I'm Mad As Hell, But I'm Still Gonna Fake It.

The fever pitch of this campaign is almost alarming. Any day now I’m expecting riots to break out between followers of the two opposing sides. And I’m just talking about MSNBC and Fox. I can’t watch Lou Dobbs anymore, I’m sure he is going to have a stroke live on the air. He has become the Peter Finch character from the movie Network. "Im mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore." He gets so worked up that he constantly interrupts his guests. What has Lou so positively frustrated is he can’t understand why no leader can fix our problems. What Lou doesn’t understand is that our leaders don’t work for us. They work for the people who own this country, the very wealthiest Americans. I’m not talking about every day, garden variety millionaires. I’m talking about families that have inherited and passed on great fortunes for the last one hundred years. “ The super rich, the less than 1 percent of the population who own the lion's share of the nation's wealth, go uncounted in most income distribution reports.” Say’s commondreams.org. For these people the nation is being run perfectly. If Lou could only understand this, he wouldn’t be so perplexed

A Perfect Storm

It would appear that a perfect storm has ascended on the political landscape, a storm that very much favors Obama and the Democrats. The credit crisis could not have hit at a worse time for the prisoner of war, John McCain. And as if the ageing boy President wasn’t unpopular enough, this final embarrassment has got to be the last nail in his reputations coffin. But does W he even care? He probably doesn’t want McCain to win anyway. In four years maybe Jeb will be ready. And America’s financial institutions are in turmoil, but so what? We are the richest country in the world and we will survive. Not only did he give the rich a huge windfall these last eight years, he tops it all off with a 200 billion dollar giveaway. Team Bush may be handing the presidency and the Congress to the Democrats, but the country is bankrupt so who cares? The Reagan Revolution has come full circle, but Alan Greenspan is shocked and confused.

Beyond the Palin

I said the Republicans would get nasty and crazy, and that was before I knew who Sara Palin was.
Will John McCain go down in history as the man who lost the presidency and the Congress for the Republicans? Or will he be remembered more for introducing America’s newest pop-up politician, Governor Palin?
So what if she doesn’t read the New York Times and the Washington Post. She’s gone from Alaskan beauty queen to vice presidential nominee of a major political party, what have you done lately?
You might think that the folks who brought you Ronald Reagan and W. would love to get their hands on her strings, except that she’s already damaged goods. At first perceived as an inspired choice, she has become yet another albatross round the neck of the sinking prisoner of war. By the way, did anyone else think the “my fellow prisoners” slip was beyond the pall? Obviously many of his red meat fans are rabid, but is McCain himself a psycho? W. at times seemed particularly unhinged, and that didn’t keep him out of the family White House.
And as if this election weren’t exciting enough, we now find ourselves riveted to the global economic meltdown.
I find it suspicious that after eight years of refinancing the wealthiest Americans, the government is now pouring billions more into their banks and brokerage houses. Is there nothing that we won’t do for the people who own this country? And while the very wealthy retreat behind their compound gates, the Democrats are handed the Presidency and both houses of Congress. But what will they be able to accomplish with no money left?

Here We Go Again, The Bill And Hill Show

The Clinton's just can't seem to be able to face reality and realize that Bill is no longer the smartest politician in America. That distinction belongs, of coarse, to Sen Barack Obama. The new wrinkle comes as Hillary is making sounds to let supporters inter her name at the convention. Their idea is after Florida and Michigan are reinstated, they would need to take maybe a hundred votes away from Barack's supporters.
There are two theory's here. One is that they can actually take the nomination away from the young rock star. Or two, they can cause him to lose, setting up Hillary's chance in four years. Both these ideas are utterly prosperous. First of all, yes its true that Hill has some very faithfully delegates. But if delegates are going to be jumping to another candidate, it will be to Barark, not away. And as for the second scenario, the democratic party is deeply in love with its new star. Ted Kennedy, and Bill Richardson, both close friends of President Clinton did not endorse Barack to snub Bill. They enthusiastically jumped on the Barack bandwagon because they see him as the future of the party. If by some chance the Clinton's blow Sen Obamas chance at the White House their names will be mud in the party for years. There is a third strategy that strikes me as much more likely. And that is the Clinton's are playing hardball trying to get Hill on the ticket. That makes a lot more sense, doesn't it? I have been impressed with Sen Clinton this whole campaign. I actually like her. Her husband is the one that I find irritating and spoiled. Barack is never going to let that man into his circle. Could you imagine the ego clashes, not to mention the bimbo eruptions? Listen, this is all just good old fashion politics. Bill is trying he's damnedest to get Hillary in the white house, but it's ain't going to happen. And in the end the Clinton's will fall in line. There will be no convention fight over the nomination. We have all been reading about the growing importance of the Hispanic vote. Unless the Obama camp is certain it's going to get all that vote, the most likely VP pick would be Bill Richardson of New Mexico. He's not just well liked. He has a ton of experience in the White House and he is a Governor. And that would fit very well with Obama being a Senator.

