Home » The Watercooler for 08/27/08 9:00 AM
The Watercooler for 08/27/08 9:00 AM
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- and in a similar vein -- trying to keep the troops in line ...
By * rdorgan on Aug 27, 2008 9:07 AM EDT... this week, so far, so good:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080825/480/2a4ecd0ab7484dd8a74bb64a243d21c8/
Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, addresses the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.(AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
is more sour and dyspeptic than usual in this morning's piece
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/opinion/27dowd.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin
Obama’s pacification of Bill made his supporters depressed and anxious that he was going to be a weaker candidate than they had hoped and fearful that, as in Obama’s favorite movie, “The Godfather,” every time Democrats try to get away, the Clintons pull them back in.
And Democrats have begun internalizing the criticisms of Hillary and John McCain about Obama’s rock-star prowess, worrying that the Invesco Field extravaganza Thursday, with Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, will just add to the celebrity cachet that Democrats have somehow been shamed into seeing as a negative.
Really, what a sensational two weeks this is going to be. The stage managing by Gov. Dean during this convention has been inspired. Launched by Sen. Kennedy's appearance and Michelle Obama's remarkable speech, followed by Clinton's rallying address, the momentum is palpably building towards Obama's nomination. The stirring oratory we can reasonably expect from President Clinton, Sen. Biden, and Vice President Gore will be capped by Sen. Obama's acceptance, delivered to 65,000 people.
Then, we get treated immediately afterwards to speeches from Alfred E. Bush and Sen. McCain, advising us about bottled hot water for dehydrated babies in between his pasted on goony grins. That should bring down the house. Here's a little sneak preview for your viewing pleasure:
My God. Can this actually be regarded by some people as a contest?
One Caveat--the McCainstream media still love this guy, and the American voters are easily stampeded by appeals to fear
Otherwise how could we have missed this 100% solid gold story about McCain, ignored by the mainstream media too involved in bitter Hillary deadender delegates to become distracted by it? This excerpt is from the Jed Report:
So John McCain on Tuesday accepted the endorsement of reggaeton recording artist Daddy Yankee at a high school in Phoenix. . . .
But in introducing Daddy Yankee, McCain highlighted a song titled "Gasolina" which is not exactly about high energy prices. In fact, it's a song about sexual intercourse (to put it clinically).
Let's look at it this way: McCan held a campaign event at which he touted a song about screwing, and he did so in front of an audience of teens.
FDIC may borrow money from Treasury: report
34 minutes ago
(Reuters) - Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) might have to borrow money from the Treasury Department to see it through an expected wave of bank failures, the Wall Street Journal reported.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080827/ts_nm/fdic_treasury_dc
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Overplaying-the-POW-Card-by-Lisa-Johnson-080825-718.html
John McCain, stop using the POW Card and beating us over the head with it. We get it, we know you were a POW. But here’s a clue John -- you’re not the only man in America who was a POW – it is a small circle, but you’re not the ONLY ONE. Instead of constantly reminding us, why don’t you let your actions speak louder than your words? Or, do you have a problem with putting words to action?
Familiarity breeds contempt – when you rely on continually reminding us that you were a POW and that gives you free berth to say or do whatever you want – well, expect us to begin to hold you in contempt. Stop being a victim – as so many of us who have also been victims do.
I think we need to hammer the point that McCain is a Prisoner Of W.
for my pre-emptive attack on Mark Warner's keynote speech. He did speak as a candidate for the Senate, so there was no bloody, red meat in the speech. He talked up his successful bi-partisanship as Governor, but he did manage some pretty good partisan slams at the "Twin Cities Twins" in Hillary's words.
And as Rachel Maddow commented, Hillary's speech "sealed it, nailed it".
Good morning, everyone. I still think Hillary did a good job of delivering the speech she needed to make. It was definitely about her, yes. She should have personalized Barack more - that said - I think she did what she needed to do.
The Clintons are narcissistic. Bill more so than Hillary. I'm sure tonight will be all about Bill and his legacy. He just can't accept that there's a young fellow who shines much more brightly than he does or ever did. We'll see tonight if he can check that ego of his and do what's best for the Democratic Party.
Schweitzer stole the entire show so far. Anni - I loved the quote from DKos *cow shit on his boots...* Classic. Damn, had he been the VP - it would have been a landslide. Still feeling confident. Just sayin'.
need that coffee.
Later folks. Mark Warner's speech has been largely panned but since he's running for the Senate in VA - he probably couldn't have thrown out too much red meat.
