Thursday, June 26, 2008
Boo hoo . . . Billy feels dissed . . .
Apparently, Bill Clinton feels like Obama campaigned TOTALLY against the Clintons - yeah, it's all about Bill. And, Obama's campaign went out of it's way to make out like Bill was raising the race card. Poor Bill - feeling so hurt - so now Barack needs to have a meet-and-make-up session with the ex-prez. This is all from the Atlantic Monthly, I believe, as I've heard or read about it. I'm sure they will make up because the Clintons are both realists and Bill wants to be in on this historic election some way, so it will all work out. Just another little brouhaha to take place in this lull-time of the campaign.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
June 25, 2008 exchanges:
I remember you mentioning the "hard copy" letter delivered to Obama's campaign. This is a good point - and one that, to me, should be made clear to the American public. McCain dismissed the latest computer technology just like he dismissed "knowing" about the economy.
I'm not even sure who the Internet-befuddled demographic is other than those above 75. Perhaps those in more remote areas of the US (who I am guessing would support McCain regardless of this issue)?
Both of my grandparents, in their 70s, frequently use their desktop - my grandfather transmits Quality Assurance contracting documents (PDFs) to General Dynamics (he is one from the old guard "Tool & Die" crowd; brought out of retirement to monitor defense contract work quality) while my grandma prints Kroger coupons, orders who knows what, pays bills, and e-mails like no other.
-Fair, 06-25-08
This from today's Media Notes (Howard Kurtz) in the Washington Post:
If we're electing a president for the age of terror, we're also picking one for the Internet age. After attending a conference, CQ blogger David Corn wonders how McCain could have no clue about computers:
"Let's (at least this time) avoid the cheap shot, for there is a serious point here: where is McCain's intellectual curiosity? Over the past decade, more and more Americans of all ages have become wired. Using email and the Internet has become a fundamental activity of modern life. How could McCain, who has long wanted to lead this nation, say to himself, I don't need to know how this stuff works? And in an era when so much depends on the Internet--including much of the economy and aspects of national security--how could a senior legislator and commander-in-chief wannabe eschew firsthand experience of how this series of tubes and wires functions?
"What motivated--or demotivated--McCain to be a computer illiterate? Is he a fuddy-duddy resistant to change? Is he--let's be frank--too old to absorb new notions? Is he a Luddite? None of these are qualities you'd want in a president. Are there other explanations?"
Maybe he'll appeal to the Internet-befuddled demographic.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I'm sure I told you this, how right after Obama clinched the nom, McCain asked him about the 10 town hall style events they should have together. The invitation came to Obama's campaign by hard-copy letter and someone there said, Why didn't he just e-mail this? I guess McCain is just that out of touch.
-Ing, 06-28-08
I remember you mentioning the "hard copy" letter delivered to Obama's campaign. This is a good point - and one that, to me, should be made clear to the American public. McCain dismissed the latest computer technology just like he dismissed "knowing" about the economy.
I'm not even sure who the Internet-befuddled demographic is other than those above 75. Perhaps those in more remote areas of the US (who I am guessing would support McCain regardless of this issue)?
Both of my grandparents, in their 70s, frequently use their desktop - my grandfather transmits Quality Assurance contracting documents (PDFs) to General Dynamics (he is one from the old guard "Tool & Die" crowd; brought out of retirement to monitor defense contract work quality) while my grandma prints Kroger coupons, orders who knows what, pays bills, and e-mails like no other.
-Fair, 06-25-08
This from today's Media Notes (Howard Kurtz) in the Washington Post:
If we're electing a president for the age of terror, we're also picking one for the Internet age. After attending a conference, CQ blogger David Corn wonders how McCain could have no clue about computers:
"Let's (at least this time) avoid the cheap shot, for there is a serious point here: where is McCain's intellectual curiosity? Over the past decade, more and more Americans of all ages have become wired. Using email and the Internet has become a fundamental activity of modern life. How could McCain, who has long wanted to lead this nation, say to himself, I don't need to know how this stuff works? And in an era when so much depends on the Internet--including much of the economy and aspects of national security--how could a senior legislator and commander-in-chief wannabe eschew firsthand experience of how this series of tubes and wires functions?
"What motivated--or demotivated--McCain to be a computer illiterate? Is he a fuddy-duddy resistant to change? Is he--let's be frank--too old to absorb new notions? Is he a Luddite? None of these are qualities you'd want in a president. Are there other explanations?"
Maybe he'll appeal to the Internet-befuddled demographic.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I'm sure I told you this, how right after Obama clinched the nom, McCain asked him about the 10 town hall style events they should have together. The invitation came to Obama's campaign by hard-copy letter and someone there said, Why didn't he just e-mail this? I guess McCain is just that out of touch.
-Ing, 06-28-08
June 16 - June 24 exchanges
How exciting that Obama spent so much face time in Michigan. Gore's endorsement at Joe Louis Arena was a nice touch to boot! Granholm got some very nice pictures (at the Freep.com site) as well - she looked good and not tired for the first time in a long time, at least to me. I read something briefly yesterday (unfortunately, I can not remember where) saying Obama's team has a strategy laid out where he wins in Nov. without Ohio and Fla. - but he MUST win Michigan.
Those foolish Republicans, releasing an ad in Michigan saying Obama "didn't care about Michigan" until now. L-A-M-E. They will be turning off the independent voters that gave McCain a primary victory in 2000 and could have given him a real shot in this November. I am convinced that McCain's victory rests solely on independent voters given this years Dem. momentum.
Now... all that we need is Bill and Hillary Clinton spending as much time as possible working in Fla. and the Pittsburgh, PA area and others similar mid-western, "blue-collar" zones for Obama (I think Chelsea would be better suited in college towns - just seems more fitting for her and I think she did well in that setting for her mother).
-Fair, 06-16-08
Guess our one-week hiatus from politics is over. Yes, I thought Gore's speech was quite stirring, and a little bit old-school politics - except that climate change was never part of old-school. You know, don't you, that Jennifer had some emergency surgery a while back - it was rather ironic, because it was to correct a bowel obstruction situation that arose due to a car accident she was in during the inaugural festivities for Bill Clinton (I think in 1992). So that may have accounted for her visible tiredness.
I don't want to get over-confident, but I have a hunch that Obama is just going to clean McCain's clock! I'm not yet in to all the map-of-the-states electoral speculation because it seems a little premature. Of course I was glad to have Obama in Michigan - I hope he swings by a bit closer, like to MSU, perhaps - I'd try hard to get to that rally. I'd just love to be in the venue for one of his speeches - they can be so electrifying on TV - how much more so in person! By the way, have you donated yet? ;->
I know I'm behind sending you "reports" - I think Gongwer has been doing some stories on state races, the way MIRS does. I'll try to be better. Onondaga has been quiet weather-wise - Lansing had an actual tornado a bit over a week ago - MLK and Moores River Dr. area were hit hard - lots of big trees down.
-Ing, 06-16-08
Gore wasn't in robot mode as in 2000 - I think that anyone who's a politician and is introducing Obama knows that they have to step up their speaking game. I just read in the freep that Jennifer mentioned Hillary and the crowd booed. Then, "Taking off a navy blue pump and waving it aloft, she said, 'These high heels have carried a lot of weight for first women everywhere. But I'm proud to say that I'm supporting Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States.' "
-Ing, 06-17-08
I'm sure you've mentioned that before - I just forgot. Don't know if you've been following this at the Detroit papers web sites, and it's also in the Gongwer, but "big, pink, pig" Leon Drolet was defeated in his efforts to recall House Leader Dillon over the income tax increases - so THAT was a good thing.
