Election Central Morning Roundup
Report: McCain Veep Isn't Romney Or Pawlenty -- Who Is It???
John McCain is holding his big event at 12 p.m. ET today in Dayton, Ohio, where he will announce his running mate. MSNBC is reporting this morning that it won't be either Mitt Romney or Tim Pawlenty, the two previous frontrunners -- with the last-minute speculation now focusing on first-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
The Obamas And Bidens In Pennsylvania Today
Barack Obama And Joe Biden, plus Michelle and Jill, are starting on their swing-state bus tour today, starting in Pennsylvania and then continuing over the next few days through Ohio and Michigan. They open tonight in Beaver, Pennsylvania, with a rally at 7:30 p.m. ET.
John McCain Turns 72
Today is John McCain's 72nd birthday. His best present: A whole lot of media hype today over his VP pick.
Report: Chartered Plane Leaves Alaska For Dayton
Jonathan Martin reports that a chartered airplane left Anchorage last night, with the destination being Dayton, Ohio -- the site of John McCain's vice-presidential announcement today. This has led to a lot of speculation that Palin is the pick.
GOP Considering Convention Delay
The Washington Post reports that the Republican Party is considering a delay to its national convention, in light of the expected landfall of Hurricane Gustav down in the Gulf Coast. Bear in mind that a convention has so many logistical complexities that it cannot be rescheduled, only have days and speaking slots completely chopped off -- which would seriously damage the GOP's efforts at staging a good pep rally.
Cindy McCain's Half-Sister: I'm Dead-Seat Against John And Cindy
In another soap-opera development in Cindy McCain's life, her estranged half-sister Kathleen Hensley Portalski says she's voting for Barack Obama. Here's what Portalski had to say about Cindy, who has described herself as an only child and refuses to acknowledge Portalski: "I question whether Cindy is someone I'd want to see in the White House as first lady."
What on earth was David Brooks thinking to allow his OP-ED piece in today's NY Times to see the light of day? It sounds like the drunken effusion of a politically obtuse frat boy after a few brews and bongs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/opinion/29brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
For this he deserves to be hounded from serious circles.
August 29, 2008 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lo, how the mighty (Times) have fallen.
August 29, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus, wtf was that? That's....the stupidest thing I can remember reading. It's like some teenagers blog.
August 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, indeed. I read that bitter little screed with surprise and genuine disappointment. Apparently, all of his praise for the very themes he so cynical of there was insincere.
August 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Steaming pile of turd-based journalism.
August 29, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was the strangest column I've seen in a long time.
August 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's his desperate concession. McCain and crew got nothing after this week, Brooks has no valid arguments to make against Barack, so he wrote the most ridiculous essay ever.
August 29, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was expecting something conventionally stupid; some obtuse snark-fest. But that was . . . bizarre. Like something you'd read in the comments sections at TalkLeft or some other remote exurb of rationality.
August 29, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
or like something you'd read and then realize it was an April Fool's Day column
August 29, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow! Brooks has apparently lost his cognitive abilities.
August 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, it is slightly funny. It works pretty well as a parody of the convention up to Barack's speech. It does fail as a parody of Barack, but only because Barack was so resolutely blunt yesterday.
August 29, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
The next time he submits an OP-ED to the Times maybe the Times editor should ask him to submit to a Breathalyzer.
August 29, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
The piece really sucks.
One of his better efforts, though.
August 29, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone else feel the Joementum in the air?
A girl can hope!
August 29, 2008 9:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bring out Droop Dog Joe!
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 29, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, I pray McCain picks Lieberman; a man loathed by different sectors of both parties (and always for good reason). It's the surest path to an Obama landslide in November.
August 29, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin - pro-life, no foreign policy experience - whats a PUMA to do?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin
August 29, 2008 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aw, too bad. After Karl Rove's display of ....uh....sensitivity toward the plight of those in the hurricane's path, I hope they're reduced to the old man waving a placard on a freeway overpass.
