BHO may skip traditional ads and just "run clips of the Republican debates"

President Obama recently told Univision News that his re-election campaign won't require any attack ads or mud-slinging.

“We may just run clips of the Republican debates verbatim,” he told the Spanish TV network. “We won’t even comment on them, we’ll just run those in a loop.”

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Polls show Charlie Sheen beating Sarah Palin and Barack Obama

By Pablo Fanque
National Affairs Editor
Illustrations by Jack Brummet, Photo (c) charliesheen.com

A new poll  by PublicPolicyPolling.blogspot.com shows that in a head to head run for President, independent voters would favor Charlie Sheen over Ex-Governor Sarah Palin for President by a 41/36 margin.  Democrats would support him 44-24 and Republican/Tea Party voters prefer Sheen over President BHO by a 37-28.  But then, they would probably also prefer Idi Amin or Field Marshall Goering over BHO too....


And it's more than just fruitcake independents supporting the warlock. Democrats would support him by a 44-24 margin for president over Palin and Republicans would support him 37-28 over Obama.

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Joseph Stalin and Keanu Reeves (and Stalin/Borat and Stalin/Hitler/Obama)

Jeff Clinton recently sent us the Joseph Stalin photo on the left, which reminded us of Keanu Reeves, so we put them together (and grey scaled and aged the Keanu photo, so it would match).

I emailed results to Dean Ericksen, who then responded with more Stalin photograph sets.   These are, unlike the one above, the more traditional and later photographs of Stalin we see all the time.

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Finger of the day No. 2: four political fingers - President Obama, Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller, President George W. Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

By Pablo Fanque & Mona Goldwater


The photo of Nelson Rockefeller is one of our favorite political photos ever.  It was 1976, and  by then he knew he would not be the nominee for president in 1976.  So, Nelson kicked back and lived the good life as the Vice President.

At a rally, a heckler was hucking verbal garbage at him, and Rocky leaned across the podium and gave him a righteous finger. The photo appeared in newspapers everywhere the next day.  People were offended  a man of such high office and supposed dignity could resort to a crude gesture like the finger.  The rest of us mostly thought it was just awesome a politician could show exactly what he was feeling. 

click images to enlarge

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President Obama takes a moment to appreciate the human form

Our President takes a moment to appreciate the human form.

Naturally, this photograph landed on the front of Drudge, with the legend "second stimulus package!" As my friend Jodie pointed out, maybe even more interesting than Barack's glance is the look on Nicolas Sarkozy's face. A smirk, a leer, amusement at Obama getting busted for his stare?

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WTF??--> Gary Locke, Ron Simms, and Gil Kerlikowske

Ron Sims

Gary Locke

Gil Kerlikowske

By Pablo Fanque
All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Man, if this is the cream of the crop. . .we're in for one rocky four years.

President Barack Obama's third pick for Commerce secretary is former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, a senior administration official said Monday. This office is starting to look like the piano player's slot in the Grateful Dead--a ticket to oblivion.

Locke, a Democrat, was the nation's first Chinese-American governor when he served two terms in the Washington statehouse from 1997 to 2005. Obama's choice of Locke arose less than two weeks after his most recent pick, Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, backed out. Just over a week after Obama named him and he accepted, Gregg cited "irresolvable conflicts" with the policies of the Democratic president. And after Bill Richardson bailed out early on, mired in some sordid money scandal. Gary also served as the King County Executive, a slot that the newly appointed Deputy Secretary also held.

Ron Sims - couldn't get elected Senator or Governor. But Obama wants him. I like Ron. I voted for him a few times. But would I have made him deputy Secretary? Probably not.

President Obama's choice to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy — otherwise known as the country's "Drug Czar" — is reportedly Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. Having served in law enforcement for more than 30 years, Kerlikowske is "known as an innovator and fierce defender of community policing principles that emphasize relationships with citizens over force." He got the Seattle Police Chief job when Norm Stamper (a pretty cool guy, and now an activist for relaxed drug laws) presided over the WTO riots in Seattle.

