Frackin Bills

It was a gorgeous 65 degrees today. I could have spent the day walking or biking, working in the yard, reading in the hammock. What did I do instead? WASTED 3 hours of my life I'll never get back watching the Buffalo Bills STINK UP THE FIELD against the Forty Niners. Now I have to wear a bag over my head, because the Niners are a simply awful team.

For those who don't understand being a Bills fan, think Cubs without the glamor.

What did I do in another life to deserve THIS?

Thankful

For living in beautiful, sunny Palo Alto after returning from a week in Western New York for Thanksgiving. Also for family and old friends. Finally for our health and good fortune in difficult times.

Yes We Did!

Still recovering and finding it hard to believe that the world has changed so much in a week. Stories and reactions to come.

My Predictions

Updated 11/30

How I did as of today (actual and how much I missed by):

• Electoral Votes 365 - 173 (-6)
• Popular Vote 52.7-45.9 (+1.1, -.3)
• Senate Seats 57-40 (depending on MN) (-1)
• House Seats 258-175 (depending on outstanding races) (-9)

Not giving up my day job, but not too shabby either.


Because I don't believe in jinxes (he says with fingers crossed)

• 359 Obama Electoral Votes
• 179 McCain Electoral Votes
• 53.8 Obama Popular Vote Percentage
• 45.6 McCain Popular Vote Percentage
• 58 Democratic Senate seats
• 39 Republican Senate seats
• 267 Democratic House seats
• 168 Republican House seats

What is it about Alaska Republicans?

I thought de nile was in Egypt...

(CNN) -- Despite his felony conviction this week for filing false U.S. Senate financial disclosure forms, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska insisted he was innocent and vowed not to step down. Sen. Ted Steven, R-Alaska, debates challenger Mark Begich Thursday night. Stevens is resisting calls to resign."I have not been convicted of anything," he maintained during a Thursday night debate in Anchorage, only days before Tuesday's election.

Really?

(Reuters) - U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska was convicted of corruption on Monday, a verdict that could endanger the Republican's political future and help Democrats expand control of the Senate in the Nov. 4 election. Stevens, 84, was convicted on all seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms by failing to report more than $250,000 in home renovations and other gifts from an oil executive.

Sound familiar?

(Anchorage Daily News) - A legislative investigation has concluded that Gov. Sarah Palin abused her power in pushing for the firing of an Alaska state trooper who was once married to her sister, or by failing to prevent her husband Todd from doing so...Branchflower's report contains four findings. The first concludes that Palin violated the state's executive branch ethics act, which says that "each public officer holds office as a public trust, and any effort to benefit a personal or financial interest through official action is a violation of that trust."

And

(NY Times) - Asked about the report released Friday by Alaska lawmakers that found she had abused the powers of the governor’s office, Ms. Palin replied: “I’m thankful that the report has shown that there was no illegal or unethical activity there in my choice to replace our commissioner,” she said.

The height of arrogance.

Small dollars add up

I have rarely, if ever, given money to candidates who I could not directly vote for. Part of the genius of the Obama campaign is to convince me and many others that even a small donation can matter. And with the prospect of sweeping real change into Washington, I've carried that sensibility to supporting progressive candidates and causes outside my voting area. that has been made easy by the internet. I've given donations of $10-15 in the belief that hundreds and thousands of others are adding their dollars to mine.

Today is the last day that any donations really matter. So please go the extra mile. As kos says, leave everything on the road. Visit Orange to Blue and choose the candidates or issues of your choice. Or give a little to each. Here's a list of where my dollars have gone:

• Obama for America
• Yes on N (Palo Alto Libraries)
• Equality for All/No on 8 (protect equal right to marriage)
• Alyce Kryzan (NY-26) (my old home district)
  
• Bob Lord (AZ-03)
• Gary Trauner (WY-01)
• Judy Baker (MO-09)
• Mark Begich (AK-Sen) (defeat the felon!)
  
