Unfortunately, I seem to have misplaced my decoder ring, but nevertheless that seems like a pretty good translation to me.

I can't imagine that the SDs and state-level Democrats are going to appreciate this much. Politically wounding Obama will hurt everyone downticket, too.

Posted at March 10, 2008 1:40 PM in response to Penn On Obama: "We Broke His Momentum Completely"

Right.

Posted at March 8, 2008 12:05 PM in response to Sen. Nelson (D-FL): Deal Could Be Reached Soon For New Florida Primary

No. (I'm not sure whether you meant that rhetorical question as an implicit criticism, but it actually strengthens my position.)

Posted at March 8, 2008 12:04 PM in response to Sen. Nelson (D-FL): Deal Could Be Reached Soon For New Florida Primary

Sorry, John, your criticism is inapt, as is your alternative analogy.

Remember: it's not the individual voters that decided to hold their primaries earlier than what was allowed by the DNC. Rather, it was the state parties (or, as I understand things, in Florida it was the Republican controlled state government--but that's neither here nor there). The individual voters were not responsible for the violations that resulted in their votes being discounted. So you can't properly blame them for the fact that their votes were discounted.

In any event, I should have mentioned that in my analogy:

The test administrators = the state parties (or: government)

Posted at March 8, 2008 12:27 AM in response to Sen. Nelson (D-FL): Deal Could Be Reached Soon For New Florida Primary

Coonsey,

The relevant difference is this: you voted (or so I assume) in a primary or caucus, the results of which will result in a delegation being seated at the convention, whereas MI and FL voters didn't.

Here's an analogy. Suppose you and I take the SAT. My results get lost or corrupted because my local administrator failed to follow proper procedures in storing or transmitting the computer data. Your results get properly saved, transmitted and recorded, partly because your local administrator did follow proper procedures. Now, when it comes time to apply to universities, your performance counted, whereas mine didn't. I'd be entitled to re-take the test, and it wouldn't be unfair to you were I to do so.

My initial test = votes cast in MI and FL

Your initial test = votes cast in, e.g., CA

Applying to university = selecting a nominee at the convention

Yeah, I know, no analogy is perfect. But I'd say this one's pretty good.

P.S. It's not about individual voters following the rules, but state parties.

Posted at March 7, 2008 11:28 PM in response to Sen. Nelson (D-FL): Deal Could Be Reached Soon For New Florida Primary

it does no harm if Obama can beat her.

That's a baseless, utterly counterintuitive assertion.

You started out trying to give an argument for the claim in question, which turned out quite badly, and now you're simply begging the question.

It's fine if you want to shill for your candidate, even if you don't do it very well. But, man, have some pride.

Posted at March 6, 2008 10:39 PM in response to Report: Obama Adviser Calls Hillary A "Monster"

Billy Glad,

Your argument here makes no sense.

And the conditionals you're using are really, really weird.

If you believe McCain is more qualified, and you believe Obama is more qualified than McCain, she hasn't done any harm.

What bearing do my beliefs have on whether HRC has done harm? Am I to believe that, somehow, some way, my believing certain things will magically prevent her statement from having its presumptive effect? If only things were so easy!

Bottom line: the unmistakable suggestion is that McCain is more qualified for the office than is Obama. And no amount of slipshod reasoning will change that, I'm afraid.

Posted at March 6, 2008 10:17 PM in response to Report: Obama Adviser Calls Hillary A "Monster"

Ben,

No, I'm not suggesting that your votes don't matter. Your votes matter. But the reason they matter is not that they will affect the outcome of the election.

With respect to the result of, say, the Ohio election, it is practically certain that Steve's vote will not make a difference. The same is true for your vote in your state.

The value of voting lies not in its causal consequences on the election, but in the fact that it counts as expressing one's values and participating in the political community.

Posted at March 6, 2008 8:00 PM in response to Hillary Spokesperson Compares Obama To...Ken Starr!

I want to help and I suggest you all do the same to help Clinton win.

Well, since we're offering suggestions, I have one about what you can do with yours ...

Posted at March 6, 2008 7:44 PM in response to Hillary: McCain Has Crossed "Commander In Chief Threshold"

Steve,

It's practically certain that your vote won't tip the scales. You're more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to make a non-trivial difference in the outcome of the election.

Usually, we do something that displeases us only if doing so holds out a significant prospect of producing some greater good (certain diets, for example, or an intense exercise regimen for some people). In your case, given that your vote is so overwhelmingly unlikely to produce some greater good, it's hard to understand why you'd vote the way you said you would.

Why not, instead, cast a vote that will please you? Your sure to benefit from that, and it's a practical certainty that it won't cause any harm.

Posted at March 6, 2008 12:23 PM in response to Hillary Spokesperson Compares Obama To...Ken Starr!