Seattle appears to have a bizarre lock on high profile jobs in the new administration. Hey, BHO, if you can come up with something for our governor. . .!
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Painting: 44

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President Clinton tells President Obama "Speak up!"

click to enlarge POTUS 42

By Pablo Fanque,
All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Former President Bill Clinton spoke to ABC News' Chris Cuomo this week, giving President Barack Obama a grade of A on his first month in office, but also told him Obama needs to put on a more positive face when speaking to the American people about the economy, and perhaps even more importantly, must turn up the heat on the Republicans trying to derail his plans. [Ed's note (JB): This has to be a little weird for BHO, Pablo. . .I know how I've felt in the past, when the spouse of one of my employees told me how to run my business. But, then, none of those spouses were President for eight years either.]

"Look, the American people, I think, know The President has tried to reach out to Republicans."

Clinton said "it takes two to tango. I think there are some of them who really believe that just-say-no politics is good politics." He added "sooner or later, I think if he just keeps chugging along, just keeps the door open, invite 'em to every economic conference, invite 'em to every meeting, eventually, he'll start getting some votes [in Congress]."


click to enlarge BHO

In a showdown vote this week, only three Republicans in the Senate and none (!) in the House of Representatives voted for the Obama-endorsed $787 billion economic stimulus proposal.

Clinton said, "I like the fact that he didn't come in and give us a bunch of happy talk. I'm glad he shot straight with us."
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Editorial: The Double Secret stimulus package

By Pablo Fanque

All This Is That National Affairs Editor

If President Obama learned anything from his study of history (and believe me, he did), he knows that for all the talk of the "First Hundred Days" and The New Deal, nothing FDR did fully turned the economy around until after that moment December 7, 1941, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

From December 8th onward, boys flooded recruiting offices, a recalcitrant and isolationist Congress voted to spend massive $$$ on the war, and the U.S. cranked into full wartime production mode. Shuttered factories were re-opened, under-utilized plants went into 24/7 production mode, and virtually every single person in the country--save the feeble, lame, crazy, and elderly (and even some of them)--went to work, planted victory gardens, and bought into commodity, fuel, and tire rationing.

In the midst of a moribund war in Iraq, President Obama has ordered his first major deployment of U.S. combat troops. He has okayed 17,000 additional soldiers and Marines for Afghanistan in what he described as "an urgent bid to stabilize a deteriorating and neglected country. "

Is war the real, double secret Stimulus Package for which we have all been waiting? Already, the far left is screaming. I'm not quite sure why. Obama was clearly against the War in Iraq from the get-go. And yet, in general, he has behaved, more or less, like a Scoop Jackson or JFK "defense Democrat." And with the lure of kick-starting a sluggish economy, one has to wonder if 17,000 troops aren't just a drop in the bucket, and how long will it be before we see 100,000 troops in Afghanistan? Is Obama getting a fantastic twofer here: priming the pump AND keeping the world safe for democracy?

It's something to think about.

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Barack channels Ray from Dreams From My Father and cusses up a wonderful storm

By Pablo Fanque

All This Is That National Affairs Editor

Unlike most authors who release "audio books," The President read his own work. And fortunately for us, he read the unexpurgated version of Dreams From My Father. It would have been such fun if someone had dug these up during the election and used them in ads. In fact, it's almost stunning no one turned these up in October, as they combed through every detail of Obama's life. Alas, we'll just have to enjoy them now without the heat of the election. . .

Ray, a fellow classmate of Obama’s, was also bi-racial, and swore like a mofo. In these excerpts Obama channels Ray. I don't know about you, but I think Obama's delivery leads me to believe that he probably doesn't use the word motherf***er on a daily basis.

“This sh*t’s getting way too complicated for me.”

“You know that guy ain’t sh*t. Sorry-ass motherf****r ain’t got nothing on me.”

“There are white folks, and then there are ignorant motherf***ers like you.”

“Sure you can have my number, baby!”

You know that guy ain’t s**t. Sorry-ass motherf***er ain’t got nothing on me, right? Nothin'

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Tom Daschle: "I screwed up"/Photograph of Tom Daschle

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BFF: Best Friends Forever? Hillary and Barack start down the road of world affairs

By Pablo Fanque,
All This Is That National Affairs Correspondent

Painting by Jack Brummet


Click the BFFs to enlarge

Global warming definitely exists, at least in the relationship between the two former arch-rivals Ex-Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. They are now unquestionably the most powerful man and woman in the Democratic Party (and soon, arguably, the world).

After all the bitterness on the campaign trail, Hillary's masterful speech at the Dem's convention this summer sealed it. In fact, Obama's top aides jumped out of their seats backstage and gave her a standing ovation as she walked by.

