Postman...

I don’t know if it’s the Clinton campaign, but someone is challenging Obama delegates. I just looked at a list of 38 challenged delegates in Skagit County. Every one questions the validity of an Obama delegate. There are no challenges against Clinton delegates...

...This really appears to be less an issue of voter misconduct or sloppy record keeping then it is about an aggressive, post-caucus attempt by Clinton supporters to increase their numbers before the next round of caucuses.

If it is the Clinton campaign pursuing these kinds of challenges at the upcoming Legislative District and County caucuses and conventions (and it's hard to imagine who else it might be), well, it's just another demonstration of their general inability either to grasp or to implement the kind of grassroots, neighbor to neighbor campaign that a successful caucus strategy requires.

They can file all the challenges they want, but you can bet the majority of them, when examined by the local credentials committees, will be denied. It's safest to expect the most expansive view of the rules, and most of the surface sins the complaints seem to rest on, matters like dates of registration and voter names, will be resolved in the delegate's favor without much rancor. Where there is ground for real concern - delegates not residing in the precinct they were elected from, for instance - there will still be a bias in favor of the delegate, and of all the precinct delegates who sent her or him forward. That neighbor to neighbor business, after all, is real.

The final decision on credentials belongs to the body of delegates assembled. These meetings are often populated by folks who actually see quite a bit of each other, at Party meetings, perhaps, and fundraisers, and at the grocery store and gas station, too. The solution producing both the least political and, no less importantly, social friction will always be favored.In many, perhaps most, of these meetings, Obama delegates will predominate, and will finally determine who is seated. When all else fails, every delegate has a corresponding alternate.

Challenges are the weakest strategic approach to a contest that's almost entirely turnout driven. The negligible gains that might be made by bogging down the process with a credentials fight don't mean a great deal in the first place, and even less if your own troops aren't on hand for the battle. The Clinton campaign's efforts would be better invested in stopping their own delegates, like Karina Putnam-Kaminsky, from taking Hillary's advice, which is true enough, that their pledges aren't binding too much too heart and signing in for Barack in a couple weeks. Of course, for every one of those there's some number larger than one more who simply won't show up, a number I suspect will grow as the desperation of the Clinton camp becomes continually clearer.

Don't beleive any national convention delegate count you've seen from Washington. This one's really just getting started.

Labels: Barack Obama, Credentials Challenge, Delegates, Hillary Clinton, Washington Caucuses

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Labels: Blogging

Al Gore...

“I’m not applying for the job of broker.”

Actually, the job hasn't been posted.

Labels: Al Gore, Brokered Convention, Democratic Nomination

Shorter al Sadr…

Stop fighting, go home, let all my guys out of jail and I'll let you pretend you're a government for a little while longer.

At least someone seems to be in charge of something over there.

Labels: Cease Fire, Iraq, Muqtada al Sadr

...another shift (a double, in fact) and the promise of a jar full of birthday tips.

Birthday tips...did you know you can leave them here, as well?

Labels: PayPal, Personal, The Perfect Tavern

Labels: Lyndon Johnson

...it's off to the perfect tavern I go to dish up fish, chips and brew for the March Madness crowd (as always, if you're in the neighborhood and mention the blog, the first round's on me). Then it's, well, whatever festivities the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left has planned in observation of the anniversary of my birth (that's tomorrow actually). All this by way of saying blogging will be spotty at best until at least the wee smalls.

Consider this an open thread if you have need of one. See ya' later.

Labels: Blogging, Personal, The BBBUL, The Perfect Tavern

...they're random, alright.

Cristina Williams Band - What Did I Do?
Kevin Mahogony - Parker's Mood/Kansas City
The Yardbirds - Smokestack Lightning
Billy Holiday - They Can't Take That Away From Me
Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Emmylou Harris - Leaving Louisiana
Elvis Presley - Teddy Bear
Jelly Roll Morton - The Pearls
The Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do
Del Rey & The Devils - Luche Libre

Labels: Music, Random Ten

Mike Lux...

If all the superdelegates and other influential friends that I have talked to who believe that the best path for the party is for Obama to win a clear victory would come out in his favor, this thing really would be over.

