no comments?

And I even clicked thru the links. So, hmmm…

Gee Jane, maybe it’s a requirement for folks to put their brains into a blind trust when they go to work at the WaPo0. Kinda like Poppy Bush’s principles when he became VP to Reagan…

Crossover voting: what is it about a fair straight up election that rethugs are so afraid of?

Jane – I read Ian’s post last night and got so depressed, I ended up in bed with a headache and a glass of wine. I’m thinking this will get worse before it gets better and probably will last through the next Administration, no matter who wins it. I’d already ordered some seeds and vegetable plants (I have lousy luck starting peppers), but I’m starting to think that tearing up more of the back garden is looking smarter and smarter.

Well, to be honest, I’ve heard of some times when some Dems did the same thing in R primaries. But I think the end result of those attempts is to reinforce the direction things are already going.

You’re not kidding. I’ve greatly enlarged my vegetable garden in the last years. I’ve got my seeds in already and am getting ready to start them – problem is how to thwart really naughty seedling destroying cats – and am focusing on subsistence crops: beans, squash, potatoes, etc. – stuff you can put up, store and stay alive on if (when) times get rough.

Crap.

Thanks for the links.

What’s a Scotch MP?

Speaking of crossover votes, I have heard that more than a few racist Rethugs in the south are voting Obama because they believe he has no chance of capturing the white vote in the general election. I heard this story specifically from one of my dearest friends (here in OR) who is a Richmond, VA native, and it was one her childhood friends still in Richmond who told her they had crossed over to vote Obama and why. I was incensed and inappropriately took out my anger on my friend for not calling out her friend’s racism. I mean, jesus christ, it’s 2008. I don’t care that they crossed over to vote, wouldn’t care if they disliked Obama’s ideology, etc., but this was simply because he is black. Nothing more nothing less. These are educated adults, they should be publicly rebuked. Anyways, I have no idea the depth to which this behavior is happening, but I thought it was at least worth sharing.

Member of Parliament.

MP = Member of Parliament.

Not to be confused with George Clinton and Company

Great win in IL

Deborah Howell has zero credibility – she doesn’t know the meaning of the word “Ombudsman”

We already grow, catch and put up for winter most of what we eat, and trade some of it to other people for stuff they grow, catch or hunt. Still eating carrots, potatoes and beets from last summer, and now growing fresh greens (arugula, meusclin and micro greens).

The only way to go. I wish we had a couple of goats and a couple dozen chickens and geese too, but they’re against the rules in our subdivision, where I AM allowed to shoot my guns, though.

Scotch is Scottish Whisky. I have a very nice 12 y.o. single malt in the the cabinet. Scots are the people.

Ah, Cat issues – well, I’d go for something like …oh, I can’t think of it for the life of me – it’s like spun polyester and the sun and rain can get through it, but the cats can’t see through it. You bury the edges in the dirt. There are several weights of it including commercial stuff that is used over hoops. It’s also great at keeping cabbage worm away as well – no spraying for cabbage, broccoli, etc.

Ack, I feel my daylong headache from yesterday coming back. Getting online and reading what people are doing in this country and around the world is like going nine rounds in the ring.

I can see that J Ro is uncomfortable letting this campaign go on until the convention but neither candidate is going to get the required number of pledged delegates before then. I think we should be really happy that in the marginal states there is a lot of organizing going on that will hopefully help us in the general election and future state elections to elect more Democrats.

good for keeping the frost off and the ground warm for an early start with transplanted seedlings. I forget the name of the stuff too :)

Yeah, I know the stuff you mean. I’m talking about an inside problem though – since we still have about 4 feet of snow. This is the time to start my seeds in little peat pots inside. And there are two bored very bad cats (the kind I love) who delight in knocking over peat pots, and dragging little stringy green things around on the floor. I’m thinking egg cartons – the clear plastic kind that our localish organic eggs come in. Peat pots in the bottom, cover over the top, set on the windowsill, and cross fingers.

OK, I’ll take the Scot with the Scotch.

