think that stephenopolous will ask McCain about the following (via orange overlord’s place):

McCain Fund Gets Around Donation Limits

Elizabeth Holmes reports on the presidential race:

To help ease their fund-raising woes, John McCain’s campaign has devised a new system to increase the maximum amount an individual can donate to the unofficial Republican nominee’s election efforts.

Campaign manager Rick Davis released the details of the “McCain Victory 08″ fund on Friday. He said the entity is a joint committee, combining the McCain campaign, the Republican National Committee and four key states under a “hybrid legal structure.”

The idea is to tap donors for more than the $2,300 limit set by campaign finance laws. Under legislation pushed by McCain in his role as a senator from Arizona, an individual can donate a maximum of $2,300 to a presidential primary campaign and the same amount to the general election campaign. Although McCain received the number of delegates necessary to secure the nomination in March, he will not be the party’s official nominee until the convention in September—so he is still running a primary campaign.

The new structure allows up to $70,000 in individual contributions by channeling the money into different McCain-centric funds.

stephenopolous correction stephanopoulos

Elliot!

Good Morning MM, and a belated Hi to wobblybits (it was all my fault lol!)

Governor Palin is a topic on “To The Contrary” this morning. She was in Texas at the Republican’s Governors Conference, keynote speaker I believe, but rushed home to Alaska to give birth, the baby was a month early but all are well. There was some buzz that she started getting contractions during her speech.

and did you see the Phila Inquirer endorsed Obama? Hillary is still leading in the polls.

Good morning everyone. I’m back from a week in S.C. Anyone miss me?

I thought the Inquirer endorsed him in Feb. I was at dinner at some friends house in Philly, and an Obama supporter came to the door. They sent me to handle it because they said this was the second time an Obama supporter has come around. Looks like the Roxborough neighborhood is being canvassed very well.

I of course was charming and all puppy dog tails. When the door closed they said that’s the reason the sent me to answer. They would’ve asked her to leave, not because they don’t support Obama, but they are very private and don’t like people knocking on their door for any solicitation.

Yes! solai, I hope your trip was a fun vacation. Welcome home.

good morning, everyone…welcome back solai - hope you had a great time.

I often don’t answer the door if I don’t want to. I figure it’s my house and I can do what I want. So anyway, I missed a Hillary canvasser yesterday. I’m not much of one to talk to campaigners myself, but I sure admire those who get up and go out ringing doorbells in support of their candidate.

Very nice vacation BUT the hotel we stayed in (which got 99 tv channels) did not include MSNBC or the Comedy Network. They did get CNN and FoxNews. But a week without KO, Jon Stewart or Colbert was tough. Not to mention that it may account for the lack of cynicism by some citizens.

Toby, how Spring is it up there? I’m picturing you with snow still on the ground.

Good morning, everyone. A beautiful, sunny morning here.

I’m reading over at HuffPo about the military analysts. Shocking, I tell you. Who would have thought BushCo would do that?

I was very intimidated the first time I went canvassing. And I don’t like it when people come to my door either, except when the borough candidates. Then I can really put them on the spot about their lack of action in getting things done in the borough.

This canvasser was well informed so that was good to see.

We had just discussed the political race before the knock on the door. They were former Edward supporters also.

I’m reading over at HuffPo about the military analysts. Shocking, I tell you. Who would have thought BushCo would do that?

Where’s the outrage!

Almost 10,000 doors knocked in 2006. It’s a fear you get over fast. Now, calling people cold on the phone and asking them for hundreds of dollars, that’s something I hope I never feel comfortable doing.

i hadn’t ever done any canvassing before the lamont campaign - and i expected to hate it (as i can’t say i find phone banking to be a lot of fun).

to my surprise, i really liked canvassing.

wish we could do it for issues, though, instead of just candidates.

I can imagine how uncomfortable those phone calls can be.

10,000 ?!?!!!!

i bow, prostrate at your feet.

Almost 10,000 doors knocked in 2006. It’s a fear you get over fast. Now, calling people cold on the phone and asking them for hundreds of dollars, that’s something I hope I never feel comfortable doing.

I get those calls. My husband usually answers and tells them, politely, that it’s “not a good time, right now”. Good thing we have separate checking accounts.

