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So You Think Can...Win? Open Thread version
For your amusement, DCPers, I am sharing my analysis my university put out last week, picked up by apparently no one, so it is here for us to discuss. Anyone have a different perspective or insight?
Judge the Presidential Match-Ups by the Fancy Footwork, Say Experts
Ahead of Super Tuesday, a non-verbal communication expert at the University of ____ offers an unusual perspective on the potential presidential match-ups in the election next November: by reading the candidates’ gestures and movements.
“It’s not how they run, it’s how they dance,” says Karen Bradley, a visiting associate professor of dance at the University of ___.
Among the observations offered by Bradley and her colleague, Karen Studd, an associate professor of dance at _____ University: Clinton vs. McCain “may look more like wrestling than waltzing,” while an Obama-McCain match would resemble a nimble, virtuosic dribbler vs. a “tight end,” with a “stolid and relentless ability to keep pushing back and through.”
Here’s their complete analysis and contact information. Both are certified movement analysts:
* * *
Judge the Presidential Match-Ups by the Fancy Footwork
By Karen Bradley and Karen Studd
Forget the polling data on how the remaining presidential contenders might fare against each other in November. You can get a visceral sense of what the match-ups may produce by the way the candidates move. As certified movement analysts, we see campaigns as elaborate dances and, sometimes, athletic confrontations.
Clinton vs. McCain: Flat-Footed Flamenco
Both of these candidates are running as solid, experienced, grounded leaders; both have a touch of high-mindedness. But while Mrs. Clinton showed some softness and accommodation and Mr. McCain showed a small moment of actual enjoyment in New Hampshire, expect this dance to be brutal and tough. Neither of these two is likely to “follow” the other. Both can have set jaws and we can imagine the grit with which they may face each other. And both are capable of holding their ground and digging in their heels. In fact, the contest may look more like wrestling than waltzing.
Obama vs. McCain: The Basketball Player and the Tight End
This one would be interesting. Do the American people prefer the one who can dribble for a while until making the shot? Or do we want the solid immovable guy who will hunker down and block the pass? Barack Obama’s short spurts of flow, coupled with his ability to almost levitate when he gets going on his oratory, contrast with John McCain’s stolid and relentless ability to keep pushing back and through. Watch the difference in how they stand behind a podium and deliver a message: Obama seems to be dancing back there, turning this way and that, while McCain holds onto the sides of the podium and occasionally stares down his opponents.
Clinton vs. Romney: The Realist and the Optimist
This could turn into a movie musical, with the relentlessly upbeat Romney tap dancing his way into the hearts of millions, while Hillary Clinton tries to transcend her dark, somber modern dance. Or, viewed from the opposite side of the stage, it might look like Hillary Clinton dancing circles around the always-erect Mitt Romney. Nobody would make her seem more down-to-earth than the oddly cheerful Mr. Romney and no one would make him seem more optimistic and hopeful than the grounded, pragmatic Mrs. Clinton.
Obama vs. Romney: The Cakewalk Competition
In this scenario, Obama would come off as the virtuosic mover, while Romney would keep it simple. They would not even pay a shred of attention to each other. We are not sure that even eye contact would ensue. In competition dances, this may be best. It would remain to be seen who has the best moves and who “takes the cake.” And yes, that is, in part, a race reference: the Cakewalk was a competition dance between slaveholders of slaves out-performing each other, with the winning dancer taking the cake. Such competitions produced an evolution of dance steps the world had never before beheld, blending African, Irish, and English contra-danse. But in the Romney-Obama competition, we would not expect much blending to take place.
Obama vs. Huckabee: Liturgical Dance of the American Spirit
Here you would see two men who do well from the pulpit, taking a higher road – perhaps a more lyrical one to boot. Both men have rhythm and game and a connection to their hearts. Both are highly relational and attuned to the audience, and both perform with grace. Gov. Huckabee often spreads his arms and then brings the conclusion of his message straight to his chest, with a gesture to and from the heart. Sen. Obama often turns from one side to the other with a gesture of the hand from the heart to the audience, a reaching out and across.
Clinton vs. Huckabee: The Arkansas Two-Step
Mrs. Clinton would have to channel her ability to be a little softer, more southern, more mobile, and surely she will need to listen and attune more. Mr. Huckabee will need to get a little tougher and become more a paragon of strength in addition to being a paragon of compassion. Expect a lot of trading off between meandering and straight pathways, between zooming in and stepping back to take in the whole. This competition is complex and full!
The season promises to provide an extravaganza of opportunities to assess the abilities of these candidates to perform, respond, interact and reveal who they truly are. And as the music changes constantly, with new beats and tunes required, steps are easy to change, if one is listening and responsive to the music. It’s not how they run; it’s how they dance.
Just wanting to comment on my own thread: I do not for one minute think that the analyses I do are happy-talk about these candidates. I am not endorsing any of them. My purpose is to pay some attention and bring some focus to their actual modes of decision-making, because I do believe that matters in a democracy.
