The Bitter Sniper Fire Wright Debate

If you missed tonight’s debate, well, lucky lucky you.

Apparently, Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos have decided that we, the American people, are more concerned with gaffes that have been beaten to a bloody pulp in every news outlet in the country (and abroad) than we are about issues.

Too bad we can’t vote them out of office.

Out-Of-Touch Meter Says: “Boy” Trumps “Bitter”

While Obama’s taking flack for acknowledging that some people living in this country are “bitter”, a member of the GOP is yucking it up at a Kentucky fundraiser and makes the statement (about Obama), “I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button…”

“Boy?” Does anyone else feel like we’re in a Civil War re-enactment? Davis is 49. Obama is 46. “Boy?”

When discussing this matter with a New England friend, his first question was “Where is Davis from?” When I replied “Kentucky”, he rolled his eyes and said “Of course, he’s from Kentucky.”

I’m sure the good people of Kentucky are just thrilled to have a Representative who, in one simple word, confirmed the stereotypes non-southerners have (even today) about the south: ignorant racists.

Is race still an issue in this country? Apparently. And does Jeremiah Wright, as misguided as some of his comments are, have a point about how African Americans are viewed in this country? Apparently.

Because no one elected to the federal government, and I mean NO ONE, doesn’t know the dismissive, demeaning, and racially charged nature of the word “boy” when used about an African American man. Was Geoff “taking one for the team” with this episode of race-baiting? Did he get a bit tipsy and reveal his own prejudices? Or is he just an idiot?

I don’t know. I hope, for the sake of the people of this country, it’s not the first. I hope, for the sake of the people of Kentucky, it’s not the second.

It seems, the most benign interpretation of Davis is that he is “just an idiot.”

Read Davis’ Apology Letter which is reported to have hand-delivered to Obama’s campaign.

Feel better after reading it? Me, neither.

Bitter People, UNITE!

You know Bittergate is in full force when that bastion of political acumen, CafePress, is filled with t-shirts both for the bitter and not so bitter.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain both seem to be shocked and awed that someone (Barack Obama) dared to break the rules of Political Correctedness and actually admit that some people in this country are really truly bitter about their economic situation, the war, poor education, and limited or non-existent health care (which is just the start of the Reasons to be Bitter List).

How any politician can claim that truth is “elitist” is beyond my ken. Maybe I’m not smart enough to understand how it’s insulting to acknowledge that not everyone is making $110 million dollars on book deals, Columbian trade agreements, and the devastation of Darfur.

Wouldn’t you rather Hillary be appalled at the economy, the war, or her husband’s questionable political activities than have her appalled at the mere mention that, gosh darn it, We The People are pretty damn unhappy with what has been done to this great country?

Why are people who love this country so bitter? Because we know it doesn’t have to be this way. We know this country is destined for greatness… but you can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. Want to tell the Clintons why you’re bitter? Visit BitterVoters.org

Obama acknowledges our flaws and our greatness… and Hillary can’t even acknowledge the flaws of her own deteriotating campaign.

Happy, Shiny, Unemployed People

I’m beginning to think Hillary Clinton and John McCain view the unemployed masses of this country as the plucky background dancers in some charming musical about the Great Depression.

Apparently, Barack Obama stated that some of the people who have lost their jobs in this rotten economy are “bitter”. And Hillary and Mac are all over that — claiming it’s insulting, condescending, and elitist. They’re outraged that he would say such a thing.

What a couple of fucking morons.

Here’s a newsflash for anyone who doesn’t know: unemployment ain’t all sunshine, puppies, and song cues. Lose your job, lose your house, lose your dignity… and if all those losses are due to trade deals, war deals, and out-of-touch politicans who don’t give a shit about you?

Oh yeah, it tends to make you bitter.

Thanks, Hillary and Mac. If anyone had any illusions left about how completely out-of-touch you are with working class people, the veil was lifted today.

The Piqued, the Puffed, and the Pooped

I was reading an article (Setting the Terms of the Iraq Debate ) over at Time.com and a couple of things struck me.

One: we all know the terms of the campaign “Iraq Debate” without reading the article - that is, Clinton and Obama oppose the war while McCain does not.

Two: While the article was rather ho-hum, the pictures of Obama, McCain, and Clinton were a fun read.

Obama looks energized and really irritated.  McCain looks like the proud father.  Clinton just looks tired.

Oh, and like someone ran over her puppy.

Can you judge a candidate’s state of mind from a snapshot? No.

But it’s always interesting to see what photos the various news outlets choose to frame a story.

When Tough Guys Whine

Jay Rockefeller (he’s not the tough guy) really showed his democratic ass when commenting on McCain’s military service (he’s the tough guy).

Thanks so much, Jay. What would Obama do without silver-tongued friends like you to demonize the service of all bomber pilots?

But as awful as Rockefeller’s comments were, just how delicate are McCain’s feelings that after an apology from Rockefeller and an apology from the Obama Campaign, McCain is still whinging about the incident and saying that Obama hasn’t apologized enough?

Where’s the beloved maverick who doesn’t give a damn what other people think? And has he really turned into a simpering old man whose kids don’t visit him enough at the home?

Nah, he’s just finding it difficult to get the press to spend ten minutes covering something other than the Democrats.

When all else fails, complain that another candidate has made a breech in etiquette. It’s not a campaign strategy I would have picked for McCain, but this race is full of surprises.

Oh, Those CNN Boys

Yesterday it was David Gergen saying “Mark Penn, pfffttt… not a big deal and, and, and Obama’s guy was wayyy worse”.

David, David, Davi- owait… sorry, I almost “tsk-tsked” David for not being objective. Silly me, when was the last time we expected David to be objective about the Clintons?

Not to worry - I can’t remember, either.

And today it’s Wolf Blitzer considering the Clinton campaign’s spin that Hillary has the lead in electoral votes - really, Wolf? Electoral votes? In a primary?

As an intellectual game of ”What if this was the Election,” it might have some interest… might. Let’s consider some of the differences if this had been an election as oppposed to a primary.

1. The Michigan ballot would have more than one name on it.
2. Independents, who can’t vote in states with ”Closed Primaries” would be able to vote in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.
3. People who stayed home in Florida and Michigan would vote.
4. And hold on to your hats folks, but it would be a Republican vs. a Democrat. Call me a ninny, but I think that just might influence voting patterns.

So even as an intellectual exercise, it’s just not all that… rigorous.

Tsk tsk, Wolf, you’ve been spun.

Hillary Spins Penn Like a Top

If you’ve paid attention to the Clinton/Penn/Colombia debacle, you might find her public response… interesting.

Until now, the Obama camp has been politely quiet on this Clinton embarrassment… I’m going to go out on a limb and say that’s all about to change.

Veep Media Time: Biden, Webb

In the Veepstakes this past week, there were at least two sightings of potential Obama Veeps.

Senator Joe Biden
Biden Argues That the Troop Surge Was a Failure in Radio Address

As the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, newshounds will be seeing a lot of Sen. Biden this week — though that will have more to do with his presiding over the hearing on Iraq than his Veep Potential.

With all of the positives for making Biden Obama’s Veep, it’s hard to ignore his Old Washington flavor.

Senator Jim Webb

Senators Debate (video link) on This Week with George Stephanopoulos

He was firm (as always) and calm (not so common).  His passion about the issues was apparent, but no loose cannon firings… the result of Veep Grooming or a new meditation regimen?

Or, perhaps, he’s just getting tired of the mad dog rep.

I like him, I really do – mad dog or calm, he’s my current favorite as an Obama Veep.