Over already?
I see the Brits have beaten even the fastest paced of American journos with the first instant book about the 2008 election.
Are they slightly jumping the gun? Or is it all over?
Not even the British left think that it is - and while they love Obama with great passion, there is an awareness of his vulnerability. Although - as Andrew Stephen points out - both the candidates could be viewed as gambles...
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McShame's not a gamble! He's a sure loser, and he doesn't even know he's not in New Orleans!
Gahhh!
ed
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Ed, who is McSpain? Anyway, I think instead of 'A leader we can believe in' ( a bit lame and egocentric) McCAin could adapt a different Obama slogan: 'Yes, We CAin!' What do you think?
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Watching Bob Barr (the Libertarian candidate) on Colbert Report, I was wondering if McCain might have to fight on two fronts and if that would fatally overstretch his already limited resources. http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/videos.jhtml?videoId=171572
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I've said it before, and I'll say it again - DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE MCCAIN! He is very hard to link with Bush because of his reputation as a maverick (not that it's not worth trying), and so it will be one long slog for the Democrats.
Btw, Ed, don't you think you're taking the McCain rhyming template a little too far? Although, that said, I've got first use on one when he has to fake interest in gunowners/children/Republicans... McFeign!
I actually saw McCain's 'green speech' ('I have a green'? It's catching). My God, he should shoot his speechwriter.
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Slasher,
"My God, he should shoot his speechwriter."
Any hope of a suicide pact?
;-)
ed
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Mr. Webb, I think it's fine for outsiders to comment on our peculiar political procedures and customs, but I don't look to foreign correspondents such as Mr. Stephen for advice on how we should reform them.
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McCain: Yes we can...lose three wars at once!
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Slasher,
it would be a mercy killing.
;-)
ed
(I'll not mention reciprocity this time)
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What Mr. Stephen doesn't mention is
that Florida and Michigan are being
punished for wanting to make the
primaries even longer by moving their
primaries before the first of the year.
If the DNC let them get away with that,
then we might as well start the next
campaign on Nov 5.
But, after all, politicians are making the
rules. Doesn't that make you feel better
about them running the country?
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Surely any candidate other than an incumbent could be seen as a gamble at this stage? And had Hillary won, especially if she'd walked it as her team seem to have expected her to, she would arguably have be more of a gamble than Obama is now.
I'd be a little more worried as a Republican than a Democrat at this stage. Not only has McCain not been particularly effective defining Obama negatively but I think he is much more vulnerable to being painted as a Bush-clone than he thinks. While he has traditionally been seen as a maverick, there's no reason to think this is cemented in the public consciousness, especially given he has drawn back from many of the views that made him a maverick in the first place!
Lastly, on the article linked. Firstly, it seems an odd mistake to make to say Al Gore's election was 2002. And secondly, isn't the reason that Iowa and NH are near the front because they're both relatively small bellweather States? It tells both the parties a lot, without costing them too much to be told. I can see why the Democratic Party might be hesitant to let this go.
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#6: I think you are jealous because you have no Queen!
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I have to commend Andrew Stephen for his
mathematics. He seems to have a talent for
making everybody seem to be ten years older
than they really are.
And, I have to applaud him for his
brave coverage of the "2002 presidential
election." I just don't understand why
I was the only person who showed up
at our local polling place at the time.
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Justin, Justin, Justin! How you must yearn for those rainy summer days in Bath (a beautiful part of the world coincidentally). As a Scotsman, the contrast between US and UK politics is almost night and day.
Here we have a Prime minister that is making Scotsmen everywhere cringe at his cowardice in the face of the leader of the opposition. I'm from Glasgow, and we Glaswegians would never allow some jumped up Eton educated toff to speak to us in such a manner. But there is the bold Gordon (not from Glasgow) permitting it every week fom the bold Dave.
Enough about UK politics, it's boring. On to more sexy stuff, US politics.
I sat up way into the early morning here to watch both speeches from the Democratic candidates. This truly was a watershed moment in the history of the USA. What struck me apart from history being made before my eyes was the demeanour/attitude of both candidates.
