Election Central Sunday Roundup
Paris Hilton's Mother Objects To McCain Ad
Paris Hilton's mother Kathy Hilton -- who has donated $2,300 to John McCain -- has responded to McCain's new ad using her daughter as a means of attacking Barack Obama. "It is a complete waste of the money John McCain's contributors have donated to his campaign," Mrs. Hilton writes for the Huffington Post.
Both Candidates Off The Trail Today
Neither Barack Obama nor John McCain have any public events scheduled for today. But don't think they're taking the day off: They'll likely be spending today actively strategizing and/or raising money.
McCain: We'll Respond If Obama Accuses Us Of Racism
John McCain made it clear that his campaign will continue to fire back at Barack Obama if they are accused of race-baiting against him. "We're not gonna allow racism to come into this campaign in any form," McCain told ABC News. "And so I'm gonna respond if it comes up again."
Lieberman: Obama "A Good Young Man"
Appearing today on Meet The Press, Joe Lieberman defended the Paris/Britney ad as "cute," and said the intention to raise questions about Obama's readiness for the presidency. "This is a good young man," Lieberman said. "Is he ready to lead or as ready as John McCain? The answer is no."
Obama Defends Shift On Drilling
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Barack Obama defended his shift on offshore drilling -- from opposing it to supporting a larger energy compromise proposal that includes it: "If we can come up with a genuine bipartisan compromise, in which I have to accept some things that I don't like, or the Democrats have to accept some things that they don't like in exchange for actually moving us in the direction of actual energy independence, then that's something I'm open to."
Obama's Long Indiana Stop Has Press Wondering About Bayh For VP
Press speculation seems to be growing about Evan Bayh as Barack Obama's running mate, due to an extra-long campaign stop in Indiana this week. Obama campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs told NBC that this is simply evidence that Indiana is a competitive state this year.
Report: McCain Team Vetting Eric Cantor For VP
The Associated Press reports that the McCain campaign is actively vetting Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor for vice president. Picking the ultra-conservative and Jewish Cantor would potentially help McCain among Jewish voters as well as right-wing activists -- and set up an interesting scenario if Barack Obama were to pick Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, giving the campaign two tickets where the running mates hail from the same state.
Comments (213)
Ya'll need to check out this video at the Jed Report:
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/what-happened.html
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If Obama acted like this, his campaign would be over.
August 3, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
And to think this old senile joke is gaining in polls in a "Year of Democrats", just after Obama's victorious and sold-out tour.
Something is REALLY REALLY wrong with either Obama or America if McCain can keep the race as tight as he does.
Correction: nothing is ever be wrong with Obama.
August 3, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
And how much airplay do you think this is going to get from McCain's "base", i.e., the MSM? They're too busy licking the sauce off of their finger's from McCain's latest party.
August 3, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
He isn't gaining nothing, it's all statistical noise, well within the margin of error. Obama is still cleaning up shop electorally- that's the big picture.
August 3, 2008 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
How you can even talk about "margin of error" so contentedly when comparing the two of them is beyond me.
Who does it take to win against McCain in a landslide??
August 3, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
A country that isn't so divided down partisan lines for one. Second, none of the polls are taking into account what will be massive Democratic turnout this year- just look at the primaries. All the polls are basing there numbers off of historical data from elections past, which is not going to compare to the turnout this year. The polls are not giving the whole picture here- which works out great for the media. They want a close race. Finally, a percentage point or so is going into Obama's column in the fall for all the people who have cellphones only. The demo. of young, no landliners is solidly Obama, I would guess.
August 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Part of what's wrong with America, is that the MSM won't show this video to the American people. If it were Obama, it would be all over cable, and perhaps the morning news shows.
August 3, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, that is the true McCain. Scary as hell.
August 3, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is devastating, no wonder they have been restricting his access to the press.
That is going to make some wingnuts look for alternatives at the convention. But then republicans have been comfortable with doddering old figureheads before. Then it will make the VP selection even more crucial. Who would be McCain's version of Cheney?
August 3, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
The sleazy ads and his surrogates are all standing in for him. These clips are so revealing. He's in total brain-freeze. It would be sad in any other context.
