One from the memory hole.

Senator McCain, via Chris Bowers...

"It doesn't take a great deal of effort to get shot down."

That, too, is a fact.

More explicitly…

…if less colorfully, General Clark reiterates…

John McCain is running his campaign on his experience and how his experience would benefit him and our nation as President. That experience shows courage and commitment to our country - but it doesn't include executive experience wrestling with national policy or go-to-war decisions.

And that's a fact, Jack.

Truth.

From Steve Benen...

Clark didn’t criticize McCain’s war record or military service at all. Not once. Not even a little.

…which leaves me somewhat disappointed by the Obama response. “No one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides…" intoned the Senator. Fair enough, no one did. This, though, is a thought that needs to be rethunk…

"We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Full stop.”

Actually, from time to time our men and women in uniform do some dreadful things, things for which they deserve no gratitude at all, and there's nothing sillier than the idea that every veteran, by virtue having served in any fashion, deserves the presidency.

Military service is, like education or occupation, a meaningful resume point for a candidate, but that meaning is dependent on the nature of the service, and the simple fact is that McCain's service was notable only for the victimization he suffered at the hands of his North Vietnamese captors. General Clark's central point, that McCain's military resume lacks the kind of command experience that might translate into a degree of preparation for the role of Commander In Chief.

As Benen notes, the heart of the problem with Obama's response is that it "...implicitly accepts the criticism offered by the media and the right — that Clark was attacking McCain’s military service, despite the fact that never actually happened."

We saw something similar in Obama's response to Reverend Wright's National Press Club appearance. While there were doubtless points on which Wright's comments could be challenged, the objections Obama raised were, again, to things that weren't said, that didn't happen.

Hardly my first instance of disappointment with Barack Obama, and almost certainly not my last, but that's why he wasn't my first choice going into the nomination campaign (nor my second choice, for that matter). He is, however, my nominee, and my disappointments hardly rise to the levels of abhorrence inspired by the prospect of a McSame presidency.

Worth repeating.

Arianna on McCain, via Steve Benen...

He denied ever talking with John Kerry about his leaving the GOP to be Kerry’s ‘04 running mate — then later admitted he had, insisting: “Everybody knows that I had a conversation.”

He denied admitting that he didn’t know much about economics, even though he’d said exactly that to the Wall Street Journal. And the Boston Globe. And the Baltimore Sun.

He denied ever having asked for a budget earmark for Arizona, even though he had. On the record.

He denied that he’d ever had a meeting with comely lobbyist Vicki Iseman and her client Lowell Paxon, even though he had. And had admitted it in a legal deposition.

And those are just the outright denials. He’s also repeatedly tried to spin away statements he regretted making (see: 100-year war, Iraq was a war for oil, etc.).

McCain has decided to make Obama's decision to opt out of the public financing system an issue of trust. I don't entirely disagree with the premise, but my conclusion is, unsurprisingly, somewhat different.

Indeed, by creating the opportunity for Americans to invest in a campaign whose success is staked on involving historic numbers of individual contributors, Obama displays a trust in the people that enhances my trust in him. I'm reassured, as well, that he wouldn't dogmatically stick to a position when the facts on the ground shifted in a way that affords this historic opportunity. If he were to accept public financing in the current enviroment, he would betray his trust in us, which is one of the strongest causes for trust in him.

Quote of the day.

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president."

General Wesley Clark, USA (Ret.)

Me neither, sir.

And now...

I'd say the risk level is about 100%...

The Telegraph has learned that the former president's rage is still so great that even loyal allies are shocked by his patronising attitude to Mr Obama, and believe that he risks damaging his own reputation by his intransigence.

Question for y'all. Just what is Bill Clinton's reputation these days?

To everything, turn, turn, turn…

…there is a season. It's Pete's turn.


Sign the petition.

As usual...

...an unusually randon ten.

The Fugees - No Woman, No Cry
Jessi Colter - His Eye Is On The Sparrow
Marshal Vente with Anna Dawson - Chicago
Les McCann & Eddie Harris - Compared To What
Black 47 - Green Suede Shoes
MC5 - Kick Out The Jams
Elliot Kendall - Le Hot Show Theme, Pt. 1
George Jones - Here In The Real World
Christopher Cortez - Lullaby Of Birdland
Saylor White - For All We Know

What "success" looks like.

