The 2008 Presidential Campaign, for most non-junkies, has gone on roughly six months to two years too long. For me, by November 4th, it will have gone on exactly two weeks too long. For today is the day, the first day during this gauntlet, that I am undecided as to who will get my vote.
John McCain is a hero of mine. Heroic for his service to this country in the military and in the Senate. But many people have served both bodies nobly. What makes this great man a role model for me is our shared distinction as Republicans called liberals by our conservative friends and conservatives by our liberal friends. Such is the price to be paid for not acting as a partisan bobblehead.
I have said this many times this year, and I'll say it just once more to make my point clear. I really wish that I could vote for the guy retroactively to 2000 rather than prospectively until 2012. The crisis our country is currently in is not, as the Joe Bidens and Hillary Clintons would have you believe, a result of George W. Bush's Republican policies. Rather, the true father of this mess is the incompetent execution of those policies by a non-intellectually curious president. Under a McCain administration these past eight years, we would have seen a tough foreign policy and pro-business solutions just the same. But based on Senator McCain's history, these likely all would have been carried out with proper precautions and some deference towards the 45-49% of the citizens who would have voted for the other guy.
Sometime in the next two weeks, my fantasy is to see a John McCain rally during which a scream rises up from the back of the room, and an angry old man rushes the stage to attack the speaker. The angry old man looks a lot like the speaker, actually. The lunatic raises his hand to the disturbed speaker's face, tears at his skin, and the audience gasps. That's not John McCain at the podium, that's an imposter! The lunatic is the real John McCain. He's been locked away by his campaign since the summer of last year, as a prisoner of electoral war. He promptly fires his entire staff, dumps Sarah Palin, and barnstorms with Joe Lieberman around the country. The John McCain who ruffles the feathers of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. The John McCain who actually inspires college students. The John McCain who lives his campaign slogan Country First. Being locked up once again leads him to greatness as he ekes out a victory on election day.
Up until now, I looked past the dangerous and divisive tactics of the paranoid nutjobs who insist they do not mean anything racist by saying the full name of Barack Hussein Obama. I've insisted that as long as those words aren't coming out of the mouth of the man himself, then that in no way provides a reason for voting against him. Well, I'm pretty sure Bush didn't make those calls in 2000 to South Carolina voters about McCain's "illegitimate black child," but he sure didn't do a lot to stop them. I don't agree with many of Barack Obama's policies, and I was hoping most of the country would agree with me and vote him down on that basis. But I'm not sure I can sit easy with the second personally noble guy of the past eight years to go down because of baseless fear about his character.
I think it silly to accuse John McCain of being a racist or a fearmonger. For him to be so now would be to repeat the same sins lobbed against him eight years ago, and he is obviously a better man than that. But while my love for the man and his policies have allowed me to overlook his surrogates' tactics, I cannot ignore the words of General Colin Powell who was so miffed by the allegations that Barack Obama is a Muslim. He's not, he's a Christian. And if he were a Muslim, so what? The icing on the cake was Limbaugh, who suggested that because he was made a general and a secretary of state by Republicans, his undying loyalty should be towards the party regardless of who he thinks is better for the job. I guess Rush didn't realize that the General was practicing "Country First," and as a necessary corollary, party second.
I also cannot reconcile the pick of the Alaskan governor as the first in line to assume the duties should the absolute worst happen. No, it's not because McCain is "old." But, c'mon, Nixon, Kennedy, FDR, Harding, McKinley, Harrison, Lincoln. That's a good fistful of guys who did not get to make their farewell addresses. And I don't think Ms. Palin is an idiot. Her state seems to love her with the sky-high approval ratings. She's obviously doing something right up there, all while juggling five children. People loved Governor George W. Bush, too. And by most reasonable accounts, of people who actually have known him, he's not an idiot either. But he is not naturally curious. So tell me how someone who just got her passport last year, who does not delve much further into foreign policy discussion than the rote party lines, how will that someone deal on the international stage? Tell me how that person has negotiating leverage with world leaders if she doesn't seem to naturally care about much more than making sure Joe Sixpack can keep his guns? And what this great nation needs to stay powerful is not someone no one on the world stage has heard of until two months ago. And I know Europeans don't get to vote, and I'm quite grateful for that, but fellow world leaders must know and respect that person with whom they are dealing.
Another inane argument put forth is that if we elect Barack Obama, the terrorists win. Sadly, I'm no longer hesitant to say that if we elect John McCain, the terrorists win. Not the kinds of terrorists who fly planes into our buildings, but those who stoke fear in the hearts of downtrodden Americans. Basically: You might have no job, no healthcare, and a foreclosed home, but that guy hates America! And if you don't hate America, vote for John McCain.
Those terrorists were enabled in 2000 and 2004. It might be time for me to set aside by admiration for a guy who I think basically deserves the presidency because of his career and life history, and instead join with my fellow Americans in sending him the message that this hate and division can no longer be tolerated. John McCain has two weeks to snap to it and clean up his campaign, or I might have to, with great pain, vote against him.
Of course, that doesn't mean I would necessarily have to vote for Obama. Mike Bloomberg would be a great write-in candidate, as would (if it were not for that pesky Constitution) Governor Schwarzenegger.
Showing posts with label Campaign 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campaign 2008. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Best Frenemies Forever!
This week at the Democratic National Convention, we saw tensions between an envious, experienced old-hand and a smug up-and-comer who now rules the roost simmer at the end of a long week. That's right, the respective hosts of MSNBC's Hardball and Countdown put aside their bickering for the sake of unity last night.
The Peacock organization's spunky liberal child has kept me enthralled with its political coverage this year. Why, you ask of this centrist? It's the talent pool, really. When the CBS Evening News and ABC's World News are off the air, no one sees those networks' fine reporters. However, when you own a 24-hour cable station, anything can happen in a big spot. Hey, Tommy B.! Not doin' anything? Here, come on camera, talk about uhh, the 1968 DNC! Bri Wi, charm us with a tale of a run-in with a PUMA. The place hasn't had mandatory watching like this since Seinfeld and Friends were riding high.
Then there's Snarky and Looney. I've now completely gotten over the departure of Chris Russo from WFAN because Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are the new Mike and the Mad Dog of politics. Tie these two egomaniacs to a desk in Denver for twenty-six hours over four days and I hope you're not allergic to cats because the fur flies! But when the Anointed One gave his nomination speech, the Democrats weren't the only ones singing Kumbaya. These boys were complimenting each other back and forth on each other's analysis to the point where you thought this was a promo for a Brokeback Mountain Special Edition DVD. Fortunately, evidence of this has been spared from YouTube, so you'll have to take my word for it. I'm pretty sure that more often than not they detest each other, but boys and girls, this Must See TV continues at 5pm Monday in St. Paul. Granted that they both carry Senator Obama's water, however, it will be interesting to see the dynamic next week. But since Olbermann goes into spasms within twenty-five feet of a Republican, his general state of anger might be more directed at his guests than his yellow-haired (no, not blonde, yellow) co-host.
Speaking of the Red Team, America was spared the horror of a full 4% of the Senate running for the executive branch today. Senator McCain going with Sarah Palin gives us something new to look at, satirize, and spit out over the next two months. And to all those who criticize her for her lack of foreign policy ticket, look at the Democratic headliner. Subjected to a blind taste test, I don't think I have to guess whether most Americans would rather a president with no foreign policy experience, or a vice president with none.
I also like Governor Palin because she's mom-like. And moms know how to organize and run things!