Labels: Barack Obama, Democratic Nomination, Hillary Clinton, PLEOs

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)...

“Senator Clinton has every right, but not a very good reason, to remain a candidate for as long as she wants to."

…but aren't there times when exercising a right is, well, wrong? I mean, Nader has a right to run, doesn't he? Do you really think he should? Isn't 'why' at least as important as 'whether'?

Labels: Democratic Nomination, Hillary Clinton, Patrick Leahy, Ralph Nader

"…top Dem strategist…"

"Gore buzz is crack-smoking Fox chatter."

Labels: Al Gore, Brokered Convention, Democratic Nomination

Tim Hames of the TimesOnLine, via Talk Left...

...there are nagging doubts about whether Obama, if nominated, could carry states such as Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania, which will determine the outcome of this battle.

…but there are nagging doubts, too, about whether Clinton, if nominated, could carry Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania, not to mention Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, Nevada and Colorado, all states currently favoring Obama in November where Clinton currently trails.

Then again, there's a whole national campaign that hasn't been conducted yet, which is likely to have an effect on the outcome.

Electability is still a stupid argument.

Hat tip to Darryl, my guru on all things statistical.

Labels: 2008 General, Barack Obama, Electability, Hillary Clinton

…he doesn't actually have super powers, Bill Clinton's claims notwithstanding…

PARIS, KY. -- Bill Clinton raised the issue of seating FL and MI's delegates again today, telling a Kentucky audience that Barack Obama's camp is "desperate to disenfranchise" those states. He said Obama's team wants to prevent votes from being counted in upcoming states because they "know she can" win.

In fact, it's not within Barack Obama's power to disenfranchise anyone in the Democratic delegate selection process. That's a matter between the Democratic National Committee and the respective State Committees. The leadership of the Michigan and Florida Democratic Parties chose to use the results of procedures which they understood at the time of their decision were in violation of the Party rules. Whatever the reasons for their decisions, whether Republican mischief, pandering to local broadcasters hungry for early primary ad revenues or, well, whatever, they decided to break the rules, telling themselves that the national Party wouldn't dare enforce its rules. Michigan and Florida, after all, are too big, too important, too likely to provide make or break electoral votes in November. Obviously, states of such political import are above the rules, right.

Well, no again. It turns out that the people who make the rules and the people charged with enforcing the rules take the rules rather seriously. They've informed the Florida and Michigan Democrats that until they follow an approved delegate selection plan that respects the rules that the other 48 states and the various territorial and expatriate delegations have managed to adhere to, they needn't bother showing up.

Of course, it's not exactly 'disenfranchisement,' because absent an approved delegate selection process in the first place, there's no enfranchisement. Similarly, 're-vote' is a misnomer in this context, since there's never been a vote in an actual Democratic delegate selection process. All we've had in those states is what we were forced to endure here in the upper left - a state sanctioned straw poll conducted without the proper sanction of the Democratic Party. Of course, here in Washington, respectful of the rules, we don't use the state straw poll to select our delegates.

Nope, folks, it's not Obama. He didn't have the power to cause the problem, he doesn't have the power to solve the problem and he doesn't have the power to forestall a solution. He's something, alright, but he's not all that.

As far as votes in upcoming states, I haven't heard anyone suggest that the calendar be scrubbed. Every upcoming primary and caucus will be held, and there's nothing Barack Obama can do to stop those votes from being counted. We will not see an army of chino-clad Obamanites descending on Guam to stop the count by threats and intimidation. In every case, Democrats will vote, ballots will be tallied and the results will be announced. All within the rules of the Democratic Party.

I get that there's an element of anti-establishment sentiment out there, a small 'l' libertarianism that chafes at the concept of rules. I don't expect to find it among our presidential candidates or their top-tier surrogates. Overriding every other
issue in this election is the need to restore the principles of Constitutional government in the conduct of our national affairs. Enduring peace depends on it. Civil liberties are meaningless without it. Tax codes are trifles beside it. No, for Democratic victory to be meaningful, it must be a victory for the Constitution as well.

So, again, how can we be the Party of the rule of law if we aren't a Party that follows the rules?

And Bill? No she can't. But we could all lose.

