All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, November 25, 2008
INTRIGUE OVER BUSH PHOTO: PRESIDENT DOWNING A PISCO SOUR COCKTAIL
Bush back on the sauce? One of the rules of someone that gives up liquor is that one drink can send you back on the road to perdition..
A Pisco Sour is a cocktail containing Pisco (a Peruvian brandy), lemon juice, egg whites, simple syrup, and regional bitters, and according to Andina online's coverage of the 2008 APEC summit, Bush was drinking the Peruvian cocktail during a meeting on Saturday...
No sip goes unnoticed: The HUFFINGTON POST gave national attention to the overseas cocktail on its website today..
For years since Iraq and Katrina, the NATIONAL ENQUIRER has reported to supermarket shoppers (and other interested parties that decline to admit they read it weekly) that Bush was drinking on a regular basis ..
The photograph of Bush's senior years will raise already curious eyebrows around the globe.. The cameras are always on..
This go around, it's not Mark Rich, but instead: 14 individuals and two others commuted .. misdeeds ranging from drug offenses to tax evasion, from wildlife violations to bank embezzlement..
Important: This year's turnout was only slightly higher than 2004
Urban legends will abound about this year's voter turnout.. but for the record, turnout was only slightly higher than it was in 2004.. As a matter of fact, lesser Republican numbers led to a smaller number in turnout than what was expected.. In 2004, 122 million Americans voted in the general election. This year, according to the American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate, this year's turnout rose about 1%...
No, really: I think I did well with predictions.. Check out my map I came up with back in October and compare it to the result .. not bad, if I say so myself. My wife now owes me dinner, she didn't think I would predict the election this well .. Still thinking about where she should take me.
My next prediction---And I am not being sarcastic--is that FOX NEWS will become very, very friendly to Barack Obama. Really, I believe they will *at least for now.
I think history is the best judge of a president---LONG after it's all over and done with. We don't know what secrets lurk until years later, we don't know what secret classified documents will one day be revealed. After all, we're still learning about some presidents that served long ago even today..
While I don't believe there will be historians that forgive Bush for mismanagement of the Iraq war or Katrina, I believe they will be kind in their view of 9/11, especially in the sense that terrorism in America didn't occur again. However, equally, he may be maligned in history textbooks for civil liberties issues (*unless of course the Obama Administration continues down the same path, which it appears he may*)
The McCain attack dogs are looking for blood.. the McCainiacs are blaming the Palin pick for their loss--and blaming Bill Kristol for giving advice to Sarah Palin..
The Star Spangled Banner .. Proudly played at Harvard
The video is interesting.. a new generation proud of America?? The youth of America.. all alright? They actually know the words of the Star Spangled Banner.. That alone is a reason to hope
Proposition 8 success: California state constitution can now be amended to ban gay marriage
Voters in California went for Barack Obama by 61%--but the same turnout of African Americans hugely supported Prop 8 by about 70%..
With the passage of Proposition 8, the state constitution in California can now be amended to put an official ban on gay marriage. It would be law--and thus take away the ability for courts to continue to allow gay marriages..
Protests in Los Angelas as police say they are prepared for whatever happens..
The California state Attorney General says that gays that already married in California are valid--but of course this now heads to court.
Andrew Sullivan on the story..
The NEW YORK TIMES was ready: They printed 35% more than the usual number of newspapers when Barack Obama was put on the front page as the victor.. But did they envision their paper being sold on Craigslist and eBay for more than $200!?
I'd imagine not.
Newspapers across the country sold out instantly in many places--even local papers saw sales go up. A sudden demand for the old media in a time where the new media led a new generation to vote? Fascinating. There's something about holding that black and white page in front of you in the morning.. something about seeing the news in front of you in your hands when something big in the world happens, or when the world as we know it changes.
You can save websites, but it's not the same as newspapers. They still have a place--even with sales in general are down in big numbers..
According to reporting today on FOX NEWS by Carl Cameron, Sarah Palin didn't know that Africa was a country.. she also didn't know what countries were in NAFTA. If this information would have been reported during the duration of the campaign, the race would have been an even bigger landslide than it was..
Was she vetted? NEWSWEEK reporting that Palin was announced on a Friday--two days after McCain was still talking about choosing Lieberman for VP.. NEWSWEEK detailing more stories of spending sprees and embarrassing notes from the 2008 campaign--reporting in essence that the McCain campaign was a mess..
McCain aides speaking aloud now .. rumors that swirled in inner circles of the media during the campaign now being made public .. I still don't think for a second that this is the last time we hear about or see Governor Palin.. Rumors up in Alaska go this way: Senator Stevens steps down, and Palin gets the chance to go for the seat herself.. Just keep her away from any committees that deal with the ... country Continent of Africa...
Obama wins Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin
McCain wins Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wyoming, Utah.
