1) The Scott McClellan hubbub: Too bad Fox doesn't have a political version of "Moment of Truth." You could win some dough with this stuff. Otherwise, except for the betrayal, it's a lot like proving that the sky is blue, isn't it?
2) The White House response to the McClellan hubbub: Is that ham I smell on those hands?
3) Bob Dole's acerbic e-mail response to the McClellan hubbub: Who woke up the Viagra Kid? Did you know he could e-mail? Bob, who's on your MySpace page?
4) McCain challenges Barack to go to Iraq with him: Let's up the ante with a "Quick Fire" challenge. They each have to buy food at the central Baghdad marketplace and cook up a light lunch for 20 in the Green Zone.
5) Our condolences to Mrs. Bow Tie: Tucker Carlson on picking a VP: "The VP story is a little bit like sex. When it's happening, you're totally focused on it, it's all you want. Then, the second it's over, you can barely remember why it seemed so important." [Politico 5-28-08]
6) Mikey, we hardly knew ya! Gravel retires from politics! Mike, seriously, it was always like you were in your own private M. Night Shyamalan flick. Now we'll never know how your saga ends, which, if you think about it, is in keeping with the whole concept anyway, right? Too bad. Grumpiness is so in vogue now.
7) The McCain "We'll be out of Iraq by 2013" plan: Note to the campaign, see if Zager & Evans are still around. "In the year 2013, ain't gonna need no troops over there anymore, everything you think, do, and say is in the pill you took today...." You get the idea. I smell comeback! Which you guys could use also....
8) Larry Craig's book to explain everything: In the words of Paul Westerberg, "Saw your video! We don't wanna know!!!!!!!!!"
9) Bernadette Budde still rules! "Tell me (who wins) Colorado and I will tell you the winner." Bernadette, to USA Today [5-28-08] on the 2008 presidential race.
10) Murray Sabrin talks to the dead! New Jersey GOP Senate candidate Murray Sabrin announced this week that his candidacy had been endorsed by Frank Gannett, founder of Gannett Co. Inc. The fact that Gannett died in 1957 did not trouble Murray. Nor should it trouble the voters of New Jersey.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Even in politics, there's just some things you just don't talk about....
1) Ted's Troubles: For the outpouring of soul, for reminding us that the most exclusive of clubs does still have a heart, for harking back to the days when Senators were masters of this game. And we were the better for it.
2) Mike & Mitt & the Unseamly Chase: There was a time not so long ago when gentlemen did not act this way. What's next? Will they pull blades on each other? Don't they know the last cookie always goes to the quiet one?
3) Republican Party or Donner Party? You Decide. Hey Newt! Thanks for the great new batch of old ideas. Yes. All they need to do is write a new Magna Carta. In which alternative universe did you dream that stuff up? Did the Ruskies win?
4) Note to Huckabee, Hagee, Hillary, et al: Rule # 43: In politics, don't mention Hitler, the Holocaust, assasinations or make fun of sick people. Ever.
5) Bush hat in hand to the Saudis: Speaking of somebody looking like Neville Chamberlain.
6) Goodbye to Vito F.: I guess reality finally set in. But wouldn't we all have loved to have been a fly on the wall in that room. Who did it? Boehner? Cole? Someone closer to home?
7) Dick Tuck Hall of Fame Awards: To whoever sent that plastic penis on a mini remote-controlled helicopter flying through Garry Kasparov's press conference to unite Kremlin opponents. Who says Big Brother doesn't have a sense of humor?
8) Remember Hamilton Jordan. There's a guy who drew up a 70-page plan that laid out a year-by-year, step-by-step campaign for an obscure Southern governor to win the White House. They followed the plan.
9) Mark McKinnon has a code. He follows his word. Got to admire that these days.
10) And the "Hasn't caught up with the news yet" Award goes to: Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana (R), who this week said: "I think the way back to the majority is to the right."