The only way to go. I wish we had a couple of goats and a couple dozen chickens and geese too, but they’re against the rules in our subdivision, where I AM allowed to shoot my guns, though.

I’m seriously thinking chickens as well. Goats too for that matter. I’m also aquiring hand tools – looking for old farming implements to use for producing food and perhaps harvesting hay.

Deborah Howell says she showed Charlotte Allen’s column to 6 women pals at the Post, and 5 of them didn’t find it objectionable.

Gee. That sounds like a real scientific study, doesn’t it? My friends all think like me … well, except for one and she’s on the margin of friendship, or I needed at least one dissenter to make my claim sound credible. Right? So, what we know from this highly credible survey is that Little Debbie Howell and Giggle-Girl Charlotte Allen think alike. Gosh, that is such a surprise, isn’t it.

A pox on them all – except, maybe, for the dissenting individual at the margin.

We raised dairy goats (angora goats too, but that is a different story– they are the Dick Cheney of the caprine world)for years. The only thing that will keep them in/or out is a good, very tight, electrified fence (horse charger). A favorite outdoor sport is to put their front hooves on whatever they can reach and try to stand on it.

I’m with you 100%. Time to get some seeds in the pots despite the snow on the ground and the cats. Planted tomatoes and onions last week. I’m out of pots right now, but when my wife gets back with our nephew, I’ll have to run out to the store to pick up something to keep him off of our steps. I think there is a garden supply store that carries those things…

Deborah Howell says she showed Charlotte Allen’s column to 6 women pals at the Post, and 5 of them didn’t find it objectionable.

Is this like the “reverse Pauline Kael”?

(”none of my friends voted for Nixon”)

She showed it to six women underlings at the Post who would be fired if they didn’t agree with her. They also complimented Ms. Howell on her hairstyle.

I can see that J Ro is uncomfortable letting this campaign go on until the convention but neither candidate is going to get the required number of pledged delegates before then. I think we should be really happy that in the marginal states there is a lot of organizing going on that will hopefully help us in the general election and future state elections to elect more Democrats.

Besides, this isn’t just another election since 1972. Whoever the Democratic candidate may turn out to be, he or she is running against an opponent advancing a very unpopular agenda: keep things the way they are. This is the Democrats’ election to win or lose, and I doubt that waiting until the convention is going to have much effect on the chosen candidate’s chances.

the only time i ever had haggis i was in Khartoum. the British ambassador was a Scot and it was served at the Caledonian Ball. certainly one of my more unique experiences …..

The other thing with chickens is – before you get them, call around(check with Coop extension, etc.)and find a slaughterhouse that handles poultry.

And her shoes…don’t forget the shoes…

I have slaughtered chickens. Not difficult if you know what you are doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbSzWFJxC1o

Those Shoes…

Matt – you are right; but we always seemed to have 15 or 20 that had to get done at a time and that is NO fun to have to do all at once. Better to find someone who will get ‘er done for you.

. J Ro: “Since 1972, when a party has let their primary go on until the convention, they have lost 100% of the time.”

Wasn’t there something in 2004 to the effect that when the Washington Redskins won their last home game before the election, a Democrat had won the presidency 100% of the time? (up to that point – not no mo, tho)

If you missed Ian Welsh’s excellent column yesterday, he now seems to have become a Scottish MP. Well deserved.

I’m just reading Ian’s contribution now and it is indeed excellent. I was not around yesterday, but found out about it over at Calculated Risk where it was commented on:

steelhead writes:
masaccio writes:
Meanwhile, the semi-professionals are explaining how bad things can get on political sites. http://firedoglake.com/2008/03…..-play-out/

Ian Welsh has been right on economic topics for a long time. He certainly is not a “semi-professional”.
steelhead | 03.09.08 – 3:02 pm | #

The “#” link goes directly the the quoted comment.

Debbie would doubtless have found the Salem witch trials “fair.”

Gotta admit, gardening was much more fun in IN. Gardening since I’ve been in the Phx. area has been disappointing, at best.

Yes, but usually … in fact, everytime including 1972 (and I think it goes back to 1964 to be honest) the party in that fight is the underdog.

