alt.blog

Finally.

2008-11-04T10:25:00.003-05:00

I had a difficult time sleeping last night. This morning, I waited until the morning rush was over to vote. There are two precincts at my polling place. My precinct had no line, but the other one had a short wait. Let's hope the optical scanners work. The machine jammed the ballots of the person in front of me.

I started believing in Obama because my name ended up on one of his lists and someone called me to ask for my support. I always thought Barack had what it takes the win the White House. I remember telling the people I work with, who didn't know that much about his candidacy that he was the "real deal." He hasn't let me down yet. I guess color is very much an issue, and here's my take. I've had the honor of working for two outstanding men of color, so I figure Obama's presidency will give me the same kind of satisfaction. Knowing that the president is a man of character and has a steady hand at the wheel, gives me some peace. And in these troubled times, I'm grateful. Now let's count these votes!

The Race Is Not Tightening.

2008-11-02T13:09:00.002-05:00

Datarock Rocks.

2008-10-25T10:55:00.002-04:00

Local News.

2008-10-19T08:24:00.005-04:00

Hillary will be here in South Florida for the first day of early voting tomorrow. I got the news on my mobile phone. Too bad I have to work. Then she shoots up to Orlando for a rally with Obama.

There are more McCain ads now. They do raise questions about Obama's qualifications for the presidency. However, let's face it. Obama hit a home run in the debates with his performance. Although the race will tighten, I still predict an electoral landslide. The early voting results and the crowds that Obama pulls in say it all. I think people have made up their minds.

Colin Powell? He'll endorse McCain.
Update: Happily, I am wrong.

Spread The Wealth.

2008-10-19T08:14:00.002-04:00

I guess it all depends on who's saying it.

I asked my principal for an extra assignment a couple of years ago and he gave me an extra period and said something about "sharing the wealth." I was able to pay off all my credit cards with the extra money. The saying struck me and I started putting it into practice in my personal life. I thought that since he is a devout Christian, it had something to do with spirituality. Go figure. Spreading the wealth means something nefarious.

I Don't Like Obama's Tie.

2008-10-15T21:03:00.008-04:00

I guess I'll live blog the debate. Maybe it'll keep me awake. I slept through the other two. Good Lord. Can McCain be more boring.

Joe The Plumber got his 15 minutes of fame.

I thought McCain was winning until the question about Sarah Palin. Can you just imagine her as President?

She's talented alright.

McCain didn't gave a good closing. Obama was Obama. I thought both did well, but McCain lost steam from time to time. Erratic. Obama was cool, calm, collected. Presidential.

The Military Vote. McCain Can't Count On It.

2008-10-15T19:34:00.003-04:00

However, the real story is that the military vote isn't being counted.

No one knows why some 70 percent of overseas military ballots weren’t recorded in 2006. No one keeps centralized records on military ballots or voter turnout. But anecdotal evidence collected from local voting districts, which number more than 7,000, points to ballots that arrived late, ballots not properly filled out and ballots mailed to the wrong location — most of which get discarded. Then there are the ballots of troops who, for whatever reason, never mailed them back at all.

Contributing to the confusion are states and local election districts with competing and sometimes confounding rules governing overseas ballots. And the mail-in process can take up to 60 days from start to finish, even though many absentee ballots weren’t available until this month.

Unbelievable.

Where's The Beef? (McCain Ads In South Florida.)

2008-10-15T18:24:00.003-04:00

I watch the local networks because I don't subscribe to cable. I'm not seeing any McCain ads here. Occasionally, I'll catch one. However, Obama is running regular ads. I know my county is true blue, but what about Dade and Palm Beach county? Doesn't McCain care about his supporters and the undecided in those counties? I just don't get it.

Florida Will Turn Blue.

2008-10-12T22:01:00.004-04:00

I spent the afternoon with some "southern whites" today. They don't care if Obama is white, black, purple .... just as long as he's not a Republican. It seems to me as if being a Republican is lower than a snake's belly in a mud rut. People I know have hated Bush for a long time. I didn't know if Obama could close the deal with them, but he has.

Why is Obama sending in the top guns and why isn't McCain campaigning aggressively? I think I know the answer now. The polls are for real.

McCain Is "The Incredible Shrinking Man."

2008-10-12T12:05:00.001-04:00

Landslide.

2008-10-12T11:21:00.002-04:00

I'm speechless, listening to the talking heads this morning. I've been saying it's over, but a landslide? Enjoy the ride folks. We've earned it.

Sarah Palin.

2008-10-11T11:02:00.003-04:00

Read what the world's smartest women have to say about Sarah Palin.