Joe Biden has also won a reelection campaign for Senate in Delaware.. just a backup plan in case a miracle happens and California goes red...
From the PATRIOT NEWS: "For Dominic Colardo, 27, of Harrisburg, who works in sales, a beer on a Tuesday night isn't typical, but he sat at a bar at The Quarter on Second Street, across the street from Obama's Harrisburg headquarters, to celebrate. He and other volunteers for Obama's campaign gathered there to wait for election results.
"Hope won," Colardo declared. "People caught on with the message of hope. It's very exciting and encouraging. It was something we should all be proud of." "
They would have most likely been drunk in Ireland anyway, but Andrew Sullivan running a photo tonight from Ireland of the good ole' Irish celebrating the victory of Barack Obama in America..
See, it's a small world after all..
Lou Barletta in a close race with Paul Kanjorski .. And it's down to Murtha.. Republicans hoping it's the one final slap at Democrats in a blue state that appears to be safely blue in 2008..
REUTERS But according to the exit polls, most of the Clinton Democrats went with Obama. Among the 17 percent of the Democrats who supported Clinton, Obama won 81-19.
McCain was banking on his Palin pick being able to sway the Hillary supporters his way. It apparently didn't work in the coal fields of Pennsylvania, or the cities East and West. McCain may even be struggle in parts of the infamous "T" that makes up the mid-state area..
So far John McCain has not lost any red states.. South Carolina went to McCain.. But NBC news has called Pennsylvania for Obama..
NOTE: ABC and NBC have called it, no precincts are in yet, other networks are waiting..
..being reporting by the Huffington Post unfiltered and other websites.. They should be filtered--and may not be able to be trusted..
Florida looks blue.. Iowa looks blue.. Missouri may be blue.. North Carolina blue.. Nevada blue.. Pennsylvania blue.. Ohio blue.. New Mexico blue.. Michigan hugely blue.. Minnesota blue.. McCain red in Georgia..and West Virginia..
Americans feeling blue.. in more ways than one in 2008..
Exit polls are coming in .. Obama winning big over McCain in exit polls, according to reporting on various websites that got a hold of the numbers.. Senate shows a majority of 58 seats for Democrats possible.. Exit polls in Pennsylvania, according to the Drudge Report, show Obama winning by 15% ..
In 2004, the numbers were the same--it ended up being much closer than what was expected..
According to reporting from Howard Fineman, huge turnout occurred not only in Philadelphia but also other areas in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre with high African-American turnout, and Pittsburgh. .Wilkinsburg has many African Americans.. Obama has hoped for the black turnout to be huge .. and it appears that it is. The Pennsylvania state Republican party put a last minute ad on about Jeremiah Wright.. perhaps working to the advantage of Obama... Developing in the Keystone state..
Long lines.. some bad weather.. All to get that "I Voted" sticker and do your civic duties ... countries across the world fight and die to get a system like we have in America. We took it for granted for years--apparently not in 2008
The vote is on.. reporting from throughout the country show a busier than normal election day--and election day rally on Wall Street giving a triple digit gain to moneymen and women worried about the future.. Voting across America not without issue: Philadelphia troubles as police confront 'security patrol' at Philly polling place..
The first polls will close in less than two hours now.. Kentucky blue grass and Indiana crossroads here we come. That perfect beginning to a night of election returns that, either way, will change America/// Developing..
Drenched Obama: "You notice what happened when I started talking about Dick Cheney! Now – that's all right. We’ve been through an 8-year storm but a new day is dawning."
ZOGBY poll concludes that McCain is tracking upwards in the past hours..FiveThirtyEight.com on that interesting Zogby poll being touted by the Drudge Report: "Zogby polls are generally a lagging rather than a leading indicator. This is because he splits his interviewing period over two days; most of the interviews that were conducted in this sample took place on Thursday night, with a few this afternoon"
Other polls still give Obama a massive lead over the McCain campaign.. most electoral college watchers paint little chance for McCain to overtake Obama in electoral votes..
**
More on the polls: The AP reporting that Obama voters are happy and McCain voters aren't. But the McCain camp is "jazzed up" about the latest polls. No word on whether literally Jazzy Jets are involved..
Not happy today: Obama's aunt, who is in the country illegally according to the AP.
Nooo!!! Really!? Study confirms that media has been pro-Obama in 2008.. Just ask Hillary Clinton.. you didn't need a study to confirm the obvious. Oh, by the way the sun is bright during the daytime hours, study confirms.
Maybe he won't be the best of luck, Barack? Al Gore visits Florida in effort to help out Obama campaign..
Also maybe not the best way to get votes in the last hours, Barack: Obama attacks people that don't want higher taxes as being "selfish"..
McCain: "He measuring the drapes.. and this week he settled on a chief of staff.. "we're coming back strong"..
Candidates in overdrive. Close your ears! They won't stop talking!
