Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Elder drag queens for McCain? I report. You decide.



(Photo: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty)

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The Arrogance of Hillary

Quote of the Day:

[Obama] was a part-time state senator for a few years, and then he came to the Senate and immediately started running for president. And that's his prerogative. That's his right. But I think it is important to compare and contrast our records.

-Hillary Clinton, on the campaign trail in Nevada.

"And I was the wife of a president for a few years, and then came to the Senate where I started positioning myself for a presidential run. And that's my prerogative," she failed to add.

Maybe if he paid them $9.11 an hour...

...Rudy could afford to pay his staff, rather than force them to forgo paychecks.

Tennis

I never watch the sport, but I must say...that may change very soon!

Perfect Timing

On the same day that Gov. Bill Richardson (Democrat-NM) ends his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Bay Area Reporter endorses him.

1 Last Thing On NH

We will never know for sure if there was some sort of racial disparity between what New Hampshire voters told pre-election pollsters and how they actually voted in the Democratic presidential primary. That said, a look back at the polls show Sen. Obama's numbers actually held up. Those who said they were going to vote for him did. What the polls didn't catch were the undecided voters...namely women undecideds who went almost completely for Sen. Clinton on primary day.

Additionally, exit polls out of New Hampshire show most of the voters who were set to cast ballots for Sen. Biden or Sen. Dodd, who both dropped out of the race following the Iowa caucuses, instead voted for Clinton, thus adding a few more votes to her overall total.

So, my gut tells me the result wasn't related to race. Rather it was about gender: women who had been on the fence between Iowa and New Hampshire came home to Clinton in those final hours.

Hillary Narcissus

Quote of the Day:

There was a whiff of Nixonian self-pity about her choking up. What was moving her so deeply was her recognition that the country was failing to grasp how much it needs her.

-NY Times columnist Maureen Dowd, on Hillary's little episode the day before the New Hampshire primary.

Sully points out:

This is always about the Clintons. [They believe that] If the Democrats have to lose to McCain in November so Hillary Clinton can become the first female nominee for any major party, that's a price the country will just have to pay.

I wouldn't have thought that of the Clintons a couple of years ago, but they really are conducting this campaign as if its all about them; as if they are trying to do what George W. Bush did for his family - redeem themselves.

I have news for them: They ain't the Bushes. Both Geogres will go down in history as failed presidents. By contrast, Bill Clinton's presidency was a decent success DESPITE the Republican effort to derail him. But Hillary is not Bill. If he were able to run again there is no doubt he'd win a comfortable victory, if not a landslide. Hillary, I think, will not be so lucky. Too many people are ready to vote against her and if she wins despite that, they'll be ready to stifle her presidency on day one.

And America does not need four more years of that crap.

And yes, before you start piling on, I think it's hugely unfair to Hillary. I think she'd be a great president. But the political realities are what they are. As such, the Clintons should start thinking about the future of America rather than the future of the Clintons. And once they've really thought about it, they would realize that we can't take a chance on four more years of Republican-Fascist rule.

Richardson Bows Out

Gov. Bill Richardson (Democrat-NM) will bow out of his party's nominating contests, according to the Associated Press. It seems the impressive resume of the former congressman-turned-United Nations Ambassador-turned Energy Secretary-turned-freelance global negotiator was no match to the star power of Hillary, Obama, and Edwards.

His failure to gain traction was due, I think, to his personality. Despite his international stature, Richardson never really figured out how to pump his own credentials and came off looking like a buffoon.

He's not a buffoon and would make a superb vice-presidential nominee or cabinet member.

South Carolina Poll

A new Insider Advantage poll of South Carolina Democrats shows Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton 40% to 33%, with "native son" John Edwards pulling 15%.

We all know how bad the polling was in New Hampshire, so take these numbers with a grain of salt. However, remember that half of the state's Democratic voters are African American. After Obama's win in Iowa last week, the conventional wisdom was that black voters saw him as a guy who is viable. The question now is, after his loss in New Hampshire, will they be comfortable enough to give him their vote.

We'll see.

10 Points

If you combine the Democratic vote with the Republican vote in yesterday's New Hampshire primary, you get the following result:

Democrats 55%
Republicans 45%

When you consider the fact that independent voters can cast a ballot in either party's primary, numbers like this make November look pretty darn good for the Democratic ticket.

The Players

Last night's New Hampshire speeches from...

Hillary:



Obama:



and, Edwards:

It's Not Over

Just as Iowa wasn't a coronation for Barack Obama, New Hampshire is not an automatic path to the Democratic nomination for Hillary Clinton. Yes, her campaign is reinvigorated, and deservedly so. But the campaign continues and the remaining candidates must now present to voters in Nevada, South Carolina, the February 5th states - and beyond - the best case for their nomination.

That said, I stand by my arguments that Barack Obama is this country's best hope; and that while Hillary Clinton could very well be a superb president, she will bring out the worst in our country. Don't get me wrong...it is not her fault and I don't blame her. I blame the Republicans. Their vitriol for the Clintons is maniacal. That is just the sad state of affairs.

And so, if we have to chose between a Democratic candidate who can rally independent and Republican voters and bring a huge number of congressional seats with his coattails, and a candidate who might win with at best 48% to 50% of the vote - with the possibility of turning congress Republican to keep her hands tied...well...it's a no-brainer to me.

"Feedback" - The Video

The new video from Ms. Jackson...

The Coming Contests

For your reference, a guide map outlining the coming presidential nominating contests...

The Polls vs the Final Result

It seems the pollsters were spot on with Obama's final result. Where things went haywire was with the undecideds. Namely, female undecideds. They broke almost completely for Clinton.

More on the Women's Vote

Thinking on it, the results in Iowa and the pre-primary polls in New Hampshire were a prime example of an older more experienced woman being passed over for an important job by a younger, less experienced man. And the women of New Hampshire decided they were going to do what they could to prevent that from happening here.

That said, she hasn't won the job yet. She simply passed an early interview and is hoping to move on to a final interview this summer. And if she gets to that phase, especially if John McCain is the Republican nominee, then come November the Democrats could very well find themselves locked out of the White House for another four years.

