Al Rodgers originally started this weekly Saturday night party, and after his life got much busier, I became "permanent guest host." I'm busier at work and will continue to get busier as election season ramps up, and I feel that it is time to pass the baton to a new "permanent guest host," Sam Loomis, who is my current back up. Sam has substituted for me already, and he has performed ably. Thanks to everyone who has read and participated in Sunday Talk during my tenure. I've had a great time being host. You'll see me around these parts, as I'll continue to post comments.
Just two things about the Democratic presidential primary, Predictions, the Sunday lineup, TV Alerts, 2 flashback photos, The Simpsons, media info, ratings and more below the fold and in the comments.
Political Capital w/ Al Hunt (Bloomberg, repeats throughout weekends): Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson; reports on NV caucuses & SC primaries; Bob Novak and Margaret Carlson
Tim Russert Show 1/12-13: NYT's David Brooks, USAToday's Susan Page, Politico's Roger Simon on the presidential primary race
Chris Matthews Show 1/12-13: Bob Woodward, David Brooks, Michele Norris, Gloria Borger discuss "Hillary and Obama: Who has the biggest set of challenges now? Is John McCain the consensus GOP candidate?" Quotes here.
60 Minutes (CBS, Sun): Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg; bluefin tuna sushi; women rape victims in Congo's ethnic conflict
Q&A (C-SPAN, Sun, 8pm): ABC senior national security correspondent and The Weekly Standard's Jonathan Karl 1/13
Martha Stewart Show: Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona 1/14
Dem forum in Las Vegas, NV (sponsored by Caucus of African American Nevadans and Impacto), 1/15, 9-11pm, on MSNBC, Brian Williams moderates with Tim Russert and Natalie Morales. Edwards, Clinton, and Obama participate.
Tavis Smiley (PBS): Joe Klein 1/16; David Frum 1/18
Flashback: Katrina, McCain and Bush McCain's birthday is Aug. 29. They're celebrating his birthday here. This was taken August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit LA. Bush sure did have his priorities straight! [/snark]
George W. Bush Movin' Out Campaign
More Andy Rooney, douchebag, and the guy who laments the fact that we have some presidential candidates in both parties who have 'funny names.' Also a douchebag, Christopher Hitchens.
Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman has apologized after saying during Friday's telecast of the PGA Tour's opening event that today's young players should "lynch Tiger Woods in a back alley."
Bill Gates's last day video, featuring George Clooney, Jon Stewart, Bono, Jay-Z, Brian Williams, Steven Spielberg, Matthew McConaughey, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore and Barack Obama
Just 2 Things About the Presidential Primary This race was and IS Hillary's race (the primary one that is) to lose no matter what Kos has posted or what any of the pundits have said. I think she GREATLY benefits from being the best known Dem in the race (becomes the default candidate for supporters of those who have dropped out). Barack was the underdog even after Iowa; Obama needed Iowa to prove to people that he could play on the Clintons' level... and you don't get to even close to being equals with the Clintons (in terms of fundraising, cache, etc.) unless you have mad political skills and savvy. Hillary and Bill Clinton ARE the Democratic establishment, and you already saw the advantages of that in NH. The link goes to a post I did in October discussing the other advantages. (Am I the only one who is slightly surprised by Obama's rise? By his immense improvements as a national candidate and leader of a large political operation? Is it possible to have believed that he could do it, and simultaneously be surprised that he has done well, at the same time?)
Do you remember when Ezra Klein (and maybe Marc Ambinder) wrote about how quite a few of Democratic consultants and staffers had an antipathy towards Edwards? (The posts I'm thinking of came up months ago.) From what I can gather, Edwards' initial response to Hillary's near-tears video is what a lot of those folks view as the 'real Edwards.' And I would NOT say that these are people who are unreceptive to Edwards' populist message. I think it's the exact opposite. That these are people who would be completely receptive to Edwards' populist message and would be on board his train, if they felt that Edwards was being sincere and if they hadn't had bad experiences dealing with him when he was a Senator or was running for Pres or VP. A lot of people happy it's down to Hillary or Barack, and praying it doesn't get too nasty between those two camps. (Don't kill the messenger. I know that the Edwards supporters feel their guy doesn't get a fair shake, and I'm just trying to relay what I know.)
Predictions Somewhat Informed Prediction: Bill Richardson will NOT be on the Democratic ticket.
Informed Prediction: No matter who our nominee is or who their nominee is, this will be a much closer general election than you may currently believe. (At the very least, everyone should work as though that's how it's going to be.)