Friday, May 16, 2008
Politics: Why Chaos Theory always works
1) Political Play of the Week: To David Axelrod for putting the Edwards endorsement announcement right before the evening news on the day after West Virginia. Does it give Barack NC? No. But it did what it was intended to do - change the subject in a big way.
2) On using the Bully Pulpit to lead by example. You gave up golf in solidarity with the troops? Wow. Okay, so I guess that means we should follow your lead, sir. No Halo 3 during work and absolutely no Guitar Hero after 8 p.m. But can we still see Niko Bellic on the weekends? This sacrifice stuff hurts. Don't know how you can possibly endure it, sir.
3) Post-modern political analysis rears its ugly head again: MSNBC's "Hardball" 7 p.m. EST 5-14-08, Chris Matthews to Pat Buchanan on the Edwards endorsement: "Pat Buchanan! That's sort of like getting it from the back, there!" And you're going to run for the U.S. Senate with that mouth? We can hardly wait.
4) From the "No more questions!" Department: Vito Fossella to Guy Molinari last week, on hearing that the party was talking about potential candidates to replace him in a special election when he resigns: "What's this all about?" Earth to Vito. But you know, on second thought, he should probably stay put. The party just can't afford to lose another special. I know, you're screaming, "Not in Staten Island!" But I bet the NRCC would still have to spend some bucks on it.
5) Bob Barr knows something we don't. Okay, so Bob's probably a lock for the Libertarian Party. You know, those are the ones whose party convention looks like a giant infomercial audience. But the word "Party" always begs the question: How many ward leaders do you have? Also, have you ever paved roads or moved trash? I guess I'm being petty.
6) It Ain't Her, Babe: It boggles the mind what passes for political commentary these days. Camille Paglia, [really, will the '80s never end?????] writing on Salon.com, 5-14-08, on HRC: "who won't stop her manic tarantella until her party whirls into ruins, like the run-amuck carousel in Alfred Hitchcok's "Strangers on a Train." Sounds great. Means nothing. First, I believe it's always been more "Twist and Shout." Second, as to which party is currently whirling into ruin, take Connie Corleone's advice: "Read the papers! Read the papers!"
7) Mississippi 1st CD Special Election: Attention House GOP: Head for the hills! If it was a horror movie, the audience would be screaming at the Grand Old Party to stop sending its people into the dark basement to check out those noises. None of them are coming back up! At this rate come the fall the DCCC will be offering (on their dime) to fly VP Cheney anywhere in the country to campaign for incumbent GOP reps.
8) Sen. Arlen Specter investigates the Patriots: [Insert "Magic Bullet Theory" joke here] That's the way to use your office to get even on the personal level, Senator. Hope that investigation doesn't touch your Eagles. And by the way, was that the sound of the NFL checkbook coming out for Chris Matthews?
9) McCain Can't Recall 2000 Vote: People say lots of things at parties. Mark Salter calling Arianna "a flake and a poser and an attention-seeking diva." Well, yeah, what's your point? The bigger question - Does Cindy McCain have more money than God? This Bud's for you, Cindy.
10) Ron Paulites plotting for convention shenanigans: Look kids, all ol' Ron wants is a prime time slot to address America about that ever-pressing question, "The Gold Standard." At which point millions of remotes switch to "Rock of Love 3" "Oh, Brett......"
2) On using the Bully Pulpit to lead by example. You gave up golf in solidarity with the troops? Wow. Okay, so I guess that means we should follow your lead, sir. No Halo 3 during work and absolutely no Guitar Hero after 8 p.m. But can we still see Niko Bellic on the weekends? This sacrifice stuff hurts. Don't know how you can possibly endure it, sir.
3) Post-modern political analysis rears its ugly head again: MSNBC's "Hardball" 7 p.m. EST 5-14-08, Chris Matthews to Pat Buchanan on the Edwards endorsement: "Pat Buchanan! That's sort of like getting it from the back, there!" And you're going to run for the U.S. Senate with that mouth? We can hardly wait.