I hope I'm wrong, but think about it..."Change" seems to be the key word in this election. So that begs the question: How could voters see change in the possibility of a "Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton" run on the presidency?

The answer: They won't.

It's Hillary!

Ladies and gentlemen...your "comeback kid."

She pulled it out and, while we can take a deeper look at the numbers later (namely the discrepancies in pre-election polling), Hillary Clinton deserves a hearty congratulations. Well done, Senator!

Thinking Further On It

I may have jumped the gun on the race issue. At least I hope I did. The closeness of the race (2 points, maybe 3) would not indicate an underlying bigotry. This was, after all, a Democratic primary. I'd expect it from the Republicans, but not from the Democrats.

Hopefully we'll know more in the days to come, but my best guesses...

Although most of them voted on the Democratic side, enough independents (who can vote in either primary) asked for Republican ballots to vote for John McCain, and that kept Obama's overall vote total down.

The under-30 voters didn't turn out as strongly as they did in Iowa.

New Hampshire voters were fed up with the "coming coronation" of Obama, and decided to let America know that they can make up their owns minds, thank you!

And, as exit polls show, NH women went for Clinton by at least 12 points over Obama.

More on the Race Argument

From Andrew Sullivan:

Tonight is the first primary - not a caucus. People get to vote in a secret ballot - not in front of their largely liberal peers, as in Iowa. [Voters] may have told the pollsters one thing about voting for a black man, but in the privacy of the voting booth, something else happens. I don't have any hard evidence for this, but the discrepancy in the polls is remarkable...The vast discrepancy between the last polls and the [actual] result puts [race] on the table. I hope it's not true. But it could be.

My partner has been arguing since last week that America is not ready to vote for a black president. I've been arguing just as passionately that we are.

For the sake of the Democratic Party - and America as a whole - I hope race isn't what caused tonight's result.

What Happened?

John Aravosis at AmericaBlog:

If Hillary wins this, first, it's a huge victory for her. But - and the but is important - the debate will be as to how Obama had a double-digit lead coming into today and suddenly lost [it] in a matter of hours? We suspect there will be two schools of thought - either Hillary won because New Hampshire is racist, or she won because she cried. Either way, not a great message.

I wondered if that little tearful episode from yesterday was going to help her with women. Apparently it did, as exit polls show her carrying them by a 47% to 34% margin (Obama carried them by 5 points in Iowa). That could very well be all she needs to win New Hampshire tonight.

As of 7:25pm MSNBC can't project a winner and some of the college towns are still outstanding.

The Insurgent vs. the Establishment

Quote of the Day:

Since George McGovern won his party's [1972 presidential] nomination - never once has an insurgent candidate defeated an establishment candidate to acquire the nomination. That goes for both parties. In the 220 year history of presidential nominations, insurgents have defeated establishment darlings only a handful of times. A big reason is that the establishment sets the rules. An insurgent candidate riding a wave of grassroots support still has to contend with them. This does not mean that an insurgent cannot beat an insider. It just means that it is hard. Obama will probably win New Hampshire tonight. And he is in a very good position to win his party's nomination. But don't count Clinton out. She's the insider, the candidate of the establishment - and they have a habit of winning.

-Jay Cost at Real Clear Politics, reminding us in a nicely written piece that the Democratic race is far from over.

Click on the link and read his post. He outlines the process by which Hillary Clinton might still win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination at the convention in Denver this summer...even if Obama wins New Hampshire (and many subsequent contests) by a comfortable margin.

Doolittle, Too Late

Rep. John Doolittle (Fascist-CA), one of the few Abramoff-Republicans who survived the 2006 elections, seems to see the writing on the wall. Word is he won't run for reelection in November.

Know Hope

Quote of the Day:

I find the manner in which they've been running their campaign sort of depressing, lately. It was interesting in the debate, Sen. Clinton saying 'Don't feed the American people false hopes. Get a reality check, you know?' I mean, you can picture JFK saying, 'We can't go to the moon, it's a false hope. Let's get a reality check.' It's not, sort of, I think, what our tradition has been.

-Sen. Barack Obama, on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Two More NH Polls

It's not looking good for the Clinton camp.

Gallup/USA Today:

Obama 41%
Clinton 28%
Edwards 19%
Richardson 6%

WMUR-TV:

Obama 39%
Clinton 29%
Edwards 16%
Richardson 7%

Pissy and Shrill

This clip from last night's Democratic debate is the perfect example of why I think it would be absolutely fatal for the party to nominate Hillary Clinton for the general election in November. She's pissy, she's shrill, and I don't think American voters want an ice princess mother-figure scolding them from the Oval Office!



I talked with my mother this weekend. She hasn't made up her mind who to support in the Illinois Democratic primary, but during our discussion she said that she really thinks the country needs a woman president. I agree. But I don't think Hillary is that woman. When 51% of the country say flat out that they will not cast a vote for her, you are forced to wonder how she wins a general election. It comes down to a choice: Do we risk losing the White House for another four years? Or do we go another route, thank Sen. Clinton for what she has brought to the debate, and ask her to step aside?

For me, the answer, especially after seeing last night's exchange, is quite clear.

Little Miss Chloe

A series of pretty hefty winter storms are blowing their way across California this weekend. So what better time to post a summertime picture of our little girl! Taken by her Aunt Noel at Golden Gate Park this past August.

Another NH Poll: Obama Leads by 12 !

Another poll (this one from ARG), taken in the two days after the Iowa caucuses, shows Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton by 12 points!

Obama 38%
Clinton 26%
Edwards 20%
Richardson 3%

If Obama beats Hillary by a double-digit margin on Tuesday, then the Clinton candidacy will be on life support. The wave of enthusiasm that would result from a one-two punch by Obama would be too much for the Clinton campaign to overcome going into the Nevada and South Carolina primaries.

NH Poll: Obama Leads Hillary by 10%

From Rasumussen:

Obama 37%
Clinton 27%

Before the Iowa caucus, Hillary was leading by 3 points. Whether this is an outlier or a very strong post-Iowa trend, the Clinton camp can't be happy about this.