Mrs Clinton, fought a good campaign, but sadly for her it just wasn't enough. In her speech, she had the opportunity to begin the healing within her own party after the bitter scenes at the DNC committee meeting earlier that week. I personally believe that Mrs Clinton lacked integrity at that moment. A moment when she should have reached across to Senator Obama and his supporters and indeed the entire Democratic party, but instead she decided to cling on hoping that some super delegates would rescue her from her own political life support machine.
Contrast that with Senator Obama. His glowing praise of Mrs Clinton portrayed a man of integrity, that was magnanimous in victory, because here was a moment that I suspect no one living today in the world thought they would witness. An African American man leading a major US political party and have a very realistic opportunity of becoming President of the United States of America. I honestly think that America has finally come of age.
Now my next question is; who will be the VP? I think that Senator Obama has the credentials to pick whomever he desires, but Mrs Clinton has the credentials required for such a job. Afterall, 18 million Americans voted for Mrs Clinton and that is a huge demographic that Senator Obama can't alienate if he wants to win the White House. It is an intriguing sub plot.
As for Senator McCain. I believe that he has to pick a youthful running mate. At 71, he is attempting to obtain, possibly the most demanding job on earth. Would a man of his advanced years be able to cope with said demands? He could also pick a lady VP? Would Miss Condoleezza Rice be such a bad choice?
Either way, this is turning into the most exciting of times for us Brits, watching from afar. Who knew that politics could be so sexy? Oh wait, it's US and not UK politics. Damn those yanks!
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McCain has faced, and overcome, far greater adversaries than a junior senator. And he certainly hasn't gotten this far because of his speeches.
It's hubris to think that he is not a formidable match for Obama.
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rupertornelius, #3, you might as well
just forget about the Libertarian candidate.
He won't get much of the vote.
Neither, on the other hand, will Nader,
since the Green cause has been picked
up by both political parties.
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#11, that's a laugh. But I refrain from advising Brits to dispense with their Royalty, as Nepal recently did, because it's not my business and I'm too polite. My ancestors (largely English and Ulster Scots) voted with their feet.
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"Enough about UK politics, it's boring. On to more sexy stuff, US politics."
This is the fundamental point for us Brits, I think - and it's the reason my artist friend Tom and I spent two months roadtripping/blogging the Primaries this year - which is now the 'first book about the election' that Justin kindly refers to.
Given the choice, would you rather go to a rally for Nick Clegg over Mike Huckabee, or Gordon over Obama? I think British sneeriness about 'apathetic Yanks' is both inacurrate and snobbish, having met so many American voters first-hand: this election has genuinely envigorated US politics.
Btw if anyone's having trouble viewing www.myfellowamericans2008.com, it's because our server's been completely overwhelmed this last week - if you're having problems you can find out about 'My Fellow Americans' and buy it here as well:
http://ventedspleen.com/mfa.html
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Andrea,
It may be misunderestimation, but it ain't hubris nor Chutzpah.
;-)
ed
You're right, though that he can't have been relying on his oratorical gifts.
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GasGsM (#13), that was an excellent summary of the proceedings of Tuesday night!
As for VPs, there is lots of talk here about Rice for McCain, but she is not encouraging it. There is a lot more talk about Hillary Clinton for Obama, but more rational souls, such as Mr. Carter (former president) advise against it. I am for Sebelius or Webb, myself.
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#16 - Gary, I will only point out that, with our constitutional monarchy, we need no ersatz royal families like the Clintons, Kennedys and Bushes ;)
Condoleeza Rice would be such a bad choice for Republican VP. I dislike very few Republicans strongly, but the Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rice-Wolfowitz crew of warmongers really does it for me (I just pity Bush as a simple individual completely out of his depth). Oh, and Alberto Gonzales, although his comedy appeal redeems him somewhat.
/-_
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It came from outer space!
