Will You Have Obama's Back?

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Tuesday November 04, 2008 · 12:45 PM PST

2008/11/04 · 12:45

This is something I've been thinking about for months now, since before Obama clinched the nomination.

If Obama wins, he's going to face an extremely difficult job. You all know what's in store for him; two wars, an imploding economy, global warming, etc., etc., etc. Even if he pulls off a landslide victory and a "strong mandate," the enormity of the challenges ahead will be unlike any since perhaps Lincoln. On top of all of that, he'll have the worst elements in our society sniping at him and working to discredit and impede him at every turn. You saw how it was with the Clintons — it could be even worse for Obama.

A short piece in this week's New Yorker, especially the following quote, helped crystalize some of my thinking:

doublejack

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Wednesday October 15, 2008 · 11:39 PM PDT

2008/10/15 · 23:39

Watching the final debate tonight, I was struck by how wired John McCain looked. Reading the commentary and liveblogs afterward, nearly everyone seemed to attribute his jitters and energy to mere anger or frustration. Certainly, he was angry and frustrated at times. But to my eye, it seemed like he was seriously hopped up on goofballs.

I'm talking amphetamines, son. Whether herbal like ephedra (aka 'Mormon Tea') or pharmaceutical, it looked to me like Senator McCain was jolted on more than just an extra cup of Joe, if you know what I mean.

Look at the way he's described by livebloggers and pundits—the raw descriptions sound all too familiar to anyone who's spent time around a speed freak:

Poll

174 votes Show Results

Was McCain hopped up on goofballs?

174 votes Vote Now!

Was McCain hopped up on goofballs?

Yes, some herbal "pep" pills

16 votes

Yes, something his doctor prescribed

63 votes

No, he was just revved up and/or angry

22 votes

No â€" maybe he had some extra coffee, though

11 votes

No! (O.k., maybe.)

7 votes

You're using "hopped up on goofballs" wrong, but yeah, he was wired

55 votes

I Cannot Debate Barack Today...

doublejack

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Thursday September 25, 2008 · 11:45 AM PDT

2008/09/25 · 11:45

Sorry if this isn't "substantive" enough, but I thought it deserved a wider audience. My good friend Dan Gofan just sent this to me.

"I cannot debate Barack today",
Said grumpy old man John McCain.
"My pressure's up, my polls are down,
My first wife lost her pageant crown."

"I must buy a house, perhaps a car,
Throw your money to the war.
I was a prisoner for five long years,
I need a break to drink some beers."

"Sarah derailed the Straight Talk Express,
I cannot work with all this stress.
The terrorists might go berserk,
My dog ate my Senate homework."

"I'm worried about the hurricane,
I need more money for my campaign.
I need a nap, my wrinkles hurt,
The Constitution I must subvert!"

"My heart is bad, my hair is...What?
What's that you say?
Economic downfall's on the way?
Goodbye, I have to save the U.S.A.!"

-By Dan Gofan (with apologies to Shel Silverstein)

Prevent the 'Nuclear Option' (Updated with names)

doublejack

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Monday May 05, 2008 · 2:10 PM PDT

2008/05/05 · 14:10

Just up at Huffington Post, the Clinton camp confirms their intention to employ (or at least attempt) the "nuclear option":

Clinton's campaign today acknowledged plans to try to win seating of the disputed Michigan and Florida delegations to the Democratic Nation Convention at a meeting of the party's Rules and Bylaws Committee on May 31.

I'll make this short: We must begin working now to make it absolutely clear to all members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee that such a move would be unacceptably costly not just to the Democratic Party but to their own individual political careers.

doublejack

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Thursday May 25, 2006 · 9:41 PM PDT

2006/05/25 · 21:41

This NYT article repeatedly, and exclusively, refers to (p)Resident Bush as simply "Mr. Bush" throughout the article. I'm not sure why this struck me as odd -- surely this is common and I've only just noticed it now. But I could've sworn that the only "proper" way to refer in print to the guy behind the desk in the Oval Office is as "President So-and-So."

I'm on deadline right now so I don't have time to research this and see how often and where else this is done, but what gives?

I personally believe he stole two elections to get where he is, so I certainly don't mind withholding the honorifics that accompany the office, but I would've thought the NYT would have some sort of Rule about it...

Thoughts?

McCain to Replace Cheney?

doublejack

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Saturday April 29, 2006 · 12:25 PM PDT

2006/04/29 · 12:25

(Update: Added '?' to title.) I'm posting this now because I haven't really seen anyone else write about it, and I'd like to be able to point back to this when I'm proven right.

You know how McCain has recently started cozying up to Falwell and his flock of ignorant, hate-filled sheep? The first thing I thought was -- Bush is going to nominate him to replace Cheney. He's trying to get in good with the fundies to avoid another Harriet Miers when it comes time to confirm him.

It makes complete sense -- McCain's desperation for the Republican nomination in 2008 is palpable. ("Pardon me, Senator? You've got a big smudge of desperation right there on your lapel. I just thought you should know.") He's been defending Bush to an unnerving degree lately, too. Remember the Southern Republican Leadership Conference where he called on his fellow delegates to "write-in" the ineligible Bush? ::::There's More:::: Read More

Jon Stewart... Stephen Colbert... Ze Frank...?

doublejack

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Friday April 28, 2006 · 12:18 PM PDT

2006/04/28 · 12:18

This is my first diary, though I've been a daily reader for over a year now.

I figure few people will read this, so I hope those who do will forgive me for merely directing your attention to a new source of humorous commentary on the day's news. If you like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and can handle the occasional un-bleeped curse word, then I highly recommend you check out Ze Frank's 'The Show'.

It's a 3-minute daily video featuring Ze's trademark goofy humor and comments on the news of the day. It's like an ultra-compressed dose of The Daily Show, but with the absurdism turned way up and the production values turned way (way) down. If you like goofy, yet witty and smart, humor, I think you'll love The Show. (Plays with the Quicktime plugin.)

Note: I'm not affiliated with The Show in any way -- just a fan.

RSS

Will You Have Obama's Back?

McCain: Hopped Up on Goofballs?

I Cannot Debate Barack Today...

Prevent the 'Nuclear Option' (Updated with names)

Mr. Bush?

McCain to Replace Cheney?

Jon Stewart... Stephen Colbert... Ze Frank...?