Many years ago, the late Harry Reasoner had an opinion piece on a TV program. This very witty newscaster observed that he disliked labels. He felt that labels were too constraining. He said that by labeling him or anyone else, it reduced that person to one dimension. And by any stretch, Harry Reasoner was anything but one dimensional.
Follow me over the jump for some thoughts--maybe even a rant--on this not particularly weighty topic.
Many want to win so bad that every tick, tip; view of a poll gets everyone going.
Me, I don't care about the horserace, which is for the cable desk clerks.
I care about the state polling, which is still soft now, and the ground game.
This is what won Obama the Democratic Nomination, it will bolster him across the final line, but we cannot continue to have these negative ads go unanswered or unchallenged.
It's being reported that Senator John McCain refuses to run an honorable campaign by allowing the Democratic Party to have their convention week to themselves in exchange for the same curiosity to the Republican Party's convention in September.
Senator McCain is reportedly planning on announcing his VP selection the day after Senator Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Party's nomination on Thursday. Stealing away any possible attention/bump the Party might get from their convention.
It's been a long somewhat politically uneventful summer. Most polls have been stagnant or moving a little here and there. There have been flareups on issues that carry no water, Mcone gate, and some more pressing debates; energy, debt and what type of world we leave for our kids to inherit. With all the hubbub that's been happening lately, possibly much to do about nothing, I just wanted to start some conversation about the convention and the opportunities of next week.
Obama’s crossover appeal has been one of the big arguments in favor of his candidacy. At least it was in the early days. Back in those days there was a lot of talk about post partisan governing moving beyond the divisions that have plagued us for decades. It sounded really good. Then there are the anecdotal reports of high profile Rswho are endorsing Obama and the rumors of those who might. Doug Kmiec, Jeffrey Hart, Armstrong Williams, Richard Whalen, Lincoln Chafee, Susan Eisenhower. Constant rumors about endorsements by Colin Powell and Chuck Hagel. The question is whether these types of voters exist in real numbers.
I don’t know what Hillary Clinton has on Barack Obama, but she’s been able to convince him that her name should be on the Democratic Party’s nominee roll-call list. It was announced this morning.
For the past month and a half, since she (note) ‘suspended’ her campaign, Hillary Clinton has claimed to be behind Barack Obama 100% for President of U.S... She’s been campaigning along side Obama at fundraisers and she’s been asking her supporters to support Obama.
Many of you may remember my earlier diary about State Representative Darryl Rouson ("D"-St. Petersburg). About 10 days ago, a video of him surfaced on YouTube where he was making homophobic comments. In case you want to see his disgusting anti-gay tirade, which lasted nearly a full minute, you may watch it below.
He is on the August 26th Democratic primary ballot in Florida. His opponent has a good chance to win if we can give him a little help. Charles McKenzie, State of Florida Coordinator for Rainbow-PUSH, is getting a lot of newfound grassroots support from civil rights organizations in the wake of the Rouson comments. Equality Florida, Pinellas Stonewall Democrats, and the FL Chapter of NOW PAC have rallied to his cause. Online contributions can be made at http://www.mckenzie2008.com
I know, I know, neither of them are particularly popular around here. That's fine. You don't got to like them to want to see them face off this weekend on CBS' Face the Nation. Someone may get politically bloodied! As Halperin figures it, the top veep contenders are to square off! They are also both the ones I figured to be Veep for awhile now. Bayh since May, Pawlenty since June. I think Pawlenty is far more likely than Romney, but McCain may decide to go with someone who can convincingly take over should the worse occur twice(that being, McCain gets elected and passes). Now, as for what we can expect on Sunday;
So I was watching CNN International, and there was a promo for their election coverage, but what made me do a double-take was when they said "CNN takes you to the biggest events of the election, the Democrat and Republican Conventions!" No "ic" on the end of that, they used the favored terminology of the Wingnuts. I thought I might have misheard so I replayed it multiple times and confirmed it. I wish I had a link to the promo, but stay tuned to CNN/CNN International as I'm sure it will be replayed ad nauseum.
I’d like to tell a story about how I met Senator Obama, talked to him, listened to him and how I was inspired to make a difference. I’d like to tell a story about how I saw his speech in 2004 or in New Hampshire or Philadelphia or St. Paul or Berlin and how it changed the way I thought about politics. I could tell that story. I won’t though. Because for so many of us it’s already a story well known and well told. The story I’m going to tell is different. It’s better.
Fox In The Henhouse: Voters Drilled to McBreaking Point
McCain and GOP Republicans have hammered the final nails into the November coffin. Their splitting maul dubbed "off shore drilling" is now set in place atop the electoral chopping block, with the public set to fall on either side.
When the divisive blow comes whose side will win the most votes? Which side will be vilified? Will the threat of a Republican-led shutdown on the hill be enough to pressure Americans to the McBreaking point? Will these actions lead to a McCain Presidential victory?
Why do Democrats insist on consistently, year after year, taking the high road when it only leads us to four more years of hell? Yes, we can be the bigger person and not go negative. Yes, we can stay clean and pretty and not wallow in the mud with the republicans. Yes, we can be the moral leader in politics. But does it really help us if taking the high road leads us to four more years of the highest deficit, four more years of 50 million people without insurance, four more years of mortgage, bank, and credit crisis, four more years of our children, brothers and sisters getting killed in needless wars, four more years of...you get the picture.
As a public service, I'd like to provide a preview of the speeches and some of the floor activity that will occur at the upcoming conventions.
First, let me note that I won't be focusing much on the Obama and McCain speeches; those are already going to get plenty of attention. Obama will give a stirring, inspiring speech, and John McCain will fall asleep at the podium. Instead, I'm going to focus on some of what you can expect from the other speeches.
I will begin this story by noting that I have never been to a convention, Democratic or Republican, though I have watched both on multiple occasions, and have, believe it or not, sat through entire convention speeches more than once, so I am a bit familiar with their style and approach, and have some passing familiarity with the cult-like mindset of those who attend.
So, I present to you, a brief summary of what you can expect at the conventions.
Today I will be attending a fundraiser for an outstanding Wisconsin State Senate candidate, Tara Johnson. The special guest at this event will be Russ Feingold.
Since I can't take you all with me, I thought asking for questions or comments would be a good substitute. So - act quickly! I'll be leaving in about an hour and a half.
I promise to post pics and any answers later.
But follow me below the fold for the real reason I'm attending this event - to support a fantastic candidate for State Senate.
Running for office in 2008 is about more than it used to be. A Democrat who didn't get that is missing something deep inside, in their humanity. And from now on, now that we really know what we're up against as liberals in America, this sort of closeted scandalous behavior from Democrats will not be tolerated by me. There will be no forgiveness. There are still lots of jobs on this planet and ways to help people, but serving in the US Congress, Judiciary, or Executive... we need true humanitarians, who are honest enough to be of value to us politically. We can't afford not to be deadly serious about this. The world can't afford it. If a politician can't handle that moral responsibility, if they make this kind of mistake with everything that's AT stake... It's beyond forgiveness in my opinion; any forgiveness that would result in a future in politics that is.
I'm not going to rehire the man who almost destroyed my business. I'm just going to get another man or woman from the ranks of endlessly talented, ethical people who are available.