;-)
ed
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Not over by a long shot, and the trick will be to keep the energy and enthusiasm that the Obama campaign has generated on through November. A steady effort that he has shown every indication of being able to sustain. The pride and temper mentions of the last link are good ones.
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#6@ Gary_A_Hill;
Not the wisest stratagem for making decisions.
Surely, a good idea is a good idea, regardless of who - or where - it came from.
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#15: I fear you are underestimating the allure of Barr's moustache. Note that he has more hair between his nose and lip than McCain has on the top of his head. Perhaps if McCain wore a wig he could fend off the 'too-old' accusations better... and then Obama might have to consider re-growing his 'afro'!!
#21: are you trying to say mCcAIN is a 'chip' off the old (Bush) block?
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I am prepared!, and a consistent straight talker!
McCain="Son of
Cain"= "Son of NOT Able"
Like father, like son.
;-)
ed
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I'm in charge here now!
and Webb speaks out.
And, GOP is SCARED
BOOO!
;-)
ed
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Why is that Andrew Stephen and others say of Mrs Clinton "She and Obama certainly loathe each other"? Is there some secret knowledge that socially they are on bad terms? There are photographs of them joking together, which would be unlikely if they truly "loathed" each other.
#13 GazGsM is correct, and there will be a lot of very unhappy people should she not be selected. Incidentally, the Nominee is not bound to select his vice-presidential candidate, it may be done at the Convention - and Mrs Clinton's name could be placed in contention if not selected earlier; it would be a good bet that she would be returned.
One of Mr McCain's problems will be his inability to speak well in public. He generally appears to be be taken by surprise by questions or has difficulty in expressing himself, combined with that strange wide-eyed look of his. Mr Obama has a similar disability with extemporaneous remarks but, should the subject be familiar to him, he can recite a previous response as if new. In this he is rather similar to Ronald Reagan. As is well known, so much depends on perception and Mr McCain, whatever the attraction of his policies, may suffer by comparison to the Democratic candidate.
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The two “wide-eyed” Brits here have not only beaten the fastest-paced American journos with the book, but it will also probably be the fastest 2008 elections book to reach the remainders table in the bookstores. It’s difficult to see much other merit in it beyond the dubious distinction of being fastest. But then again, there’s probably not much merit in the candidacies of Obama and McCain (and Clinton) either so maybe its only fitting. Andrew Stephen may have a more serious approach but it’s hardly left (NS has in some respects, with the exception of the inestimable John Pilger and a few others, strayed far from its true left moorings, as of late, pity). But as even Stephen (ha,ha, little pun) reiterates, “this year's presidential election on 4 November will not be as different as we once thought it might be. The choice facing the nation when it goes to the polls to pick its 44th president will be between two men in suits and ties. Do not be misled by all the romanticised buzz about youth and change, either… it will be business much as usual” That’s the story of the nominal “election” – and American power politics in general – in a nutshell. All the rest is fluff. There isn’t going to be any “hope” and “change”. As the general election campaign wears on, Obama Copacabana will be exposed for the fraud he’s always been and the two Duopoly Party clones will try to outdo each other in their allegiance to corporate contributors at home and imperialist interests abroad. That’s what that tacky flag lapel pin really stands for.
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Well, THAT
got rid of an embarrassing and unwanted endorsement!
I know how they feel.
;-(
ed
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Streathamite (#23), it is not a matter of whence an idea comes, but whether it is well-informed. The electoral college of U.S. presidential elections, for example, is a complex subject with a lot of history behind it. Many books have been written about the history, the advantages, and the disadvantages of it, and of possible revisions which could be made to it. Anyone with a serious interest in the mechanisms of U.S. elections would read these and be able to discuss the subject with some authority. Mr. Stephen is just writing off the top of his head; he shows no evidence of knowing what he is talking about.
I have one small paperback book on British Parliamentary Democracy which I have read carefully. I don't presume to think that qualifies me to advise the British on which parts of their system are good and which are not.
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Stalk your neighbours!
The story
It just gets weirder and weirder...