Obama soon called to thank her. Fast forward to when--->>

Late last week future President Obama reassured Clinton she would have direct access to him and that she could select her own staff as secretary of state. And the deal was done.

Some people even think ('though most people doubt) that Obama and Clinton could become close friends. There is a lot of mutual respect and they are both extremely intelligent. As it turns out, Obama is much more a centrist that the rabid Obamanistas could have ever believed, which seems to be a page from the Bill Clinton playbook. Dean Acheson was no friend of President Harry Truman and Henry Kissinger, while in agreement with Dick Nixon intellectually, clearly was no personal friend. Rusk, McNamara, et al. were not JFK pals, and were, in fact, more conservative. It will be fascinating to watch the relationship unfold between Clinton and Obama. . .whether it becomes a train wreck, or whether they become close, or even BFFs, as they work the world.
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Barack Obama: "Off to a good start" says Republican leader

By Pablo Fanque, All This Is That National Affairs Editor

On Friday, the head Republican said that Democratic U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is "off to a good start" and admitted he was glad to see President George W. Bush on his way out the door.

"Our members, in one way, are kind of relieved by the departure of an administration that became unpopular and made it very difficult for us to compete," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Capitol Hill.

In large measure because of Bush's extreme unpopularity, Barack Obama won the White House in the November 4th election, as Democrats increased their majorities in both houses of the U.S. Congress. Two weeks later, their wins continue, as Senator Ted Stevens conceded the Senate seat he has owned for 40-some years.

Two more races remain undecided: the Georgia runoff election for Saxby Chambliss' seat. At this moment in the polls, Saxby has a four point lead over Democrat Jim Martin. And then there is the Minnesota race, where Norm Coleman is hanging on to a razor-thin lead over Al Franken. With 64 percent of the 2.9 million ballots recounted, Coleman is ahead by 120 votes. Anything can happen here. If by chance, both Chambliss and Norman Coleman were to fall, the Democrats would achieve their long-dreamed-for veto-proof supermajority. In a season of surprises, you just never know.

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Obama set to name Senator Hillary Clinton head of State Department

By Pablo Fanque,
All This Is That National Affairs Editor
on hiatus in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico

Paintings/sign by Jack Brummet

This could get very interesting. It already is. Both Obama and The Clintons each have three negotiators haggling over the Secretary of State cabinet position. How many other top slots in the history of America have ever involved six negotiators? I can tell you authoritatively. None. Ever.

Is this a harbinger of factionalism in the nascent Obama Administration? Bill Clinton has said he would do "whatever it takes" to open the way for Hillary to get the State Department nod. Whatever it takes includes forgoing many lucrative (to the tune of millions a year) speeches, disclosing major donors to the William J. Clinton Foundation, naming and forgoing many consulting clients, and in general, clearing most of his activities with the Administration. That is a heavy load for a guy that has done it his way for the last 16 years or so. It is interesting enough that he is being let out of the doghouse after his angry and often race-baiting performances on Hillary's road to the White House.



click fo enlarge

Future President Barack Obama is on track to nominate The Senator as secretary of state after Thanksgiving an aide to his transition disclosed Thursday.

It is utterly fascinating the way this has played out in the press, with leaks, and positioning on both sides. No Drama Obama is wrapped up in this fascinating minuet under the full glare of the press [1] and bloggers. She is a fascinating choice for SoS.

Once again, Obama has buried whatever malignant feelings he might have ever held toward her. He is an amazing pragmatist and practicioner of the forgive and forget school of politics.



Sure, many people believe he wants her on the inside, because as President Lyndon Johnson often said, "it's better to have them inside the tent pissing out than outside pissing in." While many Democrats and beltway insiders openly question whether Clinton is too independent and ambitious to be the effective Secretary of State we desperately need, it is clear that Obama values her intelligence, diligence, experience, and yes, even chutzpah and moxie.

Large numbers of other Democrats believe in her too. Recent polls indicate that Hillary Clinton would have beaten John McCain by greater margins than Obama. Of course, that doesn't take into account the fact that her political organization collapsed in the face of Obama's clearly superior one. Would they have been able to put aside their infighting long enough to beat McCain? We will never know.

Clinton's nomination appears to be nearly a fait accompli. It will be fascinating to see whether she can live with the high degree of discipline Obama requires from his underlings. And that also applies to the 300 pound gorilla, Bill Clinton, who will need to spend a lot of the next few years sitting on his hands.