NASCAR, WAL-MART, and Central Pennsylvania: McCainiancs come home
The Keystone State of Pennsylvania is interesting. John McCain has been tirelessly campaigning in the state while Democrats stand and scratch their heads with confusion as to why..
McCain has been hoping that his upset victory in 2008 starts with Pennsylvania.. He's been talking non-stop to residents in PA via call, mail, and personal visits. He's been spending a lot of time in places like Pottsville, PA, small towns in Central Pennsylvania, crowds in Hershey PA.. And now the Keystone State has become the Woodstock of the McCain camp.. According to reporting from the Washington POST, people from other states are traveling to Pennsylvania to support their candidate John McCain. McCain is hoping that the same Democrats that led Hillary Clinton to a late spring Pennsylvania win votes for him. PA doesn't have early voting--so he's hoping his supposed 'comeback' helps in the last 48 hours in Pennsylvania..
But I truly doubt it will come down to Pennsylvania. Think of this: PA has 67 counties.. in 2002, Ed Rendell won the state with only the few counties in the extreme Southeast and he dashed any hopes for an African American Republican in PA with a landslide victory over Lynn Swann in 2006. And look at this: County by county in 2004 in Pennsylvania. John Kerry won a mere 13 counties of 67. And he won the state's 21 electoral votes because the counties he won has the biggest population in the state..
For McCain to win PA on Tuesday and score this dramatic upset, the stars may have to align. If get out the vote campaigns are successful in Southeast PA, it would be incomprehensible to think that the midstate or Central PA area can come up with enough votes to surpass Philadelphia and other suburbs of the city.. When Philadelphia votes, so goes the state..
A victory for McCain in Pennsylvania would not only be an upset, but a miracle. Miracles happen..I guess.
But rarely. Expect 2008's PA to go for Obama, even if he only wins 19% of the real estate--it's the population in the 19% that matters..
The November surprise: Show Aunt Zeituni the way to go home
Obama's aunt has been living in the United States illegally .. in 2004 she was denied asylum. Barack Obama today said he didn't know it.
This may have absolutely positively no effect on the campaign, but it's interesting how these little tiny events pop up to get in a candidates way on the road to the coronation White House.
The Associated Press reporting that Obama said he didn't know Aunt Zeituni was living in the United States illegally. Onyango has not been publicly spoken about by Obama in events like other members of his family were..
Reminiscent a little of that Bush DUI charge that came out only hours before the election in 2000? Yea. The October surprise came late.. And it's probably--like the Bush DUI issue--insignificant.
"Vanessa Niekamp said that when she was asked to run a child-support check on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher on Oct. 16, she thought it routine. A supervisor told her the man had contacted the state agency about his case.
Niekamp didn't know she just had checked on "Joe the Plumber," who was elevated the night before to presidential politics prominence as Republican John McCain's example in a debate of an average American.
The senior manager would not learn about "Joe" for another week, when she said her boss informed her and directed her to write an e-mail stating her computer check was a legitimate inquiry.
The reason Niekamp said she was given for checking if there was a child-support case on Wurzelbacher does not match the reason given by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
With three days left (and a LOT of talk about Joe the Plumber to the point that we're all sick of Joe's plumbing) expect to hear a lot more about the interesting tale of whatever occurred in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services..
All the news unfit to print for Friday, October 31, 2008
McCain on SNL; Affleck to play Olbermann
The POLITICO and Drudge playing up a skit tomorrow night on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE that leaked its way across the net today: Keith Olbermann played by Ben Affleck, mocked as a deranged man that lives with his mother.
Olbermann was happy he was portrayed on SNL finally after all these years. McCain's presence tomorrow shows just how important the show has become to the political process--after all, it's the only lone satirical show played nationwide in the United States. McCain is set for his cameo
Here we are, America.. only four days until the United States chooses the next president, and no matter the decision, a new direction for the country. The world is watching.. And America is waiting--in lines. Early voting in several states decidely has heavier turnout than years previous.. This time it's young, it's more African-American, and it's Democratic. In 2004, it was pro-Bush and Republican. A whole new generation is coming out to vote in 2008..
As kids across show up at doors asking for candy, candidates show up on answering machines and mail boxes asking for votes. Kids will be kids..
While this may be a huge deal for Republicans anxious for a bounce a week before the Super-est of Tuesdays, it's worth remembering: 2004's likely voters are not 2008's likely voters.. A bigger base of people coming out this year means these numbers could be skewed too much towards the old 20th century..
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, October 25, 2008
Within the McCain camp: The Palin insurgency!
Mike Segar/Reuters She's gonna make it after all!
The POLITICO's Ben Smith reporting that increasingly tense campaign stops have greeted Sarah Palin and her aides.. Former Bush aides tasked to handle and control Palin have reported to the POLITICO that she increasingly is on her own, often blaming the handlers for her tarnished public image. One senior Republican aide told Smith for his report that Palin intends to go "rogue" and get even more "rogue" at campaign events.