My prayers and thoughts go out to the very funny Rob Bartlett this week. If you're familiar with his genius, then YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN and send good wishes his way at www.myspace.com/therobio.
The Peacock organization's spunky liberal child has kept me enthralled with its political coverage this year. Why, you ask of this centrist? It's the talent pool, really. When the CBS Evening News and ABC's World News are off the air, no one sees those networks' fine reporters. However, when you own a 24-hour cable station, anything can happen in a big spot. Hey, Tommy B.! Not doin' anything? Here, come on camera, talk about uhh, the 1968 DNC! Bri Wi, charm us with a tale of a run-in with a PUMA. The place hasn't had mandatory watching like this since Seinfeld and Friends were riding high.
Then there's Snarky and Looney. I've now completely gotten over the departure of Chris Russo from WFAN because Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews are the new Mike and the Mad Dog of politics. Tie these two egomaniacs to a desk in Denver for twenty-six hours over four days and I hope you're not allergic to cats because the fur flies! But when the Anointed One gave his nomination speech, the Democrats weren't the only ones singing Kumbaya. These boys were complimenting each other back and forth on each other's analysis to the point where you thought this was a promo for a Brokeback Mountain Special Edition DVD. Fortunately, evidence of this has been spared from YouTube, so you'll have to take my word for it. I'm pretty sure that more often than not they detest each other, but boys and girls, this Must See TV continues at 5pm Monday in St. Paul. Granted that they both carry Senator Obama's water, however, it will be interesting to see the dynamic next week. But since Olbermann goes into spasms within twenty-five feet of a Republican, his general state of anger might be more directed at his guests than his yellow-haired (no, not blonde, yellow) co-host.
Speaking of the Red Team, America was spared the horror of a full 4% of the Senate running for the executive branch today. Senator McCain going with Sarah Palin gives us something new to look at, satirize, and spit out over the next two months. And to all those who criticize her for her lack of foreign policy ticket, look at the Democratic headliner. Subjected to a blind taste test, I don't think I have to guess whether most Americans would rather a president with no foreign policy experience, or a vice president with none.
I also like Governor Palin because she's mom-like. And moms know how to organize and run things!
My prayers and thoughts go out to the very funny Rob Bartlett this week. If you're familiar with his genius, then YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN and send good wishes his way at www.myspace.com/therobio.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Say Somethin' Funny, Mikey
Well, wow. My New York Metropolitans continue to dominate and "run roughshod over the National League" in exciting fashion. Two and a half games up on Philadelphia. But I'll keep my excitement to a dull roar until we actually, God forbid, clinch a postseason spot.
Speaking of my favorite sports team in the entire universe, the station on which their radio broadcasts are carried has suffered another dangerous blow. Sixteen months after Imus in the Morning was pulled from the WFAN airwaves, the also-crucial afternoon drive spot has lost its Mad Dog of Mike and the Mad Dog. Since the age of roughly twelve, the show has been my afternoon soundtrack, either while procrastinating on homework or, in recent years, driving home from school. It also seems that the Mets contract with your flagship station for New York sports is up next year. If the Mets go elsewhere, then Mark Chernoff, turn your transmitter off now.
For the record, Mike Francesa, as the remaining survivor of the team on WFAN, will now have a show known as "Francesa on the FAN." But as anyone who has heard the man speak would know, the correct enunciation of the show's title is: Francesuhh.........onnnnnnn the FAN."
As of the end of next week, I will be living in my big boy apartment in Astoria. While Manhattan was my original goal, both the low price tag of the neighborhood and its eternal charm kept me in my native borough. I don't think I'll be making a move without this guy.
I expect to be roused from a peaceful sleep early tomorrow morning by that magical text message from the Obama campaign stating who his Number Two will be. To paraphrase Dick Morris, if Senator Obama gives the nod to Tim Kaine, it will be a recent state senator picking a recent mayor of a city with a population of 200,000. I basically see tomorrow as Election Day. Ceteris paribus, if Hillary Clinton is his nominee, Obama wins. If not, hello Mr. President-elect McCain.
In watching the Olympics lately, and seeing Brian Williams proclaim during promos, "I'm in Beijing, but I'm from Jersey, and I'm 4 New York!" I've been reminded of this from 1992, with familiar figures Len Berman, a hairier Al Roker, Chuck Scarborough, and Sue "The F*** Are You Doing?!" Simmons.
Speaking of my favorite sports team in the entire universe, the station on which their radio broadcasts are carried has suffered another dangerous blow. Sixteen months after Imus in the Morning was pulled from the WFAN airwaves, the also-crucial afternoon drive spot has lost its Mad Dog of Mike and the Mad Dog. Since the age of roughly twelve, the show has been my afternoon soundtrack, either while procrastinating on homework or, in recent years, driving home from school. It also seems that the Mets contract with your flagship station for New York sports is up next year. If the Mets go elsewhere, then Mark Chernoff, turn your transmitter off now.
For the record, Mike Francesa, as the remaining survivor of the team on WFAN, will now have a show known as "Francesa on the FAN." But as anyone who has heard the man speak would know, the correct enunciation of the show's title is: Francesuhh.........onnnnnnn the FAN."
As of the end of next week, I will be living in my big boy apartment in Astoria. While Manhattan was my original goal, both the low price tag of the neighborhood and its eternal charm kept me in my native borough. I don't think I'll be making a move without this guy.
I expect to be roused from a peaceful sleep early tomorrow morning by that magical text message from the Obama campaign stating who his Number Two will be. To paraphrase Dick Morris, if Senator Obama gives the nod to Tim Kaine, it will be a recent state senator picking a recent mayor of a city with a population of 200,000. I basically see tomorrow as Election Day. Ceteris paribus, if Hillary Clinton is his nominee, Obama wins. If not, hello Mr. President-elect McCain.
In watching the Olympics lately, and seeing Brian Williams proclaim during promos, "I'm in Beijing, but I'm from Jersey, and I'm 4 New York!" I've been reminded of this from 1992, with familiar figures Len Berman, a hairier Al Roker, Chuck Scarborough, and Sue "The F*** Are You Doing?!" Simmons.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Odds N Ends
So I have a brilliant idea that would pass muster with the vast majority of Americans. However, this means nothing because McCain Inc. and Obama-Mart (since these campaigns are essentially corporations) as well as pundits like those whose names begin with the letter "C" and end in "hris Matthews" would resoundingly reject my idea as though I were to ask them for the skin off their faces.
Simple as this: Obama versus McCain. Not David Axelrod versus Rick Davis. Not Wesley Clark versus Joe Lieberman. One of these men will be President. The next gasoline price milestone or the first global terror threat under a new administration will not send Americans demanding answers from these bloviators and cheerleaders. The American people need to know the guy in charge, not the guys and gals who know the guys that want to be in charge. FIRE THE REST OF THE BUMS.
From an objective standpoint, as someone who admires both candidates, they are both miles apart on policy, but were nominated by their parties for the same flippin' reason. Barack Obama and John McCain were each the most independent thinking, off-the-cuff, likable people from each of their respective parties. While I admire Hillary Clinton and while I think Mitt Romney is probably Senator McCain's best veep option, could you imagine a general election between these two focus-grouped, moldable, say-anything-to-win loonies? They would end up running so far and so fast to the center, because that's what you're supposed to do between June and November, that they'd probably cross paths and you'd hear Romney calling for the repeal of the Bush tax cuts and Clinton demanding an amendment to ban gay marriage.
