Earlier this year, the Center for Media and Public Affairs conducted a survey regarding coverage of the Presidential candidates:
Since mid-December, when the presidential candidates turned their full attention to the Iowa caucuses, Sen. Barack Obama has led the race for good press and Sen. Hillary Clinton has lagged the farthest behind. From Dec 16 through Jan 27 five out of six on-air evaluations of Obama (84%) have been favorable, compared to a bare majority (51%) of evaluations of Mrs. Clinton.
But a new study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism finds that during the week of February 25 – March 2, Obama was coming under increasing media scrutiny. It’s an apples-and-oranges affair to compare the two studies, because the PEJ study doesn’t try to quantify positive and negative, but they do make this observation:
With no primary contests to consume press attention, Clinton’s charges of a pro-Obama tilt reverberated in the media echo chamber last week. Obama’s life and record came under a heightened degree of scrutiny, with everything from his legislative career to his ties to Louis Farrakhan to his African attire getting a public airing. Obama was the top campaign newsmaker and a significant or dominant factor in 69% of the stories from Feb. 25-March 2, a period between the Feb 19 Wisconsin primary and the March 4 tests in Texas and Ohio. That was the highest level of coverage for any candidate in 2008. And part of it was news outlets—from Good Morning America to The New York Times—engaged in introspective inquiry aimed at answering this headline atop one Feb. 29 newspaper story: “Are the media giving Obama a free ride?”
While some are drawing the conclusion (as the PEJ summary suggests) that this heightened media scrutiny of Obama is the result of Clinton "going negative," I really have a hard time believing that. If memory serves me correctly the Clinton campaign was widely accused of engaging in "racist" campaign tactics around the time of the South Carolina primary, and Bill was everywhere.
Rather, I think we’re seeing the evidence that the media has decided that Obama is now the presumptive nominee, and having built him up he must be taken down to make the way for St. John McCain (something I wrote about on February 20).
If Hillary during this time has also had a bounce in the polls, I’ll say again that I think it has less to do with anything that she is doing than it does the media rallying around a Republican call-to-arms and continuing their fine tradition of deciding who our next president is going to be.
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hi jane,
i’m writing up what’s been happening as i’ve worked the polls this morning here in austin, tx.
No one has gotten the degree of scrutiny that Hillary has gotten from the MSM. Even Crazy Train having an affair was nothing more than a two day story. It’s amazing. They impeached Bill for an affair but St. McCain gets a pass.
Did Hillary’s negatives get bigger during the press crucifixion? I’ve had this hypothesis that Hillary’s negatives can’t get any higher, but Obama’s can.
OT – just popping in for lunch. I’m in a very democratic precinct in Austin, Texas. CNN’s been at our precinct hanging out interviewing folks. There is a very long line with 12 voting machines. I’ve been going up and down the line asking people if they need information about how the caucus system works. Even people who’ve voted a long time hardly know since very few have gone to a caucus before. We usually have about 40 at our precinct caucuses. As people find out that additional delegates will get apportioned over and above what gets apportioned in the primaries, they are understanding it’s important to come caucus and are planning to come!
It’s like getting to vote twice.
I invented this job for myself this morning when I casually asked a woman who had just voted if she was coming to caucus tonight. She knew her way around the school and was showing me where the gym was in case we get too big to caucus in the cafeteria. She said she wasn’t going to caucus and when I asked why she said she didn’t understand the system. When I explained it to her, she decided to come caucus. Then I realized a lot of people standing in line would also want to know and also have the time to listen.
I came to work for Obama and I still figure this will benefit Obama. My guess is that this precinct will go for him. Of course, standing talking to the people in line I had to be, and was, completely non-partisan. In any case, it’ll activate the Democrats as we have very few Republicans in our precinct.
I’ll be helping with the caucus tonight, signing up delegates and alternates. Our precinct gets 103 to the next level caucus, which is State Senatorial District.
I’ll check in again after the caucus.
Jane’s analysis sounds correct to me.
Way to go, gw!
Thanks, I’m having a blast doing it.
… and we’re back!
Is that like a Zed…? ;-)
so now they believe hillary is more beatable then obama, I think not too long ago they were salavating about running against a black man
I have no idea who is more beatable for them but I do know neither is beatable in a fair election.
and there is the rub, what are the democrats doing to insure a fair election
I’ll buy that explanation.
The idea that the Clinton campaign is in control of the press is a non-starter.
The full fury of the Mighty Wurlitzer has yet to be engaged.
This mystifies me.
The swiftboating has been sporadic at best also.
It is like the Repub adoring MSM is confused, there are no daily faxes being handed to them with talking points for the day and instructions.
The Repubs can’t possibly be in such disarray with the entire media complex at their beck and call, can they?
What press are you reading that provided this “crucifixion”? I must not have enough media access?
I’ve decided to continue flinging poo at the media.
There’s littl point in a focussed attack when the circular poo-firing squad is more engaged daily.
Once a clear front-runner emerges, the game is on.