CindyMax
August 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why didn't the American people get to see that is also a question the MSM needs to be asked. Is he ready to lead???
August 3, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rep. Cantor would actually be a really solid pick for McCain. Mark Warner said that Cantor would have been his hardest competition for the Senate seat had Cantor ran for it.
If an Obama surrogate said McCain is "a nice old man" but is too old to lead - How well do you think that would have went over?
The Hilton's donations to the McCain campaign went towards slandering their daughter, making her a political tool and a punchline. I guess there is no such thing as bad publicity though. Besides it could actually raise her image if she is being compared to a Harvard educated magna cum laude graduate, constitutional law lecturer sitting United States Senator.
The McCain"Obama Dollar Bill" ad is finally making it's way around the lefty blogs, but it's not getting any mainstream play, and likely never will as the MSM doesn't want to admit their mistake and besides it's pretty much old news now.
Obama's "Shift" is that he didn't like off-shore drilling before and doesn't like it now. However he's not running for King of America and has to work with the House and Senate and compromises need to made.
Bayh would be a mistake, however he is Bill Clinton's golden boy, so it's probably the best Clintonite reach-out without actually picking Sen. Clinton herself. Bayh was probably a lock to be Hillary's VP.
I want Biden, or a "why didn't I think of that" surprise pick for Obama's VP at this point.
August 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can't stand bayh. Boring. Also, some of his positions, like on the Iraq war are completely counter to obama. I think he would be a horrible pick.
I don't like biden as vp either. Apparently, he wanted to go on the iraq trip, but obama was afraid that he would out shine obama on foreign policy. He would be a risky pick with his foot in mouth disease and I think that he might over emphasize obama's alleged inexperience.
I'm with you on the "why didn't I think of that" surprise pick at this point. I don't like any of the front runners.
Cantor would be an excellent pick for mcbush. I hope he doesn't pick him. I'd rather see mcbush pick someone like ted stevens or Imoefe from oklahoma. Another old and crotchety gas bag would be the ideal pick for mcbush.
August 3, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly:
McCain-Stevens '08~
Keating who?
August 4, 2008 12:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree Bayh was a lock for Hillary VP. I still think he will be Obama's VP choice also. He seems to balance change/experience needs of Obama. And Indiana is a swing state. If Obama win the Kerry states and then wins Iowa and Indiana...he is President.
August 3, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bayh was the dem head of the "bipartisan" senate group in favor of bombing iraq into oblivion and was one of the leaders of the "charge" in the senate. Also, he sucks on the stump. Fuggettaboutit.
August 3, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI Eric: first link is not to HuffPo but to an OpenSecrets search page about Hiltons.
August 3, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will someone in the traditional ever realize that John McCain was the person who first used Obama's likeness on a 100 dollar bill, and then ask McCain if that's racist?
If commenting on it is racist, isn't doing it in the first place racist?
August 3, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. McCain's campaign tricked Obama into a classic bait: a series of comparisons to highlight his vanity and self-obsession.
Obama has responded to only one of these comparisons and his response was identical to the way he warned people about his race being used just a day earlier ("And did I mention he's black?") talking directly about Bush/McCain.
So he stepped right into it on his own, and he did it in a very foolish and clumsy way.
And that opened the door for McCain to accuse him of hiding behind his race. Even Donna Brazile, one of his most famous groupies, admitted today on George Steph that "maybe he misspoke a little bit".
August 3, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shocking.
August 3, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's obviously all you have to say. No surprises.
August 3, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do I need to say more? You need help m'friend.
August 4, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm talking about factual information that's being omitted from the discussion. McCain used the imagery first, Obama incorporated it into his stump speeches, and McCain starts bleating "racism".
Whether you interpret this as Obama "falling for something" (and it's obvious that no matter what Obama does, that's how you're going to view it) or not, the entire sequence needs to be out there.
August 3, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, it's a way that the crowd seems to respond to, so here's hoping he continues using it.
August 3, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you recall how, somewhere near the end of the primary, some phrase Clinton had used against Obama started getting boos from crowds and how they turned that on her?
Like this is anything different than Obama and/or Plouffe expected? Come on.