Via Democracy Now...

In Iraq, at least forty-one people were killed in separate bombings Thursday. Twenty Iraqis were killed along with three U.S. marines at a tribal council meeting in Anbar province. Another eighteen people were killed and eighty wounded in a car bomb attack in the northern city of Mosul. Thirteen Americans including two civilians have died in Iraq since Monday. Twenty-nine U.S. servicemembers have been killed in June, making it one of the bloodiest periods for the U.S. military in several months. At least fifty Iraqis have died in the same stretch.

Friday Mars blogging.

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice.

Obama's got big ones.

Goals, that is...

"If I haven’t gotten combat troops out of Iraq, passed universal health care and created a new energy policy that speaks to our dependence on foreign oil and deals seriously with global warming, then we’ve missed the boat."

Hat tip to Howie.

Making a list…

…checking it twice. Mike Lux at Open Left lists the "...the 10 most important races for this cycle outside of the Presidential." The Minnesota Senate seat gets the number one spot, for reasons I find understandable if not thoroughly convincing. Number 2? That's Darcy...

2. Burner/Reichert. An up-from-the-grassroots progressive, linked closely to the netroots movement, taking out a staunch conservative in a classic swing district? Nothing would be sweeter, or a better symbol of progressive resurgence. Of all the House races, this also goes to the top of the list because of Darcy's authorship of the Responsible Plan to End the War. We need to win this one.

Yes, we do. In fact, while the Franken race may rank above WA-8 in terms of visibility and a degree of symbolic value, I'd argue that the Burner/Reichert race is a more significant bellwether. Not only do we need to win this one, but if we don't we're likely to see a lot of other opportunities slipping away across the map.

As for the Senate, I'm still putting Tom Allen's race against That Woman From Maine at the top of my list. Allen/Collins is tied on the Lux list for 4/5 with the Oregon contest.

But hey, why argue? Let's win 'em all.

(You can, of course, help Darcy and Tom win theirs by chipping in at the Upper Left ActBlue page.)

From the "By their fruits…" file.

Gary Hart…

The Republican coalition — composed of the religious right on social issues, the radical tax cutters or “supply-siders” on economic issues, and the neoconservatives on foreign policy — has produced only superficial religiosity, a failed war and record deficits.

Heckuva job.

From the "Lest we forget" file.

JFK aide Ted Sorensen...

"When people say 'Obama is way too young' they forget that at 46 he's an old geezer compared to Kennedy."

Encouraging words…

...via Time...

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States."

…but if it was all that obvious, would they really have to say so? Perhaps the point could be better made by doing something.

John McCain is aware of the psychology.

Via First Read...

Yesterday, McCain admitted that his offshore drilling proposal would probably have mostly "psychological" benefits, NBC/NJ’s Adam Aigner-Treworgy reports.

It makes him feel better to pretend he's doing something.

Well, isn't that nice.

“John McCain is aware of the Internet.”

And the internet is aware of John McCain.

Hat tip to Oliver.

Damn.

George Carlin
1937-2008
R.I.P.

And now...

Movin' on up…

…on the Eastside.

The WaPo's Chris Cillizza moves WA-8 up a couple notches (from 19 to 17) on his list of Congressional seats most likely to change hands. He credits Darcy Burner with being "an improved candidate," but sees a win coming from Presidential coattails...

If Obama wins big in the 8th, he is likely to carry Burner along with him.

Yep, that's likely. I'm not sure those coattails are essential to Democratic victory in the 8th, but they'd certainly be helpful. That's true, I suspect, for seat after seat, in state after state. If Obama wins as big as I think he should, and believe he can, it could change the Congressional map dramatically.

Hat tip to Goldy.

Saturday sheep blogging.

This morning the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left and I journeyed to Fall City Farms, scheduled site of the August wedding of the Elder Daughter of Upper Left and her Perpetually Pleasing Partner. These were our tour guides...



Actually, it's a beautiful spot. Catering presents a couple of challenges, but some real opportunities, as well. And the girls love it, which is what really counts.

It's nice to have a Congressman…

…who cares about my civil liberties.

Rep. James McDermott [D, WA-7] voted 'Nay' on the question: On Passage: H R 6304 FISA Amendments Act of 2008 regarding H.R.6304 To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence, and for other purposes.

Those "other purposes" will get ya' every time...

And then they played...

...ten tunes. Randomly.

Elvis Presley - His Latest Flame
Russ Freeman & Shelly Manne - On Green Dolphin Street
Fred Martin & The Levite Camp - Lives In The Balance
David Gans - Normal
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Dem Red Beans And Rice
Red Meat - Under The Wrench
Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels - Love Hurts
Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Waiting For A Train
Chad & Jeremy - A Summer Song
Indigo Swing - That's Where My Money Goes

Heh™.

Hat tip to AMERICAblog.

Good point…

…by Jonathan Chait.

First, terrorists often operate in our country, or in friendly countries, which makes military action against them tricky. McCain (through his campaign blog) assailed Obama for favoring “prosecutors rather than predators.” But, when the terrorists are holed up in New York City, as was the case with the 1993 bombers Obama referred to, simply arresting them strikes me as more efficient than leveling their apartment with a drone-fired missile.

Me too.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

Friday Mars blogging.

NASA says "bumpy boulder." I'm thinking maybe petrified Martian...

The days of our lives…

…via Hunter.

Days Since McCain Dared Obama To Eat A Bug: 54
Days Since McCain Demanded New Policy Of '5 Do-Overs Per Debate': 12
Days Since McCain "Forgot" One Of His Previous Positions: 0.5
Days Since McCain Demanded Obama Get Off His Lawn: 3
Days Since McCain Mentioned He Was a POW In Vietnam: 0
Days Since McCain Mentioned He Doesn't Like To Use His POW Experience As Political Tool: 0
Days Since McCain Last Praised Bush Policy Of Refusing POW Status Or Any Other Legal Recourse To Detainees: 1
Days Since McCain Toured Iraqi Marketplace With 100+ Troops And Air Support, Declaring It Safe: 445
Days Since Last Iraqi Marketplace Bombing Killing More Than 50 People: 2
Days Since The Republican Party Had An Original Idea: 3,284

From the "Worth remembering" file.

Whenever you hear someone explain that no one has ever been elected President of the United States (without) (except) (until) (etc.), it's worth remembering that hardly anyone has ever been elected President Of the United States. Even fewer of these United States.

Tuesday night tunes.

What I did last night...

Jamaica Farewell>Margaritaville
Runaround Sue
Last Kiss
Good Hearted Woman
Night Rider's Lament
Front Porch Song
Grandpa Was A Carpenter
One Too Many Mornings
Love The One You're With>4+20>LTOYW
Kansas City>Sweet Home Chicago

Christmastime In Washington
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Big Old Goofy World
Angel From Montgomery
Pancho And Lefty
He Went To Paris
Ain't No Sunshine
Up On The Roof>Under The Boardwalk
Blue Suede Shoes>Matchbox>Roll Over Beethoven
Redneck Mother
This Land Is Your Land

Duet, with the irrepressible Smitty on second guitar and voice for most of the first set, trio, with Smitty and Piano Bill for most of the second. Big fun.

Best cat blogging...

...ever.

It's a nice thing, I suppose…

…but did anyone expect Al Gore to endorse someone else at this point?

And no, I'm still not over NAFTA. Or Holy Joe.

Sounds like my kind of book…

…by my kind of Democrat. Robert Wexler (D-FL) is a Fire Breathing Liberal...

"I want to proclaim on every page of this book that I am a liberal Democrat and proud of it."

Good questions…

…from John Aravosis.

Will top Hillary surrogate Lanny Davis be using his perch atop FOX News to sabotage Obama's candidacy? And if so, will Hillary do anything about it?

Hillary has made a full, gracious and, I believe, sincere endorsement of Barack Obama, but that's clearly not enough for all of her followers. Davis is a professional Clintonian, and was one of Hillary's most ardent and most offensive adherents. He's demonstrably willing to throw the Democratic Party under the bus if he thinks it will help advance the Clinton cause. How responsible should she be for his activities going forward? Would a personal directive from the Clintons be enough to curb him?

I don't know, but I think just such a directive should be made, and if Davis' ensuing activities detract from the Democratic ticket, they should denounce him.

Reject, even...

Politics?

Politics can wait. I'm off to watch Tiger.

Just the facts.

· McCain has repeatedly voted against amendments in the Senate that would have...covered such important services as improving care at veterans’ hospitals, providing mental health services to soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse problems. [2006 Senate Vote #7, 2/2/2006]

· In 2006, McCain voted against the Kerry amendment that would eliminate increased fees and co-payments for veterans in the TRICARE health care program by raising the discretionary spending limit by approximately $10 billion. The provisions would have been fully offset by eliminating creating corporate tax breaks. [2006 Senate Vote #67, 3/16/2006]

· McCain was one of only 13 Republicans to vote against an amendment that added over $400 million for inpatient and outpatient care for veterans. [2006 Senate Vote #98, 4/26/2006]

· McCain voted against increasing funding for veterans health care by $2.8 billion in 2006. [2005 Senate Vote #55, 3/16/2005]

· McCain joined his Republican Senate cohorts in opposing exempting all military personnel and veterans from means testing in bankruptcy cases. [2005 Senate Vote #13, 3/1/2005]

· McCain opposed an amendment that would reduce from 60 to 55 the age at which certain members of the National Guard and Army reserves could receive retirement benefits. [2004 Senate Vote #136, 6/23/2004]

· Senator McCain opposed $322 million in funding for "battlefield clearance and safety equipment for U.S. troops in Iraq." A reduction in Iraqi reconstruction funds would have funded the additional protection for troops in the battlefield. [2003 Senate Vote #376, 10/2/2003]

· McCain voted against an amendment that would increase spending on the veterans health care program TRICARE by $20.3 billion over 10 years to members of the National Guard and Reserves. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts. [2003 Senate Vote #81, 3/25/2003]

· McCain opposed an amendment that would have increased veterans spending by $13 billion from 1997-2002 to be offset by closing corporate tax preferences and reinstating expired taxes. [1996 Senate Vote #115, 5/16/1996]

See BarbinMD for excellent analysis.

Can it be coincidence...

...that in the wake of a unified, enthusiastic Democratic State Convention in Spokane, the Sun is finally shining in Seattle? Happy days, indeed.

And now...

"Why...

...wondered the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left, "didn't you like Tim Russert?"

Actually, I didn't know him. Seems that most who did liked him very much. I only knew his work, and on that score, count me with The Editors.

Some intriguing covers...

...in this weeks random ten.

Bob Seeger - Turn On Your Love Light
Marvin Gaye - One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
Dean Martin - Bumming Around
Clarence Bucaro - Light Me A Candle
Bob Dylan - Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Otis Redding - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
Merle Haggard - Misery And Gin
Miles Davis - It Never Entered My Mind
Joe Williams w/Ben Webster - Alright, OK, You Win
Jackalope Junction - Just Drive

Otis doing JB or Marvin doing Frank? It's a question that should only be answered "Yes."

So, anybody got a favorite cover to share? Terry?

Encouraging words...

…from Daniel Kirkdorffer, covering the Democratic State Convention in Spokane…

I should mention that there has been absolutely no disharmony between Clinton and Obama supporters. As far as I can tell this Convention is being attended by Democrats, and that's what matters most.

That's how it should be. Good to hear that's how it is.

R.I.P.

Tim Russert.

Can't say I was a fan, but he was an institution. I guess it's a measure of how old I am that I find myself surprised at how young he was.

Friday Mars blogging.

The lander looks home...



h/t Fixer.

Good move.

I'm a little surprised it took so long.

The truth about McCain?

Wes Clark nails it...

“The truth is that, in national security terms, he’s largely untested and untried.”

Thank you, General.

One of the frustrations of this campaign has been the willingness of too many on our side to concede that John McCain has, primarily because of his personal history, some special understanding of national security and military issues. In fact, his military career was remarkable primarily for a lack of success or distinction.

A legacy admit to the Naval Academy, he finished near the last of his class. His time as a Naval aviator ended in catastrophic failure. Most of his remaining career was spent as a Navy lobbyist with their Senate Liaison Office (explaining, perhaps, his apparent affinity for the Gucci Gulch crowd to this day), trading his on his post-imprisonment celebrity in political circles for friendly budget consideration from some who would soon enough be his colleagues.

Nothing about that career suggests special insight into broader issues of military readiness or geo-political conflict. He has never held a combat command, or planned a battle, or coordinated forces. There is nothing in his dated military experience that is any more relevant to serving as the commander in chief of a super power in the 21st century than there is in, say, mine, or millions of other ex-soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have served honorably, sometimes courageously.

McCain? Untested and untried. That's the truth.

OK, then…

…maybe it was worth it. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe…

I am proud to announce that our presidential campaign will be the first in a generation to deploy and maintain staff in every single state.

The network of volunteers and the infrastructure built up during the historic primary season — on behalf of all the Democratic campaigns — have given us an enormous and unprecedented opportunity in the general election.

Of course, Obama won't win 50 states, but the down-ballot impact of a truly national campaign has huge potential for Democratic hopes for Congress, Governors and legislatures. If that turns out to be the legacy of an extended nominating process Hillary could turn out to be the Democratic MVP after all.

Actually, George…

Via ol' Doc Streak…

Phrases such as “bring them on” or “dead or alive”, he said, “indicated to people that I was, you know, not a man of peace”.

…it wasn't anything you said. OK, it was. But we could have gotten over that if it weren't for the whole, you know, starting a costly and disasterous war thing...

Tuesday night tunes.

While the hoi polloi was off Drinking Liberally, I was busy committing felony folk music at the perfect tavern (defining folk music as music folks make). Here's what you missed…

It's A Big Old Goofy World
Front Porch Song
Jamaica Farewell
Younger Generation
The Mary Ellen Carter
Love The One You're With>4+20>Love The One You're With
Racing In The Street
Runaround Sue
One Too Many Mornings
Pack Up Your Sorrows
This Land Is Your Land

Break

Christmastime In Washington
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Do-Re-Mi
Illegal Smile
Ripple
Pancho And Lefty
Slip Slidin' Away
Colours
Suzanne
Night Rider's Lament
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
The Wanderer
Kansas City>Sweet Home Chicago

Way New® brand sovereignty…

…by BushCo™. You know, the kind where your fate rests on the decisions other countries make for you…like Bush and the Saudis, or this...

Iraqi lawmakers say the United States is demanding 58 bases as part of a proposed ’status of forces’ agreement that will allow U.S. troops to remain in the country indefinitely. Leading members of the two ruling Shiite parties said in a series of interviews the Iraqi government rejected this proposal along with another U.S. demand that would have effectively handed over to the United States the power to determine if a hostile act from another country is aggression against Iraq.

Hat tip to The Carpetbagger Report.

The Articulator-In-Chief…

…via WIIIAI.

“I articulated a policy that I had been articulating ever since I had been the President. It’s the same policy, which is we believe in a strong dollar.”

And ponies, with little horns on their noses. Them, too.

Bipartisanship…

…at least in a nostalgic sense, seems to be busting out all over. Diane shares a little Ike love over at Tough Donkey, sending me scrambling for the latest fundraising missive from my own personal Congressman, which leads off with these words worth repeating...

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, and the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross."

Dwight David Eisenhower
April 16, 1953

Remember respecting the office and the man, regardless of party? You must be near as old as I am...

The Case for Biden…

…is, I admit, pretty appealing.

Then again...

Would you buy a used strategy from this man?

The Hill…

Newt Gingrich, who led the GOP takeover of the House in 1994, is now coaching Republicans on how to recapture the Senate.

You remember, the guy who closed the federal government over a perceived personal slight and lost his speakership when his party started losing seats again in '98. This guy...

Eighty-four ethics charges were filed against Speaker Gingrich during his term, including claiming tax-exempt status for a college course run for political purposes. Following an investigation by the House Ethics Committee, Gingrich was sanctioned for US$300,000 after the House Ethics Committee concluded that inaccurate information supplied to investigators represented "intentional or ... reckless" disregard of House rules.

Heck, maybe we should be paying him to help them.

Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Mays, Sosa and…

Junior!



Good job. Phone home.

Why we fight.

Steve M. ...

"...it's the age of blogs, and soon corrections will be issued, I'm sure."

The last four years have been pretty amazing in blogtopia (™ Skippy). So many stories corrected, rumors quashed, issues emphasized, even some battles won. Blogging's not enough, of course. As avenues of activism go, blogging, especially for one-man C-listers like Upper Left (perhaps I flatter myself) is a pretty narcissistic time sink. Still, it's become a legitimate and effective avenue of activism.

But y'all should still join me in hitting the streets for your candidates.

Sermonette…

…from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture...



This church is across the street from the US capitol. Lots of churches are involved. Lots of pictures here, each one a mitzvah.

And now...

With all due respect, Senator McCain...

"I hate war. And I know how terrible its costs are."

…on behalf of my buddy Steve, whose primary injury from hand to hand combat at Khe Sahn didn't even have a name when he brought it home, locked in his brain, and the Big Bro' of Upper Left, whose scars cover metal still embedded after forty some years, and all of us who lived on the ground in full view of the daily consequences of our deeds and decisions, you haven't got a clue.

Classy.

Via georgia10...

On the heels of Senator Clinton's excellent speech today, the Obama camp has set up a thank-you page where you can leave a comments of support for her.

I do wonder, though, when some concern will be shown for Obama supporters. Grace in victory is a key to the unity we desire and require. A little humility in defeat equally so. Hillary seems to be doing her best on that score. Hopefully her most ardent supporters will quickly follow suit and credit our nominee with a victory well and honestly earned.

Yep.

Steve Benen...

At this point, the general election campaign is only going to be five months long. The right obviously has to pick up the pace, squeezing as much stupidity as they can into a limited time frame.

Whether it's fist bumps, church bulletins or phantom films, it's gonna be silly season for awhile. Knowing they can't win on the issues, the Republicans have a well established tradition of just making stuff up, and the press has an equally entrenched habit of lending credence to the Republican tales. Sometimes I think concern trolling is a required course in J schools everywhere.

You're going to hear a lot of "Did you hear…" from your friends in the coming weeks. "It's a lie" will invariably be an accurate, if not always adequate response.

Quote of the day.

Senator Clinton…

"The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion and our strength and do everything we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president."

Thanks, Senator. You made history. Now let's make some more together. We're all better off when we're all on the same side.

Random?

Oh yeah...

Chet Baker - My Foolish Heart
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - You And Me And The Bottle Makes 3
Del Rey & The Devils - Whiskey Dick
The Band - All La Glory
Christopher Williams - Take Me Higher
Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham - The Dark End Of The Street
Jackson Browne - Somebody's Baby
Frank Sinatra - When I Take My Sugar To Tea
Otis Redding - Mr. Pitiful
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Freaks For The Festival

Me neither.

Hat tip to Pamela Leavey, who has sage counsel for these folks.

Friday Mars blogging.

Sunset on the red planet...



Hat tip to Hubris Sonic.

Progressive?

Check.
Gender balance? Check.
Regional balance? Check.
Against the war from the beginning? Check.
Veteran's best friend in the Senate? Check.
Respected by colleagues? Check.
Beloved by constituents? Check.
Appealing to Team Clinton? Check.

So, why not Patty?

Closing the back door…

NEW YORK -- In his first order of business as his party's presumed presidential nominee, Barack Obama is instructing the Democratic National Committee to adopt his policy against accepting donations from federal lobbyists or political action committees.

I'm not sure he has any authority except in a moral sense to "instruct" the DNC, especially before the primary results are ratified by the Convention, but it's a heck of a message to send.

