IT is only the very wealthy who can be nonchalant about not paying property taxes on a vacation home and like Lenora Helmsley they view the world very differently than those many Americans who are now fearful of losing the only home they have.

The McCains are not average Americans but average Americans might not know it. We hear only about John flipping burgers at their down home ranch--no arial photos please!--yet we heard endlessly about John Edward's expensive haircuts and were regaled with photo spreads of the lavish homes of John Kerry's wife. These candidates were labeled as being somehow tainted for public services because they must lack true empathy for the average Joe. Yet we have heard nothing of the McCains having seven homes. Where is the Newsweek spread for us to ogle their luxurious lifestyle? Where are the photos of that corporate jet Cindy lends to her husband every week like it was merely the family Volvo? Where are the charges of out-of-touch elitism? Where is the outrage that would be expressed were the Obamas to be in arrears on their property taxes? Is there some type of MSM standard that states being wealthy as a Democrat is a stigma but being a wealthy Republican is a badge of honor making them fit for public service?

Posted at June 29, 2008 6:03 AM in response to McCains Delinquent On Tax Bill

I would say this is evidence Hillary is NOT the VP choice. Why?

PSD would not want to work for Hillary after being fired and Hillary would have to find it uncomfortable as well.

I think this appointment may indicate a true outsider is being considered as VP because unlike a Biden he or he will not already have a C of S who knows the ways of Washington and will need someone during the campaign who does know the game. This VP candidate could be a governor who doesn't know DC politics or maybe someone from the military who is not particularly versed in running a campaign.

It could indicate a Biden like choice, however, who would need his own Chief of Staff left in place to keep his senate office running.

PSD can advise the VP choice on how to run and co-ordinate their VP campaign with Obama's campaign.

Also . . . she helped run the campaign we admired not the one that was put in place when she was fired.

That she is Latino is a bonus that can only help.

Posted at June 16, 2008 5:01 PM in response to News for haters of Hillary's campaign methods

I found it unnerving to watch McCain's eyes scan the TelePrompTer. After all his years in the political arena he looks like a rookie--an old rookie--but a rookie none the less.

Posted at June 9, 2008 11:09 AM in response to Obama And McCain Release Dueling TV Spots During Premiere Of "Army Wives"

Actually it is the hate she is generating that I hate.

Were she to conceded graciously tonight and tell her supporters to get behind the winner( if Obama hits the 2118) I would be all for giving her a key job in the new administration. Heck I would support Obama assisting in putting to bed her $20-40 million (?) debt she has racked up but reports today say she will not. SHe plans to keep making her case and trying to steal delegates all the way to the convention. This is a woman you admire? You want someone so fixated on winning for Hillary and Hillary alone-- Democrats be damned? She is going to be working against Democratic interests and by that aiding McCain. I should be delighted with her????? Come on.

Posted at June 3, 2008 1:26 PM in response to Hillary's hubris is what defeated her not some conspiracy against women.

I agree with your take on this, Acanuck.

I can understand why Hilary supporter feel he is an empty suit compared to their candidate. Obama doesn't talk policy details. His style--which set him so apart in a competitive field-- is visionary rather than detailed. But when he needs to be wonky he can be because he has actually thought out the policy details he would pursue. (They are in his policy papers.) What Hillary failed to realize until it was too late is Americans are ready to be inspired. We have been embarrassed and humiliated by the actions of the present administration. We want to believe we can redeem our good name in the world. Hillary's competence was not enough.

Posted at June 1, 2008 3:32 AM in response to An honest question for Clinton supporters

As a 60-year-old woman I too have traversed the spectrum from joy at the availability of great choices for the Democratic nominee to despair about who Clinton has shown herself to be. I too have threatened at times not to vote for her, but I am asking everyone who is pledging a protest vote or non vote take a deep breath and open your eyes.

Take a good look at McCain. THe MSM has labeled him a Maverick. He is given an easy pass on his actions because of it. Usually the line runs " well yes McCain HAS lots of lobbyist working for him but he hates them in principle and only uses them because political circumstances force him to do so." This the-devil-made-me-do-it schtick is McCain's stock-in- trade way of appearing devoted to high standards while in reality being anything but. Look at his actual record. If you think his saying his hero is Teddy Roosevelt means he will be a reformer himself you are wrong. His actual actions and voting record should make any Democrat cringe. Think about who has become his BFF. Is Lieberman the kind of Democrat we want as our model going forward? DO you like his DINO politics? THese two represent a kind of politics that make even Bush look truthful.