MSNBC was showing the ‘press room’ for Hill’s Austin rally, the men’s restroom…! A befitting spot for the press, considering they’ve seen their integrity go down the toilet…
Besides I have been chilled to the bone by the process of da Red phone:
It’s always 3AM and ya better be quaking in your boots
So Many Red Phones So Many 3AMs but So Little Time Now!
that lazy ass Tucker just said the opposite of Jane, that indeed HRC has benefited from going negative – yeppers all is right with the world :)
go Greenwarrior go ! we are running 2 to 1 Dem to Pub out here in exurban Williamson County
GOTV
Plain and simple
2000 and 2004 were close enough to shade
Don’t let that happen again
“and there is the rub, what are the democrats doing to insure a fair election”
Boy is it ever (the rub)!
As a resident of Ohio, I’m still not over 2004. It’s like no one that can call the shenanigans of then Secy. of State Blackwell to account give a damn.
If you can’t expect fair elections–for both sides– why bother voting in the first place?
good for you, greenwarrior!
Forgot where I picked this up, but allegedly there was a sign on the Charles River in Cambridge in the 1970s: If voting made a difference, they wouldn’t let us do it.
You are referring to the press crucifixion of Obama aren’t you? Has Hillary been crucified by the media who keeps spreading the false Afghanistan oversight rumor when Hillary is the only candidate in fact on three Senate oversight committees that deal with Afghanistan and Obama is none. She has a shill every hour coming on and pasting it on the walls with an MSNBC or CNN anchor to dumb to click on the Senate website.
For all you Rabid Rezkomaniacs who don’t know what’s going on but love to say the name anyway?
From the newspaper who is wedded to Bush, McCain and Telcom immunity–the admittedly ultra-conservative Chicago Sun Times:
Eye On Rezko
that’s an incredible line…I think it might work to galvanize the electorate
Yup, Homeland Security has me feeling warm all over.
What happened to being away from the box for the day?
Today in SF is warm and sunny – yesterday was, too!
Must be why I’m so disoriented: first the post plays hide-and-seek, then I’m back on the poo thread.
poo-flinging here please
I know this. I have gotten up every day since Ibsen wrote Hedda Gabler in 1890, called up my homies and said “Let’s boogie out into da Homeland. Whazzup in da Homeland tonight? What I really wanna see are more big ass SUVs with bumper stickers that say “Mah Bush and Mah McCain and Mah Telcom Immunity is Protectin’ Mah Homeland.”
Can you say “Electoral College?”
i LOVE to hear that about Williamson County.
Hey Boss man, how ya doin’ today?
Hoping for a better day.
Teddy a lesson for you. From 3rd Century Greek poets later resurrected by Lyly, Shakespeare, Ben Franklin, and David Hume:
“Poo flinging is in the eye of the beholder.”
Is it 3AM in Calleforney yet?
I brought one with me and have mastered multitasking. How will you feel tomorrow?
Stick yer head outside and tell me if the sun is shining.
that would perk me up a little.
How are we deprived of our vote? Let me county the ways. Electoral college. Winner take all, No instant runoff ….
And this beholder is calling poo.
Actually, poo flinging is in the eye of the moderator.
Do you know how many years Texas has had both a primary and a caucus?
Too true. I got a mod for a quote from “Alice In Wonderland” – who knew? :) :)
IOKIGAR
It’s OK if your genitals are republican.
Genitals aside (rhetorically speaking; bilateral symmetry is a jealous mistress)….
start again
In all seriousness, the media dump on Clinton has the dynamic of schoolkids making fun of the kid who knows the answers.
The kid is generally a she (feamle brains mature faster in cognition and impulse control.)
To me, MSM’s Hillary Sneer looks like envious dull kids.
_ _ _
Now off to the park (avoiding the poo thread therein)….
The democrats have a National Lawyers Council that is part of the 50 state strategy. The Lawyers Council is setting up election monitoring. Non lawyers can help as poll watchers. Anna Martinez at the DNC can hook you up in YOUR home state
You got it almost right. The sign read:’If Voting Could Change Things, It Would Be Illegal’.
Yes, it was there, and I saw it with mine own two eyes.
beautiful bright shiny day today in texas. we started out the day at 35 and it’s now 68. :)
sorry, i don’t.
RBG, ya might want to hire a honey pot, the poo thread is at 420 and climbing…! ;-)
oh poo – can’t proofread for beans:
IOKIYGAR
It’s OK if your genitals are Republican
Awesome.
hahaha. have fun at the park.
O/T
info via orange overlord
BTW, DWB, exactly where was the sign? I lived in Cambridge for several years, so I know the area pretty well.
I’m very curious, as I’m sure all the pups are, how Obama will handle the MSM assault on his integrity. It begs belief that he has not prepared for it. He’s seen what’s happened to all of our candidates in the last 20 years. I’ve been trying to think of what might be his proper response. Dismissive seems to me to be the best. Something like saying, why don’t you guys try something besides the ’same old same old.’
His strength and perhaps secret is the large rally. It is newsworthy in itself, can’t be hid, and helps him do an end-run around the pundits. I think one reason the pundits acquired so much power is that they originally offered free advertising to a party that lacked the wherewithal to buy its teevee time. Obama and the Dems are flush this year. They don’t need Russert, etc. I think sending a couple of shots across their bow would be good for everyone.
