Edwards will withdraw today in New Orleans, at least according to reports on CNN and AP.
Rudy! ended his non-campaign and is throwing his weight (!) behind McCain.
Huckabee was only running for VP anyway, and became delusional after Iowa. Since then, a dose of reality. He was nowhere in SC and FL. Don't see him as viable anymore.
So. McCain vs Romney and Clinton vs. Obama.
I hesitate to prognosticate--along with so many others I had buried McCain months ago--but I thought it would by Romney vs. Obama all along. McCain's resurgence might upset that scenario...but it seems Mitt is the one is has been selected by the Bushies to inherit the throne of The Boy King.
Big play now for endorsements. Hillary and Obama can be counted on to work hard for the nod from Richardson, Edwards.... and Al Gore.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Conspiracies of love
There was a little boy in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama---the place was called Acipco, which is an acronym for 'American Cast Iron Pipe Company'- who wanted a toy steam shovel for Christmas. His family did not possess the means to get one, and they weren't even sure they could find the toy, let alone buy it, in time for Christmas.
Then a remarkable thing happened: Through the efforts of many, the toy steam shovel appeared under the tree at Christmas. No one person was able to accomplish it alone: It took everyone working together to make it happen.
Bert Keller, who is pastor at Circular Congregational Church in Charleston, told the story from his childhood in a sermon some years back. I am certain didn't get the details right but I hope I got the gist. I relate the story because twice, very recently, there has been such a conspiracy centered on me.
First, just before Christmas, a group of folks got together and presented me with a lavish gift which transformed a bleak holiday season into a joyful one. Nobody did it alone---they just came together and made it happen.
Now I am going to New Orleans to run my first marathon. I can't afford air fare. I have not the means to pay for lodging there. Again, more than one person intervened to make it happen. A "buddy pass" airline ticket suddenly was made available by a friend whose brother is an airline pilot. A friend--an amazing woman whose grace and strength in the face of tragedy is an inspiration--has opened her home to me for the time I am there.
It is at such times when I think we are at our best: When we come together to lift up someone else, when we tap into the joy of helping others, when we reach out and lend our stength...I think we are ennobled and strengthened by the experience.
It is not the first time I've been so blessed. I wish I could find some way to reflect back not the substance of what was given, but the feeling I get inside at being the focus of such an effort.
That would be a way of paying it back.
Then a remarkable thing happened: Through the efforts of many, the toy steam shovel appeared under the tree at Christmas. No one person was able to accomplish it alone: It took everyone working together to make it happen.
Bert Keller, who is pastor at Circular Congregational Church in Charleston, told the story from his childhood in a sermon some years back. I am certain didn't get the details right but I hope I got the gist. I relate the story because twice, very recently, there has been such a conspiracy centered on me.
First, just before Christmas, a group of folks got together and presented me with a lavish gift which transformed a bleak holiday season into a joyful one. Nobody did it alone---they just came together and made it happen.
Now I am going to New Orleans to run my first marathon. I can't afford air fare. I have not the means to pay for lodging there. Again, more than one person intervened to make it happen. A "buddy pass" airline ticket suddenly was made available by a friend whose brother is an airline pilot. A friend--an amazing woman whose grace and strength in the face of tragedy is an inspiration--has opened her home to me for the time I am there.
It is at such times when I think we are at our best: When we come together to lift up someone else, when we tap into the joy of helping others, when we reach out and lend our stength...I think we are ennobled and strengthened by the experience.
It is not the first time I've been so blessed. I wish I could find some way to reflect back not the substance of what was given, but the feeling I get inside at being the focus of such an effort.
That would be a way of paying it back.
Marathon training
In other news...
The training continues for the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans: Race day is Sunday Feb 24. My schedule was interrupted by some fairly serious burns on my right foot in a kitchen mishap, but the blisters are (mostly) healed and my miles are piling back up. This week:
Monday: 6.8 miles easy, 1 hour Bodypump, 1 hour spin class.
Tuesday: 4 miles easy.
Wednesday: 5 miles easy.
Thursday: 3.1 miles hard, 30 minutes upper body weights, 30 minutes core work, 1 hour spin.
Friday: 3 miles easy
Saturday: 5K race, 1 hour spin. Maybe some traditional weightlifting. Some core work.
Sunday: 12 miles easy.
The long run is nowhere near what it should be at this stage, but I am confident I can be ready in time. But...it seems unlikely I will be able to run at a pace which will permit me to finish in 4 hours.
And I'm ok with that. Heck, less than 2 years ago I couldn't run 1 mile. ONE MILE.
Now....look at what I can do.