First Citizen Gore

Back in the early days of our republic, the fonding fathers were more like gentleman politicians than professional ones. They thought it was unseemly to run for office and preferred to be above ambition, to be called by the people.
Left leaning Democrats complain about Sen Obama's inevitable move to the center. But former Vice President Gore doesn't have to compromise. He is not running for office and so doesn't have to cattier to corporate interests. He can call it as he sees it. He seems to relish his new found respect as a leader above the fray. Bill Clinton should have been in a similar position except he was running for office through his wife.
He has been a sore loser, grumpy and childish and has tarnished the reverence given to former Presidents.

Whomever the next president is, it's obvious that Al Gore should be the next energy Czar.
However Gore says he's not interested and can do more in the private sector. He may be right.
He is absolutely right that we need to marshal all our resources on solving global warming.
The other major change America needs to make is to stand down as the worlds superpower.
The money we spend on the military would go a long way to solving problems here at home. But that is something that no politician is willing to take on. That's how you get yourself killed, just ask JFK.

Hope Springs Audaciously

Today's NY Times has an opinion piece by Thomas Schaller about The hopelessness of Senator Barack winning in the south. He says " Even if unprecedented numbers of black voters turn out to vote for him, the white vote will serve as a formidable counterbalance. Mr. Obama should not hope to capture states in the country’s most racially polarized region". Barack should not hope? I guess he doesn't know that Obama's biography was called The Audacity of Hope. Schaller states that even if 95 percent of the blacks vote for the Senator he will need to capture more whites than Kerry did.
95 percent? First of, it's going to be more like 99, or even 100 percent. Even Colin Powell is going to come out for him.
And second Sen Barack is going to win much more of the white vote than John Kerry. Was Kerry perceived as a rock star the way Obama is? No!
Did Kerry raise more money than any candidate in the history of America? No! Did Kerry bring in more young people to register for the first time? You get my point. Recent poll's show McCain and Obama neck in neck. I just don't see it. In CA Sen B. is 18 points ahead of the little POW. That, I think, is a correct poll. And a true predictor of what is to come in the fall.
Obama is making inroads everywhere. He is going to capture a significant portion of the Evangelicals. The first time a Democrat has done that since Jimmy Carter.

The reason Evangelicals and former Republican Secretary of State are deserting the party is over their shock and horror at what the boy President and his devious VP have done to America, and it's reputation in the world.
In the nineteen sixties Lyndon Johnson pushed civil rights down the throat of the south. Afterword Johnson said, "well we've just lost the south for a long time to come". That's not a direct quote, it's from memory. And of coarse, he was right. Ever since, for the Dem's to win, they have had to run a Southerner.
However now there is a new alignment coming. The Republicans are losing people by the droves.
The Spanish population for one, who once flirted with Spanish speaking Republicans like FL Governor Jeb Bush are horrified at the fence around America that politicians are promising to build. They are going to vote for Barack Obama, especially when his VP turns out to be the popular Gov. of New Mexico, Bill Richardson. You heard it hear first!

Sexy First Lady

This is obviously going to be a good year for the Democratic party. They are already out there blasting McCain. John Kerry called the Senator "confused".
That's a great word to use in reference to little John, because it points up his advanced age. Look for other Dem's to use the same word in an effort to brand McCain.
Maureen Dowd in her Op Ed column today says the Republicans are going to go all out to vilify Michelle Obama. There is two parts to their strategy. The one is to try to scare the dumber amongst us. And the other is to get her to lose her cool.
No doubt she is undergoing intense training to keep that from happening. Personally, I can't wait for the two of them to move in to the White House. She will most certainly be the sexiest first lady ever. Jackie O had a great sense of style and all, but she was never sexy. Michelle on the other hand is most sensual.
In pictures of the two it really does look like a return to Camelot. I just wish the press would stop calling it a Black Camelot.
Poor Bill Clinton must be just beside himself.

History

This has been an historical primary campaign. Who could have predicted that Barack Obama would take the nomination from the former first lady?
What has been most interesting is how much excitement Barack generates. He is more like a rock star than a politician. That's why he is often compared to the Kennedy's, both Jack and Bobby. Women faint at his gatherings. And as he generates excitement, he stimulates people to get involved. His ability to bring in cash contributions at the grass roots level is astounding. His appeal has brought in many young, college-age voters participating in the democratic process for the first time.

This has been a heated campaign. The rivalry with Senator Clinton has been intense and sometimes nasty. But after the convention, after Hillary and Barack have hugged and kissed, the Dem's will solidly unite behind their candidate.
And if you think Senator Obama has generated excitement so far, well, you ain't seen nothing yet.
This is going to be the election that the Democrat's have been waiting for. Democrats running for office are going to do very well on his coat tails.

I love all this talk of a close race. Of John McCain being a strong candidate. Bullshit! My mother could beat McCain this year. Barack isn't just going to win, he is going to beat McCain senseless. This election is going to be a Democratic landslide of historical proportions.

Go Barack!

Barack Obama, the next president of the United States. Basically I was right that Obama would sew this up before the convention. I was only off on the timing by a few weeks.

Can you believe the way the Clinton's are sucking up for the VP slot? Forgetaboutit!
It's going to Bill Richardson. I'm sure that Hillary supporters will be happy with a Obama/Richardson ticket. Hillary can now go on to become a great US senator. And her husband, the former President, can continue his legendary philandering.

Obama/Richardson

The New York Times is reporting that Barack is looking at VP's. However Memex Man is going to take the mystery out of this story. They will go through a dog and pony show, pretending to search for the right person, but it's going to be Bill Richardson

FirstFamily

Don't it make you proud?
Hey, I jumped the gun just a little on my last post, however everyone but Bill and Hillary knows it's over. It has been a very interesting primary, but now on to the main event. The Republicans, as always, are going to run a dirty, lowlife campaign.
They are going to low ball Obama, he's a Muslim, a nigger, a rapist, whatever. It ain't going to work for them this time. The Obama's will be moving into the White House in January.
Photo-Doug Mills/N.Y.Times

The Race Goes On

Hillary did well enough that the race continues. The last thing the Democrats need right now is a divided party. Its becoming apparent that the party needs to resolve the problem of seating the delegations from FL. and MI.
The party chairman, Howard Dean, Say's the party won't pay for it.
He says the party can't afford it. It would seem to me they can't afford not to. This is just the type of thing that can split the party.
Eight years ago the results of the election were highly questionable. Even four years ago there were flags raised. I don't know about you, but I'm nervous. I want to see the person who wins this election actually take office. I really don't think there is a great deal of difference between the two party's.
The Democratic party is really just the left wing of the Republican party. They have this good cop, bad cop routine that they both play to the hilt. And thats it, really! A stage show for the benefit of the public.
Be that as it may, a Democrat is better than a Republican! And who knows maybe Obama has not sold his soul, though I doubt it.

Hot Bulletin

I'm happy to note that the entire media agreed with me that Hillary needs to win Ohio and Texas for her campaign to survive.
I repeat that as far as I can tell, I said it first on February 13th!
See Obama Tsunami ? below.
Ok I said she will most likely win Texas and she must win Ohio.
Same thing really. And then on the 19th after the Wisconsin Primary, the Media started with this she must take Ohio and Texas.
So Memexman was a week ahead of the professionals. Not bad!
Will my super delegate prediction in the same post also happen?

New Leadership

I'm holding my breath till this Tuesday's ( 3-4-08 ) primary results are in.
It would be nice if the Democrats could coalesce behind one or the other of their candidates. It seems that either of the two will be able to defeat Senator McCain.
The excitement that this campaign has generated is infectious. America knows it time for a new party. The people want the White House back!
That great pendulum that swung so far to the right under Ronald Reagan is now about to sweep the nation back to the left.
Barack understands this. He is the new FDR, the mythic American.
A leader who can move mountains by inspiring the public. That's what the great presidents do, they convince the nation to follow them in a new direction. Of coarse a forceful leader can also lead a nation to destruction.
Thats why character is so important to American voters.
Obama may or may not know what he is going to do, but if he truly has the character that he is projecting, he will move heaven and earth to lead us anew.
Did FDR know what he was going to do when he got to Washington? Did Lincoln?
Today Lincoln is revered for his dogged determination and his unwavering fairness.
If a president is going to declare marshal law you want it to be Lincoln not Nixon.

And then, is the president going to do what's good for the people or is he going to side with the elite?
We love President Clinton for balancing the budget and appointing fair judges .
But we also distrust him for not moving us forward in a progressive manner. You know, an enlightened energy policy, national health care, maybe a cut in the military.
The last time the Democrats had The White House they didn't lead, they survived.
It seem that for eight years the Clinton's had their backs to the wall, the wagons circled. Much of that had to do with the viciousness of the new Republican party. The crush your enemy thuggery that was inherited from Nixon, and perfected by Lee Atwater.
But certainly president Clinton heaped trouble on his own head with his incredibly silly dalliance with “that women”, Monica Lewinsky.
The next president of the United States faces tremendous challenges. We are fighting two wars. Our infrastructure is deteriorating, and we are in massive debt. Energy and housing prices are out of control. We have more people in jail than any country in the world. We are the land of immigrants building a fence around our country. Worst of all terrorism and global warming threaten our very existence. Now would be the time for inspired new leadership.

Obama Tsunami ?

If there really is such a thing as momentum, then Barack Obama is riding this wave like a champion surfer.
Yesterday he won Maryland, DC, and Virginia. That's 8 wins in a row! It's hard not to get excited.
Apparently Hillary isn't going to contest the Wisconsin primary or the Hawaiian caucus and that will make 10 straight wins going in to Ohio and Texas.
So far the hispanic vote has been for Hillary, so that may cover Texas. But if she doesn't hold Ohio, it could be all over for her.
The NY Times reported that in Virginia and Maryland, Barack polled older women and white males for the first time. That's got to be terrible news for Hillary.
If the Obama wave turns to a tsunami you can bet the super delegates will want to be onboard this ship before it docks at the convention.

Bill Catches Hill

Like I said before, the trouble with “two for one” is that you have twice the opportunity for mistakes!
The media consensus is that President Clinton did more damage than good by coming out swinging in South Carolina.
Bill's effort to tarnish Obama as a closet Reagan supporter failed at the polls and in the media.
Barack not only stomped Hillary, but todays endorsement from Sen. Kennedy delivers a one two punch if not to Hillary, than surely to the former president.
The Kennedy endorsement is more of a blow to Bill , really, than to Hillary.
Apparently Kennedy was particularly pissed at Bill's underhanded politicking. The former president put his reputation on the line and he lost.
You can bet that from now on Bill Clinton will be kept at the back of the campaign bus.
The press holds Mr Clinton 's political skills in high regard. There was speculation that Bill was trying to get under Obama's skin. Get him to blow up and look bad. Could it be that Baracks offhand comment that Nixon , or Clinton had not changed things was designed to goad Clinton?
Sen. McCain gushed on Meet The Press that President Clinton was the best politician in America, maybe that's no longer true.

Down&Dirty

I thought the gloves were coming off for New Hampshire but I guess that was nothing.
Bill and Hillary are playing for keeps against the optimistic Obama.
You could tell Barack was feeling the heat when he snapped at Hillary that it was hard to tell who he was running against. Bill continues attacking Obama on the ground in South Carolina, allowing Hillary to remain above the fray. The Clinton's are playing dirty, distorting what Obama said about Reagan. To a certain extent they are getting away with it. It does sway voters. And thats what its all about, winning the delegates. You get the feeling that the Clinton's will do whatever it takes!
That a former president is willing to get down and dirty against the Democrats youngest and brightest candidate is distasteful, and bad for the party.
The key for Mr Obama is he needs to respond to their demeaning tactics, yet stay cool. I'm sure Bill would love nothing more than to provoke anger of some sort. Get Obama so worked up that he makes a major blunder.

An Exciting Start to the New Year

Photo-AP/Paul Sakuma

I'm proud of myself for resisting the urge to post enthusiastically over Obama's Iowa surge.
On the eve of New Hampshire it was starting to look like Barack's rising wave was going to crest into a tsunami.
Prior to a single vote being cast, blogger's were claiming that Hillary's money had dried up. That she was finished etc. Oh brother, gimmie a break already!
In any case Barack's loss to Hillary has most certainly slowed his momentum.
This is the most extraordinary election in the history of the USA, is it not?

Next up on the excitement scale , the Steve Job's Magic show at Macworld. What great new toy will the wizard pull from his hat? I'm not being sarcastic, I love the guy. He is our Edison, who was the last century's media magician.

Campaign 08

Iowa was certainly interesting, but I stand by my earlier post that the nomination is Hillary's to lose.
On the other hand, if Barack brings in loads of new young voters than all bets are off.

Bring In The New Year

The new year is upon us, and it's getting exciting!
Who will win New Hampshire and Iowa?
And maybe even more important, what new wondrous product will Steve Job's unveil at Macworld?