I am sitting in a quite house, my family is still asleep and I have been trying to plan out my day. Within the hour, my kids will be up, and I want them to be bathed and dressed for the parade in my town. Later, we will go to the beach and enjoy some family time.
My concern is that my daughter is now old enough to understand what a memorial service is. She will be asking me alot of quesitons this year, as she does about everything now. The problem I have not quite figured out is how to handle the issue of one of my closest friends who I will call, for privacy's skae, Uncle B.
There are a few names for potential VP that are on the short list of many prognosticators . Now that Bill Richardson has endorsed Barack Obama, there will be many detailed diaries on this sight for various potentail running mates. I believe that, by far, the best choice would be Bill Richardson. The first draft of this diary was started on March 6, 2008. At that time, I felt that a diary of this type should wait. I believed the events leading up to and including the election results on March 4th were only the beginning of Barack Obama demonstrating how he can "fight back", that he be able to answer the question on whether he was tough enough to take on the right wing smear machine. The HRC kitchen sink strategy was in motion before the 4th and I, as with others, wondered how effectively Obama would respond. Rachel Maddow, used to repeatedly state the fear he "would be like a bunny in front of a snow plow" (I haven't heard her express this fear in weeks). The media narrative can only relay on the math v. momentum story for a short time. They were already bored with it by Super Tuesday. WY and MO gave a respite, but the table was set for a new story line. The Wright smear campaign then came along.
Please particate in the poll below. What excuse/dismissal of Wyoming will the HRC campaign rely upon tomorrow.
I think it is important for Barack Obama's campaign to focus on the list of excuses HRC gives and to have Sunday and Monday be about how HRC is trying to cobble together a 50+1 coalition while Obama is running hard in all 50 states. It will reinforce Dean's 50 state strategy, Barack's # of wins, his success in all regions of the Country, and remind people of his Red America / Blue America speech. Perhaps it gives the networks a chance to reair it. So, please vote, and if I missed any, please remind me.
I have been a participant (although not very active) on this site for a couple of years. So I hope some of you will give me the benefit of the doubt because I cannot name my source. Its very simple, the race is over and top Clinton people have internalized this as of yesterday 3/3/08.
There is an amazing piece by KO tonight, dramatically showing how repeatedly over several years, a Terror Alert followed within a couple of days of significant news damaging the admisnitrations credibility on the leadup to the war in Iraq.
Is it me, or has HRC effectively conceded this race. Over the past 24 hours, her campaign has repeatedly stated that they are focused on the big states such as Texas, coming up in March.
This is a simple prediction diary. Having formerly been involved in a number of campaigns it is easy to get lost in the politics of the moment. With due respect to Kos, I believe that contrary to the current poll standings betweens Senators Clinton and Obama, as well as the matchups with McCain, I believe that Obama will be the next President. I don't even believe the general election will be close (a think a 6-10 point spread) There will be no links here, no substantive analysis, just a gut check. In the interest of full disclosure, I will be voting for Barack Obama in just a couple of days. This final decision was made only this past week, having previously rooted strongly for Dodd and then Richardson. So here we go.
Kudo's to Markos, Kos for their letter, and Adam B's post. The message here is simple, the GOP is once again trying to intimidate and/or silence any independent sources of information or authority in this Country. While the copmlex analysis is appreciated, and the letter to Congress was hopefully, effective, this community needs to remember the sound bite offensive is important "Don't let Shays and the rest of the GOP attack the internet to shut down dissent." this is not really about fundriasing, but independent information.
As has been stated often before on this site, Democrats need to break up the circular firing squad. Joe Biden, a self named "secrurity democrat" along with Hillary you know who made quite a stir at the Union-Leader Newspaper in Manchester.
He said too many Democrats were elitist and even unpatriotic, and he blamed them for helping Republicans paint the entire party as out of touch with America.
Name calling and repeating the lie that if you are against a war you are unpatriotic is the worst kind of filth. Go home Joe.
update: Here's the link to the editorial www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=62627.
Yes I know the date. but Harry Reid hit a grand slam today. On the eve of important midterm elections he changed the debate and sent the republicans reeling. Recent polls gave encouragmenet to the Democratic candidates for governor in NJ and VA, and CA's odious propositions were fighting an uphill battle for passage. However, the Ohio initiatives were in trouble. I think today's action give our efforts in Ohio a fighting chance, and seal the deal in the other races
I had to open up at least one present early, this one from Rasmussen Reports.