-Ing, 06-17-08
I hope you get a chance to watch last night's episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report on TiVo. I will not spoil the content for you... other than to say Obama, Gore, and McCain are topics of discussion. The Daily Show's moment of Zhen is great - listen carefully.
-Fair, 06-19-08
You can spoil it for me if you want – M. always tells me the cliffhangers on the soaps if she is listening ;->
Do you watch the shows live or on TiVo? We TiVo, of course, since they are on past our bedtimes - when I first tryed doing Season Pass for these shows, even with the option of 1st Run Only, it would record showings throughout the day and evening. So I recorded by time and channel - but sometimes the timing gets off and the Daily Show recording will end right in the middle of the Moment of Zen and then the Colbert report will start up, missing some moments. Hope it didn't mess up like this last night.
So maybe you had better tell me what you heard/saw ;->
-Ing, 06-19-08
I'll begin with Colbert. He does a great piece tying McCain to "four more years of George W. Bush." Colbert spends time talking about the differences highlighted between Obama and McCain on reaching out to rouge nations - the diplomacy issue. While the piece is of course packed with humor, it raised some new (at least new to me) points about which I was not aware. Probably one of the more 'less-satirical/more news like while still being satirical' commentaries I've seen.
The Daily Show moment of Zhen ends with a long capture of Obama sitting on stage at Joe Louis Arena with Gore at the podium. After about 20 or 30 seconds of simply showing the two on stage (with the crowd going crazy for the two, of course) Gore thanks Gov. Granholm and the state of Michigan, which, he recalled, supported him in 2000 and will be forever grateful (or similar). A very "Michigan" moment - I thought it made us look great.
I should probably do like you and T. - at least for Colbert - to be sure I get enough sleep. All that TV after playing kickball in the rail after work.
-Fair, 06-19-08
I saw exactly the moment you are referring to, what Al Gore said about Michigan. Sadly, have you heard about the latest trivial Obama campaign mistake? Some muslim women in headscarves were told at the Joe - by volunteers for the campaign - that they couldn't sit where they would show up in the podium imagery, with the headscarves on. Later, the Obama campaign officially apologized and said the volunteers were not under their direction on this point, but - damage done in this climate of excrutiating sensitivity to slights, real or perceived.
-Ing, 06-19-08
I was reading the Free Press after sending you the e-mail and saw the article. Unfortunate - but who's to say that would not have happened at a McCain, Romney, or Hillary rally... I'm sure the story will be on all the news networks.
Did you see where McCain, on camera, admits that he is unable to operate, for the most part, a computer without his wife's assistance? To me that's a gaffe too (excepting the senior citizen crowd - even my grandparent’s talk with me via e-mail).
-Fair, 06-19-08
No - I didn't see that about McCain being computer-illiterate. But it goes with what I heard when the McCain camp first offered the Obama camp to participate in 10 town hall style meetings? McCain's camp sent the offer by hard-copy letter - and Obama's folks looked at it and said, why didn't he just send an e-mail?
-Ing, 06-19-08
Finally - yes, we watched Jon/Daily Show last night, from the previous night, and saw the part with Gore saying kind words about Michigan. . . Do you have any opinion about the campaign finance issue and Barack's "flip flop"? It was the right and rational thing for him to do, and it meets the spirit of campaign finance reform, in that he has so many small donors adding up to big dollars. But that's a subtle point, that gets lost . . .
-Ing, 06-20-08
Hi - Well, I'm now up to $100 for Obama - I think. I'm not sure if my contribution took or not - sometimes the online stuff doesn't work quite right - I'm waiting for a confirmation e-mail.
-Ing, 06-24-08
Hi. I've just made one donation to date to the Obama campaign to date. The car rentals in Detroit are eating away at my "extra" cash :( . The Obama e-mails have not been as bad as I thought - frequency wise. I'm also receiving messages from Hillary Clinton's campaign (something makes me think she isn't going away by the tone of her e-mails - no mention of Obama at all in the last three that I've read [some I delete before reading]. In fact, no mention of Obama in any of her campaign messages other than the ones that followed her "suspension" speech in DC).
-Fair, 06-24-08
Have I sent you this link before:
http://thepage.time.com/
Anyway, they have a terse reference from Bill Clinton that he will do whatever he is asked to do to help Obama. And then the author also mentions an upcoming joint appearance between Hillary and Obama (this page updates often and throughout each day).
I just don't understand the female Clinton supporters who say, it was sexism brought her down, and then they're still mad at Obama. Hillary just didn't run a good-enough campaign plus she just wasn't as attractive a candidate in so many ways - she could have been a man of any race or age and still have had those problems - it's just like when an African-American (Kwame, perhaps?) is in trouble and they blame racism when it's their own fault. I've never gone to her web site or received e-mail from Clinton so I didn't know that her offerings still made out like it was just about her. That's sad.
I say "just" too much.
-Ing, 06-24-08
Those foolish Republicans, releasing an ad in Michigan saying Obama "didn't care about Michigan" until now. L-A-M-E. They will be turning off the independent voters that gave McCain a primary victory in 2000 and could have given him a real shot in this November. I am convinced that McCain's victory rests solely on independent voters given this years Dem. momentum.
Now... all that we need is Bill and Hillary Clinton spending as much time as possible working in Fla. and the Pittsburgh, PA area and others similar mid-western, "blue-collar" zones for Obama (I think Chelsea would be better suited in college towns - just seems more fitting for her and I think she did well in that setting for her mother).
-Fair, 06-16-08
Guess our one-week hiatus from politics is over. Yes, I thought Gore's speech was quite stirring, and a little bit old-school politics - except that climate change was never part of old-school. You know, don't you, that Jennifer had some emergency surgery a while back - it was rather ironic, because it was to correct a bowel obstruction situation that arose due to a car accident she was in during the inaugural festivities for Bill Clinton (I think in 1992). So that may have accounted for her visible tiredness.
I don't want to get over-confident, but I have a hunch that Obama is just going to clean McCain's clock! I'm not yet in to all the map-of-the-states electoral speculation because it seems a little premature. Of course I was glad to have Obama in Michigan - I hope he swings by a bit closer, like to MSU, perhaps - I'd try hard to get to that rally. I'd just love to be in the venue for one of his speeches - they can be so electrifying on TV - how much more so in person! By the way, have you donated yet? ;->
I know I'm behind sending you "reports" - I think Gongwer has been doing some stories on state races, the way MIRS does. I'll try to be better. Onondaga has been quiet weather-wise - Lansing had an actual tornado a bit over a week ago - MLK and Moores River Dr. area were hit hard - lots of big trees down.
-Ing, 06-16-08
Gore wasn't in robot mode as in 2000 - I think that anyone who's a politician and is introducing Obama knows that they have to step up their speaking game. I just read in the freep that Jennifer mentioned Hillary and the crowd booed. Then, "Taking off a navy blue pump and waving it aloft, she said, 'These high heels have carried a lot of weight for first women everywhere. But I'm proud to say that I'm supporting Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States.' "
-Ing, 06-17-08
I'm sure you've mentioned that before - I just forgot. Don't know if you've been following this at the Detroit papers web sites, and it's also in the Gongwer, but "big, pink, pig" Leon Drolet was defeated in his efforts to recall House Leader Dillon over the income tax increases - so THAT was a good thing.
