Most Obama supporters are eager to end this primary and get on to the general election. The math, as I posted below, makes it close to impossible for Hillary to win at this point. She is sticking it out, it seems, just to knock him down so that he'll be unelectable in the eyes of superdelegates. Much of Barack Obama's appeal has been his positive messaging. For most of the … [Read more...] about Note to Obama: Stay positive!
If Obama gains 22% of remaining superdelegates it’s over
Implicit in much of the discussion about Hillary Clinton's chances at the nomination is the behavior of superdelegates. Though only 20% of the total delegates necessary to determine the Democratic nominee, superdelegates have the unique privilege of switching their vote until the convention. Pledged delegates are, for all intents and purposed, pledged to a candidate. As many … [Read more...] about If Obama gains 22% of remaining superdelegates it’s over
Why Obama Can’t Close the Deal
Pennsylvania had the possibility of turning a corner in one direction or another, but it didn't happen. Things might have really gotten interesting if Clinton had surged ahead and grabbed a large number of delegates. Yet not only did that fail to happen, but Obama failed to deliver a knockout punch. Why? I was reading one possible explanation at The Lady Logician which gives … [Read more...] about Why Obama Can’t Close the Deal
Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain As Flawed Republican Candidate?
The latest Gallup Daily tracking poll is out and while it still shows Senator Barack Obama with a healthy lead over Senator Clinton in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, the numbers have also sparked a discussion about whether a pattern is emerging: Republican presumptive nominee Senator John McCain as a candidate who can't get much above a certain … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain As Flawed Republican Candidate?
The Pope and Bush: Brothers in Arms
Why is it that President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI get along so well? According to this editorial from El Tiempo, Colombia's largest newspaper: "Bush sees the world in terms of good and evil, and he considers that only a united front encompassing all 2.2 billion Judeo-Christians will be able to resist Islam. Recent decades have seen increasing religious tension and the … [Read more...] about The Pope and Bush: Brothers in Arms
The Hillary And The Hare
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about The Hillary And The Hare
Obama Drama and the McCain Drain
Just a couple of interesting articles: John B. Judis thinks that Obama's "new-politics" is looking more like the old McGovern coalition and that might spell trouble in November.Salon's Walter Shapiro has an article that Obama is having trouble closing the deal with Democrats.On the Republican side. You'd think John McCain would be doing rather well with Hillary and Obama … [Read more...] about Obama Drama and the McCain Drain
Nearly 50 Edwards Backers Endorse Obama
Former Senator John Edwards hasn't endorsed a candidate yet and rumors (just that at this point) continue to swirl that his wife Elizabeth Edwards could be on the verge of endorsing Senator Hillary Clinton. But now some 50 Edwards backers have come out for Senator Barack Obama: No, John Edwards has not yet endorsed a candidate. But nearly 50 of his most prominent … [Read more...] about Nearly 50 Edwards Backers Endorse Obama
Why we overreact
John Stossel offers some useful perspective in his column The Sky's Not Falling. His point of view is that using the terms "Crisis" and "Disaster" regarding the credit situation is a bit of an overreaction and may be motivated by an inclination to impose regulation on the free market. I value this point of view in much the same way I appreciate libertarians like Rep. Ron … [Read more...] about Why we overreact
Randi Rhodes at it again: calls Clinton voters “white trash”
She and Ann Coulter should go on the road together. From Blue Ohioan: Leftwing Limbaughs This is what I'm talking about: "The Clinton campaign describes Hillary's voters as older, white, and undereducated. Or as we called them in my neighborhood: white trash." --Randi Rhodes How can this kind of s**t from those in the tank for Obama possibly be good … [Read more...] about Randi Rhodes at it again: calls Clinton voters “white trash”
McCain’s Integrity
While I increasingly disagree with McCain's position on Iraq, my respect for his integrity and consistency, on matters like this, continues to grow. … [Read more...] about McCain’s Integrity
Go Hillary Please
Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Go Hillary Please
Dear Criminal: Uncle Sam Wants You
Have you been convicted of armed robbery, arson or burglary and are having trouble making ends meet, let alone getting three square meals a day? Worry not, my fellow American, the United States Army and Marines want you. In yet another consequence of the Forever War, the Army and Marine Corps recruited significantly more felons into their ranks in 2007 than in 2006. The … [Read more...] about Dear Criminal: Uncle Sam Wants You
Oregon Senate Race 2008 – UPDATED
As a heads up, if you would like to listen to (and even participate in) a "new media" interview in the political arena, today is yet another chance. At 1:00 pm Eastern, 10:00 am Pacific on Mid Stream Radio we will be interviewing Jeff Merkley, a Democrat who is running for Gordon Smith's Senate seat in Oregon. If you would like to submit questions via the web chat you'll need … [Read more...] about Oregon Senate Race 2008 – UPDATED
2nd UPDATE: Still not 10
Congratulations are obviously in order to Sen. Clinton and her campaign -- as well as to those TMV authors and readers who support her -- for the Pennsylvania win Not to peel sour grapes, but as an Obama supporter I'm compelled to be clear: Clinton's unofficial margin of victory -- according to the Pennsylvania Dept. of State Web site (h/t Justin Gardner), as of … [Read more...] about 2nd UPDATE: Still not 10
The Government You Deserve
A smart person once said we all get the government we deserve. This applies not only to western, democratic nations who hold elections, but even to tyrannies. If a tyrant is truly hated by his subjects, they will eventually rise up behind a populist leader and either depose him or force the government to bend to their will. If they fail to do so, then it is in their nature to … [Read more...] about The Government You Deserve
Ohiovania and Pennsylhio
I've spent considerable time in Ohio. In a past life, two of my largest clients were headquarted in the western half of the state. I also served for awhile as an interim GM for an office of my former employer in Ohio's northeast quadrant. One of the things I remember most about my time there was the irrational animosity many Ohioans felt for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As much … [Read more...] about Ohiovania and Pennsylhio
Guest Book Review: Tin Lizard Tales: Reflections From A Train by Schuyler T. Wallace
This is another Guest Book Review by fiction writer Jessica Schneider who also writes for Cosmoetica, is Book Editor for Monsters and Critics and is the only contributor to her own blog. Tin Lizard Tales: Reflections From A Train by Schuyler T. Wallace by Jessica Schneider Upon reading this book, there are several ways in which it could be classified. On one hand, … [Read more...] about Guest Book Review: Tin Lizard Tales: Reflections From A Train by Schuyler T. Wallace
(Updated) Damning Clinton With Faint Praise As The Bloodletting Finally Nears An End
In this strangest of campaign seasons, Pennsylvania has stood out for how much and how little has changed in the most ferociously fought and one of the most expensive primary campaigns ever. And when the fat lady finally sang, it turned out to be pretty much meaningless except in one important respect. Hillary Clinton's 9.38 percentage point win over Barack Obama is … [Read more...] about (Updated) Damning Clinton With Faint Praise As The Bloodletting Finally Nears An End
An Election that Solved Nothing – A 9 Point Margin
The very final results are trickling in and it looks like the true margin of victory for Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania will be about 9 points. With 99% reporting, she has 54.7% of the vote and Obama has 45.3%, or a difference of 9.4%. Considering the only precincts remaining are in Philadelphia, Chester County and Delaware County, it's likely that the 9.4 number will nudge … [Read more...] about An Election that Solved Nothing – A 9 Point Margin