- - Ing, September 25, 2008
McCain is SO being political and cynical - I don't see how anyone with a straight face can say he is putting "Country First" - just a slogan for him.
- - Ing, September 25, 2008
Ha. Made my day :)
- - Fair, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008 1:02 PM
Subject: FW: Your choice
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight.....
If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic","different".
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, yours is a
quintessential American story.
If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
Name your kids Willow,Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer,
become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the
United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs
committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city
council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650 ,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive and next in line behind a man in his eighth decade.
If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and then left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a true Christian.
If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education,
including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence
only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
If y our wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a
position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.
OK, much clearer now.
- - Ing, September 25, 2008
And another thing - what good is McCain even going to do about the Wall Street crisis? He has no expertise in this area, he really is not good at reaching across the aisle, the way he claims. He's just likely to make things worse, or - the cynical possibility - he'll go behind closed doors and then they'll come out and say he made a breakthrough in negotiating the bailout. Well, maybe not - even the Repub Senators may not all join him in his cynical ploy.
- - Ing, September 25, 2008
washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog Meet Chris Cillizza
Behind McCain's Decision to Suspend His Campaign
Sen. John McCain's surprise announcement that he would temporarily suspend his campaign to return to Washington to help broker a deal to save the financial industry is the latest in a series of political gambits surrounding the financial crisis on Wall Street, and is sure to reshape political calculations and voter attitudes around the volatile issue.
The move is an obvious attempt by McCain and his campaign to paint the Arizona senator as above politics, willing to put aside his campaign for the good of the country.
It comes as two new national polls -- including one conducted by the Washington Post -- show McCain slipping in the head to head matchup against Barack Obama due in large part to voters' willingness to trust the Illinois Senator to solve the financial problems of the country.
The McCain campaign believes that their candidate is at his best when he is seen as a deal-maker, willing to reach across party lines to get things done for the good of the country. This economic crisis, they believe, provides McCain a chance to show the sort of leadership that voters value in the Arizona senator.
"John McCain's leadership and experience credentials outrank Barack Obama's," said Sarah Simmons, a McCain campaign strategist, this morning. "[We are] walking through a crisis and people are looking to see how it is going to be handled."
Nancy Pfotenhauer, a senior policy adviser to McCain, echoed that sentiment in an interview moments ago with Fox News Channel. "Senator McCain's entire life is a testimony to putting his country first and that's what he is doing right now," said Pfotenhauer.
McCain's gambit puts Obama in a tough place. Agree with McCain's call to suspend the campaign and Obama looks like a follower, not a leader. Reject the move and Obama runs the risk of losing the high ground on post-partisanship and the need to change the way Washington does business.
Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama, released a statement moment ago explaining their campaign's approach to the matter.
Burton wrote:
"At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama's call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details."
Obama is expected to speak shortly about the matter.
Both McCain and Obama have struggled to deal with the real-time challenges of the economic crisis since it emerged on the national political landscape last weekend. Neither man is particularly well versed in the intricate complexities of the economy and have been cautious to announce their support (or opposition) to the proposed $700 billion bailout of the financial firms being pushed by the Bush Administration.
McCain appeared to be getting the worst of the exchanges on the economy -- if recent polling is to be believed.
In a new Washington Post/ABC News survey released today, Obama led McCain 52 percent to 43 percent, an edge largely built on the increase in the number of voters who believe the Illinois Senator is best positioned to handle the economic crisis. A survey also released today from Fox News/Opinion Dynamics showed Obama with a 45 percent to 39 percent lead -- a significant improvement from a poll done by the same organization earlier this month that put McCain ahead by three points.
The move was announced during a statement in New York City this afternoon in which McCain also proposed a suspension of the presidential debate set for this Friday in Oxford, Mississippi and said he was pulling his campaign ads down beginning Thursday. The announcement came just hours before President George W. Bush is preparing to address the nation at 9 pm tonight on the economic crisis.
"Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative," McCain said. "I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me."
McCain went on to compare the current crisis in the financial markets with the attacks of Sept. 11 and called on politicians to draw on the bipartisan spirit created during those times in order to solve the economic problems of the country today.
"Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis," McCain said. "We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country."
McCain's move shows that his campaign is not willing to watch idly by as the economic issue pushes the needle in Obama's direction. The ball is now firmly in Obama's court.