August 29, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin, huh...
August 29, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Her staff said she's in Alaska and attending the Sate Fair today...we'll see.
August 29, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! The Democrats nominating a black man forced the Republicans to choose a woman as their VP nominee? HA! I love it!
I suppose this is meant to woo all those disgruntled Hillary supporters, who after this convention don't really exist? (Aside from women who have always voted Republican but would have crossed over - maybe - for Hillary.)
Epic FAIL.
August 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Republican party always has been the party of self loathing, but if Mr. Cindy McCain picks Gov. Palin the GOP will take self loathing to a whole new level.
August 29, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain campaign really, REALLY doesn't want to have to respond to Obama's speech last night.
August 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Sarah Palin is a smart choice. The alternatives were like putting on a shroud and climbing into your own grave of irrelevance.
What the choice of Palin would say is this: goddam it, I may lose this election, but I refuse to do it in the boring way you expect me to.
I have to give McCain props. Somewhere in there, behind the wall of advisors, he's still alive.
August 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
That said, there would be real negatives involved as well. Palin is currently embroiled in a scandal about nepotism -- more specifically, trying to get her sister's estranged husband fired. It's a pretty vivid scandal. I think McCain would be smart to take the risk, though. It's better to bring on a charismatic, controversial woman than one of the living dead.
August 29, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's going to be John Kasich.
August 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that a joke?
August 29, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still holding out hope for Wilford Brimley.
August 29, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes yes yes yes yes. Personally, I'd like to see him at the top of the Republican ticket.
August 29, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
If it ain't Ridge, it's a serious miscalculation on McSame's part, IMHO.
August 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dunno.. Ridge would upset his base... McPTSD can't win with his VP pick, which is the best part about this... they all have issues
Mittens the Kitten- Mormon, notorious flopper, out of touch
Pawlenty- Who?
Palin- who again?
and so on
August 29, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
ABC is now reporting Sarah Palin is in Alaska, so likely not her:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/mccain-vp-conte.html
August 29, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who is on that plane then? Ted Stevens?!?!
August 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
It could just be a random flight. Besides the capital of Alaska is Juneau, not Anchorage, where the plane came from.
August 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
McPow/Stevens. Now there's another dream ticket. Almost as good as McPow/Brimley.
August 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um Sarah Palin has ZERO experience to be President - which appears to be the claim the McCain group has made over and over about Obama.
Should McCain go down, SARAH PALIN IS OUR PRESIDENT?
You must be kidding.
August 29, 2008 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah...but since y'all make the opposite argument...how can you knock her?
August 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
We're not making the opposite argument. We're arguing judgment trumps experience.
McCain is saying Obama is too inexperienced to be President, that he's not ready. He can't say that while putting a younger, 1-year governor of Alaska a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the Presidency.
August 29, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just what a celebrity would want on his birthday....
August 29, 2008 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
And hey! I hear he was a POW, too.
Has anybody else heard that and can confirm?
August 29, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
She is younger than Obama.
August 29, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC said that Sarah Palin is scheduled to unveil the new quarter at the state fair in Alaska today, so I guess it's not her.
August 29, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
How un-Vice Presidential of her.
August 29, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26454655
CNBC says they have the inside info and it is her.
August 29, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have been saying "Populist". I meant "woman." Expect a woman.
This is a gesture for the general electorate.
To the broader crowd, he doesn't want to talk about Bush, nor his record, nor how old he is and out of touch. He wants to talk about what a good guy he is that he picked a woman but no-good Barack Obama is perpuating the glass-ceiling despite Hillary's 18 million heroic voters who got so badly cheated.
It's kind of a Hail Mary pass: *what else do they have to go with?!* He is up against a force of nature!
That's my theory.
August 29, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Last week, when the polls were showing McSame up and Obama down, Obama said that McSame doesn't know what he's up against. When I saw the camera pan back to show that whole stadium, packed to standing room only, it became clear to me what he meant. Force of nature. Yeah.