Chuckle
thanks gw – have fun with the poll. good on ‘ya.
How the hell did Rs create floods? I thought I’d heard of most of their voter supression tactics, but this is a new one.
It’s a befitting spot for other reasons, too.
Didn’t you know, God is on their side (ask Hagee)
The Rev Hagee did it.
Well, at least some of them claim direct connections to the almighty whatever doncha know…
Jane is right on I think about media coverage and the St. McCain Syndrome. However, I believe that Hillary’s action shave negatively effected her with liberal bloggers and in general the democratic voters
The republican party is God’s party, after all…! ;-)
Teeheehee. Got the responses I was provoking.
Jane, you are right on the money. The press is engineering a victory for McCain. They barely looked at his links to lobbyists following the NYT hit piece on him; he is their BFF. On the democratic side, they have poured venom onto Hillary and for all practical purposes killed her candidacy, while giving Obama a free ride. Now that he is the potential nominee, they begin to pile onto him just as they mercilessly did Hillary; only MSNBC didn’t get the memo as yet. The fix is in.
I think that Obama has shown his reaction to any negative critiques is to meet them head on and confront his attackers clearly articulately on concisely in way that is simple to understand. He has done what we all wanted Kerry and Gore to do but never did. If he keeps this up and gets the nod he will do well in the general.
But here’s what I always wonder. During the last election there were an army of bright attorneys who were dispatched all over the country for the Kerry and for Bush team. Many were on call. The legal newspapers had a slew of articles on them. And you have the National Lawyers Counsel and monitors. There have already been complaints today. So as far as making observations and suggesting improvements for some time in the future that sounds constructive. But if there is a real litigation hassle it could take a long time to shake itself out.
And there’s this and to me its huge:
Undercutting every effort to have fair elections, we have the elephant (sorry for the choice of animal–I know it’s a party mascot somewhere) in the room–or the 800 pound gorilla and that is the potential undermining of the touch tone screen voting machines. Why aren’t people like the Lawyer’s Council extremely concerned about getting a paper trail and doesn’t the lack of one worry you? Why do you think states have been so slow to eliminate any question on the touch screens? I guess as often is the case it’s about money, but it’s also about apathy.
And swiftly! He has an excellent response team…!
I think that liberal bloggers echoing mainstream media’s Hillary hatred have negatively affected many Democratic voters.
If McCain is installed in November….all of the inspired voters who have risen to fight back against the Pukes….will turn that energy on the Pukes and take to the streets…It won’t be a pretty picture.
I think they’ve been busy beavers.
The MSM wants their straight talker now that he is the annointed one, but they missed the boat by attacking Hillary. St. John would have had a much easier time against her than Obama.
he’s written the new playbook for democrats and it doesn’t matter which candidate we field, they will both use that technique
both hillary and obama have learned from this primary cycle and will gain from each other
Paul Krugman seems to agree:
Deliverance or Diversion?
You get the gold star for clever response. *g*
knowing, or finding out, or reporting the problems on election day is the same thing as closing the barn door after the animals have left
it will help us not one stitch
So if Hillary wins TX & OH the press will say it’s to little to late and if she loses then they will stick in the fork, and declare her done.
Either way she loses, is that correct?
Simply said, I agree. And if Hillary has a bounce back, fighting between the two can continue which just helps St. John. Interesting term “ties to Farrakhan” because the Big F said something good about Barack there are now “Ties”. Barack has said that he rejects and denounces Farakahn. I’ll bet there has not been as much negative press as real ties to Preacher Hagee even though McCain accepted his endorsement on the same stage. I have seen a few stories; but they are not constantly replayed.
I personally heard radio spots from Hillary that falsely attacked Obama that on top of what she has said regarding waiting for the heavens to open and then saying that Barack is a weaker candidate than McCain. Then attacks about plagiarism those are all tactics whihc make people turn from her whether touted by the MSM or not. I didn’t listen to the mysognistic or sexist spittle spewing from the MSM about Hillary I just saw what she did in her own words.
“St. John would have had a much easier time against her than Obama.”
I know that this is the gospel among Obama’s supporters, but I just don’t see it this way. Hillary is a fighter while Obama is the communicator. She would tear McCain into bits. Obama, I feel, would flail Kerry-like once he is moved from his comfort zone. Either way, it will be a tough fight ahead for the Democrats. How I would have loved to see a Hillary-Obama ticket!
Officials report heavy turnout for Ohio primary
TX Primary: Final Early Vote Totals
It’s fun to watch the press, many of whom wear their candidates on their sleeves but are conflicted by their desire to create controversy over the most superficial of issues. Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times has really had her Clinton preference drawn out as we head into crunch time.
As the states become more crucial, the press is becoming more desperate: They want ratings, to sell papers, and they also want the candidates they think they should boost.
It can be somewhat tiring, can’t it? Tiring enough for me that I logged off 2 wks ago & only read here now.
May post again later when D/R candidates have been chosen.
Thanx for the excellent FDL posts & mod job one & all. Comment threads for me have just become read only recently.