Morning Folks,
Thanks Hu J for posting the link to Maureen Dowd's column. As usual, she exaggerates, but I think there's an element of truth to what she says. I've tried to understand the feelings of anger at Hillary's defeat by her supporters. I think that Hillary, no, I know, that Hillary used the pent up resentments and anger at the inequalties and discrimination women have experienced for centuries.
The Catholic church in a period of 300 years burned alive, tortured, and oppressed women as witches an agents of the devil during the Inquisition as just one example of the terrible injustices and destruction perpetrated against women.
In my lifetime, I couldn't apply to be a bank manager, though I had more education than the manager I worked for at Michigan National Bank in Lansing. One of the few women newspaper publishers in the country couldn't get a loan for a car in her own name. So, the remembered injustices are real.
Also, once we commit to a candidate, there is a devotion that doesn't go away. As humans we definitely identify with our leaders.
But, Hillary used that rage, pandered to it, and manipulated it, and that in my opinion doesn't make a good leader. And, that's where I am not a supporter of her. However, probably, as in the case of the candidacy of John Kerry, when it came down to the wire, if she were the candidate, I would have voted for her.
In my opinion, her speech did address that commitment to her supporters, reflected accurately who she is and how she perceives the situation, but she truly had to make that speech because her own political career is at stake.
It was performed well, and she is a woman of immense talent and power. But, for me the bottom line, is I don't like her or trust her. I don't think she has done all that much for the country as first lady in Arkansas or as first lady in the White House or as a Senator.
Still, she has mobilized women to believe that a woman president is a real possibility, and that's important. Now, if they can just get past resentment and grudges and think of what's best for the whole country long term and know that they do have the power, they are the equal of men and in some respects superior as men are in some respects to women, and that we complement each other's strength, then maybe we'll begin to have gender parity and justice in this country.
Republicans are tragic whores.
By Tom Bearse on Aug 27, 2008 9:52 AM EDT
.............
Can this actually be regarded by some people as a contest?
----------------
Very much so, imo, (they might be whores but they know what they want to and how to achieve it CONTRARY to Demos)!
The "class war reversed" Bush$Co. explicitly unleashed on American people under the pretext of the "war on terror" has only became possible due to decades long complicity of Demos.
Now these same Demos want and hope to win just because "we can't afford 4 more years of Bush", just because "time is now"? About the same kind of reasons we've seen 4 years ago when they hoped to win by suggesting that "war on terror" should be fought "smarter"...lol!
Demos continuing complicity about "war on terror" makes them doomed to lose again.
- Bill Clinton mouthing "I love you." over and over.
By Pat in Colorado on Aug 27, 2008 10:59 AM EDTI watched Bill Clinton's face last night as the C-SPAN cameras repeatedly cut to him, and I wondered just how sincere he was, since he knows that the cameras will be on him. So much of politics is entertainment, and politicians have the abilities of actors.
I have to say that I was put off because there is the sense of performing for the cameras, and it seemed to me that he was doing that. I felt it was artificial and purposeful in the sense of drawing attention to himself and Hillary.
Oh well, I'm not a supporter of the Clintons, especially since this campaign has revealed so much about them as ambitious above all, narcissitic, and in my opinion, unethical.
Still, the real triumph is Barack Obama and his staff. If they can bring about unity, this will be a measure of their abilities to do so in a polarized country and Congress. That's the real talent evident in this convention.
I've never seen Kucinich so animated, so energized and powerful. He was terrific as was Schweitzer.
Narcissistic instead of narcisstic.
By Pat in Colorado on Aug 27, 2008 10:49 AM EDT
....As humans we definitely identify with our leaders.
-------------
???
That's surprising and uncompatible, imo, discovery.
I understand: "as slaves we definitely identify with our slave-master".
I understand: "as humans we definitely identify with ourselfes".
Are we humans or still slaves?
According to several blogs not all GOP are behind McCain. Platform causing splits in the party.
Guess we won't be hearing anything about this from the talking heads.
... Batman was enough, now I got to fight Robin too ?!
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12867.html
Biden is wrench in McCain's VP choice
|
By JEANNE CUMMINGS | 8/27/08 4:34 AM EST
|
Biden will make his formal debut Wednesday with a primetime address. McCain is expected to announce his pick after Obama accepts his nomination here on Thursday.
...
“McCain knows Biden well. He knows how good he is as a knife fighter. He’ll take McCain apart,” said one Republican operative.
But a review of the much-rumored McCain shortlist clearly exposes the weaknesses each person on it might bring if matched up against the six-term senator from Delaware.