We'll stay on top of this issue as the day continues.
- - Quoted by Fair, September 24, 2008
This just happened and I'm trying to find out what the pundits think the political impact will be. My first reaction - not good for Obama. He was getting a surge in the polls on the economy issue but now it will look like the grown-up - McCain - had the right, nonpartisan idea to postpone the debate and for both he and Obama to work together on the economic crisis.
- - Ing, September 24, 2008
>>> "CNN Breaking News"
-- John McCain suspends campaigning to work on economy, requests postponing Friday debate; asks Obama do the same.
Oh yes - looking forward to it. Except - I've got so much emotional investment in the outcome - if it isn't what I want, I feel like I will sink into a deep depression and be unable to come into work the next day or so . . .
- - Ing, September 24, 2008
Do state employees get this coming election day off, like in 2006?
- - Fair, September 24, 2008
You know, I liked Warner's speech at the convention - although it was criticized as being too stiff and wooden.
Here's what you really need to worry about, if you are so inclined:
http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-race-in-america
As for here - no good news yet about the MDOT budget. Several interesting things in the attached - including touting transit funding. Also - 41% of state workers in some kind of flex time. Hmmmm.
Billy-bubba is supporting Hillary too much and Obama not enough. Did you see when he was on David Letterman, I think the night before, where all he did was talk up Hillary? Chris Rock was on right after and said, the Prez did everything POSSIBLE not to mention Obama's name! Hillary's not even running any more!
Out of everything going on, I am most scared by the thought of Sarah Palin becoming veep. Her perception of being on God's mission and the kind of God she believes in - VERY scary.
- - Ing, September 24, 2008
This, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092302292.html?hpid=topnews , is why I am worried about the race factor in more rural parts of the U.S. and swing especially in close states, such as Mich., Ohio, Va., and Pa.
Democrat Warner is "way up" on republican Gilmore while Obama remains in a statistical tie with McCain in Va. I realize the comparison may be impractical, Warner is, by most accounts, a conservative Democrat, but I think it illustrates we have a lot of work to do.
President Clinton was a guest on the Daily Show last night. He and Jon had an excellent discussion on why the country is in the economic mess we face, and, of course, plugged "all the work" Hillary is doing on the campaign trail, which I think is true, for the Obama-Biden campaign. He mentioned electric and hybrid car manufacturing.
I read last night that Sharon McPhail (McFAIL) is running for mayor (again). Oh brother.
- - Fair, September 24, 2008
Special Update, Tuesday, September 23, 2008, 9:34 am
Obama Up By 4 Points In New Poll
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has a 48-44 lead over Republican presidential candidate John McCain in a new Quinnipiac University poll of likely Michigan voters. The poll, one of four in battleground states, also showed 58 percent see the economy as the most important issue and Mr. Obama is viewed as understanding it better by a 50-38 edge.
Sarah Palin was viewed as a good choice for vice president on the GOP ticket by 58-32 margin.
Mr. Obama is viewed as the candidate better able to bring change by 43-21 margin over Mr. McCain.
In the other states polled in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, Mr. Obama held leads of 49-45 in Colorado, 47-45 in Minnesota and 49-42 in Wisconsin.
More on the poll will be in Tuesday’s Report.
Will do. nytimes.com is in my rotation for browsing, just not as high up as washingtonpost.com, thepage.time.com, and msnbc and cnn. The Washington Post is my favorite national newspaper, you know. And of course they have local interest stuff about where you live and work . . . Isn't it interesting that we both live in swing states this year?
- - Ing, September 22, 2008
Keep an eye out for quotes from "name" or "name" in the NY Times or other national articles. I'm sure she commented on the housing slump and ecomony.
- - Fair, September 22, 2008
That IS interesting about your mom. Both T. and I hate getting phone calls at home, so we use the answering machine to screen calls. There are lots - 5 to 6 or more - of calls every night that hang-up before the message. We've gotten such calls for years, but not in this quantity. I'm wondering if a pollster is trying to reach someone at our land line number. . (sometimes I do pick up, and no one is there – T. says, The Pet Cemetery is calling).
But your mom's case - that's really something. The Macomb County suburban white woman and everything. Not to be too personal, but is your mom undecided or a Dem. or a Repub.? You may have said in the past, but I can't remember. I'm thinking Dem.???
- - Ing, September 22, 2008
Real quick... the "Palin effect" seems to be wearing, as I'm sure you've heard in the media.