Dingleberry

Weekend levity, courtesy of the AP, by way of Kenneth in the (212):

Hillary, Shake Hands With Tomorrow

Quote of the Day:

...if she were around right now, Hillary Rodham the (Wesley College) commencement speaker would probably be an Obama girl.

-New York Times columnist Gail Collins, referring to "Goldwater Girl" turned liberal college graduate Hillary Rodham's political persuasion in the late 1960s.

And now Hillary reeks of political staleness. Her argument that she is the best candidate for change in government, that she is the breath of fresh air needed in the post-Bush years, seems to be falling on deaf ears.

In contrast, as another NY Times columnist opines, Barack Obama is about as close to the real thing as you can get. Bob Herbert's Saturday column is worth the read.

"Sometimes, Just Sometimes, There Are Nights Like This"

Last night's speech says it all. He is presidential.

He's Kennedy meets Reagan meets both Roosevelts with a bit of Bill Clinton thrown in for a little spice. Listen to his speech and you realize he is the epitome of what America needs right now. After 8 years of Fascist rule under the Bush/Cheney regime, Obama very well could be the perfect antidote. (And after 8 years of 3rd-grade-level book reports read by Mr. Bush, an adult-statesman-level speech would be oh-so-refreshing.)

More over, after listening to the Senator from Illinois speak last night, I don't know how the Democratic Party could even entertain handing the nomination to the shrill, calculating Senator from New York.

If you didn't see Sen. Obama last night then sit back and take a look. His comments will give you goosebumps...and your heart will swell with patriotism...

The Question of Race

There are still some on my side of the political spectrum who think the Democrats will do themselves a disservice by nominating an African-American for the presidency. "The United States isn't ready for a black president," they say.

That is a whole lot of cow pie. Remember, Barack Obama won in Iowa . That's about as white a state as there is (91.0% white, 4% Hispanic, 3% black), yet Obama won a huge victory there.

He's not Jesse Jackson, he's not Al Sharpton. He is the Democrats' Colin Powell - a true American with a strong sense of purpose and a competence many people feel comfortable with. His win in Iowa last night is a huge step forward in an America that has taken way too many steps backward over the last 7 years.

This Math Ain't So Fuzzy

Combine last night's Democratic and Republican vote in Iowa (356,000 voters) and you get the following overall result:

64.8% for the Democrats
35.2% for the Republicans

Of course the final result would be closer in a general election, but these numbers are "sa-wheet " for the Democrats heading into the fall.

Biden Will Drop Out

Sen. Joe Biden, my choice for the Democratic presidential nomination, will drop out of the race tomorrow morning after receiving only 1% of the vote in the Iowa caucuses.

I am quite surprised at the anemic showing, but think it would be the wisest of decisions for the next Democratic president to include the Senator from Delaware in their cabinet.

At this point I lean strongly toward throwing my support to Obama, but will make a final decision over the next couple of weeks.

Obama Wins Iowa

Under 30s, independents, and liberal Republicans were the key to his victory.

As of 6:43 PT She-Who-Is-Not-So-Inevitable-Anymore and John Edwards are battling it out for second place.

It looks like my guy will come in second to last.

Sigh.

Update:
It's beginning to look like Sen. Clinton will place third. As of 7:58pm, it's Obama 37.5%, Edwards 29.8%, and Clinton 29.3%. Though the margin between 2nd and 3rd is small, third will be a devastating P.R. blow to the former First Lady going forward.

Edwards was a sore loser. He didn't congratulate Obama, and that's just bad sportsmanship. If I remember correctly, he didn't congratulate Bush and Cheney when he was the Democrats' VP nominee in 2004. No matter how much you despise the other guy, in politics you always congratulate them when they beat you. What the fuck, man!

Update 2:
221,000 Iowans show up to caucus with the Democrats; 114,000 with the Republicans. Those type of numbers (in a state that went for Bush in 2004) well...if done right, it can be great news for the Democratic ticket this November.

Update 3:
Sen. Christopher Dodd will fold it up before tomorrow.

One Last Plea Before Iowa

Joe Biden for President.

My endorsement here.

And one more ad:

A Prediction

No, not mine. I have no idea how the vote in Iowa will go tonight. But Douglas Burns at the Iowa Independent believes Obama has the "big mo:"

Obama doesn't sound false notes. Growing up without a father, he is the amalgamation of many male influences and ultimately the product of his own journey of self-discovery. He is that rare person who truly understands himself, and no doubt sees parts of that self in all of us. We get this in Iowa because we are all about authenticity. There aren't that many of us in Iowa so you can't escape into the anonymity of the streets. You are at once known and accoutable -- which is the beauty of holding the caucuses here.

...When the story is told on Thursday night, the narrative will be a remarkable one: Obama will cobble together western Iowa counties with ivory towered college towns and eastern cities within the shadow of his Illinois.

I am a realist and understand that my candidate, Joe Biden, has only the slimmest of chances in the Iowa caucuses tonight. If I had to make a second choice, I can say with confidence it would be Sen. Obama. And the urgency to defeat Hillary is enough for me to hope beyond hope for an Obama win.

Around the Corner

A few weeks ago, when I made my decision about who to support in the Democratic presidential primary, I went on-line and purchased a Joe Biden bumper sticker. And believe me, it's tough finding campaign paraphernalia when your candidate is toward the bottom of the heap in pre-election polling:



So, imagine my surprise yesterday morning when I saw this on a small Toyota around the corner:

A True American

Rep. Tom Lantos (Democrat-CA), whose district includes a small portion of southwestern San Francisco and most of San Mateo County, announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election following a diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

Congress' only holocaust survivor, Lantos twice escaped from Nazi concentration camps before making his way to the United States. In a statement yesterday, the 14-term congressman said:

It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family, and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a Member of Congress. I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country.

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos has taken the lead in holding the President's feet to the fire, holding over 20 oversight hearings on that debacle called the Iraq War.

My thoughts are with Lantos and his family this week.