The training continues for the Mardi Gras Marathon in New Orleans: Race day is Sunday Feb 24. My schedule was interrupted by some fairly serious burns on my right foot in a kitchen mishap, but the blisters are (mostly) healed and my miles are piling back up. This week:
Monday: 6.8 miles easy, 1 hour Bodypump, 1 hour spin class.
Tuesday: 4 miles easy.
Wednesday: 5 miles easy.
Thursday: 3.1 miles hard, 30 minutes upper body weights, 30 minutes core work, 1 hour spin.
Friday: 3 miles easy
Saturday: 5K race, 1 hour spin. Maybe some traditional weightlifting. Some core work.
Sunday: 12 miles easy.
The long run is nowhere near what it should be at this stage, but I am confident I can be ready in time. But...it seems unlikely I will be able to run at a pace which will permit me to finish in 4 hours.
And I'm ok with that. Heck, less than 2 years ago I couldn't run 1 mile. ONE MILE.
Now....look at what I can do.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Not even close
Obama in a rout.
Edwards a distant third-place, but I'm sure he'll stay in the race.
Bill continues to jabber nonsense, and overtly plays the race card: is he unhinged?
Edwards a distant third-place, but I'm sure he'll stay in the race.
Bill continues to jabber nonsense, and overtly plays the race card: is he unhinged?
An anti-Clinton backlash?
Chait in the LA Times sums it up.
I suppose this constitutes an "I told you so" moment for conservatives. I myself have never had any illusions about Team Hillary's ability to play hardball politics--but there are serious doubts being raised inside liberal circles about the wisdom of using such tactics against fellow Democrats.
I would also remind folks that what the Clinton team has done pales by comparison with tactics employed by the right to seize and maintain power. However, what has been described as "Clinton Fatigue" amongst Democrats seems to be deepening to "Clinton Aversion".
I doubt that Hillary wanted to go negative in this campaign, but I think she sees the very real possibility that she might not win. Her once insurmountable lead has shrunk, she got a bloody nose in Iowa, barely edged a win in New Hampshire, and her win in Nevada actually yielded one fewer delegate than Obama. Her carefully constructed inevitability is no longer a given.
Her husband has added to her woes. The former President-once considered her "Ace-in-the hole"-has suddenly become something of a loose cannon. Voters who have never felt warmth for her now are looking for reasons to vote for another candidate. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: Her candidacy is a house of cards.
The "whatever-it-takes" strategy might yield her the nomination, but it might prove to be a Pyrrhic victory. Already she faces the very real possiblity of hearing boos and catcalls at the convention this summer.
I suppose this constitutes an "I told you so" moment for conservatives. I myself have never had any illusions about Team Hillary's ability to play hardball politics--but there are serious doubts being raised inside liberal circles about the wisdom of using such tactics against fellow Democrats.
I would also remind folks that what the Clinton team has done pales by comparison with tactics employed by the right to seize and maintain power. However, what has been described as "Clinton Fatigue" amongst Democrats seems to be deepening to "Clinton Aversion".
I doubt that Hillary wanted to go negative in this campaign, but I think she sees the very real possibility that she might not win. Her once insurmountable lead has shrunk, she got a bloody nose in Iowa, barely edged a win in New Hampshire, and her win in Nevada actually yielded one fewer delegate than Obama. Her carefully constructed inevitability is no longer a given.
Her husband has added to her woes. The former President-once considered her "Ace-in-the hole"-has suddenly become something of a loose cannon. Voters who have never felt warmth for her now are looking for reasons to vote for another candidate. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: Her candidacy is a house of cards.
The "whatever-it-takes" strategy might yield her the nomination, but it might prove to be a Pyrrhic victory. Already she faces the very real possiblity of hearing boos and catcalls at the convention this summer.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hilllary pulls out all the stops
They must be getting nervous.
The Clinton campaign released a statement calling for delegates from Michigan and Florida to be seated at the convention.
Those two states moved their primaries forward on the schedule and were stripped of their delegates by the DNC for doing so. All the candidates signed a pledge not to participate in the primaries there...in fact, Obama's name did not appear on the Michigan ballot.
If the campaigns reach the summer without having reached the magic number needed to secure the nomination, then the excluded delegates from those two states will loom large.
As will the delegates controlled by John Edwards.
The Clinton campaign released a statement calling for delegates from Michigan and Florida to be seated at the convention.
Those two states moved their primaries forward on the schedule and were stripped of their delegates by the DNC for doing so. All the candidates signed a pledge not to participate in the primaries there...in fact, Obama's name did not appear on the Michigan ballot.
If the campaigns reach the summer without having reached the magic number needed to secure the nomination, then the excluded delegates from those two states will loom large.
As will the delegates controlled by John Edwards.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Kucinich out
It seems he is quitting to prepare for a primary challenge.
You might say his campaign came up a little short...
You might say his campaign came up a little short...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Big Dog...
...barks.