This is interesting: my mom, being from Macomb County, 49 years old, white, drives a small SUV, with no college degree (the "Wal-Mart" or "Maxed-out" moms) was questioned on two different occasions about the Nov. election. A pollster from the NY Times (at a Kmart) and a pollster from some other company (at a Kroger parking lot). According to her, she indicated she was not impressed with Sarah Palin once she found how her conservative stance on social issues. TWICE - what are the odds.
- - Fair, September 22, 2008
So, mixed reviews on the candidates' responses to the Wall Street Meltdown. McCain was considered to be fumbling until the end of last week, but now seems to have caught up to some reasonable position and plan. Obama, in my opinion, very reasonably, wanted to stick to policy principles he has been giving out for months when it comes to the need to re-regulate Wall Street, and allow the current administration to work out their plan. But now that is being portrayed as not demonstrating enough leadership. Oh, I just want the polls to move significantly in Obama's favor so I could relax a bit . . . .
- - Ing, September 22, 2008
Okay - I'll try that with the sticker.
- - Ing, September 18, 2008
Don't get me wrong; I think Biden is great. He just is no match media-wise for the camera hungry Clinton's or Sarah Palin. It's that free media attention to which I was referring. Let me know how M-59 is coming along. That's terrible about the Obama billboard on US-23! Maybe better off for your house to hold off on the yard sign and instead just lobby for the bumper sticker on the Grand Am's rear window (they do peel off easy, I removed my Obama sticker for a car wash and reapplied with no problem at all).
- - Fair, September 18, 2008
Pretty good analysis - if I was here all day tomorrow, I'd work on an exchanges post. But I'm just here in the morning - going over to my Mom's for lunch and then, to take her for a routine doctor's appointment.
The veep pick is tricky if you are approaching it in a non-cynical fashion - McCain was TOTALLY cynical. I take Obama at his word that he wanted someone he could govern with and that he felt could take over as president. Perhaps he may have considered that Hillary met the latter criteria - but not the former. Hillary and Bill - too much drama for no-drama-Obama. On the other hand, you do have to get elected before you can go about governing. . . . I wish you had a better opinion of Joe Biden - sure, he's old-school, but in a good, Democrat way - I can see where he isn't exciting but he should come across as reassuring - a lot of foreign policy and governing experience there. . . .
Just saw clips of The View - and I think the e-mail thing had to do with Palin trying to use non-government accounts to discuss government business and in so doing, avoid FOIAs or something like that. Just your typical - I want government to be transparent! while I keep my own activities in the dark as much as possible- repub ploy. In some blogs, now I see the term "repugs" instead - a reference to dogs, perhaps?
No new bumper sticker for me yet, but I'm lobbying Terry to allow a yard sign. Of course, it didn't help that an Obama billboard along US-23 near Ann Arbor got the KKK-swastika treatment recently . . . As always, have a good flight - as good as can be expected - will you be flying into the new North Terminal? It does seem like an amazing amount of travel - when you have time or the inclination let me know more about it.
-- Ing, September 18, 2008
You and me both have been busy - that's a good thing. Our e-mailing sure has been off a bit this week - maybe one or two exchanges.
I think Obama is done surging, as is McCain. It is the "undecided's" that will make this call and since there are so relatively few of them I doubt there can be future surges in the polls. What hasn't been reported too often is Hillary Clinton's campaigning in Ohio for Obama. Exactly where she needs to be (and western/central Pa. too).
What I do see happening is the media is starting to cover some of the "inconsistencies" related to Sarah Palin. I read that her personal/work Yahoo e-mail account was hacked earlier this week and out came some not such good news. Not sure on the details so I will not comment further other than to say there were some messages related to the Alaska State Police Dept. Do you TiVo The View by any chance? I hear McCain himself got a grilling on that show - - maybe because Palin didn't give her first major interview to Barbara Walters? Hmmm.
That leaves the debates. I hope Obama does not get tripped up on anything. There is ZERO room for error. I can bet McCain will goof at some point, but it will be played off as something expected (although that didn't work for DeVos in '06 - setting the low expectations).
Do I think Hillary not being Obama's ticket as VP is hurting right now... you bet. While Palin stirred the republican base, Biden sure did not, at least to me, stir the Dem. base. Since Palin was such an unknown, she didn't have the "turn off" effect either, although that seems to be slowly changing.
