TommyMcCarthy

Recent comments by this user

Obama Cancels Military Base Visit: "Inappropriate"

Well, at least this once I'm able to completely agree with McCain in a critique of Obama.

The men and women serving in uniform should be Obama's MOST important stop....no question about it. Hard to figure what might be "inappropriate" about that.

That said: hasn't this trip been a SMASHING success?

And lord!......is McCain actually TRYING to look terrible in his statements about it?
tm posted 07/24/2008 at 20:27:56

Obama on the Brink

Well, yeah

That "pots -n-pans buisiness"? I kind of doubt that too................

tm posted 07/24/2008 at 19:47:01

McCain Camp Attacks Obama's Holocaust Museum Statement

My God!.....Is McCain TRYING to look as bad as possible? posted 07/23/2008 at 22:38:23

Tell Me Again, Why Is Obama Being Popular With Our Allies a Bad Thing?

Personally, I'm looking forward to abdicating our long-held world leadership in "disdain and ridicule"

Great Article
tm posted 07/23/2008 at 22:49:15

Charting The Electoral Math Looks Good For Obama

This Robert Barr business is, so far, the silliest trial balloonof 2008.

Barr will be out spouting Constitutional Platitudes, & folksy, homespun metaphors calculated to make complex problems seem simple ..a la Ross Perot '92

"Whaah, jes sen ME up'ere ta Warshnon 'en I'll get unner the hood and fix 'er"!!

He will follow up with boilerplate Libertarian THEOLOGY.........perfectly suited to a society of a few hundred slave-owning gentry but bearing no relationship to the U.S.after, say 1840.
All of which will garner him.0000001 percent of the tinfoi the timel hat demographic proving yet again that you can fool some of the people ALL of time

Many of we grown-ups remember Barr very well from the Clinton impeachment and would stillwalk 20 miles over hot coals to vote AGAINST him for any office higher than dog catcher
tm posted 07/22/2008 at 14:07:25

While of course, I agree Obama has been looking VERY good of late......I've got to thank Chris Weigant for helping us keep things in perspective....I hope the high wizards in the Obama campaign never forget: there's no room for complacency

Her's a "chiller": McCain's "probable" states seem alot closer to "sure things" and in PARTICULAR the battlegrounders "leaning McCain " by my lights aren't far from it!
Call me cynical, jaded, pessimisstic but there's just no way I see Ga., Tex., N.C. as going any way but Republican and Neither of the Dakotas or Missouri seem much like toss ups to me!

Fortunately, I can't see Michigan going Republican for anyone other than a charismatic change agent a-la Ronnie (Ray-gun) which I think we can all agree McCain is quite simply,...... well ....NOT.

Obama looks REAL good in Colorado...and, at this point, perhaps the BIGGEST news is that he's got a very realistic shot in Virginia!

Notice how I'm tacfully not repeating that OBAMA COULDN"T LOSE OREGON IF HE WANTED TO! ha

Question re: VP picks......R's:)Does a McCain "Hail Mary" (Rice, Bailey-Hutchinson, Powell) change any of this?.. ...(Powell might make the diferrence in Va.)

D's:) Webb's not coming and neither is Al.....Q: Does a Hillary pick flip Ark. back blue (yup) ...W Va.?( maybe) solidify Ohio, Mich. Penn. &Nev. (yup, yup, yup & yup)........ Fla? 'cha think?

Great column Chris (albeit, a little sobering)
tm posted 07/21/2008 at 20:26:31

An Outrageous Attempt by the Bush Administration to Undermine Women's Rights

This is of course, typical right wing pandering to the hard-right "base"......

I must say it is equally typical of Sen. Clinton to stand up and be heard on a proposal so obviously detrimental to women, minorities, and working people of both sexes and ALL races. (OUR base)

I'm so pleased to see Sen. Clinton posting here at our own beloved Huffpo, and this issue like dozens and dozens of others points up something I've been saying for some time.

I think all this blather about large numbers of disgruntled Hillary supporters crossingover and voting Republican is just that: BLATHER

I was a strong supporter of Sen. Clinton's in the primary because I believed her to be the superior candidate. (I continue to believe that) Democrats decided otherwise and Sen. Obama will have my full support as he will that of Sen. Clinton.

No serious person who supports what Pres. and Senator Clinton have stood their whole lives for could even CONSIDER voting for Sen McCain....for whom I have great respect as a person......but who represents a world view like that of the Bush administration which is best summed up by the simple, POWERFUL, words of James Carville from over a decade ago, which are no less true today:

WE'RE RIGHT....THEY'RE WRONG!

With heartfelt thanks, and great, UNDIMINISHED admiration; Mrs. Clinton
tm posted 07/21/2008 at 17:12:24

Democrats May Kick Out Joe Lieberman If He Addresses The Republican National Convention

Who then do nothing................ and the AGENDA? HAR-DE-HAR
Here's the AGENDA.....bonehead.......................get up every morning and hustle down to the capitol to find a Republican to surrender to on anything of substance........

tm posted 07/13/2008 at 02:56:31

As far as I'm concerned St Harry-the-mild-and mellow can go too.

OH! YAY-Usssssss.......I'm the Great SURRENDERER.........

Surrrrrr-EN-derinnnnng to what-eeeeever BUSH SAY-UZZZ......

tm posted 07/13/2008 at 02:49:18

I keep hearing Reid claim that except for Iraq Joe hs been a critical vote for the Dems.

I guess my question would be....vote for what??? Naming statues airports and libraries?

Anyone think of anything this Congress (particularly this Senate) has done except surrender on everthing of significance to the President?? No acoountability for executive branch lawbreakers, replaced the incompetent Gonzalez with the rubber stamp mukasy....retroactive immunity on telcom/fisa nothing on the war nothing on the economy (except THE PRESIDENT'S stimuus package)......on and on.

So what if we lose Liberman's vote.
Nothing minus ZERO equals....uhh....lemeseehere uhh.....Oh YEAH!!........... NOTHING!

tm posted 07/13/2008 at 02:45:31

I like the analogy........thing is....we'd have to give the Republicans two or three players to be named later to get them to take Libermann.

While they likely have enjoyed watching Holy Joe stick it in our eye.....they know the second it's in his interest hell stab THEM in the back too.

Joe's constituency consists of Joe, Joe, and Joe.

tm posted 07/13/2008 at 02:32:29

Obama Lead In Newsweek Poll Drops From 15 To 3

P.S. "L-m"......an invitation to weigh in on today's "JesseJackson Should Retire From Public Life" is extended to all
tm posted 07/13/2008 at 22:14:27

nope..... energized and excited by the prospects for the revitalization of our great country starting with Obama's inaugeration. Still calling 'em as I see them.
Regards
tm posted 07/13/2008 at 22:07:18

Hello old friend........Yes volume must be WAY up. Methinks the staff must be BURIED.

It's taking HOURS for comments to post.

Highest regards
tm posted 07/13/2008 at 18:26:25

Just a word about one other aspect of this "Independent" dynamic. I cant PROVE it, but I "feel" it so strongly I could say I know it.

I was a strong Hillary supporter, and I continue to believe she was the better candidate. However Dem. voters chose otherwise and Obama has and WILL have my full support.

Without belaboring the point, what was done to President and Mrs. Clinton....largelyin the weeks surrounding the S. Carolina primary was apalling, disgusting....I mean I could use every adjective in the dictionary.....and it made me very VERY angry. These people are lifelong civil rights advocates and to phony up a case that they are closet racists was simply awful. The worst part is that several million (uninformed) people now take this as GOSPEL . It's just awful.