Celine Turner

Kudos to mi amigo Gil for sending me this clip...Celine Dion (of all people) nailing a Tina Turner classic:

Competence and Confidence

The Obama Breakout?

He's now seven-points ahead of Hillary according to the lastest Des Moines Register poll:

Obama 32%
Clinton 25%
Edwards 24%
Richardson 6%
Biden 4%

40% of independents and 5% of Republicans say they'll attend Democratic caucuses and back Obama on Thursday night. Think of how that could translate in a national general election - the electoral map would be solidly blue!

But remember...we should not take pre-caucus polling in Iowa too seriously. It's really hard to poll for this type of election. However, if these numbers hold tomorrow night then She-Who-Is-Inevitable will be in a spot of trouble, no? If Obama wins Iowa, then I predict New Hampshire and South Carolina fall his way, and from there Clinton would be in a world of hurt.

Obama seems to be the breakout guy right now, and while I think he would be a superb candidate for the Democratic Party, I stand by my endorsement of Joe Biden as the best option for both the country and the globe.

Le Zinc

In celebration of the new year, our friends Susan and Jeff joined Brent and me, and together we splurged on a decedent dinner at Le Zinc, a superb French bistro in San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood.

None of us can get back to soon. The meal was wonderful and the evening unforgettable.

For the holiday seating Le Zinc offered a set menu; and each of us took advantage of it, ordering a 4 or 5 course spread that ranks among the best meals we've had in a very long time. The ahi appetizer was absolutely remarkable; the filets tender, moist, and tasty; the lamb out of this world; and the wine & champagne flawless. And it was all presented by an impeccable wait staff.

Be prepared to spend some money, but know that is well worth the price. This place is superbly spectacular!

Two thumbs up. Four stars. And four very satisfied customers!

Bliss - Not So Blissful

Brent and I first enjoyed the ambiance and cocktails of Bliss Bar about a year-and-a-half ago, when our buddy Chris took us there as part of his EyeSpy assignment for Skyy90 Vodka. We've always enjoyed the atmosphere and the martinis, even if the wait staff was a little too Paris Hilton-esque for my tastes.

With friends up from Santa Barbara for the New Year's holiday, we thought it would be nice to stop at Bliss for a celebratory cocktail before heading across the street to Le Zinc for a nice dinner.

I'm sorry we did.

We arrived at the bar at 8pm and sat toward the back of the main space. Things started off badly when the cocktail waitress approached looking like she didn't want to be there, and then got progressively worse right away. Before we could even say "hello," the waitress informed us that the prices on the menu were voided and that everything was $1.00 more than listed. "Because there is no cover charge," she said. Uhhh...Brent and I have been there several times and there was never a cover charge, so that excuse seemed lame. I would have rather she just came right out and said they were spiking them because it was New Years Eve...ie: let's drain our customers of even more money because it's a holiday!

In a way I felt bad for her because of the spot her manager put her in. If you're going to increase prices for a night then post new menus, don't put out the regular ones. Putting your waist staff in the horrible position of having to tell everyone the prices are a dollar more is really bad P.R.

Because it was a holiday and because we had friends in from out of town, I decided to let the price thing slide. But then...

...the waitress shows up with our drinks and proceeds to spill my friend's cappuccino martini all over his pants. My friend was cool about it, although I could tell underneath his cool exterior he was livid.

We finished our cocktails a little while later and I went to the bar to pay the bill so that we could get to Le Zinc in time for our reservation. The owner/manager was trying to close out another guy's bill and seemed to have trouble working his own machine! It took 5 minutes to close out that one guys' bill before getting to mine.

Any one of these things wouldn't make for a negative review. But all three, on a celebratory evening...well...I have no choice but to knock them for a job very poorly done.

Happy New Year

Rider # 1004

Our good friend Larry has started a new blog that chronicles his training for the upcoming AIDS/Lifecycle ride in June. Seven days. 545 miles. From San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Surgery knocked him out of last year's ride, but he's training and conditioning and will be "ret ta go" this June.

Give Larry's Training Log a look...and perhaps throw a donation his way.

Bhutto In Perspective

Quote of the Day:

As the world remembers [Bhutto's] contributions, it should also keep her record in perspective. Under Bhutto, Pakistan provided support to the Taliban in the 1990s. Some observers note that Bhutto was not the saviour of democracy she claimed to be, including Bhutto's niece in a recent, biting op-ed in the Los Angeles Times. And it was also in part on Bhutto's watch that Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father Pakistan's nuclear programme, built an international network that led to dangerous transfers of nuclear technology.

-Brian Katulis, of the Center for American Progress, writing in the Guardian, reflecting on the life and leadership of Benazir Bhutto.

I'm no expert on Pakistan and won't pretend to know the first thing about Bhutto's reign there. But, for balance, I thought it wise to post Katulis' comments.

The Obama Opportunity

Quote of the Day #2:

In Obama, the Democratic party has a chance for a landslide in the 2008 election, something they will immediately forfeit with the divisive, cynical, hollow candidacy of Hillary Clinton. In Obama, disaffected Republicans also have a chance to punish their own party for its abandonment of conservatism, embrace of dumb authoritarianism abroad and spendthrift liberalism at home. The logic is overwhelming to me... If the Democrats throw this opportunity away in favor of a corrupt dynasty, it will be the biggest self-inflicted blow since ... well, John Kerry and Harry Reid.

-Master blogger Andrew Sullivan, telling it like it is in the Clinton vs Obama showdown.

One of his readers concurs:

Obama is an historic opportunity for the Dems of FDR proportions, a chance to remake the political landscape for a generation or more. And people like Krugman and his proxy Hillary, who want only political war, narrow short term score settling, are the alternative. If the Dems don't nominate Obama, and go for Hillary...they will have shown themselves to be as corrupt, opportunistic, hypocritical, and small minded as the Republicans.

I agree, to a certain extent. First off, the idea of a "Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton" dynasty bugs me to no end. Secondly, the last thing this great country needs is a deeper blue-red state divide; and that would surely happen with a Hillary Clinton presidency. Republicans can't stand the woman and will do everything in their power to derail her, just as they did her husband. Finally, while I think she would be a competent president, the way I see it, she would win with only 48% to 50% of the country behind her, and that will keep her hands tied. Instead, we need a president who be able to rally a large majority of Americans behind him from Day 1; someone who will be able to rally even those who don't vote for him on Election Day. And that, my friends, is not Hillary.