I also believe that movement behavior reveals how they will be perceived in the world. From that perspective, there are great differences among John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama in terms of who appears immoveable, negotiable, or "strong". In fact, I would like to have a public discussion about the word "strong". What does it mean? What is strength? Who is truly STRONG?
I am no Movement Analyst, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Last Night...
I think John McCain = Elmer Fudd. I swear everytime I see his face turn red and blotchy, it reminds me of that pud Fudd and how his face molts up right before he pulls his pistols and starts shooting the ground at his own feet. 'BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!'
And I would say Obama is Bruce Wayne, except Bruce Wayne actually has a ton more b*lls. Obama is more like Bugs Bunny. Cocky, sure, and constantly digging escape tunnels. Oh, and he ALWAYS wins. Always.
Hillary, is the Road Runner. She is here! No There! No Here! She is everywhere and no where. And if she ever said anything I forgot what.
Huckabee, is Daffy Duck in his infamous representation of 'The Friar'. Holier than Thou, wrong about..well, everything, zero critical logic, and a funny lisp. That added to the fact he will say anything all while trying to keep from being just another duck in a ridiculous holy mans clothing.
Monkey,
"Honestly, McCain-Huckabee is a ticket that worries me enormously, because it grabs tons of independents AND wraps up the evangelicals all in on swoop... "
When have 'independents' ever been comfortable under the same tent? I think it will do just the opposite, like two wildcats tied tail to tail, put into a sack, and thrown into the river.
MEOW.
Evangicals are ONLY satisfied when they are giving the orders and the opinions.
As far as to who is truly 'strong', and not just desperately trying to give off the perception of 'strength', there is only one, and that is Obama.
All of the others reek with the smell of fear. They know fear no longer will work on us.
I admit, I like watching THEM scared for once. They know it is no longer enough to talk about being 'strong', they have to actually back it up by being strong.
I think hillarys crying jag totally backfired on her and she didn't realize it until Tuesday.
Strong, huh?
Again, I think that people will define "strength" based on their ideology.
Right wingers think someone who will kick ass, not take any crap from anyone, and bomb the living daylights out of anyone who disagrees with them as 'strong'.
Someone who can articulate a better way, a way that can build up others, and positively influence other nations simply by example, is strong.
Example: Is our nation stronger or weaker today because of the "strong-arm" tactics used by the current administration? (Not safer, but stronger or weaker).
One could easily argue that we are weaker on a multitude of levels. It's hard to come up with anything from this decade to date that can be defined as making the nation stronger.
But rightwingers will deem the Bush-Cheney administration as "strong", "tough" on this, "tough" on that, and that's what they want.
To that I say, no thank you.
I am SO done with that kind of alleged strength.
Do we continue down this path eternally, dictating to the world how things are gonna go, or do we somehow find someone who can break the cycle?
Someone who can do THAT, would be Hercules in my eyes.
Honestly, McCain-Huckabee is a ticket that worries me enormously, because it grabs tons of independents AND wraps up the evangelicals all in on swoop... and if Hillary gets the nod, God forbid, you will have a full out assault on the Clintons and a get-out-the-vote like you've never seen before.
Obama is the only chance as I see it.
Bloomberg running worries me,
As for me I don't trust any of them at all, but If I had to pick one of them, it would be Obama, maybe a black muslim being elected President in a world that Georgie and his gang of thugs have decimated, might be the only thing that will bring America back to any significance in real world standing today.
But then I do not know about his voting for the ordinary American, I know I have not liked some of his votes.
I do not think that the world will soon forget the Foreign Policies of the last 8 years. or the lying thugs that created all the murder and mayham, on innocent people in the world community. History has a way of remembering.
McCain Huckabee no way, I think McCain Lieberman myself, it will be payback time for McCain and Georgie for all his services to the GOP party over the last 8 years.
THE SUPERHIGHWAY FACTS
http://www.greatdreams.com/political/superhighway_facts.htm
Someone who can do THAT, would be Hercules in my eyes.
Amen
New Mexico to Recount All Democratic Votes
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18785663
Kangaroo
Obama is a practicing Christian. Not a Muslim.
The top story on CNN.com at the moment...
(CNN) -- Berkeley, the famously liberal college town in California, has taken aim at Marine recruiters, saying they are "not welcome in our city."
Republican lawmakers in Washington fired back this week, threatening to take back more than $2 million of federal funding to the city as well as money designated for the University of California-Berkeley, the campus that became a haven of protests during the Vietnam War.
The battle erupted after the Berkeley City Council approved a measure last week urging the Marine recruiters to leave their downtown office.
"If recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome intruders," the item says.
It goes on to say the council applauds residents and organizations that "volunteer to impede, passively or actively, by nonviolent means, the work of any military recruiting office located in the City of Berkeley." See photos of protesters camped outside Marine office »
Outside the Shattuck Avenue recruiting station earlier this week, a handful of protesters with the anti-war group Code Pink camped out, strumming a guitar as they sang anti-war songs and held signs against the Iraq war.
"Time to end the war, time to end the war, time to end the war right now," they sang to the beat of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Watch protesters sing "I Ain't Afraid" »
One giant sign said, "No Military Predators in Our Town." Another message on a pink placard read, "Join the Marines. Travel to Exotic Lands. Meet Exciting and Unusual People -- And Kill Them."