TTFN.
St. John not only accepted, but actively pursued Hagee’s endorsement. Imagine the uproar if Obama had sought out Farakan?
Jane Hamsher:
You’re right that the media will go after the Democratic front runner to McCain’s benefit. But that doesn’t preclude Clinton joining in the attacks in a decidedly unappealing way — (see earlier post on her depreciation of the Democratic “brand”.) That both the media and Clinton are undermining Obama with Republican frames isn’t mutually exclusive.
This post seems like an oblique apology for Clinton, badly timed in a week that sees her boasting of her own affinity for neocon foreign policy and criticizing Obama for lacking those same neocon bona fides.
The real results I anxiously await, not whether Hill or Obama wins, is the ratio of Dem votes to Repugs, I’m rooting for the national average of 2:1…! 8-)
I wasn’t an Obama supporter until Edwards dropped out. I believed that McCain and Hillary were going to run back in ‘04. I prayed she wouldn’t because I didn’t want to see a Republican win. When she announced, my heart dropped for this Country and the Democratic Party. My perception of what a Hillary-McCain race would result in held before I gave my support to Obama.
OT: Republicans=Buffoons on Steroids
I’m right there with with you on that. The turnout has fascinated me more then anything in this race.
Tear ducts.
Only problem is that there are a lot of Republicans and Independents who are voting in the Dem primary hoping to influence who McCain will face.
If you haven’t seen him in the general how do you know he is not a fighter? I haven’t seen Clinton in a general election either.
The primary isn’t a comfort zone for either candidate. And the general is supposed to be tough–it’s for the highest office arguably in the world.
Here’s how they will attack Obama…
He’s a liberal.
He voted Against the war…that means he won’t protect you from terrorists.
He one of “them” will be implied over and over again.
I just don’t agree that Obama is going to have an easier time against McCain. I think the republicans truly did not want to go against Hillary because they spent 52 million on whitewater and only came up with an affair. They know Hillary isn’t going to have Bill’s sex addiction problem. They know that their financial stuff is relatively clean… and Bill is a Rhodes scholar, I do not believe that he committed any crimes after being grilled over whitewater.
I think Obama is going to be easy toast. The problem with the liberal meme is that the intellectual in Obama that we all love will look weak against the military man attacker in John McCain. It will be Kerry all over again. They will play on fear and prejudice and it will be fresh and new!!
I hope I am wrong. I want a dem..and I pray that dems stand up to the horrible attacks and REFUSE to believe it and refuse to allow it to be spoken.
just asking
do we know this for a fact?
The mistake the Kerry campaign made was to SEND lawyers all over the country. You need to have lawyers in their own locales, who already know the election law IN THAT STATE and who already have well developed relationships with election officials, etc.
That’s the idea behind the Lawyer’s Council. Here in NYS we have been at it since 2005, every state and federal election. Virginia the VADLC put out a big effort for Webb. PA has a well organiaizedc chapter, and so on.
As a part of the DNC, none of the state or federal Dem LAwyer’s Councils can involve themselves in any way in a primary on behalf of one candidate or another.
Candidates have to set up their own election protection during the primaries.
Another gold star!
Has Howard Dean made a statement re what Dems will do regarding this on election day?
The larger the ratio, the harder for the Rethugs and Diebold to steal the election…!
no mater who is our nominee, and I will support the Dem nominee in the general, I have to admit that the Obama has pioneered some new techniques which I think will be copied in future campaigns. It’s been a modern campaign.
Delurking and asking a pardon for the OT: I’ve had a thought and haven’t had any time to see if it’s being discussed here or at Marcy’s, but is there a chance that the Rezko indictment is another politically motivated offering from the DOJ? Haven’t had time to read up on Rezko but not sure if I’d be reading anything worthwhile by reading Illinois papers as we’ve seen that papers have been enlisted in the prosecutions (Alabama). Any thoughts out there?
I just don’t buy the “Obama has gotten a free pass” line.
First of all, he hasn’t been around Washington long enough to fill up his closet with skeletons yet.
Secondly, there’s been precious little to criticize with his campaign to this point.
And, do you really believe Sen. Clinton’s camp hasn’t used “the Google” on Rezko? If something was there, you best believe they wouldn’t be sitting on it.
Maybe, just maybe he’s been a decent civil servant to this point.
Not perfect, but decent. That would still be a tremendous upgrade over most of them.
All the more better, either candidate is much better then McCain. Also, they will be pushing a woman or an african-american further in their historic journey. It’s all good as far I see it.
Jerlyn at TalkLeft has discovered there are dirty trricks being played by Obama in Texas. It must be those Oabam Republicans influencing his workers.
Let’s hear it for the Obama Republicans teaching him all their lovely ways.
I have to disagree, having a group IN PLACE before elecetion day allows you to head off some problems before the day even begins. Having a group with local knowledge and local connection allows you to solve problems as they come up.
For everything else, the goal is to preserve evidence to allow for accountability not unlike hte NH phone jamming case.
Folks, please don’t forget to Fling your poo downstairs…
I just came from the polling place which is at a school temp building (trailer). The Dem and GOP primary are right next to each other with adjoining rooms. There were many People who were republican but voting in the dem primary. Side note: One of the volunteers standing outside the polling area to support there candidates was wearing an Obamacan T-Shirt but she was standing with all the GOP local candidate volunteers.(goes to show that she wasn’t being stoned or chastised for supporting Obama, by fellow GOP’rs.) So I can reform my statement to include there are many Republicans who really don’t want McCain or Hillary.
The only candidate getting a free pass is the repug.
Ding! We have a winner.
Toobz ate earlier version of this.
Here’s an interesting link I just found that makes a strong case that this 2:1 turnout in the primaries is a very good omen. They studied the 2000 primaries and general and looked at states with competitive primaries on both sides. They found a statisically significant (p < 0.001, very significant) correlation between the turnout ratio in the primary and the eventual performance in the general. I think that’s good news for November.</p>
Jane Hamsher:
It’s speculation, and correct me if I’m wrong, but the Farrakhan line of attack is one the Clinton campaign would be comfortable making. That’s one underhanded line of attack I think they’ve employed, and which will be repeated by Republicans. She is, after all, the Senator from New York. and Farrakhan, of course, was only ever a story there.
They also disseminated the picture of Obama in Kenya. It’s a fair tactic, but one identical to Republican tactics. I was also struck by that Steve Kroft question to Clinton about whether Obama is a Muslim. Doesn’t it seem that was asked for her benefit.
As far as the “experience” tack she’s taken goes — touting her affinity with John McCain, her presumable readiness to bomb people at 3:00 a.m., etc. — I find this ominous. I’m skeptical that advertising herself as a warmonger is popular among Democratic voters — it suggests to me she’s trying to go over the head of the voters and, as I said, reiterate her bellicose bona fides to the establishment, the press…I don’t know.
Right wing talk radio in Boston has been trashing Obama non-stop over the past few weeks. (Michael Graham and Jay Severin on WTKK) It’s very ugly, too.
The RNC must be using the noise machine to go where McCain will not go. I might be their strategy for taking down Obama.
I don’t think it’ll work!
I’m tempted to refute this but I’ve already done this many times and now we are all starting to see the same themes repeatedly. You certainly have a right to your opinion. Of course they’re going to use those themes. They are on the predominantly Republican talk radio and Fox every day.
We have plenty to go after them with. The so-called poster child for defending this country was deep asleep at the switch during 911. The “Bush foreign policy” to defend this country is disintegrating with Rice in the Middle East this minute before your eyes.
The only result of the Bush Administration’s efforts to defend this country have been that they did win a smashing victory–they completely decimated the Constitution. In that respect bin Ladin won a victory that was a double entendre. As to any ememies of the US–they’ve done next to nothing.
I think the Democrats have finally learned their lesson about responding to any kind of attack, Swift Boat included–and you’ll see a very aggressive lightening fast response in this general whoever the candidate is.
Mr.Cbl here,
I have been talking to hard right republics here in deeply conservative Williamson county (the county just north of Austin) for months now and many have shared that they intend to vote for whatever candidate the D’s put up. Of those, many voted early and did in fact take a Democratic ballot. Again, they have shared that they intend to vote D in November.
You mean to the press? I dunno. I do know that at his insistance we had a huge conference, laywers invited from all 50 states, last Nov. about a week or two after the last election day.
We are, for dems, surprisingly organized. The problem for us is waiting for a cnadidate b/c once that candidate is chosen s/he calls hte shots about deployment. Which kinda suck, b/c Gov. Dean has realy been doing a good job of it so far.
I just voted in Texas and now such thing happened where I was. After I signed in on the voting list the poll worker politely asked if I planned to attend the caucus, and she told me it would not start earlier than 7:15 and after the last person in line has voted. No forms no packets no nothing being hnded out or even outside the polling place.
If memory serves ’twas on the bridge crossing the Charles that takes one toward Beacon Hill, the name of which bridge escapes me, but it might have been the bridge that went to Back Bay, the old synapses won’t quite pull it up …
“I think the republicans truly did not want to go against Hillary because they spent 52 million on whitewater and only came up with an affair.“
I wholeheartedly disagree.
It’s not rational or fair, but it’s a fact that they really don’t like her.
Nothing would raise them from their coffins after dark like her candidacy would.
Now, that’s not a valid reason to pass on voting for her in the primaries if you think she’s the best candidate for the job, but it’s fact.
Pat Fitgerald is NOT a memeber of any political party. he has already amply demonstrated his willingness to piss of the GOP be prosecuting Scooter Libby.
That’s very good news. I’ve been hearing snippets here and there that Republics in Texas were voting for Obama today just to mess with the system and would vote Republic in November. I hope your information is more in line with what will happpen.
So, consequently, if they’re voting for Obama now, they’ll being voting for him in the General…
Thanks, looseheadprop. As I stated, I have not had time to look at the case and I did not know that Fitzgerald was the prosecutor.
And Chris Matthews rewards Blackwell with appearances on his show. If the new Secretary of state is a Democrat, I hope they provide the inner cities with enough machines so everyone can vote. Better make sure there are no mysterious terrorist alerts for other precincts either. Have there been charges filed from the 04 election?
