Recently in 2008 Category
Act to Blue MN has less than $100 to go to reach it's goal of $2000. I have to have some readers willing to give as little as $5. Today is the last day of this quarter. Help us to put Minnesota Democrats into congress. Give to Al Franken, Ashwin Madia, Elwyn Tinklenberg, Steve Sarvi.
Red to Blue MN has just a bit more to go to hit the $2000 goal by Monday. I am asking what few readers I have to go and think about $10, $20, or more, to the worthy Democrats this ActBlue site supports. They all would be fine addictions to congress, and would keep their focus on the people they represent, not the corporations that bribe them with large donation.
Maureen Dowd can be a real misogynist at times. But damn! when she's on, she is on
New York TimesThe cheap populism is really rich coming from Karl Rove. When was the last time he kicked back with a corncob pipe to watch professional wrestling?
Rove is trying to spin his myths, as he used to do with such devastating effect, but it won't work this time. The absurd spectacle of rich white conservatives trying to paint Obama as a watercress sandwich with the crust cut off seems ugly and fake.
Obama can be aloof and dismissive at times, and he's certainly self-regarding, carrying the aura of the Ivy faculty club. But isn't that better than the aura of the country clubs that tried to keep out blacks? It's ironic, and maybe inevitable, that the first African-American nominee comes across as a prince of privilege. He is, as Leon Wieseltier of The New Republic wrote, not the seed but the flower of the civil rights movement.
Unlike W., Obama doesn't have a chip on his shoulder and he doesn't make a lot of snarky remarks. He tries to stay on a positive keel and see things from the other person's point of view.
He's not Richie Rich, saved time and again by Daddy's influence and Daddy's friends, the one who got waved into Yale and Harvard and cushy business deals, who drank too much and snickered at the intellectuals and gave them snide nicknames.
This is probably propogating a sexual stereotype, but damn, she sure did castrate Rove. Well, she would have, if he actually had any balls to begin with.
Other than the death of George Carlin, it appears to be a slow news day. Indeed, since the end of the Democratic primary drama, it's been a slow time for national news all the way around. And I need to amend a statement, even George Carlin's death in not necessarily "news."
Death is not a news story. It is simply a part of life. I am not all that inclined to consider the passing of people as some horrible, terrible incident. I am willing to admit to the pain and grief I experience when someone I love has passed away. But again, it is simply a part of life. I was going to say part of the human condition, but having seen a raccoon mourn the loss of their mate, it's far from just a human condition.
Anyway, I was just noting that on the grand scale of life, we are in a slow news cycle, where the trivial and the mundane are being elevated to heights far exceeding their worth.
Death is not a news story. It is simply a part of life. I am not all that inclined to consider the passing of people as some horrible, terrible incident. I am willing to admit to the pain and grief I experience when someone I love has passed away. But again, it is simply a part of life. I was going to say part of the human condition, but having seen a raccoon mourn the loss of their mate, it's far from just a human condition.
Anyway, I was just noting that on the grand scale of life, we are in a slow news cycle, where the trivial and the mundane are being elevated to heights far exceeding their worth.
Washington PostWhat is this? The fourth win in a special election for the Democrats? Of course, the most important aspect of his win was Donna beating the incumbent during the primary. Either way, this just eludes to the approaching blow out in November.
Democrat Donna F. Edwards was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by voters in Montgomery and Prince George's counties yesterday, becoming the first black woman selected to serve Maryland in Congress.
Today a group of bloggers is holding Blog About Steve Sarvi Day. As I have mentioned before, I occasionally volunteer for Steve's phone bank on Saturday mornings. Mostly as a means to get his name out there amongst the Democratic members in the area.
In case I have any people who are interested, you can go to his ActBlue page and help him out with a donation. There are other worthy Minnesota candidates who would welcome donations as well.
In case I have any people who are interested, you can go to his ActBlue page and help him out with a donation. There are other worthy Minnesota candidates who would welcome donations as well.