To Obama's credit he did not PERSONALLY say some of the uglier things, but he was their beneficiary.

Despite that, for me (and the Clintons, by the way) it's a no-brainer that Obama must be supported, and must be succsessful at this crucial time. I think he'll be terriffic. I think there are MANY who are as angry as I WAS and are polling as Indy/ leaning McCain.

Excluding those who are simply Racists......no one who truly supports what Bill and Hillary Clinton stand for could CONSIDER not supporting Obama fully.

Obama will get ALL those currently with their nose out of joint excluding racists.

Landslide '08 ...............American resurgence beginning Jan 09

tm posted 07/13/2008 at 18:20:51

Traditionally the largest group of "independents" by far have been those who are basiclly one of the two major parties but remain registered independent switching only to vote in the pprimary in states (like mine where it is required.
I have been registered independent off an on for years though I have always voted Democratic at the national level. After twelve years of Regan/Bush I could no longer CONCIEVE of voting Republican so when I registered Democratic to vote for Bill Clinton in the 92 primary I just stayed that way.
I suspect many millions have done just that, this year with so many fine candidates there is no reason for anyone who is a de facto Democrat to refrain from so registering.

Conversly, with the common REVULSION with the Repugs I suspect millions of them are registered Indy...but will no more vote Dem. than I would vote Repug.

Stated simply ther are many, many more Democratic voters overall, but many more Republican -leaners identified as Independent.

This skews the polling to appear that Mccain is strong among thes independents when they are de facto Republicans. posted 07/13/2008 at 18:03:41

There's a couple of things being frequently overlooked in my opinion and here's my two cents about them.

1) Independents: Some years ago independants fell loosely into three categories:

the smallest group ... were people who truly were unaffiliated with either party.............
either because:
A they were libertarians, greens, communists, or one of many "splinter" camps or political cults( john birch, lyndon larouche, etc.)...or
B: they were the "a pox on BOTH your houses" crowd that believed both parties were corrupt...and only a third way would serve their interests.

The old right wing "cults been self identifying as Republican since Reagan,
and the progressive true indies (greens, Naderites, black, Latino, feminist and gay activists,) Will ALL vote Democratic if the candidate is interesting enough. Suffice to say Obama will sweep these independents.

A larger group took a "salad bar" approach to politics being with the Repubs. on say....fiscal policy..and the Dems on social issues .......or maybe the Dems on populist economics (jobs/ trade ) & with the Repubs on the culture stuff (God, Gays, abortion..etc.)

The DLC "new Democrats" basiclly swept up most of the fiscal responsibility folks, aided by the OBVIOUS fact that the Repubs have for30 years stood for HUGE deficits, and the die-hard culture warriors have all gone Republican, while many people of faith have mellowed on the culture wars.
A Democratic candidate that is not RADICALLY Lefty, particularly a person of faith like Obama should do Very Well here.

continued posted 07/13/2008 at 08:09:10

Court Sets Back White House Efforts To Keep Visitors Secret

Or the administration can simply IGNORE court rulings, just like it IGNORES congress.

De Facto, the administration IS above the law,................

Ms. Pelosi and the cowards among the Congressional Democrats have placed it there!

We could not have had the worst -President-ever without the active collusion of the worst-congress-ever.

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 18:44:50

Obama not doing NASCAR sponsorship

"Leave no stone unturned" comes to mind.............or

look under every rock

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 18:02:44

"Abbie" you KNOW the answer is "all the above". All getting to be a bit much, isn't it?
Love your screen name.

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 18:00:21

Rep. Linda Sanchez: Rove Should Go To Jail (VIDEO)

The precedent has now been established.....the deed is done

The executive branch IS in fact ABOVE THE LAW....and Mr. Reed and Ms. Pelosi et al. have placed it there.

Know what? The NEXT administration will be also.....and the one after that.

Meet the new boss..........

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 18:51:18

Exclusive: Congress Plans Historic Hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

You'll get no argument from me on your history, your frustration with the modern version of "all deliberate speed" used to delay granting of full citizenship, or your surmise that large numbers of potentially stellar service members may not be enlisting.....(I suspect that is correct)

My point is only that for there to be any ACTION on getting relief for the personell stretched so thin and run so ragged in terms of extended, multiple deployments......the politicians will need to hear some horror stories from military personell and families (there are plenty)....

some strong advocacy from the likes of (among others) Jon Stolz, and Paul Reickoff, both of whom blog here@ Huffpo.

And some concrete impartial numbers (first and formost DOLLAR numbers).....on what it will take to accellerate the process of ending the vicious deployment cycle our volunteers currently face.

THEN comittee members will have to have an attack of consciense (assuming they HAVE one) ....all the while RESISTING the impulse to use the hearings to beat up on the other party in an election year.

The addition of DADT to this already difficult agenda will bring out every homophobic yay-hoo in DC and NOTHING will happen but alot of exciting headlines and sound bites.... the ILLUSION of activity while actually, doing nothing.

Taking this up now will simply cause the politicians to run for cover.........under thier perinnial rule:

"It's not whether you win our lose: It's how you place the BLAME"

Regards
tm posted 07/12/2008 at 17:39:44

I sincerely hope that hearings on the manpower needs of the military will not be turned into a sideshow around the don't ask don't tell issue.

Military families are currently enduring longer deployments, more of them, with less downtime between, excacerbating an already terrible situation in both Iraq and Afghanistan in which field units are constantly revising mission strategy and minimum safe level of staffing downward as a result of being constantly "short manned".

Let's be honest, there are not tens of thousands of trained personell being prevented from deploying and solving the staffing crisis because they are gay.

The still-unacceptably-discriminatory "don't ask" policy MUST be dealt with, and I believe WILL be by the new administration. If congress wants to hold hearings on that topic, I say more power to them.

Meanwhile, military families, gay or straight ,need relief from this endless cycle of deployments NOW.

Unfortunately, taking up "don't ask don't tell" at the same time,......... PARTICULARLY in an election year, will only politicize the process, lend itself to political posturing,.... as opposed to concrete acton, ..... and will simply DELAY the relief military personell and thier families so desperately need

tm posted 07/12/2008 at 09:50:30

Karl Rove, The White House And The Rule Of Law

As members of Congress go, John Conyers is one of the good guys..............

That said, I have to note that the "teaser" for this piece on the home page says that "today we learned ....."

I humbly subit that we did not find out TODAY that this bunch places themselves above the law.......

In point of fact we found this out BEFORE Bush was inaugurated.......the day Justice Thomas cast the deciding vote in BushvGore......in order that his wife might continue her important work on the Bush transition team.

Roves' contempt of Congress is as nothing compared to Congress' contempt for the people
Unfortunately, that includes plenty of the "good guys" like Rep. Conyers............

Net result? They have us right where they want us......

No one even EXPECTS Congress to do the right thing..............and they're free to commit their crimes in the naked light of day

That may not be a change you can believe in......but it's a FACT you can take to the bank................................................................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 16:26:11

Giuliani: Obama's Support Of Bilingualism Reinforces Anti-Americanism

I think Rudy.....who was relatively sane and reasonable as NYC Mayor............... is lke some Lewis Carroll charachter who cut a deal to...... POOF!........ become this OTHER Rudy in order to run for the Republican nomination........

Now he's stuck on this side of the looking glass and can only repeat xenophobic right-wing talking points in hopes that someone will notice he's still relevant.

Sad, really.....he made it there, but he can't make it anywhere (else).

Where I live, parents want their children to learn Espanol not because they embrace any anti-American sentiment, but for the same reasons they want their children to be computer-literate.......SO THEY CAN BE HAPPY AND SUCESSFUL!