And what if John McCain would have chosen Tom Ridge? Perhaps things would be a lot closer in Pennsylvania..
And speaking of the Keystone State, MSNBC's FIRST READ reporting that the Obama team feels PA is theirs to lose..
CBS NEWS/AP
While she may not be the Schmuck of the week by its best definition, she is the prevaricator of the week. Yesterday, when the Drudge Report led the site on Ashley Todd, a 20-year-old McCain volunteer that claimed she was attacked, and that a B was carved on her face, other websites picked it up. Even the SCHMUCKRAKER made reference to it in its random rakings section yesterday.. But now it turns out, as some online suspected, the story of Ashley Todd has gone down in flames .. it was false, according to police investigating the incident.
Perhaps the backwards B should have.. well, tipped everyone off?
She told police Wednesday that she was attacked by a black male.. Today she can't explain why she made the story up.. AP suggests that police were initially suspicious, again, because the B on her face was backwards.
She says that she doesn't remember carving the B on her own face, but admits that she must have since the rest of the mugging/mutilation story was false..
A morbidly twisted tale, the ends even more on the morbid note.. My hope is that she makes a quick recovery, and that she has mental analysis done. And that the media leaves her family alone--and leaves her alone.
Something about this story is very sad...
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, October 18, 2008
PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATOR JAMES RHOADES DEAD
Chief of Staff Champ Holman said that Pennsylvania State Senator Rhoades is dead at 66..
His wife Mary remains hospitalized ...
The POCONO RECORD reporting that the Pennsylvania Republican Party would have to get a court's permission to remove Rhoades' name from the ballot and replace him with another candidate..
He was facing Democrat PJ Symons in this year's Senate election..
""John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I’m voting for a Democrat for president.
"I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amidst the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia," says the Republican."
"The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.
...
IT GIVES US no pleasure to oppose Mr. McCain. Over the years, he has been a force for principle and bipartisanship. He fought to recognize Vietnam, though some of his fellow ex-POWs vilified him for it. He stood up for humane immigration reform, though he knew Republican primary voters would punish him for it. He opposed torture and promoted campaign finance reform, a cause that Mr. Obama injured when he broke his promise to accept public financing in the general election campaign. Mr. McCain staked his career on finding a strategy for success in Iraq when just about everyone else in Washington was ready to give up. We think that he, too, might make a pretty good president.
But the stress of a campaign can reveal some essential truths, and the picture of Mr. McCain that emerged this year is far from reassuring. To pass his party's tax-cut litmus test, he jettisoned his commitment to balanced budgets. He hasn't come up with a coherent agenda, and at times he has seemed rash and impulsive. And we find no way to square his professed passion for America's national security with his choice of a running mate who, no matter what her other strengths, is not prepared to be commander in chief. ...
The POST concludes:
"But Mr. Obama's temperament is unlike anything we've seen on the national stage in many years. He is deliberate but not indecisive; eloquent but a master of substance and detail; preternaturally confident but eager to hear opposing points of view. He has inspired millions of voters of diverse ages and races, no small thing in our often divided and cynical country. We think he is the right man for a perilous moment."
Joe the blunder! Thanks for nothing! Joe the plumber's fortunes turn
He has no plumber's license even though the county he lives in requires plumbers to have them .. and the Ohio Department of Taxation placed a lien against Joe because $1,183 in personal property taxes had not been paid. Oh, and Joe's 2006 income was $40,000, which would qualify him for the Obama tax increase.
McCain forced Joe into our lives. I bet Joe wishes he could quickly escape.....
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, October 12, 2008
Feeling blue: 23 and counting.. my election predictions
The election is nasty.. Hateful for some..
But I am going to make my election prediction. Things are changing by the day. But I am predicting an Obama win--actually an Obama landslide, one like we have not seen in several election cycles.
With 270 electoral votes needed for victory, I am predicting Obama easily wins the overall popular vote. I also feel he will handily gain the electoral college, which as we all know is the only way to win.
My map shows McCain with 201 electoral votes and Obama with 337..
The map:
As you can see, I am predicting McCain loses and Obama wins in the following swing states: Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri.. I also predict an Obama win in North Carolina .. McCain will keep the deep South--but with smaller margins of victory than Bush in 2000 and 2008. McCain will end of losing New Mexico.. Minnesota .. and Indiana.
The next debate is coming up this week .. I don't feel that 2008 will be as divided as previous election, I also do not feel there is any way the electoral college will be tied. Further, there will be no reason for networks to wait late into the night without knowing for sure who won this November's election.
Congress will be controlled by Democrats.. as will the Senate.
It's been a long eight years.. Democrats will gain this year in huge numbers due to the newer younger voters (that will actually vote this year) .. and from two wars, and the sudden impact of the economic crisis. McCain's last minute campaign tactics have been foolish looking. He's all over the proverbial map, issuing policy plans at his own whims during debates and suspending his campaign as a stunt.