Looks like “Main St.” on the map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=…..8;ct=image
But do you think (and I am honestly asking) that Obama will do the necessary attacking?? I hope so, because unfortunately this is how they win, and while I am not a fighter (which is part of the problem with the dems up against some dirty fighters) my husband always says that you must take the first punch if you are certain it is coming. He says you make the swing before he connects with your chin and you make sure that it’s the hardest blow you can deal. Will Obama attack in this way?? I am afraid that he won’t be able to say anything to McCain that will be as low and dirty as what they will use against Obama. Their worst against Obama will be pretty disgusting. I can’t see what the attack strategy against Mccain will be, other than that he’s one of them…but is he really?? I think alot of republicans like it that he flip flopped on issues, that he “isn’t” a true bushite…and yet, he’s good enough?
Do you see what I mean? Maybe I am just worrying. Of course you don’t have to refute what I wrote…it’s crap that I even think it, I hate that the republicans are that low. I just hope Americans will see through it when it begins to happen.
Not him personally, his AUSA’s but the USA has to approve the case and for a big case like this will pay close attention and likely give advice.
cbl2
I live in Williamson County but inside Austin City limits I have seen Obamacan t-shirts here. Also I have spoken with folks in Cedar Park and Georgetown and I agree the Repubs. are voting GOP locally but are going Dem for Pres. Those same people wanted Edwards more than Hillary or Obama.
Mahalo, cool web site, too…! *g*
Either Hillary or Obama will be the nominee of my party obviously. If HRC isn’t the nominee I will be sad. Why? Because I think she’s smart, she’s a Democrat and I think it way past time to have a woman as our president. If Obama doesn’t make I will be sad too. Because he’s smart, he’s a Democrat, and like me, he is a half breed.
JW, these are people that are well and ferociously pissed off. About many things but mostly it is the economy.
Gotta hit the road pups. I was invited to hear Jim Comey give a talk and I’m off to hear what the very tall one has to say.
Be nice to each other and remember, all poo flinging should be done downstatirs.
Have a good night!
bye LHP, always makes me smile when you are on a thread.
Not all but many. Either way they don’t like Hillary, Although the pundits and GOP leaders would rather beat Hillary. The MSM loves attacking her, the MSM has never, never been nice to her. They may be attacking Obama a little more now but voters really like him from both sides and I think secretly MSM’rs do too.
If I were President Obama or President Clinton, I would appoint whoever does not win the Democratic nomination to the SCOTUS.
Ask Comey for us what he thinks of Mukasey!
In this house we like Hillary and we like Obama. We would be quite comfortable with either as president.
It’s wonderful that they are finding out just how badly they have been used. Virtually every one of the Rethug policies they have gladly been in favor of for the last 28 years has harmed them. The shame is that the damage had to get so bad for them to realize just who was inflicting it.
It’s probably not dirty tricks, it’s probably the screwy and confusing Texas 2 step…besides, those who signed will probably come back and participate tonight. Submitting them and collecting them for later submission are two different things. JMHO
A question, please. Do you know if Willie Brown has endorsed anyone? May have missed it, but haven’t seen anything in the paper. Endorsement would carry a lot of weight in SF.
I am so sick of the so called msm and the msp (mainstream pundits). That’s why I don’t read, watch or listen to them.
I don’t understand how anyone could be so dim that they would continually vote against their own best interest. Even after the negative effects are painfully obvious they stay on that run away train.
It’s difficult to think that a few years ago I would be glued to the Sunday talking head shows. Times were different. Then.
Real patriots…
Willie ain’t endorsing.
Many, many Republicans are disillusioned with the fake version of their party that has been ruling the country for the past 7 years. They don’t like them anymore than Dems do.
The Fundies are convinced that if they pray hard enough and give enough money to the charlatans, they will be provided for becuz they’re “good Christians”
The libertarians do it becuz they’re convinced they’ll invent the perfect product or business that will make them Bill Gates redux
Mississippi and my home state, Oklahoma are prime examples of people voting against their interests. Many of us here in my beloved Oklahoma are working hard to change that.
Enjoy your last days in the White House, Republicans. It’s going to be mighty chilly out there. For a very long, long time.
Yes or Mass Ave, but the names of the bridges will probably hit me in the middle of the night, ’round 3 ay-hem, I suspect. You know, when I’m NOT trying to ‘remember’, and have little or nothing on my mind. Now ‘that’ will be ‘your’ fault! “G”
It was the sinking feeling before 2004, when we all said we told you and they didn’t believe and all all those years of fighting with your GOP in-laws that didn’t change their minds one bit; and finally the light bulb goes on after we are on the brink of collapse in the world as the shining light of hope. We’re are all holding our breath, thinking is it true? have they really started seeing through the fog and smoke of swiftboat attacks, and the deafening shrill of swiftboat attacks and Limbaugh gaseous emissions. I am afraid to fall for it.
Isn’t one of the bridge names the “Longfellow” bridge?