I'm not that smart, but here's my take. She was picked for VP because she was a woman, and that was a big strike against her. However, you can't help but notice how she has capitalized on her good fortune. You can't help but admire her confidence. It's quite remarkable. As for her looks, many politicians, including men, are helped by good looks. I may not agree with how she manages her family life, but then again, so what? I'll stick to bashing her politics. There's plenty of fodder there. If she wants to be folksy and hunt moose, I think that's just fine .... as long as she stays in Alaska where she belongs.

McCain Is Out Of Time.

2008-10-09T22:57:00.001-04:00

Here's another campaign song for McLoser.

McCain Is Out Of Touch.

2008-10-09T18:19:00.006-04:00

This is my choice for McCain's new campaign song, now that the Foo Fighters pulled the plug on their song. Lip syncing allowed.

The last debate proves my point perfectly. Wouldn't you know it? The questioner did know about Fannie Mae.

Spying On Our Own.

2008-10-09T13:57:00.001-04:00

Foo Fighters Say McNay.

2008-10-09T04:14:00.003-04:00

My Fellow Prisoners.

2008-10-08T19:46:00.003-04:00

aaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That One.

2008-10-08T02:21:00.002-04:00

Everybody's talking about that one. My take on it is that McCain has no self control (to say the least.)

"Kill Him," Says The Crowd.

2008-10-07T18:29:00.001-04:00

Like I said, it's the fall of the American Empire. Ironic that the neocons are responsible. Pax Americana indeed. I hope they all get what they deserve, especially the hate-mongering, racist fans of the neocon's new darling, Sarah Palin.

How Low Will Bush Go? 25%

2008-10-07T16:53:00.001-04:00

Will he "beat" Truman?

The Fall Of The American Empire.

2008-10-07T16:45:00.004-04:00

Striking parallels, don't you agree?

Black Monday.

2008-10-06T16:02:00.003-04:00

A quarter of the Earth's mammal's are in danger of extinction.
< /snark >

The Obama Hustle. Join Us.

2008-10-05T09:13:00.000-04:00

Have Americans Made Up Their Minds?

2008-10-05T08:20:00.001-04:00

They didn't flock to watch the debates and my anecdotal evidence is that virtually everyone is talking about the election.

DRE RIP!

2008-10-05T08:17:00.002-04:00

Millions of tax dollars used to perpetrate a faulty voting system.

Why Isn't McCain Campaigning Aggressively In Florida?

2008-10-05T08:07:00.002-04:00

Senior McCain adviser Mike DuHaime last week seemed to tacitly acknowledge they have not worked as hard in Florida as they did for President Bush, who "won it with a very aggressive campaign."

The number of Obama ads clearly outnumber the McCain ads on the tv networks down here. It doesn't add up.

Voter's Rights.

2008-10-05T07:49:00.003-04:00

We have none. I'm reading Slashdot this morning. Check out how static electricity resulted in 1500 extra votes. Slashdot is a must read, especially at election time. Lately, I've been thinking about a future not ruled by the Bush dynasty. Think about it. Less than 300 votes decided the 2000 election and the nightmare began. I hope it's almost over. Could Duval County decided this election?

Bashing Palin.

2008-10-02T21:07:00.009-04:00

As uninformed as she is, I don't dislike her enough to take joy in her missteps. Joe has his work cut out for him. Live blogging the debate .... did you catch the stare? This is good. Joe - the ultimate Bridge To Nowhere...good one. Joe is on a roll. His windfall profits tax sounds nice. Toxic mess on Main Street? I don't like the sound of that. Sarah doesn't like to lose.

McLame.

2008-09-30T10:52:00.002-04:00

Stick a fork in him. He's done. There's even talk of McCain suspending his campaign again. Is Obama that good or is his opponent that bad?

Bush Approval Rate On The Ecomony At 16%

2008-09-26T03:38:00.002-04:00

It feels like an October Nightmare is beginning. Isn't it ironic that banks are involved? It will be even more ironic when this crisis backfires on the Republicans and the American people don't buy the lie that John McCain saved the day.

700 Million Trillion.

2008-09-24T18:48:00.001-04:00

What did John McCain say on the CBS Evening News tonight? Inquiring minds want to know.

Obama In Florida

2008-09-21T09:48:00.000-04:00

Things that make you go hmmmm.

The overflow crowd at Jacksonville's Metropolitan Park -- capacity 13,000 -- ate it up. The energy was notable because though Democrats outnumber Republicans in Duval County, it is a reliable area for the GOP. George Bush got nearly 1 ½ times more votes than John Kerry in 2004. McCain could barely muster 3,000 when he spoke nearby on Monday.

ABC Pre Empted Barack For Ike.