The Top Songs of 2007

The ten most-played and best-selling songs of 2007, according to Billboard Magazine's year-end recap of their weekly Pop 100 chart:

1. Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
2. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
3. Irreplaceable - Beyonce
4. Umbrella - Rhianna
5. Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
6. Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne
7. Glamorous - Fergie
8. Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
9. Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin') - T-Pain
10. What Goes Around Comes Around - Justin Timberlake

You know you've reached a certain chronological pinnacle when you either hate many songs on the year-end chart or, worse yet, you haven't heard of one or two.

Ugh!

Anyway, for what it's worth, click here for a special edition of the Weekender : Most of the songs listed above, played countdown style, from #10 to #1.

Little Miss Chloe

Cuddling with her beloved monkey...



(Photo: Chloe's Aunt Noel)

Pakistan Fallout

Quote of the Day:

Pakistan remains the most dangerous country in the world today -- and like the ticking clock that the Bulletin of American Scientists used to post on how close the world was to midnight, and thus a nuclear war, I think that Bhutto's death moves us closer to a cataclysm rather than further away.

-Steve Clemons, in a very thoughtful piece on yesterday's events in Pakistan.

I reiterate my view that Democratic primary voters should use this international event to take a hard look at the only candidate who makes sense when global crises rise to this level.

I reiterate my contention that they cast their vote for Joe Biden.

To Iowa Democrats

As you prepare to caucus next week, I ask that you reflect on the international news coming out of Pakistan today, and then consider casting a vote for the one man whose experience and statesmanship are beyond reproach...Senator Joe Biden...

Neighbors From Hell

Bhutto Killed

From ABC News: Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was killed today in a gun and bomb attack after a rally in the city of Rawalpindi. Police said a suicide bomber shot Bhutto in the head before blowing himself up, killing 16 others in the blast.

A major international crisis such as this reinforces my belief, published on this blog last week, that America would do well to nominate and elect Joe Biden to the presidency. An elder-statesman with a steady hand such as his will be needed to cool these global fires in the post-Bush years.

Impeachment Now

No crime was committed and no charges were filed. Ever. Yet, Narinder Singh, a legal immigrant who owned his own business in New York, spent five-and-a-half years locked up in a Federal jail cell; detained by the Bush Administration for no reason at all.

The reason for his detention? His mother died, he went to the funeral in India, and when he returned the immigration official at JFK airport got spooked. And in the United States of Amerika under George Bush, it is perfectly acceptable to grab someone off the streets and hold them indefinitely for no reason at all.

Say it with me: Impeachment Now!

The Mall Squatters

From Good Magazine:

When the massive Providence Place Mall, in Providence, Rhode Island, opened up just steps from his home, artist Michael Townsend wanted to reconcile his distaste for the eyesore with his curiosity about his new neighbor. So he moved in. Townsend and seven other[s] established a makeshift apartment in an unused and apparently unnoticed 750-square-foot storage space within the building’s bowels. Beginning in 2004, the group’s members lived in their apartment-in-a-mall for weeks at a time, surviving on takeout from the food court. They did their best to emulate a real home, toting Crate & Barrel drawers, a china set, and a couch into their cinderblock-lined space. The collective's occupancy came to a premature end in October of this year when mall security busted Townsend after discovering an online video of the apartment... He was arrested just three days before he installed wood floors.

Happy HanaKwanzMas !

We're off for the holi-daze! I'll return to the blogsphere on Wednesday. Be safe, everyone...and hang in there.

In the Democratic Presidential Primary...

As current polling stands, the race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination is between three people: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. But it would do you well to remember that just weeks before the 2004 Iowa and New Hampshire contests, Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt were leading in the pre-election polls. The two men who would eventually make up the party's ticket - Kerry and Edwards - were mired in single digits at the bottom of the pack.

That little fact gives me hope for my candidate: Senator Joe Biden, of Delaware.

To be sure, the Democratic field is strong and each candidate has made a strong case for their nomination to take on the Republicans next November. But, in my eyes, Biden has astounded Americans with his tell-it-like-it-is truthfulness, his mastery of domestic policy, and his firm grasp of international affairs. His is the steady hand we will need to get America through the morass of minefields the Bush Administration will leave behind in January of 2009.

Barack Obama would be a superb candidate as well. His attempt to turn red and blue America into a more solid shade of purple is admirable and sorely needed. His personal history would make a "President Obama" a key transitory figure in American politics. He has the potential to provide a reset moment that historians could look back on as a turning point for the U.S. both domestically and internationally.

However ...Biden, I think, brings much more than the proverbial reset moment to the table. He also brings 35 years of deep knowledge and experience that the rest of the field combined can't live up to.

First and foremost, his command of global affairs is beyond reproach. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joe Biden has distinguished himself against the incompetent fool currently residing in the White House, offering the only workable alternative plan to fix the mess that is the Iraq War (a loose federal system under which the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds would each control their own territory).

The Iraq debacle has cost America a huge chunk of her reputation around the world, and Biden's international star-power would be a huge asset in next year's general election. He says his first order of business as president would be to shut down the torture chambers at Guantanamo Bay prison. And what a moment that would be! That one single step would go a long way toward reclaiming respect and admiration, relighting Lady Liberty's torch as a guide to those other countries around the globe who had - before George W. Bush - previously looked to America as a source of freedom and strength.

During the course of this primary campaign, Biden has been the only real grown up on those debate stages, telling it like it is while the others danced around the questions, afraid to give solid answers because it might cost them votes. After eight years of Bush and Cheney and their secretive and destructive form of government, Biden's truthfulness and competence would be a breath of fresh air. Those traits could translate into a huge Democratic victory next November, with Biden playing the up-front, honest, and strong "Reagan" to the incompetence of the Republicans' "Carter" (whoever their nominee turns out to be).