How foolish......................................................................................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 17:18:38

What Jesse Jackson Said Was A-OK

"mchris"
Your remarks are, of course, on point, and my assertion that Obama could not "carry the baton", as it were , is a figure of speech, and stems from my disaffection with the Sen. THIS day, THIS week etc..

Perhaps a more apt metaphorical expression of my feelings would be that Sen. Obama cannot be TRUSTED not to take the baton SO MANY have struggled to get this far, amd SELL IT to the first passing Republican in order to curry favor with this or that portion of the electorate.

This too shall pass and I'm guessing Obama will have Rev. Jacksons support as he will have mine.

Jackson's '88 convention speech of course is the finest piece of political oratory I have ever heard, hands down.........including "we are the change we've been waiting for" "yes we can" and the Philadelphia "race" speech.

Thanks for your response.

"squarebird",..."wbramh" "Forgive them father, they know not what they say.......after all, they're TWELVE"

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 15:14:04

Sen. Obama could not even LIFT the baton Rev. Jackson has carried for so many miles! posted 07/10/2008 at 18:08:36

Anyone consider the obvious? Its what Jesse (and others) believe? posted 07/10/2008 at 18:06:57

Damn that was good!
"LeeScho" is today's "pick of the literate".......................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 17:27:11

Phil Gramm: Recession Is "Mental," America Is "Nation Of Whiners" (VIDEO)

Now how did THAT little fact slip by me?

I've been worrying and warning against underestimating the McCain campaign for God knows how long......

Maybe my fears in that regard were overdone.......

As "Top ecomomic adviser" MacCain has chosen Phil Gramm? PHIL freakin GRAMM!!??

Must be a typo......you mean top FUNDRAISING adviser, right?

What's next??.... Tom DeLay for ethics advisor?
Rumsfeld as Defense policy analyst?
Maybe Dick Armey as diversity coodinator?

Maybe it's not POSSIBLE to underestimate the McCain campaign!!...........................................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 19:31:14

Jesse Jackson Should Retire from Public Life

YESSS!......Good! Bring all those crazy myths out........

The "media" and "corporate White America" CHOSE Marcus Garvey, W.E. B Dubois, and Booker T. Washington.....unhh HUH! who Knew? Guess the same co-conspirators "chose" MLK, and Eldridge Cleaver too!

Can anyone keep a straight face and assert that given their "druthers" the corporate white power structure would have "CHOSEN" Malcom X? And how about Stokely?

Yayuss, the committee of Smithers, Jenkins, Waspy and Knickerbocker has CHOSEN a new "black spokesperson" to compliment Dr. King.... and on the side of that Alabama highway, eyes still smarting from Bull Connor's tear gas......ears still ringing from Gov. Wallace's Gestapo's Clubs......stokely said:

"We through sayin' "Massah Please" From now on we say: " Stick 'em UP Mother**ckers.....we TAKIN' what's ours! We want Black Power...........BLACK POWER!"

Wait a minute! Did the committee APPROVE that?

About as likely as CHOOSING the weather underground to speak for the anti-war movement.

The BIG myth is that Obama is sui generis.....he just SPRANG UP from his intellect and his goodness owing nothing to the out-of-fashion disrespected past.

Obama knows that as he reaches for the ULTIMATE affirmation, he stands on the shoulders of ALL those mentioned,...and many more.

The two most signifigant were both on the balcony of the Lorraine motel that awful day. One walked away, and paved Obama's way.

No Jackson, no Obama..................Who else.. Alan Keyes?
tm posted 07/13/2008 at 15:47:10

Karl Rove's Contempt for the Constitution and the Public's Right to Know

After hearing all week that "the constitution is dead" around the FISA bill.........now we have yet another example of the administrations NAKED CONTEMPT for Congress, for the seperation of powers, and, ulitimately for the rule-of-law.

Congressional Democrats are positively TERRIFIED of doing anything to "upset the applecart" of a Democratic president next January and the administration knows this.

The precendent established here will haunt us for DECADES

tm posted 07/12/2008 at 10:12:53

The New York Times Gives Ink to Matt Harding's "Almost Perfect Piece of Internet Art"

Of course Dan is right:...........If you can look at Matt Harding doing his thing among the various versions of our human family (especially the children) and NOT grin..?..................................you truly have no soul.

What does it mean? I think that's the point: it doesn't have to mean anything............

What it says to ME is that despite all the conflict, anger, and suffering in the world, it's a universal truth that human beings, given half a chance, prefer to be happy, ...prefer to get along...................PREFER peace.

Maybe Matt's showing up and doing his goofball routine gives peple PERMISSION to express something that's there all the time.

Thx. to Matt and to Dan Brown for making us all aware.

Care to dance?.............................................................................................tm posted 07/09/2008 at 19:52:32

FISA Fight: Attack Of The Epic Failure

Big kudos to ""EmJay144" for providing the link to the Senate roll call website.

Perusing the vote, two things leapt out at me. (I mean BESIDE that odd-looking yea next to Obama's name)

NO Republicans voted against the bill and only Sessions and McCain opted for "not voting"

Democrats voting FOR comprised the usual suspects but contained a few surprises.

I no longer even COUNT Feinstein as a surprise when votes like a Republican, but , when I saw her "yea" I immediatly skipped down to see if Shumer followed suit (he didn't).

But, how about this? Joining Obama and the Republicans (I DO like putting it that way)....Jim Webb, Claire McCaskill, Mary Landrieu, and..... WTF?? BARBARA MIKULSKI??

Can't tell the players w/o a scorcard anymore can 'ya?

Thanx for the link...................................................................................................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 21:14:47

Years ago I had a cell phone for work that had a computer generated voice to count voice mails.

If I was away for a few days when I got back it might say:......"You have TWENTY.....TWO messages NINE.....TEEN are new. To play your messages press one"

I sometimes think of that voice when I look at certain threads here at Huffo...............

On this thread there are FOUR.....HUNDRED....SIXTY comments. THREE....HUNDRED....NINETY....NINE are from "Michale32086"

To choose a different article press one.........."beep"
.........................................................................................................................................................tm posted 07/10/2008 at 16:56:35

I agree with "sydey01's" overall point that alarmist rhetoric that "the end is near" and the Constitution died today is overblown and inaccurate.
This is not that kind of catastrophe in any but SYMBOLIC terms.
On THAT score vis-a-vis Obama and the committment of Congressional Democrats to priciple it is, of course. apalling

The "safeguards" metioned are very much dependent on the view of the man or woman in the Oval Office.
It's pretty well known I'd feel more comfortable with Sen. Clinton making those decisions, but I suspect Obama can be trusted not to abuse the many new powers of the "unitary exectutive"

As we have seen for the last eight years,
when inspectors general and even ATTORNEYS general are appointed based on thier political loyalties...............

when said "regulators" are encouraged to facilitate the interests NOT of the public, but of the industries and entities they are supposed to oversee.........

when cronyism replaces merit

when foxes are guarding every henhouse.......................well...............

Even stautory safeguards, with potential criminal liabiliy for violators is meaningless if the "Department of Injustice" has orders from on high to use selective enfocement to reward friends and punish enemies.

Obama at least holds out the PROMISE of a new era of integrity, and accountability.

And even if not: ..............To quote Boss Tweed, the American Machiavelli:

"Well, he may be a crook, but at least he's OUR crook!"

Sigh............change we can believe in..............................................................tm posted 07/09/2008 at 21:51:05

Lara Logan Pregnant With Joe Burkett's Baby, Couple Will Wed

Since the switch to digital I now have FOUR pbs channels as well as the internet...
This is More than enough media input since, where I live, its perfectly safe and actually PLEASANT to go outside.