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A New Broom and a clear-out
Maybe McFootinmouth can recruit a few more out-of-work lobbyists...
Peace, Siblings
ed
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Ed, it looks like you'll have to find
yourself another candidate.
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re #2:
Rupert (or Nelius, if you prefer):
"Yes we Cain!" sounds pretty snappy to me, and discipline is a good thing. Not sure kids will like it, though...
Anyways, I'm sure we can come up with some more Grand Old Puns:
"Slayings We Can Believe In"
The jury's still out on how many hundreds of thousands of people - men women, children - died in Iraq during the last 5 years, but to quote Bilbo Baggins, it was lots and lots;
"Shaky on Day One"
Age is, in all fairness, a difficult one. McCain is two years younger than my mother, who's in good health (fingers crossed) and fine mental mettle. Would I want her to be president? Nah, not really. Would she want to be president? Even less...;
"Onwards - to the gates of hell!"
I've always wondered about this one. Let's say McCain does actually track down Osama, all the way to the grim gates. What then? Does McCain beg entrance? On what grounds? "Okay, Mr. Charon or whatever, lemme in now!" It seems a tad self-defeatist, really. I mean, priding yourself on getting to hell and then entering the place?
One could, of course, go on and on...
By the way: I happen to like McCain. And I respect him. I just don't think he'd be much good at being president.
(Now let's see if I've finally got that HTML thing worked out... Pressing "Post" now)
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IT AIN'T OVER TIL IT'S OVER
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G'nR,
What? No winkie eye?
;-)
ed
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THE FAT LADY HAS NOT SUNG! And there are too many nutty Americans out there who what to see Obama's face a looking glass and his house a public hall. This is sad in country that valorizes religion. But the US is the most dangerous society on the face of the Earth. Racism outpaces common sense.
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33: I hope 'gunsand' hasn't bumped anyone off. Very worrying comment.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Weirder and weirder!
I wrote:
Posting:
Congratulations Justianus!
But it seems this helpful guide breaks the BBC's "Editorial Guidelines"
Well slap mah wrists!
;-(
ed
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Since Ed E dislikes Mrs Clinton so much but posts links to The Huffington Post, perhaps a look at this article would be helpful with regard to a vice-presidential choice.
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David,
It's not so much that I dislike her, more that I distrust her deeply. I had seen the article, and I agree with the bulk of the comments in it, e.g.
As has been stated elsewhere Obama would need a food-taster.
xx
ed
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Lighten up!
;-)
ed
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My apologies. I only watched the first part.
;-(((
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
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To rupertornelius who wrote:
"...who is McSpain? Anyway, I think instead of 'A leader we can believe in' ( a bit lame and egocentric) McCAin could adapt a different Obama slogan: 'Yes, We CAin!' What do you think?"
How about a slogan based on what the GOP is really thinking:
"McCain...He's all we've got"
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Modesty forbids
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Here's your orders from the chief, David.
Salaam, etc.
ed
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"THE FAT LADY HAS NOT SUNG! And there are too many nutty Americans out there who what to see Obama's face a looking glass and his house a public hall. This is sad in country that valorizes religion. But the US is the most dangerous society on the face of the Earth. Racism outpaces common sense."
Ineffectual prose outpaces common sense as well.
I sit on my balconey, sipping a lovely Savignon Blanc, listening to the ebb and flow of the ocean tides in this "dangerous" country of mine and wondering what in the world this lady is talking about.
I think her general idea is that racism is an inherent trait in the US (but not the rest of the 'safe' world) and we will be unable to elect a man of a mixed heritage.
Hmmm...race and gender are certainly issues. The beauty of this whole democatic primary is that these two brilliant people have just broken through the glass ceiling. I am toasting to them.
Obama should win but probably will not (and not because of his skin color). McCain is seen as a left-leaning Republican
on many issues and has crossed the Senate floor more than most Republicans. This, combined with his character and experience, is a formidable package. He will create some distance from his buddies on the far right and make some more friends in the middle. Obama will never sway the far right - a lost cause.
