Welcome to the world of tomorrow!
CHANGEWEVOTEDFOR.BLOGSPOT.COM
I don't quit that easily. The countdown may have to end, but my work is far from over.
It's been fun, and I thank you all for the ride.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Times, They Are A-Changing!
Welcome to the world of tomorrow!
CHANGEWEVOTEDFOR.BLOGSPOT.COM
I don't quit that easily. The countdown may have to end, but my work is far from over.
It's been fun, and I thank you all for the ride.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Looking Back and Looking Forward! One Day Into a New Era!
Firstly, this is how I'm feeling:
Now, what exactly happened last night? I'll be honest, I can't really remember. Here's a rundown of some occurrences last night, both epic and less epic.
--> President-Elect Barack Obama won a decisive, dominant victory last night over Senator John McCain, expanding the electoral map in a way that no Democrat has done since Lyndon Johnson, and winning a majority of votes for the first time since Jimmy Carter.
Of course, amidst all the excitement and wonder of last night (see my Facebook video), Taeggan Goddard managed to present the most compelling thought of the evening: Our first 16 presidents could have legally owned our 44th as a slave.
How far have we come? It's a topic that President-Elect Obama touched on heavily in his fantastic speech last night, telling American history through the eyes of a 106-year-old woman in Georgia, and framing his victory as part of a larger, American belief that anything is possible - YES WE CAN.
Thomas Friedman reminds us that it was Virginia, the state that lended enough weight to the Southern cause to make secession a reality, and was the front line of the Civil War, was the state to put an African-American President over the top.
The Boston Globe heralds a new age of politics in America: grassroots, decentralized, and driven from below.
The Chicago Tribune reminds us that we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth in February, and asks us, today of all days, to look at how far we have come in so short a time: "When [Obama] was born in 1961, African-Americans risked death merely to register to vote in some Southern states."
Five poets frame the campaign beautifully, courtesy of that news source that shall remain the greatest in the land, the New York Times.
And without question, the quintessential story thus far about the outcome of this election comes from two of the finest political bloggers on the map - Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin.
--> Four years after the lead writer of The West Wing called a political consultant named David Axelrod and said, "Tell me about this guy Barack Obama." Two and a half years since the character they based on Obama rose from political abscurity (thanks in part to an inspiring convention speech) and claimed the White House, defeating an older, experienced, maverick Republican senator who ultimately sold out his independence to appease the conservative base. Isn't it fitting that this election would mirror the pretend one so closely?
Both the character and the candidate refused to be defined by their race. Colin Powell noted today that Obama won because "he did not put himself forward as an African-American president." Jimmy Smits' character asserts, "I don't want to be the brown candidate, I want to be the American candidate."
It also turns out that the building that Matthew Santos stands in front of to announce his candidacy, as he tells Americans that "hope is real," was used as one of the backdrops for McCain's convention speech this year. Yeah, you should watch the speech and think about how closely it mirrors Obama's.
Well, the wheel has kept turning, as today we received word that Barack Obama has offered Congressman Rahm Emanuel the powerful position of Chief of Staff. The job is long described on The West Wing as the second most powerful job in the country, and it is fitting that the Matthew Santos candidate would pick the man who Josh Lyman, his chief of staff, was reportedly based on to serve in that post. Emanuel is known as someone who pulls no punches and gets things done. He also reportedly rattled off a list of "traitors" to the Clinton campaign after their reelection victory and screamed "Dead!" after each one as he jammed a large knife into the table. He was portrayed as "The Enforcer" by Rolling Stone, and he is without question the perfect man for the job.
--> Meanwhile, not that it matters, but Sarah Palin's shopping spree turns out to have been a lot bigger than previously reported. Oops.
--> We're still locked in several tight Senate races, as of this posting. Oregon, Minnesota, Alaska, and Georgia are still razor-thin (Georgia being close only in that getting less than 51% requires a runoff). Let's see how those play out.
--> Also, it looks like the California ban of gay marriage will pass.
I'll give you more of a rundown tomorrow or Friday, but right now this is all I can come up with. Just go celebrate!
Now, what exactly happened last night? I'll be honest, I can't really remember. Here's a rundown of some occurrences last night, both epic and less epic.
--> President-Elect Barack Obama won a decisive, dominant victory last night over Senator John McCain, expanding the electoral map in a way that no Democrat has done since Lyndon Johnson, and winning a majority of votes for the first time since Jimmy Carter.
Of course, amidst all the excitement and wonder of last night (see my Facebook video), Taeggan Goddard managed to present the most compelling thought of the evening: Our first 16 presidents could have legally owned our 44th as a slave.
How far have we come? It's a topic that President-Elect Obama touched on heavily in his fantastic speech last night, telling American history through the eyes of a 106-year-old woman in Georgia, and framing his victory as part of a larger, American belief that anything is possible - YES WE CAN.