Zanne Joi peered out from under her straw hat. "This Marine recruiting station is trying to recruit our youth to go to Iraq to kill and be killed. And we are against that," said Joi, a member of Code Pink Women for Peace.
"This is part of a multi-pronged effort to end this war."
Protester Sharon Adams added: "This recruiting station recruits people to go fight and then once they fight and they serve their country, our country doesn't take care of them. That's a shame."
But not everyone here supports the protesters. Watch young men confront protesters »
Forrest Smith, who described himself as a veteran of U.S. Special Forces, said his son recently returned from a tour in Iraq and his daughter served in Afghanistan.
"My position on this is the Marines are the best thing we have," said Smith, decked out in Army fatigues.
He blasted the City Council for its action. "It's clearly an abuse of power."
A group of young students who strolled down the sidewalk shared that sentiment. They derided one of the protesters who argued the United States was involved in an illegal war in Iraq.
"Where's the logic in that whatsoever?" one of the young men said. "That's our national security, and you're here protesting the Marines."
Another said, "It makes me sick. It makes me sick."
Gunnery Sgt. Pauline Franklin, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, told CNN there is "no plan for that office to move."
She said recruiters are there to "provide information to qualified men and women who are looking for opportunities that they may benefit from by serving in the military."
"The Marine Corps is here to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, which does guarantee the freedom of speech," Franklin said. "In terms of the situation in Berkeley, the City Council and the protesters are exercising their right to do so."
In Washington, a group of Republican lawmakers have introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008 -- named after the Marine motto -- to rescind more than $2 million of funds for Berkeley and transfer it to the Marine Corps.
"Like most Americans, I really get disturbed when taxpayer money goes to institutions which proceed to take votes, make policy or make statements that really denigrate the military," said Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, a co-sponsor of the bill.
He told CNN he believes the bill will pass. "I think it's going to have significant support."
The bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, said in a written statement, "Berkeley needs to learn that their actions have consequences."
more...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html
Hey Senator Vitter... your quote "Like most Americans, I really get disturbed when taxpayer money goes to institutions which proceed to take votes, make policy or make statements that really denigrate the military," .... ummm, 'scuse me dumbass, but it wasn't an INSITUTION that took the VOTE to on this, it was the DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL OF BERKELY, ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY, which is still a part of the UNITED STATES!
So as I see, YOU are the one who refuses to defend the CONSTITUTION, not to mention that you are thouroughly UNINFORMED, and only back democracy when it favors YOUR ideology!
Same to you, Senator DeMint... Berkely must have "consequences" for it's excercising it's DEMOCRACTIC rights????
FLOOD THE SENATE OFFICE PHONES RE: THIS SEMPER FI BILL, it's UNAMERICAN!
You are right, monkey--the Vitter/Demint crap is completely outside of democracy.
But then, the Congress has been saying the same stuff about the District of Columbia. You'd think this city was one big leftwing nonprofit...instead of the Last Plantation.
Seriously Karen, he referred to a large city council as an "institution", like it was Cal-Berkely University that took this vote.
I am steamed... like a mussel, not a shrimp.
... and speaking of lala land...
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush, in a rousing speech to fellow conservatives, exhorted his ideological cohorts to "fight for victory and keep the White House in 2008."
The two-term U.S. leader, who addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, leaves office next year and said it is important that the next president continues to reflect the conservative political principles he represents.
Speaking a day after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney quit the race to succeed him, Bush didn't mention the names of the two remaining Republican candidates, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said after the speech that Bush has "stayed studiously neutral" in the presidential race.
The president's speech Friday was not a call for the party to rally around McCain, who holds a commanding lead in the GOP delegate count after Super Tuesday, Stanzel said.
"We have had good debates, and soon we will have a nominee who will carry the conservative banner into this election and beyond," Bush said.
Bush's address highlighted his conservative credentials in similar language to that McCain used when he spoke to the same group Thursday.
McCain noted his support for Bush's policies, including permanent tax cuts, the appointment of conservative judges such as Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito and his early call for the addition of troops in Iraq as part of the so-called surge.
Bush on Friday claimed vindication for that Iraq strategy, saying he stuck with the surge in spite of critics who called it "a well-managed defeat."
"A year after I ordered the surge of forces, high-profile terrorist attacks in Iraq are down, civilian deaths are down, sectarian killings are down. U.S. and Iraqi forces have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq, including hundreds of key al Qaeda leaders and operatives," he said.
About the judiciary, Bush defended his appointments. "I say we need judges who respect our values, do not follow the political winds and revere the plain meaning of our Constitution. We need more judges like John Roberts and Sam Alito," he said.
And on tax cuts: "On matters relating to our economy, our record is clear. You and I succeeded in cutting taxes," Bush told the conservative group.
Bush said he hopes his successor will build upon what he considers to be his accomplishments in Iraq and on taxes and the judiciary.