Labels: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Delegates, Florida, Hillary Clinton, Michigan, Rules

Matt Stoller...

[W]hy should anyone listen to people who don't believe in global warming, think we're winning the war in Iraq (whatever that means), and believe the economy is basically fine?

Since you asked, no reason whatsoever.

Labels: Climate Change, Economy, Iraq, Repubicans

Things like this. Harry Reid…

I had a conversation with Governor Dean today. Things are being done.

…and this. Brent Budowsky…

I am detecting a significant “behind the scenes” change, in the last 48-72 hours, from a growing number of superdelegates who want the Clinton carnage to end and will soon be moved to action.

Is there a "superdelegate surge" coming? Will this one work?

Hmmm...

Labels: Brent Budowsky, Delegates, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Hmmm, Howard Dean, PLEOs, Super Delegates

+ 1 =

4001

Damn.

Labels: Iraq Fatalities

...since I'm piling on today...Where It Stands...

Labels: Bosnia, Hillary Clinton, Lies

"He would not have been my pastor. You don't choose your family, but you choose what church you want to attend."

…but that begs the question, who would be your pastor? And where do you worship?

Here?

Clinton's prayer group was part of the Fellowship (or "the Family"), a network of sex-segregated cells of political, business, and military leaders dedicated to "spiritual war" on behalf of Christ, many of them recruited at the Fellowship's only public event, the annual National Prayer Breakfast. (Aside from the breakfast, the group has "made a fetish of being invisible," former Republican Senator William Armstrong has said.) The Fellowship believes that the elite win power by the will of God, who uses them for his purposes. Its mission is to help the powerful understand their role in God's plan.

Do we have another candidate who believes she's divinely ordained? An Aimee Semple McPherson, as it were, to W's, say, Oral Roberts?

And your "spiritual mentor"?

The Fellowship leader is Doug Coe, who Clinton has described as "a unique presence in Washington: a genuinely loving spiritual mentor and guide to anyone, regardless of party or faith, who wants to deepen his or her relationship with God."

Coe's friends include former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Reaganite Edwin Meese III, and ultraconservative Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.). Under Coe's guidance, Meese has hosted weekly prayer breakfasts for politicians, businesspeople, and diplomats, and Pitts rose from obscurity to head the House Values Action Team, an off-the-record network of religious right groups and members of Congress created by Tom DeLay. The corresponding Senate Values Action Team is guided by another Coe protégé, Brownback...

I'll take Rev. Wright, thanks.

You really want to have this fight, Senator?

Hat tips to Mother Jones and The Booman Tribune.

Labels: Barack Obama, Doug Coe, Hillary Clinton, Jeremiah Wright, Religion, The Fellowship

Like who? Senator Clinton...

"So I made a mistake," she said. "That happens. It proves I’m human, which you know, for some people, is a revelation.”

I mean, is there someone, anyone, out there, who actually believes that Hillary's inhumanly perfect, incapable of error?

And what does it say if she actually imagines there might be?

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

Labels: Hillary Clinton

…meet fan.

"The cease-fire is over; we have been told to fight the Americans."

h/t Atrios.

Labels: Cease Fire, Iraq, Mahdi Army

Chris Bowers...

I mean, if you are arguing that you are better at answering the red phone at 3 a.m., it seems like a really good idea to claim that you misspoke about national security experience because you were too tired. It really instills a lot of confidence in the 3 a.m. claim.

Heh™.

Labels: Bosnia, Experience, Hillary Clinton, National Security

BAGHDAD — A cease-fire critical to the improved security situation in Iraq appeared to unravel Monday when a militia loyal to radical Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al Sadr began shutting down neighborhoods in west Baghdad and issuing demands of the central government.

Simultaneously, in the strategic southern port city of Basra, where Sadr's Mahdi militia is in control, the Iraqi government launched a crackdown in the face of warnings by Sadr's followers that they'll fight government forces if any Sadrists are detained. By 1 a.m. Arab satellite news channels reported clashes between the Mahdi Army and police in Basra.

Muqtada al Sadr. Didn't we kill him or capture him or something? No, huh?

Labels: Baghdad, Basra, Iraq, Mahdi Army, Muqtada al Sadr

"The president carries the biggest burden, obviously," Cheney said.

