Pat Buchanan calls Palin "the biggest gamble in presidential history," and it's "paying off big time"

According to Pat Buchanan, who's usually worth hearing, even when he's wrong (which is frequently), "McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his co-pilot was the biggest gamble in presidential history. As of now, it is paying off, big-time."

"The sensational selection in Dayton, Ohio, stepped all over the big story from Denver – Barack Obama's powerful address to 85,000 cheering folks in Mile High Stadium, and 35 million nationally, a speech that vaulted him from a 2-point deficit early in the week to an 8-point margin. Barack had never before reached 49 percent against McCain."

"As the Democrats were being rudely stepped on, however, Palin ignited an explosion of enthusiasm among conservatives, evangelicals, traditional Catholics, gun owners and right to lifers not seen in decades."

This is spooky. Read Pat Buchanan's op ed piece here, at World Net Daily.
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The Hug: McCain hugs Bush and readies himself for four more years!

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John McCain: "Senator, job well done." - Obama rocks the house in his acceptance speech

Senator McCain was in Ohio as Obama spoke, but after a series of negative convention week commercials, his campaign aired a one-night advertisement that complimented Obama and noted the speech occurred on the anniversary of King's famous address. Hey, this campaign showed just a hint of gracia, for the first time in a long time...

"Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America. Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed. So I wanted to stop and say, 'Congratulations,'" McCain says in the ad. "How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight Senator, job well done."

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Senator John McCain floats Dwight Eisenhower as possible running mate

In response to a reporter's question about running mates today at a press conference in Altoona. Pennsylvania, Republican Presidential candidate John McCain wondered aloud about bringing Ike out of retirement. "I wonder if, uh, uh, Ike, President Eisenhower, would consider joining the ticket?," the senator said in response to a question from Pablo Fanque. "Who better to take over if something--God forbid--were to happen to me than someone who has actually done the job. And done it admirably, I might add. We should talk to Ike's people...if we've ever needed the General, it's now. It may be tough to get Mamie on board 'though..."

As reporters chuckled, Senator McCain said "Who is better suited for the job? Any of you guys notice it's getting dark in here?" Two aides urged McCain offstage while a spokesman told the press corps that "The Senator is already behind schedule, and we'll catch up with the press after the rally in Bayonne, New Jersey."

According to our national affairs editor, Pablo Fanque, who attended the press "briefing" in Altoona, stunned reporters were quiet at first and then exploded in a frenzy of typing and cell-phone dialing.

"In New Jersey," Fanque wrote this morning, "after the press plane landed, yet another aide explained to the press corps that the Senator was "adjusting his schedule to spend some 'quiet time' before continuing his campaign swing."

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Painting: The Contenders

McBush

click to enlarge

I can't figure out who did the original photoshop job, but I like it.
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Paris Hilton's video response to John McCain's Obama attack ad featuring her...

Say what you will about Paris Hilton (who am I to care if she wears no underwear?), she hits a zinger with this little ad.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

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Elected! The plea of Obama, McCain, and Clinton (with Alice Cooper Video)

click to enlarge

Keith Olberman nominates John McCain as the worst person in the world after changing his third denial in as many days!

One of my favorite television political wonks—Keith Olberman—named John McCain as the winner of his worst person in the world award today. In this case, John McCain denied knowing the man who introduced him at a rally and used Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein, to whip the crowd into a frenzy. McCain denounced him and denied knowing him. Well, not quite. As it turned out, the McCain campaign hired him as a fluffer more or less "to throw red meat to the crowd." And John McCain had met him twice "at a rally or something."

Jump here to see Keith Olberman's video piece.
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The best of times, the worst of times for Senator McCain

This has to be both one of the best and one of the worst weeks in John McCain's life. He emerges as the last man standing, only needing to dispose of the minor Huckabee insurgency to claim the nomination. And then the New York Times drags up the old conflict of interest and possible adultery charges from 1999, and all of sudden McCain has a noose around his neck. The bright spot for the Senator is that the far right and the neocons, and people like Limbaugh and Hannity are now circling the wagons against the onslaught...they may have been very unhappy with McCain as the presumptive nominee, but there is no way they're going to let that pinko newspaper damage McCain.

One thing you can bet on, and it happens in every one of these cases. There had to be a near-arctic-blast of air blowing between John and Cindy at the breakfast table this week.

Check out our exclusive interview with the Senator. Pablo Fanques spoke to Sen. McCain yesterday. You can find the interview here: John McCain tells All This Is That's national affairs editor "OK. I drilled Vicki Iseman. So what?"
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John McCain tells All This Is That's national affairs editor "OK. I drilled Vicki Iseman. So what?"

In an interview today with All This Is That's national affairs editor, Pablo Fanques, Senator John McCain at first mocked the New York Times recent revelations about a possible relationship he had had with the lobbyist Vicki Iseman.

Fanques: So is there any whiff of truth to the story?

Sen. McCain: Sure, I guess there's a whiff of truth. She is a woman, and a good looking woman. It's more convenient to pin her on me than it would be a male lobbyist. That's for sure. Every person on the hill deals with lobbyists.

Fanques: But the New York Times also alludes to something deeper than a drink with a lobbyist.

Sen. McCain: Sure they do. Have you read the 'paper lately? They allude to a lot of things. And the Times has a stake in getting their boy Obama elected. They shredded Hillary Clinton, and now they're coming after me.

Fanques: But that still doesn't really answer my question.

Sen. McCain: But isn't this interview supposed to be about how I would support the arts after I'm elected?

Fanques: It is, indeed. But this seems a little more important.

Sen. McCain: Than what?! This is a f***ing sideshow you're running here. Let's talk about The Issues.

Fanques: We are. This has become the issue.

Sen. McCain: Look. I've become a threat to the Democrats and to the New York Times. So you drag up a ten year old story and start flogging it. It's not relevant to the campaign.

Fanques: So just what WAS your relationship with Ms. Iseman?

Sen. McCain: I think I explained that. Several times this week.

Fanques: But the New York Times and some of your staffers seem to think otherwise.

Sen. McCain: You're talking about Pravda here. A paper that is ashamed of the United States. And some traitor staff members who will be rapidly disposed of. Pardon me for ending that sentence with a preposition.

Fanques: But Senator, you've explained that you did some business with a lobbyist. Now, it seems, you need to explain the accusations that have been lodged against you about having a romantic relationship with Ms.Iseman.

Sen. McCain: Really. OK. I drilled Vicki Iseman. So what? Do I get the same pass you gave Slick Willy? Do I get the same pass you've been giving Obama and Hillary?

Fanques: Pass? I don't recall hearing these sorts of allegations against them?

Sen. McCain: Then you have your head in the sand. Because it's all out there. This interview is over. [click].
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Five Paintings: The Presidential Candidates Left Standing

Click to enlarge Barack

The Presidential Candidates Left Standing, are paintings of the last candidates in the race for the Presidency (excluding the absolutely hopeless Communists, Socialist Workers, Libertarian, and other fringe parties). Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee are just barely standing. Hillary is standing, but becoming very wobbly.


Click to enlarge Ron Paul



Click to enlarge John McCain

Click to enlarge Huck

Click to enlarge Hillary

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The Day We've Been Anticipating & Dreading::::::43 Presidential Contests In 24 States

click to enlarge

Maybe this will all be settled by Wednesday morning. The polls seen to say no, but they've been very wrong before in this race. With the Republican winner-take-all system, it may well be decided on their end. We Dems, however, like the fractiousness of proportional primaries, and as a result our contect will likely NOT be settled tomorrow. Maybe it will be settled enough that I can return to the happier days of made-up stories, alien lore, poetry, and parody, instead of obsessing over a bunch of rich people seeking glory who could care less if we woke up tomorrow.

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Video--Ann Coulter: I'll campaign for Hillary if McCain is the nominee

Here is a clip from an Ann Coulter appearance on Hannity & Colmes, in which she endorses Hillary over John McCain on many fronts, including intelligence, "she's more conservative," "she lies less than John McCain." "McCain is so stupid he doesn't even know when he's caught." "If it's close....I am voting for Hillary."

Previous posts on Ann Coulter:

John Edwards rips into Ann Coulter, she-devil
Caption of the week: "Coulter's Ugly Crack"
Ann Coulter calls Presidential Candidate Edwards A "Faggot" & Howard Dean Fights Back
Ann Coulter: Justice John Paul Stevens Should Be Poisoned
Ann Coulter Says POTUS Picked The Wrong Guy
$25,000 Worth of Ann Coulter
Heroes And Villains No. 49--> Mario Cuomo & Ann Coulter
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The Last Weekly Tracking Polls & The Prospect Of A McCain/Clinton Matchup and Love Fest

Pals

The latest weekly tracking polls (from 1/20/08 by Rasmussen Reports) show Senators Clinton and McCain in the Dems lead, and McCain and Romney heading up the G.O.P. heading into the southern primaries and on to Super Tuesday.

G.O.P.

9% Giuliani
19% Huckabee
11% Thompson (oops...he's outta there and his supports are swinging to McCain)
19% Romney
23% McCain

Dems

39% Clinton
31% Obama
16% Edwards
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If Hillary Clinton and John McCain are nominated, this could be the most civilized election ever, at least according to Bill Clinton.