-Ing, 06-17-08
I hope you get a chance to watch last night's episodes of the Daily Show and Colbert Report on TiVo. I will not spoil the content for you... other than to say Obama, Gore, and McCain are topics of discussion. The Daily Show's moment of Zhen is great - listen carefully.
-Fair, 06-19-08
You can spoil it for me if you want – M. always tells me the cliffhangers on the soaps if she is listening ;->
Do you watch the shows live or on TiVo? We TiVo, of course, since they are on past our bedtimes - when I first tryed doing Season Pass for these shows, even with the option of 1st Run Only, it would record showings throughout the day and evening. So I recorded by time and channel - but sometimes the timing gets off and the Daily Show recording will end right in the middle of the Moment of Zen and then the Colbert report will start up, missing some moments. Hope it didn't mess up like this last night.
So maybe you had better tell me what you heard/saw ;->
-Ing, 06-19-08
I'll begin with Colbert. He does a great piece tying McCain to "four more years of George W. Bush." Colbert spends time talking about the differences highlighted between Obama and McCain on reaching out to rouge nations - the diplomacy issue. While the piece is of course packed with humor, it raised some new (at least new to me) points about which I was not aware. Probably one of the more 'less-satirical/more news like while still being satirical' commentaries I've seen.
The Daily Show moment of Zhen ends with a long capture of Obama sitting on stage at Joe Louis Arena with Gore at the podium. After about 20 or 30 seconds of simply showing the two on stage (with the crowd going crazy for the two, of course) Gore thanks Gov. Granholm and the state of Michigan, which, he recalled, supported him in 2000 and will be forever grateful (or similar). A very "Michigan" moment - I thought it made us look great.
I should probably do like you and T. - at least for Colbert - to be sure I get enough sleep. All that TV after playing kickball in the rail after work.
-Fair, 06-19-08
I saw exactly the moment you are referring to, what Al Gore said about Michigan. Sadly, have you heard about the latest trivial Obama campaign mistake? Some muslim women in headscarves were told at the Joe - by volunteers for the campaign - that they couldn't sit where they would show up in the podium imagery, with the headscarves on. Later, the Obama campaign officially apologized and said the volunteers were not under their direction on this point, but - damage done in this climate of excrutiating sensitivity to slights, real or perceived.
-Ing, 06-19-08
I was reading the Free Press after sending you the e-mail and saw the article. Unfortunate - but who's to say that would not have happened at a McCain, Romney, or Hillary rally... I'm sure the story will be on all the news networks.
Did you see where McCain, on camera, admits that he is unable to operate, for the most part, a computer without his wife's assistance? To me that's a gaffe too (excepting the senior citizen crowd - even my grandparent’s talk with me via e-mail).
-Fair, 06-19-08
No - I didn't see that about McCain being computer-illiterate. But it goes with what I heard when the McCain camp first offered the Obama camp to participate in 10 town hall style meetings? McCain's camp sent the offer by hard-copy letter - and Obama's folks looked at it and said, why didn't he just send an e-mail?
-Ing, 06-19-08
Finally - yes, we watched Jon/Daily Show last night, from the previous night, and saw the part with Gore saying kind words about Michigan. . . Do you have any opinion about the campaign finance issue and Barack's "flip flop"? It was the right and rational thing for him to do, and it meets the spirit of campaign finance reform, in that he has so many small donors adding up to big dollars. But that's a subtle point, that gets lost . . .
-Ing, 06-20-08
Hi - Well, I'm now up to $100 for Obama - I think. I'm not sure if my contribution took or not - sometimes the online stuff doesn't work quite right - I'm waiting for a confirmation e-mail.
-Ing, 06-24-08
Hi. I've just made one donation to date to the Obama campaign to date. The car rentals in Detroit are eating away at my "extra" cash :( . The Obama e-mails have not been as bad as I thought - frequency wise. I'm also receiving messages from Hillary Clinton's campaign (something makes me think she isn't going away by the tone of her e-mails - no mention of Obama at all in the last three that I've read [some I delete before reading]. In fact, no mention of Obama in any of her campaign messages other than the ones that followed her "suspension" speech in DC).
-Fair, 06-24-08
Have I sent you this link before:
http://thepage.time.com/
Anyway, they have a terse reference from Bill Clinton that he will do whatever he is asked to do to help Obama. And then the author also mentions an upcoming joint appearance between Hillary and Obama (this page updates often and throughout each day).
I just don't understand the female Clinton supporters who say, it was sexism brought her down, and then they're still mad at Obama. Hillary just didn't run a good-enough campaign plus she just wasn't as attractive a candidate in so many ways - she could have been a man of any race or age and still have had those problems - it's just like when an African-American (Kwame, perhaps?) is in trouble and they blame racism when it's their own fault. I've never gone to her web site or received e-mail from Clinton so I didn't know that her offerings still made out like it was just about her. That's sad.
I say "just" too much.
-Ing, 06-24-08
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Campaign Lull
Yes, I know there are important things going on - Obama rejected public funding, allowing him to take full advantage of his proven fund-raising ability through millions of small donors on the internet (like myself). There's the ongoing debate - fight terror as a war, fight terror as a law enforcement matter (the war on terror sounds mostly like branding for news channel coverage - it's not a "real" war - who did we declare war on? who will we get to accept unconditional surrender? the war model doesn't really work except as propoganda). There's Michele's "make-over" and Cindy's cattiness.
Still and all, compared to the Obama-Hillary battle - I'm bored!
Oh yes - for all those that thought the coverage and compliments given to Tim Russert were excessive? Turn the channel or turn the TV off or just don't read those articles in newsprint. There are plenty of outlets for "real news" as you may style it - let those of us who want to grieve alongside the NBC family, do so.
Still and all, compared to the Obama-Hillary battle - I'm bored!
Oh yes - for all those that thought the coverage and compliments given to Tim Russert were excessive? Turn the channel or turn the TV off or just don't read those articles in newsprint. There are plenty of outlets for "real news" as you may style it - let those of us who want to grieve alongside the NBC family, do so.
Friday, June 13, 2008
We'll Miss Tim
It was shocking this afternoon to get a breaking news alert from cnn.com that Tim Russert had died at the age of 58. Further information was that he collasped at his offices in the NBC Washington Bureau and died of a sudden heart attack.
I was watching MSNBC coverage of the May 6 primary, I think, when North Carolina went big for Obama and Indiana was just a close win for Hillary and Russert proclaimed, We now know who the Democratic Nominee for President will be and no one can dispute it. Of course Hillary and her camp disputed it - but it so endeared Tim to me, having the preferences that I do. I had come to look forward to his analysis the most of all, on election nights. So - he will be greatly missed!
I was watching MSNBC coverage of the May 6 primary, I think, when North Carolina went big for Obama and Indiana was just a close win for Hillary and Russert proclaimed, We now know who the Democratic Nominee for President will be and no one can dispute it. Of course Hillary and her camp disputed it - but it so endeared Tim to me, having the preferences that I do. I had come to look forward to his analysis the most of all, on election nights. So - he will be greatly missed!
Monday, June 9, 2008
A Good Start
Hillary's concession/endorsement speech was a good start. but much remains uncertain. How will the Obama campaign actually want to use her? Will she really do what they want her to do as opposed to her own agenda?