August 3, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope he (Obama) continues to use it too, and refinines it for more punch value. This is a very clever strategy by McCain campaign to silence Obama. Lookit, if they run him off by accusing him of playing the race card, when they (McCain campaign) themselves used it first, they will beat him like a rug with this from now 'til Nov.
August 3, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the context. McCain's ad was about Obama's presumptuousness, whereas Obama's remark was referencing his "different-ness".
Of course stripped down they are both racial attacks because McCain and his weekly radio addresses, his meetings with foreign leaders and his calling himself "President McCain" in early ads was never called presumptuous or arrogant by the talking heads who are just echoing GOP talking points that are delivered to their in-boxes daily.
Deconstructing McCain's attack ads, Obama was exactly right that they're making him out to be the risky pick, and since they'e not talking about his policy issues why is he risky? Why was the words "More Foreign" on the screen beside an Obama picture when the ad voice over was talking about foreign oil?
Why does Joe Lieberman comment that everybody should "relax and enjoy it" referencing the Hilton/Spears ad? His choice of words wasn't off-the-cuff.
August 3, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was obvious to me that Lieberman was paraphrasing that old quote (sorry, I can't recall the source) that goes something like, "If you're going to be raped and you can't stop it, you might as well relax and enjoy it."
Particularly in light of some tasteless jokes that have been attributed to McCain, he and Lieberman should have been hammered over this.
August 3, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
He seems completely oblivious to the subtext. He used the word "relax" in reference to the ad again this morning.
CM
August 3, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also Lieberman describing Obama as a "good young man." How patronizing is that? And just short of calling him "boy," as the Kentucky congressman did a few weeks back.
August 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's awful. I didn't see that. Do these people have any conscience? They have to be rotting inside.
August 3, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's McCain's next speech: "I'm a experienced man and he's a callow youth. Can you run the risk of putting a boy in the White House?"
What? You find that offensive - even racist? You Obamaniacs are always playing the Race Card!
August 3, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republican candidate Clayton Williams of Texas, running against Ann Richards for governor, told the "if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it" joke to some reporters and it was blamed for helping sink his lead and lose the election.
Times have changed.
August 3, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just googled the line and learned that CT Voter attributed the quote to Bobby Knight in a comment to a Greg post on 7/31. I apparently missed that one. Tip of the hat to CT Voter and Greg.
August 3, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Change you can make it Photoshop" is racist?
Maybe it's a play on Planet of the Apes... That would be real racist.
Or it could simply play on his so-called vanity. 4 Obama's on Mt Rushmore, ie I'm bigger than all these presidents combined...
August 3, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!
There is something just hysterically funny about you trying to define "racism" with that avatar and your generaly cluelessness.
If you aren't a parody troll, you're really missing a bet.
August 3, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"compromises need to made" seems to have replaced "change we can believe in". Evan Bayh would certainly be an ideal candidate for that strategy.
August 3, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
A less cynical view would be that Tim Kaine is the best fit for VP because he and Obama strive for consensus in governing, not exclusion.
They understand that governing is not about my way or the highway, you're either with us or against us. They understand that the wars, the economy, and all the critical issues are part of a complex, larger dynamic.
Sound governing that leads to long-lasting solutions gives representatives for all stakeholders a seat at the decision-making table. I do not understand why this philosophy is so anathema to a disturbingly large number of otherwise thoughtful, intelligent people!
CindyMax
August 3, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Compromise and consensus -- code for two guys traveling down the Republican highway BUT with the added difference governing comes with a song and friendly smile.
Nope sorry ain't buying it - I'm a Democrat last time I checked. Compromise = caving.
August 3, 2008 8:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
No compromise = gridlock
August 3, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not necessarily... if according to all the models Democrats get a sizable majority to actually get democratic legislation through.
But then there's the caveat -- are we actually aiming to recruit actual Democrats -- or is the compromise argument just an excuse to shove more republican legislation down liberals and progressives throats?
August 3, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
A democratic majority in both houses would certainly lessen the need for seeking common ground and reaching consensus. Common ground would already be established.