Yesterday the buzz was "Bill Clinton is getting inside Obama's head". Now it seems the Obama rapid-response team's fast jabs back at Team Hillary are getting Bill a bit rattled.
Thick with irony, too, as the "rapid response" was lifted straight from the Clinton 1991-92 campaign playbook.
Is Bill Clinton letting his temper get out of control? Or are these "outbursts" carefully planned?
Yesterday the buzz was "Bill Clinton is getting inside Obama's head". Now it seems the Obama rapid-response team's fast jabs back at Team Hillary are getting Bill a bit rattled.
Thick with irony, too, as the "rapid response" was lifted straight from the Clinton 1991-92 campaign playbook.
Is Bill Clinton letting his temper get out of control? Or are these "outbursts" carefully planned?
Obama
I arrived just after 8am: The doors were to open at 8:45 and the program started at 10. Maybe 50 or so in line when I arrived, but within a few minutes that had swelled to 200 or so (by my ad hoc head count). Weather was chilly but not cold, very foggy with an ever-so-slight drizzle in the air.
The soggy conditions did not dampen the spirits of the crowd--the mood ranged from buoyant to downright rowdy.
Doors opened at 8:50 and we were efficiently processed in through the metal detectors. I was guided to a seat in the third row dead center maybe 20 feet from the podium. Sweet.
I scanned the crowd: Looked like at least half were students (no surprise there--the hall sits adjacent to a dorm wing). Maybe 60 percent white. More than a few of the non-students in the crowd were, shall we say....of somewhat more mature years. The crowd continued to file in: All the seats were taken and I do believe the capacity of the room exceeded. Plenty of people were standing in the back (I briefly considered giving up my seat--scanned the crowd and looking for older folks or expectant mothers--seeing none, I sat tight). A speaker was placed outside for the benefit of those who were unable to get in.
A brief welcome from a Winthrop student and a quick warm up from a local Democrat and the Man Hissef emerged to quite thunderous applause.
Probably his standard stump speech from around the state (he's been spending some time in SC). There were notes on the podium which he consulted from time to time. No teleprompter. Most of the time he scanned the room, made LOTS of eye contact, and used an easygoing, conversational style.
He's quite strong in this format. Comes across as quite sincere. Picking up on McCain's win here last Saturday, he used the phrase "straight talk" more than once. Of course, the entire speech was fully stocked with "change". I think they should back off the phrase, just a bit. Good use of humor...the bit about being Dick Cheney's cousin was effective, and I noticed he has developed good comedic timing---he gave the laugh lines the time they needed.
LOTS of policy details. Those who claim he is weak in this area strike me as off-base: He included as much detail as possible today. Hit all the high points, with special emphasis on trade in general and NAFTA in particular.
Liked what he said about health care (even though I prefer more radical reform a la' Kucinich). I thought he made a good point for the need to restore America's moral standing in the world. Promises to make college more affordable are fine, but something of a gimme given the on-campus venue.
He seems to be walking a line, trying to draw distinctions 'tween himself and Hillary (and Edwards)---while keeping above the fray. No easy task, given the nature of the opposition. He was quite gentle today.
During the brief Q&A period Obama did something which made me squirm a bit: Asked a fairly direct question about the defecit, he side-stepped it and give a lengthy and detailed breakdown of his economic program...going right back to his talking points. Like all politicians, instead of answering the question he transformed it into the question he was prepared for. The moment smacked of---handlers.
Having said that, his answer was a good one, and well-delivered.
Good news-bad news: As I scanned the crowd I saw only 1 member of the local Democratic Party establishment. All the rest appear to have signed on with Hillary or Edwards. I consider this a positive for the Obama campaign---my experience (over 30 years now) with Democrats is that at the local level it is very much an exclusive "insiders club". Obama has brought in folks who have never been involved before.
But...that gives him a tougher hill to climb come primary day.
And serious fence-mending, after.
More later--my training miles are way down and the road beckons.
The soggy conditions did not dampen the spirits of the crowd--the mood ranged from buoyant to downright rowdy.
Doors opened at 8:50 and we were efficiently processed in through the metal detectors. I was guided to a seat in the third row dead center maybe 20 feet from the podium. Sweet.
I scanned the crowd: Looked like at least half were students (no surprise there--the hall sits adjacent to a dorm wing). Maybe 60 percent white. More than a few of the non-students in the crowd were, shall we say....of somewhat more mature years. The crowd continued to file in: All the seats were taken and I do believe the capacity of the room exceeded. Plenty of people were standing in the back (I briefly considered giving up my seat--scanned the crowd and looking for older folks or expectant mothers--seeing none, I sat tight). A speaker was placed outside for the benefit of those who were unable to get in.