Obama supporters are holding on to the hope that we have found in him a candidate who is our last chance to rise above the huckster politics of someone like McCain who is merely the newest front for everything we have come to detest from the Republican side. We are also Democrats who have watched in horror as Hillary decided she wanted the presidency so desperately she became willing to walk through the deepest swamp to get it not caring how mucky she became doing so. Of course she frequently praises McCain. They are both slogging along the same path.

So I am asking everyone who is considering a protest vote for McCain or Nadar or even not voting if Hillary is or is not the nominee to think carefully about your throwaway vote. I truly believe we are at a tipping point. We are like a car hanging over the edge of a precipice. Don't give us the final push.

Posted at May 31, 2008 6:50 AM in response to Hillary has broken my heart

If anything has been shown these last 8 years is keep an eye on the VP choice. Many were lulled by Cheney's avuncular ways. He then went on to usurp or be handed over enormous power. The legal changes he and Addington put on the books (VP power to declassify document, etc) are still there.

Hillary for all her good qualities is nothing if not ambitious and self-interested as this primary season has well shown. She wants the presidency--something Cheney at least did not. She will wield power as the VP to insure her getting the job in 2012. Her agenda will not first and foremost be Obama's it will be what is best for Hillary. This alone is reason for Obama not to not choose her. Add that to the fact that voting groups like Latinos may find Obama an easy choice even WITHOUT her on the ticket and a large majority of conservative white Democrats may still refuse to vote for Obama even with her ON the ticket.

And as for women over fifty, her key demographic, I am part of that group. It is clear we have divided into two camps. Of those who are still strongly with Hillary I hope fear of a Republican president appointing new members to the Supreme Court will get them to override their disappointment and vote for Obama this fall. As for the rest of us I believe we grew disappointed in Hillary starting in February. She brought so much to the table but she squandered it with an arrogant and poorly run campaign. To make up for this she resorted to the tried and true tactics----of the Republicans. I want the Democrat who takes the White House in 2008 to be better than that and I most certainly wanted the first woman to take that job to be better than that.

Posted at May 30, 2008 7:10 AM in response to Vice Presidential Profile: Hillary Clinton (Sen-NY)

I think his slow release is needed to counter the anger of her supporters. He needs to let her finish the race and not stop it before she has had a chance to compete everywhere but then they need to declare in force.

Posted at May 23, 2008 11:07 AM in response to Attend DNC Rules Meeting and say NO to Hillary's Desire to Break the Rules

The change in Hillary's tone in since arriving in Florida is marked. She would still be making nice-nice with Obama if she were interested in the VP slot. Since she is not it is clear he has rebuffed any behind-the-scenes overtures. Bill has been out saying she is "owed" the spot so he seems pissed too.

Obama cannot have her on the ticket for two reasons. First it would negate his message of bringing change to Washington but more importantly why would he want her at his back? VP's often have hidden agendas contrary to their president but they are usually not seething with anger about the presidency having been "stolen" from them. Add in Bill lurking around the corners and Obama White House would be in constant turmoil.

Posted at May 23, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Payback is a Mother Obama -- Says Hillary

A joint ticket is not going to happen no matter how much it would seem like the perfect way to bring the party together. As much as Obama's and Hillary's stances are alike on the core political issues they are dramatically apart on the overarching theme of their candidacies. Obama's message is a break from the politics of the past. To have a Clinton on the ticket even as VP would be antithetical to his whole message. There is also the problem of Bill. He will not be able to keep himself in the background nor will he be able to keep himself from commenting on the actions Obama is taking. Three in a political "marriage" will never work.

If Obama is our nominee he needs to offer Hillary something else that takes advantage of her significant skills.

On the now very unlikely chance Hillary were to be the nominee I do not think Obama would take it knowing full well he would be number 3 to Bill's role in a Clinton White House.

We need a VP candidate that enhances our nominee not one who would add a negative dynamic, but whoever that person is we as Democrats all need to come together as a united front.

Posted at May 18, 2008 11:14 AM in response to Paul Begala: "Intra-party rivalries must yield"