I can't wait for Dana's book.
And as someone who listened to over a year's worth of daily Scott McClellan briefings, this Slate article made me giggle.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
But then, again...
... is it really about finishing the marathon, or is this going to be a fight to the political (yes, political, not literal!) death, as Roland Martin fears?
I want to give Hills the benefit of the doubt, but over the week since my last post, I've seen the Clinton people take steps that indicate they have no intention of stopping short of the convention floor, come what may.
I think the reaction to Hillary's RFK comment, taken out of context, was ridiculous, but it just proves what a poisonous climate a late-running race can create. The media appetite that's been worked up over this particularly fascinating election season doesn't help matters. One can only imagine what the 1968 race would have been like with CNN and Fox News covering it 24/7. Not to mention Chris Matthews & co. on MSNBC.
Of course Clinton's people are going to try to seat Florida and Michigan. And of course they're going to capitalize on the momentum she'll likely get from Puerto Rico.
But what if they don't get the results they want with the Florida/Michigan decision, and what if the superdelegates stream Obama's way as soon as the last ballots are counted?
Then that would be a good place to bow out. And she may surprise us and do it. I know she's narrowed her circle of closest advisers, but I hope at least one person in that circle has an exit strategy short of a showdown in Denver.
Speaking of Denver, it's a sad day for the Libertarian Party. I was rooting for Mike Gravel, another major party defector (but from the right party, at least -- I mean, the Left ;) Gravel's a little nutty, yeah, but in an adorable, Santa Clausy, old Alaskan guy way, and he had some good ideas. And I have an autographed copy of his book, so it would have been cool if he made it to a national debate. Ah well.
I want to give Hills the benefit of the doubt, but over the week since my last post, I've seen the Clinton people take steps that indicate they have no intention of stopping short of the convention floor, come what may.
I think the reaction to Hillary's RFK comment, taken out of context, was ridiculous, but it just proves what a poisonous climate a late-running race can create. The media appetite that's been worked up over this particularly fascinating election season doesn't help matters. One can only imagine what the 1968 race would have been like with CNN and Fox News covering it 24/7. Not to mention Chris Matthews & co. on MSNBC.
Of course Clinton's people are going to try to seat Florida and Michigan. And of course they're going to capitalize on the momentum she'll likely get from Puerto Rico.
But what if they don't get the results they want with the Florida/Michigan decision, and what if the superdelegates stream Obama's way as soon as the last ballots are counted?
Then that would be a good place to bow out. And she may surprise us and do it. I know she's narrowed her circle of closest advisers, but I hope at least one person in that circle has an exit strategy short of a showdown in Denver.
Speaking of Denver, it's a sad day for the Libertarian Party. I was rooting for Mike Gravel, another major party defector (but from the right party, at least -- I mean, the Left ;) Gravel's a little nutty, yeah, but in an adorable, Santa Clausy, old Alaskan guy way, and he had some good ideas. And I have an autographed copy of his book, so it would have been cool if he made it to a national debate. Ah well.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Why She's Still In: Well, on Second Thought, Why Not?
I actually think this was a pretty straightforward answer (all things considered) that Hillary gave Wolf Blitzer today, on why she's still in the race... this before he pulled a Barbara Walters and made her cry, asking about Chelsea. Whether that move was anticipated or not, either way he should be ashamed, and he kinda looked it, too... but in any case...
The math may be against her, but I do get the sense that there's something driving her now besides political calculation... I think she's just got to finish the marathon. Her mother's watching and her daughter's watching. And Bill isn't about to say die.
And as long as the marathon stops in Puerto Rico instead of Denver, maybe it will be okay after all. Maybe everyone's gotten a little too excited about closing this deal, myself included.
I just don't want to hear about a joint ticket anymore. It sounded good a couple months ago, but now... no.
BLITZER: John Edwards says he gives you a lot of credit for being willing to stick in there and fight it out. He, as you know, dropped out. And I guess the question is, how do you do it every single day?
CLINTON: You know, Wolf, something happens every single day that just lifts my spirits and energizes me. A lot of the people who have worked their hearts out for me in this primary season -- they're not quitters in their own lives... (she lists several heartwarming examples, some of which we've heard before.)
I mean, these are people who I feel like I'm representing, and that I have a very personal connection to. So, you know, I don't believe in quitting. You may not win in life, but you do the best you can. You go the distance. You don't walk off the court before the buzzer sounds.