Many of my more progressive friends and liberal readers will probably be spitting at the computer screen right about now. "Why not Edwards!?" "I thought you liked Obama?" "What the fuck! Biden?!!"

Yeah...BIDEN.

The plain and simple fact is this: The Democrats have lost five of the last seven presidential elections, and at some point you just get sick and tired of losing. The other Democratic candidates are competent, and each would make a strong president. But Biden is the guy who would not only guarantee us a win...but he would win big. Once in office, he would bring a competence to governing that would, in turn, bring some moderate Republicans and Reagan Democrats into our column for years to come.

He's the most likely to win because, mark my words, foreign policy will be the number one issue on voters minds next November. While any of the Democrats would go into the election with the upper-hand on that issue when compared to the Republicans, the unfortunate fact of the matter is Americans hold Democrats to a much higher standard on the issues of war and peace. As such, our candidate needs to be an "A+" student, not simply an "A" student.

This presidential election is said to favor the Democrats. I agree, only to the extent that we nominate the right candidate. Hillary, Barack, and John could well be victorious next November. But Joe would definitely seal the deal. His competence and steady hand are beyond reproach.

And that is why I will cast my vote in the Democratic presidential primary for Joe Biden. I urge you to do the same.

See-Saw In Iowa

Two new polls show two different findings in Iowa...

Washington Post/ABC News:

Barack Obama 33%
Hillary Clinton 29%
John Edwards 20%
Bill Richardson 8%
Joe Biden 4%

Insider Advantage:

John Edwards 30%
Hillary Clinton 26%
Barack Obama 24%

These contradictory results say alot about how hard it is to poll a caucus (as opposed to an election). It would do everyone well to remember that just before the 2004 Iowa caucus, the two front runners in polling were Howard Dean and Richard Gephardt. The two pulling up the rear with single digit support? Two men named Kerry and Edwards.

Biden/Obama in 2008? Anyone? Bueller?

Joe, Joe, and Joe

Three YouTube clips highlighting the person best suited, in my humble opinion, for the presidency...

Sen. Joe Biden's new TV ad, currently airing in Iowa and New Hampshire:



ABC's recent profile of the man from Delaware:



And I've posted this one before, but it's worth re-posting. The other Democratic candidates seem to think Biden is the best candidate as well:

Hillary-arious!

Self-Investigation

News Item:

The Bush administration wants a federal court and congressional committees not to pursue investigations into the destruction of videotapes showing CIA interrogations of two terrorist suspects. It says inquiries would interfere with an ongoing probe by the Justice Department and the CIA.

Yes...because...you know...suspects should always investigate themselves.

Oh, Bill.

I understand his wife's campaign seems to be losing a bit of steam, but as a former President , he should NOT have stooped to this. I, for one, am extremely disappointed.

Lieberman Hearts McCain (They're both Bush Bitches, now!)

Sen. Joe Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic nominee for Vice-President, the loser in the 2006 Connecticut Democratic Senate primary, who refused to let those results stand and won reelection as an Independent, will endorse Sen. John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination later today.

The plan here, it seems, is to help sway a few New Hampshire Independent voters (who can vote in either party's primary - and who turned out in big numbers for McCain in 2000) from taking a Democratic ballot in the state's January's primary election. Polls show them leaning strongly in the Democratic column this time out, and that would put the kabosh on any hopes McCain may have of performing well on primary day. But I believe Independent voters are so thoroughly disenchanted with Republican leadership - and quite frankly with Lieberman's whining - at this moment that the former Democrat's endorsement will mean little.

A side note: The Democratic Party needs to be careful in how they respond to Lieberman's crazy-headed endorsement. The sad state of affairs is they need him in their column until next year when, should the party gain another seat or two in the Senate, they can then tell him to go to hell and join the Republican Party. But right now, he caucuses with the Democrats and that parliamentary procedure keeps them officially in control of the chamber. Should he switch that vote, he would swing the chamber back to Republican control. And that is the last thing this country needs.

Dan Fogelberg, 1951 - 2007

The singer-songwriter passed away yesterday of complications from prostate cancer. He was 56.

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The Weekender

Click here to enjoy this week's playlist.

Linus & Lucy - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Like Any Woman Would - Patti Scialfa
Dirty Little Secret - 54 Seconds
Waiting For Your Love - Toto
Corazon - Federico Aubele
At the End of the World - Blake Lewis
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Hypnotized - Fleetwood Mac
If I Had Eyes - Jack Johnson
New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
Apologize - OneRepublic w/ Timbaland
Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio

THE Moment?

There seems to be, in most presidential campaigns, that "moment" in a debate when things shift suddenly and settle in favor of a particular candidate. In 1976 it was President Ford claiming Poland wasn't under Soviet domination, thus making him look like a bafoon compared to Jimmy Carter; in 1980 it was Ronald Reagan looking over at Carter with the infamous quip, "There you go again," solidifying in voters minds the fact that Carter had become too impotent for a second term; in 1992 it was the first George Bush looking at his watch in the middle of the debate, reinforcing the image that he had become out of touch.

Should Barack Obama out-perform Hillary Clinton during the Iowa caucuses on 3 January, then this will be looked at as that "moment" when things shifted and settled:

Another Reason to Vote Democratic...

Because Republicans can't sing!

Oh. My. Gawd. Put aside the absolute ridiculousness of the concept; cover your ears, because this will surely make them bleed.

The Orwellian States of Amerika

Combine the Bush Administration's desire to spy on its own citzens with society's increasingly narcissistic nature (and our accompanying voyeurism fetish) and you have one disturbing, fucked up situation.

Director Adam Rifkin's disturbing take on it all will shock you...

Morning Levity

A true classic from the late, great Gilda Radner and the classier than ever Candice Bergen (the banter at about the 1:05 mark always cracks. me. up.):



(Hat tip: Sista Girl)

Moron-ism

Quote of the Day:

...he courted the most religiously intolerant sector of American political life by buying into the myths at the heart of the "cultural war"...

-An op/ed from last week regarding Mitt Romney's uber-pander to the religious right.

Courtesy of mi amigo, Mark.