A couple of months back at the county fair while I was registering voters a couple of policeman walked passed, I asked the if they were registered and told them I could help them register. Then I told them I could help them stop voting against their own interest. They were smiling right up to that point. They both turned and briskly walked away.
Longfellow?
we’re planning a trip to beantown soon…
Republicans often call into Washington Journal identifying them as “recovering Republicans”….there are a lot of them out there. The country is awakening out of its 9/11 stupor and PTSD…hope it holds. The real problem is Diebold.
Believe you are correct, now only ‘one’ will ‘bug’ me. Thanks.
At one time Oklahoma had a strong socialist party. Today we have a Democratic governor and an elected woman Lt. governor. One will be blue again one of these days. Very blue.
You have to be very gentle in approaching some of them as they will become quite resistant at the thought that they’ve been conned, which it sounds like is what happened there.
Howard Dean calling the poo flinging “Pattycake” on hardballs.
longfellow crosses to beacon hill, mass ave bridge crosses to MIT
Americans really hate to admit they are, or were, wrong. They will go off a cliff before they give in. There’s something in us that says “I was right” and that’s that.
This is right on. No one likes to know they’ve been duped. There’s a sense of betrayal on top of self blame. The shame is overwhelming. Don’t ask me how I know.
wiki on the Longfellow Bridge
This will help you keep up with the Rezko case which has opening statements Thursday morning. The federal reporter for the Chicago Sun Times, Natasha Korecki is blogging the Rezko trial.
Chicago Sun Times Rezko Blog or All Things Tony Rezko Natasha Korecki
I believe, that Fitz’s target is < <strong>a href=”http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-webfeb26,0,2042001.story”>Rod Blagojevich whom Judge St. Eve named as Official A the other day. I’m not from Chicago, and I don’t live there but I like it a lot.
So I don’t have the kind of grip on the two major newspapers there that I would if I lived there as to whether they are biased or not politically. From all I can read though, and from their own statements both are strongly supportive of McCain and Bush–very conservative. Maybe if I’m wrong about that, and the papers have statements that say they are conservative, someone from Chicago will straighten me out.
But they are the Chicago papers, and the Rezko trial is in the Northern District of Chicago with a familiar cast–Fitz prosecuting and Amy St. Eve who was on the White Water team on the bench.
I’m not for a minute suggesting Fitz is going after a democrat in this trial. As LHP pointed out, he spent an awful lot of time doing a very tough job prosecuting Libby (although I’ll always regret that not only did Scooter throw sand in his eyes, but the missing emails that we now have been able to pin down to time periods that would have been crucial to this case and much else sure compromised Fitz’s team’s ability to do their job.
I would have really liked to seen how this country would operate if those missing emails were in the hands of effective people to do Congressional oversight. Marcy is covering this incredibly well. And when you think about the missing emails, you think about all the other documents that aren’t available and the fact that Rove and Bolten and Miers are in contempt of Congress and aren’t available.
Yeah, thinking what dakine said also makes sense. It’s all in the approach.
Trouble in mind, well I’m blue, but I won’t be blue always
The sun’s gonna shine in my back yard some day
I’m gonna lay my head on some lonesone railroad line
The two-twenty-nine can pacify my worried mind
Trouble in love come to me and it sure did blow my mind
Sometimes I feel like living, sometimes I feel like dying
Trouble in mind, well I’m blue, but I won’t be blue always
The two-twenty-nine can pacify my blues away
Trouble in love come to me and it sure did blow my mind
Sometimes I feel like living, sometimes I feel like dying
I’m gonna lay my head on some lonesone railroad line
The two-twenty-nine can pacify my worried mind
We are looking toward Texas and Ohio tonight. Watch tv tonight, Karl Rove. You and the rest of your kind are looking straight into the eyes of defeat tonight.
That is why it is best to leave the door open for them and pretend you don’t notice when the slink in and pretend to be invisible. When they are in the voting booth….in private…that is where they will anonymously make their choices.
This is pretty much what my fiancee thinks.
Bob in HI
Thanks – I have Hardball on with sound turned off. Tweedy makes me ashamed of my Irish heritage and his voice and insufferable glibness makes me bonkers.
The Harvard Bridge connects Back Bay on the Boston side to the MIT campus on the Cambridge side of the Charles River. It is part of Massachusetts Avenue.
He’s on CNN now
i freakin LOVE that song,thanks
“The MSM wants their straight talker now that he is the annointed one,…”
I think Truth in Messaging requires that we call McCain the Bullshitter, and his bus the Bullshit express. Can you print that in MSM newspapers?
Bob in HI
Well, we’ve had our primary in California, and our current mayor’s endorsement did not carry SF for his candidate, Hillary Clinton. According to this article, Willie Brown has called for Hillary to step aside for Barack Obama, but I’m not sure he’s endorsed anyone.
hey gang christy’s upstairs with house poo.
Well they just love those catching nicknames like W hands out. Maybe Forked tongue or “He’s lying b/c his mouth is open”-McCain, is better that straight talker, on the straight to hell express.
Which version? I’m partial to Asleep at the Wheel. How bout Sister Rosetta Tharp!
Erk! Of course. Feeling, ‘duh…’ But, truly, thanks.