Bark Bark Woof Woof[Sigh] It seems I am being misunderstood all the way around when it comes to my last post about Hillary. I am not sad to see Hillary suspend her campaign. I was sad to see the manner in which she was forced out. Had a man been in Hillary's place, he would have been able to stay in the race right into the convention. I am bemoaning the sexism that is apparent in the push for her to bow out of the race as far back as four months ago.
Friday Blogaround
Did anything happen this week? Ask the Liberal Coalition.- A Blog Around The Clock: honeybees dancingHave a good weekend. I still have 2,759 boxes to unpack...
- archy: passive aggressive resistance, or just laziness?
- Bark Bark Woof Woof: that morning forty years ago.
- Bloggg: had enough?
- Dohiyi Mir: adventures in babysitting.
- Echidne Of The Snakes: Apparently Granny Clampett is Cal Thomas's ideal woman president.
- Florida Progressive Coalition Blog: If not Hillary, who's the next woman to run for president?
- Left Is Right is asking for your predictions of Republican shenanigans.
- Lefty Side of the Dial: Lefty doesn't like Chris Matthews.
- Musing's musings: Make up and get to work, Dems.
- Pen-Elayne on the Web reviews a new movie by Neil Innes.
- Rook's Rant: Rook is sorry to see Hillary go.
- rubber hose: permanently in Iraq?
- Scrutiny Hooligans: not a bargaining chip.
- SoonerThought: Senate rebukes Bush and Cheny; they lied about Iraq.
- Speedkill: Deceptions.
- Steve Bates, The Yellow Doggerel Democrat: Get well, Tabitha.
- Stupid Enough Unexplanation: Rush Limbaugh explains why it's not his fault the GOP will lose.
- The Invisible Library: face reality, people.
- WTF Is It Now?? No, Sen. McCain, you did not.
Washington Post
With a split decision in the final two primaries and a flurry of superdelegate endorsements, Sen. Barack Obama sealed the Democratic presidential nomination last night after a grueling and history-making campaign against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that will make him the first African American to head a major-party ticket.
I am ready to give Senator Obama the nomination. But am I not going to knock Senator Clinton for her lack of concession.
From my perspective, Senator Clinton work damn hard to earn her delegates, and didn't exactly lose all that many super delegates. Maybe, had there been more of an exodus of super delegates to Obama, I could understand the call for her to gracefully step aside.
In 2004 Bush made the foolish move of claiming a mandate. As history has already proven, he did not have a mandate. Indeed, despite having a Republican controlled congress at his beck and call, he and them accomplished nothing of significance. That claim proved to be a duck's echo.
Now, here we are today, with Obama making claims of being the Democratic party's nominee. There is only one problem, as I see it; Clinton has some delegates. Actually, quite a bit of delegates. More than enough to keep Obama from making any claims of having a mandate. Lets keep in mind there is still the matter of building a Democratic Party Platform. No way is Hillary going to allow Obama to have total say in its development.
If you think she is, you haven't been paying attention. She has been a scrappy candidate from the time she lost her first primary. She has tenaciously held onto her hopes. She has proven beyond a doubt she is not a quitter.
Then there is the matter of Obama's claim of being inclusive. He's talked about changing the culture in Washington. He's talked of a willingness to include the Republicans in governing. So, now we see just how much that claim is rhetoric, or if he's a man of his word. Will he negotiate with Clinton, or will he pull strong arm tactics and freeze her out of the platform building process? My hope; he is a man of his word, that he not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.
For years I have been witness to complaints over the Democratic Party's lack of back bone. Now, here's Clinton standing tough, showing back bone, and what happens? Yup, everyone who complained about a lack of back bone, suddenly start bitching about her need to back down. So, in other words, they want to see back bone only when it's against the Republicans.
If you are going to ask for something, you best be ready to accept it when if finally manifests, otherwise you might find yourself lumped in the column labeled "hypocrite."
