst looking - it's a tie between aw-shucks-Gomer Huckabee (Andy Griffith Show? Gomer Pyle? If you know them, it would only be from TVLand) and Rudy, who reminds T. and I of Nosferatau (the vampire Dracula in an early silent movie).

- - Ing, January 9, 2008


I'll probably end up doing the same for the Mich. primary; Mitt-ney that is. I just laugh as I see these old white men on T.V. saying how "women" must be voting for Obama because of his looks or Hillary out of sympathy - saying women vote based on "celebrity factors" in a not-so-direct way (leaving the assumption that men conduct in-depth analyses of the candidates - ha ;)

- - Fair, January 9, 2008


My favorite candidate had been John Edwards but now he seems too much of a long shot. So I've switched to Obama. I never have cared for Hillary, although I'd certainly vote for her in the general election. I saw the whole thing with her not-quite-crying-but-voice-breaking. To me, it was just too convenient - how could she almost cry and still be able to handle her microphone so well while doing it.

Anybody but Huckabee! I'm pretty sure I will vote for Mittney in the Mich. Primary.

- - Ing, January 9, 2008


I was just happy to see Mike Huckabee NOT win :) Did you feel sorry for Hillary after seeing her tear up on T.V.? The local 24-hour news channel (affiliated with ABC) was conducting interviews... people were saying that Hillary was got sympathy votes from women instead of their "he's good looking" votes going to Obama.

- - Fair, January 9, 2008


I wanted the Obama "story" to continue with him winning N.H. But maybe this loss is a good lesson for him.

- - Ing, January 9, 2008