As for her 18 million supporters - I heard a good analogy - the way a brand new car depreciates significantly the moment you drive off the dealer's lot? That's the deal with that 18 million. And think about it - it is not 18 million rabid supporters - who knows how many, especially in the early contests, voted for her just out of name recognition? And how many felt it was almost a toss-up between her and another candidate and then they just went with Hillary with an, "Eh?" I mean, that 18 million number is not necessarily so solidly behind her to begin with. Probably a large percentage is - but of that, how many will turn to McCain or "no vote," knowing that McCain will put pro-life justices on the Supreme Court?
My bottom line - yes, she did the right thing, and I can see where it needed to be done a few days after Tuesday night. But now - just help Obama, the way he asks, just do it!
As for her 18 million supporters - I heard a good analogy - the way a brand new car depreciates significantly the moment you drive off the dealer's lot? That's the deal with that 18 million. And think about it - it is not 18 million rabid supporters - who knows how many, especially in the early contests, voted for her just out of name recognition? And how many felt it was almost a toss-up between her and another candidate and then they just went with Hillary with an, "Eh?" I mean, that 18 million number is not necessarily so solidly behind her to begin with. Probably a large percentage is - but of that, how many will turn to McCain or "no vote," knowing that McCain will put pro-life justices on the Supreme Court?
My bottom line - yes, she did the right thing, and I can see where it needed to be done a few days after Tuesday night. But now - just help Obama, the way he asks, just do it!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
What we'll know in the end
I'm not sure which is going to be tougher as Obama moves his campaign forward: receiving the support for those currently undecided about who to support in November, or receiving the support of Hillary Clinton's most steadfast supporters - those who may feel betrayed or angry about the outcome of the primary.
I hope that as we move forward from this past weekend, everyone rallies around Sen. Obama to elect him our next President. Hillary, speaking at the National Building Museum in DC - one of my favorites, said it herself; I hope everyone was listening...
I hope that as we move forward from this past weekend, everyone rallies around Sen. Obama to elect him our next President. Hillary, speaking at the National Building Museum in DC - one of my favorites, said it herself; I hope everyone was listening...
Friday, June 6, 2008
Midnight Meeting of Minds?
I hope so, anyway - the stealth meeting that took place between Obama and Clinton last night about that time - at her Washington DC home. Don't know how long they met or if they covered everything - probably just laid the groundwork for more discussions to come. But the Obama press posse was left on the nominee's plane at Dulles while his motorcade took off and they were semi-decieved. They were pissed! Ha ha!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Better Late than Never???
I guess I'll have to believe all the press reports and a statement released by Hillary herself - finally, she will meet with her staff at her Washington home privately on Friday and then on Saturday, have a public meeting where she suspends her campaign and endorses Obama.
Her most rabid supporters will surely say that Obama pressured her to get out earlier than she wanted or needed, but all the reporting says: Not So! It was the Congressional Democrats, like Charlie Rangel of NY and her Senator supporters, like Shumer and Feinstein, who finally convinced or persuaded her - it was time, it was even past time.
This final misstep on her campaign's part, this final misreading of the true situation - thinking there was some alternative, some way to fight on - perhaps this will help put to rest the notion that Obama OWES her the Veep spot - and that's a good thing. And maybe it will also be a lesson to future campaigns that never-say-die is not the way to go 100%. When Terry McAuliffe introduced her on Tuesday night for her "non-concession speech" as the NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - that was the last straw for some of the Congressional Democrats who had supported her all along. It wasn't the right tone for the historic night of Obama - an American of African descent - becoming the presumptive nominee.
I've been obsessed with this story and have watched the cable news channels and read the news sites and blogs and I must say - had Hillary been a man, I just don't think there would have been all this discussion of - just give her time, just give her space, she's run so hard, let her deaccelerate. But I'm not old enough to have a detailed memory of some of the past nomination campaigns that this one has been compared to - Carter/Ted Kennedy in 1980 is one, I think. Give Ted time, give Ted space? Did that really happen?
Her most rabid supporters will surely say that Obama pressured her to get out earlier than she wanted or needed, but all the reporting says: Not So! It was the Congressional Democrats, like Charlie Rangel of NY and her Senator supporters, like Shumer and Feinstein, who finally convinced or persuaded her - it was time, it was even past time.
This final misstep on her campaign's part, this final misreading of the true situation - thinking there was some alternative, some way to fight on - perhaps this will help put to rest the notion that Obama OWES her the Veep spot - and that's a good thing. And maybe it will also be a lesson to future campaigns that never-say-die is not the way to go 100%. When Terry McAuliffe introduced her on Tuesday night for her "non-concession speech" as the NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - that was the last straw for some of the Congressional Democrats who had supported her all along. It wasn't the right tone for the historic night of Obama - an American of African descent - becoming the presumptive nominee.
I've been obsessed with this story and have watched the cable news channels and read the news sites and blogs and I must say - had Hillary been a man, I just don't think there would have been all this discussion of - just give her time, just give her space, she's run so hard, let her deaccelerate. But I'm not old enough to have a detailed memory of some of the past nomination campaigns that this one has been compared to - Carter/Ted Kennedy in 1980 is one, I think. Give Ted time, give Ted space? Did that really happen?
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Historic Night - but she just had to step in it
Obama was gracious toward her, as he acknowledged his historic, amazing, wonderful victory in attaining presumptive nominee status for presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. Yet, throughout the 24-news hour channel coverage last night, this glorious news was undermined by her clumsy "leak" of the information that yes, she was "available" to be vice president. And she is supposed to have the best interests of the party at heart? She's supposed to be the consumate politician? I don't think so.
I was not quite six years old when JFK selected LBJ to be his running mate in 1960 and that was no match made in heaven either - yet, successful, as far as the electoral result. Of course the cliche is that politics makes strange bedfellows and who knows what will yet happen. Today, tomorrow - these will be interesting days. If the ticket becomes Obama/Clinton - by HIS choice - I will support it all the way. But, she is SO lacking in class - I'm sorry - it should have been his night, his moment, and she just stepped in it.
I was not quite six years old when JFK selected LBJ to be his running mate in 1960 and that was no match made in heaven either - yet, successful, as far as the electoral result. Of course the cliche is that politics makes strange bedfellows and who knows what will yet happen. Today, tomorrow - these will be interesting days. If the ticket becomes Obama/Clinton - by HIS choice - I will support it all the way. But, she is SO lacking in class - I'm sorry - it should have been his night, his moment, and she just stepped in it.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
May 27 - June 2 exchanges
Obama is projected to win both Montana and S. Dakota, but SD by a much more narrow margin - could go the other way.
Based on what I heard Tim Russert say, I will definitely be staying up past 10:00 pm Tuesday night to see what happens. If Obama overshoots the 2118 number by only a small margin, Hillary could forge ahead, trying to poach Obama delegates and trying to get the MI/FL results overturned in her favor. But it sure sounds as though that would be very counterproductive - of course to Obama and Dems generally, but also to her own reputation and political future. If she has rev-ved herself up to such a never-say-never-fever-pitch, then how does she put on the brakes? She could end up winning my admiration - but I'm afraid she just does not have it in her to lose gracefully.