August 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hear, hear!!!
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can anyone help me find the Obama bio convention video that played prior to his speech? I'm trying to find one without all the news banners.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
August 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm looking for that too!
August 29, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
It has been posted on the previous thread, and it's also on HuffPo.
August 29, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not Palin, go figure! Not Pawlenty, not Romney.
Could McCain be having a case of Joementum? Not the good Joementum we had this week, but the bad Joementum we all know what it's? Could be Ridge?
Could McCain just don't know who he really wants?
I don't know about you guys, butb this is getting fun for me.
PD: CNN International is replaying the Obama speech as I wrote this lines. It works even better in the morning.
August 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're right, this is kinda fun.
If it's Ridge, that would explain why there was all that talk about Lieberman. Ridge is pro-choice. So he might have been softening up the base, by proposing an alternative they could see as *even worse* than Ridge.
I don't think it'll work. The social conservatives are not in a mood to be flexible about that issue.
August 29, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
But McCain might be wagering that an Obama presidency will be so unappetizing to that wing of the party (and we all know why) that they'll discover a greater degree of flexibility on the abortion issue than they ever had previously.
Not saying it'll work, but it might be their calculation in selecting Lieberman or Ridge.
August 29, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Re: the potential cancellation of the RNC Convention:
Oh, the lovely irony. No matter what McCain does, voters will be reminded of another birthday celebration where Bush/McCain ate birthday cake while New Orleans drowned (http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/24/flashback-as-katrina-raged-mccain-celebrated-69th-birthday-with-bush/) I wouldn't wish another hurricane on NOLA, but this is karma if I've ever seen it.
August 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh man. That would be the end of McCain.
Nothing says "I'm screwed" better than canceling your own party after your rival had the best party ever.
August 29, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. If only the G-name for this one had been, instead of Gustav, George.
August 29, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Alright, so what is Kay Bailey Hutchison's schedule looking like today?
August 29, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't want to be right, because it does scare me a bit. What I *do* want is Traitor Joe!!!
August 29, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where in the world is Condi Rice?
August 29, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
That would be the all-time cynical move. She is absolutely unqualified. How low will Johnny go?!
August 29, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it Tom Ridge? That would be great...for the Dems!
August 29, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
i love the sarah palin pick. it's great news for obama: mccain has always said that he'll pick a VP according to who would be the best president--and, while saying Barack's too young and inexperienced and celebritified, he might pick someone YOUNGER THAN BARACK who's a former BEAUTY PAGEANT also-ran and sports reporter?? oh, yeah, i just remembered--this is one of those names the campaign is just floating to make it seem like they'll stand up for women's issues... ridiculous.
August 29, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
If he chooses Palin it would generate momentary excitement that a female was chosen but then disappointment that she is totally not up to the job. She has been governor of a very small state for all of 1 1/2 years after being mayor of Wasilla. She has no foreign policy experience.
There is a major obstacle to her being the pick. She just gave birth to I believe her 5th child who I heard is suffering from Down's Syndrome. I don't think she would like to take that much time away from family.
August 29, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
She was a beauty pageant? Really?
August 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH!!! She want Miss Congeniality in the Miss American pageant in 1984 and came in *2nd*!! She's cute as a button, and she's one more big-ass crack in that glass ceiling I'll have you know!
August 29, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC reports that Lieberman is in Dayton Ohio? I would not be surprised with a Lieberman pick. Lieberman will switch to the Republican Party, since he has not been with the Democrats in a good while. And he will be cheered on as a good Republican soldier. Joementum is in the air once again.
August 29, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Conservatives hate Lieberman just as much as we do. That would be a beautiful pick!
August 29, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Beee-YUUU-deee!
August 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
KBH specifically said no the other day in a clip I saw.
Glad I didn't bet my instinct on Pawlenty.