Because of the hostility between dems and repugs the past 16 or so years, until there are 60 democratic votes in the senate, consensus seeking is the only way toward progress, albeit incrementally.
If we get the 60 votes in the Senate and keep or gain seats in the House and land the presidency, then we will be on the fast track to real progress and undoing the damage that's been so wantonly inflicted on our country.
BTW, you seem to question my progressiveness. I supported Kucinich until he dropped out of the race. Some people don't like this, but IMHO, long-term goals of real lasting value are worth compromises in the short-term. A reasoned approach rather than an emotional one.
CindyMax
August 3, 2008 9:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
incrementally in which direction?
...and no I wasn't questioning your "progressiveness" I was just stating my observations and interpretation of what I see as the current use of "compromise" and "consensus".
August 3, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sand, Incremental or a phasing in of affordable health care for all; restoring safeguards to our environment; funding for college education or technical training; job re-training; expanded Head Start; child care for working parents; grants for alternative energy R&D to get it out of the hands of the oil companies; much needed infrastructure renewal which will also create jobs and stimulate the economy; and restructuring of our financial system. That's just off the top of my head.
CindyMax
August 3, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice ideas, campaign plugs, but... please keep this in mind...
for example, both Obama and Hillary are for private health 'insurance' plans which if the current incremental plans are anything to go by will be definitely bonus to corporations and are definitely not based a model to phase 'everyone' in. Sorry to burst that bubble but it's not even on the horizon realistically.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07medicare.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all
College education, for what kind of jobs? When both candidates are still pro-globalization trade deals like NAFTA, where outsourcing of tech jobs will continue to be the norm. Child care, before family planning? -- same republican-lite framing.
Have you recently checked the $$$ going into the Democratic party from the oil and energy companies -- how many people from the Democratic Party are leaving to go into K-Street?
Gotta be realistic and not to fall completely into the spin.
August 4, 2008 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't like that phrasing, "using [Paris Hilton] as a means of attacking Barack Obama." This ad has gotten McCain more attention than anything else he's done since winning the nomination, so let's call a spade a spade: McCain is using Paris Hilton as a means of promoting himself. This is the supreme hypocrisy of the thing. Barack Obama is his own man; McCain can only be noticed by tying himself to celebrities: that country music superstar; Paris Hilton; and, in better time, the President of the United States. If they didn't always get away with it I'd be surprised he can get away with it.
August 3, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regarding Cantor, being a strong competition for Virginia senate doesn't make him a strong VP candidate. The main issue with him is that McCain will be asked "Is Cantor ready to be President" and if he says he is, then that destroys all of his attacks on Obama for not being ready. And if he says he isn't ready yet, then given McCain's age it becomes "can we vote for your ticket if Cantor isn't ready".
August 3, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny, Obama NEVER accused McCain of race-baiting (even though he clearly is), in fact he said he didn't think he was. The only one to bring race into the general election has been McCain and his people, period.
August 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had a feeling Paris Hilton's people would respond. As out of control as she seems, she has PR people, and not everything she does is random, by any means.
And I didn't think the Hiltons would like anything about this.
Hee! I think that's funny.
August 3, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's managed to keep the story alive for another day.
August 3, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
True, particularly since the ad belittles Spears and Hilton as airheads and then links them to Obama trying for the Bimbofication of Obama. As a good mom, Mrs. Hilton had to speak out against the ad. Now if only she'd give money to Obama. That would be a beautiful full circle. ;)
August 3, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The verbal pause in Panama City...maybe I am being overly optimistic but this could seriously hurt Mcinsane in the membrane...
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/what-happened.html
August 3, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Overly optimistic I think. I doubt the MSM will touch this at all. Unless it becomes a viral sensation.
August 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
So then it should become a viral sensation. We need to commit to making this happen. The general public deserves to know that this happens.
Get it out there!
August 3, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ben Smith of Politico has linked to it.
August 3, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you link the Ben Smith thing CT? I went to politico and I couldn't find it on his blogs because I am apparently only slightly better at the internets than McCain is.
August 3, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nevermind, I found it. Hooray.
August 3, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I still can not get over, Senator's Obama position on offshore drilling, this is to me really stupid. It does not make sense at all.