Labels: Cheney, George W. Bush, Iraq Fatalities

Cameron Fredman...

Total number of Commonwealths

CLINTON: 1 (Massachusetts)
OBAMA: 1 (Virginia)
Here the race is neck and neck, but Clinton is expected to take Pennsylvania. As there are only four commonwealths total, it is virtually impossible for Obama to beat Clinton on the Commonwealth count. If Clinton beats Obama in Kentucky, his claim that he has won more states will be canceled out by her claim that she has won more Commonwealths.

Heh™

There's more.

Labels: Barack Obama, Democratic Primary, Hillary Clinton, Humor, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvanial, Virginia

Daniel Kirkdorffer...

This game they keep playing is more than getting old, it is dead annoying. The only measure that counts in a primary race is the delegate count. Clinton claims that the Florida and Michigan penalties for running early primaries has disenfranchised voters in those states. So what does her camp do now? They disenfranchise every delegate already determined by suggesting those in the states she didn't win don't matter, only the electoral vote weight of the state matters.

The Democratic primary process is a proportional allotment system. If she wants a winner take all primary she should have run as a Republican.

Then again, it is becoming increasingly hard to tell whether she isn't already doing so.

Ouch.

Labels: Delegates, Democratic Primary, Florida, Hillary Clinton, Michigan

…from Katrina vanden Heuvel.

One in eight Americans -- approximately 37 million people -- now live below the federal poverty line of $19,971 for a family of four. (A woefully inadequate measure that is 42 years old and fails to account for basic necessities.)

Which reminds me of John Edwards. Remember John Edwards? Remember the candidates who were going to honor his commitment to the poor among us? Whatever happened to that?

Labels: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Poverty

My longtime online friend from another venue, Sharon Fisher, has filed for House Seat 21-A in the Idaho Legislature. I've followed Sharon's views and adventures via The Well for about 13 years, and she's just the kind of person I'd want representing me in the State House if I didn't already have two fine (and perfectly safe) Democratic State Reps already on the job.

Sharon's a certified community planner, journalist, Democratic activist and blogger - a perfect blend of the grassroots, the netroots and real expertise in the kinds of issues legislatures struggle with. Since it's not likely my own representatives will need any help, I'm making Sharon's campaign a cross-border adoptee for the duration. She's challenging in a currently Republican seat. She's the only Democrat on the ballot, while the incumbent has drawn a primary challenge on the GOP side.

She's off too a good start, drawing raves from Idaho's lefty blog blogosphere. Under the heading "great news," Red State Rebels makes note of that expertise...

Sharon Fisher, who really knows her way around the statehouse, has stepped up to the plate in District 21.

Tara Rowe at Political Game writes...

I'm very happy to see Sharon Fisher throwing her hat into the ring.

I'm very happy to see that kind of rapid postive response to Sharon's filing. You'll be hearing more. Contact and donation information ASAP.

Labels: Endorsements, Idaho, Legislature, Sharon Fisher

Get that?

4,000

Goddamn.

Labels: Iraq Fatalities

Peeps are little yellow marshmallow treats shaped like baby chicks. Marshmallow treats in other shapes and colors, attractive and tasty as they may be, are not the True Peep®.

Happy Easter to all y'all that celebrate.

Labels: Easter, Holidays, Peeps

Labels: Lyndon Johnson

…her head is down.



Hat tip to Dan Savage at Slog.

Labels: Bosnia, Experience, Hillary Clinton, Lies

Via The Real McCain Blog…

The "Bush-McCain policies," Obama continued...

No Third Term.
Y'all keep calling him out, Barack.

Labels: Barack Obama, George W. Bush, John McCain, McBush

Nicholas Kristof…

The improvement in Iraq amounts to casualty rates that have decreased to the unacceptable levels of 2005, no exit plan for years and a bill accumulating at almost $5,000 per second.

As The Poet told us long ago, there's no success like failure.

Labels: Iraq, Iraq Fatalities, Iraq Funding

...and it's completely random.