Sneak Preview

Janet Jackson's new single, "Feedback."

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Post-Op

Sending warm and healing thoughts Trevor's way. Feel better, friend.

The Repugnant Republicans

Quote of the Day:

It's like swimming - freestyle, backstroke...

-Sen. Kit Bond (Fascist-MO), to Gwen Ifill of the NewsHour on PBS, on the waterboarding method of torture.

Ike Turner, 1931 - 2007

'nuff said.

Three Weeks Out

Two key polls in the Democratic primary states, three weeks out...

A new Newsweek poll of Iowa caucus voters shows Sen. Obama bounding ahead of Hillary Clinton and John Edwards...

Obama: 35%
Clinton: 29%
Edwards: 18%
Richardson: 9%
Biden: 4%
Kucinich: 0%
Dodd: 0%
Gravel: 0%

The latest poll out of New Hampshire shows Barack Obama besting Hillary Clinton in that state's Democratic presidential primary. The Senator from Illinois leads the former first lady by one-point, 31% to 30%.

While that's a statistical tie, the deeper numbers are bad news for Sen. Clinton: Overall she has lost 5% of her support in NH since last month, while Sen. Obama has gained 8%; and Clinton's support among New Hampshire women has plunged 10 points.

Is Obama gaining his momentum at the right moment? Or is he peaking early, causing an underdog (like, say, Biden) to sweep in and surprise everybody?

We're just weeks away, so we'll see.

Biden as Clinton (Bill, that is!)

Could he be the "comeback kid" of 2008?

Wayne Woodlief thinks so.

I hope so.

WTF?!

I was talking with my friend Susan last night and she did the math...Christmas is only two weeks away.

How the fuck did that happen!?

History 101

Quote of the Week:

I was panicked a bit because I really don't know about... the Cuban Missile Crisis. It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I'm pretty sure.

-Dana Perino, the White House Press Secretary (The. White. House. Press. Secretary.!!), answering a question about a recent White House briefing where a reporter referred to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

When you work in the White House, you really ought to have received a passing grade in elementary U.S. History, don'tcha think!?

You can't learn from history if you don't have a basic understanding of history. Good GAAWWWD!

Say it with me: The. Worst. Administration. Ever.

Monday Morning Levity

I'm short on time this Monday and will blog more tomorrow. In the mean time, some morning levity to get your week started off on the right foot.

First up, the always hilarious Anjelah Johnson, working the counter at "King Burger" (hat tip, Sista Girl)...




And, enternity, as seen through Mitt Romney's eyes...

The Weekender

Click here to enjoy this week's playlist...

Give Me the Night - George Benson
Le Monde - Thievery Corporation
Thumbnails - Morcheeba
Sail Away - David Gray
Hand On Your Heart - Jose Gonzalez
Beautiful Calm Driving - Sia
Postales - Federico Aubele
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Positively Beautiful - Lewis Taylor
Nothing Compares 2 U - Prince
Lovebox - Groove Armada
Again and Again - The Bird and the Bee

Brad's Wide Stance

I'm peeing my pants!

Impeachment Now

Mark Mazzetti's superb report in the New York Times, outlining how the CIA destroyed at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of men in the agency's custody, should make every American's blood boil.

Here we have an administration that claims it can detain people indefinitely without charging them or even telling them what they're being detained for, torture them, and now, apparently, destroy the tapes of said torture.

And according to the Fascists in the White House, it's all legal because they say it's legal...never mind what the law actually says.

As far as I'm concerned both domestic and international laws were broken, and the Congress and the International War Crimes Tribunal should investigate and prosecute - to the fullest extent of the law - those involved, those who covered it up, and those in charge of those who covered it up.

And yes, that probably includes George and Dick.

Good gawd! I really don't recognize America anymore. Do you?

Say it with me: Impeachment. NOW!

Arianna's Bitch-Slap

Quote of the Day:

"Dear [Mr. Dumond] ," Huckabee wrote in a letter to Dumond, after [reading letters from his previous] victims. "My desire is that you be released from prison ." ...no amount of spinning can change that, or the conclusion that Huckabee allowed his judgment to be swayed by the...right-wing zealots who put their hatred of Bill Clinton over the well being of the public (Dumond's victim was a distant relative of Clinton, and the daughter of a major Clinton donor).

-Arianna Huffington, bitch-slapping Republican-Fascist Mike Huckabee, after the former Arkansas governor tried to blame Huffington for the frenzy that broke out after she relased the story that Huckabee authorized Dumond's release from prison.

Obama and South Carolina

South Carolina is about as red as red states come in presidential general elections (Bush won it 58% to 41% in 2004), but it can be make or break for both parties in the nominating primaries.

So news that Hillary Clinton's 13-point lead over Barack Obama in September has dwindled to a 2-point lead today should be considered significant. Of course, we're weeks away from this particular primary and things in Iowa and New Hampshire could alter the picture drastically. But Sen. Obama's campaign must be thrilled with their candidate's momentum at this stage of the game.

And speaking of Iowa...here is the new Obama ad that is airing there this month:

"Beautiful Cydney"

Did Jodie Foster just come out?

(And, for the record, Cydney is not her daughter or her dog or her cat...mmm k!)

What's Good For Dukakis...

The new presidential front-runner on the Fascist-Republican side of the political spectrum seems to be Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. The only problem with holding that position in any political contest is that the press and opponents begin to pile on. And the fodder with which Huckabee has provided them? Well...me thinks he'll be knocked down a few pegs before next week...

The Dumond Story:

On the Today Show this morning Huckabee blamed the Huffington Post for the report outlining his release of a convicted rapist who then went on to not only rape, but murder, shortly after leaving prison.

What's wrong preacher? You can't take the heat? What's good for Dukakis is good the gander, I always say.

NI Huh?:

With his sudden rise to the top of the GOP heap, Mr. Huckabee hoped to impress national and local reporters with all that he knew about current affairs. But when asked to comment about the recent NIE report regarding nuclear weapons in Iran, the former governor apparently went slack-jawed, shook his head, and said "no," he wasn't familiar with it.