It all failed for one simple reason: Campaign officials didn't let John McCain be himself. Instead, they reinvented him as George W. Bush .. That's not why people liked him in 2000. Barack Obama ran one of the greatest campaigns in history, trouncing the likely nominee Hillary Clinton, and dominating TVs, internet, radio, and other forms of media. And he got a lot of free help from major media officials, who often let their own biases outweigh their good sense for reporting. Legs were quivering with excitement all over American newsrooms the night Obama accepted his party's nomination. And they haven't stopped yet.
The tingling, quivering, and excitement will be at record highs on election night. McCain, once a media darling, was crumbled up and thrown into a trash heap like any other piece of paper.
And then what? Politics as usual. Party fighting party. But the victory Obama gets this year will give him a mandate for change.. But McCain's ultimate failure is that all year, he never did anything to tell Americans why he felt Obama's change was wrong for America.. Instead, his aimless twists and turns have led his campaign events into angry give and take sessions with people frightened of Barack Obama..
How sad it got.
We'll check back in a 24 days to see how well I did.
But I strongly believe that this election will not be close..
While I didn't put up my official election prediction yet (that's coming later today), it's clear that if McCain loses this year, it may be due to the overall self-destructive nature of him, Palin, and his own base of supporters.. This week, man at a Palin rally displayed a monkey donning an Obama sticker..CBS offers an interesting account,
"After Palin finished her remarks this morning, the man holding the stuffed monkey seemed to notice that a video camera was pointed at him, at which point he removed the Obama sticker from the doll's head and crumpling it up in his hand. He then handed the doll to a young boy who was watching the rally from his father's shoulders. The boy's parents later told CBS News that they weren't acquainted with the man who gave their son the stuffed monkey"
But the question is this: Is it right for CBS news to display the video it does on its site of this man slowly hiding the monkey.. John McCain has *finally* spoken out against the more vile of anger against Obama.. Or is CBS further inflaming race relations..?
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, October 11, 2008
O U T - O F
CONTROL!
MCCAIN FIGHTS BACK AGAINST HIS OWN CROWDS AT RALLIES
Tries to quell flames of Obama hatred at his public events..
Appears to be getting angry at his own fans as they grow in hatred and fear of Barack Obama
All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"That one" .. and with that, did McCain lose the election?
The debate was so boring, you may have missed the most important moment of the entire election thus far...
And with that, is it over for the McCain camp?
OR just beginning...?
"Mr. McCain has solid leads in states with 160 electoral votes and is well positioned in states with another 40 electoral votes, according to the Times tally, for a total of 200. Just six states representing 78 electoral votes — Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia — are tossups.
Mr. Obama appears to have significantly more options to reach the 270 threshold, particularly if Mr. McCain fails to win any states that Democrats won in 2004, like Pennsylvania, where the Republican ticket has been competing especially vigorously
The next month will obviously make or break the campaigns. The perpetual stories on the "October surprise" which .. maybe won't happen this year, who knows? But on the pure level of momentum, the Obama campaign has it. Regardless of your opinion on his candidacy, his marketing campaign has been brilliant. He even has his own coding for iPhones. McCain's team is lagging far behind--just as Obama makes history by advertising on satellite TV.
"Of the four Democratic states where Mr. McCain is competing, his aides said he viewed Pennsylvania — the biggest of them — as offering him the best chance. Mr. Obama lost the Democratic primary there to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton."
I just don't see that. I'm from Pennsylvania, too, but I think Obama is safe for Obama..
"That is not a fanciful battle: There are plausible outcomes that would leave the two men with a 269-269 electoral vote tie, forcing the election into the House of Representatives"
As someone who watches too much news on TV, I hope for the 269 to 269 vote. Living history. It would be fun..
AFP/Stan Honda
"But McCain is in as bad or worse shape in other battleground states. Barring a dramatic change, he is on course to lose Iowa and New Mexico, both states barely won by President Bush four years ago in his narrow victory over Democrat John F. Kerry. And he and the Republican National Committee this week began pouring money into Indiana and North Carolina, reliably Republican states where the Obama campaign has made strong advances and polls indicate the candidates are roughly tied"
All the news unfit to print for Friday, October 3, 2008
There's no place like Wasilla
Reaction to the Biden Palin debate has been fully aired on TV, radio, and Internet all day--plus on factory floors and around office water coolers across America.
Judging from ratings of the event, lots of people got the chance to talk about the debate today.
Record setting. The overall rating of BidenPalin: 45.0, which means 45% of all TV households in the country tuned in.
The Neilsons off the charts; 69,989,000 viewers. The most viewed since the PerotBushClinton debate in 1992. The biggest vice presidential debate--of all time. And higher ratings than Obama vs McCain..