Blog for America
McCain reacts to Biden, plays POW card (again)
Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 24, 2008 6:00 PM EDT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Joker throws a punch at Batman ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47909206@N00/2252896505/
Holy T-Shirt Detail Batman!
... and Robin is there to deflect the punch.
Go, the Dynamic Duo (Barack Batman and Joe Robin)!
Hillary said she was a proud mother, Senator from NY, etc. She never mentioned her husband by name nor did she call herself a *proud wife*. Chelsea never mentioned her father either. Makes me believe it's Chelsea and Hillary on one side and Bill on the other. Just an observation. One thing is for certain - the Clintons come with so much drama. I'm really tired of drama. Obama = no drama. I love the way he's run his campaign. It's too bad that there's so much Clinton drama evident in Denver, manufactured or real - it's such a contrast to Barack Obama.
Do you really think that people didn't identify with George W. Bush? Our leaders reflect us, and we expect our leaders to represent our values. How else could George W. Bush have been even a candidate, not to mention, be elected once and close to being elected the first time?
How else would Hillary's supporters be saying the things they are saying, doing the things they are doing if they didn't believe that Hillary upholds their values, is a reflection of them?
For whatever reason, in human history and cultures, we need leaders, and we tolerate and endure some terrible ones because we think they are for us, represent our interests and who we are.
I admit, it's hard to understand, but how do you explain a Hitler, a Chairman Mao, a Stalin, a , well, the list goes on.
I explain it the same way.
People's believe in "representation" came from their historical powerless. "Representation" on a scale of nation is a "having power" ILLUSION People feed up with by interested "leaders".
National scale of representation is too large and therefore out of reality. Smaller scale of representation gives them real power.
Representation may actually work but on a scale of much less than "national" (e.g. city scale, township scale, and /or other smaller that "nation" communities including working community).
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/08/montana_governor_schweitzer_ra.html
I've been reading the reviews of Hillary's speech at real clear politics. There appears to be some consensus that Hillary didn't get personal enough about Barack. I'd have to agree with that but maybe that would have been too inauthentic for her?
what Hillary left out, a wife, etc. That indicates to me that she was continuing to pander to her women supporters. Very, very interesting.
I would have perferred, and it would have been more gracious and customary, if she had praised Barack Obama's history, experiences, and qualifications, but Hillary is not gracious, and what she did was true to who she is.
Frankly, from her refusal to acknowledge Obama's winning the primary contest on the night she addressed her supporters, to her demands for prominence in decisions about the convention, to the selection of a vice president, she has pushed the boundaries of generosity, fairness, and protocol, and I find her an embarrassing representative of women. But, It's also probably true to say that her very willingness to defy protocol has brought her some of the very support she has.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.briefs271aug27,0,647382.story?track=rss
Maryland convention delegate undeterred by stroke
- August 27, 2008
DENVER Roxanne Taylor, the Bowie insurance executive who suffered a stroke early yesterday in Denver, said she won't let anything stop her from doing her duty as a Democratic delegate. Taylor told fellow delegates who visited her in the hospital during the day that "nothing could keep her away" from Barack Obama's speech tomorrow,
...
Taylor had a stroke just after midnight at a welcoming party and was hospitalized in critical condition at Denver Medical Center.
I guess Bill Clinton has apparently run into "Hell or high water" because, unlike Roxanne Taylor (and unlike his own wife Hillary), he won't be attending Obama's speech this Thurs at Invesco Field:
- rae hart referenced upthread that Bill Clinton won't be attending Barack's accept. speech
By mary vb on Aug 27, 2008 11:39 AM EDTHere's the link to CNN. Here we go again. More Clinton drama.
mary vb -
Bill really surprised me in this election cycle. He came off as even more petty and egotistical than Hillary. Hillary didn't surprise that much but I respect her more now than I do her husband.
I imagine Bill will be licking his wounds on Thurs night somewhere and plastering on some bandages afterwards:
http://www.oldtimeconfection.com/ouch.jpg
gave a rousing speech last night. Good for her!
Spouse and I both worked our precinct voting poll yesterday for Florida's primary election. It's always a long 13-hour day but lots of fun since we know many of the people voting and with whom we work, one of the advantages of living in a small rural town I guess.
Searching now for some posts from linda b.
- Obama people forced the Convention spotlight on Hillary
By Phil Specht on Aug 27, 2008 11:51 AM EDTYou folks have it wrong. There was a concensus between the two she have a unity speech role because of the facts on the ground of the many hundreds of her delegates. The speech was authentic Hillary. It is truly a rare leader that doesn't make it about them rather than the community they are organizing, and no mistake Barack is elite,(but not elitist). Obama's campaign nearly came off the rails when Oprah made it about him instead of the future of the country.