Free-thinking Democrats and free-thinking Republicans produced the presumptive nominees, and now these voters are being betrayed. Stick a flag pin on Barack, even though he'll look like a sell-out to our base! Tell McCain to stop calling reporters jerks, no matter how affectionately he means it! The only way to let these candidates be who they are, how to act in the way they got to the big stage, is to get rid of all their handlers. So what if Obama's personality doesn't appeal to the Rust Belt Reagan Democrats? So what if McCain makes jokes about attacking other countries to the tune of Beach Boys songs? Fire their whole campaign staffs, save a few in charge of scheduling and travel. Get rid of campaign commercials - all they are is noise to those who don't care and regurgitation to those who already know what's going on. Let them spend money only on essentials and traveling the country to meet voters. Rather than obliquely responding to a campaign's surrogate, the only people who may speak for John McCain and Barack Obama are, yes, John McCain and Barack Obama. You might not get the same volume of minutiae on the cable shows (but, but, but, I wanna hear Lindsay Graham responding to Evan Bayh responding to Joe Lieberman responding to Wes Clark!), but you'll get an intelligent, sane campaign with people knowing about the issues more than they know about the Obama campaign's faux-presidential seal.
My Metsies made it five in a row tonight. I find it interesting and slightly puzzling that the weekend series against the Rockies, usually a pedestrian outing against a team in some other division, is picked up regionally by Fox on Saturday and nationally by ESPN on Sunday.
Brother Jesse: Don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel about your candidate. All of us in Hymietown really want to know.
Simple as this: Obama versus McCain. Not David Axelrod versus Rick Davis. Not Wesley Clark versus Joe Lieberman. One of these men will be President. The next gasoline price milestone or the first global terror threat under a new administration will not send Americans demanding answers from these bloviators and cheerleaders. The American people need to know the guy in charge, not the guys and gals who know the guys that want to be in charge. FIRE THE REST OF THE BUMS.
From an objective standpoint, as someone who admires both candidates, they are both miles apart on policy, but were nominated by their parties for the same flippin' reason. Barack Obama and John McCain were each the most independent thinking, off-the-cuff, likable people from each of their respective parties. While I admire Hillary Clinton and while I think Mitt Romney is probably Senator McCain's best veep option, could you imagine a general election between these two focus-grouped, moldable, say-anything-to-win loonies? They would end up running so far and so fast to the center, because that's what you're supposed to do between June and November, that they'd probably cross paths and you'd hear Romney calling for the repeal of the Bush tax cuts and Clinton demanding an amendment to ban gay marriage.
Free-thinking Democrats and free-thinking Republicans produced the presumptive nominees, and now these voters are being betrayed. Stick a flag pin on Barack, even though he'll look like a sell-out to our base! Tell McCain to stop calling reporters jerks, no matter how affectionately he means it! The only way to let these candidates be who they are, how to act in the way they got to the big stage, is to get rid of all their handlers. So what if Obama's personality doesn't appeal to the Rust Belt Reagan Democrats? So what if McCain makes jokes about attacking other countries to the tune of Beach Boys songs? Fire their whole campaign staffs, save a few in charge of scheduling and travel. Get rid of campaign commercials - all they are is noise to those who don't care and regurgitation to those who already know what's going on. Let them spend money only on essentials and traveling the country to meet voters. Rather than obliquely responding to a campaign's surrogate, the only people who may speak for John McCain and Barack Obama are, yes, John McCain and Barack Obama. You might not get the same volume of minutiae on the cable shows (but, but, but, I wanna hear Lindsay Graham responding to Evan Bayh responding to Joe Lieberman responding to Wes Clark!), but you'll get an intelligent, sane campaign with people knowing about the issues more than they know about the Obama campaign's faux-presidential seal.
My Metsies made it five in a row tonight. I find it interesting and slightly puzzling that the weekend series against the Rockies, usually a pedestrian outing against a team in some other division, is picked up regionally by Fox on Saturday and nationally by ESPN on Sunday.
Brother Jesse: Don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel about your candidate. All of us in Hymietown really want to know.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
And Stay Out
For those of you select few mouthbreeding morons who followed through on your promise to leave this great country in 2004 and are now threatening to return if Senator Obama is elected, just do the rest of us a favor and stay put.
This land doesn't need fair-weather citizens. Fair enough if you were one of the tens of millions of people that were outraged by the occurrence of Double Dubya, but that doesn't nearly constitute grounds for betraying your country. Your move was the maturity equivalent of storming out on your parents after years of love and care because they fell on hard times for a little while. How do you think they would feel if you returned once times were good again? Stay in Canada, England or Zimbabwe.
You see, one of the countless great things we have in this country is the frequent election. Although Bush was given a second chance, it quickly drowned in the floods of Katrina, got buried in the fallout from Harriet Miers and was bombed by the failings of the war in Iraq. Enter the midterm elections of November 2006, and the American people rightfully took the Congress away from him. He hasn't gotten what he's wanted as often since. See? If you waited two years, you would have watched a lame duck fall further into irrelevance right before your very eyes. Bottom line: You woulda lived.
I mentioned Zimbabwe earlier in this post with sarcasm. However, their sad truth of running an opposition candidate who the populace clearly wanted, then threatening voters to vote for Mugabe or die is something we have never seen in this country. THOSE could be considered grounds for abandoning ship.
This land doesn't need fair-weather citizens. Fair enough if you were one of the tens of millions of people that were outraged by the occurrence of Double Dubya, but that doesn't nearly constitute grounds for betraying your country. Your move was the maturity equivalent of storming out on your parents after years of love and care because they fell on hard times for a little while. How do you think they would feel if you returned once times were good again? Stay in Canada, England or Zimbabwe.
You see, one of the countless great things we have in this country is the frequent election. Although Bush was given a second chance, it quickly drowned in the floods of Katrina, got buried in the fallout from Harriet Miers and was bombed by the failings of the war in Iraq. Enter the midterm elections of November 2006, and the American people rightfully took the Congress away from him. He hasn't gotten what he's wanted as often since. See? If you waited two years, you would have watched a lame duck fall further into irrelevance right before your very eyes. Bottom line: You woulda lived.
I mentioned Zimbabwe earlier in this post with sarcasm. However, their sad truth of running an opposition candidate who the populace clearly wanted, then threatening voters to vote for Mugabe or die is something we have never seen in this country. THOSE could be considered grounds for abandoning ship.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Ronald Reagan? The actor? Then who's VICE-President, Jerry Lewis?
Not often (actually, this is probably the first time) do I say the phrase: Tragic news out of Hollywood today. However, a blaze at Universal Studios took from our society the set of the Hill Valley Clock Tower from Back to the Future. Now Marty McFly will never get back to 1985. That space-time continuum is such a darned stickler for the rules.
Viva Hillary in Puerto Rico today. Yet the Obamamaniacs are salivating for Tuesday night and/or Wednesday morning when the scarily untested Barack Obama is expected to reach the new magic number of 2118. My boy Big Fat Timmy Russert actually proclaimed: "This is so over!" Patience, Timmy, patience. Wait another month and I bet we'll learn that guest preacher Rev. Billy Sol Hargis declared Senator Clinton as Satan in an appearance at Trinity United Church, during which Senator Obama nodded in relieved agreement.