"I'm absolutely confident, with your help we will elect a president who shares our principles. As we take on the challenges, we must be guided by the philosophy that has brought us success. Our policies are working," he said.
"The stakes in November are high. This is an important election. Prosperity and peace are in the balance. So with confidence in our vision and faith in our values, let us go forward, fight for victory and keep the White House in 2008."
Bush called his presidency "a joyous experience" and said he wasn't worried about how history would judge him, saying President Reagan was hearing near the end of his second term the same things Bush is hearing now.
"Ronald Reagan was called a 'warmonger,' 'an amiable dunce,' a movie actor detached from reality." Bush said. "Yet within a few years after President Reagan left office, the Berlin Wall came down, the evil empire collapsed, the Cold War was won.
"And over the years a strange thing has happened. A lot of people who spent the 1980s criticizing President Reagan now tell us they were with him all along."
He thanked the conservative crowd for sticking with him like they did Reagan.
"You were with him all along. And over the past seven years, you've been with me. I appreciate your support," Bush said as the crowd responded with chants of "four more years."
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/08/bush.speech/index.html
Obama is a practicing Christian. Not a Muslim.
Sorry Ally. I said that wrong, I know he is a practicing Christian, my thinking that he has lived and been schooled in a Muslim country, gives him much more insight into the problems the world is facing today.
Kangaroo
Obama did go to a Muslim school.
And that WILL be used against him.
monkey
The article you shared is proof that the conservatives indeed live in an alternate reality, and as a result, are "NOT OF THIS WORLD" as their SUV window decals proclaim.
I need to rest a while folks, so I'm sorry for being awol!
Anyways, sorry if this is a repeat post. But Conyers claims to be on the edge of starting impeachment hearings.
Personally, I believe it's b.s. And I'm dang angry too!
But here's the link.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/30858
And if anyone feels up to it, call all of them and give them a piece of your mind and mine too, ok??!
Thanks!
This is what needs to happen to some of our far-right leaders, including some in the Republican Party:
Jean-Marie Le Pen sentenced for his remarks on the Holocaust
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7234978.stm
Seriously...
since the American Christian conservatives are NOT OF THIS WORLD, I propose the following:
1. Immediate and permanent tax elimination for them. They want it anyway. They are not of this world, so they must not pay for this world's services.
2. In return, they don't get to use the services of this world either. No power, no water, no roads to drive those SUVs on, etc. They must become self-sufficient.
3. Hell, they shouldn't even be allowed to breathe this world's air. They all must disappear with the Rapture - I will pray alongside them for a quicker Rapture. But no, they don't get to destroy the environment to hasten the Rapture, since the environment is of this world, unlike the evangelicals.
The Three Co-Chairs of the DNC Delegate Credentials Committee All Served in Clinton Administration --
http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorblog/036
Ally
Le Pen in jail hahahahaha
Way better than Paris Hilton or anybody
I can't wait to get home to my computer!!
I found this as I kept surfing the BBC website.
This is why religious law has NO place in civilized modern democracies.
Wherever Sharia was brought in, often by popular demand, barbaric punishments have started.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7235357.stm
And of course, W and the Republicans want to do the same under Christian law.
NMP
Le Pen only has a suspended sentence. Don't get TOO excited. :)
Anyone know wtf happened at Barksdale AFB today?
Seriously, I was just in Bossier and there was a column of smoke rising off thier airstrip 250 or 300 feet high. A HUGE smoke cloud. But we could not see what was burning. It had to be something BIG.
And the smell...
But I can't find anything on anything.
Before we realized it was on base, my mom called my sister and asked her 'What is on fire?'
She had no idea. Which is totally strange because she is Bossier PD dispatch and 911 operator.
She had no idea there was even a fire. We could see the smoke from 10 miles away.
And it gets worse,
U.S. military loses records for bin Laden's driver
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSKRA80528520080208?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
They 'lost' a whole years worth of records. 2002 no less.
Insert garbled and furious screams HERE.
Nothin on the web about any incident at Bossier involving smoke.
Maybe there's a new pope!
Um, christy, ya have to wonder, with Bush's Saudi connections... did they actually "lose" bin ladens records, or were they, uh, intentionally misplaced?
Come on, nuthin is implausible with this group of thieves.
Low turnout expected for presidential preference primary
Snip...
Typically, voter turnout for the state's presidential preference primary is low in both Bossier and Caddo parishes.
"We expect an 8 (percent) to 9 percent turnout on the low end and a 12 (percent) to 13 percent turnout on the high end, which is about what it normally runs," said Caddo Registrar of Voters Ernie Roberson.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/ELECTION/802080328/1002/NEWS
They are saying it is a controlled burn Monkey.
But the middle of their airstrip seems a very strange place to have it.
I can't get that freaking smell off me, and I've already changed clothes. They were not burning trees, fo sho.
Christy
Very strange indeed.
This is starting to look like the X-Files and the conspiracy in it (AKA Cancer Man). Cancer Man loves to burn evidences, including live human beings.
monkey
New pope? So instead of the BMW-pope, we have a Bayou-pope now?
And just watch your warmonger candidates - how quiet this little bombing has been kept. Watch out for the New Yorker and Seymour Hersh's article.
Interview: Seymour Hersh
By Sarah Brown
Seymour Hersh, one of the world's best known investigative journalists, has turned his attention to the mysterious and controversial bombing of a Syrian facility by Israel last year.
In a new article for the New Yorker magazine, the Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, best known for his work exposing the My Lai massacre in Vietnam and the horrific mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, says evidence indicates the bombing was a warning to Syria and its allies, including Iran.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/ED0FEEAA-BA97-47ED-99B2-06A653CBB82B.htm
The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed that actor Brad Renfro died from an accidental overdose of heroin.
Another damn shame. The one he will be remembered for is already a classic.
Monkey, check for an email from me.
Gandhi said
I don't know who this Brad Renfro person is.
Sorry to hear about his death.
But regarding those who care about N.M.'s election results, here's a link about it--though I don't know how valid it is:
Clinton at the Pier, Seattle 8:30 PM Feb. 7, 2008 - 5000 people
Obama at Key Arena, Seattle 11:00 AM Feb. 8, 2008 - 17,000+ inside (capacity), 3,000 -10000 (outside)
McCain at Westin Hotel, 5 PM Feb. 8, 2008 - unknown
Trying to make their last impressions before our caucus 1:00 PM Feb. 9, 2008
My son went to Obama - said it was all lit up electronically like at a Sonics game with the camera panning around at people dancing to music, doing the wave, etc. & they showed it on four-sided big screen that hangs from the ceiling. He said there were an amazing number of young people but all ages too, lots of minorities, and so many who took off work for it. He had friends who took the day off and couldn't even get in.
Obama said he is looking forward to a debate with the presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain. "I think it will be fun."
The emails are starting to come in:
I recall going to the Cow Palace in San Francisco to see JFK during the campaign and they shut the doors after 20,000 jammed the old barn. That's when I knew something special was happening.
and
Suzy and I drove over to Key Arena to hear Obama!! Went past the Pacific Science Center and saw A LINE OF FOLKS ALL THE WAY FROM THE KEY ARENA past the PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER and down to the STREET! Finally got parked, walked 5 blocks upto the THE KEY. The MOB was 15,000 capacity inside [no we didn't get inside!] and another 10,000 folks outside. Lots of announcements about keeping FIRE EXITS clear!!! Amazing !!
PS -Hillary got 5,000 at Pier 30 last night! GO OBAMA!!!
The top photo is from the Seattle P-I (I couldn't get off work). I took the photo below of Hillary in Chicago last summer at YearlyKos and photographed the supporters and protester last November when she was here in Seattle.
I put up diaries here, Silenced Majority, MySpace, Docudharma and Daily Kos even though I didn't even go. There are a few more too. Can't wait to caucus tomorrow! I am anticipating no parking spaces so I am going to get up early and walk there, even if it's raining.
My son is so unbelievably jazzed.
Thx to Nyc
Our Governor (where is everybody?)
I am most certain you DO know who Brad Renfro was. He played a very famous role.
The book The Client, was made into a movie, remember? Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. He played the Governor wanna be and she played and attorney named 'Love' and they were trying to save a kid who witnessed a mafia suicide and confession of where a body was buried.
The kid, Mark, was played by Brad Renfro. And he outacted all of them.
He od'd right before Leger did, at 25.
Oh. I do know him.
The role of Mark Sway was probably one of the most gripping and indepth performances ever given by a child actor. He was simply unforgetable. Unbelievably talented.
His personal story, it one of the most tragic and infuriating Hollywood stories ever. He never had a chance.
Rossi asked on her blog 'Why are all the top actors in America Aussis?'.
Brad Renfro could have held his ground against all of them, but like Ledger, it just wasn't meant to be.
Bolton Backs McCain Because He Is ‘Stronger’ Than Bush On Iran
In remarks yesterday to CPAC, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) attacked Democrats for allegedly not recognizing “the threat posed by an Iran with nuclear ambitions,” claiming to know that Iran is pledging to “possess the weapons to advance their malevolent ambitions.”
Speaking at CPAC today, notorious Iran war hawk John Bolton emphasized his support for McCain, saying McCain proved he is “stronger” than the Bush administration with the senator’s statement on Iran. Bolton claims Bush is too “moderate” and has a foreign policy in “freefall” because he has yet to bomb Iran:
http://thinkprogress.org/
These people are insane.
May God strike McCain with lightning.
I am going to vote for Obama in the caucus today. The Democrats select all their delegates from the caucus and the primary is a "beauty contest."
The Republicans select half their delegates from the caucus, half from the primary. If allowed, I may vote for Ron Paul in the primary, to cancel out a McCain vote and help send a Paul delegate to the convention as a fly in their ointment.
McCain was not going to come to Seattle til the primary but the presence of Hillary and Barack scared him so much he scheduled a quick trip for fundraising.