[1] Maybe not the full glare, with all the layoffs and downsizing of news organizations, including the latest one today: AP is cutting 10% of its workforce. Nearly every other major news organization has recently announced broad and deep cuts. "I guess this internet thing may actually really take off, after all."
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, or just another trial balloon?

Is this a mindf***er, or what? According to Charles Hurt in the New York Post today, President-elect Barack Obama is considering naming Senator Clinton as secretary of state.

Democratic officials confirmed that Clinton - who has often been mentioned as a possibility - is under consideration. Obama and Clinton met yesterday in Chicago, according to an unnamed Dem source.

Knowing Obama's intolerance for leaks, you have to assume this particular leak is an approved trial balloon. Remember how I wrote earlier this week about Obama being perfectly capable of letting bygones be bygones? This would be absolutely stunning proof.



"Any speculation about Cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-elect Obama's transition team to address," said Clinton adviser Philippe Reines.

Other Democrats floated as secretary of state possibilities are New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Sen. John Kerry, or ex-Senator Tom Daschle.

No one knows whether Hillary would be interested. After all, that particular glass ceiling has been shattered twice before. No one seems to know how serious this is. . .is it another flattering olive branch, like his earlier dangling of the VP slot?
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Don't Spook The Horse! -->> The movement to think good thoughts about Barack Obama

I realize, as I listen to some of my friends, co-workers, frenemies, and Democratic Co-conspirators, that we have collectively slid into a weird position.

This is almost more execrable than the Vegan Al Qaeda, or the P.E.T.A. paint-huckers. A "don't spook the horse" hive mind-set is the functional equivalent of the judicial doctrine of prior restraint. In short, I can no longer challenge anything Obama does or did, or suggest that he faces enormous challenges. And even during the election, criticism was regarded with suspicion. I had a large number of spirited debates here--in the comments section--with a long-time reader, Kev, on the merits of an Obama candidacy. And yet he never tried to shoosh me/ He always came back at me with facts, figures, and appeals to my Democratic heart. He convinced me that Barack was some kind of singular combination of Jesus, Mario Cuomo, Bobby Kennedy, FDR, and Socrates. I was often critical of Obama in the election, particularly during the protracted battle with The Clintons; as much as I admired his politics and oratory, he wasn't my first choice. Or even my second (that was VP Elect Joe Biden). I love the guy, and I indeed under-estimated his ground game. I knew he was an awesome wholesale politician, but I never believed he had the talent for retail politics. As it turns out, he had it all: the ground game, the brilliant organization, the wonderful family, the cash, the masterful Chairman Dean, the internet, and, yeah, even the ability to master retail politics.

Now, however, critical discourse is sidelined in the don't spook the horse mindset. Everyone is celebrating and everyone is happy to have broken both the race barrier and the republican electoral stranglehold. "Don't jinx it. Don't spook the horse. Don't get him off his game."

I just want to say to the Democratic Taliban. . .remember that Obama is a debater, and is open (at least I think and hope he is) to debate and honest discourse. Obama's followers. . .not so much. We need to be open to discourse, argument, debate, and political give-and-take. Because that is how things will be accomplished over the next eight years. If President Obama can really become a master of bipartisanship (and I truly believe he will...we ain't seen nothing yet), we will move mountains. So quit grumbling and don't have a cow if I say something nice about John McCain, and look. . .it's time to drop the Sarah Palin and Bill Clinton are the Devil talk too. Now is the time to forgive and forget. If we do, there is no end to what we can accomplish and in a year or so, Barack will truly become everyone's President in a way we haven't seen since the Roosevelt cousins. Or maybe more.

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Joe Lieberman: The Reckoning

Senator "Crazy" Joe Lieberman's day of reckoning is at hand. Interestingly, Barack Obama, whom he mercilessly slagged during the presidential campaign, has the least appetite of anyone for making him pay. Obama will take office as a relentless advocate of bi-partisanship and he will not allow Lieb to be drummed out of the party. Nor will he punish John McCain for his transgressions. In fact, I bet you will see John McCain step up and work very closely with Obama on some of those key issues.

I know why this will happen, but I still wish we couldn't take Lieberman to the woodshed for his much-deserved 40 whacks.
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The NY Post cover from yesterday...

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