Who's left?
Crist?
Joe?
August 29, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Crist is too gay for the Repubs.
August 29, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
BREAKING!John McCain of 2008 just selected John McCain of 2000 to be his VP.
August 29, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for make me spill my coffee on my laptop.
August 29, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now, that was damned funny!
August 29, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
That would be a risky choice, especially after all the nasty things McCain 2000 has said about McCain 2008.
August 29, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think McCain 2000 would accept.
August 29, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! I haven't cleaned my screen in a bit and along comes this and--voila--clean screen in seconds.
August 29, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Go Joe Go!!!!
August 29, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Go Joetraitor!
Go Joetraitor!
Go Joetraitor Go!
August 29, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the reaction to McCain's pick:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v334/muzikal203/McBush/?action=view¤t=34djw44.jpg
August 29, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
If it's Traitor Joe I'm gonna leap up and give such a bit *Whoop!* GO JOE GO!!!!
August 29, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
If it's Traitor Joe I'm gonna leap up and cry out with such a great and exubertant "WHOOP!!!"
GO JOE GOE!!!
August 29, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, CNN broke the Biden story like 10 hours before Obama wanted to announce it. Has no one broken this story yet because:
a) McCain is better at keeping secrets
b) No one cares
August 29, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
c) no one wants to hop aboard a sinking ship?
August 29, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
(d) He still hasn't decided.
(e) He wrote down his decision on a slip of paper so he wouldn't forget it, but left it in one of his houses and can't remember which one.
August 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you have hit it. Being McCain's VP choice is not a good move if you want a long term political career.
August 29, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McMedia wants to get off all this Obama stuff and get back on the bus with McCain. What other neo-PUMA can we think of? Lets float another neoPUMA.
August 29, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
How about that crazy bitch from the credentials committee? What's her schedule like today?
August 29, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe he isn't keeping it a secret. Old folks forget stuff a lot.
August 29, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn...I type too slow. I guess great minds think alike! :-)
August 29, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
d) McCain has forgotten who he picked
August 29, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also, the new line of attack on a local conservative shithead blog is that Obama promised to attack Pakistan tonight ("not in so many words, of course").
August 29, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Promised tonight to attack or promised to attack tonight? 'Cause the latter would be presumptous even in my books :D
August 29, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
HAHAHAHA
Have you guys seen this?
http://store.johnmccain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PNR2879
August 29, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Lime Green Monster Pen.
August 29, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
What is that -- a rectal thermometer?
August 29, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
No. Click to view a larger image. Look at the text on the pen.
August 29, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mr. 4th last in his class must have written all the copy for his merchandise.
August 29, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would bet the workers at the factory in China just didn't catch that.
August 29, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not students of spelling/grammar, apparently!
August 29, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
They've cleaned it up.
August 29, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Since he can't tell Sunni and Shia apart, it's no surprise he has problems with plurals and possessives, too.
August 29, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
GOP convention delay? Ha! Heckuva job, Brownie!
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
When is McCain's rally scheduled for today in Dayton?
Weather channel says possibility of isolated T-Storms this afternoon.... Not that I would ever wish bad weather on someone. No one would ever do that would they?
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know, you're a real prince for keeping it on a high level like this, Moe! Very tasteful!
August 29, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
The networks seem to think its Sarah Palin from Alaska. If Jphn McCain's message is that BO is too young and experienced, how can he pick someone who at 44, is younger than BO and has only been a governor for only ONE YEAR?
Mike Murphy, McCain's former campaign manager, is on MSNBC and he thinks it would be a huge mistake.
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Even Joe Scarborough was shaking his head over the possibility. I think maybe Palin is a subterfuge. The McCain campaign couldn't be that foolish, could they?
August 29, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Halperin Watch: It's no one!!!
That's the ticket: McCain-NoOne'08!
August 29, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain-Guard Who Wrote the Cross in the Sand '08!