Dan Bern - one thing real
Art Pepper - Straight Life
Marshal Vente - Bright Moments
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Freaks For The Festival
Sonia Dada - Don't Go (Giving Your Love Away)
Steely Dan - East St. Louis Toodle-Do
Townes Van Zandt w/Freddy Fender - Pancho & Lefty
Julia Fordham - Jump
Merle Haggard - I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
David Gans - Sin City

Just the same, sometimes interesting relationships appear where none are planned. A Roland Kirk cover is rare, and to have it followed randomly by a Roland Kirk track seems almost impossible. Similarly, the set starts with Dan Bern and ends with David Gans. Last time I saw Gans, he was opening for Dan Bern.

Why? How? Hmmm...

Labels: Music, Random Ten

Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen…

Unless Clinton is able to at least win the primary popular vote — which also would take nothing less than an electoral miracle — and use that achievement to pressure superdelegates, she has only one scenario for victory. An African-American opponent and his backers would be told that, even though he won the contest with voters, the prize is going to someone else.

People who think that scenario is even remotely likely are living on another planet.

It's all over but the bloodletting, which needs to end.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

Labels: Barack Obama, Delegates, Hillary Clinton

Bill Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama is worth a little more than the Governor's own PLEO credentials, I'm sure. It's a good news story involving a high-profile Democrat who is better regarded than his primary performances might indicate. He's been a Clinton ally for decades and earlier on might have been expected to take her side, so there's a bit of a signal to former Clintonistas still hanging on the sidelines.

Another endorsement came down last week, though, that got less attention and may yield higher dividends...

The Oregon Council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. The union's executive board made the endorsement today (March 15) in Portland.

AFSCME, of course, is a long-time Clinton union, and the heart and soul of the labor coalition she has cobbled together while staking her claim as the exit-poll champion of working class Democrats. For Oregon AFSCME to make this break, at this time, may signal a new push for labor solidarity. While they've put themselves at odds with their national leadership (only Illinois, where AFSCME has stuck with their favorite son, has broken ranks before this), but they're hardly lonely at home…

With the Obama endorsement, Oregon AFSCME joins the other biggest unions in Oregon supporting Obama in the Oregon primary, including the Oregon Education Association, the Teamsters, Service Employees International Union, the United Food and Commercial Workers and others.

At the very least, it should contribute to an even larger margin of victory for Obama in Oregon, where 52 delegates are at stake. Does that matter? Well, if you think the Richardson endorsement is meaningful, consider where they sent him first to deliver it in person.

Labels: AFSCME, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Endorsements, Labor, Oregon

Via Political Wire…

"If there is simply a caving on this, we'll end up with primaries on Halloween."

DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Chairman James Roosevelt Jr., in an interview with the Boston Globe, saying Florida and Michigan delegates will not be seated at the Democratic convention.

Sic 'em, Mr. Chairman! We can't claim t0 be the Party of the rule of law if we can't follow our own rules.

Labels: Delegates, Democratic National Convention, Democratic Party, Florida, Michigan, Rules

Not the frog-march of my dreams, maybe, but something…

WASHINGTON -- Former top White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was banned Thursday from practicing law in the nation's capital following his perjury conviction in the case of a CIA operative's leaked identity.

Labels: Scooter Libby

…but, well, since he asked. Steve Soto...

Is toppling Saddam so important that it warranted a trillion dollars of crippling debt, a busted military, thousands of dead innocents, a new haven for Al Qaeda, and the destruction of an occupied country?

Since you asked, no.

Labels: Al Qaeda, Iraq, Iraq Funding, Saddam Hussein

Barbara Ehrenreich…

Obama has given a beautiful speech on race and his affiliation with the Trinity Unity Church of Christ. Now it's up to Clinton to explain -- or, better yet, renounce -- her longstanding connection with the fascist-leaning Family.

For instance, is this really so?

...the Family takes credit for some of Clinton's rightward legislative tendencies, including her support for a law guaranteeing "religious freedom" in the workplace, such as for pharmacists who refuse to fill birth control prescriptions and police officers who refuse to guard abortion clinics.

Senator?

Labels: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Religion

Brent Budowsky...

Have You No Shame, Lanny Davis?

Since you asked, apparently not.

Labels: Brent Budowsky, Democratic Primary, Lannie Davis

I mean, I know it, but I don't expect to hear 'em admit it out loud...