Must get these synapses relined.
Better yet, a ‘refresher’ visit.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhh,i never heard that version,luv it
In this house we love Asleep at the Wheel. ;0)
From NO QUARTERSusanUnPC at 16:56:21 :
Here is the poo room.
I apologize for the botched link. The link should have been
Judge reveals Blagojevich is ‘Public Official A’ who is probably Fitz’s ultimate target with this case as a pathway.
Thanks, PetePierce. I really need to get up to speed on this one as I think we’re going to be seeing lots of efforts to pin it on Obama. As Jane states, the worm has turned!!
Jane, I agree that the media is turning on Obama but I think it would be a mistake to discount Clinton’s efforts. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting a high number of crossover votes and strangely enough, msny of them are voting for Clinton for precisely the same reasons that many Democrats are voting for her. She’s got more experience, she sounds like she knows what she’s doing, the country is a mess, her husband was known for good government and she’s a woman in an historic election season. These are all very good reasons.
What is really strange is all of the people on the left who insist on attributing brilliant politcal skills to Obama. It’s a real mystery to the rest of us who are seeing him as merely an vessel to carry the hopes and dreams of a disaffected left. But he is pretty much turning his back on us to court independents and Republicans. What to make of the enthusiasm for a man with very little track record who has no idea what kind of crucible he has been dropped into?
Those of us, both Democrats and Republicans, who have been burned by inexperienced politicians who had an easy ride are tired of government by personality. We want something more. I keep waiting for the WMD on Clinton that the lefty blogosphere and the media keep saying are there. But I have seen no evidence of that yet. And one stupid vote on the IWR should have been enough to condemn Kerry as well as Clinton. But what we can overlook in a man, we find somehow unforgivable in a woman. What else can we attribute the meteoric rise of an inexperienced man to knock her off the pinacle? He cannot match her in any other way. He even has the backing of establishment Democrats AND many Bush Dogs. I’m surprised at the lack of scrutiny our side has given Obama. Whatever is driving this is as elusive as a bubble and it *will* pop.
What you’re going to see a lot of efforts with the press, to pin things on Obama just as Jane has said. The TV are people like Pat Buchanan or Tucker Carlson who don’t want to take a second of time to understand what the context of the Rezko case is, but they feel by learning to say the name they have something to bring up negative towards Obama.
Rezko will give TV and some of the print media something to talk about, but is not going to implicate Obama in anything criminal whatsoever except the judgement that since he was considering a run for office and knew Rezko was a target of the feds, he should have cut ties with him them. The more the media tries to smear him with Rezko, the more they will waste their time. The two conservative Chicago newspapers are maximally frustrated because they’ve been playing with Tony Rezko story for over two years and have come up dry on Obama.
Note that almost no one on television has a clue what the Rezko case is, or that it has been a vehicle to try to flip witnesses to nail a bigger fish, the governor of Illinois.
Fitz is going to fail at nailing Governor Rod Blagojevich aka ‘Public Official A’ though is my prediction, and Fitz doesn’t conduct business at all the way Leura Canary and her husband and Alice Martin did and the Public Integrity section at DOJ that has become a Rove/Gillespe weapon in Alabama does. It would have been a huge mistake for Rove to try to coopt Fitz the way he coopted Canary, and if he had the emails that were discarded, Rove would be residing in the Bureau of Prisons right now.
Marquis of Queensbury doesn’t apply in politics.For a guy from Chicago he hasn’t learned much about hardball.Bobby Rush muscled him and he got trounced in Ohio today and in an anti-nafta state against the first lady of Nafta and a Wal-Mart board member and he has done nothing to improve his standing with seniors where he gets absolutely obliterated. After outspending her 3-1.This campaign needs a strategy session.When he played rough in South Carolina his campaign took off- tonight he lost male voters against Hillary-that is hard to do.This will hurt with money as well. His best shot Texas and hugh pressure from Democrats to force her out- but she won’t back down and PA will be tough.Get lawyers for Michigan and Florida and look for an extended nasty fight that will hurt Dems- The answer to are you are fighter had better be Yes I am and you better get ready to fight dirty.
So — McCain is the GOP candidate — we have known this for quite some time. Why are the pundits pushing Hillary up? My guess is that they think she’ll be easier to beat.
And I have seen Hillary do disgusting things the past 3 weeks — and tell lies. Why do you deny that?
And again — the worst is: She and Bill Clinton say they love McCain. In fact, Hillary said she and McCain had the experience necessary to be prez. Obama? Just a speech. (Apparantly the one 4 years ago.) First time I heard getting through college, law school, and decades of work — NOTHING. Yet brain-dead Americans don’t realize she said that THEY were nothings, too.
If you dropped out all those with IQs under 100, Obama would win in a landslide.
I grew up in Oklahoma, 35 – 50 years ago. Even then, the state was vastly Democrats. But the kind of Democrats who elect Inhofe, etc. It is not socialist, and if it ever was, it was VERY long ago. I doubt it will ever be nearly liberal. Democrat? Sure. But what does that mean? Blue dogs? Shoot. Those are GOP.