Oh, by the way, I bought some of the "official" blue background Obama bumper stickers - the one with the Red/White/Blue colors within the "O" in Obama. I still haven't figured out where the one I sent to you came from. What side organization or whatever designed that sticker...
- - Fair, September 18, 2008
So, hope things are fine - you've been busy, no doubt. I've been too, for a change . . .
I've been pretty discouraged by political news. I want Obama to surge ahead, instead of inching ahead in this or that poll, while McCain is ahead in others. Pundits are saying that the Palin effect may be subsiding, which is good . . . but they still think Obama isn't hitting back hard enough at McCain and that it seems to be - my interpretation - a fatal flaw. This was what Hillary kept saying during the Primary - I just DON'T want her to be right, especially when the consequences are so dire . . . I mean, imagine - McCain with his age and health history and Palin as veep? OMG!
- - Ing, September 18, 2008
Good to hear from you - yeah, the rain was remnants of Ike. We were out of power for over 16 hours on Sunday.
Yup - we watched SNL on TiVo. The clips got a lot of play on other shows. Listening to the campaign wrap-ups this morning (admittedly - I just listened to the Obama side, not the McCain side) I felt like Obama/Biden have their MOJO back - Obama was really riffing on the Wall Street meltdown and how former Senator Phil (Americans are Whiners) Gramm was THE MAN responsible for deregulating investment banks. Biden was going after McCain's sleazy tactics in the campaign. And now look what the Repubs are doing with Palin's troopergate! Saying she won't be interviewed because the whole thing has a partisan tinge. Hah! Look who's not being reformative and transparent now!
- - Ing, September 15, 2008
Hi. I hope you had a nice weekend. I was in Michigan (again!). The rain was awful.
I hope you had the opportunity to watch either SNL live or the clip of the Hillary/Sarah Palin routine. It was great! I've been out of the loop again lately. I hear Oprah and The View caused a stink among the McCain/Palin campaign. I'll have to catch up tonight. I am going to donate tonight as well. We have to keep those donation numbers up there. A big day this week when Kwame Kilpatrick leaves the city... That incoming Council President, Monica, is something else!
I hope Biden does well today in St. Clair Shores.
- - Fair, September 15, 2008
Not good news. I still believe after reading this that there is undercounting of demographics that would be more inclined to vote Democrat in elections. Just my two cents.
- - Fair, September 11, 2008
Subject: Cell Phone Only Households and Polling
When you can get to it, may be of interest - seems to say the effect is not as great as we are thinking:
http://www.pollster.com/blogs/new_pew_data_on_cell_phones.php
- - Ing, September 11, 2008
Biden's remark - yes - sign of campaign disarray? This is from a Salt Lake City UT abc affiliate:
Obama Starting To Regret Choice Of Biden As Running Mate?
Last Update: 3:30 am
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., speaks during a campaign stop in Nashua, N.H., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
Written by Doug G. Ware
ABC 4.com
WASHINGTON - Could Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama be regretting his choice of Joe Biden to be his running mate on the November ticket? Well, Biden himself said Wednesday that Hillary Clinton might have actually been the better choice.
At a rally in New Hampshire, Biden responded to a question from the audience by saying, "Make no mistake about this... Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president of the United States of America. Let’s get that straight."
Biden then elaborated on the statement by saying that perhaps Clinton might have been Obama's -- and the Democrats' -- better hope in winning the White House this year.
"Quite frankly, [she] might have been a better pick than me. But she’s first rate, I mean that sincerely, she’s first rate, so let’s get that straight," Biden said.
Biden's comment comes at a time when many Democrats are beginning to worry that Obama may be losing his grip on the election. Prior to the conventions, Obama fired up Americans nationwide with rhetoric about "change" in Washington and straying from the same old politics of George W. Bush.
Now, however, McCain's camp seems to be making a steady comeback -- which started with his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
At first, many Republicans were stunned at Palin's selection and Democrats viewed it as a blow to the GOP's campaign. But now, Palin has become one of the most popular people in the nation -- and perhaps more are beginning to prefer her to Obama's ticket.
Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. gestures as he speaks during a town hall meeting in the library of Granby High School in Norfolk, Va., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Earlier this week, Obama was slaughtered in the media for likening McCain's campaign to putting "lipstick on a pig," in terms of being different than the Bush Administration. McCain accused Obama of calling Sarah Palin a "pig" -- a remark he said was sexist.