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
I saw you commented about my relatively brief post I did Friday night. I'll try to get on to the Blog website more. I actually have not had much to say the past few weeks. I just hope Hillary, after Tuesday, suspends her campaign (or, at the very least, indicates what she is doing and why). The continued Dem. primary battle was easy to explain... so long as there are (were) primary elections that remained. What becomes of that explanation after Tuesday? I'm afraid time is running out after Tuesday. Hopefully the Supers give Obama enough of a boost to end this.
Are you aware of who is projected to win what - Montana and which ever of the Dakota's?
- - Fair, June 2, 2008
The Gongwer report has a pretty complete description of what happened on Michigan's behalf at the DNC rules committee Saturday. Any hissing and outbursts came from Clintonistas in the audience. At one point, Mr. James Roosevelt (grandson of FDR), co-chair of the committee, admonished the protestors, saying that their actions did not reflect well upon the candidate they supported.
The main rationale for the committee accepting the Michigan-made 69-59 compromise was that the Michigan election was entirely illegal - it was as if it didn't even happen. That's why they could have gone, by a narrow vote, for an arbitrary even split of delegates. Instead, they gave great credibility to what Michigan Dem. leaders and campaign reps within Michigan had come up with, however they came up with it (which included some exit polling, which was highly derided by some. Ickes kept saying "Uncommitted" is a valid voting option, totally ignoring the fact that we had a campaign both from Obama and Edwards and the Michigan Dems. to vote uncommitted if you really wanted Obama or Edwards. Remember how you and I went back and forth about this at the time - it's in the blog, I think - January exchanges.)
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
It was a pretty eventful weekend for the campaign - Michigan and Florida seated at half-voting strength on Saturday, also the reveal that Obama resigned from Trinity Congregational Church, then another lop-sided victory for HIllary in Puerto Rico - where, thankfully, she did not get the turnout she wanted so her stupid popular vote theory is slowed down somewhat - I spent a lot of time in the "Berky Underground" (our basement) with MSNBC on TV and surfing the net, etc. for more news. It was fun! If your weather cleared up from the thunderstorms we heard about, I imagine you did active, outdoorsy things instead ;->
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
Brooks Patterson - He's a Republican. Only economic issues matter - i.e., jobs. The "Cool Cities" concept, championed by the Governor and other Democrats, has culture and quality of life as major components. Republicans have generally derided the concept.
DNC - challenges. Sure, Hillary can challenge - but if Obama goes way over 2118 with superdelegate support, it will be to no purpose. What you may not have heard on the news was that in the rules committee, Obama had just enough votes to seat the Michigan delegation as if there were no vote at all (rather than the compromise 69-59 split that made assumptions about voter intentions) - that would have resulted in an even split (giving no advantage to either side, esp. giving no advantage to Hillary merely for leaving her name on the ballot) of 64-64. That would have caused even more of a ruckus. The Obama campaign was classy and gracious - concepts which have thus far been entirely absent from the other side.
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
Looks like I spoke too soon. From an article in today's Post:
"The committee granted Clinton less than half the delegates she had hoped to claim from the two states, which were sanctioned by the DNC for moving their primaries up too early in the year in the nomination fight.
The committee's decision -- particularly with regards to Michigan -- was met with derision in the Clinton campaign, which floated the possibility of taking the fight over the Wolverine State to the party's national convention in late August. "We reserve the right to challenge this decision before the Credentials Committee and appeal for a fair allocation of Michigan's delegates that actually reflect the votes as they were cast," the campaign said in a statement released immediately following Saturday's proceedings.
Nonetheless, the committee's decision to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations at the convention, but grant each delegate only half a vote, resolves a major piece of the nomination puzzle in Obama's favor."
- - Fair, June 1, 2008
The DC area sure did get hit with major storms Saturday afternoon. I lost power for about four hours, maybe even longer. Lots of flooded streets - water everywhere.
I didn't get to watch any recap on the DNC news. I did read from the Free Press website how David Bonior was greeting with hissing and other such nonsense from Clinton's supporters. Is this fifth grade?
I was headed to the Woodley Park area (location of the Wardman Park Marriott) but the rain made me turn around. I know - lame excuse given the importance. Sorry :) I am, however, pleased to see *something* done with Michigan and Fla. This finally puts to rest what is going to happen with this issue - one less argument for Clinton to continue to say keeps her in the race.
http://www.freep.com/ It was interesting to see how Oakland County's Brooks Patterson thinks "young people" only move away for jobs. He seems so blind to the culture attraction fact. Yes, we want jobs (I had a great job), but we also like to "live" where we live. I used to think Brooks Patterson was great - he did a lot for Oakland; but I think something fresh is needed.
- Show quoted text –
- - Fair, June 1, 2008
I really get into these day long (or days long) committee hearings or such things. As long ago as 1973, I was fascinated by the Watergate hearings, re-broadcast on PBS every evening. I was taking a summer class at MSU, I recall - I think I would go to Wells Hall to watch on one of the classroom TVs. I remember a lot of players - the Senators, some of the staff - but I don't remember Hillary Rodham at that time, although she must have been there.
It was the same thing with the Bill Clinton Impeachment - and then the 2000 Election recount - I just like the drone of lawyer-talk in the background, with the occasional fireworks . . . it's even more fun when I can do something else while the hearings are on - during the Impeachment, I remember working on a jigsaw puzzle - right now - I'm e-mailing and surfing the web for more info. (like - Obama has resigned from the Trinity Church).
It's best, of course, when things are going my way, or not too badly the other way. Sounds like the net delegates to Clinton will be held to around 20. Both states will be seated, full delegation, 50% voting strength. More to come about the super delegates . . .
We saw broadcast interference on TV and they said it was because of thunderstorms there in D.C.- that was this morning. So how did that affect your day? Hope you're having a great weekend!
- - Ing, May 31, 2008
In case you are interested in the scenarios, there are the possible new "magic numbers" based on what happens this weekend with the DNC Rules committee at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ . For some time now, everyone but the Clinton campaign has said the magic number to attain the nomination is 2026. If as expected MI and/or FL come in one way or another, the magic number will go up.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Has my old Union, SEIU, endorsed anyone that you are aware of?
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
As the pundits say, Obama has work to do with all these population sectors he didn't do well in. I think he can change a lot of minds - not all, of course, but enough.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Not only Appalachia (which I agree with you about), other states with older populations'- Wisc., Minn. I think Obama puts Va., Colo., NM, Ore., and Ga. in to play which is great!
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
You know I'm kidding, right? But anyway, it's possible that the Obama campaign has written off Appalachia, doesn't need Appalachia, and I'm right there with them, if that's the case. Areas that are truly diversity-hostile will NEVER accept Obama, no matter what he does.
- - Ing, May 30 , 2008
My worry is that to you and I the Wright clips may seem "old news." But to play that in more diversity-hostile areas of the country it could be a major blow.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Yes - you disappoint me.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Much to your annoyance... I'm waiting. You never know with the Clintons. (By the way, I've also received e-mails from the Obama campaign; I was just referencing a Clinton e-mail.)
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
The priest has also apologized.
Here's my thinking on Rev. Wright. A lot, if not all, of his sermons from the past 20 years are out on video or audio tape. Any clips we see are same old, same old. The clip you refer to is from the Reverend's infamous National Press Club appearance. Again, same old, same old. If there were additional clips which we haven't already seen, negative, awful stuff - it would be out already. So we have already seen the worst. Obama can withstand it. Have you donated yet? Or waiting till the last i is dotted and the last t crossed . .
