Pfffft! Senator McCain's campaign fizzles out

It appears to be all over for Senator McCain's Presidential ambitions. In a stunning decline for the candidate who was the absolute front-runner not long ago, McCain now appears poised to throw in the towel.

In late June, Sen. John McCain slashed his presidential campaign staff and then finished fifth in a straw vote June 30 during at the summer conference of Pennsylvania's Republican State Committee.

Rudy Giuliani was first with 87 votes, besting unannounced candidate Fred Thompson's 40. McCain pulled only seven straw voters, and finished behind Mitt Romney and possible-candidate Newt Gingrich.

The money is running out and new donors are few and far between. Maybe the Senator will wait until fall to withdraw, hoping one of the other frontrunners stumbles; but why bother? It's over.

It was only in March that Fred hadn't even blipped yet: Front-runners Clinton and McCain losing ground fast/All This Is That's dark horses are mired in the back of the pack.

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Tough Talking Joe Biden!

click to enlarge

According to the New York Times, Joe Biden unloaded on the President yesterday. Now, if Cindy Sheehan had said it, I wouldn't like it. But Smilin' Joe. . .bring it on!

In Des Moines, Iowa at a campaign event, Senator Biden had some choice words for President Bush.

“This guy is brain dead,” Mr. Biden said to surprised applause and laughter from the crowd. “I know I’ll be quoted, I’ll be killed for that.”

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Ralph Nader, a/k/a The Dingbat, threatens to run for President again

Ralph Nader says he is seriously considering running for president in 2008 because he foresees another election with no real choice to voters.


"You know the two parties are still converging -- they don't even debate the military budget anymore," Nader said in a 30-minute interview. "I really think there needs to be more competition from outside the two parties."


Ralphie, or as he is known on All This Is That, "The Dingbat" has zero chance of winning the presidency should he run, but he knows he doesn't need to win to affect the outcome. Many Democrats blame Nader for siphoning enough votes away from Al Gore in Florida in 2000 to elect George W. Bush. Sure, I blame Al Gore too, but nonetheless, if The Dingbat had stood down, we wouldn't be facing the mess we've lived with these last 6 and a half years.



Ralph, Don't Do It!
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Go Johnnie Go!--> John Edwards Repudiates The War On Terror

Democratic candidate John Edwards yesterday savagely repudiated the "global war on terror," saying it was an ideological doctrine advanced by the Bush administration that has strained American military resources and given heart to the actual terrorists. You can read the full Associated Press story here.

In a defense policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Edwards called the war on terror a "bumper sticker" slogan Bush had used to justify everything from abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison to the invasion of Iraq.

Whew! I always find the new John Edwards intriguing. . .especially when he actually says out loud what a lot of people are thinking.

I am sure former Mayor Giuliani (a/k/a the 9/11 candidate) will have some choice words to say about this prouncement. Because, let's face it, without that war on terror, the Giuliani campaign is dead in the water.

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Democratic Governor Bill Richardson Tosses His Hat Into The Ring--Possibly The Best Qualified Candidate Of Either Party

Click the mosaic Governor Richardson to enlarge...

Governor Bill Richardson today made it official: he is running for the Presidency. With Richardson's Mexican heritage, his entry into the race makes it the most diverse slate of candidates, ever. And it adds a little gravitas to the race. Richardson is probably the best-qualified (but close to the most obscure) candidate running. Not only that, he's actually one of the good guys. He served as a U.S. Representative for fourteen years; he worked as an effective diplomat and negotiator (where he in fact helped free hostages in several countries); he was a Secretary of Energy in Bill Clinton's administration. I've always liked Richardsdon. . .I am still leaning toward the far less experienced John Edwards. However, if Bill Richardson can muster some momentum, he would be a great president.

