By GottaLaff
Every chance he gets, David Shuster has been repeating how "weird" things were today at the Obama/Biden event today in Springfield. He has repeatedly gone on at length about every gaffe that was made: The "next president" remark, the "Barack America" line, Biden calling his wife "drop dead gorgeous", and Obama imitating the stutter when referring to Biden's boyhood nickname, "B-B-Biden". (I'm not entirely sure how else he could have gotten the point across.)
He ended with:
David Shuster (with a grimace): "It was... strange."
Craig Crawford: But the visuals were great. They looked good.
And isn't that all that counts?
I'm not sure why verbal flubs are the focal point here. We all trip over our words. It isn't as if Joe Biden actually thinks Barack's last name is America, or that Obama believes that Biden is at the top of the ticket.
And what is wrong with calling his wife gorgeous? What am I missing here? How about discussing the substance of the speeches instead of the quirks?
Your turn.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
This is what happens when pundits have to fill time
Biden could give Obama a lift in Florida
BFCE. They're always working where no one ever looks. Another reason Biden's the guy.
Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as a running mate could give the ticket a boost in Florida -- thanks to Biden's ties to South Florida, including support among a cadre of influential Democratic fundraisers.
Enthusiastic Democrats said Saturday they expect Biden to help Obama in the state by shoring up support among a group of longtime Democratic fundraisers and activists who have staunchly supported Hillary Clinton.
''As far as uniting the party, Joe Biden is going to contribute significantly to that,'' said Miami developer Michael Adler, who has known Biden since the early 1970s, when his sister, Karen, was one of Biden's first legislative aides. ``Joe has been around the Democratic Party for a long time, so he can be a bridge between the established network and the new people with the Obama campaign.''
Shallow Thoughts: PUMAs, do you really want a President McCain?
By GottaLaff
These questions and more are yours for only $19.95. Call direct, call collect. We take Visa, MasterCard and spare change.
That last part was just me making fun of myself. Sleep deprivation. It's what's for dinner!
UPDATE: Apparently, not everyone knows what PUMAs are. They are the Hillary supporters who won't give up: Party Unity My Ass.
Chuck Todd: "The Obama campaign has to be ecstatic about today."
By GottaLaff
Chuck-y's in love....From NBC's Chuck Todd
Before today's event, there was a ton of speculation about how Biden was picked to fill Obama's experience gap and that may very well have been among the reasons. But after watching the unveiling of the ticket, it's clear Obama hired Biden to accomplish three things:1) Connect the ticket with blue-collar voters. Notice, Biden led his remarks with the economy.
2) Sell Obama's story. Biden owned Obama's biography in a way we've yet to see from the candidate himself.
3) Credibly attack John McCain. Biden didn't mince words about his old "friend"
All in all, if you believe, as I do, that the VP candidates matters most on three days, the first day, debate day and election day, then the Obama campaign has to be ecstatic about today. One goal down, two to go.
Vice President Biden gets overseas approval
By GottaLaff
Of course, if Biden's popular abroad, that means he's not a true patriot. I'm thinkin' that label won't stick this time:
From confronting Russia to dealing with climate change, Barak Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential candidate Saturday was seen abroad as adding weight and depth to the foreign policy of a potential Obama administration.He'd better change what Bush is (not) doing or we'll all end up living in a vast wasteland, and I'm not just referring to global warming.European analysts said the crisis in the Caucasus provided an appropriate backdrop to Biden's nomination.
In Accra, experts attending a U.N. climate change convention said Obama was sending a strong signal of change on what many see as a foreign policy debacle by the outgoing Bush administration regarding the battle against global warming.
Happy Intelligent Women Alert
This is an update for readers from the Barack Obama blog.
Gotta and I have worked very hard at keeping every little bit of new Obama news up to date. Gotta has school starting up this week but will still be dedicating herself to the best live blogging west of the Mississippi, whereas I just crank out the what I can find as fast as I can.
If you've enjoyed our blog- found it interesting, amusing or informative- please consider dropping a fiver in the donation kitty.
As other dedicated Barack Obama fans, if you have suggestions or even critiques, those are welcome as well. We enjoy having all of you visit our blog.
"John Sidney McCain: Material Girl"-- The Video
Biden does it again: Quote-O'-The-Day, the Video
By GottaLaff
Oh-h-h, suh-nap!
(at about 1:58)
"He'll have to figure out which of the seven kitchen tables to sit at." Gold.
How many kitchen tables do you have?
The picture of "a powerful, eloquent, impassioned ticket"
By GottaLaff
"For months, I've searched for a leader to finish this journey alongside me and join me in making Washington work for the American people. I searched for a leader who understood the rising costs confronting working people and will always put their dreams first," Obama said.They make a great team. Per Greg Craig, "a powerful, eloquent, impassioned ticket":
"Today, I've come back to Springfield to tell you I've found that leader," he said.
We are too.Biden, the senior U.S. senator from Delaware, invoked Abraham Lincoln in the 16th U.S. president's home state.