I'm proud to announce it's working already.

I didn't have the slightest idea who Lara Logan or Joe Burkett were....isn't that wonderful?

Soon the tabloids at the checkout will appear to me to be written in a foriegn language and I wont know the name of even ONE American idol contestant!

I can feel myself getting saner already! Try it.............You'll like it.

Kill your television
Get off the couch
Go outside

tm posted 07/11/2008 at 15:35:30

Since the switch to digital TV I now have FOUR channels of public broadcasting plus the internet.

This is more than enough media input since, where I live, it's still perfectly safe and even PLEASANT to go outside.

I'm proud to announce that it's working already!

I didn't have the slightest idea who Lara Logan or Joe Burkett were....isn't that wonderful?!

Soon, the tabloids at the supermarket checkout will appear to me to be written in a foriegn language and I won't know the name of even ONE American Idol!

I can feel myself getting saner already! ...............Try it....you'll like it.

Kill your television
Get off the couch
Go outside
tm posted 07/10/2008 at 17:43:19

Three Mistakes the Democrats Shouldn't Make Again

Just wanted let "FirstShirt" know that Obama reaching out to Ann Coulter's audience IS a "faith-based initiative"

Some things evenGod can"t do!
tm posted 07/09/2008 at 22:45:25

"PerfumeisToxic" has accomplish a pretty neat trick......he/she has crafted a perfectly, 100% elitist argument (replete with the charchtrization "stupid people" for INCLUSION of the non-elites...and a well-resoned hard-to argue with one to boot!

Further, both "perfume" and "Rosal" express something like admiration for the Republicans' ability to "comunicate with the uninformed .."

My own, knee-jerk reaction is that the "unnformed" come in many versions, depending on the topic, and can be found both at the truck stop and the Harvard faculty lounge.
I

Is he argument that we as Democrats should emulate theRepublicans and "dumb it down" sufficiently to BUFFALO said "stupid people" into voting in their own self interest?

It might be unfair of me to point out that the Democrats recently rejected Sen. Clinton, a candidate who took a back seat to no one when it was time to "cut the cards" at the policy wonk table, but WAS able to communicate effectively with non elites.

If I recall correctly, her rejection was based, in part on that ability, as well as a perception tht she was insufficcienty committed to core progressive principles, too willing to change positions according to the prevailing political winds, and so centrist as to seem suspiciously like a Republican.

All that is deliciously ironic in light of Sen. Obama's recent shallwe say........"clarifications" of his "core priciples" (whatever THAT might mean in Obama's case)

Sigh! Change we can believe it........................................................................tm posted 07/09/2008 at 22:40:41

Of course "desertson" is correct in his description of the effect of political instability on commodities markets.

Correct in his prediction regarding Obama and $120 oil? ....possibly so........hopefully so..................

"Stay there" is of course, a relative term..........

The impact of politics on the suppy side CAN be dramatic.............
But the genie is forever out of the bottle on the DEMAND side and nothing we or President Obama do can change that.

The millions of residents of Shen Jen, China (I know...spelling) for example, will not abandon their newly acquired lifestyle, and will outbid us for resourses (no matter WHAT the price) with the container loads (figuratively) of devalued dollars we send them daily in exchange for the lion's share of consumer goods on US shelves.

The U.S. can either lead the way in new alternative energy technologies, or it can try to hang on and chew the last few dollars off the stinking carcass of the current petroleum model.

This is but one more reason to choose the admittedly flawed Obama...............
The odds (and the vested interests) are against it .................but at least there is a CHANCE for change.

With McCain or ANY Republican (and more than a few Democrats) there is simply ZERO chance that the US will do anything but defend the dinosaur economy "till the last dog dies"............. (that's you and me, kids),
miss the boat on the alternative energy/ technology boom,
and continue our current decline......

Oh, and have a NICE day.....................................................tm posted 07/09/2008 at 20:46:11

"A laundry list of shady activities"......good! .......a misnomer AND an innuendo.

I immediately got a grainy black and white visual of old Joe McCarthy...........
(WHY couldn't he have been named Smith or something?)
Drunk as hell on scotch and publicity, waving a sheaf of papers at the cameras saying:

"I hold here in my hand, Mr. Chairman ...a laundry list...........a LAUNDRY list of SHADY activities......."

When, in fact, it's an actual laundry list.

.................................................................tm posted 07/09/2008 at 20:14:26

Thanks. As my comment suggests, I was aware of that. You're free to actually read it if you like. It's right up there. Regards........................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 23:02:48

Or Sen. Obama could continue his "sojourn to the center" until his positions are even MORE indistinguishable from those of Sen. Clinton,.....which she could win the GE with but he cannot.

He'll have my vote in any event, just like Presidents Kerry, and Gore, and Mondale, and Dukakiis................

One would think we'd have learned by now...............

Given a choice between a Republican and a psudo-Republican........voters will choose the genuine article ten out of ten times.

We'll then have the entire McCain administration to ask ourselves WHY we didn't nominate Hillary.

Just think what a long, LONG time that is

tm posted 07/07/2008 at 22:04:43

Obama and My Achy Breaky Heart

I guess I must have dozed off at the computer........
I had this HORRIBLE dream that someone suggested Obama was considering Sam Nunn for vice President.!!!!

Why not Lidsay Graham, or Newt Gingrich

I'd go door-to-door for McCain ON MY KNEES........ I SWEAR!!......................................tm posted 07/08/2008 at 01:44:56

Identity Crisis

While I agree with "Donkslayer" that today's GOP leaders are NOT in the mold of Rockafeller or Goldwater......I think many are very MUCH in the Jesse Helms mold.

While it's less EFFECTIVE than it used to be, thank God (no pun intended), Helms was a pioneer in a technique still prevalent among the charlatans of the right: Wrapping one's self in the robes of the Diety to dilute one's Racism (and OTHER forms of bigotry...see above)..

Speaking of Helms, with all due respect, your "states rights" argument regarding a gay citizens right to marry the person he or she loves may be literally true but falls short of acknowledging the Constitution as the living document it is.

Administration of the schools is also a state matter, but without federal intervention and a LIBERAL ...(there's that WORD again!) ....interpretation of the 14th Ammendmant, we'd still be waiting for certain states to get around to implementing Brown v Board of Edu. in order to grant full citizenship to African-Americans and other minorities.."with all deliberate speed"

Similarly, abortion and reproduction are NOT in fact mentioned in the Constitution......and neither are the internet, assault rifles, or equal pay for equal work..........critical 1st, 2nd, 4th and 14th Ammendment issues...

Like Biblical literalism,....Constitutional "strict constructionism" and Libertarian philosophy are just fine as a classroom excersize.... but are not practicable in the kind of society most Americans, and, I daresay, THE FRAMERS would want to actually live in.
Regards....................................................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 21:22:53

Ha!............ That WAS good!

If Samuel L. Jackson's charachter from "Pulp Fiction" were here I think he'd exclaim: "Lookit the big brain on "jubo"!!!"..............(Hopefully we could avoid the gunplay)

50 points for vocabulary with a bonus 10 for brevity.

I'd venture to say that on this thread "jubo" is the........"Pick of the Literate".........ahem....

Regards...................................................................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 20:37:14

My, my......while "nunzia" was busy "stretching" to ferret out racism among the Republicans of old, s/he forgot to check and see if his Freudian slip was showing.........and what a WASPy little garment it is! (though it hides exactly nothing).

Among the indictees in his brief are (and I quote):...." ....(the) working class, largely Catholic (Irish-,Italian-,Polish-American) racists............Essentially, every unAmerican element in America."!