Announcing his candidacy in Los Angeles, The Governor said "From day one, we have to repair the damage done here at home and our reputation abroad," he observed. "And that all starts with restoring diplomacy as the primary instrument of our foreign policy and basic fairness as the primary means for solving problems here at home."
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The Republicans And Democrats Are Running Scared Re: Mitt Romney

1. WASHINGTON (AP) By LIZ SIDOTI - Republican John McCain accused presidential rival Mitt Romney of flip-flopping on immigration Monday and said with sarcasm: "Maybe his solution will be to get out his small varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn." [All This Is That Editor's note: Sen. McCain is really referring here to two separate roadbumps the Romney campaign has encountered on the road to the White House

2. WASHINGTON (AP) By LIZ SIDOTI - McCain said: "Maybe I should wait a couple of weeks and see if it changes because it's changed in less than a year from his position before."

3. Reverend Al Sharpton on Paula Zahn's TV program on CNN - "If prior to `65, `78, whenever it was, they did not see blacks as equal, I do not believe that as real worshipers of God, because I do not believe God distinguishes between people. That`s not bigotry. That`s responding to their bigotry."

4. Rev. Sharpton in his debate with Christopher Hitchens: "As for the one running -- the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway. So don`t worry about that."

5. Christopher Hitchens in his new book, "God Is Not Great": "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—hereafter known as the Mormons—was founded by a gifted opportunist who, despite couching his text in openly plagiarized Christian terms, announced that "I shall be to this generation a new Muhammad" and adopted as his fighting slogan the words, which he thought he had learned from Islam, "Either the Al-Koran or the sword."

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From the with endorsements like this, who needs opponents department: Porn Star Jenna Jameson Endorses Hillary Clinton For President

From the "with endorsements like this, who needs opponents?" Department comes news from PR.com that Jenna Jameson, a famous porn star and author of the bestseller "How To Make Love Like a Porn Star," talked about Hillary Clinton in an interview with PR.com....

PR.com: "Who's your favorite Democratic front runner for 2008? Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John Edwards?"

Jenna Jameson: "I love Hillary. I think that in some ways she's pretty conservative for a Democrat, but I would love to have a woman in office. I think that it would be a step in the right direction for our country, and there would be less focus on war and more focus on bettering society."

PR.com: "Do you find that the climate of the adult industry changes when there is a Republican administration versus Democratic?"

Jenna Jameson: "Absolutely. The Clinton administration was the best years for the adult industry and I wish that Clinton would run again. I would love to have him back in office. I would love to have Al Gore in office.

"When Republicans are in office, the problem is, a lot of times they try to put their crosshairs on the adult industry, to make a point. It's sad, when there are so many different things that are going on in the world: war, and people are dying of genocide...

"I look forward to another Democrat being in office. It just makes the climate so much better for us, and I know that once all our troops come home, things are going to be better and I think that getting Bush out of office is the most important thing right now."
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Senator Fred Thompson Responds To Michael Moore's Call For A Debate On Cuba

Senator Fred Thompson (and strong potential Republican Presidential candidate) put out this video in response to Michael Moore's call for a debate. Fred Thompson must have McCain and Giuliani quaking in their brogans. If I were to pick right now (I guess I am), this race will come down to Thompson v. Romney. While directly attacking Moore, but dodging his invite to debate, Thompson comes across as the sort of blunt speaking no-nonsense guy Republicans love. This, along with some other recent statements and actions, convince me that Thompson could conceivably whip McCain and Giuliani.

Fred -- I love the cigar!


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Vanity Fair asks "Is Rudy Giuliani crackers?"

I don't want to say you read it here first, but you did. We first talked about this four months ago.

The only mystery about Rudy Giuliani's candidacy for President is when he will jump the shark. Anyone who has closely followed his career knows that he will soon enough, on camera or tape, completely loose his cool and incinerate his Presidential aspirations.

My friends Pete and Kev from NYC may disagree with this assessment, although anyone who has followed Rudy knows this. People seem to in general give Rudy a flyer on most of his transgressions because he "made the trains run on time." But a gentrified Times Square, a crackdown on crime, and (relatively) clean streets, do not mean that their progenitor should necessarily be the guy with his finger on The Button.