The Lamont campaign was the first time I did it also. I went to a public housing community, which was another first for me. I learned a lot that day about myself, and what the situation is for people who live in public housing communities.

I’m almost outraged out, but for you I’ll summon one more….harruuuuumph!

And, also, after I turn on the Talking Heads you refer to above, there might be a slight chance that something will pi** me off. Ya think?

Where’s the outrage!

we’re suffering from scandal whiplash - too many scandals coming at us too fast and from too many directions.

Off to breakfast, have fun and smile everyone.

And, also, after I turn on the Talking Heads you refer to above, there might be a slight chance that something will pi** me off. Ya think?

that is a distinct possibility.

G’morning Elliott, pups. Damp and foggy in MN this morning. Might get a wee peek at the sun before days of rain. Folks getting a little cranky here. Well, weather and the Wild (sigh).

g’morning everyone!

went to captree state park this morning where car enthusiacs go to park their ride, walk, talk enjoy everone’s company

I thought about something on the way back, sitting here in panera bread having my bottomless cup of coffee with my spinach artichoke soufle

so I’m thinking

*the democrats should have their own flag thingy*

like a flag ring or flag wallet badge or flag top button of their shirt, something that will ambush anyone who asks or brings up the lapel flag, the demcrats would wonderl

“why aren’t you wearing your flag button, and why don’t you have your flag wallet badge, why don’t you love this country?”

be quite an ambush and would really do the trick shutting everyone up about that rediculous talking point they get people to raise as if it’s an issue

Acoustic Sunrise for 4/20…

The Beatles – Something (acoustic)

oh perris forgive me but I’ve been laughing at my misreading of your comment — for a second there I thought you were sitting in panera bottomless.

There’s a line from The Tudors-something like “If the lion knows how strong he is, nothing can stop him.” It refers to Henry VIII who uses all his power and treachery to destroy The Roman Catholic Church. Well, it equally applies to Bush/Cheney. Once they decided to throw out all the rules, it was quite easy to make this country more fascist.

More than anything, I’m stunned at just how easy it was.

Good morning Barbara, and good breakfast to you MM.

ahh radiofreewill,
thank you so much for the wonderful acoustic sunrise! much appreciated.
and the perfect choice for 4/20.

wood be fun I think, I might give that a go!

Some good news on Sunday Morning!

Dog crosses desert, mountains and somehow gets back home

ELY, Nev. — A dog that ran off during a road-trip rest stop apparently made her way nearly 80 miles across Nevada’s high desert and two mountain ranges to return home a week later.

Moon, a Siberian husky, was reunited April 14 with owner Doug Dashiell, who had last seen her April 6 near Railroad Valley, about 77 miles from his home in Ely.

more…

OK, using Marion’s Haz-mat suit, I’m headed into Fox News Sunday.

First question to Schumer, Hillary on the left and MoveOn.org comments

What I’m finding now is that the people I’m calling (big party donors) have just been hit up with big tax bills. People like me get money back and that’s how we pay bills :)

thank you elliot for watching. i don’t have a haz-mat suit, but am interested in knowing how schumer responds.

Good Morning Elliot and Firedogs -

think I’ll tivo the Axelrod-Garin fest - am fascinated by Axelrod’s success to date. There’s a Rolling Stone article out there about the Obama campaign (2 mos old ?) has anyone read it ?? just wondering how much of their success is due to Axelrod or is it the combo of him and the Senator ? either way, it’s one for the textbooks.

usual Schumery minimize it talk. and change the subject

Eric fell in love with Patty - George’s wife - seen in the ‘Something’ video, and wrote…

Layla (acoustic) - Eric Clapton

selise April 20th, 2008 at 5:47 am

we’re suffering from scandal whiplash - too many scandals coming at us too fast and from too many directions.
————————————————————————–

I’ve felt for a long time that that is actually the Rove plan: scandal gridlock. Overwhelm people with so much lawbreaking, recklessness, malfeasance, and just keep moving, and people get too overloaded by it to actually do anything about it. The other result is that an oversight body like Congress, also being overwhelmed, ends up at best compromising, ie: we won’t prosecute telecom companies if you’ll testify. That sort of thing.