Today, the Barracuda from Wasilla has taken the fight against the media--perhaps McCain's last best hope to energize the base .. a base smaller this year as target markets have been registered to vote in record masses by the Obama campaign..
Grab some popcorn, pick your network, grab a beer, and get ready for what may be one of the most highly rated events on TV: Sarah Palin goes head to head with Joe Biden in a vice presidential grudge match..
Polls have slumped for McCain--some even have Obama with a 10 to 15 point advantage in some swing states.
The McCain campaign has pulled millions of dollars of campaign cash from Michigan.. Some advisors apparently not considering the state lost to Barack Obama.
Can Palin change it all tonight? Can women fall back in love with her stilettos, her miniskirt, her glasses, her hair? Can "Joe Sixpack" (God I hate when people use this term) fall back in love with her for her concern for his well being?
Can Biden tread his fine line between anger and comedy?
Can MSNBC, FOX NEWS, and CNN start acting unbiased?
Answers to at least some of these questions coming tonight..
All the news unfit to print for Friday, September 26, 2008
THAT'S A WRAP: FIRST DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES
The 20th Century Boy scores some punches against newbie Barack.. The race is here: An old man saying he knows more than a young man.. A young man shaky on some issues that the old man seems to be purposely acting more knowledgeable about.
This is the opposition year like 1980. Did Obama pass the threshold that Reagan passed in 1980? Will America notice that McCain got the name of the leader of Pakistan wrong?
Will America appreciate the sarcastic humor of McCain, or feel bad for Obama, as my parents clearly do. They told me.
The wrap:
Repeatedly, Obama said he agreed with Senator McCain..
AFP/File/Paul J. Richards
If the electoral count is 269 to 269, Nancy Pelosi could assume the highest office in the world.. the BBC expands on the possibilities..
Given the results in 2000 and 2004, when Michigan and Pennsylvania voted Democratic, it is not unreasonable to assign them to Obama, bringing him to 260, just 10 votes short of the White House. While Obama has a real chance to win in Colorado, Ohio, and Virginia, all three states have tended to vote Republican in many or most election years.
...Think about what House selection of a president would mean today. Gargantuan California would have the same single House vote in choosing the new president as sparsely populated Wyoming, even though California has about 70 times its population. The votes of the mega-states of Florida, New York, and Texas could be cancelled out by the tiny populations of Montana, Rhode Island, and South Dakota.
Furthermore, large state delegations could internally deadlock via tie votes. Some large states might be deprived even of their single vote for the presidency. Tens of millions of people could be disenfranchised in this fashion.
"At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates.
Among other details: Camp Obama wanted the economics debate to come last, being that they believe it's Obama's best issue.. However, the foreign policy debate will be last--presumably McCain's best suit.
The TIMES also reporting: "Obama aides also agreed to use lecterns at the first event, which Mr. McCain preferred; at the third debate, the two men will be seated at a round table, in the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions, with the moderator at 6 o’clock."..
Even more: The scar..
McCain aides said that they were conscious of the fact that Mr. McCain has a prominent scar on one side of his face, and that they could not predict how prominent it would appear with the camera angles, lighting and make-up.
Few people may realize the amount of debate goes into forming the real debate. Arguments between candidates about the setup and stage occur every four years--often times arguments just for the sake of one side threatening to pull out.
But each year, we see our candidates on stage about three times.. For better or worse, we make our choice on how they act. Gore's sighs in 2000 led him to lose, while Kerry's grandiose verbiage caused yawns.. We vote on looks. Kennedy in 1960 looked a lot better than a sweaty Nixon.. Reagan made people laugh in 1984. Clinton bested Dole by looking young.. And now in 2008, Obama vs McCain: The 20th century vs the 21st, on our TV sets of the 20th century, blogged on the net of the 21st, and watched by people of both centuries. A wild election so far, getting wilder and meaner, ready to be in living rooms across America in only days...
Principled conservatives are a little shaky about the Bush plan to secure the rapidly inflaming American economy--what a good thing to know there are still some principled people in general that grace the halls of Congress..
Bush is basically asking for a $700 billion *with a b* bailout of worthless mortgages and other bad debt by financials institutions on the rocks.. The essence of the Bush plan asks for a lot more powers for the Administration .. Congress now has to vote on whether they want to give Bush the new duties. New duties that include purchasing bad mortgage backed securities..
Bush is following a few other leaders that did some similar acts in response to dramatic economic times: Reconstruction Finance Corporation occurred during the Roosevelt Administration in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression..Roosevelt gave money to banks and others to try to spur economic growth.. And in the late 80s, the Resolution Trust Corporation was set up to take on the savings and loan crisis. The Corp took over defaulted mortgages, foreclosed real estate and other assets of nearly a thousand failed savings and loans.
While there may be precedent, and some bi-partisan support for the Bush plan in Congress, a few conservatives are speaking out against the huge government measures. One even said this is the death of the free market!