Thomas Friedman reminds us that it was Virginia, the state that lended enough weight to the Southern cause to make secession a reality, and was the front line of the Civil War, was the state to put an African-American President over the top.
The Boston Globe heralds a new age of politics in America: grassroots, decentralized, and driven from below.
The Chicago Tribune reminds us that we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth in February, and asks us, today of all days, to look at how far we have come in so short a time: "When [Obama] was born in 1961, African-Americans risked death merely to register to vote in some Southern states."
Five poets frame the campaign beautifully, courtesy of that news source that shall remain the greatest in the land, the New York Times.
And without question, the quintessential story thus far about the outcome of this election comes from two of the finest political bloggers on the map - Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin.
--> Four years after the lead writer of The West Wing called a political consultant named David Axelrod and said, "Tell me about this guy Barack Obama." Two and a half years since the character they based on Obama rose from political abscurity (thanks in part to an inspiring convention speech) and claimed the White House, defeating an older, experienced, maverick Republican senator who ultimately sold out his independence to appease the conservative base. Isn't it fitting that this election would mirror the pretend one so closely?
Both the character and the candidate refused to be defined by their race. Colin Powell noted today that Obama won because "he did not put himself forward as an African-American president." Jimmy Smits' character asserts, "I don't want to be the brown candidate, I want to be the American candidate."
It also turns out that the building that Matthew Santos stands in front of to announce his candidacy, as he tells Americans that "hope is real," was used as one of the backdrops for McCain's convention speech this year. Yeah, you should watch the speech and think about how closely it mirrors Obama's.
Well, the wheel has kept turning, as today we received word that Barack Obama has offered Congressman Rahm Emanuel the powerful position of Chief of Staff. The job is long described on The West Wing as the second most powerful job in the country, and it is fitting that the Matthew Santos candidate would pick the man who Josh Lyman, his chief of staff, was reportedly based on to serve in that post. Emanuel is known as someone who pulls no punches and gets things done. He also reportedly rattled off a list of "traitors" to the Clinton campaign after their reelection victory and screamed "Dead!" after each one as he jammed a large knife into the table. He was portrayed as "The Enforcer" by Rolling Stone, and he is without question the perfect man for the job.
--> Meanwhile, not that it matters, but Sarah Palin's shopping spree turns out to have been a lot bigger than previously reported. Oops.
--> We're still locked in several tight Senate races, as of this posting. Oregon, Minnesota, Alaska, and Georgia are still razor-thin (Georgia being close only in that getting less than 51% requires a runoff). Let's see how those play out.
--> Also, it looks like the California ban of gay marriage will pass.
I'll give you more of a rundown tomorrow or Friday, but right now this is all I can come up with. Just go celebrate!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
http://thepage.time.com/2008/11/04/obama-wins-ohio/
44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! NOW ON TO THE SENATE, THE HOUSE, AND THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY!
44TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! NOW ON TO THE SENATE, THE HOUSE, AND THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Did You Fall On Your Way? It's a Long Way Down! Finally - End of the Countdown! 1 DAY TO GO!!!!!
We've finally reached that day. 20 months after this campaign began. 154 days since Election Day Countdown exploded into existence and rocked the blogosphere to its very core. All the preparation and the analysis and the guessing and the waiting has finally culminated in this one day! I am so grateful to all of you who allowed me to take this journey with you, and I can't wait to celebrate tomorrow night as returns start coming in.
So where does this take Election Day Countdown? With nothing to count down to, what will I possibly write about? Well, on Wednesday or Thursday I'll post my post-mortem, looking at where I went wrong, where I went right, and just wrapping up this election season and looking forward into what lies ahead. By the end of this coming weekend, my plans for the future of this blog will become apparent. So keep watching the skies...
So what should we look for tomorrow? Well, if you were sitting next to me (although I most likely won't be sitting, more like pacing and jumping and tugging at my hair) watching CNN, you'd get to hear my analysis of what the returns and exit polls mean - my analysis usually consists of CNN's analysis, only about 15 minutes quicker. But here's some things to keep an eye on as indicators, or just interesting races to amuse yourself with:
--> East coast returns. Polls close in Virginia at 7 PM. If Obama is running up the score in the northern part of the state, and McCain isn't absolutely dominating everywhere else, the networks might actually call this one before some of the other states close. Now, the TV pundits will do everything they can to avoid calling the election this early, in order to avoid messing with turnout on the west coast. However, if Virginia goes blue, you can pull out the cigars right there, because this thing is finished. Same applies to Florida or North Carolina or Georgia.
Keep an eye on Pennsylvania. It has a tendency to be closer on the day itself than people expect from polls. Obama needs an enormous victory with record turnout in Philadelphia, and a sizeable majority in the Pittsburgh area. McCain is going to dominate in the middle of the state, but keep an eye on the returns in the Penn State area. Also, look at the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia - specifically Delaware and Montgomery - which will be great indicators of how Obama is doing amongst moderates and independents.