This is a rarity in that the Party involved in the fight is the prohibitive favorite politically. Which makes it more like 1992.

Every other instance, that was clearly not the case.

Cactus grow in Phoenix.

I hear tell it’s a prickly heat there.

I have been looking forward to Ian’s insight each week. The one yesterday confirmed the choice we made to downsize for the coming catastrophe.

I feel this community will make a signifigant contribution to progressive ideals as this unfolds.

Congrats to Ian. I am proud to read,discuss, and disseminate your thoughts!

Ian’s article coupled with Paul Krugman’s NYT Blog analysis of the money supply mechanism at work with regard to treasury and securities interest rates practically constitutes a primer for Dubya TragEcon 1.09. This is gonna be quite the roller coaster ride.

Can’t eat cactus, other than some of those tourist type jellies, etc. I like tomatoes, but I was used to beefsteak tomatoes in IN, not the paltry, anemic, tasteless things that grow here.

I hear tell it’s a prickly heat there.

No, that’s prickly pears, but a “dry” heat. And they don’t sell towels, which is okay, ‘cuz ya don’t need towels here.

Jeralyn says: “Hillary would have won both states without the the cross-over vote.”

I didn’t realize that the winner of the Texas election had been determined.

I would assume she’s talking about the primary side of things, which has been settled in Texas. The caucus side of things is still open as far as I know.

Gotta admit, gardening was much more fun in IN.

Everything, lots of things, ,a few things, surely there’s something, ummm, sweet corn, yeah, that’s it, sweet corn – is better in Indiana.

Native Seeds/SEARCH out of Tucson sells traditional Native American/Northern Mexico seed varities.

From my Yahoo inbox:

Welcome to another edition of Political Perspectives, the subscriber-only e-mail newsletter previewing and highlighting NEWSWEEK’s coverage of the political world, in print and online. This week, we take a deep look at gender and the presidential race. Tina Brown kicks things off with an essay on what Hillary’s campaign means to some American women. Elsewhere, a forum of women writers look at class, gender and Hillary; Jonathan Alter writes on his mother’s difficulty choosing between Clinton and Obama; Howard Fineman looks at how the Democratic race is playing out in Pittsburgh; and Suzanne Smalley talks to Sen. Clinton about her presidential run. Online, Eleanor Clift looks at the chances that the Democratic race will come down to the convention, while Seth Colter Walls reports on a plan to raise money for another Florida primary. Plus, our up-to-the-minute coverage of the primary season continues with Andrew Romano’s reports to his Stumper blog. And be sure to check out the regular daily postings on The Ruckus, a group blog of writers from across the political spectrum. If you have a comment or a suggestion, click here.

My bold. Seems to be they should be looking at race, gender, and Hillary…class does figure, but not really by much…that category went out with Edwards, sigh sigh…

Well, if that pissed you off, this must really make you mad!

Ann in AZ, Did you read the Renzi article in the New Times this week? God must have been playing a joke on the right-to-Lifers when they were loving Renzi.

I’ll have you know, in IN I grew broccoli, green beans, cucumbers, peas, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes, green bell peppers, onions, scallions, carrots, and some sweet corn.

I think the “crossover vote” rumors are designed to make it look like the Dems aren’t really getting the votes that they really are getting, so that it looks like McNeocon has a better chance than he really does.

I would assume she’s talking about the primary side of things, which has been settled in Texas. The caucus side of things is still open as far as I know

The caucus vote tabulation has a long way to go..I hope they didn’t take the weekend off.

link

No, but I guess I’ll have to go looking for it now. Wouldn’t happen to have a link handy, would you?

1,781 dayz and the killin’ goez on and on and…

Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:

Re: “I’ve heard several people saying that the Rush Limbaugh-induced cross-over vote was a big factor in the Texas and Ohio outcomes. Jeralyn debunks that.”

No, sister Jane, I read Jeralyn’s post and she repeats “opinions” of others based on anecdotal evidence not analysis of data from precinct to precinct or district to district upon any established method of comparison. Now, while Jeralyn’s intellectual honesty is NEVER in question, her post reads as a plausible argument from a partisan but not as a conclusive analysis based on objective data.