Thank you Nunzia! It's been so long since I heard an open expression of anti-Catholic bias....it makes me nostalgic for the old times Sen. Chaffee alludes to when there was a Rockefeller wing of the Republican party, and conservative statesmen actually espoused conservative principles!

I'm actually old enough to remember folks like Rocky, and Sen. Chafee's father being referred to as LIBERAL Republicans and not even Bill Buckley thought that a contradiction in terms!

So you can see how I might become nostalgic when you refer to we Catholics as part of the "UN-American element".
Thoughtful of you to include that historically accurate code-phrase!
Had you only referred to us as "Papist trash" my joy would have been complete!

Ectum spiri tu tuo...............which is, of course Latin (what else?) for "Have a nice day!"..............................................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 20:21:30

Thomas Jefferson vs. George W. Bush

"unknown" may be on to something......maybe we got GWB to atone for past sins against humanity.

Then again, maybe wer're getting Obama to atone for GWB!!

tm posted 07/08/2008 at 02:22:41

Companies Begin Quest For Oil And Gas Off Florida Coast

you mean there's "outrageous liars" in the awl biddness?!?! posted 07/07/2008 at 18:41:15

Obama's Position on Iraq Could Put His Candidacy at Risk

Well said Liz, I fervently share that hope...........and hope further that Sen. Obama will have the humility and good sense to enlist the wisdom and energy of Sen. Biden to that end.
HIGHEST regards to you, old friend.....................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 13:41:30

"joe Bhead"

Youll get no argument from me as to the immoral, illegal, and dishonest way the administration implemented and conducted the Iraq invasion and occupation.

That said, contrary to your highly naieve and romantic view of what you call the "resistance" THERE IS NO unified popular front in Iraq .
The resistance you seem to admire so is made up of dozens, if not HUNDREDS of factions,...........each selfishly and murderously pursuing power and united ONLY by their willingness to kill any and all who stand in their way, be they Shia, Sunni, women, children and most especially Americans.

I think you know that these bloodthirsty "freedom fighters" have DELIBERATELY killed HUNDREDS of times as many Iraqi children as US troops have.

I think you also know that the idea that the evil Mr. Al sader and the Sunni militias would lay down their arms and peacfully co-exist but for the presence of US security is PURE UNADULTERATED BULL S**T!

That you seem to ADMIRE these groups that strive daily to murder our sons and daughters in uniform, and blithely ignore the many thousnds of innocent Iraqis slaughtered in their ruthless quest for power ..........
I find disgusting and BENEATH CONTEMPT.

With absolute LACK of regard.............................................................tm posted 07/07/2008 at 13:36:36

Ther is one aspect of Sen. Obama's recent statements regarding the "refinement" of his Iraq withdrawal position that an astonishingly large number of my lefty bretheren seem to be missing.

Would anyone disagree that it looks very likely that Barack Obama WILL BE inaugurated as President next January? (I personally know quite a few partisan Republicans who ALSO would not disagree)

Given that, squabbles about whether Obama"s STATEMENTS are calculated to attract "swing" voters, or are insulting to his "base fail to consider an audience much more important than either. That audience in a simpler time would be known as "the enemy".

Opposition to the war should not blind us to the fact that, like it or not, we DO HAVE a large number of American men and women in theater, and there REALLY ARE quite an array of folks that mean them serious harm!........ from the various militias, to anti-American terrorists lumped loosly under the term Al-Quaida, to the Iranians, the Syrians and even factions WITHIN the Al-Maliki government; ALL of whom have access to CNN and the internet.

I'd like to think Sen. Obama is speaking as much or more to THEM on this topic as he is to any particular voting bloc in the US....................................................................................tm posted 07/06/2008 at 17:26:31

Washington's "Newseum": The Media Gives Itself a Big, Wet, Sloppy Kiss

Didn't like the tour then I take it? posted 07/05/2008 at 18:30:11

Obama may accept nomination at Invesco Field

I see that,.......... had you been here,.............. you would have found a way to be cynical anyway.
Good for you, i guess,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,tm posted 07/04/2008 at 16:47:36

75,000 Oregonians showed up spontaneously when Sen Obama spoke on the riverwalk here in Portland two days before the May 20th Oregon primary.

It was hard to be cynical on that memorable day......................................................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 15:33:07

Condoleezza Rice: I'm "Proud" Of The Decision To Invade Iraq

It's better to remain silent and thought stupid.................

.................................................................................................than to speak up and remove all doubt.
tm posted 07/04/2008 at 16:57:59

Opportunity Missed

My what a mercenary and,....... well, ...............sociopathic world view. posted 07/07/2008 at 23:10:28

I think any boycott of the Olymic Games to make a political statement is a mistake.

A nummber of commenters have pointed out Bush's complete lack of moral authority on the world stage.

Bush personally does not care one whit for the people of the U.S., much less those of Darfur, and everyone in the world knows that.

Our "Emperor" has been parading about with no clothes on for so long that no one even bothers to pretend not to notice. .........................................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 22:30:45

Bush To Spend Part Of 4th Of July Naturalizing Citizens

Hopefully, someone explained that the oath they were about to take was to The United States.......not to Mr. Bush personally.

Apparrently, quite a few members of the administration were not so advised............................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 23:29:22

Oy. Have a Dream?

Then again, Tricky was also selling the existence of a "secret plan" to end the war ..............which turned out to include, among other things, the invasion of Cambodia.

Lo, these many years later, Republicans (and more than a few Democrats, including the current congressional leadership) prove over, and over, and OVER, that:

YOU CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME.

Regards.......................................................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 16:39:45

My Position On FISA

Sounds like a guy who knows that his judgement will soon impact MILLIONS of lives worldwide

Sounds like he takes the obligations to the Constitution set forth in the oath seriously

Sounds like he takes the protection of the public equally seriously

Sounds like an honest attempt to clarify his position.

Sounds good to me......................................................................................tm posted 07/03/2008 at 20:48:24

McGovern To Obama: In Choosing VP, First Do No Harm

18 Million of us voted for Sen. Clinton for President.
Might want to give that number some thought................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 17:12:01

hairline!!....wtf? posted 07/04/2008 at 17:08:00

My short list:

1:) Clinton posted 07/04/2008 at 17:05:02

G-8 Climate Scorecard Puts U.S. In Last Place

The ultimate in irony, as well as "honorable mention" for hypocrisy.

The only time in 7 1/2 years the administrtion delays an energy related project it is to kill solar energy start-ups.

All who believe this is a coincidence say "aye".

(crickets chirping) posted 07/05/2008 at 05:09:32

What Fifty State Strategy?

Apparently not for Kentuckians, at least. posted 07/05/2008 at 04:48:21

Ms. McGowan-Mellor has....I think helpfully, posted a first-hand account of the state of affairs re: the Obama campain's visibility in Louisville Ky.

What's interesting to me are the comments so far: several of which castigate a Ms. Joann Crawford, a Democratic party volunteer quoted in the article.

"joanVa" asks: "....what has Joanne done? .........(she)"...doesn't seem to understand that the Obama campaign is a grass-roots movement"
Movement or not perhaps it is "joan" who has forgotten that it is Sen. Obama asking Kentuckians for something (their votes) not the other way 'round.

"LisainNYC" notes that campaign props must be PURCHASED from the Obama campaign in N.Y.
Of course New Yorkers often have to PAY for things the rest of us take for granted (crossing a bridge, driving down a higway, using the bathroom).

More first-hand reporting is offered by "SciGuy" Kentucky jewess (i love that story)............but....