Before this past week, the President's Approval Rating has never dipped below 43% in a Rasmussen Reports poll. It fell to 42% for the first time last Friday, to 41% for the first time this past Wednesday, and to 40% for the first time today.
After two stable days, for it to hit a new low today means tomorrow should set another new low and all the Dems being home on Fitzmas (based on 3 day rolling average) How low do you think it can go. Remember, Rasmussen always appears to skew to the right.
Two weeks ago I pointed to Rasmussen Reports for an indication that Bush's poll numbers were about to break through their floor. Their 3 day rolling average and republican bias always seemed to be a good check on getting too excited on their polling organizations numbers. Last time I diaried this it was following a weekend (a much mnore volatile period for polling) No, ona Friday we have hit a new low in this poll 42% after a stable 3 day period, which means that the numbers for today alone had to be even lower number
The downward trend of bush approval ratings may have just started accelerating into a collapse. According to Rasumssusen Reports (www.rasmussenreports.com) not only is Bush's approval rating near its low, it has moved there so quickly, it should mean even lower numbrs over the next two days. Rasumssen can be a good site to visit because, with a Republican bias, it keeps me from getting too enthusiastic, and its less fluid, because they use rolling 3 day average, except now the pace is quickening.
We need housing vouchers, not the creation of new "poor neighborhods" Our president's proposal to set up trailer parks, would effectively ghettoize evacuees must be defeated. Listening to Air America earlier a rep from the Brookingings Institute explain that the use of housing vouchers, and utlizing tHUD and our national network of housing agencies is the most effective and efficient way to help these people.
This Morning on CNBC I watched the aspiring Senator name drop to associate himself with his good fien Barak Obama. Nothing wrong with that. I hoped he was going to take destroy Dubya on the 200 billion coporate welfare proposal, with no plans on how to pay for it. Instead he falls into the trap of parroting GOP talking points. He was trying to attack the republicans for being reckless with money. How did he do it? He said (I am paraphrasing) they accuse the Democrats of being liberal big spenders. They are ones being liberal big spenders. WTF Being liberal doesn't mean wasting money. Liberalism is not defined by the amount spent but by the goals of the society. This back handed slap at liberals is rediculous. How can he not get it at this point. Don't use the other sides language and memes. This is as bad as the "Security Democrats" message that other democrats are soft on defense. Stop attacking your own side or move across the aisle.
The real story out of N.O. is why did the entire top level of the Republican Adminsitration, and prominent Republican Senators from the South, especially Senator McCain, "Stay on vacation, run political fundraisers, play tennis and guitar, and go shoe shopping. The headlines should be "WHY DID THEY WAIT" Instead, the MSM is playing along with the spread the blame around and covering a whole slew of photo ops for the President and VP.
The Cover of U.S. New & World Report this week is a big headline "WHO SCREWED UP From the Big Easy to the Big Guy, a lot of explaining to do. Of course, Bush is posing with military and contractors so the message is "He is in charge". . As a whole, the left has taken the bait and allowed the debate to degenerate into details of blame. Lets keep it simple "WHY DID YOU WAIT.
After reviewing some of the Sunday programs it seems one underlying coherent message the republicans were sending was that government is not a good solution period. This Norquist style rhetoric is being used in discussions of blame, rebuilding projects for the Gulf Coast, and, over the past decade has recast our military to guardians of the overpaid private security forces in Iraq. I offer the following frame ala Lakoff for use in the upcoming week. If others on this site appreciate the effort, i will learn how do to links this week and try to draw together the common threads of the Republican Talking Points for the week and offer a countervailing frame. Forgive this first effort. I didn't have much time this evening.
I am astounded by the credit card president's penchant for claiming "this could not have been aniticpated" I am depressed when Democras repeat this nonsense. As recounted in other diaries various Democratic officials including former President Clinton, have repeated the big lie of the day. Other diaries have already debunked this deception. Hopefully this finally derails the Hillary machine (in the interest of fair disclosure, Bill was my 6th choice in the Democratic primary of 1999)
