Sunday Roundup
They say March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb. Tell that to the folks inside the Green Zone who were advised this week to "remain under hard cover at all times" and ordered to wear helmets and body armor anytime they step outside. I wonder if it was these embattled Green Zoners that John McCain had in mind when he said: "We're succeeding. I don't care what anybody says." March Madness was in full effect at Team Clinton as well, with Hillary surrogates opening fire on Bill Richardson (James Carville compared him to Judas) and Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble (Jamie Rubin called him a sexist "crankpot" for questioning Hillary's role in the Irish peace process). Meanwhile, Democrats desperate to end a protracted, nominee-wounding battle began a 24/7 stakeout on Paul Begala's butt.
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Arianna - Your web site is the greatest! It's more entertaining than the Sunday Times and probably has ten time the readership. Keep up the great work!
Great post.
Real death toll from the war in Iraq. The DoD has been lying to Congress and the American people:
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1669.htm
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a2540.htm#001
Ms. Huffington:
I ask this question out of some ignorance, but have you been to Iraq? Have you, in a role as a journalist, been there and spent any time looking and learning?
What are you trying to say? I have not been to Iraq and I don't need to. Aren't the daily news enough for you?
Arianna, thanks for bringing a bit of sanity at the end of this March madness! Bush, the two Clintons, and McCain, they are the mad men (and one woman) who are refusing to act in the best interest of us people. Enough is enough.
http://lamarguerite.wordpress.com
We all vote for the candidates that present themselves with the information we want to hear , the candidates we have sentement for , and the candidates that we think will better serve our needs . The candidate that gets the most votes in the different requirements is the candidate that meets the needs of most of the voters . If this is true doesn't it stand to reason that the one receiving the most votes over all is the candidate most of we the people want to do the job as our president ? Doesn't this also demonstrate that the candidate with fewest votes did not pass the above criterion we have set for the job and is lacking in one or more of the above requirements for the job ? If these things are true , why would personal destruction change our minds ?
Let's not forget that James Carville probably has more enemies in the Democratic Party than in the GOP. JC has managed to be WRONG about everything political following his ONE success in 1992. He is bitter enemies with Howard Dean, since Dean's 2006 strategy was totally discounted by Carville--and Carville was clearly, totally and completely wrong when Dean was right (and the Dems took BOTH houses back).
It's been amazing who Hillary Clinton has managed to turn me around. I voted for her in the NJ primary, but since then, she has been alienating me--so much that I had mixed feeling on the last Big Tuesday (when she won Ohio). Since then the nonsense about Wright, and the split ticket offer, and the "McCain and Me" comment, and the "Judas" comment have just plain p***ed me off. Combine that with her absolutely ATROCIOUS management skills, and the fact that SHE ran her health care committee like Cheney ran his energy committee, and Obama's looking better everyday.
Plus, since she CAN'T win on votes, she's got one last hurrah (PA) and if she doesn't hit a Home Run on that that one, it's time to drop out and get in line for the good of the Party and, more importantly, the good of America.
Jimmy Carville calls Bill Richardson a "Judas." Even funnier is McCain's "Lady In Waiting" Joe Lieberman telling his hero that he is like JFK.
Who needs Saturday Night Live?
Add a sketch of Hillary ducking sniper fire in Bosnia as an eigth grade class of kids ignores it all and presents her with bouquets of flowers, and you have a sappy satirical reflection of silly people wanting to ruin the country.
HuffPost's Pick
Arianna,
One of the best speeches I this weekend was the one given by former Vice -President Walter Mondale at the Hubert Humphrey Museum, and I would hope that you might be able to post at least parts of it on this wonderful site.
It began as a talk about the importance of the office of the Vice- Presidency, It ended with a scathing litany of the disrespectful acts commited by Dick Cheney, not only in obliterating the Constitution in his dealings Guantanamo, etc., particularly the cover-ups and refusals of documentation by the Attorneys General and their staffs, but his contemptuous smirk and scoff at this nation's overwhelming displeasure with the resumption of the Iraqi War as manifested in the now-famous "So?" response to 71% of us.
Mondale stated that he and Humphrey were both men who got up early in the morning to tackle their jobs, and were always anxiously awaiting news of what and How Americans felt about the issues.
He assailed this administration's arrogance and contempt for not only public opinion but the needs of this nation in health care, and other domestic issues.
His conclusion was the most adroit of all his statement:
"When we left office (Carter Administration) I made the statement that what I was most proud of was that we told the truth, we obeyed the law, we kept the peace. I don't think this administration can say they even did any of those things."
Jimmy Carter owes Bill Clinton a huge THANK YOU! Bill Clinton is the only reason the Jimmy Carter is not the worst president of the 20th Century!
Had we followed Jimmy Carter's policies America would be energy independent already.
Instead, Reagan had the solar panels ripped down from the White House roof.
The worst President EVER is George W. Bush.
Sorry, please try again.