My vote is for Obama all day long.
.
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#42 Ed "Republican lawyer Ben Ginsberg was dismissive of the Clinton-generated boomlet for herself." I don't think for one moment either she or Mr Obama have an interest in what a Republican view might be, other than it demonstrates their fear that a joint Obama-Clinton ticket could win in a landslide. It's not in the interests of the Republican to promote a Clinton vice-presidency.
Why should you distrust her? The (foodtaster) implication that she would deliberately do harm to Mr Obama is outrageous. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that someone else might attempt to do so, but linking her with it is like saying that Lyndon Johnson arranged the assassination of President Kennedy. There will always be conspiracy theorists; perhaps you subscribe to them.
I'm not sure to whom the "lighten up" comment is directed, but Ed, you could take your own advice.
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Cherrywolfmum,
"McCain is seen as a left-leaning Republican
on many issues and has crossed the Senate floor more than most Republicans."
Like twice, or does coffee with Lieberman make it thrice?
Anyway, some more fun from John Stewart:
Audio book
What Happened?
Really?
MIFL Hunters
Thank the Lord for broadband!
;-)
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#2 - Re: your suggestion in favor of McCain, suggestin McCain borrow Obama's slogan and tweak it to "Yes We CAIN" - I have to say that slogan for McCain would beg for the rejoinder, "No, he CAIN'T"!!!!!
McCain's life-experiences as a POW do not in themselves make him the best candidate. Many POWs and other combat Vets are supporting OBAMA because they know better than anyone that War is HELL and must never be fought, let alone dragged out endlessly, if the war in question was begun under completely false pretenses: i.e. "WMD in Iraq." And many Vet organizations correctly point to McCain's failure to support and fund a myriad of pro-Vet measures.
McCain's statement that he does not support increased funding for returning-vet education - because that might encourage vets to go to school instead of returning to the battlefield - is truly amazing. Frankly, it sounds unworthy of a POW.
I worked as a substance-abuse treatment intern at our local Veterans Administration Hospital here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I worked in both the dual-disorder [mental health plus chemical dependency] and PTSD [post-traumatic-disorder plus chemical abuse] programs. The men and women in those programs have suffered enough. They DON'T need jingoistic statements from John McCain to help justify more cutbacks to vet educational/retraining/rehab programs.
Also - it is a FACT that McCain is receiving full disability veterans benefits at the level of vets who are UNABLE TO WORK. So I guess by agreeing to those benefits he's already agreeing that he's NOT able to handle the job of President of the USA.
Does that mean he is guilty of fraud? Or does it mean he's kidding himself? Well, he's certainly working hard to fool the rest of us - trying to convince us that his kind of neo-con cutback platform is the kind of "experience" we need to lead the country. What a sick joke.
Can McCain lead our country? "NO - HE CAIN'T!"
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I am sitting on my baloney, too, cherrymother. Optimistic types like me tip Obama to win and pessimistic ones think he will wind up losing. Fascinating!
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Grrrlie,
No you Cain't
Just for you!
xx
ed
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Careful you don't do yourself an injury, Rupert!
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Ed: Since the only time you voted was when you wrote in Dick Gregory's name are we to assume that your slavish devotion to Obama will not be followed up with a proxy vote for him in November? For a bloke who never voted you certainly are following this election with very close interest! That's all well and good, but let's see all that verbiage trumped with a vote from across the Pond. Obama will need all the help he can get!
By the way, how is it that so many of your blogs are being blue-penciled by the moderators? Were you being particularly nasty to someone in those that were deemed unprintable?
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Ruppy,
My typo was actually a errant 'e' at the end of the word, not an omitted "c". If you were more wine literate, you would have attacked my spelling of "Sauvignon Blanc". Silliness, darling, silliness.
My "pessimism" will not stop me from campaigning and voting for Obama; it will simply separate me from the vast legions who flock to the cult of personality. We are on the same side ... relax.
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Woops - article mix-up - did you catch that one too?