Barack Obama gets it what the role of a leader is, but nobody gains by a cult of personality even if he deserves one.
My problem is with Bill, not so much with Hillary.
- Bill needs to affirm we would be better off under Democrats running the country again.
By Phil Specht on Aug 27, 2008 12:05 PM EDTas such he can wax nostalgic if he wants because that is his assignment
few people can honestly say they are better off now than they were under Bill,(you can spot them by the drag marks of the bags of loot from the Great Heist tax cut) and he can dwell on that for as long as he wants tonight without doing any harm to the cause
In fact a little narcissim might be helpful, he has bragging rights as the best guardian of the economy of the last half dozen Presidents
- think how much worse off we would be if Hillary had refused to do her part
By Phil Specht on Aug 27, 2008 11:58 AM EDTI give her a B+.
I don't remember that and i wasn't even for Obama back then.
Obama's campaign has never come close to being derailed.
- I camre in from work about half way through Schweitzers excellent rousing speech.
By Phil Specht on Aug 27, 2008 11:55 AM EDTanyone have a link to the whole thing?
He did make Warner look a little tame (lame?) in comparison.
The latest from CNN:
DENVER (CNN) – Hillary Clinton will be on hand for Barack Obama's acceptance speech, but according to a source close to former President Bill Clinton, he will not: the source tells CNN that Clinton will not join his wife at Invesco Field Thursday night.
As you might imagine, the comments are pouring in.
- the Clintons are less than 12 hours away from being old news
By Phil Specht on Aug 27, 2008 12:09 PM EDTwhat will the pundits stir up once they relize how stale that story is?
McCain runs another Hillary ad at his peril
"Schweitzer is to the 2008 convention what Obama was to 2004's" -
From The Field Al Giordano. He has a very nice article. Also video of Schweitzer's speech.
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield
Oh sorry Phil, I just saw your post I believe the whole speech is on above link.
Schweitzer rocks! Just watched a rerun of speech on CSPAN, it was even better than the first time.
I cannot understand how anyone can be so petty as Bill Clinton is.
I feel bad for Hillary being married to him. My husband saids she should dump him.
we finally caught the last two cowcalf pairs that had been running loose in the neighborhood
since the flooding washed out the creek fence
it's been a long summer in Iowa
my buddy Chet gave a decent speech yesterday that was one of those midwestern types that Garrison Keillor nails lol
yes Iowa may well come out of the flooding better than before, but me, I would have settled for not knowing that the hard way
Bill's not attending Obama's acceptance speech is a telling example of Bill Clinton's ability to polarize people. What we do says so much more about who we are and what we really think than what we say.
I suspect that emotionally Bill Clinton never matured, and it's possible that much of his success was in part due to Hillary. If Bill Clinton is a narcissist, and I suspect that's a possibility, that would explain his inability to mature. I wonder how much Bill's immaturity is representative of us the American people?
But, I will welcome a reprieve from the Clintons. We cannot afford this polarization, the sound byte demonizing the media has given us for the last 20 years or more.
It's fun talking to you and listening. I appreciate the conversation.
... watch this video (starting from 21:00 minutes into it and finish it at 3 minutes later at 24:00) -- regarding a brussel spouts eating contest.
IMO, this election has really been about continuing the Clinton legacy (ie. David Horton in the Vicar of Dibley video) versus something new, Obama (ie. Vicar Geraldine).