I remarked to my friend Angelina at lunch the other day that if the Democratic National Committee were a publicly traded company, shareholders would be calling for the board's heads. Yes, Senator Obama received the most delegates and is inspirational and transformative and sexy, but you are going to have a lot of angry little Appalachians on your hands soon, Howard Dean. The Republican Party has made it their business now two terms in a row to get a generally unsavory guy to propel themselves to victory. Why? Because they know it's their mission to win. Is that the mission of the Democrats? Doubtful at this point. Barack is getting killed in polls in Ohio and Florida, and those 47 swing electoral votes cannot be lost if you really want one of your own in the White House this January. Polls show Senator Obama getting whooped by Senator McCain in those states.
My bottom line advice to the DNC: If you want to nominate Obama, fine. But pull him aside and say, "Pick Hillary as your running mate, or we're nominating her instead." It's the party's only hope.
Also, if Senator McCain takes Mitt Romney as his running mate, I'm requesting a write-in ballot and voting Clinton.
Right, back to writing grad school papers.
Viva Hillary in Puerto Rico today. Yet the Obamamaniacs are salivating for Tuesday night and/or Wednesday morning when the scarily untested Barack Obama is expected to reach the new magic number of 2118. My boy Big Fat Timmy Russert actually proclaimed: "This is so over!" Patience, Timmy, patience. Wait another month and I bet we'll learn that guest preacher Rev. Billy Sol Hargis declared Senator Clinton as Satan in an appearance at Trinity United Church, during which Senator Obama nodded in relieved agreement.
I remarked to my friend Angelina at lunch the other day that if the Democratic National Committee were a publicly traded company, shareholders would be calling for the board's heads. Yes, Senator Obama received the most delegates and is inspirational and transformative and sexy, but you are going to have a lot of angry little Appalachians on your hands soon, Howard Dean. The Republican Party has made it their business now two terms in a row to get a generally unsavory guy to propel themselves to victory. Why? Because they know it's their mission to win. Is that the mission of the Democrats? Doubtful at this point. Barack is getting killed in polls in Ohio and Florida, and those 47 swing electoral votes cannot be lost if you really want one of your own in the White House this January. Polls show Senator Obama getting whooped by Senator McCain in those states.
My bottom line advice to the DNC: If you want to nominate Obama, fine. But pull him aside and say, "Pick Hillary as your running mate, or we're nominating her instead." It's the party's only hope.
Also, if Senator McCain takes Mitt Romney as his running mate, I'm requesting a write-in ballot and voting Clinton.
Right, back to writing grad school papers.
Friday, May 2, 2008
On Old Addresses New Again
With Texas superdelegate Jaime Gonzalez, Jr. endorsing my new goomah Hillary, this brings her RealClearPolitics delegate total to 1600. As in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Don't get me wrong. Senator McCain's still my guy. Much as I'm catching HRC fever right now, in November it'll be bros before hos.
In other news, tomorrow is the third leg of the New York City Half Marathon Grand Prix. I'll be plodding down the Coney Island Boardwalk while most of you are drifting your way through alcohol induced (yet R.E.M. free) sleep.
I graduate in...15 days. Wow.
Don't get me wrong. Senator McCain's still my guy. Much as I'm catching HRC fever right now, in November it'll be bros before hos.
In other news, tomorrow is the third leg of the New York City Half Marathon Grand Prix. I'll be plodding down the Coney Island Boardwalk while most of you are drifting your way through alcohol induced (yet R.E.M. free) sleep.
I graduate in...15 days. Wow.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Guess Who's Back
So I leave for a week and you people change the governor on me?
Next winter, the first time you hate your life for living in New York during December/January/February and, the most fickle of them all, March, do me a favor: Book a trip to Mexico. The sun, the beautiful sea, the food, the drinks, the women. Who goes home after that? As much as we all know I love my current events here, the chatter of the Caribbean Sea beats the chatter of Hillary Clinton any day. Seriously, send me back there. Just be ready to install a shuffleboard court and early-bird all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet in forty years for me.
Mere weeks ago, I was convinced I'd walk into the booth on November 4th not knowing which lever to pull. Thank you, Rev. Jeremiah Wright for saving me a few sleepless nights. The pastor is right about many things. The history of racism in this country is regrettable and unfortunately continues to this day in some form. I would be pretty outraged myself if my success were in some way influenced by deep-seated suspicions of my skin color by a discriminating few. A national conversation on race - once nobly attempted but feebly executed by former President Clinton - would provide great catharsis and bring us to Senator Obama's dream of transcending race.
However, Senator Obama and most people in the media miss the point about what has caused so much hurt. This story would have died rather quickly if Reverend Wright's sermons stuck to the topic of decrying racism and the need to rise above it. Even the most pigheaded of people who think racism no longer exists would likely not condemn Senator Obama for associating himself with this man. No, I am pretty sure the real reason we cannot look past this issue lies somewhere in one or all three of the following statements:
1) The chickens came home to roost on 9/11
2) The American government planted AIDS on black people
3) "God damn America"
These statements are so radical and hurtful that you cannot juxtapose them with the context of any great things the man has done. If you want to be President of the United States, do you not expect people to have reservations about your leadership based on the statements of your mentor and close friend? As Senator Clinton said today, you can't choose your family members, but you can choose your pastor. The only patriotic response to this whole situation is to immediately resign membership from this Church. I'm not even running for president, but if my pastor had said any of these statements, you can bet I'd be consulting the Diocese of Brooklyn directory as I got home.
There is such a thing as being too open-minded. I don't think this situation has proved Senator Obama to be unpatriotic (with his life story, anyone would love this country), but I do think it's shown him to be a little naive. What does this say of future dealings with world leaders with whom we do not have the best diplomatic relations? This situation raised doubts about a subject which I had previously been waving off like a mosquito: Experience. He has served just a half-term in the Senate, and that is really starting to rear its ugly head. Furthermore, I just got done with an elected official with a somewhat short prior public service record. And I voted for Spitzer. I refuse to make the same mistake again. Like them or not, at least with Senators Clinton and McCain's combined 131 years of life, there will not be very much room for surprise.
Obama's eloquent, moving speech last week re-proved his abilities as a communicator, healer, and uniter. Sadly for him, the job description of President is far more complex.
Next winter, the first time you hate your life for living in New York during December/January/February and, the most fickle of them all, March, do me a favor: Book a trip to Mexico. The sun, the beautiful sea, the food, the drinks, the women. Who goes home after that? As much as we all know I love my current events here, the chatter of the Caribbean Sea beats the chatter of Hillary Clinton any day. Seriously, send me back there. Just be ready to install a shuffleboard court and early-bird all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet in forty years for me.
Mere weeks ago, I was convinced I'd walk into the booth on November 4th not knowing which lever to pull. Thank you, Rev. Jeremiah Wright for saving me a few sleepless nights. The pastor is right about many things. The history of racism in this country is regrettable and unfortunately continues to this day in some form. I would be pretty outraged myself if my success were in some way influenced by deep-seated suspicions of my skin color by a discriminating few. A national conversation on race - once nobly attempted but feebly executed by former President Clinton - would provide great catharsis and bring us to Senator Obama's dream of transcending race.
However, Senator Obama and most people in the media miss the point about what has caused so much hurt. This story would have died rather quickly if Reverend Wright's sermons stuck to the topic of decrying racism and the need to rise above it. Even the most pigheaded of people who think racism no longer exists would likely not condemn Senator Obama for associating himself with this man. No, I am pretty sure the real reason we cannot look past this issue lies somewhere in one or all three of the following statements:
1) The chickens came home to roost on 9/11
2) The American government planted AIDS on black people
3) "God damn America"
These statements are so radical and hurtful that you cannot juxtapose them with the context of any great things the man has done. If you want to be President of the United States, do you not expect people to have reservations about your leadership based on the statements of your mentor and close friend? As Senator Clinton said today, you can't choose your family members, but you can choose your pastor. The only patriotic response to this whole situation is to immediately resign membership from this Church. I'm not even running for president, but if my pastor had said any of these statements, you can bet I'd be consulting the Diocese of Brooklyn directory as I got home.