2008-09-07T12:55:00.014-04:00

Then they aired their regularly scheduled telemarketing program. What nonsense.

Yesterday was a nice day with the ex. No drama and my roof looks fixed. I won't know until it rains. So here I am, sitting around waiting to see if I go to work tomorrow.

Getting back to the important stuff. The key to this election is turnout. The Republicans believe that and have shown their hand with the Palin pick. They have energized the base and piqued the public interest. It turns out that the Republicans were totally unprepared to capatalize on the Sarah's turnout by registering the attendees of the the last rally. I hope Republicans are counting on sending out mailers to people like me - yes, I have received five of them - for a big Republican turnout.

Personally, I don't think that Sarah has appeal past her base. (If she had an affair, will a double standard ensue?) However, she has become an vibrant role model for pro life women. BIden was elequent on Meet The Press, but it was not and will not be enough.

Paging Hillary Clinton.

Ikes!

2008-09-04T16:17:00.003-04:00

This is called the stadium effect. Ike is a cat 4 and heading my way. The ex and his new gf are coming over. My ex is a roofer and a very handyman to have at times like these. I'm taking this hurricane very seriously. My car already has a full tank of gas and by tonight my roof will be perfect. I'll get supplies this weekend and I'm all set!

Did Sarah Palin's Daughter Play Hockey?

2008-09-03T20:08:00.002-04:00

Since the vice presidential nominee touts herself as a hockey mom, I'd like to know about her daughters' extracurricular activities.

Cindy McCain

2008-08-31T10:35:00.006-04:00

says that because Alaska is so close to Russia, Sarah Palin has an understanding of foreign policy. Why do I watch George Stephanopoulos?

Lindsey Graham mentioned Russia too. I liked how Graham said he wasn't fear mongering right after saying he was afraid of Barack Obama.

In any event, here's Cindy.

18 Million Cracks In The Ceiling.

2008-08-31T10:19:00.001-04:00

Thank you Michelle Obama for helping to immortalize Hillary's words.

Count All The Votes!

2008-08-25T20:10:00.001-04:00

Hillary and Obama are working out a deal to cut off the roll call? I don't like it.

Hillary Has A Way With Words!

2008-08-25T18:29:00.002-04:00

I'm Hillary Clinton and I do not approve that message.

Hillary's response, although not rapid enough for my tastes, was well worth the wait. Time to turn on NBC.

Why Hasn't Clinton Responded To The McCain Ad?

2008-08-25T00:11:00.001-04:00

Inquiring minds want to know.

Biden And The Oldtimers.

2008-08-24T00:40:00.008-04:00

One of my friends (62 y.o.,) who supported McCain, just switched to Obama. He had liked Biden and Hillary. It turns out that he isn't the only one. Biden appeals to the older voters. Ummmmmmm, we're progressives too. In any event, Jonathan Cohn said it best.

One other, perhaps less appreciated, virtue of the Biden choice is what it says about Obama philosophically. Biden can be counted upon to play the role of house dissenter and skeptic. But he does so as somebody whose fealty to the basic values of the Democratic Party is not in doubt. On a wide range of issues, from economics to the courts to national security, Biden has compiled a record that would please the majority of progressives. His rating from Americans for Democratic Action is a perfect 100, just like Obama's. He scores well among other liberal groups, too.

Conservatives will blast this record, just as surely as liberals will (or should) celebrate it. But one of the virtues of having Biden as the vice presidential nominee is that he won't take those kinds of attacks lightly. He'll fight back. He'll remind people, rightly, that being a liberal Democrat means raising the minimum wage, making sure everybody has affordable health care, providing strong public schools, and protecting human rights. Then, he'll ask why conservative Republicans don't want the same things. That's exactly the kind of political debate this country needs. By picking Biden as a running mate, Obama has signaled that he welcomes this argument--and intends, finally, to win it.

The way I see it, not everyone was, I repeat, was on the bandwagon. They were waiting for the VP pick. Not just the oldtimers either. Biden is a reassuring pick, and at the same time an aggressive pick. Obama passed his first major test. This was one masterful Veepmas.

Biden?

2008-08-23T03:09:00.009-04:00

I heard on the morning news that family members were congregating at the Biden home. It's looking like Biden's the one.

Update: So much for the text message, but this has been a most excellent Veepmas. "Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP running nominee...."

I believe that the Obama has forged a winning populist ticket. "Our VP." You have to admit, getting a text from Barack is exciting. Both Barack and Joe are regular people. A stark contrast to the Republican ticket. Obama made a wise choice.

I heard Michelle talking about just this topic, when she was here in Miami. Barack really does listen to his wife. Oh, and did I mention the Catholic vote?

A Little Night Music.

2008-08-22T17:46:00.001-04:00

To help us get through the night before Veepmas.

RIP Pandora?

2008-08-19T00:47:00.001-04:00

What am I going to do without my Pandora stations?

Fay's Here.

2008-08-19T00:24:00.003-04:00

A strong rain band is going through. We've gotten three inches of rain so far. The wind is pretty strong, I'd guess about 45 mph. Then, the wind will just stop. You can see the rain running off the roofs of the houses, it's coming down so hard. Lots of noises and the frogs are going wild. A lovely storm. They say it's going to end up right smack dab over Lake Okeechobee. What a sweetheart, raining down right where we need it. Then, look at how Fay turns to the east and then back to the west. This is one crazy lady.

Obama's VP Pick Is?

2008-08-18T21:10:00.004-04:00

I think he should pick Clinton. She would work tirelessly to ensure universal health care. No one else would generate that kind of excitement, except maybe Gore working to end our dependence on foreign oil. Let me also say that if Obama is the kind of person to put his money where his mouth is, he'll pick the best person. The American people spoke when they supported Hillary by the millions. Personally, she's not my pick, but she is clearly the "people's choice." He says he can work across the aisle. Can he work within his party? This pick is critical.

Fay Is On Her Way!

2008-08-18T13:58:00.003-04:00

I just brought in the potted plants. At least I don't have to put up the shutters. Not much is happening right now on the Dade/Broward county line, but I'll let you know if anything exciting happens. (pic credit: Hurakan)

Watch Obama Crush McCain Here.

2008-08-16T18:45:00.008-04:00

The Christian vote is fascinating. I hate to multi task. However, I can't choose between the debate and the Olympics, so I guess I'll watch both. (5 p.m. pacific time)

HOME RUN OBAMA! Did you hear the announcer as the second intermission began? Time to catch the woman's marathon. McCain's answers were weaker than Obama, but he sure worked the audience. In case you missed it, mcpandering works. No wonder the polls are so close. McCain ended with a statement about African Americans not voting for him. It was bizarre. Just in time to catch the end of the marathon.

More Florida Latinos Are Democrats.

2008-08-12T16:38:00.002-04:00

"This is good news for John McCain," says Charlie Crist.

Regardless of how the voters got on the rolls, Johnson said the sheer number of Democrats is a concern this year -- as is the fact that more Hispanics are now registered Democrats. About 455,000 Hispanics are now in the Democratic Party, which only this year surpassed Republicans, who count 425,000 in their ranks.

Compared to the last presidential election, the numbers are even more dramatic for African-Americans. More than 207,000 have joined the Democratic Party since 2004, accounting for 44 percent of the new-voter growth.

Ever the optimist, Crist found something positive.

''The good news is people are registering to vote,'' Crist said, before acknowledging: ``Being a Republican, I wish more of them were Republican.''

Appropriate Bushism.

2008-08-12T12:43:00.002-04:00

"You took an oath to defend our flag and our freedom, and you kept that oath underseas and under fire."—Addressing war veterans

The Faith Vote

2008-08-12T12:25:00.002-04:00

This is a must read article for people who are interested in how sub groups vote in presidential elections. Even the born again (non evangelicals) are supporting Obama. Interesting. Karl Rove seems to think Tim Kaine will be the pick. No wonder.

For the most part, the various faith communities of the U.S. currently support Sen. Obama for the presidency. Among the 19 faith segments that The Barna Group tracks, evangelicals were the only segment to throw its support to Sen. McCain. Among the larger faith niches to support Sen. Obama are non-evangelical born again Christians (43% to 31%); notional Christians (44% to 28%); people aligned with faiths other than Christianity (56% to 24%); atheists and agnostics (55% to 17%); Catholics (39% vs. 29%); and Protestants (43% to 34%). In fact, if the current preferences stand pat, this would mark the first time in more than two decades that the born again vote has swung toward the Democratic candidate.

However, while there has been little movement since the beginning of June among most voting segments (such as ethnic groups, age groups, or geographic slices), there has been substantial churn among religious segments. During the past two months, Sen. Obama’s lead has eroded substantially among non-evangelical born again Christians (a decline of nine points); active Christians (a 20-point drop); Protestants (down 13 points); and Catholics (down 11 points).

While some Christian voters seem to be questioning their early support for Obama, the McCain candidacy does not seem to be gaining momentum among evangelicals. Since June, the current level of support Sen. McCain has among evangelical voters has declined significantly (dropping from 78% to 61%).

The Women's Vote.

2008-08-12T08:03:00.006-04:00

Obama is up in the Colorado PPP poll. They didn't include third party candidates. If the polls included third party candidates, there'd be less undecided voters.

This poll surveyed a 53:47 ratio of women to men. That seems a little high to me. However, women do vote in higher numbers than men and that number appears to be rising.

The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), Rutgers University, which reports that:

* Women vote in higher numbers than men, and have done so in every election since 1964. In 2000, 7.8 million more women voted than men. In 2004, 8.8 million more women voted.
* Women outvoted men in every racial and ethnic group. For Asian/Pacific Islanders (but not for other groups), 2004 was the first election where women voted at a higher rate than men.
* More women register to vote than men.

Obama polls well among women. This does not bode well for McCain, especially in those key battleground states like Colorado.

GWB Just Said, "Fired Up!"

2008-08-10T20:56:00.002-04:00

rotflmao. (He was talking about the US Olympic team on NBC.)

It's Crazy 8's Day.

2008-08-08T08:01:00.001-04:00

God bless Elizabeth Edwards.

Third Party Candidates.

2008-08-07T13:15:00.006-04:00

Third party candidates will be on most state ballots. Bob Barr is not a good thing for John McCain. I'm almost feeling sorry for the guy. If you google "bob barr polls" you'll get one side saying third party candidates benefit McCain. The other side says that they benefit Obama. The polls I've studied appear to give the advantage to Obama in some very key states, notably, Georgia.

WASHINGTON — Bob Barr and Ralph Nader, the best-known third-party presidential candidates, are on their way to getting onto most state ballots.

Barr, a former Republican congressman who is the Libertarian Party nominee, is on 34 ballots and hopes to be on 48 by Election Day, party spokesman Andrew Davis said. Nader, the longtime consumer advocate running as an independent, has submitted petitions to be on 23 ballots. He said Wednesday he hopes to be on at least 45 state ballots before Nov. 4.

There haven't been any polls since the middle of July? I definitely have Georgia on my mind.

Florida Revisited.

2008-08-07T03:33:00.005-04:00

In 2004, Sen. John Kerry lost Florida by 380,000 votes. That was with a 74 percent turnout in Florida. Some pundits say that this year there will be an 80 percent Florida turnout of the expected 10.5 million registered voters. With the minority candidacies of Ralph Nader and Robert Barr, close to four million votes will be required to win Florida. To reach that number, Obama will have to get Kerry's votes plus 700,000 more.

This can be done mostly in three areas:

• Increasing the 2004 South Florida Democratic plurality of 19 percent to 23 percent.

• Getting an additional 300,000 black Floridians to vote.

• Getting a 200,000 plurality Hispanic vote in Florida.

McLoser will have to win more than thirty percent of the Hispanic vote. Can he do it?

The Latest Florida Polls Are Dismal.

2008-08-06T15:17:00.004-04:00

Survey USA results are even more disappointing. If Obama is counting on the youth vote here, it ain't happening. They're Republicans. The Republicans have a huge gotv effort. They even sent registration forms to me for months. Obama can't ignore Florida, but not much is here for him if he can't garner more support from Hispanics and the elderly. I noticed that the polls didn't have third party candidate options, but I don't think it would make a difference.

He's So McLame.

2008-08-06T14:44:00.007-04:00

McCain supporters are throwing their money away on these ads. I can't wait for the debates.

Obama Is Up In The Latest Associated Press-Ipsos Poll.

2008-08-06T05:03:00.003-04:00

This poll included the third party candidates. Only three percent undecided? Interesting. Everyone has an opinion.

47% Obama
41% McCain
2% Barr
0% McKinney
3% Nader
3% Other
3% Undecided

Keep Your Tires Inflated And Your Tank Filled.

2008-08-05T03:41:00.009-04:00

You can lose up to ten percent of your fuel efficiency if you drive with under-inflated tires. Fill up your tank in the morning (colder, denser gasoline) and keep it filled (less air to allow for evaporation.) A website calculates your savings for you here. There are some more great tips on saving gas here. And may the wind be always at your back.

What About Bob Barr And Ralph Nader?

2008-08-05T03:29:00.003-04:00

Third party candidates will be a factor in the race. One would think that they would be included in polls from now until the general election.

The Race Is Too Close To Call.

2008-08-03T19:21:00.004-04:00

Not. The math has discounted the race is a tie. McCain just can't get it up enough times to make a tie statistically possible. I just noticed a glaring omission in the recent tightening races. The survey question doesn't include the third party candidates! Zogby recently gave Bob Barr 8% of the vote in Colorado. Methinks this warrants some state polls with the third party candidates included. I like seeing the blue Colorado on Zogby's map. You can click on a state and get the latest poll in a sidebar, along with some "snappy analysis."

McTroll.

2008-08-01T19:45:00.000-04:00

Why does the media keep feeding the troll? His new ad was on the evening news.

Barack Is The One.

2008-08-01T17:33:00.003-04:00

McStrange is getting weirder and weirder.

It's August...Time For A Swiftboat.

2008-08-01T07:36:00.003-04:00

I woke up to the news about Obama playing the race card today. Is this the best that they've got? They're playing to their base with this and the Paris Hilton stuff. Well actually they aren't playing that well to their base when the Hiltons are McCain supporters.

I suspect that it is going to be non stop slime until the convention. I'd better get out my list of things to do to relieve stress.

Pew's Chart Rocks.

2008-07-31T17:59:00.004-04:00

The key indicators are saying the same thing that Gallup's indicators saying. The Catholic and non Catholic movement is startling.

California Polling.

2008-07-31T15:32:00.005-04:00

Barack is at 50%, in California, although his numbers are down from the last poll by this firm. McCain's numbers dropped too. Arnold's job approval rating dropped nine points. How will this poll get spun as good news for McCain? I can't hardly wait to google the news.

New Florida Poll.

2008-07-31T10:00:00.004-04:00

Obama's up in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. This is good news.

You can check out Gallup poll movement within key indicators here. It's fascinating. There's no movement with respect to church goers. They've made up their minds? Who is that two percent of black voters who switch to McCain? Is the key to winning the election to win over those white folks with a high school education or less?

Register To Vote Online.

2008-07-30T20:07:00.001-04:00

A Poll Of Polls.

2008-07-30T17:58:00.001-04:00

Seriously. Obama passed the fifty yard line. Time to do the wave?

Judgement vs Experience.

2008-07-30T17:41:00.001-04:00

Why doesn't the media just go cover a town hall meeting or something.

Edwards Or Kaine.

2008-07-30T16:30:00.002-04:00

The suspense is killing me. It could be Edwards, no?

Barack's The Biggest Celebrity In The World.

2008-07-30T13:44:00.006-04:00

The election is all about Obama. Even the Republicans are admitting that Obama is a great person. The question of whether or not he is ready to lead is a valid question. I just don't think that this ad will do to much to promote McCain as the alternative to an Obama presidency. I'm thinking of Camelot after seeing this ad. In any event, does anyone remember Obama's number one campaign promise that he listed on the David Letterman show? Oprah for VP!

Federal Court Rules For The Everglades.

2008-07-30T12:29:00.004-04:00

The judge, ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Miccosukee Tribe and Friends of the Everglades, blocked the state from issuing water-discharge permits that don't comply with that standard.

The lawsuit arose from a 2003 session of the state Legislature, where sugar company lobbyists urged lawmakers to postpone a 2006 deadline for reducing phosphorus in water discharged into the Everglades to 10 parts per billion, a level that would protect the Everglades from being overrun with cattails.

The lobbyists prevailed, and furious environmentalists sued in state court but lost.

The state is reviewing the judge's ruling.

Pick-A-Poll.

2008-07-29T12:25:00.008-04:00

Why would two different polls, conducted by the same polling firm, completed on the same day, give opposite results?

The USA TODAY/Gallup Poll is separate from Gallup's daily "tracking" poll on the presidential race, which this afternoon shows Obama ahead by 8 points among registered voters -- 48%-40%.

Frank says that while the tracking poll indicates Obama may have gotten some gains from his overseas trip last week, any benefits may be short-lived. That tracking poll of 2,674 registered voters was also done Friday-Sunday and the margins of error on the results are +/- 2 percentage points.

As for the difference between the tracking and USA TODAY/Gallup polls, Frank says not to read too much into it. "Statistical noise" may be largely to blame.

Check out the trendline in Arizona. Reality bites, but you won't hear about Arizona on the news. Pollster's charts have Obama beating McCain, with and without third party candidates. McCain is trending down in the yellow states. Statistical noise indeed. More state polls would be nice.

FYI: Shark Week On The CBS Morning Show.

2008-07-29T08:10:00.004-04:00

Everyone loves shark week. Did you know that sharks exhibit uterine cannibalism?

Chris Dodd For VP.

2008-07-29T07:09:00.005-04:00

The fact that he likes to speak Spanish is huge. Dodd can handle himself in a debate. He has a following in the netroots. He enhances Obama's strengths and is a safe choice. The unsafe choice is obvious. With Hillary you get two for one. I'd be happy with either Dodd or Clinton. Truthfully, I hope Obama takes his own advice and chooses someone with whom he is comfortable. Tim Kaine? Barack, Tim and their wives all went to the same law school. Kaine speaks Spanish. My vp prediction is Kaine.

3 Pt. Play.

2008-07-27T12:15:00.000-04:00

all ... net ... swish.

Meta McMucil.

2008-07-27T09:16:00.011-04:00

Because using nicknames doesn't promote one's cause.

McAin't...yes he can yes, he can, can, no he cain't.
McBomb...McOne, two, three what are we fighting for?
McBore......
McCan't...McCaint, it's all the McSame.
McCrabby...&#*!
McCrustypants...that's a popular pun I couldn't leave out.
McDone.
McDumb....dumb and dumber.
McFlip...McFlop.
McInsane...who are his supporters?
McNasty...they called him McNasty.
McSame...apply the insanity definition, rinse, repeat.

For Victoria Coast.

2008-07-26T18:22:00.003-04:00

McCain's Age.

2008-07-26T12:06:00.003-04:00

Ageism. I hate it, and if you don't (hate ageism), wait until you get old.

No Bounce For Obama?

2008-07-26T11:08:00.010-04:00

Dear Fox News:
If you don't mind, I'm waiting for the next set of polls to come out. Obama had a good week. He put out a huge fire by being a near perfect statesman, albeit that Banking Committee statement was pretty strange. After perusing the polling articles that I have included for your reading enjoyment, this blogger has concluded that Barack is doing just fine. He'll get a mini bounce out of the next set of polls, from the Berlin speech. He'll get a bounce out of the convention and his vp pick.

Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
Martin Sieff
TNR
Steven Tomma
The Nation

Obama Is More Popular Than Hillary Among Latinos.

2008-07-24T17:08:00.003-04:00

"He now appears to be even more popular than Hillary Clinton among Latinos," Lopez said.

However, the talk is about the crowds in Berlin with no bump in the polls. Why do I listen to Fox News? The announcer said that this could be the light at the end of the tunnel for McCain. Fox news has Obama's numbers going down. People see Obama's trip as a publicity stunt rather than a fact finding mission.

Obama Live In Berlin.

2008-07-24T13:07:00.001-04:00

My 'puter doesn't have the ram to live blog. I know. I need to get a life.

Michelle Obama In Miami, Getting Personal.

2008-07-24T08:04:00.009-04:00

The local Fox affiliate has been running an interview with Michelle all morning. She's talking about how her children keep her and Barack grounded. It seems like she has lived a lifestyle very similar to mine and understands the challenges of so many Americans who struggle with daily challenges. Michelle says that it would be extraordinary for a president to have shared experiences with the American people, to "be grounded." I think so too.

It's a great interview. The campaign rakes in a bundle at a fundraiser at the Parrot Jungle. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama is off to Ft. Myers and John McCain looks angry.

Bush Lost Another Approval Point This Week.

2008-07-23T16:06:00.001-04:00

Rasmussen reports it here. Maybe he'll lose another point after his "Wall Street got drunk" quote.

The Repubublican Youth Vote Dropped In Iowa.

2008-07-23T14:51:00.002-04:00

Yeppers. Florida was the only state where Obama did not get the largest share of the youth vote.

The Youth Vote.

2008-07-23T14:29:00.006-04:00

Answer: 500%
Question: By what percent has the youth vote risen on Florida's Treasure Coast?

The numbers say it all. 6,659 in 2000; 41,479 in 2008. Martin and Indian River counties rock. They voted Republican? I'll have to check that out.

More Dueling Polls.

2008-07-23T14:10:00.002-04:00

Rasmussen has Obama up one point. Numbers are up five compared to Kerry statewide and at the national level. ARG shows Florida trending towards McCain. Fascinating stuff.

32% of likely voters say they would never vote for John McCain in the general election and 39% of likely voters say they would never vote for Barack Obama in the general election.

I'm back.

2008-07-23T10:21:00.003-04:00

Thanks to some very expensive therapy and Mother's Day present.

There's been a lot of talk about the recent Ohio presidential polling results. Check out the polling results from Florida at Pollster.com. Dueling results, just like in Ohio. War Room Logistics has Obama up. They had McCain up in May. Trend? I don't believe in miracles. However, I don't understand why McCain isn't trouncing Obama here, in Florida. That McCain isn't doing better is the real story.

I love Pollster.com's interactive USA map. Wouldn't it be great to see it turn bluer and bluer?

Taylor Marsh Is A Liar.

2008-01-18T08:23:00.000-05:00

Does anyone really believe Taylor Marsh, of all people? If you want to waste your time, follow the latest Taylor tale. I don't even know what Marsh looks like. Does she think she's pretty too (like Ann Coulter?) I mean, you can just tell that Coulter is "feeling real purty" every time she brushes back the hair back from her face. Anywho, it turns out that the Clinton supporter was just confused. I wonder if the voter will change her mind after this incident.

Oh, you are probably wondering what the story is about. Like I said, go waste your time and read it for yourself. The Las Vegas Sun sure is "following up." Am I the only one who is enjoying getting to know a major newpaper from a city different than Washington and New York? Hmmmm, none of the NH papers resonated with me. An omen perhaps?

1) Marsh did not identify the eyewitness to the Paris incident as a Clinton supporter. Why not?

2) Marsh did not include any interview with the actual alleged victim, Sylvia Antuna. Why not? In an interview with the Sun, Antuna said the incident may have been more misunderstanding than intimidation.

3) Did Marsh attempt to reach the Culinary Union to get its response to the allegation? If not, why not?

4) Last year, Marsh accepted money from the Association of Federal, State, City and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), to blog at a Democratic event. AFSCME has endorsed Clinton and is a longtime ally of the Clinton family. Has Marsh taken payment from AFSCME recently? If so, how much?

Hillary, Then, (December 15, 2003.)

2008-01-16T17:24:00.000-05:00

I was one who supported giving President Bush the authority, if necessary, to use force against Saddam Hussein. I believe that that was the right vote. I have had many disputes and disagreements with the administration over how that authority has been used, but I stand by the vote to provide the authority because I think it was a necessary step in order to maximize the outcome that did occur in the Security Council with the unanimous vote to send in inspectors. And I also knew that our military forces would be successful. But what we did not appreciate fully and what the administration was unprepared for was what would happen the day after.

It has been a continuing theme of my criticism and others that we would be further along, we would have more legitimacy, we would diminish the opposition and resentment that is fueling whatever remains of the insurgency if we had been willing to move to internationalize our presence and further action in Iraq. I believe that today. And in fact, I think that we now have a new opportunity for the administration to do just that.

I have a whole slew of Hillary quotes. There is more to follow, as I put the evolution of her thinking into context.

Clinton Scores Lonely Victory.

2008-01-16T05:08:00.000-05:00

Clinton battles uncommitted. Clinton v uncommitted. Clinton Fends Off Uncommitted.Clinton manages to beat uncommitted.

She couldn't be stupid enough to campaign in Florida. I hOpe she never fires her advisers.

New Hampshire Results Are Suspicious.

2008-01-14T01:30:00.000-05:00

Clinton Optical scan 91,717 52.95%
Obama Optical scan 81,495 47.05%

Clinton Hand-counted 20,889 47.05%
Obama Hand-counted 23,509 52.95%

Dick Durbin Calling It Like It Is.

2008-01-14T00:56:00.000-05:00

The Clintons are just throwing a lot of mud to confuse the voters. It worked in NH, but how many times can they play this hand? One resorts to these tactics when one is behind.

As for Obama's "inconsistency," what would Democrats say if Obama had fallen into the reporter's trap ... if he had spoken out against the war?

Bill Clinton Has No Class.

2008-01-14T00:08:00.000-05:00

He's a former president, for goodness sake. Trash talk reflects badly on the country, as well as the party. I'm done with the Clintons. They make me sick. The thought of them in the White House for another eight years is depressing. But I don't have to worry about it. Enough people, who don't pull the dem lever every two years like I do, hate her too. She'll never win. We'll get McCain and war without end.

STFU, Pres. and Sen. Clinton. You're making fools of yourselves and will be the laughing stock of the neocons. Hillary cried, Hillary lied, Hillary lost her cool, Hillary looked at top secret documents, Hillary doesn't have one major accomplishment to her name, Hillary was against the war before she was for the war. Hillary supported Bush even during the campaign...should I go on? I haven't even started with the first man. He was impeached for pity's sake. I ain't seen nothing like it.

Hillary lied.

2008-01-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

I watched the ABC national news today. The number two story was about Hill and Bill's recent comments. The two were stressing the BET founder who denounced Obama for statements that Obama, personally, didn't make. In all fairness, Obama didn't denounce them either, unless I missed something. The Clintons have been a staunch ally of minority groups, as the Clinton ally stated on the news. However, Hillary lied.

The Darwin Awards Have Just Been Released.

2008-01-13T19:00:00.000-05:00

The winner was a killer, but the rest of them were kind of boring.<

Michigan Will Seat A Few Uncommitted Delegates.

2008-01-13T18:53:00.000-05:00

Obama plays to win.He is trending uoward in Florida and New York. Obama is ahead in Nevada and South Carolina. Uncommitted trending up in Michigan. He's holding his own in California and New Jersey. I'm trying to make up a list of the approximate number delegates for each state.

Rasmussen Last Poll Shows Obama Would Win An Obama/McCain Matchup.

2008-01-13T18:36:00.000-05:00