Obama, though, said he clearly referenced McCain's policies and philosophies as the "pig," indicating that Sarah Palin is the lipstick.
McCain immediately produced a TV ad in response to Obama's "lipstick" remark by saying the Illinois Senator is not ready to lead the nation -- but he is ready to smear Republicans.
Some political experts now wonder if Obama would have been better off choosing a woman to be his running mate -- someone like Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barbara Boxer of California.
It remains to be seen whether McCain has enough momentum to carry him past Obama in the general election. But one thing you can certainly expect are actions by Obama's campaign to try and regain the upper hand.
Copyright 2008 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
- - Ing, September 11, 2008
I'm of course upset about how the Palin selection has affected the Obama campaign, from what I read. They seem unsure about how to respond to her. And I read where HE is off-kilter, even in a "melt-down" - can't imagine it of this cool cucumber, but maybe in that case, he gets real icy and remote. Psycho-babble. Of course I hope her appeal is rather thin and wears off soon, but . . . as always with a close competition that I care about, it has taken away my "joy" in following it.
You know, I think I may have brought up the land-line theory in the past - how polls are skewed - I've been meaning to Google that - maybe the pollsters have a way of accounting for that effect - but I hope not, since I agree - the non-land-liners would be Obama supporters, more likely.
I did hear that a Clinton supporter had said, he should have picked Hillary - but NOT Biden. Obama and Bill C. are having lunch today in the ex-prez's Harlem offices - maybe the old sage can finally offer some helpful advice to Barack . . .
- - Ing, September 11, 2008
I'm not too worried at this point with the latest surrounding the election. Sarah Palin did create quite the buzz - even amongst myself as, for me, that selection came out of nowhere. I was sure it would have been Mitt-ney. I've noticed Mitt-ney is not getting near the media attention as before when he was the presumed choice... anyway.
I've been meaning to post to Faxham. I want to post about the latest polls. These polls are conducted over land-line services. I know of only one twenty-something that has a land-line telephone. McCain is still down in Mich. despite the older demographics of the state, even after the Palin announcement. I watched her live on C-SPAN at about 11:30 after the Daily Show rerun. She was being welcomed back to Alaska. "Drill baby drill" were the words (loudly) out of her mouth. She got a somewhat muted round of applause after that gem of a statement was released... and that was among her supporters. I wonder how many of her supporters remember that McCain is at the top of the ticket. What's this about Biden indicating Hillary would have been a better pick for Obama?
- - Fair, September 11, 2008
I'm pretty demoralized by the rise of Lipstick Palin and her impact on the polls. Chuck Todd, my favorite political analyst on TV (NBC and MSNBC) said that Obama's campaign response to her has been "flat-footed." Maybe so - it is tricky to respond to the perky hockey mom, with her foreign policy experience. I still have faith in my guy of course - but it's like rooting for a team that's behind - nerve-wracking and headache-generating. . .
- - Ing, September 10, 2008
Ooooohh - I am SO mad at AMERICA - more of them watched McCain's speech last night than Obama's last week - nearly 40 million; Obama's was about 500,000 less. One pundit thought it was because the Giants-Redskins game ended right before McCain spoke and that was a good lead-in. I just think I am going to have non-stop migraines if it looks like McCain will win - razor thin closeness is okay, but if McSame pulls steadily ahead . . . it will be very hard to take.
Apparently, there is this free usage kind of thing when it comes to rock or any recorded music so the campaign is within their rights - it's just that Heart (like other bands recently) can make a public stink about it, to at least embarass the campaign. Glad your'e familiar with Heart (again, shows how I'm of the same generation as your mom, I guess ;-> ) My very favorite Heart song is "Mistral Wind."
- - Ing, September 5, 2008
I am familiar with Heart. My mother listens to them (and therefore I did as a kid). I actually know a few of their songs. Good for them. I'll have to pay for one of their songs on iTunes to show some support. It's only $.99, but still... The republican camp is stealing music - - how unbusiness-like.
Thanks for the report.
- - Fair, September 5, 2008
So, this will be the last report for a few days - till next Thursday, I guess?