Read this fascinating article by Michael Wolff in Vanity Fair: Crazy for Rudy.

Recent Giuliani posts on All This Is That:

Giuliani warns of a "new 9/11' if Democrats take the White House
The Scariest Looking Public Figure We Know Endorses Rudolph Giuliani For President
Giuliani: The Candidate For 9/11—See The Onion
Giuliani son: "I have problems with my father, but it doesn't mean he won't make a great President."
Running on empty—Send in the clowns—Announced, probable, and possible candidates for President of the United States
Republicans tied to the whipping post
Bernard Kerik--The Rest Of The Story.
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Giuliani warns of a "new 9/11' if Democrats take the White House

Republican presidential wannabe, the Mayor of 9/11, Rudy Giuliani responded yesterday to a question at a campaign stop in Henniker, New Hampshire, saying that if a Democrat is elected president in 2008, America will be at risk for a terrorist attack on the scale of Sept. 11, 2001.

If a Republican is elected, however, especially if it is him, terrorist attacks can be anticipated and stopped.

“If any Republican is elected president—and I think obviously I would be the best at this—we will remain on offense and will anticipate what [the terrorists] will do and try to stop them before they do it,” Giuliani said.

Yet. . .yet. . .who WAS in charge on 9/11? As we've asked before, how does being the mayor of a city that was attacked give you credentials for preventing anything at all? I think what we did see is that Giuliani is capable of multiple photo-ops and press conferences, none of which—as far as I know—actually prevents anything.

Recent articles on Rudolph Giuliani in All This Is That:

Running on empty—Send in the clowns—Announced, probable, and possible candidates for President of the United States
Giuliani: The Candidate For 9/11—See The Onion
Republicans tied to the whipping post
Giuliani son: "I have problems with my father, but it doesn't mean he won't make a great President."
Rudy Backs Off
Photomontage: Presidential Contenders And Wild Cards
Front-runners Clinton and McCain losing ground fast/All This Is That's dark horses are mired in the back of the pack
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Hillary puts on her cracker accent for an African American audience in NYC

I knew she did this when she was in the hustings, way down south, but now she's using the southern twang in New York City. . .to a black audience. Here's the video:

As We Predicted, The Romney Campaign Surges

Yeah, the early polls showed him seriously lagging behind Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. And you had to wonder. . .if he couldn't make inroads on those two knuckleheads, maybe he really didn't have the mojo after all. But on Monday, Mitt Romney burst into full bloom with his announcement that his campaign had netted a stunning $23 million that rivaled the $26 million previously announced by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, and now, today, the $25 million raised by Barack Hussein Obama. And he did it with name recognition far below his two Republican rivals. It's getting interesting on both sides!

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Jesus Obama Christ?

A sculpture depicting Senator Barack Obama as Jesus Christ is on display at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Unfortunately, the only link I found to the story was here, at Fox News.
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The Scariest Looking Public Figure We Know Endorses Rudolph Giuliani For President

Ex-Republican mayor of 9/11, Rudolph Giuliani, was endorsed by Steve Forbes today in his 2008 presidential bid. The billionaire publisher, failed Presidential candidate, and flat tax proponent will also help co-chair the campaign according to the Giuliani Campaign.

So now, the scariest looking politician of the late 20th century throws in with Rudy. As if Giuliani doesn't have trouble enough! It couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.

All This Is That has been in contact with Charles Manson in Corcoran State Prison in California, in hopes we can induce him to also endorse the former mayor.

Giuliani is perhaps best known as being Mayor of New York City the day of the September 1, 2001 WTC attack. He is also widely-known as the man who kept his mistress on one floor and his family on another floor of the mayor's home, Gracie Mansion. Since leaving office, Giuliani has exploited his popularity--and enriched his bank balance--through a security consulting firm where he markets his expertise in being attacked.

