Hey, it's Obama's fault that McCFlailin/McFailin has to whip their supporters up into a lynchmob frenzy. He shoulda agreed to a million town hall debates. Plus he's, y'know, one of those.

wink wink nod wink wink wink

Posted at October 9, 2008 7:00 PM in response to McCain Supporter Rants About "Hooligan" Obama And "Socialist" Takeover -- And McCain Agrees

This issue is personal for me. My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 53, and I'll never forget how she spent the final months of her life lying in a hospital bed, fighting with her insurance company because they claimed that her cancer was a pre-existing condition and didn't want to pay for treatment.

Haven't heard this before, not that that means a lot--I haven't been reading his speeches recently. But, not to go all concern-troll or anything, it's the kind of thing the 101st Kerning Examiners go after. Anyone know if he's written or talked about this before?

Posted at October 9, 2008 3:00 PM in response to Obama To Hit McCain For "Erratic And Uncertain Leadership"

I was writing columns attacking the Republican congress for spending too much money. And I throw in a few sentences attacking the Democrats to make myself feel better.

Pretty much says it all, doesn't it. The Village in a nutshell.

Posted at October 8, 2008 10:31 PM in response to New Obama Ad Sketches His American Story

I think it's actually a perfectly acceptable emblematic take-away that has absolutely nothing to do with racism (and frankly I don't Obama's team making that claim at all--it's a total red herring and the attempt to spin it into "he's unfairly playing the race card" is exactly what the McCFlailin' team is trying to do with it.). It bespeaks a condescending, angry man who thinks he's entitled to be president because it's his turn goddamit, and who's this upstart who's taking it away from him?

And since these things are completely artificial events that are ultimately ONLY about the symbolic take-aways, I think this one is good as any. Though I thought McCain's stalking about the stage in the background while Obama was talking, versus Obama's cool, relaxed posture when it was McCain's turn was at least as powerful a persuader on the subliminal level as this overt bit of casual disrespect. Not only did it convey lack of consideration but also a kind of jittery, panicky energy, at a time when we're looking for a Steady Hand. But it's harder to get that one into a sound bite.

Posted at October 8, 2008 10:29 AM in response to Snap Polls Give Debate Win To Obama

So... that "reply" thing doesn't work too reliably, huh? Shoulda been subbed below Jake the Flake upthread.

Posted at October 6, 2008 2:56 PM in response to Polls Show Obama Way Up In Two Key Swing States

"Caribou Barbie"! I love it! Gotta send that to a few friends--thanks.

Posted at October 6, 2008 2:54 PM in response to Polls Show Obama Way Up In Two Key Swing States

Normally I'd say, Expect McLame to have been very strongly coached as to his mien and eye-contact and any other failings perceived from last time. No more angry, crabbed old man, John! But that's awfully hard to reconcile with the Attack! Attack! Attack! strategy they've shifted to. They're kind of in a bind there: if they really believe going for the jugular is their only hope, then they have to go for it. But that's only going to put them in the position of repeating what didn't work--what actually worked against them--last time. If I had to lay odds I'd give a slight edge to them going with trying to make John seem more compassionate, human, benevolent etc. and let the ads do the nasty for 'em, rather than ramping up Mr Angry Geezer x10. But it's gotta be a hard call.

I think BHO's best bet is to do exactly what he did in the first debate. To come off as tolerant and expansive and not at all angry about McCain's slide into sleaze. Just par for the course and really just beneath notice for a guy who's going to be our next president, kinda like the way you'd pretend not to notice if he kept loudly farting at a formal dinner. I think this shoulder-brush approach is WAY more effective for him than direct confrontation. Somewhere in there a bit of stern reproach, yes, but the dominant mood should be amused tolerance, as in "Come on, John, we both know this is beneath you." Probably be far more infuriating to McCain than any hitting back with Keating 5 crap of his own.

Posted at October 6, 2008 2:08 PM in response to Polls Show Obama Way Up In Two Key Swing States

I'm big in favor of them suspending their campaign as much as they want. Maybe they can win if they suspend it until Nov. 4. Worth a try anyway--let's go for it guys!

Posted at October 4, 2008 5:45 PM in response to Election Central Saturday Roundup

That's thrilling news about Franken in MN if it holds up. Pretty huge turn around though. Are any other polls confirming it?

Posted at October 4, 2008 1:26 PM in response to Election Central Saturday Roundup

Thanks Ambrosia. A quick comment on this--

How much each candidate attacked means nothing. That's a stupid way to judge a debate.

I think that a lot of people who do judge on this basis are not voicing their own opinion, but what they think other people--particularly uncommitted independents--will think, and their opinion of those people is not very high. So I very much appreciate your comment--you sound like the kind of independent I was hoping was watching the debate.

Posted at September 27, 2008 9:33 PM in response to Initial Polls Show Obama Winning The Debate