Grandpa Doesn't Like Michigan

Well, it seems that recent events have caused Grandpa to re-evaluate where he's spending his campaign dollars. And today we find out that he's giving up on Michigan. We just need a couple more of those swing states to continue to move Obama's way and this could turn into a blow-out. I'm careful not to get too high on these things - anything can happen. And God only knows McSame might come up with a few more of his "surprises."

But something tells me that the erratic behavior of recent days has been exactly what has doomed him. I think the public is tired of the overly-dramatic and is ready for the calm, sure hand of a smart and thoughtful president. We'll see.

I have hope.

Cannot Wait until the VP Debate

I love the expression on Katie Couric's face. And, of course, I adore Jack Cafferty's response.

Joe and Hillary on Women's Issues

Are you a woman? Do you have a daughter? If so, you'll be interested in this 30-minute webcast with Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. They discuss the impact Grandpa will have on the Supreme Court, equal pay for equal work, violence against women, and more.

Sarah Palin Time?

Holy smokes. McCain is stupid. What kind of person, contemplating the complicated world we live in today (and who has been stoking the FEAR about such a world) picks a little known, inexperienced empty suit of a small time governor as his running mate? Listen, folks, if you had any doubts about McCain's judgment, this choice should set off alarm bells all over the place.

And, McCain's self-professed weakness is the economy. That being the case, wouldn't you expect him to add a person to his team who could help him shoulder that load? No, he picks someone who lives in an 8,000-person town in Alaska. Not that I'm dissing Alaska - probably a wonderful place to live. But, what experience does she have with security issues there? What experience does she have with mass transit issues? What experience does she have with urban sprawl?

OK, she has five children. Great. She's experienced at managing a household. If that's the litmus test for us to be president, then there are millions of people who are better qualified than Governor Palin.

And she likes guns. Swell. In Alaska, that makes pretty much sense. In Philadelphia? In Oakland? In Houston? Eh, not so much..

Wonder if she knows what the internet is?

On the other hand, look at Obama. He's acting like a grown-up, choosing someone who can help him carry the burdens of 21st century life. From here on out, McCain will never, EVER get to say that security is the main issue of the campaign - or foreign policy. Obama has boxed Grandpa into a corner in stunning fashion. People, Obama will know how to campaign, how to govern. From Day One.



PS: For any of you who read this and wonder where I've been of late (all 2 of you) - I've been away from blogging due to a recently acquired addiction to Facebook. Whaaaaaa!

Election 2008: Let The Games Begin

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Paging Al Gore....

Hillary is finally facing reality and conceding the primary fight on Saturday. Hope Al Gore gives her a call to let her know just how one gracefully exits a political fight. While certainly frustrating, Hillary's problem is nowhere near as heart-rending as what Al faced back in 2000.

Turns out some of her staff turned her in to her Senate colleagues (according to MSNBC), asking them to finally get her to let go of the fight. Apparently, her colleagues organized the proverbial "come to Jesus" meeting. Can't imagine it was easy and that she and Bill folded up their tent without putting up a fight. But they need to do it. And we need to move on.

HRC for VP? Nah, sure hope not. Obama's successful presidency depends on a fellow change agent being on the ticket with him. Being saddled with the Clintons is NOT the way to go. Dispensing with Hillary and Bill will be a good test of Obama's diplomatic skills. So far, so good.

*Photo by Erik Sumption / Sipa Press

Too Good Not to Post

History in the Making

OK, I admit it. I'm fully, madly, deeply supportive of Senator Obama. Today proved it most forcefully for me.

I'm sure he realized that at some point he was going to have to give a speech like this, and it came at a time when he apparently most needed it. All of us should ask ourselves, when was the last time a politician actually talked to us? Actually talked in a way that was normal, about a topic that each of us faces every day?

::scratching my head::

Well, the answer is simple: never. If you haven't had a chance to hear the speech today, here it is. Do yourself a favor and let yourself listen. We'll all be better for having done so.

Yes, we can

Where to Begin?

Couple of questions for you tonight.

What exactly does Geraldine Ferraro mean by this?

"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," she continued. "And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

Let me get this straight. Ms. Ferraro, who was nominated to be VP in 1984 solely on the basis of being a woman, thinks that Senator Obama is leading in the nomination process because he's NOT white? While I have no reason to believe that Geraldine Ferraro is a racist, she is allowing those who might believe that blacks get an advantage in our society due to their color to think that Senator Obama has "jumped the line," that somehow he hasn't earned his place. Unfortunately, there are too many white people (and I'm related to some) who think that affirmative action is "reverse discrimination." Unfortunately, there is no history of discrimination against white people in our society, and so that theory doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Question Number Two for today: Was last week a bad one for Senator Obama? If you listen to the average nightly news broadcast, you might think so. But check this out.