"President Lincoln once instructed us to be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm," said Biden, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, whose working-class roots and foreign policy experience Democrats hope will help Obama. "Today in Springfield I know my feet are in the right place and I'm proud to stand firm with the next president of the United States of America, Barack Obama."
MSNBC commentary on Biden speech: "McCain wants to divorce Bush"
By GottaLaff
On Biden's speech:
Tweety: He married Bush and McCain today. McCain wants a divorce. It's not what McCain wants to hear. It's what makes the Democrats win.
Keith: He's [McCain's] my friend, and then hits him over the head with the leg of a table. He'll remind you of every single moment of McCain = Bush presidency.
Tweety: They finally took on McCain on Georgia, using the word "bluster" twice. Obama finally asked where McCain's vision was on Iraq and Russia, instead of just bluster. There's the fire I was waiting for. His Spencer Tracy moment. A statement of strength, anger, indignation, dignity. He took the fight to the bluster of the opponent.
Keith: Also, in describing Biden as meeting "quietly" in Georgia... vs. McCain's bluster. Biden tried to ameliorate a problem instead of scoring points off it.
Tweety: Bush didn't bring us that humility in foreign policy, as he promised. The use of Karl Rove, the new acceptance of Swiftboating, accepting politics of division, a Rove guy running McCain's campaign... Biden took it all on. People are tired of the assassination policy, especially the Rs. Biden said we're the good guys, we don't have the numerous kitchen tables that McCain has.
Vice President Biden speaks
By GottaLaff
Keith: A lion of a speaker.
"Barack and I share an American story. He was raised by a single mom. She taught him to work hard and fight for it. I was an Irish Catholic kid from Scranton, but I was taught to believe, it's not how many times you get knocked down, but how quickly you get up. That's your story, America's story."
"The American Dream under Bush/McCain is slipping away."
"We as a nation can afford 4 more years of this."
"Middle class families are falling behind. ... [talking about home values falling, economy, etc.]
"McCain doesn't have to worry about paying his bills... he has to worry about which of his kitchen tables to sit at."
He's talking about oil companies, foreign policy.
"We believe with every fiber of our being, that there isn't a single solitary challenge we can't face if we level with the American people... When have Americans ever, ever, ever, ever let their country down when they had a leader to lead them?"
"There's a missing piece: Leadership. I have never seen Washington so broken, so many dreams denied... politicians escaping accountability. The reckoning is now... these times call for a total change... more than a good soldier: a wise leader... who can deliver the change we need. "
McCain is a friend of mine. The harsh truth is you can't change America when you agree with Bush [quotes McCain agreeing with Bush]. He said, "We've made great progress economically." You can't change America doing that... [lists other ways, like outsourcing. He's quoting McCain, using his own words against him.] [Pushing the Same as Bush line... crowd broke into "yes we can"]
[Crowd is chanting "Obama!"]
"You learn a lot about a man when you debate him 12-13 times... Campaigns test and challenge... I've watched Barack meet those challenges.. with steel in his spine. He's inspired millions to this new cause. During those 18 months, I've been disappointed in McCain who gave in and yielded to the Swiftboaters he deplored. This is a test of character and leadership, and ONE candidate has passed that test. Barack has a vision, but he has the COURAGE to make this a better place. He's a clear-eyed pragmatist who will get the job done."
"He made his mark in the Senate from Day One, reached across the aisle, passed ethics reform... I watched him spontaneously focusing on the shameful neglect of wounded at Walter Reed Hospital. There's something about this guy, that allows people to come together... that if they make compromises, they can make things better.. but that's the story of his whole life."
[telling Obama's life story]
"We share the same values, passed on by our parents, that we pass on to our children. I'm here for their future, the future of your kids... I'm here for the ones who have been forgotten, whose lives are the measure of the American Dream... This is no ordinary time, this may be the last chance to restore America's soul... It's time for all of us, Lincoln said, to put our feet in the right place. It's time to make Barack Obama president."
Obama/Biden: Punctual, disciplined, charismatic, tough, smart
By GottaLaff
Chris Matthews called the two families a "great tableau"... and he's right.
Liveblogging:
Obama made his entrance at 12 sharp, high noon, ready for a showdown with Eldon Sidney McCain and _____.
Nice tribute to Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
Obama's revved up. It's good to see his team starting to define who they are and what they'll do.
"Open government": I like the sound of that.
"I've found that leader... a man with a distinguished record, fundamental decency: Joe Biden. For decades he's brought change to Washington, but Washington hasn't changed him. .. Middle class appeal... Uniquely suited to put our country back on track."
The character of Joe Biden: "His family didn't have much money... Catholic faith... You can make it if you try... He worked harder than the other guy, overcame a stutter... tragedy struck, his wife and little girl killed in a car accident [see post below]. .. He was 30 years old. Tragedy tests us, it tests our fortitude and faith. ... He never moved to Washington... he returned home on a train when Senate business was done... Single dad, then remarried... Has 5 grandchildren... Son is deploying to Iraq... yet still takes that train back to Wilmington every night. He did more than become a senator, he raised a family."
"Years later, had a brain aneurysm.. he beat it. He came back stronger than before. Resilient, overcomes adversity... He has made a difference, a friend to the working class, to the underdog... Passed bipartisan crime bill... So many abused women, so he wrote the Violence Against Women Act... [listing other priorities of Biden's]... Strength of character... " [listing foreign policy strengths]
"End the war in Iraq responsibly. He recently went to Georgia... MET QUIETLY... He's what others pretend to be: A statesman with sound judgment who doesn't have to hide behind bluster to keep American strong."
"He'll give us some real straight talk."
He's still that scrappy kid from Scranton who beat the odds. A fighter. Fight for good jobs, American dream, health care... etc.
We don't want four more years of the same. I don't accept that future for my daughter or your children or the United States of America. With Joe Biden, we can take the country into a new direction... a fair shot at your dreams... Let me introduce to you, the next president, the next vice president of the United States of America.
[Laffy Note: You can bet the Rs will jump on the slip of the tongue]
One reason Republicans fear Joe Biden
By GottaLaff
Joe Biden's personal story is bittersweet and inspiring. This, John Sidney McCain, is the definition of "family values":
Big h/t: Commenter ChrisIn this Jan. 5, 1973, file photo, four-year-old Beau Biden, foreground, watches his dad, Joe Biden, center, being sworn in as the U.S. senator from Delaware, by Senate Secretary Frank Valeo, left, in ceremonies in a Wilmington hospital. Beau was injured in an accident that killed his mother and sister in December. Mrs. Biden's father, Robert Hunter, holds the bible. Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware late Friday night Aug. 22, 2008 to be his vice presidential running mate, according to a Democratic official, balancing his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues. In Washington, Biden, 65, is known as a collegial figure even when he's competitive _ one who can spin flowery praise one moment and biting fulmination the next.
Can John Sidney McCain remember how many servants he has?
By GottaLaff
John Sidney Eldon Smith McCain claims that Obama needs a mentor, a tutor. El Sid needs servants. Lots of them. If you think J Sid had trouble remembering how many homes he owns, he'd go blank if anyone tried to get him to count the number of servants he employs. Hint: $273,000 worth. He's a very rich man. Biden? Not so much. Enjoy:
MSNBC talking heads: V.P. picks edition
By GottaLaff
Liveblogging:
Howard Fineman: Chossing Biden is pretty smart on more levels that you can count... He's used to the combat... Joe is in Washington, but somehow not of Washington.
Eugene Robinson: In the attack role, he could be very effective.
Tweety: A quote about Sandy Koufax applies here: He always had speed, but now he's got control.
Financial Times woman: Biden should be sending flowers to Putin. The Russian war did it for him. Plus, this is an economy campaign. They need a killer slogan.
Keith Olbermann: The economy may influence who McCain picks.
Howard Fineman: It's unprecedented to have 3 senators in the race (it already was with 2). Now McCain will need a good debater who appeals to Independents. Biden appeals to the Democratic base. McCain might go with Pawlenty if he thinks he can hold up a debate against Biden.
Financial Times (Freeland): Mitt Romney: Provides economic expertise.
Tweety: Biden and Obama look good standing together. McCain hates standing next to Romney.
Eugene: After this week's number of houses issues, I'm thinking Romney would be taking it in the wrong direction.
Rich man, poor man
By GottaLaff
Just an interesting comparison. Poorest senators. Richest. Guessing that means Biden doesn't own 12 houses like Senator McMansion.Biden is ranked the "poorest", J El Sid the 8th richest. But he was a P.O.W., so he doesn't eat arugula or have a pointy head. Balding head with a comb-over, maybe, but not pointy.
John Sidney McCain, alias "Eldon Smith". No, I'm not kidding
By GottaLaff
It turns out that this isn't the first time the issue of John McCain's lavish multiple residences has emerged in the heat of a campaign.
In 1986, when then-Rep. McCain was running for the Senate seat vacated by Barry Goldwater, he quietly began remodeling a $500,000 house in central Phoenix owned by his wealthy father-in-law James Hensley. The $225,000 project -- which included the construction of a 4,000-square-foot addition, swimming pool, jacuzzi, cabana and barbecue -- held political peril for McCain, who was already fighting charges that he was as an opportunistic carpertbagger.
The new house was located in Phoenix's fourth congressional district -- outside of the first district in Tempe which he represented at the time.
AP caught wind of the work at 7110 North Central Ave. shortly before the general election and dispatched a reporter to examine blueprints at the planning department. They found the permit applicants were listed as Hensley and a mysterious "Mr. Smith."
The reporter tracked down McCain's plumber, who told him he'd been told Mr. Smith's first name was "Eldon."
Eldon Smith, it turned out, was John McCain.
Say it with me: John Sidney Eldon Smith McCain.
When confronted with the blueprints, McCain's spokeswoman didn't deny that the renovation was being done for McCain and his wife Cindy -- and suggested that Smith was Cindy's mother's maiden name. She didn't explain why Marguerite Hensley might have been listed as "Mr. Smith."
Later, McCain released a statement attributing the choice of Smith's name to his architect. Use of the alias didn't violate the law, he claimed, because it appeared only on blueprints and not on official permits.