"more sprouts Vicar ?":
http://www.guba.com/watch/2001004799?fields=23&query=vicar+of+dibley&set=5&o=4
fun doing lunch again with you all
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
"SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE"
Time shown as local – Denver, Colorado MST
Hour # 1 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (LOCAL)
Call to Order
The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte
State Senator from Texas
Co-Chair, Democratic National Convention
Invocation
Archbishop Demetrios
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America
Presentation of Colors
Colorado Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Franz Wedeman, Thomas Chesner, David Shuker, John Harrington
Pledge of Allegiance
Paul Bucha
Ridgefield, Connecticut recipient of the Medal of Honor for distinguished service as a commanding officer in Vietnam
National Anthem
Robert Moore
Distinguished singer from South Dakota and elected council member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Presidential Nomination Process
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention
Nominating speech on behalf of Senator Hillary Clinton
Seconding speeches on behalf of Senator Hillary Clinton (2)
Nominating speech on behalf of Senator Barack Obama
Seconding speeches on behalf of Senator Barack Obama (3)
Call for Roll Call Vote
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention
Roll Call Vote
Alice Travis Germond
Secretary of the Democratic National Committee
Remarks
The Honorable Charles Schumer
US Senator, New York
Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
The Honorable Tom Udall
Member of the US House of Representatives, New Mexico
The Honorable Jean Shaheen
Former Governor of New Hampshire
Candidate for US Senate
Jeff Merkley
Candidate for US Senate from the State of Oregon
Tom Allen
Candidate for the US Senate from the State of Maine
Hour # 4 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Richard M. Daley
Mayor of Chicago, Illinois
The Honorable Robert Wexler
Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
Video - The Course of Our Nation
Brittany Washington
A student at Howard University in Washington, DC from Los Angeles, California
Women of the US House of Representatives
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the US House of Representatives
Permanent Chair, Democratic National Convention
The Honorable Rosa DeLauro
Member of the US House of Representatives, Connecticut
The Honorable Nita Lowey
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
The Honorable Hilda Solis
Member of the US House of Representatives, California
The Honorable Louise Slaughter
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
The Honorable Maxine Waters
Member of the US House of Representatives, California
The Honorable Kathy Castor
Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
The Honorable Lois Capps
Member of the US House of Representatives, California
Remarks
The Honorable Elijah Cummings
Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland
Mark Docherty
Veteran and a firefighter from Sterling Heights, Michigan
The Honorable James Clyburn
Member of the US House of Representatives, South Carolina
The Honorable Manuel Diaz
Mayor of Miami, Florida
The Honorable Jay Rockefeller
US Senator, West Virginia
Live Performance
Melissa Etheridge accompanied by Phillip Sayce (guitar)
Award-winning singer/songwriter
Video - First Time Delegates: Renewing America's Promise
Remarks
The Honorable Harry Reid
US Senator, Nevada
Senate Majority Leader
CSM Michele S. Jones, US Army (Ret.)
First female command sergeant major of the US Army
The Honorable Patrick Murphy
Member of the US House of Representatives, Pennsylvania
Joined by Iraq war veterans
The Honorable Madeleine Albright
Former Secretary of State
America's Town Hall - Economy
Moderator: The Honorable Joe Sestak
Member of the US House of Representatives, Pennsylvania
Panelists: Kathy Roth-Douquet, CSM John Estrada, Collin McMahon,
Representative Ellen Tauscher/California
Remarks
The Honorable Evan Bayh
US Senator, Indiana
Xiomara Rodriguez
Nevada delegate and retired member of the US Coast Guard
The Honorable Jack Reed
US Senator, Rhode Island
The Honorable Tom Daschle
Former US Senator and Senate Minority Leader, South Dakota
Hour # 5 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Bill Clinton
Former President of the United States
Beth Robinson
Stay-at-home mom from Hampton Roads, Virginia
The Honorable John Kerry
US Senator, Massachusetts
Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, US Army (Ret.)
First woman to achieve the rank of three star general in the US Army
The Honorable Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico
Video – Changing The Course of Our Nation
John Melvin
Iraq war veteran from DeWitt, Iowa
Veterans Video and Remarks
The Honorable Chet Edwards
Member of the US House of Representatives, Texas
Hour # 6 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
Tammy Duckworth
Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Helicopter pilot and wounded Iraq war veteran
Vice Presidential Nomination
Remarks and nominating speech
Seconding speech
Vice Presidential Nominee
The Honorable Senator Joe Biden
US Senator, Delaware
Benediction
Sister Catherine Pinkerton
Congregation of St. Joseph's in Cleveland, Ohio
Recess
The Honorable Leticia Van de Putte
State Senator from Texas
Co-Chair, Democratic National Convention
###
About the DNCC:
The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. www.DemConvention.com
Paid for by 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, Inc.
- Attenhut !
By * rdorgan on Aug 27, 2008 9:05 AM EDTSoldier ! Yes, you there soldier ! Am I seeing correctly ?! Is that a button I see unbuttoned ?!:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Decorated-penguin-knighted-Norwegian-King-Guard/ss/events/lf/081508penguinknight;_ylt=AtMDPI1AZnvqZps0Vwp4X.UuQE4F#photoViewer=/080815/ids_photos_wl/r58025678.jpg
Decorated penguin knighted to Norwegian King's Guard
Tourists photograph King penguin Nils Olav as he walks past soldiers from the Norwegian King's Guard after he received a Knighthood at Edinburgh Zoo August 15, 2008. Edinburgh Zoo penguin Olav has been an honorary member and mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard since the 1980s and was made Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN)