Charlie Wilson’s War, with Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Oscar-nominated
performance as a maverick CIA officer.
SUNDAY REPORTS
** SURVEY USA POLL OF CALIFORNIA SHOWS BIG LEADS FOR OBAMA AND CLINTON OVER MCCAIN. The latest Survey USA robopoll of California, completed a week ago, shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by whopping 27 points, 61% to 34%. Hillary Clinton leads by 23, 58% to 35%.
Meanwhile, I hear that the California Republican Party convention in San Francsico is going about adopting a hard right platform today. Good luck with that.
** BIG OBAMA LEAD OVER MCCAIN, BIG CLINTON DEFICIT IN SWING STATE IOWA. The new Des Moines Register poll shows Barack Obama with a big lead over John McCain in swing state Iowa, 53% to 36%. Conversely, Hillary Clinton runs well behind McCain, 49% to 40%.
Obama wins independents by a large margin over McCain in Iowa. But McCain wins those independents by a similar margin over Hillary.
After finishing third in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses behind Obama and John Edwards, Clinton’s campaign criticized Iowa and its caucuses as unrepresentative.
** HE’S BACK. Ralph Nader announced his candidacy for president this morning on Meet The Press. The Republicans’ favorite lefty — the famed consumer advocate is widely regarded as having siponed enough votes to cost Al Gore the presidency against George W. Bush in 2000 — got 2.7% of the vote in that election, running as the Green candidate. Next time round, Nader garnered only 0.3% of the vote in 2004, finding it hard to get on many state ballots. Nader’s relationship with the Green Party has become problematic, and many Greens want former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, a 9/11 conspiracy theorist, as their standardbearer.
** NEW YORK TIMES OMBUDSMAN RIPS HIS NEWSPAPER’S JOHN MCCAIN STORY. The public editor, or ombudsman, of the New York Times, whose charge it is to render judgements on controversies involving the paper, sharply criticized his newspaper for its sensational story strongly implying a past affair between the Western senator and an attractive, much younger female lobbyist.
Wrote Clark Hoyt: “The newspaper found itself in the uncomfortable position of being the story as much as publishing the story, in large part because, although it raised one of the most toxic subjects in politics — sex — it offered readers no proof that McCain and Iseman had a romance.”
The paper did raise some interesting questions about the relationship between McCain, former chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Washington lobbyists, suggesting that he’s not beyond their blandishments. But the story led in sensational fashion with the imputation of an affair. Absent that, it was a bit of a snorer.
Of course, it was not absent that. And the upshot is that the nation’s most powerful newspaper was rocked by the McCain campaign.
SATURDAY REPORTS
** STARTING TO LOOK BACK AT HOLIDAY MOVIES. It’s Oscar weekend. And we haven’t even looked at the holiday movies. Yet.
Ordinarily, I would have done this around the, well, Christmas and New Year holidays. But with the, hah, genius of American politics kicking in, there was no time.
Above is a video clip of the estimable Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymoour Hoffman, always very good, in his Oscar-nominated performance as maverick CIA officer Gust Avrakotos in the only hit political movie of the year, that NWN fave, Charlie Wilson’s War.
About America’s successful covert take-down of the late Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Which, as the irony of life would have it, emboldened our then new Islamic fundamentalist friends to perform certain other feats that we now think of as “blowback.”
Important point: Keep paying attention.
Oh, best NWN movie of the holiday season? Charlie Wilson’s War. With Mike Nichols directing, Aaron Sorkin writing the screenplay based on George Crile’s best-selling book, and a cast of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman et al, it was as good as a I expected. And I had high expectations.
Other holiday movies, ah, did not quite meet expectations. One I discuss a bit below.
Others to come on this Academy Awards weekend.
Tomorrow, I’ll talk about my picks in the only movie awards that I actually have a vote in, the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Which also equate to most of the top Oscars, which will be awarded tomorrow night.
** GETTING REAL IN CLINTONVILLE. Most, although hardly all — those would be my longtime, more future-oriented — sources, around Hillary and Bill Clinton are simply in shock over the slow but steady shattering of her candidacy at the hands of Barack Obama.
From the New York Times: Morale is low. After 13 months of dawn-to-dark seven-day weeks, the staff is exhausted. Some have taken to going home early — 9 p.m. — turning off their BlackBerrys, and polishing off bottles of wine, several senior staff members said.
Some advisers have been heard yelling at close friends and colleagues. In a much-reported incident, Mr. Penn and the campaign advertising chief, Mandy Grunwald, had a screaming match over strategy recently that prompted another senior aide, Guy Cecil, to leave the room. “I have work to do — you’re acting like kids,” Mr. Cecil said, according to three people in the room.
Others have taken several days off, despite it being crunch time. Some have grown depressed, be it over Mr. Obama’s momentum, the attacks on the campaign’s management from outside critics or their view that the news media has been much rougher on Mrs. Clinton than on Mr. Obama.
The first five minutes of The Golden Compass, likely to win the
Oscar for best art direction.
** GOLDEN. As successful and fun and satisfying an adaptation of a long and complicated best-selling book that Charlie Wilson’s War turned out to be — hail Aaron Sorkin (disclosure, my little consulting with The West Wing was after NBC bounced him) — The Golden Compass adaptation turned out to be far more problematic. This should have been the great holiday movie in America. Yet it was not.
Most unfortunately so, because all the makings were there — including a fantastic cast which included Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, Daniel Craig and spirited young English girl Dakota Blue Richards — for a classic.
The film was still quite good, if unfortunately choppy and questionably edited.
Let’s see. Remove actual ending of the book and hold for next movie in the series? Eh, maybe not.
Nevertheless, though The Golden Compass has grossed “only” $70 million at the US box office, it has done $335 million at the global box office. Making it a major hit. And that’s before it opens in Japan next month, and Japan is traditionally a huge market for fantasy and science fiction.
I’ll have more thoughts about this later.
** NEW PODCAST. I talk about the road ahead after Wisconsin and Hawaii.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel.
You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Crude oil closed at $98.91 per barrel on Friday, after hitting a record $101-plus per barrel on Wednesday. Energy markets are closed on the weekend.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
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| Comments (0) |
You know naked is good:) Shed off the winter skin and prepare for spring. This has been a long year.
Dana,
I agree with you.
Bill,
You need to write a show for TV, that is as captivating:) as this blog.
What a great scene.
I refer to the grown ups, not the little girl.
If Phil Hoffman doesn’t win the Academy Award for playing an American hero, it is a fucking crime.
If Phil Hoffman doesn’t win the Academy Award for playing an American hero, it is a fucking crime.
Charlie Wilson’s War – I gotta see that flick! Thanks for the clip.
“view that the news media has been much rougher on Mrs. Clinton than on Mr. Obama.”
The press anointed Clinton early and gave her a pass for a LONG time, especially considering how hard they WOULD have gone after her in the General.
Anyone remember the “diamonds or pearls” question? Give me a frackin’ break.
“GETTING REAL IN CLINTONVILLE”
A real contrast to Obama, who is still HIRING people to work Ohio and Texas.
“GETTING REAL IN CLINTONVILLE”
A real contrast to Obama, who is still HIRING people to work Ohio and Texas.
This is most fascinating campaign ever in USA.
This is most fascinating campaign ever in USA.
Just off the ‘net…
“WASHINGTON – Ralph Nader is launching a third-party campaign for president. The consumer advocate made the announcement Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He says most Americans are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties, and that none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labor rights”
————
There are many things I could say, want to say, but will refrain from saying on this public site.
Just off the ‘net…
“WASHINGTON – Ralph Nader is launching a third-party campaign for president. The consumer advocate made the announcement Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He says most Americans are disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties, and that none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labor rights”
————
There are many things I could say, want to say, but will refrain from saying on this public site.
With Hillary’s fundraising, polling and Superdelegate numbers dropping sharply, the Republicans for Hillary executive committee has been thinking about the next strategic steps for its organization. With only nine days left before Billary’s Texas firewall falls like a cheap prom dress, thoughtful Republicans need some hope that voters will not finally punish our party for the last eight years of overspending and underperforming by jumping on the Obama bandwagon.
Enter Ralph Nader, who may help save us from ourselves. While the perpetual anti-establishment crusader is unlikely to get more than a few percent of the vote in most states, sometimes that is just enough to give the election to a Republican. We can only hope it happens in the key swing states like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
To celebrate today’s announcement that Nader may play the renegade spoiler once again (Thanks Solon, go ahead and vent), the Kid Family will be serving thick Porterhouse steaks tonight and tasting the 2005 Curvare pinot noir (Costco, $27). If all goes well, we will serve it at the March 4 Republicans for Nader merger party.