"Like most architectural firms, Sheiner Day Kunz Associates uses a generic name on blueprints when working for a well-known client," he said, adding that he and Cindy had been "very open" about their plans to move out of his congressional district.
Alas, local planning experts didn't quite agree.
"Gabor Lorant, head of the Phoenix-area chapter of the American Institute of Architects," the AP reported on Oct. 31, 1986, "said that in his 29 years of work here he had never heard of a blueprint practice such [as the one] McCain described as common practice."
A McCain spokesman declined comment on the 22-year-old intrigue.
He was a P.O.W. so it's okay to deceive people.
H/t: Commenter Eve
What I heard them say about Biden
By GottaLaff
MSNBC's Lee Cowan, re: Biden's being a Washington career guy:
"In order to change it, you have to know the intricacy of how it works."MSNBC/Newsweek's Jonathan Alter:
"Not a yes man."
"The least bad choice." (paraphrase: Nobody out there was "the one")Chuck Hagel:
"Biden's selection is good news for Obama and America."Chuck Todd:
"Two things: The top of the ticket is what sells change/not change. The vice president augments... And Biden is "American" enough for [doubters]. But Joe Biden has never been Number Two to anybody.So far, so good.
(paraphrased) Biden is the pick for those who wanted Hillary. That's who they wanted. The professional Clinton folks will rally strongly around this ticket. They put out a very supportive letter..."
Biden's best quote ever
By GottaLaff
A not-so-oldie, but so-o-o goodie:
Chuck Todd, on MSNBC, just reported that the Hillary camp is solidly behind Biden and very enthusiastic. He made it sound like a turning point of sorts. The Hillary supporters, on the other hand, are another story.
This is an update for readers from the Barack Obama blog.
Gotta and I have worked very hard at keeping every little bit of new Obama news up to date. Gotta has school starting up this week but will still be dedicating herself to the best live blogging west of the Mississippi, whereas I just crank out the what I can find as fast as I can.
If you've enjoyed our blog- found it interesting, amusing or informative- please consider dropping a fiver in the donation kitty.
As other dedicated Barack Obama fans, if you have suggestions or even critiques, those are welcome as well. We enjoy having all of you visit our blog.
Reactions to Biden choice
By GottaLaff
Via Taegan Goddard:
From a purely political perspective, no presidential campaign has ever handled the announcement of a running mate so deftly. The Obama campaign set a new standard that will be studied for years.All in all, this looks more and more promising.
Other reactions:
New York Times: "Mr. Obama's selection ended a two-month search that was conducted almost entirely in secret. It reflected a critical strategic choice by Mr. Obama: To go with a running mate who could reassure voters about gaps in his résumé, rather than to pick someone who could deliver a state or reinforce Mr. Obama's message of change."
Politico: "On foreign policy and national security, an area where John McCain regularly assails Obama's lack of experience, Democrats offer few more seasoned practitioners than Biden."
First Read: "On the Democratic side, it was a collective 'phew.' As the days got nearer for the pick, it was hard to find a Democrat -- even savvy Clintonites -- who weren't hoping it would be Biden. Only the most strident Hillary supporters appear to be upset this morning. On the GOP side, the sound you heard was disappointed silence. Of everyone on the short list, the candidate many Republicans least wanted to see Obama pick was Biden."
Mark Halperin: "Balanced against all of those unmatched qualifications is one quality that has afflicted Biden for as long as anyone can remember: a persistent tendency to say silly, offensive, and off-putting things. Over the next few days (and, likely, weeks) some of Biden's ungreatest hits of gab will be recycled by the media and Republicans aiming to take the luster off Obama's choice of running mate."
Craig Crawford: "Obama-Biden works on several fronts, A longtime sentimental favorite among the Democratic faithful, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden provides a comfort zone for labor leaders, Catholics (he is one) and national-security voters. Although Biden's poor fundraising skills doomed his presidential campaigns, he performs extremely well in debates and demonstrated considerable skill at shifting from the arcane language of the Senate chamber to the street language of the campaign trail."
David Brody: "Time will tell if Barack Obama made the right choice in picking Joe Biden but if you look at it on paper, it makes a whole lot of sense."
Marc Ambinder: "Obama-Biden will be a formidable ticket, and a risky ticket, and not a comfort zone choice for Obama."
Jonathan Cohn: "Conservatives will blast [Biden's] record, just as surely as liberals will (or should) celebrate it. But one of the virtues of having Biden as the vice presidential nominee is that he won't take those kinds of attacks lightly. He'll fight back. He'll remind people, rightly, that being a liberal Democrat means raising the minimum wage, making sure everybody has affordable health care, providing strong public schools, and protecting human rights. Then, he'll ask why conservative Republicans don't want the same things. That's exactly the kind of political debate this country needs. By picking Biden as a running mate, Obama has signaled that he welcomes this argument--and intends, finally, to win it."
Do you feel betrayed?
By GottaLaff
I don't feel the least bit betrayed. Do you?
In case you haven't seen it, this is the "famous e-mail":
Dear [Laffy],
I have some important news that I want to make official.
I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.
Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.
I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone. We need your help to keep building this movement for change.
Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team. Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:
http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe
Thanks for your support,
Barack
P.S. -- Make sure to turn on your TV at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to join us or watch online at http://www.BarackObama.com.
Brother: Wives handle McCain finances
Ya know, I don't give a shit who handles the "finances". My mom handled them in her marriage and I handled them in mine. But I'm betting Cindy McCain does not handle the "finances" in her family, a freakin' boatload of accountants and lawyers do. What a lame excuse.
John McCain tripped over a question about how many houses he and his wife own because when he was growing up, his mother — not his father — handled the family finances, according to McCain’s younger brother.
Likewise, John McCain’s wife, Cindy, takes the lead when it comes to the couple's finances, confirmed Joe McCain after an interview with NewsChannel 8, a Washington 24-hour local cable news station owned by the same company as Politico.
Gratuitous Sexy VP Pics
Stolen from here, where there are many more.
BTW, DailyKos has a crapload of Biden personal experience posts up right now so go check them out.
This is an update for readers from the Barack Obama blog.
Gotta and I have worked very hard at keeping every little bit of new Obama news up to date. Gotta has school starting up this week but will still be dedicating herself to the best live blogging west of the Mississippi, whereas I just crank out the what I can find as fast as I can.
If you've enjoyed our blog- found it interesting, amusing or informative- please consider dropping a fiver in the donation kitty.
As other dedicated Barack Obama fans, if you have suggestions or even critiques, those are welcome as well. We enjoy having all of you visit our blog.
"Two Guys, Two Houses"
That's what John Harwood just said the Obama/Biden catchphrase should be. Just in a quick google it looks like Romney owns at least 3 homes. Man, it does NOT look good for a McCain/Romney ticket.
New Obama Video- American Prayer
Not so sure about this one.
The stars are a bit of an older generation (this doesn't exactly scream "the future") and include Forest Whitaker, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Barry Manilow, Cyndi Lauper, Sergio Mendes, Herbie Hancock Joan Baez, Pamela Anderson(!), and Perez Hilton.
Joe Biden Rips GOP On Iraq War Resolution
Yeehaa!!! Nice to be reminded what we've got to look forward to.
This is an update for readers from the Barack Obama blog.
Gotta and I have worked very hard at keeping every little bit of new Obama news up to date. Gotta has school starting up this week but will still be dedicating herself to the best live blogging west of the Mississippi, whereas I just crank out the what I can find as fast as I can.
If you've enjoyed our blog- found it interesting, amusing or informative- please consider dropping a fiver in the donation kitty.
As other dedicated Barack Obama fans, if you have suggestions or even critiques, those are welcome as well. We enjoy having all of you visit our blog.
3 AM? Were they trying to make a freaking point?
Ugh Scarborough is back. Obama/Biden '08 Bitchez!!!
Friday, August 22, 2008
TBPNTOTV!!! Bash Obama edition
By GottaLaff
CNN's John King is doing his level best right now to get the new CBN commentator to say that Obama messed up by not including Hillary and Bill enough in his decisions. He's trying hard.
That was after he emphasized how Obama needs Biden's foreign policy know-how because, you know, Obama's so inexperienced and new.
Only to be topped just now by saying that the Democrats are laughable when it comes to discipline (paraphrased, but he was laughing when he said it).
TBPNTOTV!!!* strikes again.
He's about to do a piece on Obama's half brother. Time for me to turn off the Television Machine.
*THE BEST POLITICAL NEWS TEAM ON TELEVISION!!!
TEXT MESSAGES TO BE SENT OUT SATURDAY MORNING
Per CNN.
Taegan:
The AP reports several Obama aides "said the text message announcement would be distributed Saturday morning, a few hours before a scheduled rally at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., where the Democratic ticket would appear for the first time."UPDATE: Per a commenter on the Obama blog, the texts could be as early as 4 a.m. Eastern. They said John King reported that.
Bayh-Bayh, Bayh and Kaine
By GottaLaff
As reported in her Nightly News spot, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, according to sources, were told they're out of the running.
From the First Read team, just asking, so which news organization is going to irresponsibly go with Biden without confirmation from Biden or the Obama campaign -- even though they all have the same information we do? Some news org who loves credit and hits has to be itchin'...
Bayh the way...
By GottaLaff
In case you were panicking:
A Kansas City television station reports a local company is printing Obama-Bayh bumper stickers. The design, however, looks very unlikely. A reader also notes there's no union label on the bumper sticker.And for good measure:
Dan Balz is impressed with the Obama campaign: "So far they've orchestrated the vice presidential roll out deftly -- delaying it until the eve of the convention to assure that they dominate the last days before opening night with real news, while steadily ratcheting up the frenzy of speculation in the days beforehand."Sweet.
And so is Politico: "In dragging out the announcement of his vice-presidential nominee to almost the eve of the Democratic National Convention, Barack Obama has at once demonstrated his willingness to defy conventional political expectations--and to hold the news media in his thrall while doing it."
Tidbits
MSNBC is reporting that both Bayh and Kaine have been told they are not it, activity is up outside Biden's house (family members and flowers).