RADDATZ: Two-third of Americans say it’s not worth fighting.

CHENEY: So?

RADDATZ So? You don’t care what the American people think?

CHENEY: No.

A point for honesty, I suppose, but damn...

Labels: Cheney, Iraq

3990 US fatalities.

40,229 US casualties

An untold (literally) number of Iraqis dead, tortured and maimed.

Hundreds of trillions of dollars pissed away on no bid contracts for inferior goods and shoddy services.

And the headline?

President Bush: Iraq War Must Go On
Until, I suppose, God does damn us.

Damn.

Labels: George W. Bush, Iraq, Iraq Fatalities, Iraq Funding

Probably even. Senator Obama...

"Just yesterday, we heard Sen. McCain confuse Sunni and Shiite, Iran and Al Qaeda. Maybe that is why he voted to go to war with a country that had no Al Qaeda ties. Maybe that is why he completely fails to understand that the war in Iraq has done more to embolden America's enemies than any strategic choice that we have made in decades."

In fact, I'm pretty sure.

The reason McCain keeps getting it wrong is because he simply doesn't know, and he doesn't care to know.

And like his friend in the White House, he doesn't care about you, either.

Hat tip to AMERICAblog.

Labels: Al Qaeda, Barack Obama, Iraq, John McCain

"You have nothing to lose but your links!"

Heh™.

Labels: Blogs, Hillary Clinton, Humor, Kos, Strike

…human activity can't possibly have anything to do with this...

“The thickest, oldest and toughest sea ice around the North Pole is melting, a bad sign for the future of the Arctic ice cap, NASA satellite data showed on Tuesday.”

Of course.

Labels: Arctic Ice Cap, Climate Change, Environment, Science

…and yet so very wrong. Kos...

First of all, the only path to victory for Clinton is via coup by super delegate.

She knows this. That's why there's all the talk about poaching pledged delegates and spinning uncertainty around Michigan and Florida, and laying the case for super delegates to discard the popular will and stage a coup.

Yet a coup by super delegate would sunder the party in civil war.

Clinton knows this, it's her only path to victory, and she doesn't care. She is willing -- nay, eager to split the party apart in her mad pursuit of power.

Labels: Florida, Hillary Clinton, Michigan, PLEOs

“It’s clear. This election they’re having is not going to count for anything.”

Senator Clinton, before she "won" the election that didn't count for anything.

And then the fog rolled in.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Michigan Primary

...or just wish you were...


And if you're anywhere near the perfect tavern, drop by for some corned beef and green beer. Happy St. Pat's.

Labels: Holidays, St. Patrick's Day, The Perfect Tavern

Labels: Lyndon Johnson

...a random ten.

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels - Little Latin Lupe Lu
Jerry Dugger - Papa La Ska
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr. Bojangles
Marshall Chapman - Leaving Loachapoka
Carrie Newcomer - Straight To The Point
Diana Krall - Do It Again
Jack McTanney - Mr. Ford
Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love
Emmylou Harris - Together Again
Little Milton - Cheatin' Is A Risky Business

Labels: Music, Random Ten

I'm working on the template and some graphic storage options, so things could get even more futzed up than usual around here. Hang tough. When I'm done, Upper Left will be, well, maybe not bigger and better, but at least newer and bluer...

Labels: Blogging, Upper Left

Todd at The Blue State likes it...

Make both Florida and Michigan split their delegates 50-50 between Obama and Clinton, then call it done.

Me? Not so much.

The solution is for the Democratic central committees of Florida and Michigan to submit new delegate selection plans to the DNC and follow them to assemble a slate of delegates to the National Convention. It doesn't matter what mechanism they use as long as the DNC approves, and I've got a hunch the DNC would cast a pretty approving eye on almost anything rational. Those are the rules, that's all that matters.

Seating the MI and FL delegations only on the condition that they be, in effect, irrelevant? I really don't get the appeal.

This isn't about the nomination. This is about the rules, the only real infrastructure the Party has. If we don't enforce those rules, do we really have a Party at all?

Labels: Barack Obama, Delegates, Democratic National Convention, Florida, Hillary Clinton, Michigan, Rules

Hat tip to BlatherWatch.

