I was an early supporter of Senator Kerry's bid for the presidency in 2003. In July of that year, I went to a house party on his behalf in NH. He went through the crowd, put his enormous hands on people's shoulders, looked them straight in the eyes and talked to them like a leader. At the appointed time, he made a quick speech, a large segment of which was dedicated to "we're not going to let them turn our nominee into a cartoon character like they did Al Gore four years ago." Thunderous applause.

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I'm not endorsing the idea, but it did occur to me that an argument can be made for nominating Brad Henry, the current governor of Oklahoma, as the VP. Whether its Henry or someone else of the same ilk, I'm more interested in how Kossacks feel about the methodology I'd use to search for the appropriate winning VP. Have at it.

Names like Edwards, Sebelius, Biden, Clinton and Schweitzer are being thrown all about the place these days. Every time I read a list of these names, I find myself reaching for names like Reisling, Pinot Gris, Zinfandel, Malbec and Sauvignon Blanc. By the time Obama ends the speculation, I may be possessed of a liver the size of the Cutty Sark. However, for now, I'm a happy man.

Anyway, this is a diary inviting you to wax poetic about your favorite wine for summer.

Last night, I wrote a diary here: http://www.dailykos.com/... which owed much to a previous diary from Dr Observer, which can be found here: http://www.dailykos.com/... Mother Jones has now published an article which further advances the story regarding Gramm's deep involvement in legislation which, in part, has caused the current economic hardships confronting middle class Americans. Please to note, this is the same Phil Gramm who McCain describes as a chief economic advisor, and who has been mentioned as a possible Secretary of the Treasury.

More below the fold.

We've all heard by now the links that McCain economic advisor and former Senator Phil Gramm has to the subprime mortgage crisis. In essence, he was a lobbyist for UBS, which worked to deregulate the housing market, which in turn led to the current real estate fiasco. I'm not going to link to the stories; they're essentially common knowledge `round these parts. If you're in the dark on this issue, go see Olbermann's take fraom last night.

However, we now have documented evidence linking Gramm not only to the subprime crisis, but to the massive increase in oil futures trading, and thus the rapid increase in the price of gasoline. Thus, perhaps MAIN economic advisor is linked in no uncertain terms to BOTH causes of the current economic situation in the U.S. I submit that, in a reasonable world, this would sink McCain's campaign, particularly given his oft-quoted remarks about knowing nothing about the economy. If Phil Gramm is the guy he listens to, now we know WHY he's clueless regarding economics.

Full disclosure: though I haven't voted yet, I'm an Obama supporter. However, I don't believe that alters my perception of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

I'm going to illustrate the "nightmare scenario" for Democrats, a scenario which was until recently just a vague possibility. After last night, that possibility is far more distinct. I believe that there is at least a 25% chance that our nominee will be decided in Denver. If that is the case, Al Gore is the only Democrat alive today who could possibly broker a deal between the parties.

I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message.

Unless you don't approve of it, in which case I think it sucks on toast. Worst thing in American politics since Jimmy Carter. Wait, Georgia votes today. George Wallace then, fine. Oh son of a bitch, does Alabama vote today or is that just the Democrats? Oh, hell. Does anybody in this fucking car dealership know if Alabama votes today? I'm down in so many states I'm starting to lose track. Do you believe this load of crap? I'm losing in like, what, 17 states to a guy who shouldn't be allowed on hdtv. He looks like an undead troll in pinstripes. And he's bragging about being pro-war. That's gonna be a hell of a general election strategy. Hey Johnny, while you're at it why don't you get the Keating Five to endorse you. Anyway, here's my speech, and it's going to be short. Much like the afore-mentioned undead troll in pinstripes. Little monkey man, I tell you...

51 hours to go. That may sound like a random time for an open thread, but it's actually the perfect occasion. You see, the game is Sunday, and I have a pathological hatred of working the last 2 hours of a Friday. Ergo, here we are. But I don't want to just talk about the game. Jeebus knows, there's been enough talk. I want to hear your best smack. And me being a fan of the hated and soon to be perfect New England Patriots, I figure I could start this off right. Have at you!

So this morning I was pondering what I would be thinking were I a GOP voter. You see, as between Obama and Hillary, I'm an Obama guy, meaning last night wasn't awesome. However, it occured to me fairly quickly that the stakes are far less significant for our side than it is for theirs. Many GOP voters literally cannot vote for one or more of the frontrunners. Anyway, I started to wonder what I would be thinking were I a GOP voter, and my GOP self became quite depressed. And once my depressed alter ego started to think about music, the subject of most depressing song of all time came to mind. So have at it, with my takes below.

There's been some talk about the Bloomberg/LA Times poll indicating a big change in Iowa numbers. Specifically, the poll indicated a bigger lead than expected for Hillary, and Edwards in second place for the first time in a while. As it turns out, these numbers are probably garbage, for reasons described below. However, a new Lee Enterprises newspaper poll does indicate that Edwards' numbers are increasing.

Follow...

Every talking head on cable television has to stand back and gape at the GOP these days. Conventional wisdom has been that the GOP can sum up its philosophy in 25 words or less: strong military, tough on crime, states' rights, small government, balanced budget, low taxes, values defined by Southern Baptist convention. But in the 2008 cycle, its become clear that none of this is true. Bush has 70-80% approval in GOP ranks, and he doesn't stand for at least half that stuff. Moreover, all the candidates deviate from these norms in some way or another. No, it's not these ideas, or any ideas frankly, that the GOP holds sacred. What they adore is hot, spanky going's on with a big, burly daddy type. And this year, Redstate has found its daddy in Fred Thompson.

3 games. It all comes down to this. Let's have at it.

Today, we are all Boise State Broncos. That game had everything, up to and including a wedding proposal at the end. I mean, the hook and ladder? The Statue of Liberty play you run during your Thanksgiving two hand touch game with a nerf football and a clothesline representing out of bounds? Going for the win in overtime? Priceless. Just perfect. But that leads to a question: what was the best sporting event in your lifetime? Mine are below, I invite you to throw in your own.

It's that time of year again, the co-ed naked game of Twister that is playoff season. One second, you're about to get busy with Anie the Girl Next Door, and the next, you're face to face with Great Ucle Merl's cornhole. Who's got home field advantage? Who's just barely hanging on? And who's screwed the pooch once and for all?

See below

College football enters Bowl Season, which has been extended significantly this year, while the NFL nears playoffs for some, finality for the rest. Here's our weely spot to whine, gloat, screech, or otherwise discuss all things pigskin.

And we're walking...

Here it is, another Tuesday, deep in the heart of football season. The week that was gave us everything: 2 turkey games on Turkey day, a star-making performance from Vince Young, 9 freaking turnovers in the New England/Chicago game, the rebirth of some playoff hopes, the unofficial deaths of some more, USC leaping over Michigan for the #2 slot, and all the unpleasantness that is Michael Irvin.

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I haven't put one of these up in a couple weeks. Two weeks ago, Tuesday was voting day, and I didn't want to clog the diary section with ephemera. And last week, the Patriots lost to the flipping Jets, so I just didn't feel like it.;) But we're back, and the last few weeks have given us a whole bunch to yack about.

And we're moving...

Almost impossibly, it's that time of year again. In the Boston area alone, at least two radio stations have flipped to all-Christmas, all the time programming. There's a third that will follow suit, if it hasn't already (I just don't remember the location on my dial so I can't check. That, and I'm not suicidal).

Naturally, this being November 15th, half of my co-workers are dialed into the stations, thus turning an otherwise slightly unpleasant Wednesday into a cross between that weird, uncomfortable kiss from grandma and the Bataan Death March. Which brings up a question: what is the worst Christmas song of all time? I have a few thoughts below, but I'm most interested in your thoughts.