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
I did not hear about that. This (the church incident about which you sent info) is just he thing Sen. Obama does NOT need! Also, how STUPID of that visiting priest to go on like that.
Republicans already have the clip of Rev. Wright saying he will be going to the White House to get what he is owed (or similar) if Obama is elected. Once those ads run, they will probably scare off rural, blue-collar white voters - the ones that seem to have fallen in love with the Queen of the Blue-collar Prom Hillary Clinton - to the "familiar" candidate; John McCain the War Hero.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Did Barack really say that? How up your alley - I bet you wish you had never doubted him now ;->
I suppose you have heard about the latest Obama Church brouhaha. A visiting priest, no less, was giving a sermon, captured on You Tube, of course, this past Sunday. He is mocking Hillary, saying she cried right before the NH primary because she thought she was ENTITLED to be president, she was WHITE, and here comes this BLACK MAN out of no where to take it away from her. When I first saw this, I thought is was from some imitation Saturday Night Life - it was sort of funny. But of course, her campaign was up in arms, Barack said it was disappointing, Hillary's camp says, NOT FAR ENOUGHT - denounce, condemn, pundits say: Even if he wasn't at this church last Sunday and it was a visiting reverend - how could Obama go to such to a church! It's unfair, but it's starting to seem like - maybe he should find another church. After all, Oprah went to Trinity for a while and then decided, best to move on.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
I think I will post the following this weekend:
"Gas prices: Obama still gets it"
(Greater Greater Washington.org)
At a lunch with a Beech Grove, Indiana couple (one of whom works for Amtrak, the other in a local hospital), the candidate had this to say:
The irony is with the gas prices what they are, we should be expanding rail service. One of the things I have been talking about for awhile is high speed rail connecting all of these Midwest cities—Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis. They are not that far away from each other. Because of how big of a hassle airlines are now, there are a lot of people if they had the choice, it takes you just about as much time if you had high speed rail to go the airport, park, take your shoes off.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Traitor! How can you be on the Clinton e-mail list? (just kidding). I love getting e-mails signed "Barack" that are addressed to "Susan." It's as if I know him personally ;-> we're getting closer to that special dinner date (me and T. - of course, you'd be welcome if you were here - ha ha).
The most interesting spin I heard from the remainder of the Bush core which is out spinning, is that, Oh, I'm puzzled, that doesn't sound like the Scott I know, not the Scott I remember. And the implication - said outright but someone of that bunch - was that it wasn't really written by him, he wasn't smart enough - - - poor guy, I think he truly thought he could stay in the Prez's good graces even after writing this book. I'm glad it knocked MI/FL off the cover story on news shows.
Are you going to the Wardman Park Marriott on Saturday?
- - Ing, May 29, 2008
I received an e-mail from the Clinton campaign saying how important it was for Hillary to remain committed to "us" because polling consistently shows her winning swing states when compared with McCain. I guess I won't be expecting much new primary news until after June 1.
How about the McClellan book! Wow. The news makes me want to run out and buy the book (wait a minute... is that the plan).
- - Fair, May 29, 2008
I do know the location of the Wardman Park Marriott. That hotel was one of the three with TRB sessions. It is near the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metrorail station. Nice ($$$$$) part of town in northwest.
- - Fair, May 29, 2008
So, Kwame did a "veto" to the action taken by the city council to request that Jennifer remove him from office. Hah! Sad thing is, his case is going to drag on and on. I've heard some say that his being a corrupt African-American political figure will rub off on Obama during the general election. They are so - not just apples and oranges but apples and turn signals to me. I mean - what does one have to do with the other?
You should go to the MEETING: "9:30AM on May 31, 2008 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. " This is the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting which will decide on MI/FL delegates. You won't be able to get in, but perhaps you could join the counter-protest outside - for Obama. Although I read that they don't want to call it a counter- protest - more of a pro-Democratic Process demonstration. Of course, I have no idea where this Hotel is - do you?
- - Ing, May 29, 2008
Now I think I may suffer from Obama/Clinton fight withdrawal. I find myself bored by Bush or McCain stories, and also Obama/McCain stories. Straight Obama stories are still interesting. I guess this doesn't make for a very good professional pundit ;->
- - Ing, May 28, 2008
Hillary's voice -
Is the sound of broken glass scraped up and down a chalkboard
Is the sound of high-pitched leaf-blower your neighbor starts up on a quiet Sunday morning
Is the sound of an American Idol contestant who thinks they are Mariah Carey but is so pitchy and tuneless that Simon runs from the room screaming!
- - Ing, May 27, 2008
I need to step up my commentary to get anywhere near the caliber of the www.dailykos.com blog :) I enjoyed the discussion of Joe Liebermann's voice. Perhaps you could start our version - Hillary's voice.
- - Fair, May 27, 2008
Hi! Hope you had a great holiday weekend. Mine was okay - a little grilling, a few chores, a lot of being lazy. It's funny - I am so preoccupied with my planned retirement in two years, but when I'm home for an extra day or two, I start running out of things to do. It's a paradox!
I posted about the Hillary remarks on RFK - no matter what else is the effect, it seems as though this gaffe has taken the wind out of her sails - maybe that Common Grill dinner can become a reality starting next week after all!
Do you ever visit http://www.dailykos.com/ - now THERE'S a blog!
- - Ing, May 27, 2008
Based on what I heard Tim Russert say, I will definitely be staying up past 10:00 pm Tuesday night to see what happens. If Obama overshoots the 2118 number by only a small margin, Hillary could forge ahead, trying to poach Obama delegates and trying to get the MI/FL results overturned in her favor. But it sure sounds as though that would be very counterproductive - of course to Obama and Dems generally, but also to her own reputation and political future. If she has rev-ved herself up to such a never-say-never-fever-pitch, then how does she put on the brakes? She could end up winning my admiration - but I'm afraid she just does not have it in her to lose gracefully.
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
I saw you commented about my relatively brief post I did Friday night. I'll try to get on to the Blog website more. I actually have not had much to say the past few weeks. I just hope Hillary, after Tuesday, suspends her campaign (or, at the very least, indicates what she is doing and why). The continued Dem. primary battle was easy to explain... so long as there are (were) primary elections that remained. What becomes of that explanation after Tuesday? I'm afraid time is running out after Tuesday. Hopefully the Supers give Obama enough of a boost to end this.
Are you aware of who is projected to win what - Montana and which ever of the Dakota's?
- - Fair, June 2, 2008
The Gongwer report has a pretty complete description of what happened on Michigan's behalf at the DNC rules committee Saturday. Any hissing and outbursts came from Clintonistas in the audience. At one point, Mr. James Roosevelt (grandson of FDR), co-chair of the committee, admonished the protestors, saying that their actions did not reflect well upon the candidate they supported.
The main rationale for the committee accepting the Michigan-made 69-59 compromise was that the Michigan election was entirely illegal - it was as if it didn't even happen. That's why they could have gone, by a narrow vote, for an arbitrary even split of delegates. Instead, they gave great credibility to what Michigan Dem. leaders and campaign reps within Michigan had come up with, however they came up with it (which included some exit polling, which was highly derided by some. Ickes kept saying "Uncommitted" is a valid voting option, totally ignoring the fact that we had a campaign both from Obama and Edwards and the Michigan Dems. to vote uncommitted if you really wanted Obama or Edwards. Remember how you and I went back and forth about this at the time - it's in the blog, I think - January exchanges.)