4) From the "No more questions!" Department: Vito Fossella to Guy Molinari last week, on hearing that the party was talking about potential candidates to replace him in a special election when he resigns: "What's this all about?" Earth to Vito. But you know, on second thought, he should probably stay put. The party just can't afford to lose another special. I know, you're screaming, "Not in Staten Island!" But I bet the NRCC would still have to spend some bucks on it.
5) Bob Barr knows something we don't. Okay, so Bob's probably a lock for the Libertarian Party. You know, those are the ones whose party convention looks like a giant infomercial audience. But the word "Party" always begs the question: How many ward leaders do you have? Also, have you ever paved roads or moved trash? I guess I'm being petty.
6) It Ain't Her, Babe: It boggles the mind what passes for political commentary these days. Camille Paglia, [really, will the '80s never end?????] writing on Salon.com, 5-14-08, on HRC: "who won't stop her manic tarantella until her party whirls into ruins, like the run-amuck carousel in Alfred Hitchcok's "Strangers on a Train." Sounds great. Means nothing. First, I believe it's always been more "Twist and Shout." Second, as to which party is currently whirling into ruin, take Connie Corleone's advice: "Read the papers! Read the papers!"
7) Mississippi 1st CD Special Election: Attention House GOP: Head for the hills! If it was a horror movie, the audience would be screaming at the Grand Old Party to stop sending its people into the dark basement to check out those noises. None of them are coming back up! At this rate come the fall the DCCC will be offering (on their dime) to fly VP Cheney anywhere in the country to campaign for incumbent GOP reps.
8) Sen. Arlen Specter investigates the Patriots: [Insert "Magic Bullet Theory" joke here] That's the way to use your office to get even on the personal level, Senator. Hope that investigation doesn't touch your Eagles. And by the way, was that the sound of the NFL checkbook coming out for Chris Matthews?
9) McCain Can't Recall 2000 Vote: People say lots of things at parties. Mark Salter calling Arianna "a flake and a poser and an attention-seeking diva." Well, yeah, what's your point? The bigger question - Does Cindy McCain have more money than God? This Bud's for you, Cindy.
10) Ron Paulites plotting for convention shenanigans: Look kids, all ol' Ron wants is a prime time slot to address America about that ever-pressing question, "The Gold Standard." At which point millions of remotes switch to "Rock of Love 3" "Oh, Brett......"
Friday, May 9, 2008
Panic comes to town
May 8, 2008
1) "Louisiana 6 says 'Hello!'" Hey, when was the last time a House special election [or any House race for that matter] impacted a presidential nomination race? Anyone? Anyone?
2) Uncle Teddy kills the dream [ticket] Says HRC's not deserving of the office of Spiro Agnew or Dick Cheney. Hey! Doesn't Ted know that she has the Immunity Idol. That's what this is all about.....
3) Vito, We hardly knew ya (well, some did) When you hit the Congressional scandal hat trick - DUI, special friend the District knows nothing about and a love child - you've reached the Pantheon preserved for the select few. For wont of a driver on staff, how many have fallen?
4) 'Ster! 'Ster! Let me see your I.D. Poll worker Julie McGuire, herself a nun, was forced to turn away a dozen fellow Catholic nuns of St. Marys Convent in South Bend from an Indiana polling place the day of the presidential primary because they lacked a photo I.D. We're talking about nuns in their 80s or 90s. Some in wheelchairs, on walkers or using electric carts. Now that's the type of poll worker we all need.
5) "Every objective has been met and surpassed!" Rush Limbaugh, crowing to his audience that his "Operation Chaos" was hard at work in Indiana and North Carolina. To most folks "Operation Chaos" refer to that time period between when your prescription runs out and the date the insurance company will pay for the refill.