Senator Jim Bunning commented, "The free market for all intents and purposes is dead in America." Senator Jim DeMint spoke out: "What we need now is not what could be nearly a trillion dollars in new taxpayer bailouts, but pro-growth policies that allow our markets to correct and start growing again." Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin wrote of the Bush actions: "the mother of all bailouts" and declared "the death of fiscal conservatism."..
And finally, Schmuckraker's long time hero Ron Paul speaking out about the bailouts (And he is set to ask some good tough questions of Chairman Bernanke next week) saying that this will not be the last time the government steps in to bail out business ..Ron Paul told US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, "It's more of the same. More debt and more inflation and more pressure on the dollar. Ultimately, although the markets are responding very favorably at the moment, I think it is going to be devastating to the dollar and to our financial situation in this country." And on bailout out the auto industry (which is lining up with destitute hands out to be the next industry saved), Ron Paul said: "Oh I think so. We are not going to let them fail. Our policy is such that everybody gets bailed out. It's like a drug addict, they've got to take their fix. It's too tough getting off these drugs. And the drug here is easy credit."
Ron Paul has no chance on being president. Obama and McCain do..
All the news unfit to print for Thursday, September 18, 2008
Civics die young: What the kids don't know...
Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.. maybe a lot of people don't know that. Dates are tough. .History is filled with them, but a date like September 17, when an event like the signing of the Constitution occurred is kind of important.
An opinion written by Sandra Day O'Connor and Lee H. Hamilton appearing today was wonderfully written and somewhat frightening..
With young people voting at higher rates than ever before, it might seem that the founders would be pleased with our progress. Yet civic engagement requires more than voting in presidential elections every four years. A healthy democracy demands sustained citizen participation, and our schools must give students the knowledge and tools to participate.
Sadly, civic education has been in steady decline over the past generation, as high-stakes testing and an emphasis on literacy and math dominate school reforms. Too many young people today do not understand how our political system works. They lack the tools to shape their communities through their own participation
I have been thinking about this one for a while..Every election cycle we're told young people will vote in huge numbers. Though they failed to do this every time in history that they were supposed to, 2008 may be different.. They are not being polled since they're not likely voters, and they're organized this year more than ever.. But what will students think when their man Obama can't get his agenda passed through a combative Congress? Will they realize that free health care for all won't happen in a year? Will they know that "change" will have to be translated into legislation instead of mere words on a teleprompter?
O'Connor and Hamilton are right: We may have taught kids it's important to vote with "Choose or Lose" and "Vote or Die" campaigns from MTV, but in the aftermath of the vote, does it go back to normal? Jaded and cynical? I say yes..
But then I'm jaded. And cynical..
A hacker impersonated Sarah Palin--not Tina Fey--and simply logged onto her Yahoo! email account, made a few screen shots, and gained internet fame without having to release his or her name.. The Secret Service and the FBI is investigating..
The scourge of the net: Ex-boyfriends and girlfriends stealing passwords, playing a sly game of "who's talking to him now" online.. A little more serious when someone breaks into the Vice Presidential contender's email..
The hacker's writings: "i am the lurker who did it, and i would like to tell the story," the person wrote in the account.. It appears that the Secret Service may be on a trail that could lead to the hacker..
..But does she have a Facebook.. does she have a Myspace? A hacker's possibilities are endless..
All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, September 16, 2008
If the election was held today..
It's not being held today.. you didn't miss anything. But I got polled again tonight, asking me "if the election was held today who would you vote for." Just for fun, I said "Ron Paul!" .. I was hung up on.
But if the election was indeed held today, Electoral-Vote.com says it would be Obama 247 McCain 257
All the news unfit to print for Saturday, September 13, 2008
DISASTER TODAY, COMEDY TONIGHT
TV viewers are glued to the coverage of the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Ike.. but tonight, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is back..
Expect a highly-energized show .. bashing Sarah Palin?
And yes, Tina Fey may be back for the show..
Still no official word.. but she really does look like Sarah Palin..
"Perhaps more troubling for the Obama campaign than the overall head-to-head numbers, however, is the dramatic hardening of McCain's support suggested in the poll. In July, only 39 percent of McCain voters said they supported McCain strongly. By contrast, 71 percent now say they strongly support the Republican nominee. Obama, meanwhile, has seen support increase from his voters, as well, but far less dramatically—67 percent now say they support him strongly, compared to 61 percent in July. Enthusiastic support will prove crucial to both parties in a close election, as voters are more likely to turn out for, give money to and volunteer on behalf of candidates they firmly back"
All the news unfit to print for Tuesday, September 9, 2008
UH OH..Obama calls Palin a pig? In a nuanced way.. sorta.. kinda... maybe not
*UPDATED*
Expect to hear this a lot: Obama calls Palin a pig..?
In a modern, respectful kind of way...