--> State Races: Kay Hagan vs. Elizabeth Dole for Senate and Beverly Perdue vs. Pat McCrory for Governor in North Carolina are going to be incredibly tight, as will the presidential race. McCain's and Obama's coat tails will be crucial here, depending on if they can get everyone to vote down-ballot. This will be a fascinating state to watch.
Georgia - Saxby Chambliss vs. Jim Martin for Senate looks really close, and if Obama can make this state close (as polls suggest he can) or even squeak out a victory as part of an Electoral College domination, he might be able to put Martin over the top.
Arizona - Can Obama actually win McCain's home state? Probably not, unless McCain voters just stay home, having already given up. And in that case, it'll be part of a larger blowout anyway. It'll also signal a tough reelection race for McCain in 2 years if this is close.
Iowa - McCain's camp keeps claiming that their internal polls show it tied, while every major polling group has Obama leading in double digits. Are they lying, or will this actually turn out to be closer than expected?
California - Proposition 4 and Proposition 8, one to force physicians to notify parents 48 hours before the perform an abortion on a minor and the other to prohibit gay marriage, are both on the ballot, and are expected to be EXTREMELY tight. It'll depend on GOTV efforts by the two presidential campaigns.
Minnesota - Franken vs. Coleman for Senate will be fascinating. There's a strong third-party candidate, but it's unclear who he's drawing votes from, as polls continue to conflict, showing both major candidates with decent leads. Let's see who's right.
--> Turnout. Of course, that's the name of the game. However, unlike past years, Democrats hold an ENORMOUS advantage amongst voters who have already cast their ballots. Thus, McCain can win a decent-sized majority of votes on Election Day itself and still get his ass kicked.
--> Volunteering. And by that I mean, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING WATCHING CNN OR CHECKING BLOGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY???? POLLS ARE STILL OPEN, YOU TWIT! GO VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL OFFICE, MAKE PHONE CALLS, KNOCK ON DOORS, YELL AT YOUR FRIENDS TO GO VOTE!!!! In all seriousness, all of this advice on what to look for ONLY takes effect at 8 PM local time. Before that, I don't want to hear a peep from you.
This is what we're fighting for:
The polling booth is not a forum for your ideological grievances. Tomorrow is not an excuse to whine about the two-party system. This is for choosing a president. Pick someone who can and will govern this nation effectively and with the support and consent of the population of the United States. On Wednesday, go right ahead and try to tear down the two-party system; I'll be right there with you. But tomorrow, that's all we have to work with. Spoiler votes tomorrow will just increase general hostility to your cause of expanding the proportional system of our democracy.
Remember, 270 and 60. That's what we're after. Now go make it happen, one vote at a time!
So where does this take Election Day Countdown? With nothing to count down to, what will I possibly write about? Well, on Wednesday or Thursday I'll post my post-mortem, looking at where I went wrong, where I went right, and just wrapping up this election season and looking forward into what lies ahead. By the end of this coming weekend, my plans for the future of this blog will become apparent. So keep watching the skies...
So what should we look for tomorrow? Well, if you were sitting next to me (although I most likely won't be sitting, more like pacing and jumping and tugging at my hair) watching CNN, you'd get to hear my analysis of what the returns and exit polls mean - my analysis usually consists of CNN's analysis, only about 15 minutes quicker. But here's some things to keep an eye on as indicators, or just interesting races to amuse yourself with:
--> East coast returns. Polls close in Virginia at 7 PM. If Obama is running up the score in the northern part of the state, and McCain isn't absolutely dominating everywhere else, the networks might actually call this one before some of the other states close. Now, the TV pundits will do everything they can to avoid calling the election this early, in order to avoid messing with turnout on the west coast. However, if Virginia goes blue, you can pull out the cigars right there, because this thing is finished. Same applies to Florida or North Carolina or Georgia.
Keep an eye on Pennsylvania. It has a tendency to be closer on the day itself than people expect from polls. Obama needs an enormous victory with record turnout in Philadelphia, and a sizeable majority in the Pittsburgh area. McCain is going to dominate in the middle of the state, but keep an eye on the returns in the Penn State area. Also, look at the suburban counties surrounding Philadelphia - specifically Delaware and Montgomery - which will be great indicators of how Obama is doing amongst moderates and independents.
--> State Races: Kay Hagan vs. Elizabeth Dole for Senate and Beverly Perdue vs. Pat McCrory for Governor in North Carolina are going to be incredibly tight, as will the presidential race. McCain's and Obama's coat tails will be crucial here, depending on if they can get everyone to vote down-ballot. This will be a fascinating state to watch.
Georgia - Saxby Chambliss vs. Jim Martin for Senate looks really close, and if Obama can make this state close (as polls suggest he can) or even squeak out a victory as part of an Electoral College domination, he might be able to put Martin over the top.
