April 24, 2008
1) Jeez Dad, leave me alone! Howard Dean says of remaining undecided Superdelegates: "I need them to say who they're for, starting now." Superdelegates think they hear a fly buzzing near their ear, swat it away, return to whatever it was they weren't doing.
2) Hey! Other Dad! I'm really shakin' now! Joining the fun, Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid says that he, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Howard Dean, may just have to write a joint letter to those Superdelegates demanding that they make a decision. Or maybe seperate letters. That's right, three seperate letters. And then a joint letter. Yeah......
3) Twenty Ivy League economist-nerd-types receive their marching orders. Robert Reich endorses Obama in his blog late on the Friday afternoon before the Pennsylvania primary. Obama thinks he hears a fly buzzing near his ear. Then he's distracted by crickets chirping.
4) Peggy Noonan [WSJ 4-19-08] thinks it "would be a brilliant thing" for John McCain "to announce he means to be a one-term president, that he means to have a clean, serious, one-term presidency in which he will do things those under pressure of re-electon do not and cannot do." Hmmm....an instant lame-duck GOP President trying to persuade a Democratic Congress to do things his way. Hmmm....Here's another idea for McCain. He picks Andy Rooney for his running mate, unleashes his hair-trigger temper and changes his campaiugn slogan to: "Hey you kids! Get off of my lawn!"
5) June 3, 1992, Bill Clinton plays his sax on The Arsenio Hall Show. April 21, 2008, Hillary, Barack and John McC appear on World Wrestling Entertainment's Monday Night Raw. Pop culture. It's the only culture we have.
6) From the "Really tough jobs" Department: Sadr City Department of Public Works. As quoted in this week's NYT: Sgt. Alex J. Plitsas of the 312th Psychological Operations Company, says, "He who is able to fix the public utilities holds the keys to the kingdom in terms of winning the support of the Iraqi people and ultimately ending this conflict." A world and several decades away, Tip is still right.
7) Get Me Jack Germond! Stat! Writing in the Boston Phoenix this week [4-24-08], Steven Stark says that Democrats "may have only one option at this point: they can turn to Al Gore." No. Wait. It gets better. He goes on to say that "some senior Democrats...would have to publicly urge Gore to make a run." Wait. Wait. Then he says that Gore supporters could run a write-in campaign in either Kentucky or Oregon, suggesting the latter might work because Jerry Brown placed third there in a write-in effort in the 1976 primary. I still think Curly put it best when he said: "YYNNGG, YYNNGG, YYNNGG."
8) Julie Nixon Eisenhower maxed out in giving to Obama during the primaries. Somewhere Pat Nixon stands quietly laughing on the inside.
9) You're missing the point. It's a "loss leader" strategy. The latest USA Today/Gallup Poll survey [4-22-08] shows President Bush's approval rating at 28% and his disapproval rating at 69%. That's the highest disapproval rating of any president in the Gallup Poll's 70-year history. So it's all blue sky from here on out.
10) Imagine Florida 2000 with guns, machetes, bombs and "torture camps" - Victorious opposition party leaders [the Movement for Democratic Change] failed to block a government-ordered recount of Zimbabwe's "disputed" election returns. They're "disputed" because the ruling party [i.e. that of well-known thug Robert Mugabe] lost control of the lower house of Parliament for the first time since 1980. If you want to help, send lawyers, guns and money.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Playing Politics since 1869
April 17, 2008
1) Note to Sen. Obama: Forget "small town bitter." Be more concerned about "Big City bitter," particularly in light of your campaign's decision not to spread any "street money" around Philly!
2) Sen. McCain says that, among other places, he'll go as far as "South Philly" to meet with and address the concerns of black voters. Well, if you say so Lt. Cmdr. But it may be time to radio in for new coordinates.
3) Sniper Fire Redux: Bill Clinton shines a light in that dark political graveyard where all bad campaign press goes to die. Time to hit the links, Mr. President. Really. No, really.
4) Post Modern Political Commentary rears its ugly head: Chris Matthews to Andrea Mitchell, as they go to a commercial break, MSNBC 1 p.m. EST, 4-15-08: "We and the voters share a love of truth. Politicians love the other." [Note: Quote not taken out of context. This is it in its entirety.]
5) From the "People who need to get out more" Department: "People are sick of this Bush bashing stuff!" Mary Matalin, Meet the Press 4-13-08.
6) Fox News, 5:40 p.m. EST 4-11-08: Host: "Obama is expected to emphasize the age difference with McCain." No. Your eyes will do that.