August 29, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man, only 49 comments on the Brooks column over that the NYT and the editors have closed the comment section. The column has only been up for three hours! I guess the prospect of his own irrelevance has scared our David, and he's hitting the bottle earlier than usual.
August 29, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Report: Chartered Plane Leaves Alaska For Dayton"
Well, it's obviously Ted Stevens.
August 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Palin would secure the Polar Bear vote.
Colbert is gonna be ticked off
August 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Any chance that Romney and Pawlenty saw Obama's speech last night and then decided to back out at the last minute? "Good Luck John"?
And so he has to reach deeper into the Republican bench, down past AAA, AA, and A, and into the rookie extended spring training league?
August 29, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
CNBC says it's Palin.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26454655
Could still be false. I don't know why John Kasich isn't in the discussion more seriously.
August 29, 2008 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's Rob Portman, Bush crony, former Director of the OMB and former Rep (OH). Yeesh!
August 29, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
In a surpise pick, John McCain announced his VP running mate will be Karl Rove.
August 29, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
If it's Rove, I'm having a OD of happiness!
August 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
BTW -
The ad running in the middle of the comment stream over at The Corner is for the Scientology Youtube page...
Portman?
August 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
On the homepage, Josh says that ABC has confirmed that Palin is still in Alaska. So either its not here or her acceptance speech is going to be done via satellite.
It has to be either Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge. For Republicans, thats as out of the box as you can get.
August 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
If it IS Palin, McCain is thinking he will get Hillary's mysterious disappearing millions.
A woman for the Republican VP slot? As usual, the Republicans do something that, on the surface might seem admirable, but for all the wrong reasons.
And considering the recent history of Alaska Republicans, one can only wonder where her skeletons might be entwined with her fellow Alaskan pachyderms'. Surely VECO found her wotrthy of some sort of "attention."
August 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Portman.
August 29, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's as close as you get to a Repug economic guru.
August 29, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agree. And they're right by Portman's house. The press is looking at flights. Portman could walk to the event. I'm thinking it could be Portman.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 29, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why aren't they mentioning his name more?
August 29, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I still think Palin would be a smart choice.
Yeah, she's younger than Obama, and has less experience. But you know, that whole argument is one they were about to lose big-time. They were going to lose it in a way that said "The Republican party is so behind the times -- it's so dead -- that it doesn't even realize it's dead -- it's just staggering forward looking for more brains to eat."
If they go with someone like Palin, McCain will still lose, but perhaps he won't lose in a way that condemns the party to complete irrelevance for another 16 years.
Which is NOT to say that I think this would really work as a bid for Hillary's supporters. Our convention was too good; the Clintons were too fiercely loyal to the Party, for that strategem to work. I just think it's necessary to avoid making the Republican ticket look like a bad episode of Mad Men.
August 29, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
It would really be a great image -- a bi-plane flying out of the Alaska bush, Palin and her ex-state trooper brother-in-law crawling over the wings as they trade punches. But, alas, it is not to be.
They need to find someone who will not outshine McCain on the stump, which eliminates several hundred million Americans, and most of their pets.
If you are thinking "human," you might need to broaden your focus.
August 29, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone noted the new results from Rasmussen above? Obama went from even to enjoying a 4 point advantage. That's based on a 3-day rolling average that takes into account the Convention coverage from Monday through Wednesday night - so the big bounce came with the Bubba/Kerry/Biden speeches.
I'd like to think we'll see more of this w/Obama's speech factored in, but I expect the effect will be muted by the polling happening over a holiday weekend (they'll still get a sample of 1,000, but there's an inherent response bias built in there).
I imagine the bounce w/ the Mon through Wed coverage in Gallup could be even more impressive. Those results should be in later this afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled.
August 29, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
So I saw the report of a press conference yesterday by Kay Bailey Hutchison saying it isn't her and hinting boldy that she wants to be governor of Texas. So if it's her, he's a big fat liar and in much detail, and I can't believe that.
