Republican Amnesia Watch #1

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Mash

Tonight’s amnesiac: Republican Congressman Eric Cantor from Virginia.

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Obama Rising

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Mash

Pollster National Average

There are some dramatic new polls out today that show strong momentum for Barack Obama. With the convention bounces a distant memory, with Sarah Palin defined as a serial liar, and with the economy taking center stage, the race is settling down to its fundamentals: the economy. The voters are being asked to decide what is more risky: keeping the bums in office, or throwing the bums out.

A new CNN/Time poll in battleground states shows some surprising results:

  • Florida is tied at 48%
  • Obama is within 1 point of McCain in North Carolina
  • Obama is ahead in Ohio 49% to 47%

To win in November, Obama does not need Florida, North Carolina or Ohio. If Obama wins in North Carolina, a deep red state, he will probably be looking at an electoral landslide win.

Stunningly, Obama is ahead in Indiana in the latest Star/WTHR poll. Obama leads McCain 47% to 44% on the strength of voter enthusiasm in the Indianapolis area. It goes without saying that Democrats do not win in Indiana, and it is likely that Obama will lose here in November. But, still, the fact that Indiana is competitive is nothing short of stunning.

The three latest polls in Virginia show Obama ahead or tied with McCain in this traditionally red state that has become a real battleground in 2008. Obama does not need Virginia to win in November, but winning Virginia will ensure victory for him. All trends in Virginia indicate that Obama is poised to win here.

Obama’s path to victory lies in the west – in New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado. If he wins two out these three states, he can win the presidency even if he loses Ohio and Florida. Obama is ahead by a sizeable margin in New Mexico, he is even with McCain in Colorado, and he is within a few points in Nevada. If Obama wins New Mexico and Colorado, he wins the presidency. Again, if Obama wins Virginia, he can afford to lose all three western states and still win the election.

To underscore the state polling, tonight’s New York Times/CBS poll shows Obama ahead nationally 48% to 43%. He has erased the so-called "Palin bounce". The American Idol phase of this election cycle is over.

With the economy front and center, this election is now Barack Obama’s to lose. You can be sure that the Republicans will throw out every smear tactic known to man between now and election day. If Obama can navigate the smears and keep control of the narrative he can win this election.

Now, I really hope everyone is out of the fetal position and ready to bring this one home.

 

Posted in Politics | 4 Comments

Not Now, I Am Right In The Middle Of A Rothschild!

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Mash

Former Hillary Clinton fundraiser Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, who is married to British banking scion Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, has endorsed John McCain. Lady Rothschild, who splits her time between London and New York, said of Barack Obama: "frankly I don’t like him. I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him."

I think now I have a better understanding of what this term "elitist" really means. I think it is a term fabulously rich people use to describe people they feel are beneath them.

Posted in Humor, Politics | 1 Comment

Chickenhawk Unzipped

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Mash

A funny thing happened on the way to the war:

A delegate to the Republican convention says he was robbed of $50,000 after he took a woman to his Minneapolis hotel room.

Gabriel Nathan Schwartz, 29, a Denver attorney and party donor, told police he met the woman in a bar at the luxurious Hotel Ivy and invited her up to his room early on Sept. 4, a few hours after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepted the GOP nomination to be vice president. Police said the woman made the man drinks and told him to get undressed.

Schwartz told police that was the last thing he remembered.

"We have no doubt this happened," said police spokesman Sgt. William Palmer. "The guy has been very forthcoming with us. He’s been very helpful in the investigation."

Police said that when Schwartz awoke, the woman was gone. She got away with a $30,000 watch, a $20,000 ring, a necklace valued at $5,000, earrings priced at $4,000, a cell phone valued at $1,500 and a Prada belt valued at $1,000, police said.

Posted in Humor, Politics | 5 Comments

Tagging Along With Daddy

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Mash

When I was a kid I got to tag along with my dad and meet a number of heads of state and other dignitaries. My dad even took me to the United Nations once! While it is true that I didn’t actually get to conduct any foreign policy while I followed my dad around, it was still cool to tag along.

So, I completely understand young Sarah Palin’s excitement to have the opportunity to tag along with John McCain as he meets some heads of state at the United Nations next week. She must be really thrilled!

The Wall Street Journal reports today on Sarah Palin’s upcoming adventure:

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will meet with foreign leaders next week at the United Nations, a move to boost her foreign-policy credentials, a Republican strategist said.

Republican candidate John McCain plans to introduce the Alaska governor to heads of state at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, although specific names weren’t yet firmed up. “The meetings will give her some exposure and experience with foreign leaders,” the strategist said. “It’s a great idea.”

I have of course never claimed that a few weeks after I was introduced to a head of state that I was qualified to be the President of the United States. Although, after these visits, I did find that I was playing the board game Risk more aggressively with my friends. Meeting Sékou Touré had made my conquests of Africa that much more satisfying.

So, since Sarah Palin will be playing a similar game of Risk, I hope she doesn’t let all this excitement go to her head.

 

Posted in Foreign Policy, Politics | 2 Comments