By any chance do you know the band, Heart? Started in the 70s, still going strong, founding members are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. So, one of their big early hits was "Barracuda" - you'd probably recognize it if you heard it. And the McCain Campaign has been using it as a theme song for Sarah Palin. The Heart sisters have asked them to stop, no permission, none would be granted, Sarah Palin does not at all stand for what they believe in. Heart has always been one of my favorite bands - I'm glad to see them laying down the law (although, as of the time of the People mag story about this, no desisting from McCain et al).
You have a great weekend, too!
- - Ing, September 5, 2008
I can't watch hardly anybody's whole speeches - not always even Obama's. I can barely stand the highlights shown on the pundit shows of Repub speeches. So, no, I didn't watch it - heard about it. When we're up on Mackinac Island, there will be TVs around and they have cable channels, but I'm hoping to get away from such an intense interest in these things for a few days.
One thing I heard the Dem pundits say was that McCain and other speakers kept saying Washington was the problem, they were up against Washington insiders, etc. etc. - and, hmmmm, who's been President all this while? Who controlled Congress most of the last eight years? Are they really admitting how much they, the Republicans, f#$%-ed up? I don't think so. . . .
- - Ing, September 5, 2008
Did you watch John McCain's speech last night? I did. The intro video seemed more like a history lesson and biography as opposed to a campaign tool. I loved the green screen that reappeared. While it was technically a picture of the lawn at the White House, from the camera it looked like another green screen. Nothing of substance... the Dem's will raise taxes... we spend without having any money never came out of his mouth. Unemployment is up... again. This is under Bush. I noticed he mentioned Laura Bush but NOT W.
- - Fair, September 5, 2008
Thanks for the tip - I was planning to check out some of the videos.
So, care to hazard a guess about how much Gov. Palin will help McCain's chances?
- - Ing, September 5, 2008
I am sure Kilpatrick's admissions during his hearing will severely constrain her options. I was most impressed with the brief comments provided by Kym Worthy after the hearing (if you didn't get a chance to see her statements the WXYZ website has a link to their video). I read how the soon-to-be former Mayor took a swipe at the Gov. I am not even going to waste my time watching that to hear him laying the ground work for his "comeback." Self-serving if you ask me.
I'm most worried about Monica Conyers! rising to the position of Council President. That is scary.
- - Fair, September 5, 2008
I'm disappointed I had to get on the road before I could see the court proceedings live, but I'm glad this all happened as it did. Sure could have happened sooner . . . I've been wondering - does Ms. Beatty have any kind of defense now that Kwame has said under oath he lied about their affair? She has pled not guilty - people often do, as a matter of course. But it seems like Kwame's admission under oath is the end for her chances of being found not guilty. Jennifer got high marks for her conduct at the hearing - pundits forsee a judicial future for her, if she wants it.
Pretty detailed policy, you have there. Hope our e-conversations are non-controversial.
- - Ing, September 5, 2008
Special Update, Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:40 am from the Report
Kilpatrick Pleads Guilty To 2 Felony Counts; Resignation Part of Plea
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has just pled guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice for his role in the text message scandal. He is required to resign his post immediately under the terms of the plea bargain.
An attorney for Mr. Kilpatrick said he is in possession of Mr. Kilpatrick’s letter of resignation.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Mr. Kilpatrick will serve five years probation, during which he will not be able to run again for public office. He will also serve 120 days in jail. Sentencing is scheduled for October 28.
He will also have to pay the city $1 million in restitution over those five years, with his state pension applied to that balance.
Mr. Kilpatrick will also have to give up his law license.
More information will be available in Thursday’s report.
I was just thinking of the hypothetical - if white, outstate, woman Granholm were to have removed the black, male, mayor of Detroit - it would have been resented by many, no matter their personal view of the mayor. And that resentment could have led to staying home on November 4th. So Kwame's resignation - IF it actually happens - these delays are worrying me - is GOOD for Barack.
- - Ing, September 4, 2008
I don't think Detroiters will sit out the Presidential election because of the Mayor - - not with Obama as the candidate. Maybe someone else, but I doubt with Barack.
- - Fair, September 4, 2008
Last evening's WILS news reported Kwame's resignation as a done deal, to happen this morning at 9:00 am. But the detnews and freep sites aren't so sure. I think - I hope - he will resign so Granholm doesn't have to remove him and give some in Detroit an excuse to sit out the Presidential election. What do you think?
- - Ing, September 4, 2008
What a day for Detroit area news. Another busy day for me. Be sure to watch the Daily Show if you have time.