According to CNN, former president Bill Clinton "brushed aside suggestions his wife would prove to be a divisive nominee for the Democratic Party, pointing out how she has successfully worked with Republicans in the Senate," including Senator McCain.

"She and John McCain are very close," Clinton said. "They always laugh that if they wound up being the nominees of their party, it would be the most civilized election in American history, and they're afraid they'd put the voters to sleep because they like and respect each other."

At an ABC debate in January, the two were seen chit-chatting. A Clinton side said "she told the Arizona senator he’d done a “good job” staging a comeback in New Hampshire. He asked that she say hello to Bill Clinton for him."
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New Hampshire wrap-up & the necessity of telephoning the voters

Coming home from Boston tonight on Alaska Airlines Flight 15, I bumped into Ralph Munro, our long-time Washington State Secretary of State (he retired in 2000). He was in the seat behind me (yes, coach!) and had been in New Hampshire the last week or so doing "grunt work" for the McCain campaign...grunt work being working the telephones. I have done the telephone thing for various candidates and for school levy elections. It is indeed grunt work...grueling, often unrewarding, and difficult. You get a lot of hostility and a lot of hangups. But the conventional wisdom says it's important work, and no matter how digital and internet- and media-based campaigns become, campaigns still rely on phone banks to turn the voters out.

Good on you Ralph...nice meeting you.

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Senators McCain and Clinton win in New Hampshire: stayin' alive

I am in Boston tonight, about 30 miles from ground zero in New Hampshire. I am glad to see that both Senators Clinton and McCain won their respective races tonight. Not that I am particularly in favor of either of them becoming President, but because I think they help keep the race honest.

Just last summer I and nearly everyone else had written off McCain...his campaign was in shambles. . .people were quitting, and the money was drying up. Has he cleaned up his act, or is he lucky to have Huck and Giuliani and Romney dicing each other up, and is able to sneak into the breach?

As for Hillary, she made an amazing comeback overnight--only yesterday she was running at least 7-10% behind Obama. Did this mini-comeback spring from the piling on from the press over the last two days, and a public reaction? Or were the press, pundits, and pollsters just wrong? I don't know, but I want her to remain in the race to keep Edwards and Obama honest. Even if Obama is destined to be the nominee, I'd like to see him go through a grueling primary season just to toughen up for the general election. He has had a tendency to pull back when attacked. . .and the attacks he's suffered from the Dems will look like creampuffs when the Republicans start lobbing anti-personnel bombs. I think it's important for Barack to learn to play hardball. Early on he showed signs of being gun-shy. He has to be able to do more than just make great speeches and talk about change. He's not alone of course...in the debate last weekend, the Democrats on stage mentioned change 61 times. And the G.O.P. candidates used the word 30 times.



That's some margin of error in that poll!
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Huckabee & Obama take the Iowa contest

click the winners to enlarge

Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama took the Republican and Democratic caucus votes in Iowa on Wednesday, and in the Democratic race, left Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd on the sidelines, as they dropped out of the race. Mitt Romney is sweating. Hillary Clinton "the electable one" is really sweating. John Edwards feels OK. He survived another day. Rudy? McCain? Richardson? The rest of the pack? Hanging on by their fingernails, or mired in the back where they've always been...

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Senator McCain Senior Moment (video)

Senator McCain loses his place.


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McCain's 95 year old battle-axe mother teaches a lesson of intolerance and religious bigotry

John McCain's 95-year-old mother has savagely lashed out against her son's rival Mitt Romney. She claimed Friday that Mormons were to blame for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics scandal.

In an appearance on MSNBC, Roberta "battle-axe" McCain laid out why her son deserves the Republican presidential nomination. Evaluating McCain's rivals, she criticized Romney's Mormon faith and his time in Salt Lake City. "As far as the Salt Lake City thing, he's a Mormon and the Mormons of Salt Lake City had caused that scandal," Mrs. McCain said.

John McCain quickly jumped in, [disingenuously] saying "The views of my mother's are not necessarily the views of mine." "Well, that's my view and you asked me," Roberta answered.

"I would disagree with any candidate or any campaign surrogate that chooses to disparage someone based on the faith that they hold, and instead implore other candidates and their campaigns to make a case to voters based on the important issues facing the nation," said Kevin Madden, a Romney campaign mouthpiece.

Roberta McCain said "I didn't mean to say it," as they stepped away from the cameras.

Senator McCain later said "What she meant was the Olympics were screwed up by the people in Salt Lake when Romney came in and fixed the problems there. But I know my 95-year-old mother is certainly in favor of Mormons."

What's next, John? People must be getting The Jitters about making your mom's "in favor of..." list! On Monday does she make a play for the redneck base, and rip into the African-American community, Catholics, or maybe even those pushy Jews?

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