Total breakdown by way of breakdown!

One of the reasons I like having young kids - I don’t get to watch this stuff live, and I have people like you to sift through it for me :)

perris at 28–”so I’m thinking

*the democrats should have their own flag thingy*

like a flag ring ”

thought they already had secret decoder rings…

or mood rings….

Schumer just said Hillary will win PA by a significant margin, when pressed what that meant, he said I won’t get into specific numbers but she’ll win by more “than people think”
Which of course is meaningless.

Durbin thinks Hillary needs to get 60% of the vote for it to matter.

Now on to Karl Rove on the “bitter Democratic race”
after that soothing break with Clapton

Surely he skipped right to Iran though, right?

;(

Oh, damn, I didn’t bargain for Rove. He’s analyzing the PA vote. “African-American, African American, African-American”

btw Karl Rove is in deed and in fact wearing his flag lapel pin.

Journalistic integrity department:

ABC are you HONEST about anything …..you have fewer number of posts than on Friday. Posted by: anniecla 9:01

One of similar posts at ABC web site, said site linked by Frank Rich this morning.

btw Karl Rove is in deed and in fact wearing his flag lapel pin.

I’m offended by it.

Well, at least you’re not bitter!

mood rings ??? constantly set on “deeply troubling” *g*

hey Schumer ! - the weds after TX/OH, your candidate was up 26 points in PA., and BO had two organizers in Philly - oh yes, please define ’significant margin’ for me

You asked for happy?
From REM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbGSDkvh8B0
You can’t help but smile….

Just so you know? Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush and Condoleeza Rice? No flag pin thingies. Faux Americans! Off with their lapels!

2 minutes from Heaven’s Jukebox…

Led Zeppelin - Bron-Yr-Aur (acoustic)

I love how Frank Rich notes today that neither Gibson nor Snuffleupugus were wearing flag pins.

They must hate America.

“You can’t help but smile….”

Ditto:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ

And, this Muppets version: Happy, Furry Monsters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbGSDkvh8B0

Another smile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzViV6PUOSM

Okay, that is funny.

Journalistic integrity department:

ABC are you HONEST about anything …..you have fewer number of posts than on Friday. Posted by: anniecla 9:01

One of similar posts at ABC web site, said site linked by Frank Rich this morning.

ABC’s really pathetic. That Frank Rich opinion piece looks tasty, I think I’ll have it for lunch.

I was psyched at the opening of the new Newseum until I learned that Stephanopolous’ This Week is moving there permanently — starting this morning. Somehow the museum is now stained to me.
One of the neat features of the website is access to all the newspaper front pages, check it out.

Boom De Ya Da….
(And, I’m even getting up outta this chair to Dance! Woo Hoo! Blood circulating and everything.)

Isn’t that a GREAT promo???

I put that in my favorites column and watch it about 20 times a day. 72andsunny deserves every conceivable award for that production, IMO. Makes you want to watch Discovery Channel, doesn’t it?

Absolutely. So much world to love. And, we all get to love what we want.
Just super.

So, what do you all think Snuffy will ask McCain. I’m conflicted. He knows he’s been criticized for the debate so he’ll have to ask some ‘tough’ questions, but he won’t be tooooo tough. Cindy’s stealing will not be mentioned but will her tax return be a topic? How about his med records? Or the lobbyist affair? Or his torture vote? Or that he flip-flopped on the economy in 24hrs? Or his lobbyist advisors? Or his temper?

Oh, and btw, I’ve heard a new rationale for questioning Obama more disgustingly than McCain. The new reasoning is that since McCain has been around for a few hundred years, we all know him. Thus a gaffe is not considered newsworthy. However, Obama is an unknown. So anything he says/does/associates with is very newsworthy because we’re trying to understand who he is.
Got that…..different rules apply to Obama.

just stumbled across this from yesterday over at The Great Orange Satan -

11 page investigative NYT piece on so called military analysts,

something we’ve discussed here in the past (usually McCaffrey) but still good to see such an analytical piece

linking in the unlikely event it wasn’t covered here yesterday

He first worked this song out on a single string tied-off to nails on the frame of his mom’s front door…

Muddy Waters – I Feel Like Going Home (acoustic slide)

Wow, I can’t wait to listen to all the happy music, it’ll be a great antidote to listening to the annoying parts of Sunday morning talk,

altho I really do love the concept of Sunday morning talk shows. So it’s up to us to push them to be regain their relevance.