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
It was a pretty eventful weekend for the campaign - Michigan and Florida seated at half-voting strength on Saturday, also the reveal that Obama resigned from Trinity Congregational Church, then another lop-sided victory for HIllary in Puerto Rico - where, thankfully, she did not get the turnout she wanted so her stupid popular vote theory is slowed down somewhat - I spent a lot of time in the "Berky Underground" (our basement) with MSNBC on TV and surfing the net, etc. for more news. It was fun! If your weather cleared up from the thunderstorms we heard about, I imagine you did active, outdoorsy things instead ;->
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
Brooks Patterson - He's a Republican. Only economic issues matter - i.e., jobs. The "Cool Cities" concept, championed by the Governor and other Democrats, has culture and quality of life as major components. Republicans have generally derided the concept.
DNC - challenges. Sure, Hillary can challenge - but if Obama goes way over 2118 with superdelegate support, it will be to no purpose. What you may not have heard on the news was that in the rules committee, Obama had just enough votes to seat the Michigan delegation as if there were no vote at all (rather than the compromise 69-59 split that made assumptions about voter intentions) - that would have resulted in an even split (giving no advantage to either side, esp. giving no advantage to Hillary merely for leaving her name on the ballot) of 64-64. That would have caused even more of a ruckus. The Obama campaign was classy and gracious - concepts which have thus far been entirely absent from the other side.
- - Ing, June 2, 2008
Looks like I spoke too soon. From an article in today's Post:
"The committee granted Clinton less than half the delegates she had hoped to claim from the two states, which were sanctioned by the DNC for moving their primaries up too early in the year in the nomination fight.
The committee's decision -- particularly with regards to Michigan -- was met with derision in the Clinton campaign, which floated the possibility of taking the fight over the Wolverine State to the party's national convention in late August. "We reserve the right to challenge this decision before the Credentials Committee and appeal for a fair allocation of Michigan's delegates that actually reflect the votes as they were cast," the campaign said in a statement released immediately following Saturday's proceedings.
Nonetheless, the committee's decision to seat the Florida and Michigan delegations at the convention, but grant each delegate only half a vote, resolves a major piece of the nomination puzzle in Obama's favor."
- - Fair, June 1, 2008
The DC area sure did get hit with major storms Saturday afternoon. I lost power for about four hours, maybe even longer. Lots of flooded streets - water everywhere.
I didn't get to watch any recap on the DNC news. I did read from the Free Press website how David Bonior was greeting with hissing and other such nonsense from Clinton's supporters. Is this fifth grade?
I was headed to the Woodley Park area (location of the Wardman Park Marriott) but the rain made me turn around. I know - lame excuse given the importance. Sorry :) I am, however, pleased to see *something* done with Michigan and Fla. This finally puts to rest what is going to happen with this issue - one less argument for Clinton to continue to say keeps her in the race.
http://www.freep.com/ It was interesting to see how Oakland County's Brooks Patterson thinks "young people" only move away for jobs. He seems so blind to the culture attraction fact. Yes, we want jobs (I had a great job), but we also like to "live" where we live. I used to think Brooks Patterson was great - he did a lot for Oakland; but I think something fresh is needed.
- Show quoted text –
- - Fair, June 1, 2008
I really get into these day long (or days long) committee hearings or such things. As long ago as 1973, I was fascinated by the Watergate hearings, re-broadcast on PBS every evening. I was taking a summer class at MSU, I recall - I think I would go to Wells Hall to watch on one of the classroom TVs. I remember a lot of players - the Senators, some of the staff - but I don't remember Hillary Rodham at that time, although she must have been there.
It was the same thing with the Bill Clinton Impeachment - and then the 2000 Election recount - I just like the drone of lawyer-talk in the background, with the occasional fireworks . . . it's even more fun when I can do something else while the hearings are on - during the Impeachment, I remember working on a jigsaw puzzle - right now - I'm e-mailing and surfing the web for more info. (like - Obama has resigned from the Trinity Church).
It's best, of course, when things are going my way, or not too badly the other way. Sounds like the net delegates to Clinton will be held to around 20. Both states will be seated, full delegation, 50% voting strength. More to come about the super delegates . . .
We saw broadcast interference on TV and they said it was because of thunderstorms there in D.C.- that was this morning. So how did that affect your day? Hope you're having a great weekend!
- - Ing, May 31, 2008
In case you are interested in the scenarios, there are the possible new "magic numbers" based on what happens this weekend with the DNC Rules committee at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ . For some time now, everyone but the Clinton campaign has said the magic number to attain the nomination is 2026. If as expected MI and/or FL come in one way or another, the magic number will go up.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Has my old Union, SEIU, endorsed anyone that you are aware of?
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
As the pundits say, Obama has work to do with all these population sectors he didn't do well in. I think he can change a lot of minds - not all, of course, but enough.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Not only Appalachia (which I agree with you about), other states with older populations'- Wisc., Minn. I think Obama puts Va., Colo., NM, Ore., and Ga. in to play which is great!
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
You know I'm kidding, right? But anyway, it's possible that the Obama campaign has written off Appalachia, doesn't need Appalachia, and I'm right there with them, if that's the case. Areas that are truly diversity-hostile will NEVER accept Obama, no matter what he does.
- - Ing, May 30 , 2008
My worry is that to you and I the Wright clips may seem "old news." But to play that in more diversity-hostile areas of the country it could be a major blow.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Yes - you disappoint me.
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
Much to your annoyance... I'm waiting. You never know with the Clintons. (By the way, I've also received e-mails from the Obama campaign; I was just referencing a Clinton e-mail.)
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
The priest has also apologized.
Here's my thinking on Rev. Wright. A lot, if not all, of his sermons from the past 20 years are out on video or audio tape. Any clips we see are same old, same old. The clip you refer to is from the Reverend's infamous National Press Club appearance. Again, same old, same old. If there were additional clips which we haven't already seen, negative, awful stuff - it would be out already. So we have already seen the worst. Obama can withstand it. Have you donated yet? Or waiting till the last i is dotted and the last t crossed . .
- - Ing, May 30, 2008
I did not hear about that. This (the church incident about which you sent info) is just he thing Sen. Obama does NOT need! Also, how STUPID of that visiting priest to go on like that.
Republicans already have the clip of Rev. Wright saying he will be going to the White House to get what he is owed (or similar) if Obama is elected. Once those ads run, they will probably scare off rural, blue-collar white voters - the ones that seem to have fallen in love with the Queen of the Blue-collar Prom Hillary Clinton - to the "familiar" candidate; John McCain the War Hero.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Did Barack really say that? How up your alley - I bet you wish you had never doubted him now ;->
I suppose you have heard about the latest Obama Church brouhaha. A visiting priest, no less, was giving a sermon, captured on You Tube, of course, this past Sunday. He is mocking Hillary, saying she cried right before the NH primary because she thought she was ENTITLED to be president, she was WHITE, and here comes this BLACK MAN out of no where to take it away from her. When I first saw this, I thought is was from some imitation Saturday Night Life - it was sort of funny. But of course, her campaign was up in arms, Barack said it was disappointing, Hillary's camp says, NOT FAR ENOUGHT - denounce, condemn, pundits say: Even if he wasn't at this church last Sunday and it was a visiting reverend - how could Obama go to such to a church! It's unfair, but it's starting to seem like - maybe he should find another church. After all, Oprah went to Trinity for a while and then decided, best to move on.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
I think I will post the following this weekend:
"Gas prices: Obama still gets it"
(Greater Greater Washington.org)
At a lunch with a Beech Grove, Indiana couple (one of whom works for Amtrak, the other in a local hospital), the candidate had this to say:
The irony is with the gas prices what they are, we should be expanding rail service. One of the things I have been talking about for awhile is high speed rail connecting all of these Midwest cities—Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis. They are not that far away from each other. Because of how big of a hassle airlines are now, there are a lot of people if they had the choice, it takes you just about as much time if you had high speed rail to go the airport, park, take your shoes off.