• Darcy Burner (WA-08)
• Charlie Brown (CA-04)
• Al Franken (MN-Sen)
• Dan Seals (IL-10)
• Dennis Shulman (NJ-05)
• Eric Massa (NY-29)
• Jim Martin (GA-Sen) (running against the despicable Saxby Chambliss)
  
• Rick Noriega (TX-Sen)
• Kay Hagen (NC-Sen) (after Elizabeth Dole's Godless ad)
• Elwyn Tinklenberg (MN-06) (to defeat hater Michelle Bachmann)
  

Dig deep!!!

A thought

If Ted Stevens manages to somehow win reelection despite being convicted of a felony, and then resigns after the election, will Sarah Palin name herself to replace Stevens?

Body Language Of The McCain Marriage

Facinating and worth the short read. I've wondered about the relationship between John and Cindy since first seeing them both together. Here's something that stands out:

John McCain claims not to have known of his wife's drug addiction, even at a time when she was supporting her habit by stealing drugs from a charity organization. If that's true--if he actually didn't know about his wife's addiction--he demonstrates a lack of awareness that is panoramic. How do you fail to notice that your partner is stoned for months at a time? In John McCain's case, there's a simple answer and a more complex one. The simple answer is that he is a fellow-addict, known for his deep affection for the gambling table, as well as ties to the gambling industry. His addiction is the adrenalin-charged game of craps, a passion that is rumored to have cost him money and rifts in his marriage (Cindy being the one with the deep pockets who always had to bail him out.) When two addicts are married, they make an unconscious contract between them: If you agree not to confront me on my addiction, I'll agree not to confront you on yours.

Read the rest. You will also find links to other observations about McCain, as well as a look at Michelle and Barack.

The Closing Argument: Part 2

This is what a leader says:

Haters

It is scary what a party going down in flames can unleash, led by the McCain campaign. Rep. Michelle "Anti-American Views" Bachmann and Rep. Robin "Liberals Hate America"Hayes attack other Americans, then claim they never said it. Add Jill ‘‘Obama is a young, black Adolf Hitler’’Jackson and Marcia "Muslim Socialist" Stirman to today's list, on top of disgusting robocalls by Giuliani and others

Where will this all lead? From a family member:

If the worst happens and some right-wing nut takes the not-so-subtle hint from the McCain campaign that Barack Obama is "dangerous" and "not one of us," there will be blood on John McCain's hands. And, let's be clear...the "worst" will be an assassination attempt on Barack Obama. Everybody in the media is afraid to say this out loud, but we all know it's the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

This really bugs me

I've noticed the same thing that masswaster talks about on dKos: the use of the term "Democrat Party" instead of Democratic Party. Bush uses it all the time, now I've noticed Palin using it. It is meant as a slur. I'm tempted to do as masswater suggests and respond by using "Republic Party" for now on. But republic means "A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them." So Anti-Republic Party is more accurate. Other suggestions welcome.

Yes on N!

Here in Palo Alto, we're voting on a bond to refurbish our libraries, Measure N. My Letter to the Editor was published today in the Palo Alto Daily Post but they don't have an active web site. So I am indulging myself by re-printing the letter here for posterity. See Better Libraries for Palo Alto for more info.

As the parent of two school age children, I recognize the value our libraries provide. As a regular patron, I am acutely aware of the embarrassing state of our library facilities, especially in a city that prides itself on its public resources. That's why I'm voting Yes on Measure N.

No one visiting our libraries needs an auditor to tell them that these buildings are cramped, dilapidated and pale in comparison to our neighboring communities. After 50 years the time has come to renew our investment and bring these facilities into the 21st century. Surely this is worth the cost of a latte per week!

Measure N is about more than books and a quiet place read. It is also about creating civic spaces that enhance our community. The planned meeting and program spaces will accommodate changing educational, service and social needs over time, plus provide reliable structures in case of disaster.

Those who claim to support libraries but say they will vote no because they want a different plan are offering voters a false choice. We are not being asked to choose between this plan and one featuring a centralized library. Like it or not, that ship has sailed. Rather, this is a choice between much-needed modernization and continuing deterioration.