"Mcole" seems doubtful because "i don't think Obama is the type to ignore any state" and asks Kentucky RESIDENT "SciGuy" ....... hasn't she heard about what's happening in Kentucky.

Finally "kempis" goes all the way, and suggests that the "claims" of KENTUCKY RESIDENT McGown-Mellor "need to be supported or deleted"...........to quick agreement from several quarters.

Such are pogroms and re-education camps made of.

The Obamite tendency to "kill the messenger" for anything less than fawning admiration for the candidate and all aspects of his campaign is alive and well. Regards..........................................................................tm posted 07/05/2008 at 01:13:39

Senator Obama in The Summer of Awful

Apologies "Mosh" (btw I read and enjoy your comments frequently.....so I'm familiar with many of your views and usually for the most part concur)

There isn't a word you say that I don't agree with, I just don't see this particular bill grating CIVIL immunity only as the mortal threat that so many do.

I'm NOT an original Obama supporter
(I continue to believe both Sen.'s Clinton and Biden were MUCH more qualified)
I repeat: those MOST exorsized about his FISA reversal seem to be those who (unrealisticlly, in my view) projected thier OWN very progressive beliefs onto Obama's deliberately vague and unspecific campaign rhetoric.

Let's remember, it was the Administration that eviscerated the bill of rights after 9-11 at every turn. That damage is done.

As a retroactive affirmation of those policies?...........well of course it's APALLING.
As a shocking example of politics-as-usual directly at odds with Obama's high flown rhetoric?

Well, yes...shocking, but not surprising, for, you see, I never bought into Obama's pitch that he was more moral, more progressive, more committed, than Clinton or the others.

I AM comfortable with his charachter, and becoming more so.

Longer term, we have bigger and more important fish to fry and, If anything I'm more confident in Obama's willingness to defy his "base" . There will be ALOT of that required to enact the agenda that's important to ME

Thanx for your response. Regards..............................................tm

He IS different but not in those ways posted 07/07/2008 at 22:49:14

It seems to me that those most aghast at Obama's recent statements regarding the FISA compromise were just a few short months back those most taken with the highly inspirational (and highly UN-specific) rhetoric of the Obama primary campaign.

I supported Sen. Clinton for president because I felt I knew where she stood on most issues and was the most qualified overall among a field of VERY GOOD choices....including Sen. Obama. While Icontinue to believe that, Sen. Obama has my full support.

That is NOT because his views correspond point-by-point with mine,
but that his judgement will be informed by an OVERALL...call it progessive (I'm not ashamed to call it a LIBERAL) view of governance.

I'd advise my lefty bretheren all a-tizzy about FISA to take a breath and focus on the BIG stuff...........Bringing our troops home, making the tax code and the economy work for WORKING people again, health care for ALL Americans, Supreme Court justices who are NOT right-wing idealogues, simple HONESTY and COMPETENCE .....in short, MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK FOR US Again.

Tell ya' what........ If Obama can get the BIG things I mentioned above done.....I wouldn't care if Dick Cheney himself listened to EVERY ONE of my phone calls. I'm sure he'd get bored pretty quick...
Meanwhile we'd have a U.S. to be proud of again.

My two cents........................................................................................................tm posted 07/06/2008 at 15:00:47

Vanity Fair's Christopher Hitchens Undergoes Waterboarding

It must have been hard to resist the impulse to go ahead and drown him..................er...................sorry..........................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 23:32:15

Where is Bill? Wrong Question! - Bill Clinton Doesn't Have to Answer

You are correct, though somewhat off point. MY point was that there was plenty of disingenuous and insulting behaviour on both sides in the late primary.

I can't resist answering your rhetorical question:

And the answer is "You bet your life he would!!"

While "racist" and "bigoted" DO apply to the good Reverend there are others that more aptly describe the behavior we discuss today.........especially that of the INSUFFERABLE Mr. Clybourne.

I'll use two of them in a sentence for you:

I submit that, had the request come from Lester Maddox, George Wallace, or Jesse Helms...... the OPPORTUNISTIC and SELF-AGGRANDIZING Rev. Wright would have hustled right on down, just the same.......................................tm posted 07/04/2008 at 22:11:17

Plenty of disingenuous and insulting statements and behaviours were on display on BOTH sides during the late campaign.

Speaking of Grandmothers and visceral reactions: I spoke with a family friend some weeks back who, like my folks was very involved in the civil rights movement. This woman , like ME worked hard in Jesse Jackson's '88 campaign. You know what SHE said about all the "race card" hullaballoo?

"I'll be damned if I'll be called a racist by someone who's been hanging out with Jeremiah Wright for the last 20 years"

My point?:
There were PLENTY of bruised feelings to go around during the late campaign. The thing to do now is keep our eyes on the prize and get Barack elected and get our country back.

If we let drama junkies in the media and elsewhere divide us, then we'll have the entire McCain administration ...............(imagine what a LONG 4 years that would be!)............... to figure out whose fault it all was. Regards.............................................................................tm posted 07/02/2008 at 22:39:51

Some people will believe anything posted 07/02/2008 at 22:21:32

Two Words: damn straight !

This idea that President Clinton has to somehow "atone" and kiss up to some of Sen. Obama's supporters is counterproductive and merely rubs salt in a now-rapidly-healing wound.

I'm getting more enthusiastic about Sen. Obama every day, and more confident about his chances in the general election too.

This does not mean I have forgotten the ugly (and deliberately FALSE) things that were said about President and Mrs. Clinton ( and, by extention, her supporters) during the late primary campaign.....particularly in the weeks surrounding the South Carolina primary.

To my knowlege, and much to his credit, Sen. Obama HIMSELF never leveled such charges though he was clearly the beneficiary of them.

Let's just keep our "eyes on the prize" and support Obama during and more importantly AFTER the election and get our country back.

Kudos to Carl Jeffers for his fine and honest essay......................................tm posted 07/02/2008 at 22:20:02

All of McCain's Base Belongs to Us: Why It Won't Even Be Close

Of course, as one "matures" shall we say what one refers to as a "young" person has a way of creeping up until you catch your self describing someone in their 30's as "a real nice kid"

"BBBbear"...with respect................Lets just call the "youth vote", say 24 and under.......................

Describe any SLIGHTLY plausible scenario in which said youth vote abandons Obama (who, by and large, attracted them to the process in the first place) and shifts to McCain.

Give me one reason, ANY plausible reason, that a person who identifies themselves as a LIBERAL disaffected with Obama for whatever reason........a self-identified LIBERAL...... would choose to vote for McCain?

"knowhatI'msayin'"...... I was not originally an Obama supporter....and was very concerned that he might win the nomination....and through hubris or inexperience............. underestimate the Republicans and blow this critical opportunity.

Of course, my crystal ball is still in the shop, but I wonder about your take on the following:

Seth, god bless him, may be dreaming that it...... "won't even be close"........ but,

Looking as objectively as possible at it..........I can imagine a number of scenarios in which the general turns into the Obama landslide that Seth predicts...........I don't EXPECT it but I can see it.....................
And I can't think of ONE in which....... if McCain is elected..... it is in anything other than a VERY tight race, can you?