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com details
Floridians were shocked last week when police announced that the spokesman for the state's Department of Children and Families had been arrested and charged with peddling child pornography. But buried in news accounts of the case was a curious detail: the official in question had listed the state's current Republican Governor, Charlie Crist, as a reference when he applied for his post in 2005.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/How_well_did_Florida_Gov._know_0207.html
Conservative Rabbis to Vote on Resolution Criticizing Pope’s Revision of Prayer
By NEELA BANERJEE
The revision of a contentious Good Friday prayer approved this week by Pope Benedict XVI could set back Jewish-Catholic relations, Conservative Judaism’s international assembly of rabbis says in a resolution to be voted on next week.
The prayer calls for God to enlighten the hearts of Jews “so that they may acknowledge Jesus Christ, the savior of all men.”
The draft resolution states the prayer would “cast a harsh shadow over the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration that has marked these past four decades, making it more difficult for Jews to engage constructively in dialogue with Catholics.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/us/09prayer.html
You can't make this stuff up. My only question is: who will play the role of Martin Luther this time? What unbelievable madness!
Maybe I can't vote for Ron Paul after all.
I heard he pulled out.
Also, I heard there is an oath you sign that you won't take
part in the other party's nominating process.
In that case, I'd vote for Obama today and then vote for one of the
beauty queens left standing (Obama or Clinton or ..) for the primary,
since it won't count for delegate selection.
I did see also that Independents and Republicans can cross over and
vote in our caucus today BUT they also are supposed to take an oath
that they then won't take part in their original party's nominating
process.
Difficult/impossible to enforce but I suppose the ethical thing to do.
Also, I had a robocall from the McCain people that I didn't intercept
til this morning. I was invited to a FREE meet'n'greet with McCain even though the fundraiser cost $2300 - here they were soliciting me, a known Dem donor.
Now that kind of answers what the hell he was doing in town two weeks earlier - kind of a political corporate raiding thing.
As if ..
Local news photos
Roadside Blasts Kill 5 US Soldiers In Iraq
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080209/ts_nm/iraq_dc
I just got back from seeing Mike Huckabee LIVE on my campus. Do not remove his name from the list; the place was ROCKIN'!
He was also much more careful and coherent than at times in the recent past...
Maybe I'll vote for Huckabee in the primary!
I am so psyched to caucus I can't contain myself.
My son ran to get us lattes and then he will coordinate our precinct, which is really cool to see. We were just watching all the YouTube videos from yesterday here and they were incredible, just the energy of the young people and the use of the stadium with all the high-tech stuff usually used for basketball. They really did get them "fired up" and I don't think that any young people that I know from here did not skip school or work to be there or to try to get in. Obama came out with a megaphone to talk to those who couldn't get in.
I have had about 10 reminder calls from Obama live persons, 3 people come to the door for him (all young), one Hillary robocall a week ago and that McCain call I missed.
Example:
My town
Seattle Times
I'm heading to the caucus - fully loaded (camera)
WA caucus update
http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com
Here is some:
This is an example of what the caucus experience was like, each circle a precinct of neighbors. See The Stranger Slog for photos and results from different parts of the city and read about crashing caucus finders, record turnout, or report from "Obama territory".
(photos D. Grieser)
Washington State is having a landslide for Obama - I'm going to go find a party.
Christy
Election fraud in LA. Um...surprising...NOT!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/9/192540/8052/21/453563
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/9/173921/1854?detail=f
RESULTS coming in WASHINGTON but not official - just people like me
Clinton camp spins anticipated losses
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/hillary_camp_spins_tonights_lo.php
I have to say one thing about Hillary and the Shuster thing. RIGHT ON, HILLARY.
I am HAPPY that Hillary is trying to get him fired. I'd go for it too, if it were my daughter. I'm sorry but he crossed a line there and I can't wait to see him pimping his resume to the White House. I'm sure Bush is missing his male hookers.
I may not agree with everything Hillary or Bill does, but as far as I'm concerned her reaction is exactly WHY I would support her over McCain. When McCain can throw his wife and little baby to the wolves and then kissy-face to them later, well, he's just a class-a-jerk.
But when your kid is attacked, you don't kissy face. And thank God Hillary isn't. Go for the ***** Hillary--. I'm glad you understand the number one priority is your child. And the number two is politics.
Though my decision for the primary is pretty much made--you can see why Hillary would be better than McCain if she wins the primary.
I would certainly support Hillary over McCain.
My update at our blog
See The Stranger Slog for photos and results from different parts of the city and read about crashing caucus finders, record turnout, or report from "Obama territory" near Leschi and Ballard, or Redmond and soon statewide wrap-up, or an infiltrator from the Washington Post. Apparently, turnout has been about double that of 2004. 5 PM and a Gig Harbor witness says one campaign is sputtering along, the other is rolling like a freight train. Northwest Progressive Institute has on-going reports and links to other blogs covering this. This Kos Diary has alot of information coming in. 5:40 - Obama won Nebrasks 70/30 and is winning her 67% with 30% of the votes in. He must be winning in Louisiana too or there wouldn't be reports of cheating.
First results are in: Obama easily winning Washington caucuses
The state Democratic Party is reporting the first results from the caucuses today. With 30% in, Obama is crushing Hillary Clinton 2 to 1 - 66% to her 31%. And it looks like Obama's lead may be growing.