6) But for the Grace of God (and a bad ballot position) we are spared! Indiana 2: the Congressional District where GOP Congressional contender Tony Zirkle became a three-time loser last week, failing to capture his party's nomination and taking only 16 percent of the vote. In April, Zirkle spoke at a National Socialist Workers Party gathering to honor the birthday of Adolf Hitler. Asked whether he supported the Nazis, Zirkle said he did not "know enough about the group to either favor it or oppose it." In reporting on the story, Al Kamen's "In the Loop" column [Wash. Post 5-7-08] pictured Zirkle, an opponent of porn, feeding an issue of Playboy into a shredder.
7) Political Do-Overs. Are they still allowed? Under fire for having an affair with a staffer, Ohio Attorney general Marc Dann said that he wasn't really ready to administer such a large organization and told staff: "From here on out, we will conduct ourselves in a professional manner befitting the great work we have done." Wait! Okay, .......now!
8) Lt. Cmdr.! Bogies at three o'clock! (I thought you took care of them miles back) GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain still can't break 80% in the primaries. After taking 73% of the vote in Pennsylvania's GOP primary he went on to score 74% in North Carolina and 78% in Indiana. When's that "unity" thingie kick in?
9) One of ours is in trouble! New Hampsherite Gary Dodds was arrested this week, accused of throwing his wife to the floor. You may remember Dodds as a 2006 Democratic Congressional candidate in the state. After things weren't going so well in the campaign he left the scene of a staged car crash and disappeared for a day, saying that he had injured his head and almost drowned in a nearby river. According to reports, prosecutors were suspicious after finding Dodd the next day with "purple feet," the result, they theorized, of his soaking his feet in cold water to make it appear he had spent time in the water. He was convicted of "causing a false public alarm."[USA Today 5-8-08]
10) Rhodes Cook explains it all. Amid all the gasping of the TV chattering class comes veteran political analyst Rhodes Cook with a thoughtful op-ed in the NYT this week looking at the plausibility of an HRC win of the popular vote. While part of his equation is already moot do to poor showings in NC and Ind, it was refreshing to read a reasoned argument for once.
1) "Louisiana 6 says 'Hello!'" Hey, when was the last time a House special election [or any House race for that matter] impacted a presidential nomination race? Anyone? Anyone?
2) Uncle Teddy kills the dream [ticket] Says HRC's not deserving of the office of Spiro Agnew or Dick Cheney. Hey! Doesn't Ted know that she has the Immunity Idol. That's what this is all about.....
3) Vito, We hardly knew ya (well, some did) When you hit the Congressional scandal hat trick - DUI, special friend the District knows nothing about and a love child - you've reached the Pantheon preserved for the select few. For wont of a driver on staff, how many have fallen?
4) 'Ster! 'Ster! Let me see your I.D. Poll worker Julie McGuire, herself a nun, was forced to turn away a dozen fellow Catholic nuns of St. Marys Convent in South Bend from an Indiana polling place the day of the presidential primary because they lacked a photo I.D. We're talking about nuns in their 80s or 90s. Some in wheelchairs, on walkers or using electric carts. Now that's the type of poll worker we all need.
5) "Every objective has been met and surpassed!" Rush Limbaugh, crowing to his audience that his "Operation Chaos" was hard at work in Indiana and North Carolina. To most folks "Operation Chaos" refer to that time period between when your prescription runs out and the date the insurance company will pay for the refill.
6) But for the Grace of God (and a bad ballot position) we are spared! Indiana 2: the Congressional District where GOP Congressional contender Tony Zirkle became a three-time loser last week, failing to capture his party's nomination and taking only 16 percent of the vote. In April, Zirkle spoke at a National Socialist Workers Party gathering to honor the birthday of Adolf Hitler. Asked whether he supported the Nazis, Zirkle said he did not "know enough about the group to either favor it or oppose it." In reporting on the story, Al Kamen's "In the Loop" column [Wash. Post 5-7-08] pictured Zirkle, an opponent of porn, feeding an issue of Playboy into a shredder.