Let's face it: no matter how much the BO people try to spin it, this race is tied and we're now in overtime. There is a split between the Obama leftists and the Clinton centrists. As long as it is a fair fight, either side will accept the outcome. But if either side feels that they have been scammed and the votes are not counted, then the nomination will lack legitimacy and McCain will sail into the White House on Dem crossover votes. MI and FL must be resolved and the remaining states must have their votes counted.
What's at stake now is not who gets the nomination, but whether or not the eventual winner can count on getting the votes who had voted for his or her opponent. If BO's or HC's supporters refuse to support the nominee because they feel they've been shafted by the process, then McCain wins.
In short, the Obama people, in calling for Hill's withdrawal, are causing great anger among Hill's supporters and they risk alienating them permanently should Obama win fairly throughout the remaining contests and with MI and FL votes counted.
This strategy of trying to psych out Hillary will only backfire and solidify her support.
I agree with you. I only have a few questions. What would Hillary and her organization be saying to Obama if their places were reversed? Would they be saying stay in the race until the convention? What would Wolfson be saying about Obama’s chances of winning?
So you are honestly telling me that Hillary supporters will not support BO in the general election and kiss Roe -Vs- Wade goodbye sometime in the next 4 years. Somehow once the fanaticism dies down I suspect they would REALLY have to hold a pretty serious grudge to screw every other woman in America just to make a point.
There are a few points I would take exception to in your argument:
1. Using your sports analogy- The candidates are not tied. Obama has a lead on the delegates that will be virtually impossible to overtake outside the courts or an insider deal. It is closer to the 15 run rule in baseball. Better to call the game than to see someone get hurt playing a hopeless game.
2.The Florida and Michigan issue was resolved when the DNC and ALL the candidates signed off on the rule. There should have been an absolute uproar from the citizens of those states AT THE TIME to have the elections moved back to the original dates. We cannot change the rules post-game to accommodate peoples misunderstanding of a national campaign. Even if the elections were re-held it would effectively eliminate the independents and republicans that would have voted for Obama if given the chance as they will not be eligible to vote.
3.I feel that if HRC truly had the best intentions for this country she would concede that we need unity, not divisiveness at this point in our history. It would show a great deal of self sacrifice if she were to concede the race and back Obama with her vast resources.
We need a change in our core perspective and I do not believe that, with the evidence of this campaign, HRC will be able to deliver.
I have been following the comments here and on all of the news programs. I am an Obama supporter. I am a typical white woman over 50. I have heard the talking heads take on this protracted race. Some predict wide spread collateral damage within the party. Others assure that all will be well and the voters will unite behind the nominee. Its historical fact you see. I am not so sure. Never before has there been such investment. Never before have voters had such a voice of opinion: on blogs, such direct involvement throught the internet based campains. This started out a positive but has turned ugly. Let us stop the nonsense. I am not a particular fan of Hillary. I even like John McCain as a person. BUT I would no sooner vote for his policy of status quo than I would a man in the moon. Please everyone think it over. Lets stay on issue and try harder to make this about issues than personality. I dont think anyone has the right to tell Hillary to get out now. Not yet. After Penn, NC and Indiana then we will see. Even then lets keep it civil.
Obama 08
Democrat 08
When a candidate is not delivering well enough to convince voters to vote for them the only alternative is personal destruction of the other candidate . From my point of view one candidate has received fewer votes and it looks as though that candidate is still falling behind . Meaning that the voters are not buying what they are selling . So the next step is go to Fox News and start a program of personal destruction with people that share the same view . The prudent party members worry about the national election and hope the personal destruction will abate . But a desperate cndidate will not think as the prudent members think and will level any barrage destruction they can get their hands on .
The math doesn't agree with you. Clinton would need to crush Obama in the remaining states to have a chance. The polls say she won't. If she was still running a respectable campaign, that'd be one thing, but she when she said Obama wasn't qualified to be Commander-in-Chief but McCain was, she jumped the shark. Clinton is now just trying any tactic she can think of to get elected, whether it be the dog whistle comments about race or by spreading slurs about Obama and his advisors. It's not only hurting Obama and the Democratic Party, but Clinton is torching her own reputation.
On ABC's This Week, John Kerry urges superdelegates to vote well before July 1st. He tells George Stephanopolous, "And I would urge fellow superdelegates, they have a responsibility to the Democratic party and to the country for the larger issues that are at stake. This is about our leadership in the free world. It's about an economy that is crumbling around people in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. And we need to be positioned to win. The superdelegates should make their decision well before the 1st of July, and then we march on to Denver."
Listen to him here.
http://inewstube.com/smm/obama-supporter-kerry-urges-superdelegates-to-decide-asap.html
"no reason to get excited
said the joker to the thief"
Timeless(unfortunately)
Unemployment is down for reasons that have nothing to do with people having jobs. If you haven't applied for unemployment, you are not counted. If you don't qualify because you have not worked for a culmulative total of six months in your current location, you are not counted. If you have exhausted your benefits and no longer receive a check, you aren't counted. If you just lost your job and are prohibited from applying for unemployment benefits for six weeks, you are not counted. If you have no address and therefore cannot register for unemployment benefits, you are not counted. Of course, if you have no address, many employers will not take your job application, either. So.......