The Republican front-runner, who has amazingly yet to lose his temper in the early race, has about six weeks left before his candidacy implodes. With Senator John McCain's shockingly anemic performance, it will only be about two months before Ex-governor Mitt Romney surges into the lead.

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Giuliani: The Candidate For 9/11—See The Onion

Giuliani To Run For President Of 9/11

NEW YORK—Supporters of the former mayor praised Giuliani for his "early and unwavering commitment" to 9/11

With Rudy, it's all about numbers. Six marriages, nine/eleven. The soaring numbers in his checking account, as he ruthlessly exploits his expertise in being attacked. If the measure of a hero is how many photo opportunities you race around to in the middle of a disaster, Rudy Giuliani is a hero.

Rudy is poised to be the Republican McGovern, Mondale, and Dukakis, all rolled into one. Heh heh.

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The Hillary "1984" Ad: Sen. Obama v. Sen. Clinton

The Sen. Barack Hussein Obama campaign claims it has nothing to do with the ad attacking Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Of course. The San Francisco Chronicle says:

"It may be the most stunning and creative attack ad yet for a 2008 presidential candidate -- one experts say could represent a watershed moment in 21st century media and political advertising."

You might need to click twice to get the video to play...

So far, the author of the mash-up of the old Apple Computer "1984" ad has not come forward. The ad is only available on the internet (like, YouTube, and a few thousand blogs or so...).

What we do know now, early in the Presidential sweepstakes, is that campaigns no longer control their supporters. On the other hand, we don't know the Obama campaign isn't behind this in some fashion. If this is the opening salvo, this is going to be a fascinating capaign. . .
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Barack Obama Calls John Edwards "kind of cute," and "good looking"

Will it come down to a slugfest between the two cuties?

Sen. Barack Obama slipped in a compliment about the compteition during two appearances in Iowa last weekend, according to The Hill.

“I want to wait and hear what John Edwards has to say, he’s kind of good-looking,” Obama pictured the rank and file in this battleground caucus state saying. At another appearance, he said the same thing, more or less, this time calling Edwards “kind of cute.”

Some of us were puzzled by these comments, since Sen. Barack Hussein Obama often says that he is rising above petty politics and has said before—about his own handsome visage—that looks do not matter!

A poll on the issue (holy moly, they poll on this kind of s***?) by Nerve.com, found both Senators Obama and Edwards running behind former President Bill Clinton on the hot-or-not scale.
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Front-runners Clinton and McCain losing ground fast/All This Is That's dark horses are mired in the back of the pack

click to enlarge the front runners, climbers,
fallers, & dark horses.

A Newsweek magazine poll released on Saturday shows Republican presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani (more or less tied with John McCain in a January poll) with a 25-point lead over Arizona Senator McCain. Republicans--59 percent--said they backed the former NYC mayor and 34 percent chose McCain. That doesn't leave much for Mitt Romney, who I still feel is a viable dark horse, and who has yet to really emerge from the pack. The magazine notes that ""Most registered Republicans are not familiar with Giuliani's positions on key social issues," mentioning specifically his support for abortion rights and gun control.

Another (Newsweek) poll of registered Democrats shows Sen. Barack Obama chiseling away at fellow Senator Hillary Clinton's lead. In the latest poll, it's 52% Clinton vs. 38% Obama. Again, not much room in there for the dark horse, John Edwards. Or the rest of the vast pack, including Bill Richardson, et al.




Click to enlarge - The real dark horse? Al, if
you do run, bring back the beard. It makes you
look more avuncular, and it's been 91 years
since the last bearded man (Charles Evan
Hughes) ran for President.

Perhaps the real dark horse on the Dem side is the 800 pound gorilla and Oscar winner, Al Gore. He's being coy about a run, but he keeps showing up in all the right places. Is he just laying low, waiting for Obama and Clinton to cut each other to ribbons and/or self-destruct? We may not know for a few months.
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