KK,
Trust me, I’m sitting in my abode venting. But can’t bring myself to use that kind of language here!
Porterhouse steaks sound good…as does the wine.
Wine I consumed last evening was so-so. Think I will move on to something different this evening…an inexpensive little something called “Hey Mambo”
Now, what was the name of that steak house???
I think Nader is going for the vice-presidental apot on the Ron Paul ticket.
I think Nader is going for the vice-presidental apot on the Ron Paul ticket.
Nader went from about 2.8 million votes in 2000 to about 400,000 in 2004. Given two compelling choices in an Obama-McCain race and Nader fatigue, one might expect him to do even worse in 2008. Still, ala Florida in 2000, a few hundred votes can tip an election…
Here’s the NYT on Nader post-2004 election:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/06/politics/campaign/06nader.html
Perhaps more interesting will be the inevitable comparisons between the Nader and Obama platforms, and the resultant pegging of Obama by various parties as a leftist, progressive, corporatist, anti-corporatist, DNC-centrist, etc.
Sorry Solon, I forgot to share the cathartic steakhouse visit details.
After months working on a second tier GOP statewide candidate campaign, the inevitable early October Saturday “come to Jesus” meeting between the finance staff and the media buyers produced the depressing results only the self-absorbed candidate could ignore. Down by 17 points, with only $200k in the bank and even our best donors dodging the candidate’s phone calls, it was time to admit we failed to gain traction and future efforts were only going to avoid professional embarrassment.
Recognizing that we had as much control of our fate as Delta Tau Chi had in Animal House, our Toga Party response started at Marilyn’s for shots and beer, followed by dinner at Morton’s and closing the Blue Cue. Three senior staffers showed three earnest, hard working newbies that in the long run, $1500 of campaign money is better spent on staff morale and team building than another week of a light cable buy in Bakersfield. Of course the candidate disagreed with our priorities, but since the money did not come from his pocket, we politely told him to pound sand. He had no jobs for us in January anyway.
The newbies are still around, taking greater roles in later campaigns. The culture of professional politics is established by the persistent folks who run the campaigns, not the intermittent candidates that benefit from them. Sometimes their goals conflict, but now that I am older, wiser and richer, I would pick up that tab myself – and expense it.
By the way, Raley’s/BelAire has choice porterhouse steaks on sale and they will cut a 1.5” inch slice if you ask. Cook it slow and crank it up for the last 5 minutes and you will never know it did not come from Taylors.
Sorry Solon, I forgot to share the cathartic steakhouse visit details.
After months working on a second tier GOP statewide candidate campaign, the inevitable early October Saturday “come to Jesus” meeting between the finance staff and the media buyers produced the depressing results only the self-absorbed candidate could ignore. Down by 17 points, with only $200k in the bank and even our best donors dodging the candidate’s phone calls, it was time to admit we failed to gain traction and future efforts were only going to avoid professional embarrassment.
Recognizing that we had as much control of our fate as Delta Tau Chi had in Animal House, our Toga Party response started at Marilyn’s for shots and beer, followed by dinner at Morton’s and closing the Blue Cue. Three senior staffers showed three earnest, hard working newbies that in the long run, $1500 of campaign money is better spent on staff morale and team building than another week of a light cable buy in Bakersfield. Of course the candidate disagreed with our priorities, but since the money did not come from his pocket, we politely told him to pound sand. He had no jobs for us in January anyway.
The newbies are still around, taking greater roles in later campaigns. The culture of professional politics is established by the persistent folks who run the campaigns, not the intermittent candidates that benefit from them. Sometimes their goals conflict, but now that I am older, wiser and richer, I would pick up that tab myself – and expense it.
By the way, Raley’s/BelAire has choice porterhouse steaks on sale and they will cut a 1.5” inch slice if you ask. Cook it slow and crank it up for the last 5 minutes and you will never know it did not come from Taylors.
Kandy,
Sounds like a grand night on the town. Three very nice places to spend a few hours and more than a few dollars.
One of the many reasons I shop Taylor’s is because I like the way the products are handled before they hit the store. Feel better knowing my beef has had a gentler life before it gave its all for me to have dinner, one probably filled with less chemicals.
Raley’s is a great place. However, I always find it strange that the same organic product I can get elsewhere is more expensive there. That sort of sends me a signal that perhaps they not be such honest merchants!
I be anonymous. Sorry.