So, Hillary, keep it up. You go right a head and supply that back bone. Show the rest of the party how it's done. Then, maybe, after it's all done and said, your back bone will have been infused into the Democratic party of 2008.
Clinton, who waged a fierce campaign to become the first woman nominated for the presidency, spoke shortly before Obama at a rally in New York. Amid questions about when or whether she would quit the race, she declared: "This has been a long campaign, and I will be making no decisions tonight."
From my perspective, Senator Clinton work damn hard to earn her delegates, and didn't exactly lose all that many super delegates. Maybe, had there been more of an exodus of super delegates to Obama, I could understand the call for her to gracefully step aside.
In 2004 Bush made the foolish move of claiming a mandate. As history has already proven, he did not have a mandate. Indeed, despite having a Republican controlled congress at his beck and call, he and them accomplished nothing of significance. That claim proved to be a duck's echo.
Now, here we are today, with Obama making claims of being the Democratic party's nominee. There is only one problem, as I see it; Clinton has some delegates. Actually, quite a bit of delegates. More than enough to keep Obama from making any claims of having a mandate. Lets keep in mind there is still the matter of building a Democratic Party Platform. No way is Hillary going to allow Obama to have total say in its development.
If you think she is, you haven't been paying attention. She has been a scrappy candidate from the time she lost her first primary. She has tenaciously held onto her hopes. She has proven beyond a doubt she is not a quitter.
Then there is the matter of Obama's claim of being inclusive. He's talked about changing the culture in Washington. He's talked of a willingness to include the Republicans in governing. So, now we see just how much that claim is rhetoric, or if he's a man of his word. Will he negotiate with Clinton, or will he pull strong arm tactics and freeze her out of the platform building process? My hope; he is a man of his word, that he not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.
For years I have been witness to complaints over the Democratic Party's lack of back bone. Now, here's Clinton standing tough, showing back bone, and what happens? Yup, everyone who complained about a lack of back bone, suddenly start bitching about her need to back down. So, in other words, they want to see back bone only when it's against the Republicans.
If you are going to ask for something, you best be ready to accept it when if finally manifests, otherwise you might find yourself lumped in the column labeled "hypocrite."
So, Hillary, keep it up. You go right a head and supply that back bone. Show the rest of the party how it's done. Then, maybe, after it's all done and said, your back bone will have been infused into the Democratic party of 2008.
After Obama's decisive win in North Caroline, and Hillary's poor win in Illinois Indiana, it's getting to the point where it's obvious who is going to be the Democratic Nominee. But, here is the kicker, despite the strong indication in Obama's favor, I would rather Hillary stay in the race anyway.
It's like this; the actual run for the Presidency goes until November 2, 2008. There will be no call for McCain to step down if the polling shows him losing. The Democratic nominee and McCain will be going at it until the end.
So, with that said, I believe Hillary needs to keep at it to either show Obama's not a finisher, or for Obama to show us he is a finisher.
It's like this; the actual run for the Presidency goes until November 2, 2008. There will be no call for McCain to step down if the polling shows him losing. The Democratic nominee and McCain will be going at it until the end.
So, with that said, I believe Hillary needs to keep at it to either show Obama's not a finisher, or for Obama to show us he is a finisher.
MN PubliusWay to go Steve!
Our congratulations go out to Steve Sarvi who was endorsed by acclimation after the first ballot......
Now, if you'll all excuse me, I am going to go for a bike ride.
I sometimes get gloomy and sullen at my job. That is when my co-workers ask if I am fed up and looking for another job. I tell them, as long as I do not get a hair cut, I am not looking for another job.
I think someone is looking for a new job.
I think someone is looking for a new job.