There is such a thing as being too open-minded. I don't think this situation has proved Senator Obama to be unpatriotic (with his life story, anyone would love this country), but I do think it's shown him to be a little naive. What does this say of future dealings with world leaders with whom we do not have the best diplomatic relations? This situation raised doubts about a subject which I had previously been waving off like a mosquito: Experience. He has served just a half-term in the Senate, and that is really starting to rear its ugly head. Furthermore, I just got done with an elected official with a somewhat short prior public service record. And I voted for Spitzer. I refuse to make the same mistake again. Like them or not, at least with Senators Clinton and McCain's combined 131 years of life, there will not be very much room for surprise.
Obama's eloquent, moving speech last week re-proved his abilities as a communicator, healer, and uniter. Sadly for him, the job description of President is far more complex.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
And Then There Were Three
Before moving on to our painfully obvious top stories, first: A tribute to Governor Mike Huckabee. Mr. Huckabee ran an honorable, compassionate, shoe-string campaign. While I never thought he should be our next president, I do hope he remains heavily on the national stage. The man can crack a good joke, too. Late night talk show host, anyone?
Brownback, Tancredo, Hunter, Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, Paul, Huckabee. All these men vowed to be the second coming of Ronald Reagan. All were defeated decisively at the hands of Arizona Senator John McCain.
Barely registering double-digits in the fall, Senator McCain came storming back, seeming to pick up every single vote that then-front-runner Rudy Giuliani lost. Despite the lack of support from the party machine, ordinary Republican voters across the nation saw the Straight Talk Express as the means of transportation to arrive at a more united America then has existed these past seven years. A Republican that even a Democrat could love.
The moral of the GOP story is that it doesn't matter how much you pander to your "base" - your best strategy is to tell it like it is and stand firmly behind your record, no matter how controversial.
In the blue column, could this be the first time Saturday Night Live has been relevant in at least fifteen years? Appearing jovial and relaxed for once, Senator Hillary Clinton reminded the nation that ain't no party like a Clinton party 'cause a Clinton party don't stop. She finally had her audience with young people. While I haven't seen exit polls breaking down age this evening, I'm sure the aura surrounding her SNL appearance definitely did not hurt.
I will go on record now and say something bold and, well, unlike me. One of three senators will be elected president on November 4th. Any of these three - yes, any of these three - would put us in a better place than we are now. No matter which candidate wins the yet to be determined Texas (at 12:39AM EST, people are still waiting to caucus due to record-shattering turnout), the real winners tonight are the people of the United States of America.
Brownback, Tancredo, Hunter, Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, Paul, Huckabee. All these men vowed to be the second coming of Ronald Reagan. All were defeated decisively at the hands of Arizona Senator John McCain.
Barely registering double-digits in the fall, Senator McCain came storming back, seeming to pick up every single vote that then-front-runner Rudy Giuliani lost. Despite the lack of support from the party machine, ordinary Republican voters across the nation saw the Straight Talk Express as the means of transportation to arrive at a more united America then has existed these past seven years. A Republican that even a Democrat could love.
The moral of the GOP story is that it doesn't matter how much you pander to your "base" - your best strategy is to tell it like it is and stand firmly behind your record, no matter how controversial.
In the blue column, could this be the first time Saturday Night Live has been relevant in at least fifteen years? Appearing jovial and relaxed for once, Senator Hillary Clinton reminded the nation that ain't no party like a Clinton party 'cause a Clinton party don't stop. She finally had her audience with young people. While I haven't seen exit polls breaking down age this evening, I'm sure the aura surrounding her SNL appearance definitely did not hurt.
I will go on record now and say something bold and, well, unlike me. One of three senators will be elected president on November 4th. Any of these three - yes, any of these three - would put us in a better place than we are now. No matter which candidate wins the yet to be determined Texas (at 12:39AM EST, people are still waiting to caucus due to record-shattering turnout), the real winners tonight are the people of the United States of America.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Meet the Angry
Every once in a while a person comes along who captures my intrigue and amusement. Why Tim Russert? Let me sum it up for you: If you go into his Sunday morning kingdom, touting your impressive record of integrity upon which the American populace can hang their hats, he will point to the screen and up will pop the quote, "Yes, Mommy, I finished all my homework," when in fact, mere moments after your bold statement fifty years ago, your mother pointed to the undone question #4 of your second grade math homework.
The Road to the White House contains a one hour red stoplight at Nebraska Avenue NW in the Washington Bureau of NBC News. Flip-flop or contradict yourself in front of Angry Timmy, and you couldn't get elected dog catcher of your hometown. Refuse to appear on Meet the Press, and anybody who's anybody will bristle at your cowardice.
Why wait until now to dedicate this post to His Adamance, when I've been watching his show ever since the infamous interview that put him on the map: "Rabbi Christ, you poured wine into this cup, and moments later, without pouring anything out or anything else in, the exact same cup was said to contain blood. How do you explain that?" The reason for this tribute, my friends, is given in the opening moments of Democratic Debate XX on MSNBC this past Tuesday night in Ohio, as pretty boy Brian Williams introduced his moderating partner. The very next face on camera was the crazed glare of a fat man whose pork chop was just stolen and who had just been spat at in the face by the miserable thief (see the top of this post). SMILE, for crying out loud, Timmy! Or at least give a curt nod. Hillary didn't even lie to your face yet! I came close to wetting my pants in the midst of my laughter at this display.
The Buffalo, NY native's ensuing performance was excellent. Refusing to change the topic about public financing in a McCain-Obama matchup, he basically got Barack to admit he might break his own word. Pressing Senator Clinton about why she hasn't released the records of her activity as First Lady - to shed some light on her "35 years of experience" - led her to sound foolish as she blurted, "Well I'm a little busy right now!"
His coup de grace of the night, however, came during a follow-up question about Iraq, before which both candidates said upon taking office they would begin withdrawing troops immediately and then keep behind residual forces to maintain peace. In a hypothetical situation as the voice of the Iraqi government, he portrayed that nation's leaders expressing dismay at our rapid withdrawal yet willingness to keep some men behind by raging, "No! Get out! Get. Out. Now." I promptly hid under the covers.
Getting back to my point about his interviews with candidates. In mine and a good friend of mine's opinions, Ron Paul's campaign truly ended on December 23, 2007 solely at the hands of Mr. Russert. Backing Mr. Paul into a corner about the difference between his earmarking philosophy and non-corresponding actions, he, as he is wont to do, made the Republican Congressman from Texas sound like a babbling Alzheimer's patient. See for yourself in the video below, from 6:17 to 8:55
If it's Sunday, it's Meet Your Death. Go Bills!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Where You Goin', Hillary?
YOU GOIN' NOWHERE
You can have all the national conventions you want in August until the cows come home. The fight for the Democratic nomination ended on February 12, 2008.
Among women in Virginia:
Obama 59%
Among senior citizens:
Obama 52%
Among low-income people:
Obama: 50%
Among white men:
Obama: 58%
Among whites overall:
Obama: 50%
That, my friends, is what I call cutting into some Clinton constituencies. And, most importantly, that shows that white people will come out for Obama, despite what Clinton fans might want you to believe.