A brief welcome from a Winthrop student and a quick warm up from a local Democrat and the Man Hissef emerged to quite thunderous applause.
Probably his standard stump speech from around the state (he's been spending some time in SC). There were notes on the podium which he consulted from time to time. No teleprompter. Most of the time he scanned the room, made LOTS of eye contact, and used an easygoing, conversational style.
He's quite strong in this format. Comes across as quite sincere. Picking up on McCain's win here last Saturday, he used the phrase "straight talk" more than once. Of course, the entire speech was fully stocked with "change". I think they should back off the phrase, just a bit. Good use of humor...the bit about being Dick Cheney's cousin was effective, and I noticed he has developed good comedic timing---he gave the laugh lines the time they needed.
LOTS of policy details. Those who claim he is weak in this area strike me as off-base: He included as much detail as possible today. Hit all the high points, with special emphasis on trade in general and NAFTA in particular.
Liked what he said about health care (even though I prefer more radical reform a la' Kucinich). I thought he made a good point for the need to restore America's moral standing in the world. Promises to make college more affordable are fine, but something of a gimme given the on-campus venue.
He seems to be walking a line, trying to draw distinctions 'tween himself and Hillary (and Edwards)---while keeping above the fray. No easy task, given the nature of the opposition. He was quite gentle today.
During the brief Q&A period Obama did something which made me squirm a bit: Asked a fairly direct question about the defecit, he side-stepped it and give a lengthy and detailed breakdown of his economic program...going right back to his talking points. Like all politicians, instead of answering the question he transformed it into the question he was prepared for. The moment smacked of---handlers.
Having said that, his answer was a good one, and well-delivered.
Good news-bad news: As I scanned the crowd I saw only 1 member of the local Democratic Party establishment. All the rest appear to have signed on with Hillary or Edwards. I consider this a positive for the Obama campaign---my experience (over 30 years now) with Democrats is that at the local level it is very much an exclusive "insiders club". Obama has brought in folks who have never been involved before.
But...that gives him a tougher hill to climb come primary day.
And serious fence-mending, after.
More later--my training miles are way down and the road beckons.
Obama in Rock Hill
Very polished and relaxed. Started on-time (!)---there were two warm-ups which lasted less than 15 mins. Overflow crowd---not a big room, but all the chairs were taken, the walls were lined with folks standing several deep, and they even put a speaker outside---it seems many did not get in.
I got lucky: Arrived early and was seated 20 feet away, right in the center.
Full report later: Getting there early meant skipping breakfast.
I got lucky: Arrived early and was seated 20 feet away, right in the center.
Full report later: Getting there early meant skipping breakfast.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Exit Stage Right
Fred Thompson has thrown in the towel.
I can't imagine why anybody ever took his candidacy seriously: After much fanfare the whole show turned out to be a wet firecracker.
Perhaps the GOP was desperate for someone to emerge from the pack and lead them from the Wilderness...in any event he's done, and no doubt they're celebrating (quietly) at Huckabee HQ.
Now the GOP septegenerian squad is down to 2: McCain and crazy Ron Paul.
I can't imagine why anybody ever took his candidacy seriously: After much fanfare the whole show turned out to be a wet firecracker.
Perhaps the GOP was desperate for someone to emerge from the pack and lead them from the Wilderness...in any event he's done, and no doubt they're celebrating (quietly) at Huckabee HQ.
Now the GOP septegenerian squad is down to 2: McCain and crazy Ron Paul.
The New York Giants
Stick-and-ball sports are not my thing, but I am compelled to comment on the Giants-Packers game.
Much has been made of how the Packers "lost" the game, but I think that fails to give full credit to the boys in blue in general and their QB in particular. Eli has been playing inspired football of late--he made some big plays in Lambeau. I feared it might be so--he engineered a drive at the end of the first half in Dallas-moving his team to a TD with less than 40 secs to play-that demonstrated he was peaking at just the right time.
Perhaps he's getting tired of all the ink his brother is getting.
Much has been made of how the Packers "lost" the game, but I think that fails to give full credit to the boys in blue in general and their QB in particular. Eli has been playing inspired football of late--he made some big plays in Lambeau. I feared it might be so--he engineered a drive at the end of the first half in Dallas-moving his team to a TD with less than 40 secs to play-that demonstrated he was peaking at just the right time.
Perhaps he's getting tired of all the ink his brother is getting.
Obama to Rock Hill
The Candidate is coming to town to speak at Winthrop tomorrow morning: The last time I appeared at an event like this was when Mayor Joe ran for Gov. No doubt there will be a Big Turnout (doors open at 8:45--I'll be there at 8).
I remain convinced that Hillary's candidacy is a house of cards: Nobody really wants to vote for her.
I remain convinced that Hillary's candidacy is a house of cards: Nobody really wants to vote for her.
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