And in the case of Texas, I really want to see a comparison of the voting results district by district in comparison to the caucuses…specifically, I want to see how successful Mrs. Clinton was in holdin’ on to the Hispanic block in the caucuses as opposed to the ballot. I have been very disturbed for many months by the tactic DLC-Clintonistas have been runnin to push the Democratic Party away from a progressive stand on immigration while pitting Hispanics against blacks in large urban areas in some primary states (like California). I think that the issue of immigration and the taking for granted of the Hispanic vote and usin it as a firewall to neutralize the black vote in urban areas, exposes Clinton and her politics but only if we ask the questions and do the analysis. It’s jest like her clever use of the dishonest rhetorical device of attachin herself to McCain’s strength while inviting comparison to Obama…she only gets away with it if we let her.

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION…NOBODY GETS TA HAVE IT BOTH WAYS ANYMORE!!!

that category went out with Edwards, sigh sigh…

I wish he had stuck it out to Denver…The economy will catch up to his economic message by then..he would have had leverage to push a progressive message, IMO

Why Yes! I do – Embattled Congressman Rick Renzi’s biggest victims may be the right-to-life groups he claimed to represent in Washington

My own take is that the crossover vote is exceedingly insignificant though is some places it might be heavier than others. You’d think with the sheer number differences between those voting in Dem and Gop primaries that the Presidential election should be a lock. Add in the polls that show the Dem party growing and the Gop decreasing (even since the primaries began), and I don’t get the national polls that show McCain close or beating Hillary. Why does the electoral college map look like another nail-biter? It seems we’re setting up for another election where voting shenanigans can and will make a difference.

I wish he had stuck it out to Denver…The economy will catch up to his economic message by then..he would have had leverage to push a progressive message, IMO

I wish this too.

And in the case of Texas, I really want to see a comparison of the voting results district by district in comparison to the caucuses

The caucus results are reported as totals for the 31 Texas state senate districts…they have a long way to go for the caucus results but if you go here you can see the numbers and they also have a map of the Senate districts..

Ms. Howell continues to sink to new lows. I wonder if she ever thought to ask for an opinion from someone whose paycheck the WaPo’s editors don’t sign? Like about the long lines at the three Starbucks within a five minute walk of the Post’s offices in downtown DC. As was true of the farcical CIA agent in A Fish Called Wanda, calling her an ombudsman is an insult to all ombudsmen.

So just to make sure I understand this issue, when Obama wins a primary with a lot of crossover votes that’s good, because he’s post-partisan, but when Hillary wins with crossover votes it’s bad, because they were Limbaugh-induced. Have I got that right?

Thanks, Matt! I have to run out and buy pet food and something for me to drink (Diet Dr. Pepper) since I ran out yesterday. But I’ll be sure to read it as soon as I get home.

Last night’s SNL skit, included in your post, was terribly demeaning and thoroughly unfunny.

After reading Ian’s post last night, even if he is half right, the ecomony is beyond being “fixed”, it will run it’s course and a lot of people are going to be in severe trouble. Because it can’t be “fixed”, the next president will be in for one term.

“I’ve heard several people saying that the Rush Limbaugh-induced crossover vote was a big factor in the Texas and Ohio outcomes. Jeralyn debunks that.“

Good for Jeralyn, but it happened in a big way in Ohio. As I have stated previously, Sen. Clinton carries the state anyway, but not by as wide a margin, which would affect the all important delegate count.

From the same Plain Dealer article referenced above…

A movement is afoot …

Some Republicans refer to it as “the plot.”

It started a few weeks ago when conservative radio powerhouse Rush Limbaugh suggested that his Republican following cross over during the primary to vote for Clinton. Clinton, Limbaugh argued, would be easier for McCain to beat in November.

Soon, local morning radio show host Bob Frantz echoed Limbaugh on WTAM AM/1100, and the buzz began to grow.

Cuyahoga County Republican Chairman Rob Frost tried to tamp down the temptation. He contacted Republican voters and appeared on the Frantz show urging Republicans “not to heed the siren call of Rush Limbaugh and others.