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Noble,
Thanks for asking. No, I wasn't being rude. The Mods (who are as Gods) got sensitive about the draft speech, thinking the copyright belonged to somebody else (which it did), and I've no idea why they thought the link to the links tutorial violated the "guidelines".
And, yesterday, they held one of my posts for a very long time before finally deciding it wasn't offensive after all
And a couple of days ago I called the author of this article a "stupid non-muslim white-(posterior) fool" or somesuch...
Oh, and there was one earlier on this thread responding reflexively to slasher's suggestion that a speechwriter should be shot (deservedly in my view), but my suggestion of a reciprocal pact (in different words) was probably deemed insensitive.
Never mind.....
Sadly, I suspect my voter registration has lapsed, what with being 36 years absent, so Obama will have to make do with my modest donation and my very best wishes.
Do you vote in UK elections? Go ahead and vote for McCain't, 'cause he's gonna need all the help he can get. I reckon you've kept more of your marbles than he has, but I don't reckon five years in prison camp left him unaffected. ;-(
Peace, respect and brotherhood ;-)
ed
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CWM: I am sure your campaigning will help Obama tremendously with the Hillary-voters/ Reagan Democrats/ 'working, hard-working Americans, white Americans' and possibly Latinos too (they can't all be drinking cerveza and tequila).
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Somebody paid good money for this!
Highly original, Mcain't it?
And that smile!
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Rupes,
Exactly!
(Maybe I can sway the drunk apostrophes as well )
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Well I must say, I find it very intreeging that those two British people are so enthralled by our (as Andrew Stephen, John Pilger and others would probably undoubtadly call) "circus" of a democratic process (something I obviously disagree with and will explain later!)-and I couldn't be more serious!! Its reassuring and wonderful to know that there are opinions on all sides (both good and bad, but all very interested) from foreigners about our electoral process!! I wish those "My Fellow Americans" (love the title!) book authors all the best in their no doubt continuous endevors!! It seems millions are interested in it here as well, and I can't/won't speek for other Americans, but for me personally, I find it always interesting to learn of what foreigners think about us/our policies/culture/people etc!! I think foreigners see things in us that we, as Americans, don't necessarily see in ourselves, much as one would see things while visiting another city that one who has lived in that city their entire life wouldn't necessarily see, and I think we need that! So to those people, keep it up!!
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#58 - Iglehart/ed - it's a challenge to follow your logic/etc. however, this particular entry of yours, near the end, reminded me of that medical report released by McCain't saying that he hasn't suffered longterm damage from being a POW.
If that's the case why's McCain't getting the maximum level of vet-disability benefit? The guy walks/talks and holds down a fulltime job as a politico and presidential candidate. He's got PAC/speech-moneys/etc. up the yin-yang. How can he look himself in the mirror and take a benefit check that a lot of vets are being denied by the USA feds? E.g. - vets with Gulf War Syndrome who have been very ill for years and have been called every kind of malingering fake and the like. McCain't has a lot of gall cutting back on recent combat vets' benefits, is all I can say.
Well - it's all I can say IN PRINT.
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A comment from HYS:
"Tragically, he [Obama] could win.
He has a Harvard law degree, and claims not to notice what emanated from his pastor's pulpit for 20 years.
As an Illinois State Senator, he voted 'present' on every tough issue. He has two years of US Senate experience, a back-bencher who spent his entire tenure running for President.
He has a huge house, courtesy of Tony Rezko, now freshly convicted as a political racketeer, and claims he didn't know about that either.
And, yet, he may win. Tragic."
[OldSouth], Tennessee, United States
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A query for Justin and the powers that control the Beeb's web site - why is it that under the headline 'Surprise Obama-Clinton talks held' that there is the sub-heading "It's the Bill, stupid"? Is the hatred for former President and Mrs Ciinton so great that they have to drag up the subject when it is so irrelevant? Anyone would think that the BBC has some influence on the election process here, when it has absolutely zero. A pity that it cannot use the slogan of Fox News and actually apply it: "Fair and Balanced" - something which is seriously lacking in the coverage of the primaries.