- - Fair, September 4, 2008
Barack will be in the "no spin zone" tonight - on FoxNews with Bill O'Reilly at 8:00 pm.
Oh yes - we have been keeping up with Jon, a half a day delayed . . .
- - Ing, September 4, 2008
I was out and didn't get to see her speak. Jon Stewart has a great piece on the repubs. double-speak. You'll see it tonight if you Tivo'd. Karl Rove, Bill O'Rielly, and some other female repub. strategist. There was a great piece about Larry Craig... live from the Mpls/St. Paul Airport (Legislate against the stuff repubs. secretly enjoy).
I swear the only reason I have cable is for the Comedy Central!
- - Fair, September 4, 2008
Yeah - I'm listening to WXYZ live stream also. I need to leave with Sandy and Brandon about 10:00 am - it doesn't look like there will be resolution by then . . . but they are reporting a plea deal has been reached . . .
I was never cut off from the Hearing yesterday - the stream itself was interrupted a lot for "buffering" - I don't think DIT could cause buffering, but maybe so?
I didn't watch Palin last night - heard she "electrified" the Repubs - any thoughts on the "pit bull with lipstick" (her own words)?
- - Ing, September 4, 2008
I read how the state of Mich. computer network was running at such high capacity that DIT cut access to Granholm's hearing. I'm listening in from Detroit's Channel 7 website live stream (while working).
-- Fair, September 4, 2008
Granholm is getting a little testy with Sharon McPhail in Ms. McPhail's cross of Atty. Stefani.
- - Ing, September 3, 2008
Posted by Mike Wilkinson on Wed, Sep 3, 2008 at 10:52 AM [www.detnews.com ] –
Appeal filed
The Michigan Supreme Court just announced that it has received the appeal request from James C. Thomas, the mayor's attorney.
Thomas is hoping the court will halt the hearing now under way before Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
- - Ing, September 3, 2008
I'm listening while preparing for a big meeting this afternoon. Can't watch though.
- - Fair, September 3, 2008
Are you going to have a chance to watch the [Detroit mayor] removal hearing live streaming video?
- - Ing, September 3, 2008
I was a little constrained with what I could say to the waiter, because my brother is extremely anti-Obama. Although he is smart, he seems to believe all of the smear-type stuff about Obama. Plus he thinks he can't be elected, so it will be Obama's fault that we have at least 4 more years of a Republican administration. But with reasonable people around, your strategy sounds good!
What did you think of Obama's acceptance speech? Since your responses are much less emotionally-tinged than mine, I await any criticisms you may have. . .
- - Ing, September 2, 2008
I was shocked to hear about the unwed pregnant daughter of Palin. Wow. I agree completely with Obama - the daughter should be off-limits. Agreed that what is NOT off-limits is criticism of the complete hypocrisy of Palin's social conservative views (and social conservatives in general).
Did you ask if your waiter was planning to vote. My strategy that seems to work is providing a link to a absentee voting application. Most of my friends do not want to use time off to vote, so (for those on our side) I instead e-mail a link to the clerks office where an absentee application can be printed and mailed.
Once again Harrison Twp. was in the news - the Detroit News that is. Our supervisor had a "brilliant" quote. You'd think he had a personal conversation with the Palin family.
I hear there was some destruction by anti-war protestors at the convention. That looks bad because the repubs will try to tie them to the Dem. party.
Most everything is so fake with that group... say one thing, do the other, preach and then turn a blind eye to reality, etc...
- - Fair, September 2, 2008
I think that McCain and his supporters are just as cynical as can be, with the Palin pick and all the talk of being mavericks and reformers. Once in office, I think they would be just as cosy with the corporate heads and special interests as Bush/Cheney. If - worst case scenario - they get elected, I hope I'm wrong. But . . .
I took my brother and family out to eat at Red Lobster in Waterford, along with my mom, this past weekend. I wore my pretty-pink Obama T-shirt and the waiter said it made his day to see it (he was a young guy). We need the young voters now more than ever!
I donated at the Red Cross click-through to Hurricane Relief (actually, I picked, "where the need is greatest") at the Obama website. I want Obama to get as much credit as possible for his supporters' donating, after the big (again, I think, cynical) push by the Repubs at their convention.
What do you think of Kwame's offer to resign???
- - Ing, September 2, 2008
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