If we really wanted a "change" candidate, it sounds like we're really getting one.

Not just a bunker mentality…

…but an actual bunker. Hillary spent the last primary night...

...2 stories below ground in a cinderblock no-frills gym on Manhattan's Lower East Side, there are also NO televisions......Tonight, no TV's, cell phones and blackberries don't work down here...no contact with the outside world.

And people used to call the Obama crew cultish.

While folks were busy…

…voting, counting and speaking, I was off committing a public act of folk music at the perfect tavern. A set list to ponder while I catch up on the evening's events...

Jamaica Farewell
Faces And Places
Grandpa Was A Carpenter
Younger Generation
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Do Re Mi
Deportee
Pancho And Lefty
Political Science
Illegal Smile
In The Jailhouse Now
Midnight Choir

Break

Front Porch Song
Night Rider's Lament
Waiting For A Train
Who Do You Love>Mona>Who Do You Love (for Bo)
Kansas City>Sweet Home Chicago
The Wanderer
Under The Boardwalk>Up On The Roof
Christmastime In Washington
The Mary Ellen Carter
Forty-Five Years
Whiskey
Chocktaw Bingo
Pie In The Sky (for Utah)
Irene Goodnight

From the "Better late…" file.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday...

True enough, if you're talking about a Tuesday in February. For all the complaints about the media tilt toward Obama, most coverage has seemed remarkably indulgent of the persistent Clinton spin that there's been significant doubt about the eventual outcome for some time. Granted, that indulgence has been granted largely for the media's own purposes - there's a big election news hole to fill between disappearing blondes and philandering athletes - but there it's been.

Complaints about misogyny in the coverage aren't unfounded, but when's the last time a primary candidate lost ten consecutive contests and was still lauded as a contender? Coverage is always a mixed bag, but sometimes bad press is just the inevitable result of a bad campaign, and at times the Clinton campaign has proven to be very bad indeed, squandering their opening advantages in cash, networking and recognition, delivering a progressively more muddled message that seems to have come down to "Hillary should win because she should," and possibly sacrificing decades of good will and influence in the Democratic Party by the time she comes to grips with a reality she has stubbornly refused to acknowledge as she's expanded her attack from her opponent to the institutional underpinnings of the Party itself.

Tonight Hillary will say something. Tomorrow she'll do something.

It doesn't matter.

It's done.

Well done.

The Washington delegation…

…gets a little more representative of the people's will, as expressed in caucus, as DNC member David McDonald has endorsed Obama. That leaves two PLEOs from these parts uncommitted, McDonald's colleagues Sharon Mast and Ed Cote. Should they both join the Obama camp, it would bring the PLEO percentages pretty close to the caucus outcomes. Funny how those things work out sometimes.

Or don't.

Won't matter by Wednesday anyhow, I suppose

How they're representing you now...

Rep. Brian Baird: Obama
Sen. Maria Cantwell: Clinton
DNC member Ed Cote: Uncommitted
Rep. Norm Dicks: Clinton
Former House Speaker Tom Foley: Clinton
Gov. Christine Gregoire: Obama
Rep. Jay Inslee: Clinton
Rep. Rick Larsen: Obama
State party Vice Chairwoman Eileen Macoll: Clinton
DNC member Sharon Mast: Uncommitted
Rep. Jim McDermott: Obama
DNC member David McDonald: Obama
Sen. Patty Murray: Clinton
DNC member Pat Notter: Obama
State party Chairman Dwight Pelz: Obama
King County Executive Ron Sims: Clinton
Rep. Adam Smith: Obama

How're they doing?

Quote of the day.

The Big Dog, campaigning for Hillary in South Dakota…

"I want to say also, that this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind."

From his lips...

Ready for some good news?

Via Oliver...

Large majorities of Democrats and independents, and even half of Republicans, believe the president of the United States should meet with the leaders of countries that are considered enemies of the United States. Overall, 67% of Americans say this kind of diplomacy is a good idea.

Sometimes we're smarter than we look, I guess.

From the "Why didn't we think of that?" file.

Australia ends combat operations in Iraq

And now...