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Still taking on windmills David?
Elequantly battling every unjust cause?
An historic day?
Quick thanks to all old military and verbal vets here, all promoting their individual political jaw-war and war-jaw ideas.
June 6, 1944. Side by side to physically battle a common foe for the freedom of the world that possibly allows us to be posting on these pages.
White screen / black print together. Apostrophes v commas. US v English dictionary. Marvellous. No "real" casualties in this fight, except our grammar.
"Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed"- Mao Tse-Tung
Peace with your next piece.
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That Andrew Stephen article is terrible.
"Less than three years from his sixth decade" or "fewer than eight years from his ninth decade" - what an ungracious and lazily slanted way to put things in a bid to make them appear older than they are. Just say "Obama is 47", or "McCain is 72".
Both men are also less than fifteen inches from being seven feet tall. Clearly, they are also freakishly tall.
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"Also - it is a FACT that McCain is receiving full disability veterans benefits at the level of vets who are UNABLE TO WORK."
Grrrlie, are you trying to suggest that politicians actually work? ;)
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"FIRST, LET'S KILL ALL THE LAWYERS"
(W. Shakespeare)
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#66 WatermanA -"Still taking on windmills David?" I guess so! The vitriol which the Clinton's attract is so uncalled for and someone has to point out the prejudice of the host of this blog. I wouldn't mind if occasionally Mrs Clinton received some credit, but there's never anything which shows her in a good light, even the photographs are mostly of her with a sombre face. For a state controlled broadcaster which was once considered the finest and most impartial news organization in the world, I find this very disturbing. Certainly it's not the BBC of old; no wonder that CNN is considered the premier news gatherer of today.
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ha ha justin supported hillary eh.
then why up until it was looking over were ther eso many reports with negatives in them that were about Obama . yet any possitive news (including his victory) had pictures of her promoting her face.
He has done some to swing the other way but if you want to pay me I'll go back and compile all the reports and show you that for a long time this site treated Obama just as many did with a subtle condecending attitude (jesse,al).
Hillary was always shown as strong.
they could have said Wow Hillary's stinking day.
not Clintons,claim victory. which infront of some readers of this blog would mean"clinton won" for some can't comprehend.
But bias shmias She lost.
By the rules she lost.
Now if only we could say good riddance.
ANd send her to the colonies.
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David
Agreed a lot of vitriol in the past but in general the threads are pretty balanced today with reasonable pros and cons from both sides.
If I may repeat the cammeraderie shown by h Ed ley Iglemarr and Governeur William J Le Peterm99 on the other thread in the same vein- in describing the typical newsmedia train of thought - Justins', the BBCs', CNN, Fox et al . Not forgetting all politicians - Each and everyone if replying truthfully would probably say
"We have gotta protect our phoney baloney jobs here. These bloggers / voters are all dummies. How do you think we got elected"!
Blazing saddles and the great Mel Brooks strike again
Never a truer word was spoken in jest.
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#70
Well, now that her campaign is effectively over, her concession tomorrow and Obama the presumptive nominee using sombre pictures is an effective way to paint the end of a campaign.
Although, if you'd read the "glass ceiling" article you might have noted the significantly more positive pictures.
I honestly can't agree with your perceptions of the BBC's coverage of the primaries. The only biases I have seen have been those of commenters such as those in this blog, pushing for one candidate or another.
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All,
I've seen Justin accused of being biased in favour of all three of the remaining candidates. I haven't detected any substantial bias at all, and of course, I'm a completely unbiased observer.
David, I challenge you to find a good picture of Hillary. I have tried, and there are thousands of pictures (a huge number on her own flickr site) but none which really light her up in a positive or "genuine" way. Prfetty much the same can be said for McCain, but I haven't tried as hard.
On the other hand, there are plenty of a very human and engaging Obama.
If you do find a HRC picture you like, post a link to it.
Salaam, etc. to all
ed
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Ed
For a man who is running up a cricket score in the number of times he has been hit for six by the moderators I found your first paragraph reply very diplomatic.
That said my I as usual go way off topic and ask you and David, everybody, their / your individual thoughts as to a direction we should proceed re ecological balance/ kyoto/ biological fuel v food etc .
Buying credits to offset a carbon footprint has just about dissappeared from the slate.
How strong do you Ed push the carrying capacity suggestions. Has Chinas' 1 child per family got it right ? Although this direction of planning has revealed a major flaw since many have lost their one and only child in the recent earthquakes, America and the world too with unexpected tornados, flooding, I feel we must expect more natural disasters soon. I haven't checked the El Nino situation recently but dont expect it to have got any better. Thoughts please
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Ed: No, as a proud American citizen since 1964 I have voted in every local, state, and national election, except for when I was ill, since then.
Did you hear your arrogant favorite telling his rapturous audience that in 2012 he would be wrapping up his second term as President? I have concluded that he loves the sound of his own voice, and that he can say nothing better than anyone else.
Powermeerkat, I liked your quote from the Bard of Avon. There are far too many lawyers in Congress.
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Noble,
Though I'm not officialy franchised here, you can guess I've actively participated in a number of ways, and am on familiar (mostly cordial) terms with a good number of MPs and MSPs as well as "local" government reps.
Of the two Democrats, I'd regard HRC as showing more arrogance than BHO, unless you just don't like "uppity" folk ;-)
Waterman,
On matters ecologic, I find little cause for optimism, except from the supra-human viewpoint - the Earth can take care of itself. Buying/selling the 'right' to pollute seems a stupid way to go about things. The one-child policy may have its drawbacks, not the smallest being that it has only diminished the growth rate, where a reduction to below zero is desperately needed.
As to "natural disasters", we should be aware that the Tsunami of late 2005 only offset ONE DAY'S population growth.
Houston, We have a PROBLEM!
Still, it's a lovely day here in the Heart of the Universe.
xx
ed
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David,
Here's the official headshot, with the official genuine smile
;-)
ed
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Did you hear your arrogant favorite telling his rapturous audience that in 2012 he would be wrapping up his second term as President? I have concluded that he loves the sound of his own voice, and that he can say nothing better than anyone else.
nownow he did say 2016.
but i overderstand.
by the way that just might be youthful positivity. Some thing CAN DO AMERICA needs, because for so long now I have heard the CAN'T DO attitude.
CAN't change this, CAN't change that.
Can't try peace,
can't try healthcare
can't try kyoto
can't try smaller cars
can't try organic farming
can't live without genetic engineering
can't get my head around the idea that palistinians have rights.
can't understand the world is not ours.
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Oh and can't nominate a black guy because theres no chance he CAN win.
Well now he's been nominated maybe america will get back it's CAN DO attitude
65 poses are we all too full of hate now for the Clintons.
Yes in some ways.When I hear her arguements and clips of her through out this election, when half the stuff against Obama will probably be clips of her comments,
when the party has to be HEALED after someone made it sick.deliberately.
Yea I wish she would simply disappear.or
"I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee and I intend to deliver on that promise,"
deliver for once.
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Was enjoying the MFA blog. Rather witty - by Guardian standards - enjoyed the contrast between the diverse man-on-the-street opinion and the barely distinguishable positions of the candidates. Not to mention the weird abstractions of the mainstream media.
Shame it ended prematurely. Perhaps they'll write another about the election proper. But well done, lads - get paid.
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Jack: Thanks for the correction - you know I really MEANT to write 2016, but I can't be expected to be right 100% of the time! Old age DOES have its privileges. And there is NO apostrophe in its, if anyone else has designs on calling this old chap to task!
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Here in the United States compare to the British---our elections go on forever....
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DennisJrWorld,
You're right, but as with so many things, the British are rushing to emulate all the most unfortunate American practices, all the while looking down their colonial noses at most things American....
;-)
ed
P.S. We've been in "election anticipation" mode since last Summer, and it's likely the next election won't happen for another two years....
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