You can have all the national conventions you want in August until the cows come home. The fight for the Democratic nomination ended on February 12, 2008.
Among women in Virginia:
Obama 59%
Among senior citizens:
Obama 52%
Among low-income people:
Obama: 50%
Among white men:
Obama: 58%
Among whites overall:
Obama: 50%
That, my friends, is what I call cutting into some Clinton constituencies. And, most importantly, that shows that white people will come out for Obama, despite what Clinton fans might want you to believe.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Just In Case You Were Wondering...
Projections are in for the Washington and Nebraska caucusii. Natch, you know who won since Caucus is Senator Obama's REAL middle name.
Some people think it's a little odd that he's swept almost every caucus except for Nevada and American Samoa (yeah, they get delegates to the party convention, but no electoral votes). I think the answer is quite clear if you think about it. What's less weird, shouting "YES WE CAN!" while standing in a group of your friends and neighbors, or sounding like a raving lunatic yelling the same by yourself behind a curtain?
Tomorrow's the Bronx Half-Marathon, which is why I'm blogging rather than partying on a Saturday evening. 'Ish me luck.
Some people think it's a little odd that he's swept almost every caucus except for Nevada and American Samoa (yeah, they get delegates to the party convention, but no electoral votes). I think the answer is quite clear if you think about it. What's less weird, shouting "YES WE CAN!" while standing in a group of your friends and neighbors, or sounding like a raving lunatic yelling the same by yourself behind a curtain?
Tomorrow's the Bronx Half-Marathon, which is why I'm blogging rather than partying on a Saturday evening. 'Ish me luck.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Mitt Leaves Himself Open to Another Flip-Flop
He's suspending his campaign? What, if every single Republican in next Tuesday's Potomac Primary decides to show him some sympathy, he'll be semi-back in contention and pollute our airwaves again with his phony aw-shucks oration? As Warner Wolf would say: C'maawwn! If you had Mitt Romney plus 440 delegates, you lost!"
In all seriousness, I know he's not stupid enough to try to get back in at some point, but it's just another example of how much he resists just telling it like it is. He didn't drop out of the race, he "suspended" his campaign. Just like as governor of Massachusetts, he didn't raise taxes, he increased "fees." I guess he has never taken a ride on the Straight Talk Express. As Senator McCain mentioned in one of the recent debates, I don't care if you call them bananas, people still had to pay more money.
My disapproval of Romney wasn't about his positions - which, as Mike Huckabee said in one of the best lines of this campaign season, which ones? I never knew for what he stood, and feared above all else his pandering to the base that brought us eight years of George W. Bush - who, while better than his 2004 opponent, definitely could have been unseated within his own party if it were not for Rovian politics. Bush sold his soul to the bastards, and so probably would Romney. I smiled when I heard Rush Limbaugh proclaim that McCain would destroy the party, and jumped for joy when Ann Coulter said she would campaign for Hillary Clinton if it meant John McCain was the alternative. The opinions of those two alone are enough for any sane (liberal/moderate) Republican to plant a John McCain sign in his or her lawn.
One nice thing I do have to say about Romney, though, is that he finally showed a moment of genuineness today. He admitted, the business man he is, that it is time to cut his losses. He acknowledged that staying in a race that he had no chance of winning would forestall the inevitable McCain general election campaign and thus weaken it. Like a good business man, he sacrificed the interests of the CEO for the sake of the shareholders. Maybe if he had run as a moderate Republican with a weak social conservative record but strongly qualified to run an economy, instead of running as what he is not, he would have been addressing C-PAC as the presumptive nominee today. Instead he stood there as a cheerleader for America, hoping someone else can get the job done.
In all seriousness, I know he's not stupid enough to try to get back in at some point, but it's just another example of how much he resists just telling it like it is. He didn't drop out of the race, he "suspended" his campaign. Just like as governor of Massachusetts, he didn't raise taxes, he increased "fees." I guess he has never taken a ride on the Straight Talk Express. As Senator McCain mentioned in one of the recent debates, I don't care if you call them bananas, people still had to pay more money.
My disapproval of Romney wasn't about his positions - which, as Mike Huckabee said in one of the best lines of this campaign season, which ones? I never knew for what he stood, and feared above all else his pandering to the base that brought us eight years of George W. Bush - who, while better than his 2004 opponent, definitely could have been unseated within his own party if it were not for Rovian politics. Bush sold his soul to the bastards, and so probably would Romney. I smiled when I heard Rush Limbaugh proclaim that McCain would destroy the party, and jumped for joy when Ann Coulter said she would campaign for Hillary Clinton if it meant John McCain was the alternative. The opinions of those two alone are enough for any sane (liberal/moderate) Republican to plant a John McCain sign in his or her lawn.
One nice thing I do have to say about Romney, though, is that he finally showed a moment of genuineness today. He admitted, the business man he is, that it is time to cut his losses. He acknowledged that staying in a race that he had no chance of winning would forestall the inevitable McCain general election campaign and thus weaken it. Like a good business man, he sacrificed the interests of the CEO for the sake of the shareholders. Maybe if he had run as a moderate Republican with a weak social conservative record but strongly qualified to run an economy, instead of running as what he is not, he would have been addressing C-PAC as the presumptive nominee today. Instead he stood there as a cheerleader for America, hoping someone else can get the job done.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Friday Tidbits
It's official: The Mets are once again the team to beat in the National League. Vegas actually improved their odds of winning the World Series from 8-1 to 5-1, somewhere between the Red Sox and Yankees.
In other news, I watched the whole thing. I can't believe I watched the whole damn thing. What I was hoping would be a slugfest, ending with Obama pummeling Clinton with left hooks while Michelle and Chelsea tumbled down the stairs of the Kodak theater on top of each other, actually proved civil and even pretty inspirational. And fine, fine, I think an Obama/Clinton ticket would probably be pretty positive, but as Barack said, that combination is much different when flipped around.
The following, according to "Don Corleone" on the Imus in the Morning Program the other day, is the reason why his "godson" Rudy lost in the Sunshine State:
In Florida, there are too many old people. They take sides based on what they have heard last. Rudy speaks to them and they nod as they drool in their oatmeal. They swear their loyalty and respect and then as soon as he leaves their sight they turn to one another and say, "Who was that? Where am I? When is Bingo?" I thought I made them an offer they couldn't refuse, but instead it was an offer they couldn't remember.
In other news, I watched the whole thing. I can't believe I watched the whole damn thing. What I was hoping would be a slugfest, ending with Obama pummeling Clinton with left hooks while Michelle and Chelsea tumbled down the stairs of the Kodak theater on top of each other, actually proved civil and even pretty inspirational. And fine, fine, I think an Obama/Clinton ticket would probably be pretty positive, but as Barack said, that combination is much different when flipped around.
The following, according to "Don Corleone" on the Imus in the Morning Program the other day, is the reason why his "godson" Rudy lost in the Sunshine State:
In Florida, there are too many old people. They take sides based on what they have heard last. Rudy speaks to them and they nod as they drool in their oatmeal. They swear their loyalty and respect and then as soon as he leaves their sight they turn to one another and say, "Who was that? Where am I? When is Bingo?" I thought I made them an offer they couldn't refuse, but instead it was an offer they couldn't remember.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
And Then There Were Six
Yesterday, oh man, just a bittersweet day I guess. On the bright side, John Wayne McCain can kinda just take a nap until the Democrats figure out their situation. But, ahh, Rudy! I could go on for a while about how I felt after Florida, but I think Opera Man could sum it up best for me if he were to update his Concert for New York classic, 2008 style. Something felt lacking during the debate last night, and it would have been a nice touch if they hung up a picture of Giuliani behind the desk. Like you would do in your living room for a recently deceased relative.