Maintaining a first class city requires responsible investment. After years of discussion, it?s time to stop talking and start acting so we can move forward with this well-thought-out and essential project. I urge a Yes vote on Measure N!

Bachmann Into Overdrive

While Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) apologized for her comments saying Obama has "anti-American views" (see below), ThinkProgress reports on a series of interviews Bachmann has been doing on right-wing radio. Repentant? Not so much.

Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee is pulling its planned media buys in her race.

Help defeat Michelle Bachmann! Elect El Tinklenberg for Congress!

What Wicked Webs They Weave

The Atlantic has identified Palin's Personal Shopper - the one behind the $150,000 spending spree. His name is Jeff Larson :

Does the name Jeff Larson sound familiar? It should. Larson is the Karl Rove protégé who’s a principal in the robocalling firm of FLS Connect (the “FLS” stands for Tony Feather, Jeff Larson, and Tom Syndhorst, all veteran Republican political operatives). Larson’s firm is the same one that launched the scurrilous robocalls against John McCain in 2000, and that McCain has now hired to make robocalls connecting Barack Obama to Bill Ayers. He’s also well known in Minnesota for leasing his basement apartment at a steeply discounted rate to embattled Republican Senator Norm Coleman. Evidently, Larson also has quite the eye for women’s fashion. Even hateful liberals would have to admit that Palin dresses awfully nicely. (emphasis added)

I guess we have to given them that last one.

Polls, Polls, Polls

An AP national poll was just released calling the presidential race essentially a dead heat. It will be easy to start panicking as some news like this shows up. But while the race will likely tighten, this poll is an outlier.

If you really want to know where the polls stand, visit DemFromCT on dKos. She lists their tracking poll first, but always compares it with a cross-section of other polls. She also writes an entertaining "Abbreviated Pundit Round-up." Nate Silver (fivethirtyeight.com) wrote up a recommended tracking poll primer on top of his daily projections based on a data algorithm which give a nice snapshot. And Pollster.com is billed as the "poll of polls."

UPDATE: You know when Fox News says Obama is up 9 points, that AP is way off base.

Today's Palin Pearls

AP INVESTIGATION: Alaska funded Palin kids' travel

Politico: RNC appears to shell out $150K for Palin fashion

MSNBC: Palin’s drag on the ticket?

Rachel Maddow Doubles Ratings

Her MSNBC show is must-see TV. Yeah Rachel!!!

Golden Oldies: McCain's Brain

Why Cindy hit the campaign trail with John after the convention...

The Role of the VP

Then.


Now.
(via ThinkProgress)


Remind you of anyone?

McCain/Palin supporters accosted!

Only because my kids will like that I referenced Family Guy...

Put your $$ to Work!!!

One of the things the Obama campaign has shown is how big a difference a contribution of $5, $10, $25, $50 or $100 can make. If we want the election results to be an overwhelming mandate for change, there are a number of key races beyond the presidential where a few dollars can have a big impact. So I encourage you to dig deep and send some dollars around to the campaign of your choice. Here are some good places to start.

• No on 8 - Proposition 8 is California's so-called "Pro-Marriage initiative." Except not for everyone. Out of state gay marriage opponents are pouring money into the Yes campaign.
• Alice Kryzan (NY26)- Running for the equivalent of Jack Kemp's old Congressional seat in Western NY. This progressive Democrat was a surprise primary winner when her opponents went negative on each other. What little polling I've seen has been wildly inconsistent. She definitely has a shot, especially if UB students motivated by Obama pull the D lever down the ticket.
• Orange to Blue - Good list of progressive candidates across the county where you can give to several at once.
• Elwyn Tinklenberg (MN6) - He's running for Congress against "that one." Truly scary!

The Closing Argument: Part 1

The Final Nails

BAM! BAM! BAM!
Collin Powell endorses Obama.

Be careful what you ask for.

OK, in order to justify my obsession with the presidential election and need to shoot off my mouth, here are some semi-random thoughts about this election season and beyond. Mainly, this is a collection of the things I've found most useful and interesting. I seek out the information so you don't have to!

I'll be leading with the latest information, and filling in historical postings as appropriate.

Off we go!