"So officially, Obama has a 13-delegate advantage for the week even before Mississippi votes tomorrow. Throw in the unpledged delegate in Wyoming who will certainly be an Obama delegate, and unofficially, Obama notched a 14-delegate gain in this "week from hell" for him."

And every time you hear anyone saying that HRC won Texas, be sure to tell them otherwise. Yes, she won the popular vote, but Senator Obama won in the more important delegate count. Paging Al Gore...

Keep the faith, peeps.

PS: I really must have been a hurry last night. Sorry for the incoherence.

Foreign Policy Credentials?

Senator Clinton has tried to make her so-called "experience" as First Lady stand up as making her the better candidate for the presidency. Well, journalists are starting to investigate this jut a bit and the answer is not good:

"In Clinton's case, she may well have exercised influence on foreign policy that is hard to document because she had a unique opportunity to offer private counsel to her husband, President Bill Clinton.

But while Hillary Clinton represented the U.S. on the world stage at important moments while she was first lady, there is scant evidence that she played a pivotal role in major foreign policy decisions or in managing global crises."

I'm not suggesting she has NO experience. Certainly simply observing all the important events of the Clinton administration close up has to be an advantage. But anyone with a decent brain could have soaked up the same experiences.

Also, what is the deal with Senator Clinton saying that only she and Grandpa McW have crossed the "threshold" to be commander-in-chief? Since when do Democrats do that to each other? This infuriated me so much the other night that I picked up the phone and called her Arlington, Virginia, headquarters to give them a piece of my mind. I suppose it was a good thing that I ended up in voice mail hell and eventually was hung up on.

Looks like Joe Lieberman has a competitor for Democrat Most Likely to Implode.

::fingers crossed::

No, They Wouldn't Do That, Would They??

Would the HRC campaign REALLY do this? I'd like to think they wouldn't stoop so low, but it appears to be a distinct possibility. Man, this campaign is getting way too intense, and it only gives Grandpa McW the edge. Check it out for yourself. The top picture is from the recent debate, the bottom picture is how HRC's team featured Senator Obama in a campaign ad (click on the pix below to see it in full size). You be the judge.

A Debate?

Are there any differences between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton? Nah, very little when it comes to policy. They both want universal health care, tax breaks for the middle class, a sensible immigration policy, a more diplomatic foreign policy, ending the war in short order, etc. etc.

So when they debate, the two candidates spend an ridiculous amount of time saying: "I agree with Senator Clinton," and "I agree with Senator Obama." So what's the difference between them...because it sure ain't policy.

It's called style.

It's called change.

It's called not-Clinton.

Sorry, Hillary, but so long as the conversation stays in the "I agree with Senator Obama" space, you're going to lose the nomination. It's not that I want them to disagree, it's just that there's nothing she can do at this point to change the game.

And that makes me happy.

But, I really have to be sure that my support of Senator Obama does not denigrate Mrs. Clinton, who is a strong candidate, a thoughtful person, a brilliant Senator. If it wasn't for Senator Obama, there's a good chance I'd be rooting her on right about now. While I have strong feelings about President Clinton's role in the Senator's campaign and potential presidency, and I'm not a fan of dynastic politics, it is important that we not lose sight of her many contributions. And, I feel strongly that we NOT tear her down, while supporting Senator Obama.

Personally, I look forward to many long years of rooting Senator Clinton on - in the Senate.*




*I remember having a T-shirt back in college that said "A Woman's Place is in the House...and the Senate." In those days, having the possibility of a woman running for president and being taken seriously, was a mere pipedream. Or maybe it was the pipe I was smoking??

Wheeeeeee!

So, he did it again! Barack is projected to be the winner in Wisconsin tonight - great news for all of us looking forward into the 21st century and hoping for some change in the politics as usual. I am so looking forward to Senator Obama taking on Grandpa McBush in November - he'll wipe the floor up with the old geezer.

Now it's time for Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island to bring it home.

Will Texas Do It?

Well, this is interesting! Obama has pretty much caught up to Billary in this recent CNN poll from Texas! It's now Clinton 50, Obama 48. This could be the one that helps put HRC out of her misery. If so, I will have to figure out a suitable gift of gratitude when we go to Austin in April!

And just to prove I can keep an eye on both sides, I understand Grandpa McCain decided he would take the "no new taxes" pledge on the day that his colleague, Bush 41, endorses him. That worked out really well for him, no? What a great harbinger of things to come. Pretty funny timing, if you ask me.

PS: JD, you're also responsible for making sure Vermont votes properly, too!

The Audacity of Gloom

Grandpa McCain Is The Nominee

Although McCain might be the very least objectionable GOoPer that could have been nominated this year, I can't imagine voting for anyone whose major claim to fame, seemingly, is that he enlisted as a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution. Ask anyone under 35 what the hell that actually means and I bet you'd get a blank stare.