As for John Edwards dropping out before Fight Night, well, he'll definitely be doing this evening's CNN's ratings a favor. If he stayed in, tonight would have been tantamount to Butterbean hanging out inside the ring during Ali vs. Frazier. I think the over/under for the first attack on Bill Clinton remark or that the next president should be ready "on Day One" is about two and a half minutes. But let's hope the newest chapter of Hilbama is a little more original.
This morning I heard on Fox News that some political rating agency lists Senator Obama as having the most liberal Senate voting record in 2007, with Clinton coming in at around sixteen or so. What struck me about this is that you will probably hear neither brag about such a statistic, while if any of the Republicans were rated the most conservative in his job, it would be his newest campaign slogan. And you know what? The impact on this race would have been ZILCH. The Republicans are under the baffling assumption that the eventual nominee must be whoever appeals the most to the party's "conservative base." If that were actually true, then Fred Thompson would be sitting very pretty right now. I don't claim to know actual statistics on this, but the proportion of true conservatives to all of those who actually vote in primaries is probably no more significant than any other group, and surely, there must be many "lefty" Republicans like me that don't believe in supply-side economics or burning gays.
Before I go, one comment about my news habits since some of you actually believe that Fox News is the Republican Al-Jazeera. From a pure news standpoint, Fox has no political bias. I just happen to think that Brit Hume and Shepherd Smith are much more tolerable than Wolf Blitzer. This bias assumption likely stems from the fact that FNC's highest rated programs lean right. Take Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity out of the equation (not to mention Hannity's liberal co-host Alan Colmes) and FNC is actually fair and balanced, with no conservative bias. Just like without Andersoon Cooper and Larry King, CNN would have no homoerotic or decrepitly incompetent bias.
As for John Edwards dropping out before Fight Night, well, he'll definitely be doing this evening's CNN's ratings a favor. If he stayed in, tonight would have been tantamount to Butterbean hanging out inside the ring during Ali vs. Frazier. I think the over/under for the first attack on Bill Clinton remark or that the next president should be ready "on Day One" is about two and a half minutes. But let's hope the newest chapter of Hilbama is a little more original.
This morning I heard on Fox News that some political rating agency lists Senator Obama as having the most liberal Senate voting record in 2007, with Clinton coming in at around sixteen or so. What struck me about this is that you will probably hear neither brag about such a statistic, while if any of the Republicans were rated the most conservative in his job, it would be his newest campaign slogan. And you know what? The impact on this race would have been ZILCH. The Republicans are under the baffling assumption that the eventual nominee must be whoever appeals the most to the party's "conservative base." If that were actually true, then Fred Thompson would be sitting very pretty right now. I don't claim to know actual statistics on this, but the proportion of true conservatives to all of those who actually vote in primaries is probably no more significant than any other group, and surely, there must be many "lefty" Republicans like me that don't believe in supply-side economics or burning gays.
Before I go, one comment about my news habits since some of you actually believe that Fox News is the Republican Al-Jazeera. From a pure news standpoint, Fox has no political bias. I just happen to think that Brit Hume and Shepherd Smith are much more tolerable than Wolf Blitzer. This bias assumption likely stems from the fact that FNC's highest rated programs lean right. Take Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity out of the equation (not to mention Hannity's liberal co-host Alan Colmes) and FNC is actually fair and balanced, with no conservative bias. Just like without Andersoon Cooper and Larry King, CNN would have no homoerotic or decrepitly incompetent bias.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Just a Thought
Because of some dirty players in the Clinton campaign and just plain blind ignorance of Islamo-phobes across the nation, Senator Obama should give a talk entitled, "I'm Not A Muslim, Not That There's Anything Wrong With That."
I mean, it worked for Mike Piazza, right?
I mean, it worked for Mike Piazza, right?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Oompa Loompa, Doopity Dossum: Fred Is Now Gone, That's Totally Awesome
Man, do I love politics.
First off, I think my last post about whom I was endorsing was this blog taking itself too seriously. C'mon, who the hell do I think I am, the venerable Bob Schieffer? Now there's a man who could endorse a ham sandwich for president and make everyone say, "Wow, Boar's Head never looked so sensible until now."
Also, I'm faced with conceding here (for the very first time!) that the November victory speech will probably not contain the words, "If you thought running for president was hard, try living through 9/11! Oh, wait, right - I'm elected now, I can finally admit that the calendar has 364 other days."
Strangely, I'm not very upset over my man Rudy going down. He actually sort of deserves it, because I've been getting pissed off lately that he's commercialized that day to the point that Christmas looks sacred and private by comparison. Seriously, 'Dolph, I've been saying all along: All you had to do was hold up before and after charts at your stump speeches. New York City crime pre-Rudy, New York City crime post-Rudy. Choking deficit in the early 90s, golden surplus in time for the new millennium. You could have reminded them all of the well-known saying from before 9/11 - that being mayor of New York is the second hardest government job in the country. Call me next time you run for something man, although Rasmussen just informed me that the corpse of Richard Nixon leads you in the polls for dog catcher.
I'm now throwing my heft behind the Maverick, the War Hero, the Stud That Kissed All the Girls and Made Them Cry: Senator John Sidney McCain III. And I can't wait until the inevitable day that he takes an big old man dump on Glove Romney and sends him back to Michigan, or Massachusetts, or, uhh...wait, I think he just changed his position again on which state is best.
And don't tell me that 71 is too old to be elected president. Warren Buffet, 76, is still in complete command of the strongest company in our nation.
This just in: Last night's edition of WWE Monday Night Raw was eked out by CNN's Democratic Debate as the trashiest main event of the night. Seriously! The only trick that Hillary didn't pull was after one of Obama's retorts, raising her arm to emphasize a point and then wailing, "WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO PICK ON ME?!" As Mr. Imus said this morning, the Clintons would poison a municipal water system if it meant winning an election.
The odds in Vegas right now probably point towards a Clinton/McCain big dance in November. Call me crazy, but I have a dream scenario. Follow my math here. John McCain, while most of his support comes from the Republicans, is well-liked by many Democrats, right? Barack Obama, with his message of hope and unity, complimenting politicians on both sides of the aisle and looking like a refreshing break from the "politics of personal destruction" is building some cross-party appeal, right? Then what better way to get an Upper West Side writer and a Texas cattle rancher to join hands and sing Kumbaya than to put forth the perfect unity ticket. It would eliminate a lot of the divisions in our great nation, and, more importantly, put an everlasting boulder in the Clintons' craw.
Happy electioning, everybody.
P.S. McBama '08!
First off, I think my last post about whom I was endorsing was this blog taking itself too seriously. C'mon, who the hell do I think I am, the venerable Bob Schieffer? Now there's a man who could endorse a ham sandwich for president and make everyone say, "Wow, Boar's Head never looked so sensible until now."
Also, I'm faced with conceding here (for the very first time!) that the November victory speech will probably not contain the words, "If you thought running for president was hard, try living through 9/11! Oh, wait, right - I'm elected now, I can finally admit that the calendar has 364 other days."