I was on my way to the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Heath and Therapy to drop off my Affidavit of CEU's because----well because I procrastinate and waited until the final day to actually have it signed and stamped by a Notary Public. Anyway, I was on my way, having just turned off Highway 110 onto 35E heading into St. Paul when this old couple in a minivan pulled up along side of me. They both smiled brightly and gave me the thumbs up.
I figure they liked my bumper stickers. I have 4 of them. One calling for us to Fight The Right, another calling to end the war, an Al Franken sticker, and a Steve Sarvi sticker. Now, usually I get angry stares, an occasional condescending smile, and once in a great while the finger. But to get a thumbs up is new. Hell I got two thumbs up.
It feels good.
I figure they liked my bumper stickers. I have 4 of them. One calling for us to Fight The Right, another calling to end the war, an Al Franken sticker, and a Steve Sarvi sticker. Now, usually I get angry stares, an occasional condescending smile, and once in a great while the finger. But to get a thumbs up is new. Hell I got two thumbs up.
It feels good.
Another addition of What She Said:
To me, this primary is actually a good thing for the fall. All this hand wringing strikes me as typical Democratic nervous nellie-ism. A huge increase in Democratic voter registration, building of strong ground operations in most states, new technologies being beta tested, lots of media coverage and battle testing for the nominee are of benefit to the nominee in the fall. Meanwhile, the Democrats stay at center stage while McCain wanders around in obscurity, failing to raise money and leaving a trail of gaffes in his wake. As long as they don't know at whom to aim their fire the Republicans can't cement their narrative. In the end, I remain convinced that we are going into an election that is so fundamentally seismic that either of them can win it, even if more closely than we might want, due to the breakthrough nature of their campaigns. The primary continuing on is not going to change that.Digby is not alone in this sentiment. I too think dragging the Democratic primary battle out until the convention is nothing but good. As to the emotional passion of both the Obama and Clinton campaigns; hey that's cool as well. Just don't go all dumb ass and decide if your dog don't win to throw it all away. In the end, anyone but a Republican. Okay?
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton sought a convincing win to keep her flickering White House hopes alive on Tuesday as Pennsylvania Democrats chose between her and Barack Obama in their presidential nominating contest.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I am soooooo excited! I can't wait to see who wins. Of course, I am also looking forward to that root canal next month.
Well, of course they did. When you consider that your comment, even if taken out of context, involved two African Americans. It was a poorly articulated comment and that makes it your mistake, President Clinton. Whether Obama's team chose to frame it as racist is immaterial. You said it, it got used against you. Duh.
Star TribuneJONESVILLE, S.C. - A South Carolina pastor says he wasn't trying to be political when he posted a sign in front of his church linking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Pastor Roger Byrd said he just wanted to make people think when he put up a sign reading "Obama, Osama — humm, are they brothers" in front of the Jonesville Church of God on Thursday.
The pastor is lying. Wasn't trying to be political my ass. He put up a damn sign about a person running for President. That's political.
The New RepublicYou want my vote for president? Not if you can't create an efficient, smooth running team. This is more reminiscent of BushCo™ than of any successful presidency.
Rife with big egos and competing centers of influence--veterans of Hillary's First Lady days, relative newbies from her Senate office, Bill's '92 people, Bill's '96 people--Team Hillary has never been a comfortably cohesive group. In happier times, discipline was easier to maintain. But, as this race has grown longer and rougher, the staff's nerves and relations have been badly strained by persistent financial troubles and constant turf wars, not to mention one increasingly unmanageable ex-president. Some days, it's hard to remember that, just six months ago, the campaign was regarded as a highly disciplined machine. More and more, it resembles an unruly rock band plagued by dysfunction and public infighting. From Williams's arrival to Solis Doyle's demise to Penn's ascent, fall, and return, the ebb and flow of power in Hillaryland over the past few months has left multiple people acting like they are in charge--and no one really in control.
However, don't mistake this as some kind of endorsement of Obama. Or McCain. I am going to support the Democratic ticket come November 2. Unless Gore steps in as an independent at the last minute.
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