Bill — since you track world energy prices — here’s a fascinating and breathtakingly unique analysis on the impact of $100 oil:
http://www.morganstanley.com/views/gef/index.html#anchor5911
Bill — since you track world energy prices — here’s a fascinating and breathtakingly unique analysis on the impact of $100 oil:
http://www.morganstanley.com/views/gef/index.html#anchor5911
Gee, California polls favor the Democrats? Who would have thunk it?
Hillary bombing out in Iowa after trashing the state after she lost it. Who would have thunk it?
Shockong, positively shocking.
Shockong, positively shocking.
There’s actually been a lot of talk about McCain making a real run at California.
>James- The Historian :
Gee, California polls favor the Democrats? Who would have thunk it?
Feb 24, 2008 01:39 PM
A tsunami of capital.
Of course, I remember the first time OPEC and the Arabs were going to take over the world.
>James :
Bill — since you track world energy prices — here’s a fascinating and breathtakingly unique analysis on the impact of $100 oil:
[www.morganstanley.com/views/gef/...]
Feb 24, 2008 01:06 PM
True.
>Chris M :
Nader went from about 2.8 million votes in 2000 to about 400,000 in 2004. Given two compelling choices in an Obama-McCain race and Nader fatigue, one might expect him to do even worse in 2008. Still, ala Florida in 2000, a few hundred votes can tip an election…
Here’s the NYT on Nader post-2004 election:
True.
>Chris M :
Nader went from about 2.8 million votes in 2000 to about 400,000 in 2004. Given two compelling choices in an Obama-McCain race and Nader fatigue, one might expect him to do even worse in 2008. Still, ala Florida in 2000, a few hundred votes can tip an election…
Here’s the NYT on Nader post-2004 election:
A good pairing.
>larry :
I think Nader is going for the vice-presidental apot on the Ron Paul ticket.
Feb 24, 2008 09:27 AM
Indeed.
>Kandy Kid :
With Hillary’s fundraising, polling and Superdelegate numbers dropping sharply, the Republicans for Hillary executive committee has been thinking about the next strategic steps for its organization.
Perhaps.
>sergei :
This is most fascinating campaign ever in USA.
Feb 23, 2008 10:05 PM
CNN was all in for Clinton.
>Brasky :
“view that the news media has been much rougher on Mrs. Clinton than on Mr. Obama.”
The press anointed Clinton early and gave her a pass for a LONG time, especially considering how hard they WOULD have gone after her in the General.
Anyone remember the “diamonds or pearls” question? Give me a frackin’ break.
Feb 23, 2008 06:41 PM
CNN was all in for Clinton.
>Brasky :
“view that the news media has been much rougher on Mrs. Clinton than on Mr. Obama.”
The press anointed Clinton early and gave her a pass for a LONG time, especially considering how hard they WOULD have gone after her in the General.
Anyone remember the “diamonds or pearls” question? Give me a frackin’ break.
Feb 23, 2008 06:41 PM
It’s great,but you’ll to catch it on DVD.
>Brasky :
Charlie Wilson’s War – I gotta see that flick! Thanks for the clip.
Feb 23, 2008 06:38 PM
Thanks, Alva. That’s what I expected.
>Alva Johnson :
Not a whole lot happening with the GOPers here in SF. Senator Thune was pretty good at the dinner last night, and was very well received. I had no idea how much these people hated (hate?) Tom Daschle.
Altogether, though, this event is literally all wet. Perhaps the Dems will have a more interesting event next month.
Feb 23, 2008 05:01 PM
No Country for Old Men. What are your thoughts? I found it to be one of the best films in years. It has no easy answers.
No Country for Old Men. What are your thoughts? I found it to be one of the best films in years. It has no easy answers.
No Country for Old Men. What are your thoughts? I found it to be one of the best films in years. It has no easy answers.
Sorry for the double posting.
Sorry for the double posting.
Sorry for the double posting.
Not a prob.
Not a prob.
It’s quite a film. I hope I can find the energy and time to write about it.
>Jonathan Hemlock :
No Country for Old Men. What are your thoughts? I found it to be one of the best films in years. It has no easy answers.
Feb 25, 2008 04:11 PM
It’s quite a film. I hope I can find the energy and time to write about it.
>Jonathan Hemlock :
No Country for Old Men. What are your thoughts? I found it to be one of the best films in years. It has no easy answers.
Feb 25, 2008 04:11 PM