Labels: Democrats, Humor, Republicans

After all, there are young blond women in peril all over the world.


Hat tip to Meteor Blades.

Labels: Iraq, Media Bias

The Speaker…

“The president is wrong and he knows it.”

Of course, Nancy's a lady. Propriety is the enemy of candor in this case, I'm afraid. What she means, of course, is that the preznit is a…

Labels: George W. Bush, Lies, Speaker Pelosi

From Joe Sudbay...

It's always the loser who wants to change the rules.

Labels: Delegates, Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton, Rules

Deeply sorry? Not really. Or, at least, not comparably…



Hat tip to Where It Stands.

Labels: Eliot Spitzer, New York, Resignation

…according to Yglesias...

"...when Republicans are president, we do what Republicans want with the military, whereas when Democrats are president, we do what Republicans want with the military."

Me too. So, I wonder, who's most likely to change that?

Oh hell, no I don't…at least, I know who it won't be.

Labels: Armed Forces, Democrats, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Repubicans

Blue Texan...

Funny, when the Bush/McCain Surge was announced, I don't recall the stated goal being reducing the level of violence in Iraq to 2005 levels, while the Mahdi army takes a breather.

Labels: George W. Bush, Iraq, John McCain, Mahdi Army, Surge

Jeff Fecke…

You know, if Barack Obama is where he is based on his race, and Hillary Clinton is where she is based on her gender, then Cynthia McKinney should be an unstoppable force come election day.

Labels: Barack Obama, Cynthia McKinney, Gender, Hillary Clinton, Identity Politics, Race

Between 125,000 and 150,000 voters were expected to cast ballots Tuesday, according to Pamela Weaver of the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office.

While the number would represent a 25 to 50 percent increase in turnout from the 2004 primaries, Weaver still described the voting rate as light to moderate.

With 99% of the precincts reporting, some 551,409 votes had been counted, 408,293 of them on the Democratic side of the ballot.

I wonder how Ms. Weaver would describe that?

Labels: Democratic Primary, Mississippi, Turnout

America is the kind of country that tortures people…

The 225-188 roll call Tuesday by which the House failed to override President Bush's veto of a bill that would have prohibited the CIA from using waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques on terrorist suspects.

My America is gone. I want it back.

Labels: America, George W. Bush, Override, Torture, US House, Vetoes

…from litbrit.

What If Geraldine Ferraro's Convicted-Felon Son Had Been Black?

'Cause, you know, black guys get all the breaks.

Labels: Geraldine Ferraro, Justice, Race

…let the shiny scenery pass and concentrate on real obstacles in the road forward. Lloyd Constantine, senior advisor to Gov. Eliot Spitzer…

"It is more correct to say that he is not resigning."

My last word until he does.

Labels: Eliot Spitzer, Lloyd Constantine, Resignation

The Hotline…

The crowd last night booed Clinton several times when Obama mentioned her name.

Not sure that helps, but only one thing will solve it…

Labels: Barack Obama, Democratic Primary, Hillary Clinton

Obama adviser Greg Craig...

"As far as the record shows, Senator Clinton never answered the phone either to make a decision on any pressing national security issue -- not at 3 AM or at any other time of day."

Hat tip to AMERICAblog.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, John McCain, National Security

Override?

The Speaker's blog has a round up of links and excerpts for a dozen editorials from major newspapers from coast to coast (including the P.I.) calling for an override of the Intelligence Authorization veto over its anti-torture provisions. It's shaping up to be a fight we can win.

Whatever you think we were, or should be, right now America, by executive edict, is the kind of country that tortures people.

The Constitution? Pish. International treaties? Tosh.

Someone scared the Preznit and now we torture people.

Override? Damn straight.

Sic 'im, Madam Speaker.

Labels: Intelligence, Override, Speaker Pelosi, Torture, Vetoes

Senator Obama…

"You have to make a choice in this election. Are you gonna go along with the past, or are you gonna go towards the future? Are you gonna do the same old thing, or are you gonna try something new?"

Labels: Barack Obama, Change, Choice, Democratic Primary

…we all scream for ice cream!

Labels: Barack Obama, Humor