NEWS

Posted at September 3, 2008 9:28 PM in response to New Emails Suggest Holes in Palin's Trooper-Gate Story

I'm on record saying that she'll be removed from the ticket (withdraws, is replaced, whatever) by today. But if they don't do it today and she gets on stage to give her speech, then I think that ship has sailed. Up until now she's a correctable tactical error. After the big speech, she's on the ticket, and all that that implies.

Posted at September 3, 2008 9:03 AM in response to Hey! Leave that (Cough) VP Pick Alone!

I don't think it follows. It was crazy to choose her in the first place. I think that McCain is in full-on panic mode and trying desperately to change the game. This Palin thing is clearly not working, and if he's demonstrated one thing, it is his willingness to change his bets with very little allegiance to his own prior convictions.

I think they will orchestrate some sort of recall, or change of heart, install Robo-Mitt or other calming suit, and try to go for damage control sooner than later. And I'll bet before the convention ends.

Posted at September 2, 2008 4:37 PM in response to Palin is on the ticket to stay

I don't think it follows. It was crazy to choose her in the first place. I think that McCain is in full-on panic mode and trying desperately to change the game. This Palin thing is clearly not working, and if he's demonstrated one thing, it is his willingness to change his bets with very little allegiance to his own prior convictions.

I think they will orchestrate some sort of recall, or change of heart, install Robo-Mitt or other calming suit, and try to go for damage control sooner than later. And I'll bet before the convention ends.

Posted at September 2, 2008 4:35 PM in response to Palin is on the ticket to stay

I'm just charged up reading everyone's comments! I made sure the kids stayed up to watch and thought it was fantastic. Watched CNN-HD, and they at least shut up while he was talking (I haven't watched CNN for over a year, so wasn't sure what to expect), and shut it off after the speech. I'm pumped! Hope this wave rolls all the way through November!

Posted at August 28, 2008 11:26 PM in response to Obama: "I Don't Know What Kind Of Lives McCain Thinks Celebrities Lead"

Really? I like Biden a lot ... I think he will give the administration a lot more foreign policy cred out of the gate, and I think we REALLY need that.

But I'd be OK with HRC, and it would be a rational tactical move to keep the party unified going into November.

Posted at August 21, 2008 7:19 PM in response to Clinton's the likely VP

I meant the comment about length in a positive way ... you have an excellent theme that a lot of people will miss because the mass of text overwhelms. An edit or two would have been worthwhile to get it down to 5 or 6 paragraphs. That it isn't long by your other writing standards doesn't have much to do with anything ... what matters is the readers' standards. On this site, the old news rule-of-thumb that nobody's reading after 100 lines is probably something to keep in mind.

But again, good post, and I Rec'd it without hesitation!

Posted at August 21, 2008 5:43 PM in response to ROPING A DOPE

Good post, although too damn long for the excellent metaphor.

McCain has gone into this weird, twilight overdrive of blustering about every goddam topic that shows up in the MSM. If he showed up on 'Project Runway' to offer opinions about the latest challenge and say a few disparaging things about Germans to Heidi Klum, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

I think it's the only way he can get no-cost media attention. You nailed it that his big problem is going to become money (or lack thereof). The Hot Air Express is going to tap out of fuel soon. In the meantime I keep donating to BHO when I can and hope others are keeping the faith as well.

Posted at August 21, 2008 11:06 AM in response to ROPING A DOPE

I don't know ... I basically agree with you, but mostly because most of these evangelical leaders remind me of, well I'd say sleazy used car salesmen but A) that's redundant and B) it isn't fair to all the actual sleazy used car salesmen out there. It seems to encourage a sort of phony demagoguery that really makes my skin crawl, and it isn't a forum that should be given any credence in chairing a secular debate. Makes them look like arbiters, which they are not.

But getting past that ... I think you have to accept that there is a big chunk of the country's population for whom their religion (evangelical Christian in this case) is central to their lives and that ain't no crime just because you aren't a member of the same club. I think BHO is right to make himself available to that forum to answer their questions as honestly as he can. Sure, many in that crowd will have litmus criteria for discounting what he says, but I think a majority are still hoping to hear honest talk about issues that bother them just as they bother you or me. BHO's willingness to offer real dialogue even in low-percentage situations is appealing, and I wouldn't stop just 'cause it is a tough room.

Posted at August 18, 2008 10:22 PM in response to Jesus Fucking Christ!

Rec'd. The statement yesterday rubbed me the wrong way, but this guy and his team keep surprising me with their foresight and ability to plan. Wait and watch.

Posted at June 21, 2008 2:00 PM in response to A Few Cautionary Thoughts on the "Telecom Cave" Hoohaw