Barack Obama delivers what former Reagan and Nixon speechwriter Pat Buchanan calls the best convention address in history to 85,000 people in Denver.
** THE POPULATION OF WASILLA, ALASKA MAY HAVE BEEN SMALLER THAN I REPORTED. This town, which is not the second largest city in Alaska, despite what Karl Rove erroneously said early this morning on Fox News, has a population that I reported in my latest column as 8000 people. Which, I think I said on the radio or foreign TV, I’m losing track, is not large enough to have interested me when I was looking at winning California city council majorities many years ago. Commenters on my column say that Wasilla, during the time that brand-new Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who has been tiny Alaska’s governor for 18 months, had a population of only 5000. Making her executive experience even more of the speed trap variety. I have an e-mail into a top McCain campaign figure to straighten out this question.
** PALIN IS A CREATIONIST. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, John McCain’s surprise pick to be his prospective vice president, revealed herself to be a proponent of so-called creation science during his narrowly victorious 2006 gubernatorial race.
“Teach both,” opined Palin during an October 2006 debate. “You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.”
Creationism holds that the scientific theory of evolution is false, and that God created the world and everything in it in seven days. This issue was a major problem for Republican president candidate Mike Huckabee, the Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that creationism is an unconstitutional injection of fundamentalist religion into the public schools.
** BUDGET VOTE FAILS IN CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE. The latest attempt by Democratic legislative leaders to push through a state budget failed today in the state Senate.
** MCCAIN AND PALIN BARELY KNOW EACH OTHER. In an interview with Roll Call earlier this month, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin revealed that she had only met John McCain one or two times.
George Herbert Walker Bush knew Dan Quayle, who was a U.S. senator, far better than that.
** OBAMA SETS TV VIEWING RECORD. Barack Obama’s Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech set the all-time record for TV viewership of a convention speech, far outstripping past performances. Some 38.4 million people watched Obama’s speech, seen above, more than viewed the record-setting opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games and the Academy Awards.
** 13 REASONS WHY IT’S, AH, PALIN. Sarah who?
John McCain, after a lengthy tease of multiple candidates, including word early this morning on Fox and other cable news nets that Mitt Romney was the pick, selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his pick for vice president of the United States. McCain is a gambler, literally, and this is a big roll of the dice.
This is a bold gambit, intended in large measure to take the focus off Barack Obama’s spectacular speech last night. Is Sarah Palin, who would be a heartbeat away from the presidency as vice president to John McCain, qualified to serve as replacement POTUS for the oldest president in American history, tortured for five-and-a-half years as POW?
Palin has served for a year-and-a-half as governor of Alaska, a state of less than 700,000. For perspective, that is a smaller population than contained in any of the 40 state senate districts in California.
Prior to that, she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, which Karl Rove early this morning on Fox News erroneously stated is the second largest city in Alaska.
Actually, it’s not anywhere near that — perhaps the Wizard of Oz should stay behind the curtain — and is in fact a town of only about 8000 people. Palin, 44, is a favorite of the anti-abortion right-wing base, Rush Limbaugh’s favorite, an alum of the University of Idaho who earned the Miss Congeniality title while competing for Miss Alaska. She is an advocate of drilling for oil everywhere, including in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.
Today is the Vietnam War hero’s — that would be McCain, Palin has no national security background — 72nd birthday. So Sarah Palin would be a heartbeat away from the presidency. …
So in the end, ironically, given his status as America’s most anti-Russian politician, McCain is presenting a potential vice president from the only American state with a Russian name. Alyaska was part of Russia. But America bought it from the Russian Empire for $7 million in 1867. We’ll see if America buys this new product from the farthest Northwest. … From my new column.
** IT’S WHO?
John McCain, after a lengthy tease of multiple candidates, including early word this morning on Fox and other cable nets that Mitt Romney was the pick, selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his pick for vice president of the United States. Palin has served for a year-and-a-half as governor of Alaska, a state of less than 700,000. For perspective, that is a smaller population than contained in any of 40 state Senate districts in California.
Prior to that, she was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, which Karl Rove early this morning on Fox News erroneously stated is the second largest city in Alaska.
Actually, it’s not, and is a town of only about 8000 people. Palin, 44, is a favorite of the anti-abortion right-wing base, Rush Limbaugh’s favorite, an alum of the University of Idaho who earned the Miss Congeniality title while competing for Miss Alaska. She is an advocate of drilling for oil everywhere, including in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve.
Today is the Vietnam War hero’s — that would be McCain, Palin has no military background — 72nd birthday.
More to follow.
** OBAMA NEEDS BILL CLINTON. No big-time Democrat got more sideways with the rise of Barack Obama than the big dog himself, Bill Clinton. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it turned out that the former president needs to play a very crucial role in Obama’s elevation to the office he once held?
I think that, if Obama is to win, Clinton does need to play that very crucial role, and he can play that very crucial role. From what I know of Clinton’s schedule, he will be available, assuming that he and the Obama campaign can continue bridging what has been a very large gap. And from what I know of John McCain’s strategy, Bill Clinton can be an absolute difference maker in this election. He certainly gave a rousing speech for Obama last night in Denver.