Frankly, voting for Grandpa McW is only going to give us another four years of Bush-iness, minus the waterboarding. Well, maybe that's enough for some people, but I would like to see the country attempt to do something a little more, shall we say, ambitious. Perhaps try to fix health care, try to fix our cities (New Orleans, anyone?), fix our schools, fix the WAR! And by fix it, I mean end that ridiculous fiasco. No, Grandpa McCain thinks it would be just fine to stay in Iraq for another hundred years. If I had young'ens in the house, I'd start worrying right here and right now.

I would dearly love to see either of the Democrats debate Pops McW. Imagine a vigorous, healthy, energetic Obama standing tall next to McW, who would look even more pale than he already does (sorry, I couldn't resist). Imagine Grandpa debating Hillary while she runs rings around him with facts and figures at her fingertips. After this week's Super Bowl, I guess we learned that there are no such things as sure bets in anything, but I certainly like our chances.

Unlike the conventional wisdom of the MSM punditry, I think having Hillary and Barack debate (so long as it's relatively polite) for another month is not necessarily a bad thing. Having them both talking the good talk, demonostrating their command of the issues could be a very positive development, while Grandpa goes around chasing the right wingers like that comedian, Rush Limbaugh, and scaring the shit out of everyone with his tough talk. Ahhhh, this is going to be fun!

And one final thing...why the hell do you not see Grandpa without his bodyguards Senators Lieberman and Graham? Is this a campaign or a buddy movie?

*image courtesy of NoMcW.com

Kumbaya!

Driving to my polling place at the Town Garage, I got a little misty-eyed over going in to vote for a choice between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. It occurred to me that this is a huge deal, and one that we should stop and take note. Maybe it's a good sign that not much has made, in large measure, to the fact that there is NO viable white man on the ballot for the Democrats.

But, I ask you to stop and think about that...drink it in:

THERE.IS.NO.WHITE.MAN.ON.THE.BALLOT.IN.THE.
DEMOCRATIC.PRESIDENTIAL.PRIMARY.

This is more than amazing. For younger voters, this probably doesn't seem all that unusual, I suppose. They've seen women and African Americans in every kind of role imaginable - in fact, so much that it's hardly even noteworthy. But, for those of us who experienced the women's and civil rights movements first-hand, I can attest that this is indeed a historic occasion.

These Kumbaya-like thoughts were rattling around in my brain when I arrived at my destination and saw a black man leaving the polling place. It was all I could do to keep myself from hugging him when we passed one another. Then, as I waited in line, an African American woman fell in line behind me. I wanted to turn and ask her who she was voting for, but I contained myself. As I awaited my turn to slip my vote into the collection slot, there was an Indian woman with two children. As the 5-year-old boy watched me check out, I was thankful that he would experience an entirely different kind of voting experience than people my age have.

So, who did I vote for? Well, you know that's a BIG secret.




PS: Lest someone assume I am totally a Pollyanna, on my drive home I also mused about who I would waterboard if I could choose any one person. I'll let you chew on that one for a while and add your own choices, if you so desire. :)

Uncle Teddy Gets It Right

Although some may think Ted Kennedy is a joke or as irrelevant as yesterday's newspaper, I'm fairly certain his endorsement of Barack Obama today says volumes. Along with his niece's endorsement yesterday, Teddy's seal of approval amounts to a "passing of the torch" to a new generation of leaders. This is clearly a hard-won endorsement and is coming for Obama at just the right time.

Can you imagine the phone calls between the Clintons and Kennedys over this endoresement? Billary has to be downright pissed right about now. Somehow you get the sense that they thought all Hillary had to do was declare her intent to run and everyone would just get out of the way. And it probably came as an enormous surprise that Teddy would actually not stay neutral in this fight.

According to "The Politico":

“This is the biggest Democratic endorsement Obama could possibly get short of Bill Clinton,” said a high-level Democrat.

The Clinton campaign launched a last-ditch effort over the last few days to stop Kennedy's move, orchestrating a flood of phone calls to Kennedy from sources ranging from union chiefs to his Massachusetts constituents.

The former president also called Kennedy in a vain attempt to keep him out of the race, a source familiar with the conversation said.

Since Bill has recently decided he wants to play hardball against Obama, how could he possibly expect that the other side wouldn't?

I certainly hope this brings more of my fellow Massachusetts voters to Obama a week from Tuesday when we have our primary. The polls I've read have shown Hillary with a substantial lead here (although I've yet to meet anyone who is voting for her). Perhaps this will turn the tide.

Thanks (again), Teddy!

Obama Routs Clinton in South Carolina

Alleluia!

Barack Obama clearly beat Hillary in South Carolina tonight and I couldn't be happier. Who knows what the next primary will bring, but at least for the time being, the momentum has shifted.

As for me, I'm doing my happy dance.

UPDATE: For those who are interested, Caroline Kennedy is endorsing Barack in tomorrow's New York Times, calling him "A president like my father."