I'm a total NO on Wesley Clark. A few months ago, I had a strange encounter with him and his wife at LAX. They were in line in front of me going through security. They were running late and his wife would not stop bitching - at Wesley, at the security guards, at anyone who would listen. And this was all at about 5a.m. I cannot imagine what misery it would be to be married to her. She had to go through the metal detector 4 times because she refused to accept that her ganky oversized gold bracelet was setting the machine off. Finally, the security guard, who didn't appear to know who they were, told her that he simply was not going to argue with her, that she had to take the bracelet off. She huffed and puffed about how it didn't set any metal detectors off before.

For Wesley's part, he seemed oblivious to the level of bitch that was taking place around him. His carry-on luggage had about 100 of those stretchy rubber-band things that airlines have on the bag tags, he just never took them off, just the ripped the name tag part. I was surprised considering his military background, but he appeared quite messy. Really bad dresser too. He wore black pants with a blue jacket with gold buttons. Hideous. He kept talking on his Blackberry through an ear piece with a wire that he had a horrible time managing. And, he was on a business call, using beltway-speak and repeated over again that some person would be very good for some position because "he is very smart. Very bright." It was as if he actually could not describe the person in any specified way.

And, then they missed their flight. I giggled for days. He would be like Barny Fife running for Vice President.

Posted at May 7, 2008 9:04 PM in response to So how does Obama graciously NOT name HRC VP?

I moved from Getstonia at the end of the fifth grade, so I didn't go to highschool there. My Elementary school was Gardner Park - and I have very fond memories of that place - lots of fun activities like soap box derbies.

I did have the opportunity to return there as an adult while I was a union organizer. That's when I came face-to-face with the intense poverty that I didn't see growing-up. Dirt roads and shack like homes.

Posted at May 7, 2008 8:51 PM in response to Gastonia, NC shows the conventional wisdom on Obama is wrong

I completely agree that if she stays in the race and doesn't get too personal on Obama, she helps him. Let's register voters in West Virgina, Kentucky, and the like.

The best thing she can do is fabricate another crazy policy idea that Obama can stand against on principle. That gas tax holiday insulted anyone who paid any attention. Obama handled it really well.

She has also aired out his problems. McCain and the right's 527's would have done the same, but they would wait until October. So, let those issues fly now so people can get used to them.

Also, Obama has become very strident. Last night's speech was the best I've seen him since New Hampshire. He's like a maturing rock band. Not just easy melodic cadences anymore. When he shouted over the crowd that he "love[s] this country too much to see it divided and distracted" after mentioning the flag draped over his grandfather's coffin was magical. The story of Michelle's father getting MS at age 30 but working through it, not for just a paycheck, but because of dignity - he was nailing it.

McCain is toast.

Posted at May 7, 2008 7:22 PM in response to Paper That Endorsed Hillary Calls On Her To Exit Race

John McCain is this year's Bob Dole, without the warm personality. Decorated war veteran running in an election season highly unfavorable to the Republican candidate. Dole has that hand thing and McCain can't lift his arms over his head to comb his hair. His "tropple" wife has to comb it for him.

The differences between Obama and McCain can not be more sharp. McCain is a crafty debater. He ran circles around Romney, but Obama ain't no fake tan Romney.

Obama will trounce him. I'm predicting 48 states. McCain will get Arizona and whatever state his running mate is from, unless it's Romney.

Posted at May 7, 2008 7:11 PM in response to Hillary Huddling With Super-Dels In D.C.

I grew-up in Gastonia. A heartland area if there ever was such a place. Minor league baseball and little league football teams named after times of the day. Conversely, lots of stoners (I've heard it called Getstonia) and terrible poverty in some areas.

Posted at May 7, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Gastonia, NC shows the conventional wisdom on Obama is wrong

Apparently none of the Supers on the Hill will talk to her.

Posted at May 7, 2008 12:47 PM in response to Wolfson Shares Details Of Hillary's $6.4 Million Loan To Campaign

Wolfson can say what he wants, Clinton conceded last night in her speech, referring to her daughter and husband's campaign efforts in the past tense.

It is important for the party for Hillary to continue to press forward if she can afford it, so long as she keeps running on propped-up fake issues like the gas tax holiday, which was a gift from heaven for Obama. If she does not attack Obama's character, she will be helping the Dems register more voters in WV and KY, which could be in play in November.

Posted at May 7, 2008 12:42 PM in response to Wolfson: There Have Been "No Discussions" Of Ending The Race

At about 1:00, Barack looks that USMC guy directly in the eye and talks to him. You can see him shift in his seat just afterwards. Then, the wheels start spinning.

Posted at April 12, 2008 4:41 PM in response to Obama's COUNTERPUNCH