Now, I am not historically a big Bill Clinton fan. While I’ve found him likable and smart for a couple of decades, I worked against him when he ran for president in 1992. After he became president, I wrote a number of critical columns and articles about him and his administration. I did come to admire the many innovative global good works of his post-presidency. But after seeing in early 2007 that Obama was the emerging figure in the presidential race, Clintonian tactics began to grate.
I think Bill Clinton played the key role in saving Hillary Clinton’s campaign after her big loss in Iowa. He gave her good advice, raised big doubts about Obama, and played the key role in reversing Obama’s lead amongst blue collar voters in New Hampshire. Obama skidded to a stunning loss. … From my new Huffington Post column.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden are in Denver, Colorado and Beaver, Pennsylvania.
John McCain and Sarah Palin are in Dayton, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
** DISTRACT AND DETRACT: MCCAIN COUNTER-PROGRAMS THE D.N.C., AND HIMSELF. While the Democrats continue rolling out their convention and the Obama-Biden ticket, Team McCain is playing it tough, trying to disrupt Barack Obama’s storyline at most turns of the media cycle. Free from the no doubt horrifying responsibility to run positive TV ads during the Olympics after it was brought to their attention that John McCain is the only one ever to have run negative ads, the campaign is back to its all-attack ways.
McCain’s fast and tough new campaign, under new campaign director Steve Schmidt — who I know very well from his direction of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s landslide re-election and profiled here — is making a real race of this, when it shouldn’t be. Schmidt believes in winning or at least muddying the waters at every phase of the news cycle. Incidentally, there is no reason why Schmidt’s tactics can’t be used against McCain. The media, mind you, is not going to change. … From my recent column.
** SCHWARZENEGGER LIVE WEBCAST THIS MORNING ON BUDGET CRISIS. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about the need to pass some version of his budget at a press conference with the County Supervisors Association of California. The event goes off at 10:15 AM at the San Diego County Administrative Center. It will be webcast live at www.gov.ca.gov.
** 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, which I know as a former DemRussia advisor, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. 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. After crashing over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, crude oil is trading around $118 per barrel.
The drop of over $29 per barrel comes on acknowledgement that the weak US economy will cut future demand and the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Russian war with Georgia, confounding much speculation and reporting to the contrary, actually decreased the geopolitical risk premium. Though the repercussions may not.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
Read 
| Comments (0) |
Bill… if you want to pursue it:
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/shadow_governor
I don’t think Miller has even CONTRIBUTED to a presidential campaign.
I could only get two contributions from her: $300 to Mike Miller and $328 to the AK Reep party.
excerpt:
The stories started last year when Representative Ralph Samuels told me about going into a meeting, he thought would be private, with Governor Sarah Palin. Much to his surprise, Todd Palin was there and proceeded to sit through the entire meeting.
Other lawmakers have shared similar stories and were shocked at how inappropriate Todd’s presence was at meetings with the governor. Yesterday on the Dan Fagan Show, Representative Jay Ramras mentioned that Todd was working lawmakers offices during the ACES debate….
sorry, I meant Sarah Palin had contributed to Mike Miler.
She’s such an unknown, I forgot her name!
You can search for yourself at http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml
Obama gave a nice speech last night, but it was quite a departure from his uplifting “new kind of politics” where solving America’s problems prevail over politicians attacking each other. While he proved he can throw punches from the toga party stage, will his new act play with swing voters in the swings states? That is all that really matters.
Palin was quite a surprise VP choice. I am troubled by her lack of experience, being the mayor of a speed trap town and CIC of the Alaska National Guard notwithstanding. I do like her spirit and willingness to take on corrupt Republicans. The bold, historic move will make it harder for Democrats to convince undecided voters that McCain/Palin would be Bush III. Yet if she is painted as Mike Huckabee in a dress, she is in for some tough sledding. One thing I know, she should not go hunting with Dick Cheney.
Finally, the state budget debacle goes on, without an end in sight. The re-signing of the tax pledge reminds all Republicans about the swift political deaths suffered by the last four Republicans to break from their Caucus to vote for a new tax budget. As I have been saying for months, new taxes are not going to happen.
Indeed, the Governor’s threat to veto all of the bills until the budget has passed gives Republicans an Armageddon date of September 30 for which to wait. Since the Governor must veto the bills past by August 31st before that date or they become law without his signature, late September will be high noon for hostage shootings. With no major bills of their own on the line, Republicans want to see if the Governor will make good his threat and will cheer from the peanut gallery as the veto cascade begins.
Remember, this dysfunction is not what I want, but what I can see over the horizon.
I LOVE wiki!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasilla,_Alaska
Under “Notable Residents”, there are FOUR. Here are TWO:
Vic Kohring, a Wasilla legislator who was tried in the wide ranging federal VECO corruption probe, and found guilty of bribery, conspiracy, and attempted extortion. He gained notoriety for his lack of verifiable residency, sleeping in his legislative office, and wearing a bulletproof vest. Kohring typically won his elections by a 2-1 margin.
April Flowers, female porn star and adult model, grew up in Wasilla.
KK,
Thanks for that wonderful write…you have just reminded me what I need to do: take a break before I get myself in trouble.
You folks have a great weekend. See you all in a few days…perhaps weeks…
I think this election year is wonderful. I watched Obama’s speech last night. I think the Obama /Biden ticket is wonderful but, I am also a big fan of campaign strategy. I am an even bigger fan of the one that creates this blog and everyone on it. Today is my anniversary and I plan on having some fun. So good night and I can’t wait to see the debates!
Hap,
Love ya and miss you:)
My good friend Solon, pop open a bottle of Lynmar (still available at Taylors) and cruise the Internet for “Democrats for Palin” meet ups. If McCain wins, she will be a brilliant choice. If he loses, she will be the worst VP choice since Eagleton. I fear the latter, but only time can tell.
KK,
Thanks, but not drinking. Training for a half marathon and thinking about perhaps going further than just 13.1. Consumption of even high quality alcohol doesn’t fit in the schedule.
You have a good Labor Day…
Less drinking. More thinking.
Ann,
Thinking hurts and is therefore something I avoid doing!
What new video this weekend?
SC.
Wise man.
>Sacramento Solon:
Ann,
Thinking hurts and is therefore something I avoid doing!
Aug 29, 2008 – 7:48 pm
I’ve been deleting rumors posted on my HuffPost column about some purported problems for Palin.
As you know, I don’t allow drive-by shootings. But if there’s anything to them …
>Kandy Kid:
My good friend Solon, pop open a bottle of Lynmar (still available at Taylors) and cruise the Internet for “Democrats for Palin” meet ups. If McCain wins, she will be a brilliant choice. If he loses, she will be the worst VP choice since Eagleton. I fear the latter, but only time can tell.
Aug 29, 2008 – 6:09 pm
Very well stated, KK.
>Kandy Kid:
Obama gave a nice speech last night, but it was quite a departure from his uplifting “new kind of politics” where solving America’s problems prevail over politicians attacking each other. While he proved he can throw punches from the toga party stage, will his new act play with swing voters in the swings states? That is all that really matters.
Palin was quite a surprise VP choice. I am troubled by her lack of experience, being the mayor of a speed trap town and CIC of the Alaska National Guard notwithstanding. I do like her spirit and willingness to take on corrupt Republicans. The bold, historic move will make it harder for Democrats to convince undecided voters that McCain/Palin would be Bush III. Yet if she is painted as Mike Huckabee in a dress, she is in for some tough sledding. One thing I know, she should not go hunting with Dick Cheney.
Finally, the state budget debacle goes on, without an end in sight. The re-signing of the tax pledge reminds all Republicans about the swift political deaths suffered by the last four Republicans to break from their Caucus to vote for a new tax budget. As I have been saying for months, new taxes are not going to happen.
Indeed, the Governor’s threat to veto all of the bills until the budget has passed gives Republicans an Armageddon date of September 30 for which to wait. Since the Governor must veto the bills past by August 31st before that date or they become law without his signature, late September will be high noon for hostage shootings. With no major bills of their own on the line, Republicans want to see if the Governor will make good his threat and will cheer from the peanut gallery as the veto cascade begins.
Remember, this dysfunction is not what I want, but what I can see over the horizon.
Aug 29, 2008 – 5:30 pm
Very interesting. But the USC kickoff is an hour away.
>four waters:
Bill… if you want to pursue it:
http://www.andrewhalcro.com/shadow_governor
Aug 29, 2008 – 5:21 pm
As mayor, Palin didn’t actually have a vote on the Wasilla City Council.
She chaired the meetings, voted only in case of a tie, and presided over various civic events.
>Brasky:
Wow Hap — mayor of a town with 8,000 people. I knew a mayor of such a town — I believe he was mayor at least 6 one-year terms. The town elected the mayor based on who could raise the most money for the 4th of July celbration each year. City council too you say? Now I feel comfortable with that 3am phone call.
Aug 29, 2008 – 3:22 pm
Still having a posting problem here?
>Brasky:
“PALIN IS A CREATIONIST”
I tried to post this earlier — it’s in her wiki.
Aug 29, 2008 – 5:11 pm
In my mind, this is an “seize the moment” tactic by the McCain camp, and is nothing more complicated than that. As I point out here:
http://www.somedork.com/daily-ramblings/obamas-acceptance-speech-part-2-in-high-def-tv/
Obama’s Acceptance Speech, part 2, In High Def TV
it was a brilliant play of the VP card by McCain. He has blunted the momentum of the Democratic convention. If he can keep the polls close, and get them back to even after the Republican convention, McCain’s gamble with Palin will have paid off.
[...] This is a bold gambit, intended in large measure to take the focus off Barack Obama’s spectacu… Is Sarah Palin, who would be a heartbeat away from the presidency as vice president to John McCain, qualified to serve as replacement POTUS for the oldest president in American history, tortured for five-and-a-half years as POW? [...]