Arizona - Can Obama actually win McCain's home state? Probably not, unless McCain voters just stay home, having already given up. And in that case, it'll be part of a larger blowout anyway. It'll also signal a tough reelection race for McCain in 2 years if this is close.
Iowa - McCain's camp keeps claiming that their internal polls show it tied, while every major polling group has Obama leading in double digits. Are they lying, or will this actually turn out to be closer than expected?
California - Proposition 4 and Proposition 8, one to force physicians to notify parents 48 hours before the perform an abortion on a minor and the other to prohibit gay marriage, are both on the ballot, and are expected to be EXTREMELY tight. It'll depend on GOTV efforts by the two presidential campaigns.
Minnesota - Franken vs. Coleman for Senate will be fascinating. There's a strong third-party candidate, but it's unclear who he's drawing votes from, as polls continue to conflict, showing both major candidates with decent leads. Let's see who's right.
--> Turnout. Of course, that's the name of the game. However, unlike past years, Democrats hold an ENORMOUS advantage amongst voters who have already cast their ballots. Thus, McCain can win a decent-sized majority of votes on Election Day itself and still get his ass kicked.
--> Volunteering. And by that I mean, WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING WATCHING CNN OR CHECKING BLOGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY???? POLLS ARE STILL OPEN, YOU TWIT! GO VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL OFFICE, MAKE PHONE CALLS, KNOCK ON DOORS, YELL AT YOUR FRIENDS TO GO VOTE!!!! In all seriousness, all of this advice on what to look for ONLY takes effect at 8 PM local time. Before that, I don't want to hear a peep from you.
This is what we're fighting for:
The polling booth is not a forum for your ideological grievances. Tomorrow is not an excuse to whine about the two-party system. This is for choosing a president. Pick someone who can and will govern this nation effectively and with the support and consent of the population of the United States. On Wednesday, go right ahead and try to tear down the two-party system; I'll be right there with you. But tomorrow, that's all we have to work with. Spoiler votes tomorrow will just increase general hostility to your cause of expanding the proportional system of our democracy.
Remember, 270 and 60. That's what we're after. Now go make it happen, one vote at a time!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ted Stevens Sent to Prison, Plans Escape Using "Series of Tubes!" 1 Week to Go!
Welcome back, gentle readers. Because I know that my trifle of a 68-point list of reasons to vote for Senator Obama wasn't enough for you, I'm back to provide you with more up-to-date political insight. And away we go...
--> The big story of the day is Senator Ted Stevens' (R-AK) conviction on all 7 counts of corruption, due to his lying about receiving free renovations to his house. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, was banking on being acquitted to have any chance of victory in a tight re-election campaign against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Now, the U.S. Senate can most likely bid adieu to its ultimate coot.
Stevens faces up to 35 years in prison. He plans to appeal by email, putting his message into the tubes, so that it goes in and gets in line. Remember, the internet is NOT a truck that you can just dump things on, Senator Stevens. Perhaps, in your soon-to-be plenty of leisure time in Alaska, you can spend your golden years learning how to blog and using eBay.
--> Not to be outdone, Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) also managed to make the news today. The Democrats' contender for "ultimate coot" is apparently facing expulsion from his Chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Apparently, Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided that Byrd is past his prime (about 3 decades past his prime), and Reid will attempt to ease Byrd out of his leadership position. Honestly, Byrd could probably use the rest.
EDC would like to make a humble suggestion to all the TV programming directors who undoubtedly read this blog: create a sitcom about Robert Byrd and Ted Stevens. Byrd, a retired Senator, and Stevens, a convicted felon just released from prison, are forced to share an apartment in New York City. Together, they come to terms with their place in the modern world, and learn a thing or two about each other in the process. In the season finale, they decide to run for the White House together, to "get those kids off our lawn." It's the feel good story of the decade, and would be terrific for fall sweeps. I call it Senators in Paradise. Might be better as a made-for-TV movie.
In all seriousness, John McCain does actually benefit from all this. Byrd and Stevens certainly make McCain look like a spring chicken.
--> And speaking of "get off my lawn, you darn kids," a 50-year-old Ohio man reportedly shot a 17-year-old boy in the arm with a .22-caliber rifle for attempting to steal his John McCain lawn sign. Honestly, people take this election stuff way too seriously.
--> In real news, Governor Charlie Crist (R-FL) today attempted to hand Florida's crucial 27 electoral votes to Senator Barack Obama. With the Democrats already establishing a huge advantage across the country thanks to early voting, Crist moved today to expand Florida's early voting hours from 8 hours per day to 12.
Who would stand in line for 12 hours to vote, you ask? These people. So when you're in line on Election Day, waiting to vote, and consider complaining or even giving up because of the wait, consider how you'd like to compare to residents of Georgia.
--> John McCain, despite all his struggles, did receive a surprising, crucial endorsement today from the world-famous Joe the Plumber. Samuel Wurzelbacher agreed that "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel," clearly demonstrating why Ohio voters will have no problem electing him to Congress in two years. Also, let's note that this McCain rally took place at a "flag store." Now that's what I call manufactured patriotism.