So, just for the fun of it....
(Cue patriotic political theme music)
That's from NW Progressive Institute (link above)
& Kos has also weighed in.
This is where Kos is getting his info
http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/
The MSM will follow. This should be fun.
This is from a first person report.
We all gave 30 second speeches about why we wanted to be delegates. The highlight was an elderly black man who talked about how he fought in World War II, was very active in the civil rights movement, and never thought he would be here casting his vote for Obama for President. It was pretty moving and underscored just how incredible and inspiring Obama’s candidacy is.
You did not have to be registered to caucus but could register at the caucus. There were plenty of 17 year olds who will be 18 by general election time so are legal. Someone finally succeeded at something that has been impossible for several elections - en masse engagement of young people and minorities. Very coveted. It's not over but this election has the potential for surprises.
Huckabee sounds like a surprise too. McCain can try to harness his energy but herding Republicans may be like herding cats, just like they always say about Dems. If anything the Dems are more unified, because there are plenty of people like me who has ALWAYS been willing to vote for Hillary in a heartbeat if it wasn't Obama or Edwards. There were people who were uncommitted and changed to Obama and others who liked both but leaned one way or the other, usually Obama here. I didn't sense much animosity between groups, just that the Hillary people were kind of open-mouthed at the Obama energy but not disdainful or envious and probably would go that direction if they need to. I hope the opposite could happen too but it's going to mean a combo of remaining big states and SuperDelegates. We'll see.
Looks tied for Louisiana but very few results are in. I found a link at Kos and clicked into some of the precincts that had reports. What I found was that Clinton was slightly ahead for ABSENTEE BALLOTS. If it's like some of the other states, those were BEFORE changes in momentum so may be misleading. I get a nervous feeling about Louisiana. Fingers crossed.
Louisiana results thread #2
by kos
Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 06:35:49 PM PST
11 percent of precincts reporting:
Obama 52
Clinton 38
nmp...thanks for your links. I will read them in the am. (I'm always sort of beat by this time of night.)
HAHAHA!
Obamarama!
He is bad yall. He is nationwide.
O, and this..
Obama campaign claims "irregularities" in Louisiana
Per the campaign's blog, under the headline: "After Widespread Reports of Voting Irregularities Obama Campaign Submits Urgent Request for Assistance:"
BATON ROUGE, LA -- The Obama campaign submitted an urgent request for assistance to the Secretary of State’s Division of Elections today, after receiving widespread reports from Democrats across Louisiana who reported that they were not allowed to vote because their party affiliation had been switched. Hundreds of Louisiana democrats went to the polls to vote in today’s presidential primary and found that they were now on registration lists as Independent or Unaffiliated voters.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/Obama_campaign_claims_irregularities_in_Louisiana.html
Irregularities!! HAHAHA!
And yet Obama is still stomping a Louisiana mudhole right in Hillarys forehead, inspite of widespread 'irregularities'.
I am sorry, but I just have to laugh. I don't care who you are, that's funny!
OBAMA DECLARED WINNER OF LOUISIANA!!!!
HAHA!
Let's party!
http://abcnews.go.com/politics/elections/state?state=LA&ref=ipb
CHRISTY
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Let's party for sure!!!
1 2 3 Christy Obama won big
Nabraska Washington and Louisisanna
See the polling out of the ninth ward in New Orleans Obama walked it in.
Huckabee sweep in sight
by kos
Sat Feb 09, 2008 at 07:24:09 PM PST
Ha ha ha.
Washington
37 percent of precincts reporting:
Huckabee 27
McCain 23
Paul 21
Louisiana
40 percent of precincts reporting:
Huckabee 48
McCain 38
Kansas
100 percent of precincts reporting:
Huckabee 60
McCain 24
He won Virgin Islands to CNN reporting
It's looking like an Obama sweep today - and in dominating fashion.
As for David Shuster, it would be pretty ironic if he lost his job - inasmuch as Bill got off scott free for Monica, and Mark Rich, and for pimping the Lincoln Bedroom, and now even believes that he deserves a return to the White House. And it's not as if the Clintonistas didn't attempt to utterly trash Lewinsky. Shuster has been a brutal critic of the Bush Administration, cutting through their spin and misinformation campaign night and night out. If only Billary were doing the same in 2003, when it might have mattered, instead of attempting to triangulate their way to political survival. If only Billary put the national interest first, and their political fortunes second.
It is a miracle Rossi, isn't it?
We have talked about this so much for so long, and it hardly even seems real.
Congratulations Chrity Girl, You all did real well
You can say that again girlfriend tonight is amassive night, be back soon got to listen to Obama speaking.
Matt
You really don't like the Clintons. Too bad you couldn't have convinced your statemates not to vote for her. Do you think maybe those who already sent in absentee ballots made a difference or do they have some kind of connections in the east that make them difficult to defeat?
And the state of California I don't get at all, though I do believe the things Ally says about it.
Big Split in the Bayou
In Louisiana, the Democratic results extended the sharp racial split that divides the party.