I do hope he is going to reflect on this, and fight this.
My next fear is that Senator Obama would pick Senator Clinton as VP. The media has a new spin on this, especially Gergen...
He indicated that if Senator Obama wants to win, he will need to pck Clinot, because he would get a leverage of 8 points according to the Fox news latest poll...
This is to me ridiculous, I do hope Senator Obama will lose his principles and his message of change...As for Bayh, I don't think it is possible because of his view on Irak.
August 3, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can't? Man, there is no easier thing to understand, if you roam the countryside with your head out of your ass. Off-shore drilling and ANWR drilling are majority positions in this country. Ask a neighbor what they would think about it - 9 will get you 10 they will say - drill already.
Sorry.
August 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena is right. I have heard no one say NOT to drill. The American public, rather than deciding to face the facts and get serious about alternative energy, immediately cries for relief, screw the coral reefs and the wildlife. I need to fill up my 4x4.
August 3, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
60% of Floridians buy into the fallacy that drilling off our coasts will ease gas prices.
Obama has stated he would consider offshore drilling as part of a comprehensive energy strategy. Considering something is not the same as making a commitment to it. His position acknowledges public opinion while giving him wiggle room. I think it's smart.
CM
August 3, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Plus, each individual state would need to approve drilling off its coast, and in many places that's a non-starter. So it's a concession from Obama that would have little or no impact in terms of actual drilling, and the compromise package that it's part of advances the ball on other fronts.
August 3, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said, Ann Arbor.
August 3, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
His stated position, the way he worded it and conditions that would be made, like states rights, etc., was well done.
August 3, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because the Democrats' idea of compromise (in case you hadn't noticed lately) is to give the Republicans whatever they want, especially if they bellow loudly about it. What do the Dems get in return? The hope that the issue is then 'taken off the table'. (Of course, they then get pilloried by the media as being 'flipfloppers' and 'divided'.)
It's like freakin' Groundhog Day with this crew. Have they learned nothing about how Repubs operate over the past decade?
August 3, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
C'mon, what is he giving up in the energy deal? That's the whole point. It's an incredibly shrewd compromise.
The only downside is that it leaves him open to criticism like this. He can't come out and say, "Look, this isn't really going to change anything on offshore drilling for reasons X and Y," because then the people on the other side of the table would realize how little they're getting.
August 3, 2008 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course. President Obama and a 56-Dem Senate and a 240-Dem House still have to compromise and concede another position that they had previously drawn a line against. And when that happens, what do you think the minority Repubs do again when it comes to drilling in ANWR, or any of their pet issues? The whole drilling thing is monumentally bogus, but they'll filibuster their agenda in as effectively as if they were the majority.
I just think it's hilarious how our side bends over backwards to accommodate a truly stupid and damaging exercise of giving more money to Big Oil and their Republican enablers. We're so afraid that they'll filibuster that we're willing to give in on one thing after another. And I'll believe the shrewdness to the compromise when I see a truly revolutionary energy policy set in motion in the process. Until then, this whole thing reeks to me of panicked, miscalculating cave-in.
August 4, 2008 12:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Realistic Obama VP's:
-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (Kansas)-bipartisanship, crossing the aisle, getting gov. to work/economy cred, education cred
-Gov. Brian Schweitzer (Montana)- Big Energy/Working class cred, knows Arabic, libertarian, up for reelection though :(
-Former Gov. Ray Mabus (Mississippi)- Bill Clinton lite, economic and education cred, foreign policy expert.
-Senator Russ Feingold (Wisconsin)- change, reforming politics, libertarian, foreign policy exp., budget hawk
August 3, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
?
August 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has Feingold or Mabus been vetted? How about Edwards out of Texas?
August 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hard to say, it's all been pretty tightly wrapped up. Personally, I don't think anyone's off the table and I think lots of decoys are being floated because the press is just nuts over this. Namely, Bayh and Kaine.
August 3, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Chet Edwards has been vetted.
August 3, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I revisted Mabus last night. He is damn impressive as a possibility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Mabus
August 3, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the link. Impressive indeed! I like him way better than Edwards.