Responses welcome, Regards...................................tm posted 07/03/2008 at 05:36:32

Electoral Math, From Knucklebiter To Landslide

Hi Liz! ........From the OTHER original Joe B. supporter

What's the matter with Texas? We've all been asking ourselves that for years & years......................................................tm posted 07/02/2008 at 19:46:00

Also, that fact that one's unqualified by temperment, and the other by experience (you guess) might be a factor in Sen.O's calculations there........................tm posted 07/01/2008 at 16:30:51

"Wfreakin"......Lot of competition for the Gold medal in that last category there, eh? posted 07/01/2008 at 16:24:53

There's quite a number of reasons Smith remains popular in Oregon,some substantive some a matter of style. Ore. Republicans (Hatfield and Packwood are Icons here) , while personally conservative, do not sign on for the culture wars. And Smith really has voted with the Democrats on alot of issues relating to REALLY supporting the troops (shorter deployments, longer periods between, increased funding for armor etc.).

Either Pat Moynihan or Tip O'Niel said "All Politics is Local", (hadda' be an Irishman!) While not always true, a heckuva lot is , and Smith does ok on bread and butter issues (in the Northwest thats pronounced, resourses, ag, and technology)

Speaking of a small state, we KNOW our guys a little better than is possible in the huge markets in Cal and back East. Smith is well known to be a person of strong faith that doesn't seem to feel duty-bound to legislate the morality of others that do not share it. And it was known that Smith was fed up with the war many months before his very public repudiation of it in Dec. 2006.

Largely, Smith is polling well because the invisible Jeff Merkley (House Speaker) has so far put off getting on his horse and introducing himself to the Vast majority of Oregonians who could not pick him out of a line-up!

Just having a "D" next to his name will not suffice here, where, by national standards EVERYONE (including Smith) is an independent. Regards.....................................................tm posted 07/01/2008 at 16:21:50

..............continued

This may be a case of being too close to something to have perspective, but I can't for the life of me figure out how Oregon keeps being mentioned in the "tossup" column, especially this year. The last Rethug to squeeze an electoral vote out of us was Ronnie (as in Ray Gun) and that was only because, in those uncertain economic times alot of us were clinging to our guns, or our chuches (not to mention our chain-saws, our spotted owls) and.........well, you get the picture.......Barack already explained all this.......

You can mark it in the book today: Obama OWNS Oregon's electoral votes, I guarantee it.

But really, really, seriously folks, neither of these alters Chris' "realstic outcome" scenario, which, by my lights, is absolutely accurrate.

While I also agree that there are quite a number of ways this thing could tip into an Obama landslide (the only SENSIBLE outcome) I've been expecting a mass outbreak of intelligence and judgement on the part of the American electorate for a long time now, and, if anything, things have gotten worse......(until now??)

As July 4th approaches..........whattaya' say we fool all those that say we're TOAST......let's all go vote Democratic and keep the Republic going for a couple MORE centuries!!

Great column, as always Chris. Guess it's MY turn to apologize for being long-winded eh? Regards, and Happy Birthday, America..........have a great 4th....................................tm posted 07/01/2008 at 09:05:39

Fun stuff.

Chris and at least one commenter helpfully remind us that when we look BACK and discuss the 2008 Presidential election, much of what we'll be talking about has not (as of now) occurred yet. And I'm just talking about the garden variety stuff here: VP picks, the conventions, the debates....etc.
This is to say nothing of the completely unforseen bombshell (for which you can BET the Republican slime corps is now furiously scouring every back alley in the land.)

Who knows? Maybe McCain's secret "day one" bombing target list will leak and be found to contain not only Tehran and Hanoi but Berkley and West Hollywood as well! And which demographics would that actually HELP him with? .......as Chris himself might say................ ahem.

But seriously, folks: a couple of quibbles............

West Virgina just GENERICLLY belongs in the dead-bang LOCK collumn for the Republicans in ANY year.....this one especially. Among however many progressive Democrats there are in W. Va........even some of THEM probably did not take kindly to having their state portrayed as a bunch of racist ya-hoo's for supporting Hillary in the primary. The only reason I mention it is, there are likely more than a few people with similar feelings in Ohio and Pennsylvania which are CRITICAL. That's the kind of nuance that's impossible to poll, but could be significant in a squeaker.

continued..................... posted 07/01/2008 at 07:55:56

Advice to Democrats: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

A hearty "here, here" to "ladyfractal" and "Eoin45".

While I found all the Democratic candidates plausible.........I STRONGLY supported Sen. Clinton.

Moreover, by way of backround, my family was very involved in the Civil Rights movement, and I myself am a lifetime progessive who supported Jesse Jackson in '84 and worked in his '88 campaign.

Suffice it to say: there were DEFINITELY some hurt feelings and resentment watching the Clintons (and her supporters) tarred as some kind of closet racists in the name of political expediency!
To Obama's credit, I never heard him PERSONALLY level such charges, but I can understand 1st hand the bruised feelings IN BOTH CAMPS.

It is my own belief that these statistics that suggest that 15, 20, or 25 percent of Clinton supporters will vote REPUBLICAN (for God's sake!) are vastly overstated.

No offense to anyone, but I think voters who would actually DO SO refer to themselves as "Clinton supporters" merely as a polite way of saying they were ANTI-Obama.

To vote for more war, corruption, incompetence, environmental degradation, and the continued FLEECING of working Americans runs counter to everything the Clintons have worked their whole lives for.

It's also a mighty selfish position to take when you consider the stakes.

I'm actually quite excited about the prospect of the Obama administration (with increased majorities in both houses of Congress to boot!).....
...and he'll have my full support, not to mention Sen Clinton's and, hopefully,every other progressive American.

My two cents...Regards.......................................tm posted 06/27/2008 at 12:38:16

A great fan of Lee Daniels', dating clear back to WGBH days, I'm very pleased to find him posting here.

I'd like to raise My voice in hearty support of Lee's fine essay, and suggest that, .......... while there are a great many things about which one might say "it goes without saying" or "it's a given",..............
perhaps, with the stakes so VERY high we should err on the side of repitition or simplicity and SAY IT ANYWAY....and then say it again,.....as Lee has done so eloquently here.

For once, there is no hyperbole in asserting that this is THE most critical election of my lifetime.

I was a STRONG supporter of Sen. Clinton, but I said repeatedly how pleased I was by the sight of seven EXCELLENT candidates at the early debates,....any one of whom I could gladly support for the presidency (and EVERY one of whom would be a QUANTUM improvement over the current posse of thieves and liars in the executive branch!).........

Our nation faces a host of VERY difficult challenges, and the consequenses of a failure to meet them would extend FAR beyond our borders, including the very survival of the planet we live on!

As well, the OPPORTUNITIES available are simply breathtaking!

If history teaches us anything, it's that a public engaged, and united behind an inspirational leader (as Sen. Obama has CLEARLY demonstrated his willingness and ability to be) can surmount ANY challenge and embrace EVERY opportunity.

Great collumn!..................................................tm posted 06/27/2008 at 11:52:47

Oregon Republican Tries To Hitch A Ride On Obama's Coattails

Sarah,

I certainly wish you and Mr. Merkley well............By all accounts he has been a highly effective speaker.

I'm certainly predisposed to vote for Democrats, (The last Republican I voted for was Hatfield in his validectory lap).

I believe Oregon will go heavily for Obama and Merkley will have a powerful argument that Obama needs a filibuster proof majority to enact the sweeping changes people expect.

I'm afraid if Merkley attempts to run AGAINST Smith, rather than FOR a Democratic majority, and attempts to paint Smith as a Republican idealogue, Oregonians quite simply will not believe him.

Obviously, the first order of business is for Merkley to make himself KNOWN to ordinary Oregonians, and give us some idea of what he stands for, and what he proposes to do as US Senator, rather than why Smith must be ousted.

It's an uphill climb, but I like many Oregonians remain receptive to your guys message if he can get it out. Feel free to post a link or respond.