Clinton won whites — men and women alike — by more than a 40-point margin, 70-26 percent. Obama answered with more than 4-1 support among blacks, 82-18 percent; at 49 percent of Democratic voters, they proved an unassailable voting bloc.
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Vote2008/story?id=4267655&page=1
Christy
I'm still glad Obama won - here we have mostly whites, I guess - and Obama still won. That's blowing minds. I guess it was true in Iowa too. I can see why blacks would vote for someone partially black, as there have not been many to crack the old boy's club (rich white male). It's hard to see why whites are still threatened, but maybe they are afraid of giving up power that they have not even earned. I don't think it's right to inherit power, or even alot of money. That's so Republican. Why don't they just chill and open their minds?
The last bastion of white supremacy WILL crack.
Also, some day those who champion fusion of church and state will be dead and gone. It can't come too soon.
These were taken at the Elementary School where I caucussed.
HEY WINGNUTS THIS IS HOW WE TURN OUT A YOUTH REVOLUTION!
(photos D Grieser)
NMP
At angryasianman.com, a blog I read often, Hillary's victory in California is credited to her name recognition among Latinos and Asians.
According to an analysis posted there, immigrants who haven't been in the political process long enough, which many Latinos and Asians are, tended to support Hillary, partly due to their memories of her husband.
My Republican-registered mother didn't know she couldn't vote in Democratic primary without changing her affiliation, and by the time she asked me, it was too late. She was one of those Hillary supporters too - she really liked Bill. I told her to support Romney, if only to weaken McCain. She says come November, she will vote for whoever clinches the Democratic nomination, because Republican education funding cuts (thanks to Reagan, W, and the Governator) have derailed my sister's schooling.
Ally
That is a start, with your mother. I had read alot of articles about Hispanics and the Clintons, and the last two days I had found several other articles about Asian-Americans and the Clintons. I think it's a combination of name-recognition, and in some cases, racial minorities who won't vote for someone from a different racial minority. That is most unfortunate.
Can't people see when someone just plain has a positive message and is giving people hope, especially young people? I thought it was corny at first but then noticed that young people and minorities and both were getting out to vote.
I hope Independents and even Republicans also want something new and certainly Democrats. I do not dislike the Clintons. I am just a little tired of everything and willing to try something new. Nothing seems to have worked very well and even what worked in the 90s may not be ready for the post-millennium. No one could mess it up worse than it is now. I say give the man a try. It's the kids who are going to have to live with all this, not me, although I can imagine having an uphill battle for the rest of my days.
McCain v McCain
"Don't You Wish It Was True"
by John Fogerty
I dreamed I walked in heaven just the other night
There was so much beauty, so much light
Don't you wish it was true
Don't you wish it was true
An angel took my hand, said you don't have to hurry
You got all the time in the world, don't worry
Don't you wish it was true
Lord, Don't you wish it was true
But if tomorrow everybody was your friend
Anyone could take you in
No matter what or where you've been
But if tomorrow everybody had enough
The world wasn't quite so rough
Lord don't you wish it was true
He said the worlds gonna change and it's starting today
There'll be no more armies, no more hate
Don't you wish it was true
Don't you wish it was true
And all the little children who live happily
There'll be singing and laughter, sweet harmony
Don't you wish it was true
Lord, Don't you wish it was true
But if tomorrow
Everybody under the sun was happy just living as one
No borders or battles to be won
But if tomorrow
Everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord, don't you wish it was true
Alright!
[Solo]
But if tomorrow
Everybody under the sun was happy just to live as one
No borders or battles to be won
But if tomorrow
Everybody was your friend
Happiness would never end
Lord, don't you wish it was true
Lord, don't you wish it was true
Alright!
[Solo]
Oooooooweeeeee
What a beautiful day!
Memo Blasts State Dept. Iraq Effort
GOP Loyalist Says U.S. Brought 'Worst of America' to Iraq
By JONATHAN KARL
Feb. 8, 2008
Share In a confidential memo, a long-time Republican operative who has served in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for the past year says the State Department's efforts in Iraq are so poorly managed they "would be considered willfully negligent if not criminal" if done in the private sector.
"We have brought to Iraq the worst of America -- our bureaucrats," writes Manuel Miranda in the memo, which was addressed to U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and cc'd to "ALCON" or "all concerned" at the State Department.
"You are doing a job for which you are not prepared as a bureaucracy or as leaders," Miranda writes. "The American and Iraqi people deserve better."
Asked to respond to the allegations made in Miranda's memo, State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Miranda is entitled to his opinion, but "We think Ambassador Crocker and his team are doing a very good job under extremely challenging circumstances. We have great confidence in their ability to carry out their mission."
Miranda previously held senior Republican leadership positions on Capitol Hill, including counsel for then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. While on Capitol Hill, Miranda was embroiled in a controversy when he obtained a confidential memorandum written by Senate Democrats and leaked it the press. Democrats accused Miranda of hacking into their computer systems. Miranda said the Democratic staffers had left the memo on a computer server accessable to all Senate staffers.
You can read Miranda's memo HERE.