“Elections are not something you should be playing games with,” Frost said last week during a telephone interview. Yet temptation was strong.

North Ridgeville Republican Hazel Sferry said she was kicking herself all day Tuesday after voting for McCain.

Don’t get her wrong. Sferry supports McCain.

But after she voted, she ran into her niece who told her about “the plot.”

Her niece, Republican Sherry Newell, said she voted for Obama because she thought McCain had a better chance against him.

On the other side of Cleveland, temptation to cross over was strong, too.

Republican Kitty Anderson began working in voting precincts during the early 1960s and Tuesday’s turnout in the Republican stronghold of Chagrin Falls was the largest she had ever seen.

It was also the most crossover voting.

Anderson, 76, and her husband Donald, 78, both helped fellow Republicans change parties all day and when it was time for them to vote, they crossed over, too.

“We are both concerned about what Obama would do if he was president. We don’t trust him,” Kitty Anderson said. “I have five grandchildren, and I keep thinking I want this world to be safe for these kids. I don’t feel good about Obama. He just seems to be so vague.”

Come November, the Andersons said they will likely vote for McCain.

So just to make sure I understand this issue, when Obama wins a primary with a lot of crossover votes that’s good, because he’s post-partisan, but when Hillary wins with crossover votes it’s bad, because they were Limbaugh-induced. Have I got that right?

I’m no fan of crossover voting regardless of who it supports unless you are bound to stick with the same party from the primary to that year’s general election.

That way, any crossover vote is a legitimate one, and not cast to meddle in the other party’s affairs.

I just wish I knew how the first 15 voters in my ward voted. About half were Republicans…

1,781 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen RiesFisher:

“…when Obama wins a primary because of a lot of crossovers that’s good because he’s post-partisan…”

No dear, the issue was the faux crossovers or Limbaugh-induced or Repubican sponsored crossover vrs. independants and liberal Republicans registerin’ as Democrats in order to change things. Don’t try and cover the corporatist Clinton-McCain tactics by referrin’ them onto Obama.

It’s intellectually dishonest and beneath you.

KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T ELEVATE YOUR CADNIDATE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COMMON GOOD!!

[Mod Note; let’s avoid the ”terms of endearment” directed at other commenters. Thanks.]

Great post,….I enjoy when you skewer Howell!
Uh only thing Jeralyn has ZERO credibility these days about anything concerning Hillary and Obama. Her meltdown has been a spectacle to watch, albeit painful!

Which Ian Welsh?

Are these both the same?

http://www.cesagen.lancs.ac.uk/staff/welsh.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Welsh

The Wiki post says former member.

Are these the same guys?

The world is no doubt full of Ian Welshes.

I think the SNL skit was freakin’ hilarious. Spot on.

With regards to the crossover vote: as I said previously, my former home county sent shovelfulls of money to the campaigns of Hillary and Barack…and I know they haven’t suddenly become Dems..however, I DO think there are repubs out there who are disgusted with how things are going in this country and ARE switching to Dem voting.

I just wish we had and actual Dem running…(/snark)

I’m not sure Jeralyn debunks the claim of crossover voting at all. The observation is that it’s a “felony” to lie on a voter registration form, which purportedly includes a related form on which the voter “pledges allegiance” to their avowed party.

A few observations. The penalties seem low, even for a low-grade felony. I would be surprised if the “pledge of allegiance” overrode a voter’s constitutional right to speak their mind, and to change it about which party best promotes their views. In any event, votes are meant to be anonymous (as opposed to the act of voting).

The risks of Limbaugh’s advocacy seem low, especially when measured by the party of Karl Rove, and especially since it would be the voter who incurs them. Unless, of course, there’s a conspiracy or “aiding and abetting” or “material support” crime to which Rush would be subject. I’d prefer a few more facts.

NYT has brought up McSame’s bouts with Melanoma and secrecy about his medical condition.

I suspect so, but I would like, for reference purposes, to know the FDL version.