So as a reminder, I’ve got the links to each show up top. Email them to let them know what you DO want to hear discussed, and suggest those who might be better on the topics, you know, people like the front pagers from FireDogLake.

After watching This Week today I can honestly say I don’t think there is a more out of touch group in the media than the two George’s, Cokie & Donaldson. It was truly pathetic. As I feared, just like Chris Cilliza did in his most recent column, they all pretended that the outrage over the debate was nothing but Obama vs Clinton supporters. The only ones complaining are the Obama people (I complained and I’m not an Obama supporter). And good ole’ Sam Donaldson regurgitated the faux McCain narrative (straight talk, maverick, blah, blah, blah). Today was my last time watching their show. From here on out if I want to know what one of their guests has to say I will read the transcript.

Only show on that list worth watching is Washington Journal, which I’ve got on right now.

I stopped watching all cable and network “news” shows a few months ago; got fed up. The News Hour and C-span, that’s it for me. The other stuff is brain poison and, I think, even dangerous for this country since I believe it’s either propaganda or corporate created deliberate distraction and pablum for the masses.

Segregationist rules for Obama, you sayin’, Solai?

Frank Rich’s column is a gem…maybe he can crack through Imus’ knuckleheaded take on the ABC debate when he’s on the I-show tomorrow a.m.

And isn’t it nice to see that ABC came up with the perfect segregationist solution to dealing with Cokie’s arrogant, condescending, elitist background laughter when Katrina was last on This Week. This week, no Katrina. Just the nice, comfy, cosy little family picnic of Cokie, Will, and Sam. None of them there “outsiders,” nosirree…too uppity, they.

does anyone have a link to the number of democrats that voted for nafta?

need it for something….and the tubes are slow this morning…..

if not, i’ll get it eventually.

thanks.

Do you ever feel when watching these shows that rely on the same worn old pundits that you’re watching the movie about those two eccentric cousins of Jackie O that cloistered on Long Island with all the cats?

Hey, guys, yoo-hoo, it’s the 21st century….

I love Dowd’s column this morning: once again she blasts Hillary for getting into the mud while at the same time letting Obama know he’s going to have to get into the mud if he wants to close the deal in November.

Sigh.

Btw, why was it “whining” and Hillary “playing the victim” when she was complaining about the “gotcha” and inane questions in debates way back when but Obama is a hero for doing the same?

He’s right to do so, but there IS a double standard.

Surely, Cokie and Snuffy weren’t her friends?

Janis Joplin – Mercedes Benz (a capella)

Thanks, Elliot!

I agree about the Washington Journal. I think it is one of the most informative shows on TV & I get up at 0530 just so I can watch it.

I always thought Brit Hume was a WASP but he sure is enamored by the Pope. “so beatific” I think was the way he put it. Even Bill Kristol gushed.

I thought John Paul II was an exceptional person of grace, I don’t get that same feeling from this Pope tho, but that’s just my lapsed Sunday School opinion.

Unfortunately the majority of Obama supporters don’t complain when it’s against Hilliary and the majority of Hillary supporters don’t complain when it’s against Obama which then allows the media to pretend that they’ve done nothing wrong.

NAFTA - roll call vote

there is a little poem at the beginning, then the song

johnny cash
what is truth

http://youtube.com/watch?v=qO5z2xUNUpU

I’m with you, bucko.
Oh, and Discovery Channel.
Also, I like Bill Moyers.
But, I’m such a sensitive type, all the spun cr*p just brings me down. Too sad. The facts alone are bad enough, but with all the lying…I just can’t take it.

sorry dmac, that was just the Senate - here is House

NAFTA -House roll call

jimi
you can hear my train a comin’
12-string

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je9O-VdrZ0E

one of the most beautiful songs of all time, one of the most beautiful versions of all time
franco corelli
nessun dorma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avjNx_J1iHo

I always start the day with Washington Journal on in the background, don’t always hear it… I think they’ve improved it recently with better set-ups when the guests first sit down, and then they go to open phones; and also the hosts seem better at keeping the calls on topic.