- - Fair, May 30, 2008
Traitor! How can you be on the Clinton e-mail list? (just kidding). I love getting e-mails signed "Barack" that are addressed to "Susan." It's as if I know him personally ;-> we're getting closer to that special dinner date (me and T. - of course, you'd be welcome if you were here - ha ha).
The most interesting spin I heard from the remainder of the Bush core which is out spinning, is that, Oh, I'm puzzled, that doesn't sound like the Scott I know, not the Scott I remember. And the implication - said outright but someone of that bunch - was that it wasn't really written by him, he wasn't smart enough - - - poor guy, I think he truly thought he could stay in the Prez's good graces even after writing this book. I'm glad it knocked MI/FL off the cover story on news shows.
Are you going to the Wardman Park Marriott on Saturday?
- - Ing, May 29, 2008
I received an e-mail from the Clinton campaign saying how important it was for Hillary to remain committed to "us" because polling consistently shows her winning swing states when compared with McCain. I guess I won't be expecting much new primary news until after June 1.
How about the McClellan book! Wow. The news makes me want to run out and buy the book (wait a minute... is that the plan).
- - Fair, May 29, 2008
I do know the location of the Wardman Park Marriott. That hotel was one of the three with TRB sessions. It is near the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metrorail station. Nice ($$$$$) part of town in northwest.
- - Fair, May 29, 2008
So, Kwame did a "veto" to the action taken by the city council to request that Jennifer remove him from office. Hah! Sad thing is, his case is going to drag on and on. I've heard some say that his being a corrupt African-American political figure will rub off on Obama during the general election. They are so - not just apples and oranges but apples and turn signals to me. I mean - what does one have to do with the other?
You should go to the MEETING: "9:30AM on May 31, 2008 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. " This is the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting which will decide on MI/FL delegates. You won't be able to get in, but perhaps you could join the counter-protest outside - for Obama. Although I read that they don't want to call it a counter- protest - more of a pro-Democratic Process demonstration. Of course, I have no idea where this Hotel is - do you?
- - Ing, May 29, 2008
Now I think I may suffer from Obama/Clinton fight withdrawal. I find myself bored by Bush or McCain stories, and also Obama/McCain stories. Straight Obama stories are still interesting. I guess this doesn't make for a very good professional pundit ;->
- - Ing, May 28, 2008
Hillary's voice -
Is the sound of broken glass scraped up and down a chalkboard
Is the sound of high-pitched leaf-blower your neighbor starts up on a quiet Sunday morning
Is the sound of an American Idol contestant who thinks they are Mariah Carey but is so pitchy and tuneless that Simon runs from the room screaming!
- - Ing, May 27, 2008
I need to step up my commentary to get anywhere near the caliber of the www.dailykos.com blog :) I enjoyed the discussion of Joe Liebermann's voice. Perhaps you could start our version - Hillary's voice.
- - Fair, May 27, 2008
Hi! Hope you had a great holiday weekend. Mine was okay - a little grilling, a few chores, a lot of being lazy. It's funny - I am so preoccupied with my planned retirement in two years, but when I'm home for an extra day or two, I start running out of things to do. It's a paradox!
I posted about the Hillary remarks on RFK - no matter what else is the effect, it seems as though this gaffe has taken the wind out of her sails - maybe that Common Grill dinner can become a reality starting next week after all!
Do you ever visit http://www.dailykos.com/ - now THERE'S a blog!
- - Ing, May 27, 2008
Could be Tonight!
Or tomorrow at the latest . . .
The Obama Campaign, as reported by numerous news outlets, has commitments from sufficient superdelegates to put him "over the top." There are just a couple of questions remaining: will sufficient superdelegates reveal their support today, so that he can go over the top with elected delegates out of tonight's final contests in Montana and South Dakota? I understand that is the campaign's preference, their cinematic ending to the long, long process. But, as Pat Buchanan says, some of these superdelegates have the political weasel character and they want to be extra, extra sure they do not offend the Clintons - so they may wait till Wednesday to declare.
I saw and heard Terry McAuliffe with my own eyes and ears this morning on Today - Hillary WILL concede once a candidate attains the magic number and she will recognize that candidate as the nominee. Meredith said, well, the Obama campaign says they have the numbers! Terry says, words to this effect: Show me the money! Come out with these delegates! But in the end he said, I'm a party guy - in other words, he will support the Democratic nominee, even if it is not Hillary - of course.
So, what will Hillary say tonight? Of course it will depend on whether Obama hits that magic number or not, and how and when he hits it. It will be interesting, certainly - possibly very exciting - my hope is that the superdelegates come through in such a way that he can celebrate tonight - regardless of what she does.
Our long national nightmare is almost over!
The Obama Campaign, as reported by numerous news outlets, has commitments from sufficient superdelegates to put him "over the top." There are just a couple of questions remaining: will sufficient superdelegates reveal their support today, so that he can go over the top with elected delegates out of tonight's final contests in Montana and South Dakota? I understand that is the campaign's preference, their cinematic ending to the long, long process. But, as Pat Buchanan says, some of these superdelegates have the political weasel character and they want to be extra, extra sure they do not offend the Clintons - so they may wait till Wednesday to declare.
I saw and heard Terry McAuliffe with my own eyes and ears this morning on Today - Hillary WILL concede once a candidate attains the magic number and she will recognize that candidate as the nominee. Meredith said, well, the Obama campaign says they have the numbers! Terry says, words to this effect: Show me the money! Come out with these delegates! But in the end he said, I'm a party guy - in other words, he will support the Democratic nominee, even if it is not Hillary - of course.
So, what will Hillary say tonight? Of course it will depend on whether Obama hits that magic number or not, and how and when he hits it. It will be interesting, certainly - possibly very exciting - my hope is that the superdelegates come through in such a way that he can celebrate tonight - regardless of what she does.
Our long national nightmare is almost over!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Opinions vary . . .
The exact same interviews and/or speeches from Hillary or her campaign or surrogates are being interpreted in different ways. She's ready to concede this week! She's showing no signs of ending her campaign any time soon! Well, I think Tim Russert has a pretty good pundit-track record and I agree with his take: there are plenty of undeclared superdelegates waiting for the exact moment that polls close on Tuesday night and all the primaries are over. They will then declare for Obama and he will attain (and surpass) the 2,118 "magic" number. He will then be the nominee. If she persists, insisting on her popular vote theory, trying to persuade delegates to change their minds, she will hurt the nominee and thereby hurt herself and the Clinton legacy. I haven't as high an opinion of her as others who think that she would never damage the Democratic party in such a fashion, but I'm hopeful. It could all be over at 10:00pm Tuesday night, or very soon thereafter.
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