There seems to be a good deal of crossover voting. The contention is whether it is crossover voting because of distrust of the Rs running or is it crossover voting by Rush listener’s in an attempt to game the system.

Now this is really slimey – http://thinkprogress.org/2008/…..d-in-2000/

i saw that. finally, some real information. good to see.

I’m guessing the real “plot” must be to elect appoint McCain with an unelectable VP..banking on McCain’s age and health to be questionable…Jeb or Cheney or someone like that.

I like what dday had to say about IL-14:

Obama and McCain both did ads for their respective party mates in those races. In fact, McCain stumped with Oberweis. In a heavily-Republican district.

Foster still won.

Yeah, Obama’s got the native-son thing going, but in a heavily-Republican district that shouldn’t matter. Yet in terms of coat-tailing, he beats McCain.

None of the above – Our Ian Welsh is a Canadian.

From what I’ve heard, Texas and not Ohio was where the real Rush crossover voting was happening. Didn’t work there — the state still went to Obama once the post-primary caucus delegates were counted.

“Uh only thing Jeralyn has ZERO credibility these days about anything concerning Hillary and Obama. Her meltdown has been a spectacle to watch, albeit painful!“

I took the above comment as an invitation to head over to Talk Left to see for myself.

She really wrote the following:

“An image of Obama eschewing the Senate gym for one in Chinatown plays to the notion that he is his own man and not beholden to the Senate traditions while he serves there. He’s the outsider, coming to fix Washington. But, how does that reconcile with Sen. Salazar saying one of the places they forged a connection was in the Congressional gym? Maybe Obama works out at both places, but that’s not the image one gets form the Times article.”

Now that is simply ridiculous.

In a city where congressional pages are running for their lives and cash is being found in freezers, she’s (over)analyzing the deep meanings revealed in his choice of workout facilities?

That’s pretty much what I said then, isn’t it? Thanks for confirming it.

the state still went to Obama once the post-primary caucus delegates were counted.

Only about 1/2 of the precints have been counted so far, so we don’t know, however I think your projection will be correct.

I’ll bet that a lot of “dirt” gets talked about in the Congressional Gym…I’m sure it is “wired”…smart move.

Good point, though the point of Jeralyn’s piece was whether crossover voting occurred, because of its risks to the voter. I don’t think her argument is persuasive.

I am more persuaded by the claims of the large number of crossover votes. If it took place, I doubt that it would have been only in response to Rush’s advocacy; he’s very popular in rural Ohio. But he’s one mouthpiece for an extraordinarily well-orchestrated party, which would have spread the word about crossover votes many other ways.

If someone changed parties outright, their vote would not be a “crossover”. Any other GOP votes for Dems would be crossovers. McCain’s nomination was not in question, so voting Dem would not be a lost vote insofar as it enabled throwing a monkey wrench in the Dems’ gearworks.

The Dem vote in Ohio has a healthy portion of African American votes, mostly in heavily Democratic ex-manufacturing cities in the NE and NW. African American voters are presumably one of Obama’s main constituencies. A GOP vote for Hillary – a woman, but at least white (important issues in rural areas and the conservative southern counties) – would undercut his momentum, which was the big issue before the Ohio and Texas primaries. Hence, my supposition that any “tactical” GOP crossover votes would have been for Hillary, which is what’s been reported.

If you have a moment please read my comment @68.

Ohio had lots of it as well.

Saw it with my own eyes when I went to vote.

From their mouths to Cheney’s ears.

Hey Biodun. I think Obama brings a fair amount of class to campaign and, lately, he’s suffered for it with the MSM. Personally, I think his “above the fray” approach is fine. It might make the talking heads’ heads explode, and give them nothing to chew on; but, if he manages to not be drug into the negative campaign of fear mongering and retaliation — keeps his message of hope and change ringing clarion clear and finishes with more popular delegates in the fall, then that’s classy enough for me.

Texas went to Obama but I’ve noticed the MSM graphics persist in coloring it for Hillary. What’s their rationale, other than visual bias? Total popular votes?

I agree.

I just got hit with a nasty push poll from Hillary (I’m in PA) — good way to push me even further in the Obama camp. Sheesh.

