The 2008 presidential field at-a-glance

[scbelle]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

but never underestimate the power of the Democratic party to take what looks like a sure win for an election and blow it!

it bears repeating.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by KAPital PHINUst

This Newsweek article on why Ron Paul still continues to run in spite of the hurdles he is experiencing is brilliant. He also explains why he won't give McCain an endorsement and why the Hillary/Obama fight for the Dem nomination (and the issues the press has been raising involving such) is meaningless.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/124451/page/1

You'll enjoy this Time article, too, entitled "Why Ron Paul Scares the GOP": http://www.time.com/time/politics/ar...724358,00.html

[KAPital PHINUst]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

You'll enjoy this Time article, too, entitled "Why Ron Paul Scares the GOP": http://www.time.com/time/politics/ar...724358,00.html

Thanks. *gives the articles two thumbs up*

Too bad Michael Grunwald is gonna get pink-slipped for writing it.

[jon1856]

A McCain Moment: Do You Want Four More Years
of This?

Arianna Huffington 3/26/2008
If our polarized country can agree on one thing, it’s that the greatest danger facing America over the next decade will not be Islamic extremism and instability in the Middle East, but rather Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. That’s just “common knowledge,” right?

So it only makes sense that the media have focused nonstop on this looming threat while paying scant attention to the fact that the presumptive Republican nominee for president apparently doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on in the Middle East.

And with the U.S. death toll hitting 4,000 (with 25 American soldiers killed over the last two weeks, the deadliest fortnight for our troops since September 2007), and with another 57 people killed in Iraq on Sunday, John McCain’s tenuous grasp on what is happening in the region becomes all the more worthy of attention.

For those who were too busy watching Rev. Jeremiah Wright damn America for the 10,000th time to hear about McCain, let’s review: at a stop in Jordan last week, McCain made the ludicrous claim that al-Qaida insurgents were being trained in Iran. Asked again about it, he dug in deeper, claiming it was “common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaida is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that’s well known.”
http://www.caglepost.com/column/Aria...s+of+This.html

[shinerbock]

Jon, of all the stuff, Huffington? Come on dude.

[jon1856]

A stalemate at the Federal Election Commission could block public financing for the fall

IMAGINE THIS scenario: It's late summer. The Democratic and Republican conventions are about to begin. The parties' nominees have decided that it would be better for the political system -- and, no doubt, easier for them -- to accept full public financing for the general election rather than scramble to raise the money on their own. But there's no way for them to get the checks, about $85 million apiece. That's because before the checks can be issued, the Federal Election Commission must certify each nominee's eligibility to receive federal funding. Four commission members are required for such certification -- and because of a congressional standoff over confirming new members, the FEC is now operating with just two members out of the six it is supposed to have. This means that, in addition to being frozen on public financing, the FEC is unable to write regulations, launch enforcement actions or issue advisory opinions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...v=rss_opinions

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by jon1856

A McCain Moment: Do You Want Four More Years
of This?

Arianna Huffington 3/26/2008
If our polarized country can agree on one thing, it’s that the greatest danger facing America over the next decade will not be Islamic extremism and instability in the Middle East, but rather Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. That’s just “common knowledge,” right?

So it only makes sense that the media have focused nonstop on this looming threat while paying scant attention to the fact that the presumptive Republican nominee for president apparently doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on in the Middle East.

And with the U.S. death toll hitting 4,000 (with 25 American soldiers killed over the last two weeks, the deadliest fortnight for our troops since September 2007), and with another 57 people killed in Iraq on Sunday, John McCain’s tenuous grasp on what is happening in the region becomes all the more worthy of attention.

For those who were too busy watching Rev. Jeremiah Wright damn America for the 10,000th time to hear about McCain, let’s review: at a stop in Jordan last week, McCain made the ludicrous claim that al-Qaida insurgents were being trained in Iran. Asked again about it, he dug in deeper, claiming it was “common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaida is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that’s well known.”
http://www.caglepost.com/column/Aria...s+of+This.html

This would seem to be a much bigger gaffe on McCain's part to me if I felt like most people have any idea what it's actually plausible for al-Qaida to be doing. Had he not immediately corrected himself based on what Joe L. whispered to him, would Arianna Huffington even have known that it wasn't what he meant to say or that it wasn't accurate?

I also think it's funny that people are trying to claim that the story isn't being reported. Who hasn't heard about this happening? Just people some people don't think McCain misspeaking and making an immediate correction is proof he's clueless means that no one knows it happened? Really?

[SWTXBelle]

[nittanyalum]

Obama's Penn State rally draws 20,000

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Shivering in blankets of Penn State's colors, some 20,000 people filled a campus lawn Sunday to hear Barack Obama say he can win the Democratic nomination even if rival Hillary Rodham Clinton stays in the race. ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21663493/from/ET/

The Pennsylvania primary isn't until April 22nd -- it should be interesting but GOOD LORD does this primary season seem loooooooooonnnggggg. Let's just open the polls in the remaining states and get it done with already.

And had to highlight my favorite paragraph from the story, it's just so... PA.

About five lanes over, a young man in a T-shirt that said "Beer Hunter" fell on his backside while bowling and still recorded a strike.

[scbelle]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

My new PC wallpaper.

[nittanyalum]

Ok, so it's looking like a 10-ish percentage point spread, Clinton over Obama in PA.

Reactions?

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Ok, so it's looking like a 10-ish percentage point spread, Clinton over Obama in PA.

Reactions?

Not happy, but not surprised.

I agree with what you said in an earlier post...primary season is getting looong.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Ok, so it's looking like a 10-ish percentage point spread, Clinton over Obama in PA.

Reactions?

I keep reminding myself of the number of people I know who switched parties to confuse the pundits. Which means that few of "facts" behind PA's primary are completely true and the spin doctors will go into a frenzy, making it sound good for everybody. Seriously, does anyone really think that Hillary is a hunter who slams down a shot and a beer on a regular basis?

[jon1856]

Democrats Registering In Record Numbers
1 Million New Voters For Last 7 Primaries

RALEIGH, N.C. -- They lined up shoulder to shoulder inside the gray high-rise downtown, their politics as diverse as their backgrounds. An ex-felon who needs health insurance, followed by a high school student seeking empowerment, followed by a Marine Corps veteran who wants to prevent his country from crumbling.
Like hundreds of others, their quests led them to the Wake County voter services office this month to register as Democrats for the first time. The line of newcomers that snaked across the checkered tile floor was emblematic of those that have formed across the country this year: black voters, young voters, lifelong Republicans switching parties -- all registering in record numbers, and all aligning as Democrats.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...T2008042702368

[jon1856]

Eyes on Blue-Collar Voters, Obama Shifts Style
ANDERSON, Ind. — Senator Barack Obama is making subtle changes to his campaign style and message in an effort to strengthen his appeal to blue-collar voters and to avoid a defeat in Indiana that aides fear could give Democratic Party leaders further pause about his viability in a general election.
On Sunday, Mr. Obama went to a Methodist church in Indianapolis, the kind of event rarely on his public schedule. He suited up for a game of basketball on Friday night before television cameras. And the big, energy-filled stadium rallies that were the bread and butter for most of his campaign have once again given way to smaller town-hall-style meetings, where he is seen talking with people and not at them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/28/us...tuK7e7joyWpnmg