--> You know that the election is a week away when the campaign's influence on professional sports is the subject of multiple news stories. First there is the controversy over Barack Obama's half-hour primetime special tomorrow night, which reportedly pushed the start of the World Series game back 15 minutes. It's even become a McCain talking point, trying to appeal to angry, undecided baseball fans of the ironically swing-state teams in the World Series. Unfortunately for him, a Fox executive today refuted that claim, explaining that the Obama TV buy will merely eliminate the (incredibly annoying) pregame show, not actually delay the start of the game. So I'm sorry, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but we won't get a chance to hear your amazing analysis on how the "keys to the game" are "playing better than the opponent."
In other ridiculous news, the owner of the Miami Dolphins is apparently planning to rush the sale of the team in order to avoid President Obama's expected tax increases for the super-duper wealthy. Someone should remind Mr. Huizenga that the Democrats are not proposing a suck-tax, so the Dolphins will probably be fine either way.
--> And finally, some metaphorical justice:
1) The Straight Talk Express gets a flat.
2) The campaigns handle weather differently. McCain melts. Obama fights.
More tomorrow.
Update: I've decided on the official mechanism for determining if you have been following the election too closely. I can spell Joe the Plumber's last name without looking it up. Now return to your business.
--> The big story of the day is Senator Ted Stevens' (R-AK) conviction on all 7 counts of corruption, due to his lying about receiving free renovations to his house. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator in history, was banking on being acquitted to have any chance of victory in a tight re-election campaign against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Now, the U.S. Senate can most likely bid adieu to its ultimate coot.
Stevens faces up to 35 years in prison. He plans to appeal by email, putting his message into the tubes, so that it goes in and gets in line. Remember, the internet is NOT a truck that you can just dump things on, Senator Stevens. Perhaps, in your soon-to-be plenty of leisure time in Alaska, you can spend your golden years learning how to blog and using eBay.
--> Not to be outdone, Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) also managed to make the news today. The Democrats' contender for "ultimate coot" is apparently facing expulsion from his Chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Apparently, Majority Leader Harry Reid has decided that Byrd is past his prime (about 3 decades past his prime), and Reid will attempt to ease Byrd out of his leadership position. Honestly, Byrd could probably use the rest.
EDC would like to make a humble suggestion to all the TV programming directors who undoubtedly read this blog: create a sitcom about Robert Byrd and Ted Stevens. Byrd, a retired Senator, and Stevens, a convicted felon just released from prison, are forced to share an apartment in New York City. Together, they come to terms with their place in the modern world, and learn a thing or two about each other in the process. In the season finale, they decide to run for the White House together, to "get those kids off our lawn." It's the feel good story of the decade, and would be terrific for fall sweeps. I call it Senators in Paradise. Might be better as a made-for-TV movie.
In all seriousness, John McCain does actually benefit from all this. Byrd and Stevens certainly make McCain look like a spring chicken.
--> And speaking of "get off my lawn, you darn kids," a 50-year-old Ohio man reportedly shot a 17-year-old boy in the arm with a .22-caliber rifle for attempting to steal his John McCain lawn sign. Honestly, people take this election stuff way too seriously.
--> In real news, Governor Charlie Crist (R-FL) today attempted to hand Florida's crucial 27 electoral votes to Senator Barack Obama. With the Democrats already establishing a huge advantage across the country thanks to early voting, Crist moved today to expand Florida's early voting hours from 8 hours per day to 12.
Who would stand in line for 12 hours to vote, you ask? These people. So when you're in line on Election Day, waiting to vote, and consider complaining or even giving up because of the wait, consider how you'd like to compare to residents of Georgia.
--> John McCain, despite all his struggles, did receive a surprising, crucial endorsement today from the world-famous Joe the Plumber. Samuel Wurzelbacher agreed that "a vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel," clearly demonstrating why Ohio voters will have no problem electing him to Congress in two years. Also, let's note that this McCain rally took place at a "flag store." Now that's what I call manufactured patriotism.
--> You know that the election is a week away when the campaign's influence on professional sports is the subject of multiple news stories. First there is the controversy over Barack Obama's half-hour primetime special tomorrow night, which reportedly pushed the start of the World Series game back 15 minutes. It's even become a McCain talking point, trying to appeal to angry, undecided baseball fans of the ironically swing-state teams in the World Series. Unfortunately for him, a Fox executive today refuted that claim, explaining that the Obama TV buy will merely eliminate the (incredibly annoying) pregame show, not actually delay the start of the game. So I'm sorry, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but we won't get a chance to hear your amazing analysis on how the "keys to the game" are "playing better than the opponent."