The primary portion of the voting went for HRC. The caucuses, which necessitated returning to the polling place and sitting around for a few hours to vote a second time, appear to have gone Obama although not fully laid out as yet.

The primary assigned 2/3 of the delegates. The caucus the remaining third

I believe your comments are spot on.

The MSM is loking for a mud fight and I hope he doesn’t give it to them.

Re IL-14: Let’s hope McCain continues to campaign with GOP candidate X, Y, or Z while Hillary and Obama are still sorting it out. Tying Bush to McCain, and McCain to any GOP candidate running for congress seems to work as voters overwhelmingly reject Bush’s failed administration. We need to keep hammering that home to voters even though McCain himself is helping this along by appearing with these candidates. The polls show which side of the issues voters are on.

i haven’t read all of the comments yet, but saw a few as the page loaded about cross-over voting in ohio…….

in southeast ohio, we had a lot, but it was over LOCAL issues……..not the presidential race. i don’t know of one single person that crossed over to specifically vote for clinton or obama……many didn’t vote for a president.

we had commisioner’s races-7 people running, sheriff, rep for congress, prosecutor……think about it, that’s pretty much the whole local structure here….. that’s what people cared about………….all were hotly contested, and close.
that’s why people crossed over here.

had nothing to do with rush.

Congratulations FDL on 52,000,000 site visits.

—–Geeks R Us

From this site I assume:

http://www.agonist.org/diary/ian_welsh

I don’t see a bio, which is what I was asked for.

Not only that, but the statistic is junk as well. If J Ro’s research went back to 1772, or even 1872 I might take it a bit more seriously.

I agree with Digby:

Humans are still voting and the party as an institution hasn’t made up its mind. There is no shortage of money, both candidates provide some fascination to the media and until the party decides, they will remain moving targets for the Republicans. After all, they can’t settle on a narrative until one of the candidates is chosen. One of the upsides of the two candidates we have is that while they are very similar on policy, traditional GOP attacks will have to be tailored differently. If McCain is forced to campaign against them on the issues, which is what they have in common, he loses. On the issues, Democrats win.

It remains my opinion that the Democrats will win this election handily. National security is no longer the most salient political issue (the Cry Wolf syndrome may have finally kicked in) and the economy is going into crisis mode. Bush and the social conservatives went too far and have been (temporarily) discredited. I do not feel that we are in any great danger of losing. (My biggest concerns are what is going to happen once we win it, not whether we will win it.)

That’s not to say that the Republicans aren’t going to wage a fight. They are likely to wage a truly nasty one, since they know they aren’t likely to win and so have nothing to lose. John McCain will never run for president again — he might as well go out in a blaze of glory doing as much damage to the new Democratic president as he can. (It’s how they win by losing — create so much noise and dissonance that the Democrat can’t govern.)

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary goes on for a while and the two candidates are going to find themselves in deeper waters. That’s the way it often works. It’s almost never fatal to the party’s chances in November, particularly when it’s in the strong position the Dems are in today. Don’t buy the media hype. They have a vested interest in making this seem more dramatic than it is — ratings.

Gawd..W..hopeless:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23541492

Ian is an economist with no dog in the fight. I think he is pretty unbiased when he describes the global economic climate down to countries.
Wall street economists and government economist have their foot on the scale.

He I believe has a socialist philospyy like northern European economies private capitalist with strong regulation.

The first spiral article gives a lay view of the economy from capital, production and trade. He has all the numbers available from standard sources. He is a realist we are going to take a licking because of BUSHCO policies. OT Wexler has a good letter out on impeachment and how weak going to the Bush courts for a congressional subpeona is.

All due respect, Phoenix Woman, but this is BS, and we in the Texas ’sphere have been working to get the word out about it. Please see here here, and here, for example. Every piece of available evidence, from exit polling to past primary voting history (which is public record), to caucus participation, debunks this myth.

jane–at the top of scarylotte allen’s article, wapo invites you to write to the outlook editor about what you thought of the article, so, i did—-

I didn’t get a whole lot from it. I didn’t learn anything new, gain any new insight or enjoy reading it.