Best of luck.................................................................tm posted 06/26/2008 at 18:18:43

I give up posted 06/25/2008 at 18:09:47

To the moderator: I have two comments to this post pending. I keep hearing references (on other posts today) about some sort of new moderation system that scrubs comments if candidates names are included. Can this be true? posted 06/25/2008 at 18:08:30

I remember it well......I just don't remember the "falling back in line" part. Anything specific?......tm posted 06/25/2008 at 17:05:45

Thanks for the link........

Fact is though, Smith WAS out early questioning the administration on numerous aspects of troop protection and care, and it was pretty well known that Smith had HAD IT with the administration's lies and incompetence by early 2006.

There was a rumor that Smith would take to the Senate floor, denounce the war, and call for withdrawal BEFORE the election......but Smith (a politician after all) erred on the side of caution and did so immeditely after, making him one of the very early REPUBLICAN voices so raised.

As far as consistently failing to vote to de-fund the war?.....well Smith has alot of Democratic company there. In fact it's one MORE thing he has in common with none other than Barrack Obama.

Look, I'm a partisan Democrat and was really hoping John Kitzhaber (popular former Governor) would challenge Smith but "Doc" just doesn't want to leave Oregon for D.C. Can you blame him?

All I'm saying is that if Merkley can't bestir himself to say hello to the Oregon electorate pretty soon he might as well just endorse Smith.

It'll take some convincing to get we notoriously independent Oregonians to dump Smith...who even many die-hard Dems like me will admit hasn't done too badly for us.

Regards..........................................................tm posted 06/25/2008 at 16:59:59

Anyone familiar with Oregon politics (It helps to be an Oregon resident) will find little to be surprised about in Smith's ad.

Simply put, Smith has much more in common with Obama and many other Democrats than he does with the majority of his own party.

Perhaps foremost among these is the fact that Gordon Smith is a person of strong faith that seems to take seriously the separation of church and state, and does not seem to believe that HIS faith requires him to seek to legislate the morality of others who do not share it.

Smith took a fair amount of heat from his Republican cohorts for coming out very publicly and strongly AGAINST the Iraq war and calling for it's end well before the prevailing winds made it politically expedient to do so.

Smith also works efectively with Oregon's Democrtic Senator, Ron Wyden on issues of interest to Oregonians and the Northwest generally.

In short, the thoughtful Smith represents Oregonians first, and could in no way be described as a Republican Idealogue. This is well in keeping with the Oregon tradition and the legacy of Senators Mark Hatfield an Bob Packwood.

The INVISIBLE Jeff Merkley, Oregon House speaker, had better get on his horse and introduce himself to everyday Oregonians soon if he hopes to unseat Smith. Simply having a "D" next to his name will not suffice in our state where, by national standards, EVERYONE is an independent.Regards...........................................................................................................tm posted 06/25/2008 at 16:23:57

Media Whitewashes Dobson, Hides 'Beat-Your-Child' Dogma

While i don't completely understand the gist of "pioneerKing's" comment......

I can only hope he/she does not think I DISAGREE on Dobson's repulsiveness, repugnance, or hypocrisy.

Thanx for your response....................er.................I think...............................tm posted 06/26/2008 at 03:23:59

This article contains an excellent example of the difference between a blog and an article in a reputable publication vetted by fact checkers and editors.

Third highlighted box from the top...
Second paragraph
First sentence

And I Quote:
"In the past couple of elections, the born again vote represented about half of the total number of votes cast in the U.S."

???!!!
Everyone who believes that it has EVER been true that anything like HALF OF THE TOTAL VOTES CAST IN THE US have been cast by people who self-identify as born again please raise their hands!
Let's start with Mr. Feldman.....is this something you believe to be accurate?

Sure, it's a blog....but are there to be absolutely NO standards for accuracy? Can just ANYTHING be printed as true and go unchallenged and uncorrected?

Outrageous! I'm curious to see if this comment will be posted....................................................tm posted 06/25/2008 at 17:50:18

Top Ten Races

Merkley v Smith "slightly uphill"?

I suppose Tibetan sherpas accustomed to climbing Everest might describe Mt. Hood as "slightly uphill." Around here we refer to it as The Mountain.

A good first step would be for the invisible Mr. Merkley to come out and introduce himself to the vast majority of Oregonians who may have heard his name but could not pick him out of a line-up.

Don't get me wrong, ....I'm a partisan Dem. and would like nothing better than to see TWO "D's" in the US Senate representing Oregon. However, merely having a "D' next to his name will not suffice in our state where, by national standards, EVERYONE (including Smith) is an independent.

If you're not pulling for Al Franken to take back what a lot of us still think of a Paul Wellstone's seat then you're just not paying attetion....'nuff said!

I've said for years I'd support the devil himself to see Mitch McConnell out of the Senate. Lunsfords candidacy reminds me of the old saw....... "Be careful what you wish for.....you might get it". Lunsford might at least be a less EFFECTIVE obstructionist.

Great collumn...........I hope Mr. Lux will keep us posted. Regards..................................................tm posted 06/26/2008 at 03:16:43

Why Bill Clinton's Still "Miffed" At Obama

I keep hearing this and it still makes no sense. 99% of the discussion involves the ccandidates or other Named public figures. Someone care to explain a bit?? posted 06/25/2008 at 18:04:42

Serenity Lost: Obama And The Netroots

So long now posted 06/25/2008 at 17:11:16

Israel Pushing US To Strike Iran

A:) I don't believe a word of it!

B-Z:) See A above.

More lies from George and the gang, ..............and more complicity from the REAL 4th branch......the MSM.

....Why? Because it's a "good story".......................ya' know....sells papers, draws "hits"

Remember "a good story" no longer has anything to do with being true!

DON'T BELIEVE ONE WORD OF IT.........................................................................................tm posted 06/25/2008 at 15:09:23

Dr. Dobson Has Just Handed Obama Victory

No serious person needs to pay the slightest attention to what Mr. Dobson says.

As to Mr. Schaeffer's assertion that Dobson's rants might cause Christians to vote for Obama ,.....well

There are books to be sold here, and that IS taken seriously in some quarters.

Seems to me that folks with true Christian values can find MANY resons to support Sen. Obama, none of which have anything whatsoever to do with what Mr.'s Schaeffer & Dobson do or do not advise.

Ye shall know them by their works......................................................................................tm posted 06/25/2008 at 15:39:51

Love it! I haven't seen that one. Of course we continue to display "Hate is Not a Family Value" thx............tm posted 06/24/2008 at 20:01:49

I love a headline like this that implies that victory for Obama is somewhow James Dobson's to give.

Mr. Schaeffer's assertion that Dobson is to the right what Nader is to the left is quite mistaken.

You see, Nader has principles and a conscience

Dobson (and perhaps, the Right), well..................................................

I'm glad that Mr. Schaeffer has "come to his senses" (his phrase) since those heady days when he was busy "welding the Evangelicals and the Republican party into what amounted to a soft theocracy", (though those of us who were victims of it might quibble about how "soft" it was), yes....that's nice.

Then again, another take might be that when extreme right-wing evangelism was hot thats what he was up to, and now that its not, well, there are books to sell. As Mr. Schaeffer says himself, there was a lot more money in the God business back then.

Ye shall know them by their works............................................................................tm posted 06/24/2008 at 19:34:23

Justice Department Looked For Liberal "Buzz Words" On Resumes

In case you've been away the last 8 years, I'll whisper the top-secret answer (nobody)

The members of Cogress charged with judicial oversite, INCLUDING the Democrats will collude to cover this up and make this go away.

Whatsamattah? Don't like bipartisanship?...................................tm posted 06/24/2008 at 22:58:22