7) "No man is an island." Oh wait, there's one! Sen. Lieberman, asked if he will deliver a keynote address at the GOP Convention endorsing McCain, replies, "If he asks me to do it, ....I will." [The Hill 4-15-08]
8) "Teddy R. Says Hello!" In the ever evolving debacle that is the New Jersey GOP U.S. Senate primary contest, the state party has now turned to former Rep. Dick Zimmer, who lost the 1996 U.S. Senate race there by ten points, to enter the fray, after businessman Andy Unanue suddenly withdrew. St. Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who was already in the primary race to begin with, promises he'll file a lawsuit to keep Zimmer out, saying that he'd only get out of the race if the state party exhumed "President Theodore Roosevelt, who died in 1919, and get[s] him to run."
9) Picking a Running Mate Rule #37: "If John McCain picks a young guy in a jogging suit, it's an incredibly stupid move because it's like 'the casting rule.' You know, if you're Robert Redford's agent, and they want Brad Pitt to be the co-star, and you're like, 'No, we want Ernest Borgnine.' You know, it's a balancing act." Mike Murphy, Meet the Press, 4-13-08.
10) Yes Lord Vader. Of course, Lord Vader. China's state news agency, after branding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as "disgusting," demands CNN apologize for commentator Jack Cafferty's reference to the Chinese Gov't as being run by a bunch of "goons." CNN complies.
1) Note to Sen. Obama: Forget "small town bitter." Be more concerned about "Big City bitter," particularly in light of your campaign's decision not to spread any "street money" around Philly!
2) Sen. McCain says that, among other places, he'll go as far as "South Philly" to meet with and address the concerns of black voters. Well, if you say so Lt. Cmdr. But it may be time to radio in for new coordinates.
3) Sniper Fire Redux: Bill Clinton shines a light in that dark political graveyard where all bad campaign press goes to die. Time to hit the links, Mr. President. Really. No, really.
4) Post Modern Political Commentary rears its ugly head: Chris Matthews to Andrea Mitchell, as they go to a commercial break, MSNBC 1 p.m. EST, 4-15-08: "We and the voters share a love of truth. Politicians love the other." [Note: Quote not taken out of context. This is it in its entirety.]
5) From the "People who need to get out more" Department: "People are sick of this Bush bashing stuff!" Mary Matalin, Meet the Press 4-13-08.
6) Fox News, 5:40 p.m. EST 4-11-08: Host: "Obama is expected to emphasize the age difference with McCain." No. Your eyes will do that.
7) "No man is an island." Oh wait, there's one! Sen. Lieberman, asked if he will deliver a keynote address at the GOP Convention endorsing McCain, replies, "If he asks me to do it, ....I will." [The Hill 4-15-08]
8) "Teddy R. Says Hello!" In the ever evolving debacle that is the New Jersey GOP U.S. Senate primary contest, the state party has now turned to former Rep. Dick Zimmer, who lost the 1996 U.S. Senate race there by ten points, to enter the fray, after businessman Andy Unanue suddenly withdrew. St. Sen. Joe Pennacchio, who was already in the primary race to begin with, promises he'll file a lawsuit to keep Zimmer out, saying that he'd only get out of the race if the state party exhumed "President Theodore Roosevelt, who died in 1919, and get[s] him to run."
9) Picking a Running Mate Rule #37: "If John McCain picks a young guy in a jogging suit, it's an incredibly stupid move because it's like 'the casting rule.' You know, if you're Robert Redford's agent, and they want Brad Pitt to be the co-star, and you're like, 'No, we want Ernest Borgnine.' You know, it's a balancing act." Mike Murphy, Meet the Press, 4-13-08.
10) Yes Lord Vader. Of course, Lord Vader. China's state news agency, after branding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as "disgusting," demands CNN apologize for commentator Jack Cafferty's reference to the Chinese Gov't as being run by a bunch of "goons." CNN complies.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Playing Politics since 1869
April 11, 2008
1) April 4, 2008 - New York Times Op-Ed page - Bob Shrum pens piece urging Hillary to stay in the race. Collective Democratic heart skips beat, then returns to normal rhythm upon realizing that Shrum is not involved in running either the Clinton or Obama campaigns.
2) Politics 101: Mark Penn's demise. Anonymous insider to The Washington Post: "She couldn't get rid of Mark until he gave her the rope."
3) You haven't really practiced politics 'til you've walked around with an envelope of "walkin' around money." Herbert Alexaner, father of campaign finance research, has passed. As quoted in his obits: "It's been drummed into people time and again that money in politics is bad, that the people who give money are seeking some special favor, that the politicians are all on the take. But sometimes, it turns out all these wealthy people who give are just expressing their political views. The end result is messy and cluttered and contradictory - sort of like democracy itself."
4) MSNBC 3:35 p.m. EST 4-9-08 onscreen headline: "McCain briefly confuses Shia, Sunni, corrects himself."
5) Washington Post 4-8-08: Spike Lee speaks truth to Clintons: "I voted for Clinton twice, but that's over with. These old black politicians say, 'Ooh, Massuh Clinton was good to us, massuh hired a lot of us, massuh was good!' Hoo! Charlie Rangel, David Dinkins - they have to understand this is a new day." In the words of Mr. Tom Petty, "Hey, Spike, you're scarin' my wife."
6) Roger Stone - GOP Secret Agent Man - Spitzer, Penn - Where will he strike next? [Really great how MSM has forgotten all about those swinger ads.]
7) Political Tin Ear Awards 2008 Nominee: Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Alabama), speaking on PBS the night of Gen. Petraeus' report to Congress: "I couldn't be happier!" about the surge, etc.
8) This week's "GOP Sky is Falling" report: In March, Pennsylvania's Bucks and Montgomery counties become "Majority Democratic registration" counties. Yeah, they'll be changing back, right?
9) HBO's "John Adams" 4-6-08: "Impartiality is always partial, John." Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, countering Adams' argument that the Washington Administration must retain "impartiality" in the war between Britain and France.
10) "Hell, I had 'em with me one day, and the next day I didn't. That's how you know."
Former Oklahoma Senator and 1976 Presidential contender Fred Harris (D), explaining that once he lost Iowa and New Hampshire, his press coverage disappeared and his campaign was over. [The Washington Post 4-6-08]
1) April 4, 2008 - New York Times Op-Ed page - Bob Shrum pens piece urging Hillary to stay in the race. Collective Democratic heart skips beat, then returns to normal rhythm upon realizing that Shrum is not involved in running either the Clinton or Obama campaigns.
2) Politics 101: Mark Penn's demise. Anonymous insider to The Washington Post: "She couldn't get rid of Mark until he gave her the rope."
3) You haven't really practiced politics 'til you've walked around with an envelope of "walkin' around money." Herbert Alexaner, father of campaign finance research, has passed. As quoted in his obits: "It's been drummed into people time and again that money in politics is bad, that the people who give money are seeking some special favor, that the politicians are all on the take. But sometimes, it turns out all these wealthy people who give are just expressing their political views. The end result is messy and cluttered and contradictory - sort of like democracy itself."
4) MSNBC 3:35 p.m. EST 4-9-08 onscreen headline: "McCain briefly confuses Shia, Sunni, corrects himself."
5) Washington Post 4-8-08: Spike Lee speaks truth to Clintons: "I voted for Clinton twice, but that's over with. These old black politicians say, 'Ooh, Massuh Clinton was good to us, massuh hired a lot of us, massuh was good!' Hoo! Charlie Rangel, David Dinkins - they have to understand this is a new day." In the words of Mr. Tom Petty, "Hey, Spike, you're scarin' my wife."
6) Roger Stone - GOP Secret Agent Man - Spitzer, Penn - Where will he strike next? [Really great how MSM has forgotten all about those swinger ads.]
7) Political Tin Ear Awards 2008 Nominee: Sen. Jeff Sessions (R., Alabama), speaking on PBS the night of Gen. Petraeus' report to Congress: "I couldn't be happier!" about the surge, etc.
8) This week's "GOP Sky is Falling" report: In March, Pennsylvania's Bucks and Montgomery counties become "Majority Democratic registration" counties. Yeah, they'll be changing back, right?
9) HBO's "John Adams" 4-6-08: "Impartiality is always partial, John." Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, countering Adams' argument that the Washington Administration must retain "impartiality" in the war between Britain and France.
10) "Hell, I had 'em with me one day, and the next day I didn't. That's how you know."
Former Oklahoma Senator and 1976 Presidential contender Fred Harris (D), explaining that once he lost Iowa and New Hampshire, his press coverage disappeared and his campaign was over. [The Washington Post 4-6-08]
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Playing Politics Since 1869
April 3, 2008
2) Bob Casey endorses Obama. Who here believes the story that it's because he took his daughters' advice? A show of hands, please.
3) James Carville's "Judas" rap. And the cablenet hosts all gasp - "And he still hasn't apologized!" That's 'cause he's one of those pesky fellas who actually means what he says!
4) Tom Cole, the NRCC and The NYT Magazine cover story (3-30-08). Say what you will kids, but there's somebody who's going to learn a thing or two about losing. And while we're on the subject, isn't Mark Gersh the closest Washington has ever come to having its own Yoda?
5) Peter O'Toole as Pope Paul III on the season premiere of The Tudors (3-30-08), asking why someone doesn't just get rid of the "putant," Anne Boleyn? Alas poor Elliot, if only you lived in the 16th century.
6) Reintroducing John McCain. I don't get it. Does this version end differently? The first one was a little pitchy.
7) About that "Superdelegate convention" idea. Yeah, they've already scheduled one of those. It's in Denver. In August.
8) About that "Why can't Dean stop this?" idea. And the precedent for that would be.....?????
9) The new series of MSNBC political education campaign bumpers has that Keith Olbermann person telling us that sometimes we "as a people must ignore partisanship." Okay. You first.
10) Where's that third gubernatorial sex scandal everyone was talking about? (And no, the "he had to watch" thing in Jersey doesn't count.)
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