Plus it can be good for laughs, too. The day Fred Thompson announced for his Presidential candidacy, I was actually rolling on the floor bed laughing myself to tears.

Here’s a PDF with some really interesting interesting breakdowns of the NAFTA vote by Congressional district demographics.

‘Morning all;

OT, way OT, but…

The other day when Gorilla Guides visited and some of us were NOT paying attention, it struck me that we moan and groan about how awful or terrible the ‘war’ or ‘occupation’ is. We haven’t a clue…

Back in 2000, before all ‘this’ became REALITY, before the Supreme Court ’saved the day’, I heard that signiture expression,”Kill (or Nuke) ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out!”

That is a phrase I could not utter in jest, in drunken ‘humor’ or in abject rage.

I await the day when a certain Supreme Court Justice opines that Slavery, as an institution, was actually, quuite a good thing for ‘his’ people and that they need to be more appreciative …

America is above self-reflection, completely …

Then, a day later, a commenter, speaking about food shortages, worlwide, said that millions of poor people are going to starve, which is awful, but there is nothing we can do about it, really …

But America, the ‘Homeland’, we are convinced, will NEVER experience ‘WAR’, first-hand, nor will we ever be hungry or desperate enough to be anything but ‘above the fray’ …

I wonder.

The Iraqi people do not want us to blather about how ‘hard’ things are for us, they don’t us to’feel their pain’, they want us to stop the killing WE are doing and leave. We NEED to stop and leave …

But, Congress just gave (or soon will) lil’ Georgie $170 billion - some for him and some for the next President, to STAY … so we can ‘win’…

Win?

How are we doing?

How is our collective soul?

Is anybody hungry?

How’s our swagger?

But, everythings cool ‘cuz God is on our side, says so, right on the money …

Sorry for the OT, just some things on my mind …

Will Stephanopoulis be pitching fastballs to McCain or will he be on his knees tossing softballs or polishing them? It’s a rheoterical question. I think we know the answer.

Oops, here’s the link…

http://www.epi.org/briefingpap.....itical.pdf

no thank you! I’m delighted you’re here with your boombox, set to level 420 acoustic today.

The problem is not NAFTA. Anyone who thinks the US could avoid being a part of a global economy ain’t thinking clearly.

The problem is the lack of provisions for workers regarding wages, workplace safety, and the like.

Clinton has acknowledged this reality. Obama just keeps saying NAFTA was bad. Obama is not stupid. He knows NAFTA was inevitable, and he knows the problem is with enforcement and regulations, but he’s being politically expedient instead. Clinton’s the one being truthful on this issue.

OT, Condi is on a secret mission to Iraq. There are reports that rockets have been targeting the building in which she is meeting. Is Sadr making his move?

did someone say Johnny Cash ?

nonplussed - wow - thanks for the link

Condi flies into Baghdad, talks with al-Maliki and says “teh surge” is working and the GZG is making progress. Meanwhile, al-Sadr makes a statement in which he threatens “total war” with the GZG. My money’s on al-Sadr being the one with both feet in reality.

I wonder what it’s like being so detached from reality. I worked with schizophrenics for almost 20 years and we can treat, but not cure, that disease. It’s sad that schizophrenics don’t have the quality of life the BushCo sociopaths have.

Cripes, let’s hope not.

What a mess Iraq is. Good job, Dubya.

thanks cbl2!

it’s taking forever to do searches this morning.

and i needed both, so thanks…..

thanks nonplussed at 82!

Thanks for the previews (for me anyway) on This Week, it’s great to get heads up on key points to listen for.

I’m going to be really honest here and say that, if I had created such a damn disaster (and this includes her incompetence as national security director and ignoring all warnings about al Qaeda and a likely attack on the country) and had caused so many to be killed, I’d be in a lot of denial as well and maybe even trying to rationalize it.

That goes to the magnitude of the disasters this admin. is responsible for as well as their incompetence.

There were a few good questions in the McCain interview but not enough followup on the answers. At one point I expected McCain to reach in his pocket for marbles and roll them around in his palm like Bogart as Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny. He really is quite creepy.

Not Off Topic!