In other ridiculous news, the owner of the Miami Dolphins is apparently planning to rush the sale of the team in order to avoid President Obama's expected tax increases for the super-duper wealthy. Someone should remind Mr. Huizenga that the Democrats are not proposing a suck-tax, so the Dolphins will probably be fine either way.
--> And finally, some metaphorical justice:
1) The Straight Talk Express gets a flat.
2) The campaigns handle weather differently. McCain melts. Obama fights.
More tomorrow.
Update: I've decided on the official mechanism for determining if you have been following the election too closely. I can spell Joe the Plumber's last name without looking it up. Now return to your business.
The Reasons to Pull the Lever!
With one week left in this historic campaign, I felt that it was time for me to create the quintessential list of reasons to vote for Senator Barack Obama. For all the discontent and desire for change and frustration you may be feeling, there's still a decision to make when you step into that booth. This is merely a cheat-sheet to help express how you're feeling. I hope that my readers will pass this list along to their friends, because my reasons are not the only ones out there. I hope to hear why you, my loyal EDC readers, are going to pull that lever. What causes you to make your decision? Here are my reasons:
1. America deserves a leader with charisma, a leader that can inspire us to action in the face of so many great challenges that await our nation in the 21st century.
2. America deserves a leader who treats Americans like adults - who believes that political game-playing will never be as effective as rationally and eloquently explaining your position and detailing how America can overcome its challenges.
3. Wasn't 8 years enough?
4. Sixty years from now, when we sit by our (possibly atomic) fireplaces and explain American history to our grandchildren, let's be able to say the phrase, "Ted Kennedy lived to see the day when all Americans would have healthcare coverage."
6. McCain's answer at the Saddleback Megachurch forum to which Supreme Court justices he would have not nominated: "Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Souter and Justice Stevens."
7. McCain's vision of the perfect Supreme Court: Roberts-Alito-Thomas-Scalia-Kennedy-Thomas-Alito-Scalia-Thomas.
8. Roe v. Wade
9. It's time to end our addiction to oil
10. The best way to end our addiction to oil is not to drill for more oil.
11. $150 billion invested in green technologies over the next 10 years.
12. 5 million new green jobs.
13. A President who realizes that service to your country can be more than just being in the military - sounds like a good thing, right?
14. We deserve a White House (and a ruling party) that doesn't differentiate between pro-American, real parts of the country and anti-American, fake parts. Well, maybe except for the proud state of Wehatetheconstitutionstan.
15. Joe Biden understands the conflict in Iraq, understands the need to balance civil liberties with respect for the law, knows how to work the DC legislative process, and is ready to serve as President, should anything happen (God forbid).
16. President McCain means at least a decent chance that America will wake up to find itself ruled by President Palin.
17. A bipartisan commission found that Governor Palin used the powers of her office to settle a personal score. With the Bush Administration, the Vice-President would just shoot people in the face. Palin might actually tell other people to do it for her.
18. After months of using "the experience argument," McCain picked a running mate who was the mayor of 5,000 people just two years ago.
19. Two years ago, Barack Obama was a United States Senator.
20. Six years ago, Barack Obama was an Illinois State Senator, representing a district larger than Alaska.
21. Shooting animals from helicopters is wrong. Period.
22. The selection of a running mate with no foreign policy experience, very little domestic policy experience, and no understanding of national political debate demonstrates that John McCain has no respect for the American people, and believed that Hillary Clinton supporters could be duped into believing that Sarah Palin was just one of them.
23. Divided government over the last two years has sucked. I want Washington to actually start accomplishing things for the American people.
24. The first presidential debate.
25. I want to beat these people.
26. Because, like Aaron Sorkin, I want to take back the word "elite."
27. As demonstrated by his stunt-tastic decision to "suspend his campaign," John McCain cares considerably more about political appearances than real policy results.
28. As demonstrated by his ability to win over several crucial swing votes in the U.S. House of Representatives in order to pass the bailout bill on its second try, Barack Obama demonstrated that he both is able to and wants to get things done.
29. I am sick of hearing the word "socialism" thrown around by Republicans like a football. A Republican administration just became the most socialist regime in American history, so you can stop pinning that tail on the donkeys.
30. Alan Greenspan believes that John McCain's tax cuts are stupid.
31. The vice-presidential debate.
32. We are not a nation of whiners. It's time for us to rise up and be a nation of winners once more. I also don't want a President who thinks that we're just whining when something goes wrong.
33. In the midst of the greatest financial crisis of our lifetime, I'd prefer to not have a president who "don't know much about the economy."
34. Community organizers deserve respect, because they work hard for low wages to try to improve the lives of the disenfranchised and the underprivileged.
35. When he got his law degree, Barack Obama could have gotten a high-paying job on Wall Street. Instead, he went back to Chicago and helped disenfranchised workers.
36. John McCain already has nine houses; I merely want to give the Obamas their second.
37. The second presidential debate.
38. I'd like a little bit of international diplomacy, please. With a side of respect.
39. Colin Powell says you should.
40. Barack Obama will follow Osama bin Laden to the cave where he lives.
41. Hillary Clinton says you should.
42. Senator Casey (D-PA): "John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush more than 90% of the time. That's not a maverick, that's a sidekick."