You never know. You might get a three-point shot at the end. And so we're going to finish this process. It's been a privilege and an honor to have met so many Americans, been to so many of the beautiful places in this country. And I feel like I'm doing it for the right reasons. And I still believe I'd be the better president and the stronger candidate against Senator McCain.
The math may be against her, but I do get the sense that there's something driving her now besides political calculation... I think she's just got to finish the marathon. Her mother's watching and her daughter's watching. And Bill isn't about to say die.
And as long as the marathon stops in Puerto Rico instead of Denver, maybe it will be okay after all. Maybe everyone's gotten a little too excited about closing this deal, myself included.
I just don't want to hear about a joint ticket anymore. It sounded good a couple months ago, but now... no.
BLITZER: John Edwards says he gives you a lot of credit for being willing to stick in there and fight it out. He, as you know, dropped out. And I guess the question is, how do you do it every single day?
CLINTON: You know, Wolf, something happens every single day that just lifts my spirits and energizes me. A lot of the people who have worked their hearts out for me in this primary season -- they're not quitters in their own lives... (she lists several heartwarming examples, some of which we've heard before.)
I mean, these are people who I feel like I'm representing, and that I have a very personal connection to. So, you know, I don't believe in quitting. You may not win in life, but you do the best you can. You go the distance. You don't walk off the court before the buzzer sounds.
You never know. You might get a three-point shot at the end. And so we're going to finish this process. It's been a privilege and an honor to have met so many Americans, been to so many of the beautiful places in this country. And I feel like I'm doing it for the right reasons. And I still believe I'd be the better president and the stronger candidate against Senator McCain.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
They Say More People Vote in American Idol...
... than in our national elections, so why not just make it all about the music?
In which case, Barack Obama (thanks to Will.I.Am and Obama Girl) and Mike Gravel (see recent post below) and, now, Ron Paul, are the only contenders. I have to admit the latter kind of rocks, no thanks to Paul himself. (You have to give Gravel credit for making a personal appearance in his own, even though it was just a cheap knock-off of Obama Girl's.)
I won't even bother to link to the song Hillary's people came up with (although, in retrospect, one can seeds the seeds of racial divide growing even in those earlier days, when one witnesses the sheer, overpowering white-ness of it.)
And so far, I don't see any submission yet from John McCain. I recommend a remix reflecting the trajectory of his Daily Show appearances.
In which case, Barack Obama (thanks to Will.I.Am and Obama Girl) and Mike Gravel (see recent post below) and, now, Ron Paul, are the only contenders. I have to admit the latter kind of rocks, no thanks to Paul himself. (You have to give Gravel credit for making a personal appearance in his own, even though it was just a cheap knock-off of Obama Girl's.)
I won't even bother to link to the song Hillary's people came up with (although, in retrospect, one can seeds the seeds of racial divide growing even in those earlier days, when one witnesses the sheer, overpowering white-ness of it.)
And so far, I don't see any submission yet from John McCain. I recommend a remix reflecting the trajectory of his Daily Show appearances.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The only possible good...
... that could come of this shameful tragedy in Burma/Myanmar is that the way the military government has refused and/or co-opted international aid and willfully bungled the disaster recovery (making FEMA look good) will finally prompt the rest of the world to take some kind of definitive action to help the Burmese people, instead looking the other way for another 20 years.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Maybe it's time...
That's what George McGovern, Hillary's old mentor, said publicly, and apparently many others are saying privately.
So, since I dedicated one to Bill earlier, here's one for Hills. My co-worker had said this should be her theme song after the New Hampshire diner incident. Which reminds me: I've never once heard that Celine Dion song that supposedly won her theme song contest, back in -- sniff -- more optimistic days.
I know it looks like she's going to fight until the bitter end, and she probably will, but I think (and Thomas B. Edsall thinks) she has an opportunity in these next few weeks for a moment of grace and surprise that might even redeem the parts of the Clinton legacy (both hers and Bill's) that have been compromised in this race -- "race" being the operative word.
So, since I dedicated one to Bill earlier, here's one for Hills. My co-worker had said this should be her theme song after the New Hampshire diner incident. Which reminds me: I've never once heard that Celine Dion song that supposedly won her theme song contest, back in -- sniff -- more optimistic days.
I know it looks like she's going to fight until the bitter end, and she probably will, but I think (and Thomas B. Edsall thinks) she has an opportunity in these next few weeks for a moment of grace and surprise that might even redeem the parts of the Clinton legacy (both hers and Bill's) that have been compromised in this race -- "race" being the operative word.
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