August 3, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ray Mabus looks very strong, even to this Chet Edwards fan.
Being a former governor as opposed to a member of Congress is a plus, and the ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia is also a big plus.
Don't know the guy. What is his downside?
August 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Schweitzer for VP! He's my pick, absolutely positively.
August 3, 2008 8:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
OOps see it up there wow I am a sharp sausage
August 3, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Bayh thing is a head fake: no way will he go with a longtime Washington pol with a long political family legacy.
If he's going to be announcing in South Bend, it's probably more likely to be South Bend native Tim Roemer. The last time Obama was in South Bend he was introduced by Roemer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT2zQUxVE2Y
August 3, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been thinking the same thing. Roemer campaigned hard for Obama, and he and his son played basketball with Obama on the trail. He also gifted Obama a book about Robert Kennedy in Indiana during the primaries. Ambinder was high on Roemer as Obama VP back in April, though speculation cooled after that.
He's Catholic, was on the 9/11 Commission (and helped to create it), and heads the Center for National Policy. He is pro-life, though, which would be interesting. He's probably more to the right on some issues than some Dems would like.
But there is consonance with Obama. He's moderate on free trade, has a pretty strong record on education, and sponsored the creation of AmeriCorps (which would reinforce Obama's plans on national service). He's 51: not too old, not too young. And he has solid experience while also not being seen so much as a part of the Washington machine right now.
He also has a history of support from Pelosi and Reid. I think he lives in Virginia today.
This pick would have some surprise factor, while not being totally off the radar. It's an interesting possibility . . .
August 3, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does it feel like Obama's campaign is holding its fire on Mccain until after the convention?
August 3, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because he has more money, more resources and better organization. The convention speech will be his argument for the presidency. The debates will be the battle of ideas. But the ground game is the defining aspect of this election.
This McCain ads will blow over him and he can't go back to offer proposals. Obama is waiting the right moment to attack. Sun Tzu said it better than me:
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
The drilling change is not a flip-flop like McCain's, because is part of a compromise done by others (Gang of 10) and he doubts drilling will work. For the VP spot is difficult to say, but the Clark option is winning me over. Yet I don't think is going to happen. Biden won't be so bad.
Kaine and Bayh doesn't do anything for me.
August 3, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
That quote's a keeper. Thanks.
August 3, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena, this is pure rubbish, I am very smart and intelligent,
Anyone knows that drilling is not the response. IT WONT'T REDUCE THE COST, IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND IT WON'T PRODUCE ANY OIL WITHIN 10 to 15 YEARS
BY THE WAY, YOU DON'T NEED TO USE RUDE LANGUAGE TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION.
August 3, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Anyone knows that drilling is not the response. "
That's unfortunately not the case at all.
August 3, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boy, you said it.
If you're informed on the issue, you know drilling isn't the solution. Most people simply don't have that kind of time to be knowledgeable about our energy options. They know that gas is expensive, and they think we can get our own oil off our own coastlines, and this will bring down the price of gas this year.
psmdsfc? I don't know that shouting back at Tena is going to convince her of anything.
August 3, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
They can drill on 68 million acres which have been environmentally approved, according to Pelosi this A.M. It appears, however, that they won't be satisfied unless they can have it ALL.
CM
August 3, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't like the thought of drilling myself.
However, like Obama, I could handle some, limited drilling IF, and only IF, we also get going working on some real, realistic, renewable energy sources as well.
This would be bipartisanship, something which is completely foreign to us after the last 8 plus years.
August 3, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
offshore may not do any off that and i agree, however the compromise does a few of things: in the compromise we can now mass produce fuel efficient cars and trucks 2. we can now produce alt. energy for ex. wind and solar 3. it take this talking point away from mccain............ sometimes we need to look at the bigger picture than focus on one....................
August 3, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck you - don't yell at me.
I'm not advocating for drilling - I'm point out what I believe to be the reality right now. Most people would love to see drilling immediately if they thought it would lower the price of fuel. And they are told that it could - by the GOP - not by me.
August 3, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
and goddamn it, this should have posted right the fuck below psm's comment yelling at me.
August 3, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would like to add, that we are all, as a country going to hav