7) Political Do-Overs. Are they still allowed? Under fire for having an affair with a staffer, Ohio Attorney general Marc Dann said that he wasn't really ready to administer such a large organization and told staff: "From here on out, we will conduct ourselves in a professional manner befitting the great work we have done." Wait! Okay, .......now!
8) Lt. Cmdr.! Bogies at three o'clock! (I thought you took care of them miles back) GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain still can't break 80% in the primaries. After taking 73% of the vote in Pennsylvania's GOP primary he went on to score 74% in North Carolina and 78% in Indiana. When's that "unity" thingie kick in?
9) One of ours is in trouble! New Hampsherite Gary Dodds was arrested this week, accused of throwing his wife to the floor. You may remember Dodds as a 2006 Democratic Congressional candidate in the state. After things weren't going so well in the campaign he left the scene of a staged car crash and disappeared for a day, saying that he had injured his head and almost drowned in a nearby river. According to reports, prosecutors were suspicious after finding Dodd the next day with "purple feet," the result, they theorized, of his soaking his feet in cold water to make it appear he had spent time in the water. He was convicted of "causing a false public alarm."[USA Today 5-8-08]
10) Rhodes Cook explains it all. Amid all the gasping of the TV chattering class comes veteran political analyst Rhodes Cook with a thoughtful op-ed in the NYT this week looking at the plausibility of an HRC win of the popular vote. While part of his equation is already moot do to poor showings in NC and Ind, it was refreshing to read a reasoned argument for once.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Keepin' the real in Realpolitik
May 1, 2008
1) "It is not deficient. It is just different." That sums up our disappointment at learning that the Rev. Wright's appearance at the National Press Club this week was probably not orchestrated behind the scenes by Club member Barbara Reynolds, a supporter of Hillary Clinton for President, who had originally invited Rev. Wright (whom she knows well) to speak at the club some years ago. In a time when political CSI teams find every fingerprint, it could have been such a smooth move. Still, as for the Wright performance itself, as political theatre it was priceless.
2) Speaking of Political CSI. Ryan Lizza, writing in this week's The New Yorker [4-28-08], describes Bill Clinton on the trail as being unable to comprehend the blanket coverage of modern media. Quoting a Clinton aide on Bill, "It's like he's been plucked out of time and thrown into the middle of this entirely new kind of campaign. Because of the way he is covered, the only thing anyone ever sees is fifteen seconds that is deemed by the pundits to be off message."
3) For those who don't believe either of the above two stories. "Nothing in this campaign has been by accident." Rep. James E. Clyburn (D., S.C.) [NYT 4-29-08]
4) HRC goes to "The Factor" Yes, Hillary's appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show was akin to Nixon's trek to China. Except with that one we weren't looking at The Great Wall and still thinking about loofahs somewhere in the back of our brains. And oh yes, did you know he grew up in Levittown?
5) Nine out of ten doctors agree: Perception of brilliance often linked to circumstance. GOP political brain Karl Rove dishes out advice to Obama. Among the gems, "When you get into trouble, pick one, simple explanation." What's next, "Don't forget your coat when it's raining?"
6) Hey! Did that Godot guy ever show or what? The days, weeks, months tick by and still former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has yet to endorse either Hillary or Barack. Just what is Elizabeth waiting for?
7) When the "new politics" runs smack dab into that pesky, dang gone "old politics." See Mississippi's 1st Congressional District race. GOP candidate Greg Davis airs spot linking Democratic candidate Travis Childers, an Obama supporter, to Obama and Rev. Wright. The tag line: "Travis Childers - he took Obama's endorsement over our conservative values. Conservatives can't trust Travis Childers."
8) Obviously someone who has not practiced politics in Chicago, New York, Louisiana, Philly, or anywhere in Jersey. Sen Tom Harkin (D., Iowa), on the continuing Democratic presidential race: "I still say it will never get to the superdelegates. Within 10 days of the last primary, one or the other will drop out.....Emotions run high in primaries, but time heals all wounds and political wounds tend to heal faster." [Italics added.]
9) Ordinarily we'd turn the page, except for the source. Veteran GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio, speaking to USA Today [4-28-08]: If John McCain runs "the right kind of race, I will tell you that John McCain could win in an electoral landslide." Maybe he means a race in A-4 Skyhawks. If so, the smart money's on McC.
10) The loneliness of the long distance pol. Tuesday's NYT profiled Nebraska's only black State Senator, Ernie Chambers, first elected in 1971, and now leaving the legislature due to term limits. A self-described "loner," Chambers, 70, says, "....a lot of people are going to be very happy when my absolute last day arrives. In fact, there will probably be so much joy in this corner of the world that it will be picked up on the Richter scale. I'm not liked at all."
1) "It is not deficient. It is just different." That sums up our disappointment at learning that the Rev. Wright's appearance at the National Press Club this week was probably not orchestrated behind the scenes by Club member Barbara Reynolds, a supporter of Hillary Clinton for President, who had originally invited Rev. Wright (whom she knows well) to speak at the club some years ago. In a time when political CSI teams find every fingerprint, it could have been such a smooth move. Still, as for the Wright performance itself, as political theatre it was priceless.
2) Speaking of Political CSI. Ryan Lizza, writing in this week's The New Yorker [4-28-08], describes Bill Clinton on the trail as being unable to comprehend the blanket coverage of modern media. Quoting a Clinton aide on Bill, "It's like he's been plucked out of time and thrown into the middle of this entirely new kind of campaign. Because of the way he is covered, the only thing anyone ever sees is fifteen seconds that is deemed by the pundits to be off message."
3) For those who don't believe either of the above two stories. "Nothing in this campaign has been by accident." Rep. James E. Clyburn (D., S.C.) [NYT 4-29-08]
4) HRC goes to "The Factor" Yes, Hillary's appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show was akin to Nixon's trek to China. Except with that one we weren't looking at The Great Wall and still thinking about loofahs somewhere in the back of our brains. And oh yes, did you know he grew up in Levittown?
5) Nine out of ten doctors agree: Perception of brilliance often linked to circumstance. GOP political brain Karl Rove dishes out advice to Obama. Among the gems, "When you get into trouble, pick one, simple explanation." What's next, "Don't forget your coat when it's raining?"
6) Hey! Did that Godot guy ever show or what? The days, weeks, months tick by and still former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards has yet to endorse either Hillary or Barack. Just what is Elizabeth waiting for?
7) When the "new politics" runs smack dab into that pesky, dang gone "old politics." See Mississippi's 1st Congressional District race. GOP candidate Greg Davis airs spot linking Democratic candidate Travis Childers, an Obama supporter, to Obama and Rev. Wright. The tag line: "Travis Childers - he took Obama's endorsement over our conservative values. Conservatives can't trust Travis Childers."
8) Obviously someone who has not practiced politics in Chicago, New York, Louisiana, Philly, or anywhere in Jersey. Sen Tom Harkin (D., Iowa), on the continuing Democratic presidential race: "I still say it will never get to the superdelegates. Within 10 days of the last primary, one or the other will drop out.....Emotions run high in primaries, but time heals all wounds and political wounds tend to heal faster." [Italics added.]
9) Ordinarily we'd turn the page, except for the source. Veteran GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio, speaking to USA Today [4-28-08]: If John McCain runs "the right kind of race, I will tell you that John McCain could win in an electoral landslide." Maybe he means a race in A-4 Skyhawks. If so, the smart money's on McC.
10) The loneliness of the long distance pol. Tuesday's NYT profiled Nebraska's only black State Senator, Ernie Chambers, first elected in 1971, and now leaving the legislature due to term limits. A self-described "loner," Chambers, 70, says, "....a lot of people are going to be very happy when my absolute last day arrives. In fact, there will probably be so much joy in this corner of the world that it will be picked up on the Richter scale. I'm not liked at all."
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