Impress your friends, have the quote before you get the email:
Obama said "You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig."
"You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still gonna stink."
"We've had enough of the same old thing."
Team McCain--until the pick of Palin--was fond of those big forums where no questions were off topic.. Nothing was out of bounds.. But John McCain's second string now with Sarah Palin as the pick for VP.. and he's quickly adapting to Palin country and how to win in it..
Obama said today that he's not worried about today's news of Palin's popularity.. A Gallup survey showed McCain leading over Obama among independents, and Republicans more strongly backing the McCain Palin ticket..
But while America shifted this week a little towards McCain, the world we live in continues to support Barack Obama in huge numbers.. It's too bad the world doesn't bring any electoral votes to the table...
All the news unfit to print for Sunday, September 7, 2008
THE BOUNCE
McCain over Obama for the first time in a long time.. McCain leads Obama 48 percent to 45 percent among registered voters, by Gallup’s measure..
Eight weeks to go.. this could change a dozen more times..
"MSNBC drops Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews from anchor chair... David Gregory will anchor news coverage of the coming debates and election night"
Finally! The convention coverage was abominable.. Completely biased--low ratings. CNN and FOX outdid MSNBC by big numbers.. Thanks to the tense, awkward, and biased convention programming presented by anchors Olbermann and Matthews..
UPDATE: 10:12
NEW YORK TIMES STORY ON TAKING THE ANCHORS FROM THE HOT SEATS..
schmuck -shmuhk- a noun Slang. an obnoxious or contemptible person.
Origin:
1890-95; Yiddish shmok (vulgar) lit., penis of uncert. orig.
MUCKRAKER: A muckraker seeks to expose corruption of businesses or government to the public
Origin:
Theodore Roosevelt used the term muckrake in a 1906 speech in which he agreed with the
accusations of muckrakers, but questioned their methods
Schmuckraker: A website dedicated to expanding knowledge of readers by muckraking and
focusing on schmucks of society Origin: 1998 school newspaper
in Northeastern Pennsylvania
No shockers here: The newsweeklies placing 44 on the cover.. 
According to reporting today on FOX NEWS by Carl Cameron, Sarah Palin didn't know that Africa was a country.. she also didn't know what countries were in NAFTA. If this information would have been reported during the duration of the campaign, the race would have been an even bigger landslide than it was..
Was she vetted? NEWSWEEK reporting that Palin was announced on a Friday--two days after McCain was still talking about choosing Lieberman for VP.. 
V O T E ! !
IGNORE THE POLLS
IGNORE THE PUNDITS
IT'S YOUR TURN
A NEW DAY? 
HIS LAST CHANCE..NOW THE COMEBACK?
CBS NEWS/AP
While she may not be the Schmuck of the week by its best definition, she is the prevaricator of the week. Yesterday, when the Drudge Report led the site on Ashley Todd, a 20-year-old McCain volunteer that claimed she was attacked, and that a B was carved on her face, other websites picked it up. Even the 
REUTERS/Jim Bourg (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008
(USA)
The debate's over .. Joe the Plumber .. a new character as popular as Bob the Builder? Maybe not. But Joe the Plumber is 
Reaction to the Biden Palin debate has been fully aired on TV, radio, and Internet all day--plus on factory floors and around office water coolers across America.
Judging from ratings of the event, lots of people got the chance to talk about the debate today.
Grab some popcorn, pick your network, grab a beer, and get ready for what may be one of the most highly rated events on TV: Sarah Palin goes head to head with Joe Biden in a vice presidential grudge match..
Polls have slumped for McCain--some even have Obama with a 10 to 15 point advantage in some swing states.
The McCain campaign has pulled millions of dollars of campaign cash from Michigan.. Some advisors apparently not considering the state lost to Barack Obama.
Can Palin change it all tonight? Can women fall back in love with her stilettos, her miniskirt, her glasses, her hair? Can "Joe Sixpack" (God I hate when people use this term) fall back in love with her for her concern for his well being?
Can Biden tread his fine line between anger and comedy?
Can MSNBC, FOX NEWS, and CNN start acting unbiased?
Answers to at least some of these questions coming tonight..
The 20th Century Boy scores some punches against newbie Barack.. The race is here: An old man saying he knows more than a young man.. A young man shaky on some issues that the old man seems to be purposely acting more knowledgeable about.
This is the opposition year like 1980. Did Obama pass the threshold that Reagan passed in 1980? Will America notice that McCain got the name of the leader of Pakistan wrong?
Will America appreciate the sarcastic humor of McCain, or feel bad for Obama, as my parents clearly do. They told me.
The wrap:
AFP/File/Paul J. Richards
If the electoral count is 269 to 269, Nancy Pelosi could assume the highest office in the world.. 
Probably not.. But there has been a lot of debate lately over whether or not McCain can use the Internet. .
The amazing race: 