43. Governor Paterson (D-NY): "If [McCain is] the answer, then the question must be ridiculous."
44. You can make less than $5 million in one year, and still be rich. It'd be nice to have a president who gets that.
45. Senator Obama is extremely popular with our crucial allies overseas.
46. The third presidential debate.
47. The Prime Minister of Iraq agrees with Obama's plan for withdrawal.
48. Iraq.
49. From now on, let's just invade countries that actually threaten our national security, or if it's a humanitarian crisis where military force is required.
50. Afghanistan.
51. "Bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran?"
52. Sending cigarettes to hostile foreign nations is not appropriate diplomacy.
53. "John Bush is his own man." - Tom Ridge
54. Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore.
55. Computers do exist.
56. Let's be honest, regardless of your political affiliation, Inauguration Day will be really amazing with the first African-American President of the United States being sworn in, and then giving the brilliant speech that we all know is coming.
57. I want a President who deserves better than having sewage plants named after him.
58. Temper, temper.
59. This seal is nicer than our current one.
60. I want to see these three women cry.
61. Did I mention that eight is enough?
62. When the President needs advice, and he picks up the phone, I want the call to go to Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, or Ted Kennedy.
63. I don't want that call to go to Karl Rove, Rudy Giuliani, George Bush, or Mitt Romney.
64. Working families deserve a tax cut. Enormous oil corporations do not.
65. The Rededication of the Lincoln Memorial is coming up next year. Come on, it's obvious which candidate should be speaking there.
66. I'd like to spend the next four years with my president calling me "my fellow Americans," not "my friends." I'm not his friend and I don't want to be.
67. Senator Obama is the only candidate in this race with a degree in constitutional law.
68. Growing up raised by a single mother on the south side of Chicago, Senator Obama has a personal understanding of both the underprivileged and privileged sides of our society, and how to balance their interests.
69. Senator Obama is the only person in this race to offer a legitimate proposal on how to deal with rising education costs.
70. Senator McCAin says that he "shares a common philosophy" with George W. Bush.
71. With a large Democratic majority in both the House and Senate, a Democratic president could actually pass significant legislation, and could immediately start working to dig us out of this hole.
72. The priorities of an Obama Administration? Financial regulation reform, tax reform, energy reform, and healthcare reform. I'd take those accomplishments for a four-year term any day.
Yeah, it's just an arbitrary number.
What are your reasons? Please comment below.
Real post to follow tonight! I'll actually be looking at a branch of government besides the executive - NOT TO BE MISSED!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
All About Pennsylvania! 11 Days to Go!
After a week of non-posting, I'm sure all of you are at a point of near-desperation for political news, being that this is surely your only news source. Well, I don't want to keep you waiting any longer.
--> The electoral math of this race is looking more and more painful for Senator McCain and his slim hopes to pull this one out of the bag. Let's look at where some of the key states are for the Republican ticket:
--> Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa - basically given up, as recent polls all confirm a double-digit lead for Obama.
--> New Mexico - given up.
--> Colorado - still hoping but many campaign officials are acting like this one is already over.
Now, let's pause for a moment. John Kerry finished with 252* electoral votes. Add in Iowa, New Mexico, and Colorado, and Obama get 273.
That's right, ABOVE the threshold for winning the presidency.
Thus, with those expected losses ALONE, even if McCain takes every swing state (many of which show Obama with moderate leads anyway), Obama wins.
--> It is with this in mind that McCain's campaign has decided to go for the Hail Mary pass as their only option (thankfully they have John Elway with them on the campaign trail today). John McCain and Sarah Palin's ONLY HOPE for victory now rests in Pennsylvania. Even Tom Ridge today affirmed that McCain needs PA to have any hope. A surprise, comeback victory here, to capture its 21 electoral votes, might actually give them a chance on election night if all other swing states go their way. And by swing states, I don't just mean Ohio and Florida anymore. This list also includes Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Nevada and Virginia.
Turns out that Obama's expand-the-map strategy worked.
--> And speaking of Tom Ridge, former Republican governor of Pennsylvania and prospective running mate, he also went on to suggest fairly explicitly that McCain would be in better shape had he picked Ridge instead of Palin. The finger-pointing and blaming has already started in full force within the Republican ranks, and this is merely the most recent, notable example.
--> Of course, Pennsylvania is in some ways still a battleground. I don't mean in the sense that McCain really has a chance here. I mean that it's really violent. On Wednesday night, a 20 year old woman volunteering in Pittsburgh for the GOP reported being attacked by an enraged Obama supporter. She claimed that the man punched her in the head, robbed her at the ATM< href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/p_136090.html">carved a "B" into her face to "teach her a lesson for supporting John McCain." This horrifying news captured both campaigns' attentions, as Senator Obama expressed concern for the victim while both McCain and Palin called to check on her.