Strangely, I'm not very upset over my man Rudy going down. He actually sort of deserves it, because I've been getting pissed off lately that he's commercialized that day to the point that Christmas looks sacred and private by comparison. Seriously, 'Dolph, I've been saying all along: All you had to do was hold up before and after charts at your stump speeches. New York City crime pre-Rudy, New York City crime post-Rudy. Choking deficit in the early 90s, golden surplus in time for the new millennium. You could have reminded them all of the well-known saying from before 9/11 - that being mayor of New York is the second hardest government job in the country. Call me next time you run for something man, although Rasmussen just informed me that the corpse of Richard Nixon leads you in the polls for dog catcher.
I'm now throwing my heft behind the Maverick, the War Hero, the Stud That Kissed All the Girls and Made Them Cry: Senator John Sidney McCain III. And I can't wait until the inevitable day that he takes an big old man dump on Glove Romney and sends him back to Michigan, or Massachusetts, or, uhh...wait, I think he just changed his position again on which state is best.
And don't tell me that 71 is too old to be elected president. Warren Buffet, 76, is still in complete command of the strongest company in our nation.
This just in: Last night's edition of WWE Monday Night Raw was eked out by CNN's Democratic Debate as the trashiest main event of the night. Seriously! The only trick that Hillary didn't pull was after one of Obama's retorts, raising her arm to emphasize a point and then wailing, "WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO PICK ON ME?!" As Mr. Imus said this morning, the Clintons would poison a municipal water system if it meant winning an election.
The odds in Vegas right now probably point towards a Clinton/McCain big dance in November. Call me crazy, but I have a dream scenario. Follow my math here. John McCain, while most of his support comes from the Republicans, is well-liked by many Democrats, right? Barack Obama, with his message of hope and unity, complimenting politicians on both sides of the aisle and looking like a refreshing break from the "politics of personal destruction" is building some cross-party appeal, right? Then what better way to get an Upper West Side writer and a Texas cattle rancher to join hands and sing Kumbaya than to put forth the perfect unity ticket. It would eliminate a lot of the divisions in our great nation, and, more importantly, put an everlasting boulder in the Clintons' craw.
Happy electioning, everybody.
P.S. McBama '08!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Awesomeness on a Stick Endorses Barack H. Obama for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, Rudolph W. Giuliani for the Republicans
I will address the latter gentleman first. While he was the mayor of my city, I loved the job he was doing during his first 92 months in office; I just about worshiped him in the final four. For examples of how New York City existed just prior to his mayoralty, see the examples he presents in the introduction to his book Leadership. A majority of New Yorkers, according to polls, would have moved out if they could. There were more than 2000+ murders per year, you could find few places that were completely safe after dark, and the city economy was stagnant at best. On the day prior to the worst day in our city's history, the overhaul of the city's crime, economy, and its agencies overall could not be any clearer. It was the mark of a municipal government that saw what had to be done and did it very well. In retrospect, you could very accurately state that we all took this for granted. In two months we would elect a new mayor, look at what the current mayor did as more favorable than not, yet have some reservations about calling him great because of his recent infidelities and iffy race relations.
The next day everything changed, and in our darkest moment, we held on to his every word for the truth, hope, and any possible shred of consolation we could find. However, this "we" grew from eight million to a quarter of a billion. America's Mayor showed tremendous strength, perseverance, and sensitivity - in a nutshell: leadership. Before and after 9/11, Rudolph W. Giuliani owned and displayed this adjective in great measure. Here's hoping that he can clean up some of the mess in the Federal government the way he restructured our city's.
Other acceptable candidates: John McCain, Ron Paul. Unacceptable for reasons I won't get into unless one of them wins the nomination: Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.
As for Senator Obama, I could not do his history the same justice I've done Giuliani's. What I do know is that he is highly intelligent, both in the intellectual sense and in that he seems to really "get it." He also disdains the roadblocks of the establishment. I heard him on the radio today saying that he would put Republicans in his cabinet. This is something that our current president has failed to do (cross party lines, of course - he has plenty of Republicans in his cabinet), and party relations are the worse for it. Did anyone see the series finale of The West Wing, when Jimmy Smits' Democratic character was being inaugurated? He chose his opponent, Alan Alda's Republican Senator Vinick, as his Secretary of State. Democrats might decry the "audacity" of a President Obama inserting members of the opposing party in his Cabinet, but I "hope" he would ignore them.
The other day, Bill Clinton told Charlie Rose that electing Mr. Obama might be "a roll of the dice." This is incorrect, and Clinton assumes that the type of experience his wife holds is eminently important. Her experience as senator of New York has produced blunders such as riding the tide of sentiment of Governor Spitzer and his opinions about issuing illegal aliens drivers' licenses. Her experience has led to others basically owning her stances. Senator Obama can successfully fill the role of president by selecting advisors and officials with experience in relevant fields, and he seems to possess the intelligence to place trust in the right people and in the right decisions. We would also recoup some of our global influence by electing a president who listens.
Unfortunately the only other candidate I like in the Democratic Party is Senator Joe Biden, and he has basically no chance. A Giuliani (or even McCain) versus Obama election would be an exciting race that would wipe the horrible taste of Bush/Kerry out of America's mouth.
OK, back to studying for my last final exam. Then I start graduate school two weeks from tonight. Excited beyond belief. Merry Christmas, everyone.
The next day everything changed, and in our darkest moment, we held on to his every word for the truth, hope, and any possible shred of consolation we could find. However, this "we" grew from eight million to a quarter of a billion. America's Mayor showed tremendous strength, perseverance, and sensitivity - in a nutshell: leadership. Before and after 9/11, Rudolph W. Giuliani owned and displayed this adjective in great measure. Here's hoping that he can clean up some of the mess in the Federal government the way he restructured our city's.
Other acceptable candidates: John McCain, Ron Paul. Unacceptable for reasons I won't get into unless one of them wins the nomination: Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney.
As for Senator Obama, I could not do his history the same justice I've done Giuliani's. What I do know is that he is highly intelligent, both in the intellectual sense and in that he seems to really "get it." He also disdains the roadblocks of the establishment. I heard him on the radio today saying that he would put Republicans in his cabinet. This is something that our current president has failed to do (cross party lines, of course - he has plenty of Republicans in his cabinet), and party relations are the worse for it. Did anyone see the series finale of The West Wing, when Jimmy Smits' Democratic character was being inaugurated? He chose his opponent, Alan Alda's Republican Senator Vinick, as his Secretary of State. Democrats might decry the "audacity" of a President Obama inserting members of the opposing party in his Cabinet, but I "hope" he would ignore them.
The other day, Bill Clinton told Charlie Rose that electing Mr. Obama might be "a roll of the dice." This is incorrect, and Clinton assumes that the type of experience his wife holds is eminently important. Her experience as senator of New York has produced blunders such as riding the tide of sentiment of Governor Spitzer and his opinions about issuing illegal aliens drivers' licenses. Her experience has led to others basically owning her stances. Senator Obama can successfully fill the role of president by selecting advisors and officials with experience in relevant fields, and he seems to possess the intelligence to place trust in the right people and in the right decisions. We would also recoup some of our global influence by electing a president who listens.
Unfortunately the only other candidate I like in the Democratic Party is Senator Joe Biden, and he has basically no chance. A Giuliani (or even McCain) versus Obama election would be an exciting race that would wipe the horrible taste of Bush/Kerry out of America's mouth.
OK, back to studying for my last final exam. Then I start graduate school two weeks from tonight. Excited beyond belief. Merry Christmas, everyone.
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