August 29, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Portman would bring them Ohio, they would reckon. I know, this is exceedingly obvious. But Ohio is important.
August 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Talk about being manipulated! It has been like watching circus clowns jumping around watching cable news with their Blueberries being led by their noses to distract any continuing discussion of Obama's incredible speech.
Palin's the one.
August 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
And it's sounding like the press is beginning to get a little ticked off about it. I smell a media backlash....one of the talking heads on Morning Joe just referred to them as "adolescent" and said that Obama and Biden were acting like the adults.
August 29, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry, but I think the Palin pick has got to be a headfake.
A 72-year old cancer survivor is going to pick an unknown gov with 1 year of experience? No way. If he does, then I seriously do think he's got senility issues.
August 29, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not only that. He's got smart people around him. If he wanted to pick Paula Abdul, they just wouldn't let him. This has to be subject to the same analysis.
August 29, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love Chuck Todd. A true voice of reason.
August 29, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am an admitted Chuckolyte!
http://www.chuckolyte.com/index.html
August 29, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cindy McCain and her sister.
CATFIGHT!
August 29, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain is playing with the media regarding his VP. There could be a media backlash. As i am flipping between MSNBC and CNN, its obvious that many of their reporters are a little pissed at the blatant misdirections and giving intentional false statements.
August 29, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, the whole purpose is to suck all the oxygen out the day after the Convention.
I believe it will be a woman, but I still want Traitor Joe!!
August 29, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yess, I'd LOVE for him to pick someone who is currently in the middle of a scandal. Not to mention someone not at all qualified for the job. The VP debate would be AWESOME!
It would be a sad day for women though, "Hi, welcome to the Republican ticket, don't forget, you are only here because we want to use you to pick up a handful of Hillary's still-upset supporters."
August 29, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
If he headfakes Palin, and then delivers us, instead, Tom Ridge or Rob Portman, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people.
You can't offer "crazy-but-interesting" and then say "nah, just kidding, I'm just as boring as you thought." It doesn't count as a surprise any more.
August 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has succeeded at getting the attention back on him. But it's also clear reporters are pissed at the bad information. If it's Palin, she might get killed by the MSM.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 29, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
If not by the MSM certainly by Biden in the debates.
August 29, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's Meg Whitman.
August 29, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
CNN confirmed it right now. 10:37... Palin.
August 29, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is an absolutely insane choice. She was elected governor in 2006 -- so she is just a first termer -- and her previous "experience" is as a member of the Alaska Oil and Gas Commission and, before that, on the Wasilla City Council. No, I am not joking. She is 44 years old. Fun facts about Wasilla:
population: 6,715
date of incorporation: 1974
total city annual revenue: 12,695,563
police department: 21 officers
public transportation: 20 buses
http://www.cityofwasilla.com/index.aspx?page=49
August 29, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really went for the Hail Mary pick. I think this is a smart move. McCain would get steamrolled in a vanilla election. His only chance was to throw a curve ball. (How many other metaphors can I stick in here!!)
August 29, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
A staggering piece of nastiness. I was sure he was going to pull it out at some point and redeem himself, but I should have known better: I mean, this IS Brooks, isn't it?
But I'm appalled that the Times allowed it to run. So ugly it makes MoDo look like Mother Theresa.
August 29, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
A staggering piece of nastiness. I was sure he was going to pull it out at some point and redeem himself, but I should have known better: I mean, this IS Brooks, isn't it?
But I'm appalled that the Times allowed it to run. So ugly it makes MoDo look like Mother Theresa.
August 29, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. What an...insane choice. Clearly, he's going for the disaffected Hillaryites, but are they so batshit crazy that they'd throw their support to someone who's anti-choice?
The VP debate should be a SCREAM.
August 29, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oops--that was supposed to be up under the David Brooks thread. TPM commenting went a little hinky on me.
August 29, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink