Zucker ad re: Barbara Boxer

Great ad! You hafta laugh when you see this one...

The Obameter

According to PoliFact, from The St. Petersburg Times, Florida, Obama made 500 promises during his campaign. They're keeping track of the 500 they counted. I'm going to put the link on the sidebar of some of my blogs so I can check off and on and keep track of what they're giving him credit for accomplishing.

They've already given him credit for making two of his promises come true. Bush made one happen, but they're giving the credit to Obama simply because it happened. If that's their criteria for giving credit, twenty years from now the Obameter may still be clunking along with items being checked off...

However, I do understand their decision to give it to him. Obama promised shrewdly. He promised something that was gonna happen. And, based on what I've been hearing in recent days as more news comes out about some of the things President Bush laid the groundwork for, I bet President Obama is going to have a few more Bush actions marked as things he accomplishes during his tenure. Politics. Media. Whatever.

In fact, I just took a look at the Obameter a little closer. I had focused on the 2 accomplishments, and overlooked that he was also being given credit for 12 items being "in the works". I didn't read all of them yet, but the ones I read were things happening without his intervention or guidance. Of course, supporters will say that Pelosi, Reid and friends are pushing some of the items because he's now in the hot seat and yes, they can.

It's a new world. Now Presidents are getting credit for things that happened before their watch. Maybe we need to start a Oba-change-meter and keep track of all the things that change over the next four years. Hmmm.... I may just do that!

I'm also going to copy the list and put it in a safe word document somewhere just to save for posterity... I don't know how long it will be up and I don't know if some things will change under pressure.

Here's the link: The Obameter: Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/503/appoint-at-least-one-republican-to-the-cabinet/

What a hoot - the Obama campaign is "hidin' Biden"

The Obama campaign is calling it Operation Hiden Biden (or Hidin' Biden I suppose). They are keeping this supposedly experienced Vice Presidential campaign out of the limelight and are not letting him speak until after the election!

The gaffe machine has been shut down for the next few days in hopes that he doesn't say any more truths that will get Obama in more hot water!

If they can't trust him on the campaign trail, if they have to keep him under wraps now, what will they do with him if Obama wins?

More importantly, what will our country do if for some reason he has to step in as President?

Let's Hide the Bide permanently back in the Senate.

Ha, I know what they did with him... they sent him on one of those great adventures to find the restaurant he hangs out in, the one he talked about in his debate with Sarah Palin... you know, the one that has been closed for around 20 years?

Just where are they hidin' Biden? Do they have duck tape over his mouth? Did they send him on a trip? Is he on house arrest? How does he feel about being pulled off the campaign trail?

Every time the man makes a remark that embarrasses Obama I can't help but wonder how he would handle being our Vice President.

Scattered thoughts on politics

How do newspapers and other media avoid duplicate headlines?

Have you ever wondered about news headlines? Do the newspapers check to avoid duplicate headlines? Think about the number of newspaper, radio, bloggers, television and other types of reporters following around the presidential candidates.

There are reporters from almost every country in the world following the candidates on their trek around the country for votes.

They all see the same thing, then have to file a story back home wherever that may be. So how do they avoid duplicating headlines? How many ways are there to say "He won, she lost"?

If I really cared enough I'd look into it, maybe do a search on the Internet popping in the title or the question. It's not high on my list of things to do, but I have wondered. Maybe someone out there in the web-world will read this and let me know!

How do the candidates manage to keep up?

I've heard them talking about their schedules. As a media member I get some of their appearance schedules. They are moving 20 hours a day for days on end. They go from campaign event to campaign event, to interview, to bus, to airplane, to event, to shake hands, to eat... and eat and eat and ear... did anyone else noticed that Huckabee looked like he was gaining a few pounds again for a while?

I can't go through the day without at least 5 hours of sleep and I really need more. I can live on the 5 hours a day for a few days, but then I have to sleep long or I start talking gibberish. The candidates have to be on their toes for Letterman, Leno, Fox News, debates and events 24/7. They're all older than I am and they run circles around me.

No wonder they all look ten years older by the time the race is over!

What happens to all the stuff the candidates are given?

I saw a clip of Romney last night holding a big box of Krispy Kreme donuts. He was offering them around to the crowd. Betcha he doesn't eat 'em. I've heard he's rather picky about what he puts in his body. I imagine the candidates are given a ton of things from supporters and they have to find a way to graciously decline the offer or act like they love whatever it is. Some votes are lost by something so simple.

So what happens to all the little knicknacks, food, gifts, Bibles, resumes , and other things that are given to the candidates? Do they offer then to their supporters? Hold a bonfire when the campaign ends without a win? Pack them up and give them to charity?

I have a whole list of things I wonder about when it comes to candidates. Mostly I wonder how truthful they're being, whether they'll be the best person to run our country and who I'll finally end up voting for in February these days.

Bill Richardson drops out of Democratic Presidential race

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals’ star power.

http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/09/ap-bill-richardson-drops-out-of-democratic-presidential-race/