Ahem...he's running for president . Hello!! Shouldn't someone be giving this guy daily foreign policy briefings?

Should Huckabee somehow retain his new front-runner status and become the Republican nominee (a good possibility if the religious right stay the course), then the Democratic ticket needs to treat him exactly like a certain hapless candidate from 1988.

A New Standard?

A Senate-House Intelligence Conference voted today to make the Army Field Manual the standard for all detainee issues in interrogation and detention methods. That means for the CIA and all branches of the national security, military, and intelligence establishment.

From the AP:

[The manual apparently] prohibits waterboarding and sensory deprivation. Prisoners may not be hooded or have duct tape put across their eyes. They may not be stripped naked or forced to perform or mimic sexual acts. They may not be beaten, electrocuted, burned or otherwise physically hurt. They may not be subjected to hypothermia or mock executions. It does not allow food, water and medical treatment to be withheld, and dogs may not be used in any aspect of interrogation.

Alas, it's a very nice move on the part of the Congress; but if you think for a minute that the Fascist shithead in the White House will sign such a bill, then I have a very nice desert oasis outside Baghdad I'd like to sell you.

WWAD?

Babs for Hillary? Oprah for Obama?

Uh-uh.

Columnist Carol Marin is waiting for the ultimate in uber-endorsements:

What will Al do?

Pandora Radio

Courtesy of mi amigo, Gil...

Check out this supberb website. Pandora radio allows you to type in the name of your favorite artist, song, or composer and the site will create an on-line radio station featuring music very similar in style and format.

Click here and check it out!

Joe's Cajones

Quote of the Day:

That's why I want to be very clear: If the President takes us to war with Iran without congressional approval, I will call for his impeachment. I am dead serious... I'm saying this now to put the administration on notice and hopefully to deter the president from taking unilateral action in the last year of his administration.

-Sen. Joe Biden (Democrat-DE), a nominee for his party's presidential nomination, in yesterday's Des Moines Register.

Set aside for a minute the fact that congressional leadership of both parties should have filed articles of impeachment years ago, this is yet another reason why Sen. Biden remains at the top of my list of preferred presidential candidates for 2008. The man calls it like it is and isn't afraid of a fight. Two strong qualities that, for a myriad of reasons, the next president will need in spades.

Huckabee's Dukakis Moment

He released a convicted rapist who then went out and raped and murdered someone else. The reason for the convict's release? The first victim was a distant relative of Bill Clinton's...and the right wing attack machine of the 90s was in full swing.

From John at AmericaBlog:

Huckabee basically helped secure the guy's release because the convict had raped a distant relative of Bill Clinton - and being a distant relative of Bill Clinton, the right-wing attack machine said the woman who was raped wasn't credible (even though the guy was convicted), and they demanded that the rapist be set free because, after all, he only raped a Clinton. Well, it seems that Governor Huckabee agreed. He set the rapist free, and then the guy molested and murdered another woman. But even better? Huckabee now denies that he had anything to do with the release of the rapist/murderer. Funny, then why did Huckabee meet with the parole board on behalf of the rapist/murderer?

So now we know the real Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is part of the Rush Limbaugh hate machine that sees everything through the eyes of how much hurt he can cause the Clintons. And if that meant helping a rapist get a second chance to molest and murder again, it was a small risk to take in exchange for hurting a distant relative of Bill Clinton.

And this guy's stock is rising with Republican primary voters? The story is obviously vile and disgusting, but within the realm of the game of politics...I say bring him on. Even Hillary could beat this bozo.

New Colton Ford

In his new video, the super hot Colton Ford proves beyond a doubt that he not only has the looks and build of a Greek god, but the vocals of a true angel. The content is a hilarious nod to the Larry Craig scandal; the song, a superb rendition of Alicia Keys' "No One."

Enjoy...



A remix of this tune will drop at nightclubs later this month, and Colton's album, "Tug of War," is slated for release on 19 February.

Little Boy George

Whining like the child he is, President Bush moaned and complained about how Congress prevented him from making recess appointments to federal offices of totally unqualified cronies during the recent congressional break:

In a political maneuver designed to block my ability to make recess appointments, congressional leaders arranged for a senator to come in every three days or so, bang a gavel, wait for about 30 seconds, bang a gavel again, and then leave. Under the Senate rules, this counts as a full day. If 30 seconds is a full day, no wonder Congress has got a lot of work to do.

Ummm...George...let's chat about that Presidential Daily Brief you failed to read on August 6, 2001 because...why was that...oh yeah...you were on vacation! Let's discuss THAT, shall we?

Impeachment Now

I'll keep arguing the case for the impeachment and removal from office of both George W. Bush and Dick Cheney until the minute they leave office. And yesterday's news that the administration knew of the National Intelligence Estimate - in which the Bush White House documented that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003, yet ratcheted up their rhetoric about the possibility of "WWIII" just weeks ago - is another example of why the two are unfit to lead the United States.

Are the American people really dumb enough to swallow that bullshit again?!

Say it with me, my friends: Impeachment! Now!

The Dumbing Down of America Continues

Quite frankly, this dim bulb from "American Idol" should never have graduated middle school, let alone high school.

Clinton As Dean

A new Des Moines Register poll released this weekend shows that She-Who-Is-Inevitable is...well...not so inevitable:

Barack Obama: 28%
Hillary Clinton: 25%
John Edwards: 23%
Bill Richardson: 9%
Joe Biden: 6%
Christopher Dodd: 1%
Dennis Kucinich: 1%

We're a month out - and Obama, Clinton, and Edwards are all within the margin of error - but let's not forget how "inevitable" Howard Dean seemed in those last weeks before the Iowa caucus in 2004.

Hugo and Vladimir

Two attempts to alter standing constitutions resulted in split decisions this weekend.

By a slim 51% - 49% margin, voters in Venezuela rejected the 69 amendments proposed by President Hugo Chavez. Had the result gone the other way, Chavez would have remained in power for life.

And, in Russia, Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party swept parliamentary elections on Sunday, raising the question: Exactly what Putin's leadership role will be when his presidential term expires next year?