What is a person to do? If one has a degree, several years of job experience, job skills suitable to The Information Age, is a veteran, has minority standing, a clean background check and lives in one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, is one really (Really??) expected to take 15 hours a week at minimum wage saying "Do you want fries with that?" I honestly believe that this is what the Republicans think is good for the economy. Unemployment and underemployment creating a growing underclass that they can stand on to make themselves feel bigger, better, more superior (not that they can spell superior) is better for everybody, right? (Insert hollow laugh here).
I am tired of feeling feet on my back. How about you?
You are not alone. There are more of us out here than you think. Keep the faith.
Hate to tell you this, but for two months running unemployment has RISEN--they can't even cook THAT anymore!
Muslim extremists want this war to go on for a 100 years or longer, as suggested by McCain. As we speak, the extremists are trying to pave the way for a McCain victory. This was marked last week with an increase in violence and civil unrest in Basra. There is no longer a need to attack America at home. As long as the fighting continues the dollar will continur to drop, the national dept will stay on the rise and fuel prices will rise to higher levels.
Along with continued violence in Iraq, McCain will emerge as the one presidential candidate willing to lead the charge and win the fight. There is no winning this fight. The arabs love the price of oil over a $100.00 a barrel, it is self serving for them to support our ememy in this struggle. They must love watching our blood, money, and vitality soak into their sand.
Everyone seems to miss (or ignore) the point of oil prices. Oil has not gone up-the dollar has dropped significantly. Just look at other hard goods (i.e. gold, housing and food)
Wrong. Both the price of oil has risen AND the dollar has dropped. Both thanks to the policies of Bush Inc.
Dear Arianna,
We cannot, as Americans, afford to have a President who can be quoted as saying "I don't care what anybody says" with regard to ANYTHING, at all. This is supposed to be a representative democracy, not a dictatorship. Only a dictator or a tyrant (in the worst sense of the word) doesn't care what anybody says.
The apparent divisiveness that the Democratic party is currently going through is doing too much damage to the democratic process to ensure that we will not have to endure eight more years (yes, I said eight) of the kind of self-aggrandizing leadership we have been experiencing. This self-sabotage that the Democrats are committing has got to stop and stop now before the United States becomes the new USSR. The decay of our civil liberties has already progressed too far. The decline of our economy due to pouring money we don't have into a war instead of into our own problems here at home will only continue if the Democrats don't stop biting each other.
The time for a Democratic united front is now, not months from now after the Democratic convention.
Democrats...get your prospective, progressive acts together!!! I love you, but you are killing yourselves with all this infighting. You are killing the Democratic party, the democratic process, the people's faith in it and our country. Do you really want the winner of the popular vote to lose in the electoral college again?
will rogers was a brillant man when he stated he belonged to no organized political party he was a democrat.
at least this race tells much about hillary and has proved the myth about her as true as george bush jr proved the myth about the demos is true they are spineless. hillary is not for the good of the country but for power of the white house for hillary.
the rest of you can line up to vote for these spinless wonders but not me never again. not after they let this war continue for two more years. most americans believed their excuses but then most americans believe we must remain a super power.
please note the demos or the repubs pres frontrunners are not advocating detuning our industrial military complex. only our economic decline will do that.
what a selfish nation and society to put this mess onto our grandchildren. capitalism at its best or worst depending on your outlook on life.
Amen
nothing wrong with Hill staying in the race. If she'd spend her venom on McCain instead of Obama, OUR front-runner.
Her and Bill constantly undermining Obama and giving McCain free rein, indeed praise, looks an awful lot like they want to destroy Obama's chances so she can try again in 2012. Before you protest, note that if this was her plan, the Billary would do exactly what they are doing now; so in terms of results, it's indistinguishable.
And that, my friends, is monstrous.
There is nothing wrong with Hillary staying in the race. She has the right and it would be great for the rest of the states to get to vote. But let’s be straight about this. Hillary started out as a Young Republican. She has consistently sided with the Republican Party during her time in Congress. Now she has no problem with using Republican attack tactics, as well as praising with her opponent rather than one of her own. This is not what you would except from one of the people who will be making history no matter who wins. This is history we are living people. She had better remember that not all history is written by the winner, or maybe both Hillary and Bill should remember.
Didn't the Democratic party already try once to elect a Republican on the Democratic ticket- so if we failed at the VP level lets set our sights a little higher and try and do that at the Presidential level. If anybody is in doubt Hillary giving an interview to Scaife in Pittsburgh should make every Democrat quesy- this was the architect of the right wing conspiracy. She has to be getting the support of Republican woman who get two for the price of one.
First of all, tne rest of the states WILL get to vote, whether she drops out or not. What's wrong with her staying in the race is what she's doing as she stays. She's never going to get another chance at the dem nomination. In fact, I think she'll face a stiff challenge in the primary for her senate seat.
There will not be a lot of forgiveness for a 2012 run if she kamakazi's this election cycle. Her favor cards are almost gone at this point and we are 8 months out from the election. She needs to bow out gracefully while we she still can.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