Unfortunately, this turned out to be a scary example of a person whose lie spiraled out of control. Earlier today, the woman admitted to having made the entire story up; she was neither robbed nor attacked, and the wound may have actually been self-inflicted.
I would like to remind all political junkies: Halloween may be coming up, but your face is not a pumpkin.
--> Just one week after I warned Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) about the wisdom of calling all of his constituents "racist," it appears that the veteran legislator has gotten his comeuppance. A new poll released today shows him facing a startling 13-point deficit in a race that was supposed to be a blowout in the other direction. Murtha has served his district for 38 years, and to see him as likely the only incumbent Democrat to lose their seat in Congress this year will be relatively depressing.
--> On the brighter side (and by bright I mean depressing for Republicans), Alan Greenspan announced yesterday that his free-market ideology was flawed. Dear God we really are in a changed world. Alan Greenspan just claimed that capitalism isn't perfect.
--> Another really weird story that isn't getting noticed by the mainstream media but once more makes John McCain look like a liar: in 1985, Senator McCain sat down WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS with General Augusto Pinochet, the brutal dictator of Chile and "one of the world's most notorious violators of human rights." I think you know what it's time for:
--> Senator Barack Obama is actually in Hawaii right now, visiting his ailing grandmother. We wish her a speedy recovery.
--> And finally, one of the best SNL sketches in quite some time:
--> The electoral math of this race is looking more and more painful for Senator McCain and his slim hopes to pull this one out of the bag. Let's look at where some of the key states are for the Republican ticket:
--> Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa - basically given up, as recent polls all confirm a double-digit lead for Obama.
--> New Mexico - given up.
--> Colorado - still hoping but many campaign officials are acting like this one is already over.
Now, let's pause for a moment. John Kerry finished with 252* electoral votes. Add in Iowa, New Mexico, and Colorado, and Obama get 273.
That's right, ABOVE the threshold for winning the presidency.
Thus, with those expected losses ALONE, even if McCain takes every swing state (many of which show Obama with moderate leads anyway), Obama wins.
--> It is with this in mind that McCain's campaign has decided to go for the Hail Mary pass as their only option (thankfully they have John Elway with them on the campaign trail today). John McCain and Sarah Palin's ONLY HOPE for victory now rests in Pennsylvania. Even Tom Ridge today affirmed that McCain needs PA to have any hope. A surprise, comeback victory here, to capture its 21 electoral votes, might actually give them a chance on election night if all other swing states go their way. And by swing states, I don't just mean Ohio and Florida anymore. This list also includes Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Nevada and Virginia.
Turns out that Obama's expand-the-map strategy worked.
--> And speaking of Tom Ridge, former Republican governor of Pennsylvania and prospective running mate, he also went on to suggest fairly explicitly that McCain would be in better shape had he picked Ridge instead of Palin. The finger-pointing and blaming has already started in full force within the Republican ranks, and this is merely the most recent, notable example.
--> Of course, Pennsylvania is in some ways still a battleground. I don't mean in the sense that McCain really has a chance here. I mean that it's really violent. On Wednesday night, a 20 year old woman volunteering in Pittsburgh for the GOP reported being attacked by an enraged Obama supporter. She claimed that the man punched her in the head, robbed her at the ATM< href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/p_136090.html">carved a "B" into her face to "teach her a lesson for supporting John McCain." This horrifying news captured both campaigns' attentions, as Senator Obama expressed concern for the victim while both McCain and Palin called to check on her.
Unfortunately, this turned out to be a scary example of a person whose lie spiraled out of control. Earlier today, the woman admitted to having made the entire story up; she was neither robbed nor attacked, and the wound may have actually been self-inflicted.
I would like to remind all political junkies: Halloween may be coming up, but your face is not a pumpkin.
--> Just one week after I warned Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) about the wisdom of calling all of his constituents "racist," it appears that the veteran legislator has gotten his comeuppance. A new poll released today shows him facing a startling 13-point deficit in a race that was supposed to be a blowout in the other direction. Murtha has served his district for 38 years, and to see him as likely the only incumbent Democrat to lose their seat in Congress this year will be relatively depressing.
--> On the brighter side (and by bright I mean depressing for Republicans), Alan Greenspan announced yesterday that his free-market ideology was flawed. Dear God we really are in a changed world. Alan Greenspan just claimed that capitalism isn't perfect.
--> Another really weird story that isn't getting noticed by the mainstream media but once more makes John McCain look like a liar: in 1985, Senator McCain sat down WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS with General Augusto Pinochet, the brutal dictator of Chile and "one of the world's most notorious violators of human rights." I think you know what it's time for:
--> Senator Barack Obama is actually in Hawaii right now, visiting his ailing grandmother. We wish her a speedy recovery.
--> And finally, one of the best SNL sketches in quite some time:
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