Saw this just now-
Who Will Introduce Obama?
and after reading this wonderful article about Obama's growing up years, I have a question. How about his grandmother introducing Obama via satellite or video? That would rock.
Obama's bashing the American Dream
By GottaLaff
On Fox News’ Your World, host Neil Cavuto defended John McCain’s inability to recall the number of homes he owns by attacking critics who have sought to highlight McCain’s failure. He opened the segment by asking, “Well, instead of slamming McCain, is Obama really bashing the American Dream?”"One pill makes you larger... and one pill makes you small..."
Howie Kurtz's bias re: Rachel Maddow
By GottaLaff
That should give you something to divert your attention away from impending text messages while I struggle with a video tech issue that's driving me insane.Earlier this week, MSNBC announced that Air America host Rachel Maddow will be getting her own show starting on Sept. 8. Responding to the news, The New Republic’s Sacha Zimmerman wrote that “the Dawn of Maddow” was indicative of how Americans are “refusing to acknowledge anything but spite, paranoia, and conspiracy theory when it comes to the other side.” Liberals across the blogosphere responded to Zimmerman’s claims in force. But in his Media Notes column today, the Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz highlights only Zimmerman’s critique, not any of the pushback:
The news that Air America’s Rachel Maddow is getting her own MSNBC show draws only qualified praise from the New Republic’s Sacha Zimmerman.
As Glenn Greenwald argues, Kurtz and Zimmerman are buying into the absurd notion that “Liberalism is inherently shrill and unserious — even when advocated by a smart and sober commentator like Maddow.”
Getting into the mood...
By GottaLaff
... for liberal love:
J Sid is trying to raise expectations:
McCain expects Obama to get 15 percent bump in pollsBarack Obama may get a 15 percent bump in the polls from the announcement of his vice presidential pick and next week’s Democratic convention, according to a memo from John McCain's campaign.
The memo from campaign strategy director Sarah Simmons attempted to set expectations for the Democratic senator...
John Sidney McCain didn't know what kind of car he drove, either
By GottaLaff
It doesn't say how many cars he owned/owns. 7? 8? 9?[A] 2007 interview revealing he knew neither how many houses he owned nor what car he drove:
In our News interview, he was asked what kind of car he drove. As with Politico’s question about home ownership, he didn’t know and had to ask a nearby aide. “A Cadillac CTS,” she told him. But then the senator was quick to point out that he had bought his daughter a Prius — the prefect (sic) halo symbol for his green pretensions. […]
We also pressed McCain on the home issue, though at that time he was only willing to reveal two of his dwellings: one in Phoenix and a second home in Sedona. And he was quite proud of the fact that he had installed solar panels on the Sedona pad.
Unmarried women overwhelmingly for Obama
By GottaLaff
A new Greenberg Quinlan Roser survey finds unmarried women overwhelmingly backing Sen. Barack Obama for president, 58% to 29%, "but their commitment to voting lags behind the rest of the country."I have one good single reason for singles to get out and vote: John Sidney McCain.
Key finding: "It is almost impossible to understand the 'women's vote' without understanding the role marital status plays in political decision-making. Marital status not only drives how women vote, but whether they vote."
Dear Paddy, you're not alone...
By GottaLaff
(Via)
(see tags, which are the list of words in burgundy just below the post that explain what the post is about)
Vice President Petraeus
By GottaLaff
In May, Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen published a letter to uniformed soldiers warning that “the U.S. military must remain apolitical at all times.” Five days later, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was forced to publicly apologize for using a picture of himself with Gen. David Petraeus in campaign fundraising materials, saying, “It won’t happen again.”Yesterday, however, the McCain campaign once again politicized the military and Gen. Petraeus, now the Central Command chief, by floating the idea of asking Petraeus to be McCain’s vice presidential pick:
People close to the campaign also floated a wild-card choice, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq. They said it was not beyond the realm of possibility that Mr. McCain would ask him to join the ticket, although General Petraeus has no experience in elective government and has said repeatedly that he is not interested in the vice presidency. … The adviser said the campaign was putting forth his name in part in a bid for attention.
He needs more attention? What, he's now 72 going on 5?
Unfortunately for McCain, Petraeus has said he would refuse to ever run for office.So what J Sid is really doing is linking himself to the Iraq war debacle, the military, America's darlingest general ever, and the imagery of the two of them walking down the aisle in sweet wedded uniformed bliss.
You'll never see the corporate media give his hypocrisy its due. Had it been Obama who had floated Petraeus, he'd be accused of playing uppity presumptuous dress-up while exploiting the military for his ambitiousy presidentially biddy gain.
Good News (Democrats)/Bad News (Republicans)
By GottaLaff
And Republicans know that they are in deep shitake (see above):Franken Moves Ahead of Coleman in Senate Race
The latest Minnesota Public Radio poll shows Al Franken (D) inching ahead of Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) in their U.S. Senate race, 41% to 40%.
Al Franken is funny, but the Republicans are the real joke.Senate Republicans Fail in Fundraising Effort
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the head of the Senate Republicans' campaign effort, said his colleagues "have not heeded his calls for contributions to contested races, threatening advertising on behalf of GOP candidates," CQ Politics reports.
Said Ensign: "It has become clear that my call has gone largely unanswered. I have no control over the timing or content of (independent) ads, but I have had no choice but to decrease the total budget for our (independent expenditures) unit.
Iraq watch: Bush/McCain defer to Obama
By GottaLaff
Hmm, isn't this what Obama has been suggesting since ... forever? It's nice to see the Chimpenfuhrer in Chief/McRichPOW. using Barack as a role model. In fact, one might wonder if W and POW are contributing to Obama's looking awfully-- dun dun dun-n-n!-- presidential:
In agreeing to pull U.S. combat troops out of Iraqi cities by June, and from the rest of the country by 2011, President Bush has apparently consented to precisely the kind of timetable that, when Democrats called for one, he dismissed as "setting a date for failure." Bush can call it an "aspirational goal" until he turns blue, but a timetable is exactly what it is, thank you very much.
Bush has repeatedly warned that politics and public opinion should have no role in the decision about when to leave Iraq, but apparently he just meant American politics and public opinion. A clear majority of Americans has favored a withdrawal timetable for several years now, putting anti-war Democrats in control of Congress in 2006.
And what did the Bush/McCain twins do?
Bush ignored them. But in the end, he bowed to the will of the Iraqis' elected representatives. After five and a half years of occupation, it was their turn to put a gun to Bush's head: The timetable was the price they demanded for agreeing to let American troops remain in the country beyond the expiration of a United Nations mandate in December.
And what a price he and J Sid will pay! It's the priciest price ever!
Bush's acquiescence pulls the rug out from under Republican presidential candidate John McCain, whose position on Iraq was largely identical to Bush's -- pre-backflip. In some ways, the new timetable is even shorter than the one proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Here's a micro-fiber towel to wipe the egg off of your conjoined faces.
The White House line will be that the timetable is still somewhat conditional -- and only possible because the situation on the ground has improved.
But Bush's real accomplishment here is that he has stalled long enough that none of the deadlines he has now agreed to will be on his watch. This will all be somebody else's problem.
Hmmm. He must believe Obama will win then. Let's consider this a concession.
So the next big question is this: How will Bush explain this turnaround when he finally emerges from his Crawford vacation? Will he try to downplay its significance? Or will he actually suggest that the job is nearly done in Iraq? That would be a bold move indeed, but not one with a lot of evidence to support it.The next big question after that is how J Sid will untie the knots into which he is now tied and explain how he supports Obama's consistent and now official U.S. policy of troop withdrawal.
He may need a few days by the pool at one of his 9 homes (if he can remember where they are) to relax, unwind, and attempt to memorize his next melodious, patronizing, even-tempered spin... unless he finally blows.
Harry Reid "can't stand John McCain"
By GottaLaff
So, Senate Majority Leader HARRY REID told the Reno Review-Journal he "can't stand John McCain." Fair enough. But the bigger news is his apparent reluctance to discipline JOE LIEBERMAN for speaking on McCain's behalf at the Republican National Convention, even as Dems like RAHM EMANUEL and PAUL BEGALA bay for blood. "All my close votes, he's always with me, whether it's the budget or energy issues," Reid said of the Connecticut independent. "No matter what it is, he's always with us. He just does not vote right on Iraq. ... Why would I want to throw away a good vote?"Um, because he's a traitor who threw away the Democratic party?
Possible answer: BECAUSE YOU CAN'T STAND JOHN MCCAIN! OOPS. Reid gaffed a bit with the Review staff, inaccurately attributing LIEBERMAN'S rightward shift to rumored veep candidate JOE BIDEN. "Asked whether he meant Lieberman, Reid, whose stream-of-consciousness speaking style often leads to such flubs, corrected himself. ... During the hourlong colloquy, Reid also forgot the name of former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a Democratic Senate candidate, and the Title IX legislation giving women access to school sports programs."Time for Harry to give it up to someone else. The last thing we need is a weak Senate leader [sic] with a John Sidney McCain-style mouth.
Obama V.P. tidbits
By GottaLaff
Taegan, Taegan, you're just stoking the fires:
Nobody emailed me yet.Edwards Said to Be On Short List
The Associated Press reports that Sen. Barack Obama "is hours away from naming his running mate, as little-known Texas congressman Chet Edwards is emerging as a finalist."
"Democratic officials say that Edwards was one of the few Democrats whose background was checked by Obama's campaign, and he was a finalist for the job."
[Laffy Note: Edwards' voting record here]
Quote of the Day
"She was never vetted. She was not asked for a single piece of paper. She and Senator Obama have never had a single conversation about it. How would he know if she'd take it?"
-- A Democratic official on Sen. Hillary Clinton, quoted by Politico.
Obama Makes the Calls
Sen. Barack Obama "called some people on his short-list for the vice presidential slot Thursday night to tell them he had not selected them as running mate," a highly placed Democratic party source told CNN.
The source did not say which people got the call.
Nine Car Motorcade Ferries McCain To Starbucks
I mean really, doesn't he have people to get it for him? Cindy doesn't have an espresso machine? My sister only has one home and she's got a ferociously cool cappuccino/espresso whatever machine.
LA Times-
McCain, who huddled with advisors at his desert compound in Sedona, Ariz., said nothing in public. A nine-car motorcade took him to a nearby Starbucks early in the morning, where he ordered a large cappuccino. McCain otherwise avoided reporters.
MSNBC Broadcast Schedule During the DNC and RNC
Also, in case you missed it (look to the right) Cspan has a "Convention Hub" that looks really interesting and I plan to explore more. I like that they're finally letting us embed.
MSNBC will telecast 20 hours a day of live coverage from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo., Aug. 25-29, and the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 1-4.
As part of MSNBC's convention coverage, the networks of NBC Universal will telecast a one-minute convention roadblock, anchored by Keith Olbermann, with an update on the day's happenings and a preview of the upcoming coverage on MSNBC and NBC. The roadblock will air on NBC, CNBC, Bravo, SciFi, Oxygen and USA Network each night of both the DNC and RNC.
6 a.m.-11 a.m. ET: "Morning Joe"
11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET: Dan Abrams anchors
12 p.m.-1 p.m. ET: Chuck Todd anchors
1-2 p.m. ET: Brian Williams anchors
2-3 p.m. ET: Andrea Mitchell anchors
3-4 p.m. ET: Norah O'Donnell anchors
4-5 p.m. ET: Tom Brokaw anchors
5-6 p.m. ET: "Hardball with Chris Matthews"
6-7 p.m. ET: "Race for the White House with David Gregory"
7 p.m. ET: Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews anchor MSNBC primetime convention coverage.
Biden Family Gathers in Delaware
My favorite part is the last line.
In anticipation of Sen. Barack Obama's announcement of a running mate, NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports that one of Sen. Joe Biden's sons was flown in a private plane from Maine to the Senator's home in Delaware on Wednesday. Biden is "gathering the clan."
Another report said Biden has stopped talking to the media again.
Jonathan Alter thinks it's Biden "for some of the very reasons that were thought to disqualify Biden."
Do not, I repeat DO NOT** support the key prank at the convention
Absolutely no diss to Joeyess, it was a grand idea. BUT, from Salon-
McCain has himself described having an adverse reaction to the sound of jangling keys, which reminds him of his Vietnam jailers. McCain also told doctors that during solitary confinement he had strayed pretty "far out" and had referred to himself as "mentally deteriorating."
It could be and would be interpreted as teasing or mocking McCain's PTSD.
**I'm going to take a presumptuous hit on this and say I can't and shouldn't tell people what to do or not. But I cannot see any good coming out of this. Joey had a brilliant idea that stands alone. He had no knowledge of this fact and cannot be faulted. If we want to use this as a springboard to discussions of McCain's PTSD issues, IMHO that would be the way to go.
What Jane Doe Saw On The Local News Last Night In Raleigh North Carolina
The meme has landed. Let's hope the campaign doesn't screw this up.
BTW, our friend Joeyess is getting mucho coverage for his idea to jingle house keys at the convention!!!
VIA
Obama camp counting on new voters
In my back yard, and probably yours. BFCE. Anyone want to make me a BFCE logo? I need one.
SOUTH BEND — In the coming weeks, volunteers for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign will be everywhere.
Beauty shops. Barber shops. Bus stops. Churches.
All for the sake of getting you to vote.
(snip)
At the local level, organizers will be encouraging people to vote early starting Oct. 6, said Shailen Bhatt, regional field director for Obama's campaign in northern Indiana.
Early balloting ensures everyone gets a chance at the ballot box and helps avoid the myriad situations that prevent people from voting such as long lines or bad weather, Bhatt said.
"The tragedy is not people who vote against us," he said. "The tragedy is people who want to vote for us, go there, and can't."
The whereabouts of potential veep picks
Get your final predictions in, and yes, you will be ridiculed.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and his staff had a 15-minute meeting with Obama at a hotel in Richmond, Va. The governor later joined Obama at a campaign event in Chester, Va., and said he would let the campaign speak about whether he's been asked to be the No. 2. Kaine planned to fly late Friday night directly from Virginia to Denver, where the Democratic National Convention begins Monday, according to three people with knowledge of his travel plans.
-Sen. Joe Biden had no public events Thursday, his staff said. He spent most of the day at his home in northern Delaware with his wife, Jill; son, Beau, who is Delaware's attorney general; and his niece, Missy Owens, who has worked in his campaigns.
-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius participated Thursday morning in a U.S. Energy Department contest for students at a Topeka-area high school. She later flew to Iowa to campaign for Obama in the afternoon.
-Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh was working and spending time with his family at his home in Washington, said his spokesman, Eric Kleiman.
-Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed was working and spending time with his family at his home in Jamestown, R.I., Reed spokesman Chip Unruh said. Reed told an Associated Press reporter late Thursday that he was not Obama's choice and had not been asked for any background information.
-New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton spent Thursday in Florida. She addressed sheet metal workers in Lake Buena Vista and campaigned for Obama in Boca Raton and Taramac.
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