Will avoid spending any time reading anything of Charlotte Allen’s in the future.

My best friend’s daughter, soon to be graduating from Mt.Holyoke for creative writing, is a much better writer. But I guess there are a lot of writers I could name that are better than Charlotte Allen.

I have noticed over the past year that the quality of writing has gone down at your paper. If you can trace how and when people link to your paper, you will notice that my reading at your site has fallen off drastically.

Sincerely,
D—–
Athens, Ohio

I also think that Obama picked up a Super-Delegate there. Funny that Clinton didn’t come out to support him?

I’d like to point out that in both Ohio and Texas the amount of delegates distrubuted to certain areas were based upon prior Democratic registration or voter turnout in General elections. Thus in high turnout areas (i.e. Blue Zones) there would be a lot of delegates. In “Red Zones” much fewer. Now there aren’t simply going to be enough Republicans in the Blue Zones to really influence delegate distribution I suspect. And in areas where there are only two delegates available…it likely took levels of about 75% to win the second delegate.

Now I’m not saying that it wouldn’t be possible for an effort to exist that might shift a delegate here or their. But this would only be successful if there was already a large substantial number of the Democratic voters in that district similar inclined. That is the votes would have to be very close to the threshold points already. And the Republicans would have to mirror what their neighbors were predominantly doing.

In the dense Democratic areas smaller differentials might make an impact, but that would mean a very large number of the Republicans in those areas would have to decide to jump party. And again, to make a difference they would have to push an already substantial bloc of Democratic voters over a threshold point.

In most cases such an effort would have gone for nought. Let’s say Obama had already cleared a threshold point at 34% to get one of the two delegates…to get the second one would require Republican moles to add an additional 33% of the tally.

At most this might effect 1 or 2 delegates statewide is my guess…and rounding off numbers might have just as much of an impact!

BTW Those other female “editors” at the Washpo (doubt if any of them were the gals working in the Science Section) that thought there was nothing wrong with Charlotte Allen implying almost all women are stupid (of course that wasn’t THEM, they are the “special breed”)…should read this

Girls NOW Like Math and Science

The study demonstrates that girls today actually like math and the Sciences during elementary and much of junior high, only losing interest with it (and all academics) in the High School years. And while interest in Math and Science goes down…it’s still above other disciplines.

Furthermore some universities are showing major increases of women entering and graduating from the Sciences and Mathematics. This follows an historically significant pattern in which the number of females in general entering Universities is outleaping male enrollment. This is such a noticeable trend in Universities that some administrators have discussed whether male students should receive some controversial status as “underrepresented” and have additional counselling or other academic help to encourage entering fields that are considered “difficult”, and to assist in retention counselling.

cinnamonape–recently, the ou tv station here interviewed the female engineering students here about what it was like being in a male-dominated field, that’s how they put it—all 4 of them……4 of them. and engineering is a big department here.

back in ’77, i was a math and arts major, my professor for matrices in finite mathematics did everything he could to get me out of his class, even though i had the second highest grade………he came around, but it took a while. definitely women shouldn’t be here kinda guy. he was in charge of the department. it totally sucked, and i didn’t ’get’ it then, and i don’t ’get’ it now.

So just to make sure I understand this issue, when Obama wins a primary with a lot of crossover votes that’s good, because he’s post-partisan, but when Hillary wins with crossover votes it’s bad, because they were Limbaugh-induced. Have I got that right?

What? Didn’t you get the memo?

Everybody knows Obama is coooool and Hillary is a bitch. It’s a campaign slogan or something.

The fact Hillary has about as many votes & delegates as Obama must really be frustrating to “The Suit”.

BTW, when is someone going to ask him if when he’s the nominee he’ll pick another Afro-American to be Veep. I’d also like to know if he’s so much like JFK that he too has Addison’s Disease or something else hideous.

Wow, that was bitchy. Chill out, man.

it was worse than bitchy. it was the kind of attitude that is so negative and mean-spirited that it motivates people to vote for Obama even more.